Sights in our
surroundings
Ravbar Apartments and Rooms are a mere five-minute walk away from the center of Novo mesto and are a great base for excursions in the surrounding area. We will provide you with useful information about nearby sights and a map of the surroundings.
Novo mesto
- the archaeological capital of Slovenia, also known as the town of “situlas” (ancient elaborate bucket-shaped vessels),
- an ideal spot to relax and explore the surroundings,
- a town of hospitable people, good food and drink,
- a town of festivals and concerts.
You will need at least three days to properly explore Novo mesto and its surroundings. However, as many visitors fall in love with this non-touristy part of Slovenia, they end up staying much longer than planned. In Dolenjska the locals are extremely hospitable, so we will be more than happy to show you this beautiful part of Slovenia.
Events in Novo mesto – for more information click here.
Jazz festival (august) – for more information click here.
Theater (throughout the year) – for more information click here.
Knjigarna – Bookstore – Goga Publishing House – for more information click here.
Novo mesto, the capital of the Dolenjska region with about 24,000 inhabitants, was founded in 1365 by the Habsburg Duke Rudolf IV. It is considered to be the Hallstatt of Dolenjska, as over 2500 years ago a rich and flourishing civilization lived in the area.
The Museum of Dolenjska boasts an extremely rich archaeological collection, one of the country’s most important ones, with some of Europe’s most culturally and historically valuable exhibits. The Jakčev dom gallery with permanent art exhibitions is also nearby. A walk through the old town will take you past the town’s square, the Gothic cathedral (Church of St. Nicholas) with Tintoretti’s painting and crypt (we also recommend that you climb up the bell tower for an amazing view of the town). During your walk you can also admire the town hall – Rotovž and the fountain on the main square, which has been a meeting place for lovers and the inspiration of poets (Kette) for many years.
The oldest and best-preserved part of the town, called Breg (“riverbank”), another long-time inspiration for painters, lies along the Krka River. You can also go for a beautiful walk from the Kette Avenue to the Marof Hill, from where you will get a stunning view of the town. On your way back, you can take a stroll along the Krka River to Loka (Župančič’s promenade) or continue to Ragov log, a nearby forest with views of the river, and cross a wooden bridge to return to town center.
Only a few kilometers out of town lies the wine-growing Trška gora with beautiful views of the Novo mesto basin, the Krka river and Gorjanci hills, where you can taste local wine and regional specialties.
Trips in the region (a few suggestions)
We recommend at least five days to properly explore the area.
Otočec Castle the only preserved island castle in Slovenia. It has been converted into a 5-star hotel and is famous for its cuisine. Nearby you will find a golf course with 18 holes, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful ones in the country, and an adrenaline park ideal for active families.
Krka River – one of the most beautiful Slovenian rivers, home to the human fish. The river’s most beautiful tufa barrages are located near Dvor. Due to the several castles that can be found along the river, the valley is known as the valley of castles. We recommend a visit to one of the country’s most picturesque medieval castles, the Žužemberk Castle, which mightily stands on a steep cliff above the river. In July, the castle hosts several summer events such as Medieval Days.
Brook Divji potok – its tufa formations near Črmošnjice are a hidden gem for nature lovers.
Kolpa River – one of southern Slovenia’s most well known natural beauties is only a 35-minute drive away. It is the country’s warmest river, ideal for swimming in summer.
The source of Krupa River – lies in beautiful nature (we recommend a walk along the river through the magical landscape).
Metlika – visit the Museum of Bela krajina located at the Metlika Castle to see its permanent collections and a film about the region. Nearby you can also visit the Gothic pilgrimage churches Tri fare in Rosalnice and the wine-growing village of Drašiči, where you can taste the best wines of Bela krajina (try the Prus winery, 5-time winner of Slovenian winery of the year) as well as local delicacies (lamb, suckling pig).
Lahinja Landscape Park – we recommend a guided tour of this botanical treasure in the upper part of the Lahinja River basin, where the natural and cultural heritage intertwine on 200 hectares of land. Pusti Gradec – a tour of the Klepec mill and Venetian sawmill with a tasting of Bela krajina’s local delicacies.
Homestead Raztresen Adlešiči – for everyone interested in old customs, such as flax growing and processing, basket knitting, Easter egg decorating and other handicrafts, such as making glass or ceramic products and art works.
Gorjanci, Mirna gora, Gače and Kočevski rog – perfect locations for nature lovers (hiking and cycling).
Klevevž spring – swimming in nature (natural thermal spring).
Cviček fountain in Šmarjeta with a church view tower.
Mirna Peč – Lojze Slak and Tone Pavček Museum (for music and poetry enthusiasts).
Base 20 – a must visit for all history lovers. During the Second World War, it was the seat of the leadership of the Slovene partisan movement. Today, it is the only remaining monument of the resistance movement in Europe.
Pleterje Charterhouse – get familiar with the life of monks, and visit the Gothic Holy Trinity Church, the oldest part of the monastery, and the open-air museum – a 200-year-old homestead from Šentjernejsko polje. The museum displays the rich tradition of rural life, its culture, customs and habits. It also offers the possibility to purchase the famous Pleterje spirit with bottled pears and ceramic products typical of the Šentjernejsko polje area.
Kostanjevica na Krki – one of the smallest and oldest Slovenian towns, also called the Venice of Dolenjska. Just next to the beautiful town, there is an open-air wooden sculpture museum (forma viva) as well as the biggest gallery in the region with the largest arcaded courtyard in Central Europe. If you opt for a guided tour you can also visit the most beautiful Karst cave in the area.
Brežice Castle – home to one of the largest and richest regional museums in Slovenia, the Posavje Museum, with an archaeological and ethnological collection, a collection on peasant revolts and a collection of paintings by well-known Slovenian Baroque painters. Its fascinating Knights’ Hall boasts an extraordinary Baroque wall painting.
Krakov Forest – the only Slovenian primeval forest that has been declared a primeval forest reserve.
Trebnje – with a famous gallery of naive artists (includes works by artists from Africa, Latin America and Asia).
Mirna Castle – one of the oldest castles in Slovenia (dating from 1165) and a remnant of medieval architecture on the Slovenian territory, also called the Sleeping Beauty.
Ljubljana – the capital of Slovenia is only a 40-minute drive away from Novo mesto. The city will impress you with its old center and a lively vibe (festivals, cultural and sports events, etc.).
Zagreb – the capital of Croatia is only a 50-minute drive away and makes for a wonderful trip. The city center is interesting and very lively (especially during Advent).
Spa and wellness
Šmarješke Toplice, a thermal spa with five thermal water pools, is a great place for relaxation, located only a 10-minute drive away. There are two indoor (32 °C) and three outdoor pools – the sport pool, the children’s (both 26-28 °C) and a popular wooden pool, which lies above the thermal spring. With a small pond full of Indian lotus, the park is also perfect for a stroll. The Vitarium Spa&Clinique wellness center offers face and body treatments and massages as well as an altitude training studio, a gym and rooms for modern therapeutic and diagnostic services.
A 10-minute drive away in the other direction you will find another thermal spa Dolenjske Toplice, where you can relax in the Balnea wellness center, situated in the middle of a beautiful thermal park. It offers all kinds of wellness services for face and body care. You can enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools with temperatures up to 32 °C as well as refreshing baths, invigorating massages and relaxing saunas, or do strength training and cardio sessions.
The largest Slovenian spa resort, Terme Čatež, will impress you with its summer thermal riviera. Spreading over more than 10,000 m2, it is the largest outdoor pool complex in Slovenia (seven outdoor pools, water slides, a slow river, waterfalls, a pirate island) and an ideal location for families. It also has a winter thermal riviera with more than 1,800 m2 of indoor pools.
Did you know?
- Leon Štukelj is the most famous resident of Novo mesto. At the age of 98 he was the star of the 1996 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Atlanta as the world’s oldest Olympian. As a tribute to this three-time gymnastics Olympic gold medalist, his monument was put up at the entrance to the center of Novo mesto.
- Josef Ressel, the inventor of the ship propeller, first tested his invention on the beautiful Krka River.
- Dolenjski cviček the typical wine of Dolenjska, is the only wine (besides the Tuscan chianti) in the world that is produced from both white and red grape varieties (you can also taste our home-made cviček).
- Jurij Slatkonja a former leading priest of Novo mesto and Bishop of Vienna, is famous for having founded the Vienna Orchestra and its famous Vienna Boys Choir.
- Ernst Mach, after whom the supersonic speed unit is named, got the idea of the movement of bodies and the travel of cannonballs through the air and the double explosion in the vicinity of Novo mesto, where his parents were from.
- The missionary Frederick Baraga, who came from Dolenjska, was the first to present the legend of the Indian princess Pocahontas to the Europeans.
- the Gospodična spring in the Gorjanci Hills is famous for its rejuvenating properties (if you’re sceptical, we suggest you try it yourselves).
- the traditional cycling race across Slovenia (Tour de Slovenia), broadcast by Eurosport ends in Novo mesto every year. It boast an almost 30 year tradition. Two of the best cyclists in the world, Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, have both won this race in the past.
- the endemic black human fish, a mysterious relative of the white human fish, lives only in the underground world of Črnomelj.
- Julija Primic, the muse of the greatest Slovenian poet France Prešeren, lived in Novo mesto.
Where to eat
A rich breakfast buffet is available in the Ravbar Rooms and Apartments at an additional cost. A supermarket where you can buy your own food and drinks is located 50 meters away. In the vicinity you will find many restaurants and bars where you can try local culinary delicacies.
Restaurants in Novo mesto:
- Situla Fink Restaurant (approximately 600m away from us)
- Don Bobi Inn (approximately 400m away from us)
- Rudolfswerth Inn (approximately 350m away from us)
- Loka Restaurant (1km)
- Pri Belokranjcu Inn (800m)
- Kralj Matjaž Pizzeria (500 m)
- Jakše Inn (1.5km)
- Gedžo Grill (2.5km)
- Fink Drska Slow food – Michelin plate 2020 (1,5km)
Restaurants around Novo mesto:
- Vovko Restaurant – Ratež (distance 7km) – local specialties
- Mrak Inn – Sela pri Ratežu (6km) – excellent suckling pig and lamb
- Grad Otočec – Otočec (8km)
- Šempeter Inn – Otočec (7km)
- Pod smrekco Inn – Potok (5km)
- Oštarija Restaurant – Dolenjske Toplice (12km)
- Šmarjeta Hotel Restaurant (14km)
