Nova Gorica

Twin city of Gorizia (Italy), Nova Gorica was European Capital of Culture 2025 — the first spanning two countries, a title that gave its cultural scene a lasting boost. Gateway to the Brda hills, Vipava valley and Soča valley. The food scene is booming with creative restaurants and natural wine bars.

Two cities, one square

Nova Gorica was born in 1947, when the Paris peace treaty left old Gorizia to Italy: Yugoslavia built a brand-new town on its side of the line. Today you cross the border on foot on Europe Square (Trg Evrope / Piazza Transalpina), right in front of the Transalpina railway station — one foot in each country, no formalities. It is the only place in Europe where two cities in two countries literally share their central square.

What remains of GO!2025? The legacy in 2026

In 2025, Nova Gorica and Gorizia together formed the first cross-border European Capital of Culture in history (GO!2025). The title has moved on to Trenčín and Oulu, but the essentials stayed: the EPIC centre on Europe Square continues its work on 20th-century history with the “A City on the Border” exhibition, while on the Italian side the Digital Art Gallery (DAG) extends Gorizia's cultural turn.

Since summer 2026 the legacy programme has been carried by Nova Gorica's Kulturni dom, and the effect is measurable: over 30% more overnight stays on the Gorizia side during the capital year, and a cultural calendar on both banks that remains far denser than before the title.

Food and wine: a crossroads of borders

The local food scene blends Slovenian, Italian and Friulian influences without complex: creative restaurants, natural wine bars, and two major wine regions at the city gates — the Brda hills 10 minutes away and the Vipava valley at 20. In late September, Gorizia hosts Gusti di Frontiera (24-27 September 2026): around 300 stalls and 17 culinary “villages” from 50 countries, an easy walk from Nova Gorica.

Kostanjevica: the tomb of the last king of France

On Kostanjevica hill above the centre, the Franciscan monastery holds the Bourbon crypt: Charles X, the last king of France, has rested here since 1836, after dying of cholera in Görz during his exile. Six tombs of the royal family lie in the crypt, including the Count of Chambord's. An improbable piece of French history — plus a renowned Bourbon rose garden.

Getting there

The Bohinj railway line runs down from Jesenice, Bled and Most na Soči to Nova Gorica — the Transalpina station opens directly onto Europe Square. By car, allow 1 h 15 from Ljubljana via the H4 and the Vipava valley. Nearest airports: Trieste (45 min) and Ljubljana (1 h 15).