Grand Finale

Novo mesto has been traditionally hosting the final stage of the Tour of Slovenia – the largest cycling event in the country – for many years. The last stage brings a special energy to the city every year, when the streets fill with fans, the Main Square becomes the scene of a sporting spectacle, and the final climb up Trška gora is one of the most recognizable moments of the entire race. It is this combination of urban pulse, the Krka River and the diverse hinterland that gives Novo mesto its unique character as a cycling destination.

The cycling capital of Slovenia with more than 50 years of tradition

Novo mesto rightfully bears the title of the cycling capital of Slovenia, as one of the strongest cycling stories in the region has been developing here for more than fifty years. The Novo mesto Cycling Club plays a central role in this, having trained numerous top athletes over the decades and significantly influenced the development of Slovenian road cycling. The landscape itself offers exceptionally natural conditions for training: the rugged Gorjanci Mountains with demanding slopes, the valley course of the Krka River and fast flat sections create terrain that allows for comprehensive preparation for the most demanding races. A strong competitive culture has also developed in this area, complemented by local events, recreational activities and the constant presence of cycling in the city’s everyday life. An important part of this story is the Novo Mesto Velodrome within the Olympic Center, which allows training throughout the year and represents one of the key infrastructural acquisitions of Slovenian cycling.

Main Square – the scene of the greatest cycling spectacle

The final kilometers of the Tour of Slovenia run through the heart of the city, where Novo mesto shows its most recognizable image. The city is built in a characteristic bend of the Krka River, which gives it a green, almost naturally blended character, and creates an exceptional backdrop for a top-level sporting event. The Main Square, the largest preserved medieval square in Slovenia, is transformed into a lively venue during the race, where sporting excitement, fan atmosphere and historical architecture intertwine. Arcaded houses, former merchant buildings and open city space create a unique atmosphere, which is further emphasized by the nearby Kandijski Most, the Krka River, the picturesque Breg and the silhouettes of the Kapitelj and Franciscan churches. The old city center also offers visitors numerous cultural and gastronomic experiences – from a visit to the Dolenjska Museum with its rich archaeological collection and famous situlae to the Kapitelj Viewpoint, which offers a view of the river bend and the city panorama. An important part of the city’s pulse is also represented by local cuisine, which visitors can discover in the Dobrote Dolenjske store and numerous catering options in the city center. The New Town is enlivened by concerts, festivals, sporting events and outdoor city programs throughout the year, so the Main Square is not just a backdrop for a sports spectacle, but also a central meeting point for urban life and experiences in Dolenjska.

A scenic climb to Trška gora among vineyards and Dolenjska zidanice

Trška gora is one of the most recognizable climbs of the Tour of Slovenia and a popular road cycling spot above Novo mesto, where views of the Krka Valley and the rolling Dolenjska landscape open up among vineyards and “zidanice” wine huts. The area is considered one of the most famous wine hills in Slovenia and the area with the highest density of “zidanica” wine huts in the world. “Zidanice” huts are traditional wine cellars, and today represent an important part of the tourist offer – from wine tastings and local cuisine to overnight stays as part of the “Tourism in Zidanice” product. Visitors can explore Trška gora on foot, by bike or electric bikes, and popular experiences also include “Opened Zidanice”, guided wine tours and the mysterious “Story of Cviček” experience, where visitors learn about the life of winegrowers and create their own bottle of the Cviček wine. The area is enlivened throughout the year by hikes among the vineyards and numerous local providers, such as the Colnar Wine Cellar, the Verček Cottage and the Matjaževa domačija, which together create the modern wine story of Dolenjska. It is this dispersed, boutique vineyard structure that gives the area a special character, which is complemented by the central symbol of the region – Cviček, a light and characteristic Dolenjska wine that connects the landscape, people and cuisine. Trška gora is therefore not only a sporting challenge at the end of the stage, but also a place for authentic experiences among the vineyards, where the cycling route naturally intertwines with the wine-growing heritage, views and hospitality of local providers.

The Krka River – the city’s natural backdrop and outdoor experiences

The Krka River is one of the most important natural features of Novo Mesto and its strongest identity in space. As one of the most beautiful karst rivers in Slovenia, it winds through the city in a wide loop, creating a unique green axis that connects the urban core with the natural environment. Its preserved nature, rich biodiversity and characteristic tufa formation give it exceptional landscape value, also recognized by its inclusion in the Natura 2000 area. Numerous walking and cycling paths run along the river, leading past key city points, such as Župančičevo and Julijino promenade, Julijina and Štukljeva brv, Portoval and Mestna plaža, and allowing direct contact with water and nature. The Krka gives the city a distinct outdoor character, as it offers numerous opportunities for active leisure activities – from running, cycling, stand-up paddle boarding and boating to relaxed experiences on the water. A special tourist experience is a ride on the Rudolf raft, which takes visitors around the old town center under four bridges, past the Kapiteljska Church, the picturesque Breg and other sights, accompanied by stories about life along the river and the history of Novo mesto. Among the most recognizable tourist products along the Krka River is the Honey Experience, one of the certified Unique Experiences of Slovenia, which connects visitors with local tradition, cuisine and life along the river through the story of the Carniolan bee, honey and nature.

Olympic Center Novo Mesto – a modern center of sports preparation

An important pillar of the city’s sports identity is the Olympic Center Novo Mesto in Češča vas, one of the most important modern sports complexes in Slovenia and a key infrastructure for the development of top-level sports in the region. Located in a natural environment, it combines top-notch conditions for training, recreation and regeneration, while also remaining open to the general public. The central part of the complex consists of the Novo Mesto Swimming Pool, an indoor velodrome with a 250-meter wooden cycling track and an athletics hall, which together enable training throughout the year regardless of weather conditions. They are complemented by an equestrian center and an outdoor recreation park with a trim track, a motor playground and a sensory trail, which allows accessibility for various users. The Olympic Center is therefore not just a sports facility, but a comprehensive space where the sporting future of the city and the region is developed and where professional training is intertwined with an active lifestyle.

Sports regeneration in the embrace of the Krka River in Otočec

Just a few kilometers from Novo mesto lies Otočec Castle, one of the most recognizable symbols of the Dolenjska krajina region, where the only water castle in Slovenia rises on a river island. Otočec Castle, today converted into a luxury hotel, is surrounded by a castle park and the peaceful streams of the Krka River, creating an exceptional environment for relaxation and regeneration. Together with the golf course and the natural environment of the Krka River, it creates an area where sports, nature and relaxation are combined into a comprehensive experience.

A diverse offer for cyclists

In Novo mesto, top-notch sporting events are intertwined with a wide range of recreational, mountain biking and tourist attractions. In addition to road climbs towards Trška gora and Gorjanci, the city offers numerous well-maintained MTB trails and a skill park, which are maintained by active local associations that, through competitions, cycling schools and volunteer work, co-create a strong cycling community. Among the most popular spots are the Soteške stezice along the Krka River, the Fratko Bike Park, the Zverinice Skill Park and the Pump Track in the Portoval Sports Center. The city also allows visitors to easily explore the surroundings with the GoNM bike rental system and electric bikes at the Trška gora Entry Point and at the Novo mesto Tourist Information Center, where numerous routes through the vineyards begin. The cycling-oriented offer is complemented by specialized accommodations and providers, such as the cycling Hotel Ravbar, Šeruga Farmstay, Ob Krki,  Gače mountain center and local providers of guided tours, services and bike rentals, which is why Novo mesto is becoming a recognizable destination for recreational cyclists. The cycling pulse of the city is created throughout the year by numerous events, such as the conclusion of the Tour of Slovenia, the Novo mesto Grand Prix, the Krka River Valley Cycling Marathon, SloEnduro Gorjanci and the Novo mesto Grand Prix, which attract competitors, recreational cyclists and fans to the city and confirm Novo mesto’s strong cycling tradition.

Cycling routes for road cycling in the heart of Dolenjska

A special feature of Novo Mesto is its exceptional proximity to the countryside, which allows cyclists to find themselves among vineyards, forests or by the river in a few minutes from the city center. There is an extensive network of cycling routes in Novo Mesto and the wider Dolenjska region, among which the following stand out for road cyclists:

• At the foot of the Gorjanci Mountains
• The Straža–Toplice–Novo Mesto cycling loop
• The Suha krajina cycling route
• The Venice of Dolenjska

A city where great stories begin

Novo Mesto builds its cycling identity on an exceptional combination of tradition, infrastructure and natural environment, which together create one of the most comprehensive cycling destinations in Slovenia. For many years, it has hosted the finale of the Tour of Slovenia on the Main Square, which has become a symbol of the connection between the city and top sport and one of the most recognizable moments in the Slovenian cycling calendar. With the headquarters of the strongest cycling club in Slovenia, it further strengthens the city’s position as a development center for cycling, while the local community and sports tradition ensure that cycling here is not just a sport, but a way of life that connects people, space, and the identity of the region.