A local musician’s cultural guide to Nova Gorica, the 2025 Capital of Culture

Singer-songwriter Tish grew up on the border of Europe’s first-ever borderless Capital of Culture. Here are her picks, from underground jams at Mostovna to Fabrika’s famous burgers.

Nova Gorica is one of Slovenia’s (and Europe’s) youngest cities, but it’s grown up fast. Since Slovenia’s entry into the EU in 2004, it’s become a showpiece for Slovenia’s rich artistic tradition stretching from ancient artisanal crafts to master Slovene Impressionists Ivana Kobilca and Franc Berneker to today’s thriving contemporary arts scene.

The planned city was founded in 1947 after the Paris Peace Treaty established the border between Italy and the former Yugoslavia, restricting travel between the two nations. With the Italian city of Gorizia, a regional centre since the Middle Ages, suddenly off-limits to Yugoslavs, the Socialist Yugoslavian government envisioned Nova Gorica (New Gorizia in Slovenian) as a modernist city to cement a new, postwar identity. For decades, the two cities lived on either side of a tumultuous border; steps apart but worlds away.

Now, united as the 2025 EU Capital of Culture, Nova Gorica and its sister Italian city Gorizia stand as “the European capital of borderless culture”. Having these two places, so long separated, share this distinction is a testament to a collaborative future.

And Nova Gorica itself – nestled in the idyllic Vipava Valley, famed for its wineries – has become particularly known for its unique combination of modern artistic edge and small-town community feel.

We asked Tish, a singer-songwriter who has called Nova Gorica home since she was a teen, to guide us through Europe’s unsung artsy capital. For Tish, a 2025 GO! Ambassador, Nova Gorica is its own best champion. “Slovenia’s past as part of Yugoslavia [means] you never feel out of place here,” she says. “It’s easy to find Serbian or Slovenian food and hear people speaking Slovenian, English, Serbian and Croatian. Being so close to Italy adds another layer of cultural richness. Nova Gorica is truly a unique place, where the feeling of community is so strong that everyone feels welcome.”

The arts are fundamental to Nova Gorica’s identity, and as Tish says, the scene “feels deeply rooted in the community. You can see art all around the city, especially street art. Cankarjeva Ulica [a main street] is full of graffiti, adding colour and energy.”

Here are Tish’s top recommendations for a visit to artsy Nova Gorica.

Trg Evrope, called Piazza della Transalpinain Italian after the trans-European Transalpina train that once stopped there, is a stately square that was cut in two by the border until 2004. Like many of her generation, 24-year-old Tish sees it as the true symbol of her city’s history. “Standing here, you can truly feel the essence of Nova Gorica,” she says, “shaped by Italy yet distinctly Slovenian in spirit.” Anchored by the city’s monumental train station built in 1906, the centrepiece of the square is the Mosaic of the New Europe, a marker transferred from the old border and transformed into an evocative piece of collective art. Tish recommends a stop at the classic Caffe Bordo, “right at the train station, where you can enjoy a cosy coffee break”.

The square is currently undergoing a major renovation in anticipation of the 2025 Capital of Culture, where it will become the new ECoC District. Set to be completed by the end of 2024, this vibrant square will connect Italy and Slovenia through accessible green urban spaces, art exhibits and an upgraded railway station in Nova Gorica that will improve transport links around Slovenia.

Founded in 1980, the Nova Gorica Arts Centre champions Slovenian talent with exhibits and performances, and for Tish, it’s quite simply “the heartbeat of Nova Gorica’s vibrant arts scene”. In her opinion, the diversity of the centre’s offering reflects the cultural legacy of Nova Gorica itself: “a great place to stay in tune with the city’s musical pulse, from local indie bands to up-and-coming Slovenian artists”. The Arts Centre also manages the circular Mestna Galerija, one of Tish’s favourite galleries, host of the internationally renowned Pixxelpoint festival and a one-time exhibition space for artists Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. “It’s the perfect spot to escape for a while and lose yourself in thought-provoking artwork,” she says.

As the Capital of Culture, Nova Gorica will be bursting with cultural activities throughout 2025. Look out for incredible live concerts from Slovenian and international performers – Patti Smith inaugurated the project with a concert in 2023, so the bar has been set high. There will also be a full calendar of art and film festivals; dance companies; thought-provoking installations around the city; and workshops discussing technology, innovation and solutions for a borderless world.

Nova Gorica doesn’t just cater to students and young artists; foodies seeking elevated cuisine are also in luck. “For a refined dining experience, Michelin-starred Restavracija Dam restaurant, just outside the city centre, offers a modern take on Slovenian cuisine,” says Tish. Helmed by Chef Uroš Fakuč in the posh Dam boutique hotel, Restavracija Dam turns the volume up on Istrian classics like Soča trout and Piran sea bass in a moody, seductive space.

“[Dam] masterfully blends local ingredients with creative flair, making it the perfect place to savour the region’s culinary artistry,” says Tish. Pair the restaurant’s creative dishes like “rice with the taste of the sea and the scent of oysters” with any of the 300 wines from Slovenia, Italy, France and Austria in the cellar.

For Tish, Fabrika gastropub has it all. “It’s the kind of place where you can stop by for a drink or dive into their extensive menu,” she says. “Plus, they’ve got craft beers, creative cocktails… whatever you’re in the mood for!”

Located in Nova Gorica’s central Bevkov Square, Fabrika is emblematic of Slovenia’s trendy-yet-relaxed food scene, where gastropubs and bistros offer all-day eats for every kind of appetite. At Fabrika, you’re just as likely to find a group of university friends sharing tacos as grandparents tucking into gigantic burgers made from local Slovenian beef.

Tish also loves what Fabrika offers beyond the menu. “On Fridays, they host a DJ set, and the place is open all day, every day,” she says. “So, it’s perfect for a quiet morning or a lively night. Located right in front of the main square, which frequently hosts events and live music, Fabrika is the go-to spot.”

Slovenia’s Alpine rivers make stellar beers, and small breweries are popping up all over the country. Visitors looking to experience Nova Gorica’s craft beer culture can head to Reservoir Dogs, a raucous craft beer taproom on the industrial outskirts of town that offers a wide selection of artisanal brews.

“Nova Gorica’s music scene is diverse,” says Tish. “Genres range from jazz to indie rock [but] there’s a particularly strong presence of metal, punk and electronic music.” And hands down, Mostovna is “the place to be” to soak up the city’s edgy music scene. Located in a former industrial facility right on the Slovenia-Italy border, the punky industrial space is a club and meeting point for free spirits and misfits. “It’s a hotspot, sometimes hosting two shows in one day!” says Tish. “You can catch anything from rock, soul and orchestral music to comedy and art exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists from all over Slovenia.”

Young musicians like Tish have a lot of support in Nova Gorica. “There’s plenty of room for growth in Nova Gorica’s creative scene, and the local support is incredible,” she says. “Many musicians perform here, and I’ve had the amazing opportunity to meet and collaborate with some of the most famous Slovenian artists. It’s a small community with excellent connections, making it a great place to grow and get involved in special events featuring some of the country’s biggest performers.”

Flowing alongside Nova Gorica and Gorizia, the emerald green Soča River is arguably one of the most beautiful in Europe. Viewing it under the dramatic arches of the 85m-long Solkan Bridge, the world’s longest stone arch railroad bridge, is a perfect outdoor experience. “You can walk or bike along the [river],” says Tish. “Try kayaking, or just take in the views. It’s the ideal place to soak up the [Soča’s] natural beauty.” With the rugged Alps in the distance and tiny villages dotting the surrounding Karst hills, this is one of the best places to capture the lofty scenery that makes Slovenia such a stunning place to visit.

Active visitors will be spoiled for choice here. “The zipline and kayak club, Soča Fun Park, are perfect if you’re in the mood for adventure,” says Tish. For optimal people watching, she also recommends grabbing a cocktail at the charming riverside bar, Čolnarna.

BBC Travel’s The SpeciaList is a series of guides to popular and emerging destinations around the world, as seen through the eyes of local experts and tastemakers.