At Novo Mesto’s town beach, located on the right bank of the Krka, below the Portoval Sports Park, you can hire a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), canoe or wooden rowing boat, swim in the river or simply enjoy a stroll and a refreshing drink at the Plaža beach bar.
The beach is around a ten-minute walk from Glavni Trg (Main Square). Car and camper parking is also available nearby. The nearest places to eat are Gostilnica Barba and, opposite the beach, on the other side of the river, Gostišče Loka Kuhla. Both restaurants are just a couple of minutes’ walk from the beach.
The slowly flowing Krka is ideal for boating, paddleboarding and swimming. One option is to set off down the river in the direction of the old town. You will first pass under the Loka footbridge, and then under the railway and road bridges. Shortly after that, the picturesque Breg district will come into view on the left bank and you will see Julija’s Footbridge and Kandija Bridge ahead of you. As you pass under the latter, you will catch sight of the Franciscan friary behind the town houses, dominating the rocky promontory of the old town centre. This is as far as you can go in this direction because of the weir that crosses the river a little further downstream. The proposed route is approximately 1.2 km in each direction and is suitable for an hour’s stand-up paddleboarding or canoeing/rowing. Alternatively, you can head upstream from the town beach, where the river is slightly more closely surrounded by green nature. You will glide past the edge of the Portoval wood on the right bank of the river (to your left when going upstream), while the Župančič Footpath follows you on the left bank (to your right). You can choose where to stop along the bank, but don’t forget to cool off with a refreshing dip in the Krka! Otherwise, the most suitable place to stop when heading upstream is at the Irča Vas boathouse, a distance of 1.7 km from the starting point. Boats are available to hire in the warm summer months.
Add to your experience of the Krka with some riverside relaxation at the Plaža beach bar or on the wooden pontoon moored to the bank. The summer months will be full of refreshment, with cocktails, craft beers and ice cream – and, the most recent addition, pizzas. Enjoy the wonderful surroundings, relax to the sounds of the river and experience unforgettable moments with family and friends. Intimate concerts on warm summer evenings add the finishing touch to a perfect experience.
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