Discover Metlika from different perspectives: through its wine tradition, its long history as a town and customs that are still performed today. There is also a scenic hill above the town and opportunities to explore the old town on foot or as part of a guided experience.
Wine Tradition and Regional Cuisine
Vinska klet Metlika is a 108-metre-long, fully underground tunnel cellar. Built in 1958, it can store up to three million litres of wine. Visitors can book tours with wine tastings; check the booking arrangements before your trip. The winery’s history is also remarkable: in 1981, it produced the first Slovenian rosé wine, and in 1986, under the direction of Dr Julij Nemanič, the first ice wine in what was then Yugoslavia.
Another way to discover regional produce is to take part in a workshop on making Belokranjska pogaÄŤa. With expert guidance, participants prepare the dough; the experience also includes tastings of traditional wines from Bela krajina and seasonal regional specialities. The focus here is not only on the finished Belokranjska pogaÄŤa, but also on how it is made.
Old Town and History
The oldest part of Metlika lies below Veselica Hill. The area was already inhabited in prehistoric times, and the town developed in the Middle Ages. Metlika, then still called Novi trg, had a town wall by 1365 at the latest. Metliški grad was first mentioned in 1456 and is probably much older.
At Metliški grad, the Belokranjski Museum presents a permanent exhibition entitled “People’s Lives in Bela krajina from Prehistory to the Mid-20th Century.” Exhibition details may change; check what is currently on display before your visit. Galerija Kambič is housed in the birthplace of academician Kambič. Its collection of cultural and historical objects and works by various Slovenian artists is of national importance.
Customs and Events
Since 1992, the Metliška folklorna skupina Ivan Navratil has performed Metliško obredje every Easter Monday at Trg svobode in the old town. The Vuzemski plesi in igre, also known as Metliško obredje, include the metliško kolo dance and the dance games rešetca, al' je kaj trden ta vaš must, robčeci, kurji boj and turn.
Vinska vigred is a recurring three-day festival in the old town featuring wine, cuisine, music and folklore. At Vinski plac on Mestni trg, winemakers from Bela krajina present their wines, along with a selection of wines rated by Društvo vinogradnikov Metlika. The programme may vary from one edition to the next; check the current festival programme before your trip.
Views, Walks and Cycling Route
At 233 metres, Veselica lies above Metlika. Its landscape is shaped by vineyards, and it is a popular viewpoint for locals and day-trippers. The walking route around Metlika and through the old town starts at Pungart, the starting point for the town’s walking trails.
A cycling route leads from the town centre to three Gothic pilgrimage churches, then continues through birch-covered steljniki and vineyards dotted with zidanice to Drašiči. The two options therefore have different focuses: the walking route takes in the old town, while the cycling route connects churches, steljniki and vineyards, ending in Drašiči. As route conditions may change, check them before setting out.
Guided Experiences in the Old Town
Metliška pustolovščina takes you through the old town with a map and a series of tasks. This experience, which takes about two hours, starts and ends at Hiša dobrot Bele krajine. There, you pick up a backpack, equipment, a map and a light refreshment. Metliški dragulji offers a different focus: a local guide tells stories, stops at important historical sites and shares insights into Metlika’s tangible and intangible heritage. Check the booking details for these experiences before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Gradac, Drašiči.
Return to the main travel overview: Metlika.
