The town of Kobarid is just 31 miles (50 km) north of Goriška Brda, a popular section of Slovenia’s western wine region. Šmartno, an entire village designated as a cultural heritage monument, makes a picturesque hub with excellent access to many wineries. The most convenient way to travel between the two is by car—rental or private transfer—which takes about one hour. If you're interested in extending your trip a bit, this 8-day itinerary continues through the region.
If traveling in the summer months, another option is the regional bus. There’s one departure each day that takes you to Nova Gorica, the transportation hub of Goriška Brda. If Šmartno is your destination, the journey requires an additional 20-minute taxi or transfer. In total, this option takes about 1.5 hours.
With a similar journey time as the bus, the train offers several departures each day running from Most na Soči—20 minutes by taxi from Kobarid—to Nova Gorica.
By Rental Car or Private Transfer
Duration: 1 hour
The fastest way to reach Goriška Brda from Kobarid is by rental car or private transfer. Keep in mind that rental cars aren’t available in Kobarid, so it’s best to have one before arriving. Otherwise, you can rent a car in nearby Most na Soči, which is 20 minutes by taxi or transfer.
The route is very scenic as you drive through the Soča River Valley on Road 102, famous for its views of the emerald river. At Most na Soči, you’ll switch to Road 103 which takes you all the way to Goriška Brda, a region full of villages perched atop rolling hills.
The town of Tolmin is a great spot for a meal or a coffee break. If you’d like to stretch your legs, the Tolmin Gorges offer a beautiful and leisurely day hike.
By Bus
Duration: 1.5 hours
Less convenient than driving is the regional bus, which offers just one departure each afternoon in the summer months (June—August). This route arrives in Nova Gorica—the transportation hub for Goriška Brda—at about 2:30 pm. An additional 20-minute local bus or taxi will take you all the way to Šmartno, or other towns in the region.
By Train and Private Transfer
Duration: 1.5 hours
If you're traveling outside of the summer tourist season, the train is a good alternative to the bus. However, there are no direct trains. A taxi or private transfer will get you to nearby Most na Soči in about 20 minutes, where trains depart regularly and arrive in Nova Gorica 40 minutes later. From there, you can grab a taxi, transfer, or local bus to your final destination within Goriška Brda.
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