Easy Day Trip from Bratislava: Discover This Beautiful Gem

Going to Bratislava?

Great!

The thing is, you can easily see the city in a day or two.

So what do you do with the rest of your time, especially if you travelled from far away to get there?

How about an easy day trip from Bratislava? We know the perfect place and we are sure you will love it too.

Let us tell you all about this charming little town, just a half-hour train ride from Bratislava.

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Here’s a little bit about our journey, if you are new here! If you know us, feel free to skip this part.

After leaving our old life in Scotland in March 2022 (it rains too much there), we travelled full-time for almost 2 years. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Well, it was. If you think that carrying overpacked backpacks in 45°C heat around streets that aren’t even on Google Maps is fancy. And that’s just 1% of all the fun we had! 😆

During the 2 years we volunteered in Italy and Bulgaria (free travel while learning new skills, anyone?), explored other amazing European countries and backpacked Southeast Asia. Even our secret wedding was more of an expedition than a wedding. 😅

And, of course, we researched and planned everything ourselves, because you gotta keep the budget low, right? If you are like us, you’ve come to the right place, because we want to share all the useful tips and info with you!

Excited? Good. Let’s get into it so you can go on your own adventures too!

Easy day trip from Bratislava: where to go?

We’ll swap things around a bit – first, we’ll tell you where you should go if you are looking for an easy day trip from Bratislava.

And then we’ll tell you why you should trust our recommendation.

The place?

A small town called Trnava.

You can get there from Bratislava by train, but we’ll get to that shortly.

If you want to be cheeky, you can look up the town on Google now and see some pics – we won’t be offended, as long as you come back to read the rest of the article afterwards. 😄

Now that you know which easy day trip from Bratislava we recommend, this is why you should trust that advice.

Why you should trust us?

We cover this in all our posts about Slovakia, because we want to reassure you: we know what we are talking about.

Here are a few facts:

• Mirka is originally from Slovakia and not just from any town – the very place we are talking about in this post!
• We’ve travelled around the country as tourists many times over the years.
• Since life is full of surprises, we even ended up setting up a temporary home base in Trnava!

It’s not what you think

You might now be thinking: “Of course you guys would say this is a great place, you have a personal connection to it!”

Aha! Not quite.

Let’s not forget that while Mirka was born in Trnava, she did leave the town aged 19, because at that time it was… well, we used to call it a black hole inside a black hole, because the whole country sucked.

Slovakia is still battling major problems nowadays, but Trnava has, like a phoenix, risen from the ashes.

In the last 10 or so years, it has become a beautiful, lively town, that people are actually proud to live in.

But we know that you are not shopping for real estate here, you wanna know why this is the best easy day trip from Bratislava for you!

Fair.

We’ll tell you.

Why is this the best easy day trip from Bratislava?

It’s fair that you won’t just take our word for it – you are a person who needs solid reasons, and we respect that.

Of all the places you can go to, why should you go on a day trip to Trnava?

• The thing is, it really is an easy day trip. One direct train from Bratislava and you are in Trnava. The town is compact, so you won’t have to get any other public transport once there. The train itself takes just over 30 mins and the connections are very frequent. More on transport below.
• It can be a very cheap trip too. A train from Bratislava to Trnava will cost you €2.70 (2025 price). If you get some pastries from a supermarket or make your own sandwiches, you can do the trip for under €10. If you use our secret lunch tip, you can even eat out and still not spend more than €20!
• Trnava is awesome! We’ll tell you more in the next section.
• We don’t want to be throwing shade on Bratislava, but Trnava is so much prettier. Why? Because it’s not the capital city with all its chaos and, let’s face, it rubbish. Trnava is a smaller town that has been beautifully done up. If you don’t believe us, we’ll tell you a fact: even people from Bratislava are moving to Trnava, because it’s a nicer place to live in, but it’s still commutable to Bratislava for work. Says it all.
• It’s so much quieter and more peaceful in Trnava. Not in a sleepy town where nothing happens kind of way, but in a small, lively town way, without all the hustle and bustle of the capital city. Perfect for families, neurodivergent or older people. Or anyone who prefers quieter places.
• Many people have heard of Bratislava (also many still think it’s in Slovenia, but that’s another topic 🙄). Some have even visited. But do you know how many of your friends and family have been to Trnava? Probably none! That means you’ll have the bragging rights – you are the one who went on a cool adventure, exploring authentic life in Slovakia in one of its small cities. Off the beaten path, unlike the tourists who don’t venture beyond Bratislava!

Basically, it’s an easy day trip that can be cheap and will definitely be awesome. Go.

Speaking of going, let’s talk more about how to get to Trnava.

How to get there?

We keep saying how this is an easy day trip from Bratislava because of transport, so let’s talk more about that.

Here is how you can get to Trnava from the capital:

By car

If you have your own car or are hiring one, you have 2 options:

• Taking the D1 motorway (motorway vignette required). The journey can take you anywhere from 30 mins upwards, depending on traffic – traffic jams are common.
• Taking the country roads through villages. While a slower option, it might turn out faster depending on traffic jams on the motorway, so do check what your GPS tells you. This way you can see more of the local life and save money on the motorway vignette (and you can also stop by at any of the villages, if you have time).

By train

Don’t bother with a car – take a train.

Here is what you need to know:

• Connections are very frequent. Trnava is the capital of its region, meaning all trains from Bratislava heading in that general direction stop in it. 
• A single train ticket from Bratislava to Trnava will cost you just €2.70 (2025 price).
• You can use this website to see the times of trains in Slovakia (regional buses too, if you need them).
• In Bratislava, you will, most likely, be leaving from the main train station (Hlavná stanica) if you stay in or near the city centre. In Trnava, there is only one train station, and it’s just a 5-minute walk to the city centre from there (love places like this!).
• This website is the official one for train travel in Slovakia, so if you want to actually buy tickets, and not just check the timetables, head there.

Good transport is one of the reasons we think this is an easy day trip from Bratislava – hop on a train and you’ll be in Trnava in just over half an hour!

What to do in Trnava

Trnava might be a small town, but you definitely won’t be bored there (Mirka: “My 16yo self wouldn’t believe I’d ever say this! Things [and towns] change sometimes!”)

Travel back in time

Okay, maybe we lied a bit.

This isn’t just an easy day trip from Bratislava.

Once you get off the train in Trnava, you’ll find yourself back in time!

But don’t worry, not in an “omg was that a rat and will I get the plague??” kinda way.

The town is full of surprises, though.

For example, Trnava was the first place in Slovakia which was given the status of a free royal town by the king in 1238 — and it’s still easy to see why it earned such an honour.

Walk along the cobbled streets, explore 13th-century city walls, and marvel at the stunning architecture — from historic townhouses and the old town hall to the local theatre and beyond.

If you love history or architecture or aesthetic places or time travel or fairytale vibes (side note: actually, fairy tales do get filmed in Trnava. Along with ads, TV shows and more!), you’ll love it here.

Marvel at the many churches

Do you know why Trnava is called Little Rome?

Because despite its small size, it currently has 13 churches! 

We say currently, because the 13th one has only been consecrated in 2025, so you never know, there might be more coming!

Even if you are not a religious person, do pop into a few churches just to see the amazing architecture. 

The two most famous (and beautiful ones) are the Basilica of Saint Nicholas and St. John the Baptist Cathedral.

Some cool things that happen in churches in Trnava?

Sometimes, goose-bumps-inducing concerts get hosted there.

Other times, the spooky underground crypts get opened to the public, and you can explore them freely (without a guide or a fee).

If you are heading to Trnava and want us to check whether any special events are happening in the local churches, just DM us on our Instagram or contact us via our online form, and we can check for you!

Sunshine or snowfall, these churches don’t lose their magic — and neither do the charming scenes around them

Solve the mystery of the Mighty Belt

You might have gathered by now that Trnava is not like other Slovak towns. That’s why we thought it was the perfect, not just easy day trip from Bratislava.

The town even has its own interactive game! And it’s available in English too!

It’s a GPS game, so you’ll have to actually walk around the town to play it. Get those steps in! 

Through completing puzzles and tasks, you will discover the story of the Trnava medieval city walls.

We haven’t played the game yet (shame on us, we know), but we have seen the different game characters around the town, and let us tell you, they look so cool! It’s a totally unique way to explore a town – you won’t find something like this anywhere else in Slovakia.

If you want to know more, there is a whole website with all the information about how to play.

Go up the town tower

If you’re not scared of heights, we’d definitely recommend climbing the town tower in Trnava.

You’ll get to see the inner workings of the giant tower clock, check out the interesting exhibitions as you walk up each floor (perfect for catching your breath!) and get rewarded with epic views at the top (you’ll be up 29 meters!).

Oh, and it’s only €4 for an adult!

Just a heads-up: it’s stairs-only (143 stairs to be precise), so not ideal if you’re in heels, pushing a pram, or have limited mobility.

Check out the awesome events

Last but not least are the events in Trnava.

There is so much going on in the town, we can’t cover it all here. Some events are annual, some are ad-hoc, so here is what you need to know:

• There are a few big annual events, such as the magical Christmas market we wrote about here, the cosy local producers markets in May and October and the absolutely epic, full-town 4-day extravaganza that happens in September (a must experience if you are around during that time).
• You can check upcoming events on these two local sites: Zazi v Trnave and Region Trnava.
• If you need help, we are here! Also on Instagram, so you can DM us there. And if you need more help planning your Slovak adventures, you can also book a call with us, and we’ll help you with it all!

From events that create a whole medieval village to fun rides to chimney cakes at Christmas – Trnava has it all

Pro tip

Pair your visit to one of the epic events, like the Christmas market or the September bonanza, with a climb up the town tower. You’ll get the usual epic panorama – plus a totally mind-blowing view of the festivities from above.

Where to eat in Trnava

Recently, Trnava experienced such a boom in cool places – we could write a whole post just about where to eat and drink.

But that’s not what this post is about; this is a post about an easy day trip from Bratislava, so you’ll have to be happy with just our top picks. 😝

Cafe

Trnava has not 1, but 2 synagogues. Both have been beautifully restored:

• One has been turned into an arts centre
• The other one (right across the street from the first one) is a cafe

We’d recommend popping into the Synagogue Cafe and grabbing a seat inside, so you can sit back, sip your drink, and take in the gorgeous space – it’s like having coffee inside a piece of history, but with comfier chairs. 

Restaurant

The one restaurant we would recommend to you?

Iná haluška.

Why?

• The food is delicious
• The portions are huge, so you won’t be hungry even after the whole day of sightseeing (you can even save money if you end up not finishing the meal and taking it with you – evening snack!)
• Value for money, of course
• It’s traditional, but with a spin (we love concepts like that, how about you?)
• You don’t have to make many decisions. Let us explain

So what does Iná haluška actually sell?

They serve only one thing – halušky – those iconic dumplings that make up Slovakia’s national dish!

This is precisely why we think it’s the best option for you.

The national dish originated in the northern and central parts of the country, primarily in the mountains.

But in Iná haluška you can try it without having to travel that far – all you need is an easy day trip from Bratislava!

3 things you need to know

1. The national dish is called bryndzové halušky. The dumplings come with bryndza, which is a soft sheep cheese, and bacon. The second most popular take on the dish is strapačky, where the cheese is substituted with sauerkraut. These are the two traditional flavours.
2. What makes Iná haluška so interesting is that they took the national dish and put quirky spins on it. You can find dumplings with pulled pork, mushrooms, or even cherries – check out the menu, it’s so cool!
3. While you can get the national dish, bryndzové halušky, in Bratislava, chances are, it will be rubbish. Why? Because the restaurants there know it’s mainly tourists who want to try the national dish, so they don’t have a reason to make it good. The best solution? Do this easy day trip from Bratislava, see a beautiful town and try the national dish the way it should taste.

Vegan option

If you are looking for a vegan option, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Everyone swears by Forky’s – it’s rated 4.7 on Google!

It’s on the edge of the old town, which is great, because it will allow you to see a bit more of the real, residential Trnava. And remember, the town is small, so you still won’t have to walk far to get there!

Forky’s also offers a daily lunch menu – let’s talk about this secret pro tip!

Pro tip: Lunch menus

This is a super useful tip, not just in Trnava, but anywhere in Slovakia.

Many restaurants offer set lunch menus at an affordable price, meaning a lot cheaper than if you went for a la carte or for dinner there.

Here is what you need to know:

• The menu usually changes day to day
• Restaurants publish their weekly menu at the weekend or on Monday morning
• Daily lunch menus are usually only available on weekdays, though we have seen some restaurants offer them on a weekend too, so always check
• When you get to a restaurant, pay attention to extra sheets of paper on your table, not just the big menu books – lunch menus are displayed on separate papers and usually just left lying on the tables
• This is what many people go for during their lunch break at work, so expect places (especially the good ones) to be very busy
• Make sure you get to the restaurant during the lunch menu hours – not earlier or later, otherwise you won’t be able to order from this special menu

What you can do, if you can’t decide on a place, is check the lunch menu option for a few restaurants on the day to see who is offering what.

Note: Iná haluška does not have an extra lunch menu; they only have one regular menu.

Lunch menu deal can look like this: tomato soup and turkey rolls with potato mash for €11 (simplified description of the tasty meal. And the portions were huge, the pics definitely lie)

Bonus: Harry Potter cafe

It’s completely wild, but Trnava even has a Harry Potter-themed cafe.

To be honest with you, though, we’ve been there once and, sadly, weren’t fans.

Don’t get us wrong – the place has such potential:

• It’s located in a basement, giving it proper Hogwarts vibes
• There is a lot of HP memorabilia as decor
• Some of the drinks come with cool special effects (and in themed mugs)

However…

As is typical for Slovakia, the customer service is pitiful in many places, this cafe included.

Some examples?

• The basement is really cold in winter, but nothing is being done about it
• While a HP movie was on, once it finished, the staff didn’t bother putting on another one – not even a playlist. It was dead silent 😬
• When the drinks were brought to us, some were overflowing, but we were given no napkins to clean ourselves with (it does explain the sticky tables, though)
• In general, the staff were uninterested and just chatting together instead of creating an unforgettable experience for the customers

Such a shame, because this place could be really magical, if only the people who are running it and working there cared.

But we did want to include it in case you wanted to try it, despite the poor customer service.

Trnava is full of surprises

What do you think? Is Trnava now on your travel list? As an easy day trip from Bratislava or maybe even as its own adventure, because the town is seriously cool?

If we haven’t convinced you yet, we’ve got one last card to play.

You can go to an unlimited wine tasting event in Trnava. 

And it costs just €30. (2025 price)

What do you say now? 😏

P.S. Remember, if you need more help planning your Slovak adventures (not just this easy day trip from Bratislava), you can reach out to us in the comments, on our Instagram or book a call with us to chat more!