Trnava, Slovakia: Slovakia's Little Rome – Where History, Wine and Slow Living Meet
What if a waste management company became your travel guide?
Some destinations impress with grand landmarks. Others win you over with their atmosphere.
Trnava belongs to the latter.
Often called "Slovakia's Little Rome", this charming city offers a unique blend of historic churches, vineyards, wellness escapes, and a relaxed pace of life. It's a place where medieval streets, local wine traditions, and nearby nature come together to create a perfect weekend destination.
Located in western Slovakia, between Bratislava, Nitra, and Piešťany, Trnava is an ideal base for exploring a region rich in history, wine culture, and outdoor activities. Within a single day, you can stroll through a historic city centre, visit a fairy-tale castle, explore the only accessible cave in the Little Carpathians, enjoy local wines, and finish the day with a relaxing walk through the famous spa town of Piešťany.
The city's nickname, Little Rome, comes from its remarkable concentration of churches and religious monuments. Visitors can climb the Town Tower for panoramic views, admire the Basilica of St. Nicholas and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, discover the Small Synagogue, and walk along the well-preserved historic town walls.
Nature lovers will find plenty to explore beyond the city. The Little Carpathians offer cycling routes, hiking trails, and picturesque vineyards, while landmarks such as Smolenice Castle, Driny Cave, Hlboča Valley, and Záruby, the highest peak of the Little Carpathians, provide excellent opportunities for day trips.
For active travellers, the region also features the world-class X-Bionic® Sphere sports complex and the wellness resorts of nearby Piešťany.
And no visit to Trnava would be complete without sampling the region's cuisine. Traditional favourites include bryndzové halušky, lokše, potato flatbreads, roast goose with cabbage, local honey products, and wines from the renowned Little Carpathian wine region.
Insider Tips from Our Local Colleagues
Looking for a memorable meal?
- Medzi Múrmi – modern European cuisine
- Patriot – Slovak classics with international influences
- Forhaus – steakhouse and grill
- Truffle Pig – fine dining and wine
- Thalmeiner – coffee and desserts
For accommodation:
Or venture into the surrounding wine region and stay in one of its charming family-run guesthouses.
Hidden Gems You Won't Find in Every Guidebook
Our favourite recommendation?
Slow down.
Enjoy an evening walk through the historic centre, taste wine directly in a vineyard rather than a wine shop, and experience Trnava's unique rhythm of life. As our colleagues put it:
"Trnava is not a city you experience through a programme, but through its pace."
For the perfect regional itinerary, combine:
- Trnava for history
- Smolenice for nature
- Piešťany for wellness
FCC CEE Connection
This remarkable city is also home to FCC Trnava, a joint venture between the City of Trnava and FCC Environment CEE. Since 1994, the company has been providing comprehensive waste management services, including collection, recycling, composting, landfill operations, five recycling centres, and the Back2Life Re-use Centre. Today, FCC Trnava employs 125 colleagues and plays an important role in supporting the region's transition towards a circular economy.
While visitors enjoy the region's vineyards, history, and relaxed atmosphere, our colleagues work behind the scenes every day to help keep Trnava clean, sustainable, and welcoming for future generations.
