Autumn transforms familiar places into new experiences. Colorful forests, quieter historic towns, and views free from the summer heat – all within an hour's drive of Trnava. We've prepared five specific trips that will help you know where to go, where to leave your car, and what to set aside time for.
A beautiful autumn trip doesn't have to mean a long vacation. Sometimes it's enough to set off after breakfast, walk among the trees, discover castle corners and be home again in the evening. We've selected places for families with children, couples and people who like to combine a drive with a longer walk.
All routes start and end in Trnava. Distances and travel times are approximate; they depend on traffic, the chosen route and individual stops.
A beautiful autumn trip doesn't have to mean a long vacation. Just set off after breakfast, walk among the trees, discover the castle's nooks and crannies, and be back home in the evening.
| Trip | Driving from Trnava | Circuit by car | Time for a trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smolenice Castle and Drina Cave | 20–30 minutes | 50–60 km | 4–6 hours. |
| Red Stone Castle and Modra | 25–35 minutes | 75–95 km | 5–7 hours. |
| Piešťany: park, center and Sĺňava | 30–40 minutes | 80–100 km | 4–6 hours. |
| Devín Castle and Devínska Kobyla | 50–70 minutes | 125–145 km | 5–8 hours. |
| Beckov and Trencin | 45–55 minutes | 155–175 km | 7–9 a.m. |
Before booking, check that you meet the rental company's conditions. Most rental companies require a minimum driver age and a certain amount of driving experience. Have a valid driver's license and ID ready, and for corporate rentals, the company's billing information.
1. Smolenice Castle and Driny Cave: Little Carpathian autumn almost behind the house
Route: Trnava → Smolenice → Jahodník → Trnava
Who will fit: For a couple, a family with school-age children, and a forest lover.
Just a short distance beyond Trnava, the landscape gradually changes into the forests of the Little Carpathians. Smolenice Castle stands above the village and is framed by colorful treetops in autumn. It is an ideal place to start a trip: a short walk, photos and, depending on the date, a tour of the interior.
If you are planning a tour, choose a weekend or holiday. During October, the castle is open to the public on these days; tours begin every hour from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, opening times may change for social events.
Current tours of Smolenice Castle.
After the castle, drive to the Jahodník recreation area. From there, a forest road about a kilometer long leads to the Driny cave. The ascent takes about 20–25 minutes, overcomes an elevation gain of about 100 meters, and has steep stairs at the end.
There are over 150 more steps in the cave itself; this program is therefore not suitable for strollers or visitors with limited mobility. The tour lasts about 35 minutes and the temperature underground is about 7–8 °C. A sweatshirt will be appreciated even on a warm autumn day.
Proposed program: Arrival in Smolenice at 10:30, tour of the castle at 11:00, lunch or snack and then transfer to Jahodník. If you want to catch the cave, coordinate your arrival with its October entrances; according to information from the village, they are from Tuesday to Sunday at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30.
Parking: Near the castle, use the designated spaces on Zámocká Street or by the church; the municipality has introduced paid parking here. For the cave, there is a practical separate parking lot near Jahodník.
Tip for families: For smaller children, choose a quiet trip to the castle without the cave and leave time for a walk in the forest.
2. Červený Kameň Castle and Modra: history, ceramics and the colors of vineyards
Route: Trnava → Red Stone Castle → Modra → Trnava
Who will fit: For couples, friends and families who want to combine history with a relaxing city afternoon.
Červený Kameň is one of those places where the autumn colors really stand out. Meadows open up in front of the castle, the Little Carpathians stretch out behind it, and inside, historic interiors and extensive cellar spaces await.
We recommend going to the castle in the morning. From October to April, Slovak tours are held from Tuesday to Sunday at 9:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30. Choose a small or large tour depending on how much time you want to devote to history.
Opening hours of the Red Stone Museum.
After the tour, continue to nearby Modra. Stroll through the historic center, see traditional Modra ceramics, and stop for a coffee.
If you like autumn photos, plan a short stop at the vineyards where access is allowed. The wine region can also be enjoyed by drivers - while driving, give preference to non-alcoholic local products.
Proposed program: Arrival at Červený Kameň before 11:30, tour and short walk by the castle, transfer to Modra in the afternoon, lunch or coffee and walk through the center. You can also start with an earlier castle tour and spend the entire afternoon in Modra.
Parking: There is a visitor parking lot near Červený Kamen. In the center of Modra there are paid zones on Štúrová, Moyzesová and other streets; the fee also applies on Saturdays during set hours.
Tip for couples: Set off early and leave room for stops at nice viewpoints, not just the scheduled attractions.
3. Piešťany: a peaceful walk, a city park and a sunset at Sĺňava
Route: Trnava → center of Piešťany → Sĺňava → Trnava
Who will fit: For families with small children, seniors and anyone who wants an undemanding day.
Autumn Piešťany has a different pace than summer. The colorful Andrej Kmeť Park, the promenade on Winterová Street, and the cafes in the center create a pleasant combination for a leisurely trip. After the walk, you can continue by car to Sĺňava and enjoy the calmer atmosphere by the water.
First, take a walk through the city park and the center. Stop at the Colonnade Bridge, but be aware of an important restriction: according to the city's information, the bridge is closed to the public for safety reasons. If you also want to visit the Spa Island, use the access via the Countryside Bridge or check with the city transport. However, you do not need a pass to the island to walk through the park and the center.
Proposed program: In the morning, arrival in Piešťany, coffee and 60–90 minutes in the city park, lunch in the center. In the afternoon, transfer by car to Sĺňava, short walk by the water and return before dark. If it starts to rain, feel free to plan a longer lunch and stay in the center instead of the second walk.
Parking: A practical option in the center is parking at Aupark on Nitrianská Street, which has its own published price list. When parking elsewhere in the city, follow the marked city zones.
Tip for families: Of the five hikes, this route is among the easiest to accommodate strollers and the shorter attention spans of young children; however, keep an eye on wheelchair accessibility when choosing a particular walk.
4. Devín Castle and Devínska Kobyla: views of the confluence and autumn hiking
Route: Trnava → Devín Castle → optionally Sandberg or Devínska Kobyla → Trnava
Who will fit: For lovers of views, active couples and families with older children.
Devín is the meeting point of the Danube and Morava rivers, with history and a distinctive landscape. A visit to the castle itself is a worthwhile trip: you will walk through the ruins and enjoy views of the rivers and the Austrian side of the border.
In October, the castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00; last admission is at 16:15.
If you feel like getting more active, continue along the hiking trail towards Sandberg or the viewpoint at Devínska Kobyla. However, don't underestimate the trip to the castle and longer hikes: the regional tourist guide describes the route via Sandberg to Devínska Kobyla as an approximately 12-kilometer, moderately difficult hike with a significant elevation gain.
With small children or in uncertain weather, prefer the castle itself and a shorter walk at its foot.
Proposed program: Arrival below Devín around 10:00, castle tour and lunch. In the afternoon, choose a shorter walk or a longer hike depending on the weather; for the entire route through Sandberg, it is worth setting off early in the morning. In autumn, wear good shoes and watch the sunset.
Parking: The parking lot is located below Devín Castle. If you decide to take a longer one-way hiking route, plan your return to the car in advance - do not assume that you will end up in the same place.
Tip for photographers: It's worth watching the light and mist over the confluence at Castle Hill, but don't count on visiting until late afternoon.
5. Beckov and Trenčín: two castles, two atmospheres, one day trip
Route: Trnava → Beckov → Trencin → Trnava
Who will fit: For lovers of castles, history and active families who want to dedicate a whole day to it.
This circuit is the longest of our five picks, but the reward is a pair of different castles.
Start at Beckov, whose massive silhouette towers over the village. In October, the castle is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on Mondays; last admission is half an hour before closing.
Current opening hours of Beckov Castle.
After the tour and a short snack, drive to Trenčín, about a twenty-minute drive. Stroll through the historic center and Peace Square. If you still have energy, climb to Trenčín Castle and see the city from above.
If you are traveling with smaller children or someone in the group prefers a quieter program, you can admire the second castle only from the outside and spend more time in the center.
Proposed program: Departure from Trnava around 8.30, morning in Beckov, lunch and early afternoon in Trenčín. When planning your Trenčín tour, check its specific circuit and last entry at the latest.
Trenčín Castle has a seasonal visiting period from April to October; the entrance from the Brezina Forest Park is only open from Friday to Sunday from September 2026, so the main reference point is the access from Mierový námestia.
Parking: In Beckov, use the parking areas near Trojičný námestie; parking fees can be paid on the way to the castle. In Trenčín, one of the options is paid parking on Palackého Street.
Tip: If you really want to enjoy both castles from the inside, don't linger unnecessarily in the morning and choose the sightseeing tours before leaving.
What to take on an autumn road trip
Autumn weather can change dramatically in a single day. Check the forecast, opening hours and any special restrictions before you head out.
- An extra layer of clothing and a waterproof jacket — the weather changes throughout the day.
- Comfortable shoes, water and a charged phone.
- If you are traveling with children, leave some time for breaks and don't try to fit in the entire program at all costs.
- When traveling on the highway, check the valid highway vignette and, if you are renting a car, the mileage limit conditions.
- For longer routes, allow for traffic delays and plan your return while it is still light.
Which trip will you choose?
For a short stay in nature, Smolenice is enough. A quiet day with children can be spent in Piešťany. For history and autumn atmosphere, it is worth going to Červený Kameň and Modra; if you prefer hiking and wide views, Devín will interest you. And if you have a whole day free, connect Beckov with Trenčín.
Do you want to go out, but don't have a suitable car right now? V TopCar Slovakia You can choose a vehicle for a day or weekend trip and check availability for your date.
For a trip with your family, check out, for example, Volkswagen Tiguan; when traveling with a large amount of luggage, it can be a practical choice Skoda Octavia RS estate. Please confirm your choice and rental conditions before booking according to the current offer.
Practical note: the routes and times listed are approximate. Opening hours, admission prices and traffic restrictions are subject to change. The data was editorially verified as of October 1, 2026; we recommend visiting the official websites of the individual attractions before leaving.
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