Trenčín

Trenčín is an old town in Western Slovakia. It is a beautiful historic city, with a population of over 55,000 (2018). Trenčín is the main city of the western part of Slovakia called “Považie”. It lies on the longest Slovak river called the “Váh”. Because of its importance and beauty, Trencin is called “the pearl of Povazie”. Trenčín is one of the wealthiest cities in Slovakia with low unemployment and quite a high standard of living.

Understand
Trenčín is a peaceful city with a beautiful historical centre and several suburbs.

Because of its position between the mountain chains, it is likely to have windy weather. Winters are quite long, and summers are not the warmest when compared to the Slovak average temperatures.

Trenčín is redeveloping itself into a new regional tourist centre in Slovakia.

The Trenčín hockey team belongs to the best of Slovak hockey clubs, and its soccer team is in the top league as well.

By car
Trenčín is in the north-west of Slovakia, 120 km north of Bratislava, close to the border with the Czech Republic. The main highway from Bratislava to Kosice, which is in some parts still in progress, has a direct exit to the centre of Trenčín. When taking the D1 highway from Bratislava it shouldn't be more than a one-hour trip. Traveling by car to Kosice from Trenčín takes about four hours, while Banska Bystrica, which is in the middle of Slovakia, is two hours drive away.

By train
You can take one of the frequent trains from Bratislava to Trenčín, as it is on the national main line. It takes about 1 hr 20 min to reach Trencin from Bratislava. The trip further east to Kosice takes from 3½ to 4½ hours depending on which kind of train you take.

By bus
Because of the location of Trenčín in relation to other surrounding destinations, it has many buses going through it. The trip to Bratislava from Trenčín takes about two hours (the train is a better option), to Banska Bystrica takes about three hours (a bus is the fastest way) and if you want to travel to Kosice, take the train.

The main station for local buses is across the road from the train station. Tickets can be bought on the bus.

Get around
The city centre is very small and you can easily walk from one side to another in a few minutes and most of it is pedestrian area.

By bus
Trenčín has a rather good public transportation system although not so frequent to a smaller boroughs. With cash you can buy ticket from bus driver paying €2.00. Using any yellow card reader you can buy ticket for only €1.00 with contactless bank card. With smartphone app or card issued by Transdev Trenčín (town transportation) or SAD Trenčín (regional transportation), you can buy ticket for €0.80. All tickets are valid for 60 minutes. It is also possible to buy ticket valid for 24 hours. You don't need tickets for dogs or baggage. Bus doors have to be opened by passengers, just push a button on the door or near the door.

For schedules and map of routes see imhd.sk.

See

 * Mineral water in Kubrá (Kubranská kyselka) - spring of mineral water in Kubrá near wood with playground for kids. Easily accessible by foot, car or bus (nr. 7, 11 and 13 from bus stop Kubranská, kyselka).
 * Island (Ostrov) - popular recreational place next to the city centre. Also the venue of annual summer event Splanekor (Splav netradičných korábov - Sailing of unusual ships).
 * Pohoda festival - one of the biggest Slovak music events, organized annually in Trenčín Airport.
 * Mineral water in Kubrá (Kubranská kyselka) - spring of mineral water in Kubrá near wood with playground for kids. Easily accessible by foot, car or bus (nr. 7, 11 and 13 from bus stop Kubranská, kyselka).
 * Island (Ostrov) - popular recreational place next to the city centre. Also the venue of annual summer event Splanekor (Splav netradičných korábov - Sailing of unusual ships).
 * Pohoda festival - one of the biggest Slovak music events, organized annually in Trenčín Airport.
 * Mineral water in Kubrá (Kubranská kyselka) - spring of mineral water in Kubrá near wood with playground for kids. Easily accessible by foot, car or bus (nr. 7, 11 and 13 from bus stop Kubranská, kyselka).
 * Island (Ostrov) - popular recreational place next to the city centre. Also the venue of annual summer event Splanekor (Splav netradičných korábov - Sailing of unusual ships).
 * Pohoda festival - one of the biggest Slovak music events, organized annually in Trenčín Airport.
 * Pohoda festival - one of the biggest Slovak music events, organized annually in Trenčín Airport.

Sports

 * Football: AS Trenčín play soccer in 1. Liga, the top tier. Their home ground Štadión Sihoť (capacity 6300) is on the riverbank 2 km northeast of town centre.

Bike trips

 * Hradza on the Vah The Hradza is a levee along the Vah river. The path is used by walkers, bikers, and rollerbladers.
 * Brezina The Brezina is forest which runs around the south-east of Trenčín just two minutes by walk from the city centre. It contains number of very nice, quiet and safe trails also good for biking.

Squash
On the part of the town called “Ostrov”, which is situated on the Vah river, are many choices of sport and leisure activities.

Canoeing
There is possibility to go canoeing on the Vah river during the Summer season. You can also lend canoe at the "Ostrov".

Cinema

 * Cinemax - ZOC MAX, it is a complex consisted of four cinemas in one shopping centre called Max on the Stefanikova street.
 * Metro – Cinema in the heart of the city on the main square. They use to play non-commercial movies from different countries worldwide.

Art museums

 * Galeria M. A. Bazovskeho, Palackeho Ulica 27
 * Municipal gallery, Mierové námestie 22. Gallery hosts naive and professional artists from Trencin region.
 * Trenčín Museum, Mierové námestie 46. The museum is at the beginning of the main square coming from hotel Tatra by the left hand. It is generally presenting the history of Trencin and has nice exposition of animals as well. Music undertakings often provided.

Buy
Fashion is a synonym to city Trenčín in the past it was called “Trenčín town of fashion”; this wonderful town has many nice small shops and big shopping malls. Small classical shops are surrounded in the town centre. A lot of nice shops create a nice look to the square. Both shopping and sightseeing could be done in the town centre.

Shopping centres

 * Max - gen. M.R. Štefánika 426, there are a lot of cafés and small shops, 1 km from the train and bus station.
 * Baumax, Big Boxes and Tesco - Električná 911 01 Trenčín, are on the other side of the town. There are some good shops, and also cheap ones. But my recommendation is to go to the square.
 * Južanka Shopping Centre - it is in the part of town which is called “Juh”.
 * Laugaricio- the new shopping centre on the outskirt of the city. There are a lot of sport shops and there are also shops with clothes and a lot of cafés and restaurants.

Eat
In Trenčín there are many good places where you can eat, there are some really good fast foods in the town centre, and you can have their national specialties in a roll, such as “Cigánska pečienka”, which pork roast on the split in the roll.

Budget

 * Gazdovska very popular restaurant in the centre near “Peace Square”

Mid-range

 * Papa's Garden near the fountain of waterman, they are serving meals like kebab, gyros and so on.
 * Basta restaurant is on the place called “Ostrov (island)”. It is the only restaurant open all day and all night.
 * Giacomo Pizzeria typical Italian pizza with everything what belongs to it, they are also serving pasta and salads. This pizzeria is very close to Restaurant U Sanera.

Splurge

 * Restaurant Fatima is on the way up to the Castle, very nice.
 * Restaurant Fatima is on the way up to the Castle, very nice.

Drink
Although Trenčín is a small city, there are many places where you can drink. The season begins on Friday and Saturday when many people drive out to centre to undergo some entertainment.

Bars and pubs

 * Life Music small pub with good background, students are meeting there especially on Friday and Saturday

Tea Rooms
One big Tea room is on the Mierové Square opposite to the Church, which is also a shop with tea stuff. There is one very good tea – Tea of Old Touaregs, green tea made from gunpowder.

Sleep
Trenčín is a small town, but there are a lot of places with accommodation, 4 hotels and several lodging houses

Connect

 * Internetova kaviaren, Braneckého 6; Hours: Monday - Friday 09:00- 22:00, Sa Su 12:00 - 22:00.
 * Internet Modra linka, Štúrovo námestie 11; Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 22:00, Su 12:00 - 22
 * Hajex Cafe, Palackého 17; Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 21:00, Saturday closed, Sunday 15:00 - 21:00.

Stay safe
Trencin is quite a silent town it is very safe by European and American standards; there is not so much crime like in other parts of world, police is highly respected in town and could be met very often in downtown. But only one recommendation, stay safe of pickpockets or thieves. Take care of your wallet if you are in the bus, train and in crowded place.

Cope
Slovaks are very popular for they hospitality for foreign people. They are also well known for they adaptability and kindness, but if you have any problem try to ask them nowadays many Slovaks speak English or other foreign language and they will be glad to help you if not try to call 112 (police, first aid, and firefighter).

Go next
There are many interesting places around Trenčín where you can go:
 * Trenčianske Teplice: very quiet international spa town, many foreign tourists visit this small town
 * Beckov old ruins of great castle
 * Lešná, near town Zlín in Czech Republic there is very big zoo, and it is popular because of animals being free in the wild
 * Inovec highest hill in mountains around Trenčín with nice panorama view and also good place for skiing