If you want to explore a small town in Slovakia that is full of history, gold mining, and beautiful nature, Kremnica is the right place. Renting a car makes it easy to reach every site comfortably, especially the hills and nearby villages.
You can walk through the old town, visit the castle and mint, and then visit the Kremnické Hills for fresh mountain air. There are museums, churches, hidden streets, and even a thermal pool where you can relax after a busy day. Our Kremnica travel guide will help you plan your trip. It will provide tips about the top places to visit, when to go, and how to enjoy your stay.
The easiest way to begin your Kremnica road trip is to land at Bratislava Airport. To save time, book a car online before your arrival. Most rental services allow free cancellation and payment on arrival. Driving from Bratislava to Kremnica takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, covering around 189 kilometers. You’ll drive along E571 and E58, passing through cities like Trnava and Nitra. The roads are smooth, and most of the route is on toll highways, so make sure your rental includes a toll sticker. This route gives you a scenic drive through Slovakia’s countryside before you reach Kremnica’s old town center.
Before heading to the castles and museums, start your visit by walking around Kremnica’s historic town center. When driving to Kremnica, park near the square to explore on foot.
Štefánikovo Square is the heart of Kremnica and the first place you should visit. Here, you’ll find many important monuments, including the large Holy Trinity Plague Column built between 1756 and 1772. This column replaced an earlier one from 1711, which was moved to a nearby village. It was built to honor saints who protected people from the plague. The square also has colorful houses, some of them dating back to the Middle Ages, and you can spot the castle walls just above. On the eastern side, you’ll see the new town hall, and on the southern side is a row of old burgher houses, including the one that holds the Museum of Coins and Medals.
Walk to the nearby Franciscan Church and Monastery from the square. From the outside, it looks plain, but once inside, you’ll see beautiful religious details that show the strong role faith played in the town’s past. The church was built in the mid-1600s after gold mining brought a lot of growth to the area, so its history is closely tied to Kremnica’s mining families.
Wandering through the narrow streets around the square is like stepping into another time. The homes you’ll pass were built during the 16th and 17th centuries, and many still have their original look. You’ll also find stone walls, small gates, and hints of the town’s medieval layout. Every corner tells part of Kremnica’s mining story. Some streets lead to hidden views of the castle, while others open up into small courtyards or quiet corners.
Once you explore the lower part of town, go up to the Kremnica Town Castle. This is the most iconic landmark in the area. It’s not just a single building but a complex of medieval structures that have stood for over 700 years. Visiting this castle gives you a clear picture of how important Kremnica once was. Today, it’s one of the best-preserved historical sites. Don’t miss it your road trip to Kremnica.
The castle complex sits right above Štefánikovo Square. The main building is the Church of St. Catherine, built in the 15th century in Gothic stle. The church was dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, one of the patron saints of miners. It has a tall tower, and if you climb it, you’ll get a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding hills. The current interior stle of the church comes from a renovation done at the end of the 19th century. At that time, the inside was rebuilt in a Gothic revival stle by architect F. Storno. Look for the date 1576–1578 on the rebuilt tower roof. It is evidence of an earlier post-fire reconstruction.
As you continue through the castle grounds, you’ll see the Clock Tower, part of the original defense system. Next to it is the ossuary of St. Andrew, dating back to the 13th century. This is the oldest surviving structure in the entire town. It’s a small, quiet space offering a unique medieval life window. In those days, ossuaries were built when cemeteries ran out of space. Bones were moved here and arranged with care, reflecting the beliefs and burial customs of the time.
Kremnica Castle is a religious and cultural site. It was also built to protect the town. The complex is surrounded by a double curtain wall that once connected to the larger town walls. These walls were strong enough to keep enemies out during major attacks. One of the original defensive gates, called the Vežová brána (Tower Gate), is still standing. You’ll also see parts of the old town hall, three bastions, and traces of towers built for war defense.
Kremnica Castle played many roles throughout history. During the Hussite Wars in the 15th century and later during the Ottoman invasions, the fortress was a place of defense. In later years, it even served as a prison during the Habsburg era. By the 19th century, the mint used parts of the castle. During World War II, the site was tragically turned into a concentration camp.
One of the most unique things to do in Kremnica is to learn about its role in European coin-making. The town has one of the oldest working mints in the world. You can still visit the place where coins have been made for centuries.
Founded in 1328, the Kremnica Mint began by striking coins called groschen. Later, it produced the famous Kremnica ducats, which were known for their quality and were used across Europe. Today, the mint still works and makes coins for different countries. You can’t miss this stop if you want to understand the town’s role in the old Kingdom of Hungary.
The Museum of Coins and Medals was founded in 1890. It has a large collection of numismatic treasures, including old coins, medals, and even artwork related to minting. The museum became part of the National Bank of Slovakia in the 1990s. Now, it runs high-level exhibitions.
In recent decades, the museum has started hosting international medal-making events. The work displayed includes both historical pieces and modern designs. Many exhibitions have toured Europe and reached places like the USA and Mexico.
Kremnica’s name and growth are tied to its gold mines. That’s why visiting one of the town’s old mining tunnels is one of the most special parts of your trip. You get to walk underground and see how miners once worked to bring gold out of the mountains.
The Mining Museum in Andrej’s Tunnel opened in 2008. You can walk through a real exploratory tunnel. Inside, you’ll see displays about the work done in the 16th century and later. The tour shows old tools, mining areas, and even gold flakes in quartz veins. You’ll also get to experience complete darkness, which gives a small idea of what mining was really like.
Above the tunnel is the start of a walking route called In the Footsteps of Mining Activities. This path is marked with signs and helps explain the town’s role in gold mining. You’ll see how the hills and tunnels were used and how miners helped build the Kremnica we see today.
In Štefánikovo Square, the Statue of the Kremnica Miners is a tribute to the people who built the town’s fortune underground. These workers shaped Kremnica’s history with their hands, tools, and courage. Without their effort, there would be no coins, mint, or castle. This statue shows that every building, museum, and monument you visit was made possible by the town’s miners. The statue is near the Museum of Coins and Medals, where Kremnica’s mining and minting history continues. It is also near other important landmarks like the Plague Column and the town castle.
Kremnica is surrounded by the Kremnické Hills, a mountain area perfect for outdoor activities. With your car, you can easily reach the region’s most scenic and exciting spots. These hills offer a mix of nature and adrenaline—from gentle hikes to steep climbing paths.
Just a short drive uphill from the town center, you’ll reach Skalka resort, one of Slovakia’s most well-known spots for winter and summer sports. In the past, it hosted the first ski championship in the Hungarian Kingdom. In winter, Skalka becomes a cross-country skiing hub, with long trails that attract beginners and skilled skiers alike. In summer, it’s popular with hikers and mountain bikers who enjoy the clean air and cooler mountain temperatures.
Because of its elevation and scenic terrain, Skalka is sometimes called the "Slovakian Semmering," and it is named after the famous Austrian ski area. The resort is also home to a ferrata bridge, forest paths, and views stretching across the valley below.
If you're in the mood for something bold, head to Via Ferrata Komín, a network of climbing routes built with steel ladders, cables, and footpaths. It’s located within walking distance of Skalka resort and is one of the top adventure attractions in the region. The ferrata has multiple grades, from the very easy Zostupovka (A/B) to the extremely challenging Výzva (E). Each path offers a different level of exposure and skill. If you're new to this kind of activity, stick to the Komín route (B/C). If you’re experienced, the overhanging sections will test your strength.
The most famous part is the 80-meter-long steel wire bridge, known as Most, which stretches across a dramatic forest drop. It’s one of the most photographed ferrata elements in Slovakia. You can cross it during your loop, reach it directly, and walk back again. Signs at the trailhead near Penzion Guldiner explain the different route options. Most people complete the entire ferrata in about an hour and a half, including the descent.
Aside from climbing and skiing, Skalka is also an excellent place for peaceful hiking. One of the best-known trails leads to the Suchá Hora transmitter, a local high point with panoramic views. As you walk, you’ll pass meadows, rock faces, and clearings that give you space to rest and enjoy the view. Most of these trails connect with other routes in the Kremnické Hills, so you can adjust your walk depending on your time and energy.
After walking, driving, and climbing, it’s time to relax. Kremnica also has a peaceful thermal pool complex where you can enjoy warm mineral waters.
The Katarína thermal pool has five pools with different water temperatures. There are separate areas for kids, a large recreational pool, and a quiet sitting pool inside. The mineral water is slightly radioactive and has healing effects for joints and nerves. You’ll also find sunbeds, shade rentals, and places to eat inside the area.
Next to the pool is Caravan Camp, a campsite with small heated cabins and clean bathrooms. There’s also a kitchen for guests; anyone staying here gets free pool entry. It’s a budget-friendly option if you’re planning to stay longer and enjoy more of the outdoors.
There are restaurants and food stands inside the thermal complex. You can enjoy a freshly cooked Slovak meal while relaxing on a shaded deck. It’s a nice way to end a busy day of sightseeing or hiking.
Kremnica has its own flavors and special festivals. Try local sweets or plan your visit to match one of the town’s events for a deeper cultural experience.
If you’re planning a road trip to Kremnica, there is an ideal time for quiet walks, outdoor adventures, or snowy slopes.
From May to June, Kremnica starts to bloom. The hills turn green, the town square is filled with sunshine, and the weather is mild. It’s not too hot or too cold, which is just right for walking, hiking, or exploring the historic town center. These months are also less crowded. You’ll enjoy the views, museums, and outdoor cafes without long lines or packed spaces. It's the ideal time for day hikes in the Kremnické Hills and visiting the mining tunnel or the mint museum.
If you like fall colors and cool air, visit in September or October. The leaves turn golden, giving the Kremnica town castle and its surroundings a warm, glowing look. These months offer clear skies, quiet streets, and great weather for walking the via ferrata at Skalka or soaking in the thermal pools. You’ll also find more availability in local stays and easier parking if you rent a car in Slovakia.
For snow lovers, winter in Kremnica is about cross-country skiing at Skalka. The resort becomes one of Slovakia’s busiest winter sports areas, with tens of kilometers of trails. You’ll need warm clothes and winter tires for your car, but the reward is peaceful mountain views and well-kept ski tracks. There’s also a special charm in seeing the medieval streets dusted with snow, especially if you're staying in a cabin or the Caravan Camp near the thermal pools. This is the best time for a sport-focused visit.
Kremnica is where you can stroll through old town streets, step inside a mint that produced coins for centuries, and wander through tunnels carved deep underground. When you're done exploring the town, you can drive into the hills for hiking, skiing, or climbing. Rent a car with Final Rentals to make your trip simple. Choose the right vehicle for your journey, book it online before you fly, and pick it up at Bratislava Airport when you arrive.
