‘Charming’ European city is home to Glasto-style festival — and 2026 is the year to visit

Charming cobbled streets, a medieval fortress, and a Baroque Old Town, all positioned on a beautiful river. It paints the picture of a perfect European city break, don’t you think?

But this isn’t Amsterdam. Or Kraków. Or even Budapest. It’s Trenčín, a hidden gem in Slovakia, near the Czech border.

While the city has consistently slipped under the radar, with travellers flocking to the capital, Bratislava, instead, Trenčín is set to be the centre of attention this year.

Why? Because it’s been named the 2026 European Capital of Culture, alongside Oulu, in Finland.

Since 1985, the initiative has showcased under-the-radar cities across the continent.

Last year, it was all about Chemnitz, an industrial city in eastern Germany, and Nova Gorica, a western Slovenian town close to Italy.

And now, Trenčín is finally getting the spotlight it deserves.

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♬ As It Was – Harry Styles

Described as ‘charming and beautiful’ by users on TikTok, and ranked third on Time Out’s trending city break list, Trenčín offers travellers a relaxed alternative to larger European cities.

And, with a mere 120,000 tourists passing through each year (specifically to visit its most famous landmark, which we’ll get to later), Trenčín definitely deserves the title of hidden gem.

Steeped in history

Trenčín’s roots date back to the Roman era, making it one of the oldest in Slovakia.

Trenčín Castle is the aforementioned famous landmark loved by visitors, a medieval fortress which sits proudly on a rocky hilltop overlooking the Váh River valley.

And it’s getting a glow up this year thanks to the city’s new accolade. The castle will be transformed into an immersive contemporary art space, with three exhibitions scheduled to open on February 7.

Alexandra Dubakova, Travel Expert at Free Tour, has visited Trenčín a handful of times while exploring Europe.

She tells Metro that it was ‘fascinating’ to see 2,000 years of history up close and personal.

In the lower part of Trenčín Castle, you can visit the ‘Well of Love.’

Legend has it that an ancient Turkish prince dug a secret passageway to rescue his love, Fatima, who was imprisoned there.

In 2026, the love story will be translated into a contemporary art show with light, sound and holograms.

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♬ My Magic Flute in Ruins of Medieval Castle – Andrei Krylov

If visiting in summer, she recommends taking one of the night tours at the well. ‘They put on fire shows and fencing reenactments, and allow visitors to experience the atmosphere of the castle after dark.’

Standard tours cost between €10 and €12 (£8.60/£10.30).

For those who don’t mind feeling spooked, she urges visitors to check out the Old Cemetery on Matúšova Street, leading up to the castle.

‘Find the Katov dom, the eery Executioner’s House, that doubled as a 17th-century prison.’

As the only preserved building of its kind in the city with a wooden gallery, it now functions as a museum focusing on historical weapons and medieval justice.

Trenčín’s Synagogue is another hidden gem, explains Alexandra.

‘Many people walk past it, and don’t add it to their itinerary, but it boasts the most beautiful architecture, complete with a stunning blue dome.’

While the Synagogue is temporarily closed for ongoing reconstruction, you can still marvel at its beauty from the outside.

A creative heartbeat

For music lovers, the annual open-air summer music festival, Pohoda, is the place to be, according to Alexandra.

Launched in 1997, it’s now Slovakia’s biggest music event. At this year’s European Festival Awards 2026, it picked up two awards, including Best Medium-Sized Festival. Not to brag, but it beat Dua Lipa’s annual Sunny Hill Festival in Kosovo.

The event — which takes place every July — regularly attracts over 30,000 visitors. It’s also uniquely located at Trenčín Airport, utilising the runway and surrounding open-air spaces for main stages, arenas, and camping spots.

@vtss.pl

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♬ original sound – VTSS

This year, world-class acts including Gorillaz, The Cure, Lykke Li, and Penguin Cafe will grace the stage. A three-day ticket costs €149 (£128).

And that’s not the only event Trenčín will host.

In April, there’s the Light Art Festival. For two days, urban spaces will be transformed into immersive, artistic experiences using lights, screens, and lasers.

Three months later, in July, locals and visitors can experience the revived Splanekor, an iconic community-focused event where handmade (read: unconventional) boats are raced on the Váh River.

From floating beer bottles to replicas of the castle, people can get very creative.

Foodie heaven

Trenčín cuisine is the epitome Central European comfort food.

Using traditional, hearty Slovak ingredients like potatoes, pork, and sheep cheese, staple dishes include bryndzové halušky (Slovakia’s national dish of pillowy potato dumplings with cheese and bacon) and roasted meat dishes.

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♬ Idea 10 (Slowed & Reverb) – Gibran Alcocer

‘Of all the Slovak food, I enjoyed the bryndzové halušky the most,’ says Alexandra.

As for the best dining spots in the city, she loved Reštaurácia pod Hradom, under the castle wall. ‘It feels like a tavern from the 1600s with heavy wood and stone on the inside.’

If you’re a beer lover, head to Lanius, a craft brewery located in Trenčín’s historic centre.

For Alexandra, tasting the local beers was a great way to spend the afternoon.

For something less boozy, she spotlights the Coffee Sheep. In 2025, the local coffee shop and roaster won the eighth annual Top Gastro competition in the Trenčín region.

Finally, hike off the delicious food in Brezina Forest Park, a scenic public greenspace where locals go to get away from it all.

‘It has the best, peaceful views of the Váh River Valley without the noise and crowds,’ says Alexandra.

‘As the 2026 European Capital of Culture, Trenčín is waking up to its full potential,’ says Alexandra, who, between her first and second trips, noticed more galleries and studios cropping up in every corner of the city.

‘It’s small enough for a weekend trip — packed with heaps of ancient history, good food, and creative events to keep travellers busy.’

‘I believe Trenčín is ready to be in the 2026 spotlight.’

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