Kremnica

Kremnica is a town in the Tekov region of Western Slovakia.

Understand

Mining in the nearby mountains goes back more than a millennium, and the town of Kremnica has been the centre of it since the middle ages. For centuries it has been the centre of gold mining under the Kingdom of Hungary, the Austro-Hungarian empire, and later Czechoslovakia. The mine closed down in 1970 but tourism has taken over, and many old buildings dating back to medieval times have been preserved.

🌍 Tourist Information Centre, Štefánikovo námestie 35/44, ☏ +421 456742856, . Daily 08:00-16:00. (updated Dec 2017)

Get in

By bus

🌍 Kremnica Bus Station (Autobusová stanica) (Kutnohorská Ulica). (updated Dec 2017)

There is an almost hourly connection to/from Žiar nad Hronom, which in turn has regular connections to Bratislava, Banská Bystrica and Košice. You can find an exact schedule at cp.sk.

By train

🌍 Kremnica Train Station. Ticket window open daily 04:00-22:00. (updated Dec 2017)

From Vrutký and Martin three trains daily run to Kremnica. The journey takes about one hour. From Zvolen you can catch four trains a day, taking around 45 minutes. It's a scenic ride, but you probably need to take a bus for at least one leg if you want to visit as a daytrip, because the early train is very early and the last train not so late at all.

By car

Kremnica lies on a minor north-south corridor. From the south take R1 regional highway, then take the exit Žiar nad Hronom-Východ and just head north. From the north take the D1 motorway, then take the exit Martin, and follow signs for Turčianske Teplice, after which you should keep a right and follow the signs to Kremnica.

Get around

The town is small enough to explore on foot. While theoretically you can use the medium-distance buses to travel between stops in Kremnica, it is not a very practical option.

In winter season a yellow minibus operates on weekends between Kremnica Bus Station and the nearby Skalka mountain and ski resort. In summer season this same bus operates as a cyklobus, so you can take you bicycle on the bus and cruise all the way back down. The fare is €1.

See
  • 🌍 Town Castle Kremnica (Mestský hrad), Zámocké námestie 568/1, ☏ +421 456743968. Tu-Sa 09:00-16:30, in summer also on Sundays. Closed during lunchtime. The main feature of the town, the Saint Catherine's Church, built in the 13th century, with double fortifications added later in the 15th century. The watchtower has an exhibition and view of the surroundings, while the church is still being used for religious services, regular concerts and events. €3 adult, €1.50 for kids, students and elderly. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Museum of Coins and Medals, Štefánikovo námestie 10/19, ☏ +421 456780308. Tu-Sa 09:00-16:30, in summer also on Sundays. Closed during lunchtime.. Featuring an exhibition about the history of money in Slovakia as well as the history of Kremnica and the Mint. €3 adult, €1.50 for kids, students and elderly. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Mincovňa Kremnica (Kremnica Mint), Štefánikovo nám. 25/24, ☏ +421 456787875. M-F 08:30-16:00, in summer season also on weekends. This is where money has been minted for the state since the 15th century. Even today, the Slovak euro coins are made here. You can visit both the old and new minting rooms to learn more about the process. Guided tours are available. €2.70 adult, €1.50 for kids, students and elderly. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Mining Museum, Banská cesta 803/27 (Ludovika mineshaft), ☏ +421 456743144, . Tours M-F 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00, Sa and Su 13:00 & 15:00. A mineshaft built in 1982, turned museum in 2008. You will get a tour of part of the mine and a bright yellow hardhat. Wear a coat against the cold. €4 adult, €2 for kids, students and elderly. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Kalvária, Vrch Šturc. Early 18th century chapel, and a viewpoint overlooking Kremnica and the valley. The trail from the centre of Kremnica takes about 50 minutes and climbs 160 m over 1.5 km. Free. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Plague column. Holy Trinity column with statues of saints. 
  • 🌍 Church of Sain John the Baptist in 'Kremnické Bane'. By some sources the area of the church is considered the geographical center of Europe 

Do
  • 🌍 Akropola Kremnica, P. Križku 393/10, ☏ +421 455572384, . The main cultural hub of the town, with a surprisingly diverse program of theater, film screenings and concerts. Check their website for current events. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Skalka ski center. Skiing, ski running and hiking. Also spots a smaller via-ferrata area (with high cliffs nonetheless) a few hundred meters north of the top cable car station. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Jastrabská rock. A natural monument reachable by foot from the nearby villages. (updated Dec 2023)

Buy

Score some commemorative and special edition coins (or regular Slovak euros) at the aforementioned mint. The main pedestrian street Dolná has a bank, clothing shops, a phone shop, and multiple pharmacies.

Eat

Drink
  • 🌍 Cafe Tereza, Kutnohorská 8, ☏ +421 456743904. M-Sa 12:00-20:00. Coffee and beer. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 N Caffe, Námestie SNP 36/1. Café with billiards. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 🌍 Korzo Cafe, Štefánikovo námestie 13/25, ☏ +421 918381825, . Su-Th until 22:00, F Sa until 23:00. Coffee and cocktails, and a terrace overlooking the square in summer. (updated Dec 2017)

Sleep

Connect

Go next

Go to Banská Bystrica and Martin, or visit the equally interesting mining town of Banská Štiavnica.

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