Modra
Photos: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); ANDREJ NEUHERZ, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); ANDREJ NEUHERZ, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Radovankostiviar, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Bratislavská župa from Bratislava, Slovakia, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Bratislavská župa from Bratislava, Slovakia, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Modra is a town in the Pezinok District, Bratislava Region, Slovakia. It lies at the foothills of the Little Carpathians, part of the Western Carpathians, with the Vištucký stream flowing through the town. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills and forests typical of this region.
The first written mention of Modra dates back to 1158, when it belonged to the bishop of Nitra. In 1361, Modra received town privileges, and in 1607 it became a free royal town. Since the 17th century, it has been a significant craft centre, with the ceramic industry developing in the 19th century.
Modra is renowned for its wine production and ceramics, especially the famous Slovak majolica pottery. The town preserves its historical architecture, including the city fortifications, churches, and town hall. Modra is also the birthplace of the scientist Ján Farkas.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in Modra. Nature lovers can explore numerous hiking trails, such as the "Pezinok, station – Modra, square" or "Červený Kameň, castle – Čermák" routes. The nearby Veľká Homola peak offers scenic views. Among crafts, "Slovak Folk Majolica in Modra: pottery painting" and wine tasting at "Juraj from Modra Winery" are highlights. The "Zochova chata" mountain hut is available for relaxation in the hills.
Getting there from Ukraine
From Uzhhorod to Žilina is about 330 km, approximately 4 h 20 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 via Prešov, Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš and Ružomberok (about 17 km on I/18 between D1 sections) → Žilina. To Terchová about 314 km, 4 h 15 min: from the D1 onto I/70 and II/583. From Lviv through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to Chyżne – Trstená → R3, I/59 to Dolný Kubín → II/583 via Terchová to Žilina: to Terchová about 493 km (about 6 h 30 min), to Žilina about 518 km (about 7 h). Via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice, S1 and D3: about 533 km, about 6 h 35 min. The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, OpenStreetMap, Karpaty.rocks data. More on Wikipedia
Trails nearby
All trails
EasyOne-dayMarkedChodník Ľudovíta ŠtúraElevation profile166–709 m7.7 kmascent 2 m≈ 2 h walkingunder 1 km from the centre
HardMulti-dayMarkedModra, square SološnicaElevation profile175–744 m32.9 kmascent 1 113 m≈ 10.5 h walkingunder 1 km from the centre
ModerateTwo-dayMarkedPezinok, station Modra, squareElevation profile154–709 m20.9 kmascent 582 m≈ 6.5 h walkingunder 1 km from the centre
EasyOne-dayMarkedSrnčí vrch ModraElevation profile194–402 m2.2 kmascent 2 m≈ 30 min walkingunder 1 km from the centre
ModerateTwo-dayMarkedHarmónia Kuchyňa, churchElevation profile253–759 m18.4 kmascent 719 m≈ 6 h walking2.3 km from the centre
EasyOne-dayMarkedVinosady Under Srnčí PeakElevation profile172–336 m4.5 kmascent 156 m≈ 1.5 h walking2.3 km from the centrePeaks nearby
All peaks
PeakVeľká homoľaModraaltitude 709 m4.7 km from the centreVeľká homoľa is a summit 709 m high in the Little Carpathians (Malé Karpaty), in their Pezinok Carpathians part (Homoľské Karpaty).
PeakKuklaDubováaltitude 564 m5.4 km from the centreKukla is a distinctive, solitary 564 m summit in the Little Carpathians (Malé Karpaty) in western Slovakia, in the section known as the Pezinok Carpathians.
PeakVysoká (Little Carpathians)Kuchyňaaltitude 754 m11 km from the centreVysoká is the second-highest summit of the Little Carpathians after Záruby. Slovak geodetic data give it 754.3 m; some other sources state 759 m.
PeakVápennáSološnicaaltitude 752 m14 km from the centreVápenná (also Roštún; German Rachsthurn) is a 752 m summit and the third highest peak of the Little Carpathians.
PeakZárubyBukováaltitude 767 m22 km from the centreZáruby (formerly also Ostrý vrch, German Scharfenstein) is the highest peak of the Little Carpathians at 767 m (some signposts say 768 m).
PeakKamzíkMariankaaltitude 439 m23 km from the centreKamzík (German Gemsenberg, Hungarian Zerge-hegy) is a 439 m summit of the Little Carpathians standing right above Bratislava, about 3 km north-west of the city centre.What to visit
All
Wine & tastingsJuran z Modry winery: tastings in a Modra wine shopModraunder 1 km from the centreModra is one of the main wine towns of the Little Carpathians: every other courtyard has its own cellar, and rows of vines climb the slopes above the town.
Crafts & workshopsSlovak Folk Majolica in Modra: pottery tour and paintingModra1.2 km from the centreModra is a small wine town on the eastern slopes of the Little Carpathians, half an hour’s drive from Bratislava.
Wine & tastingsKarpatská Perla winery in Šenkvice: tastings and cellarŠenkvice5 km from the centreFrom a home cellar to Winery of the Year Šenkvice is a wine village on the plain below the eastern slopes of the Little Carpathians, between Pezinok and Modra.
Wine & tastingsHACAJ winery in Pezinok: sparkling wine in a 300-year-old cellarPezinok6.1 km from the centrePezinok is the centre of the Little Carpathian Wine Route, a town where winegrowers’ houses with deep cellars line the old streets.
Wine & tastingsVIAJUR winery in Svätý Jur: tastings in the Pálffy cellarsSvätý Jur12 km from the centreWine in old cellars on the edge of Bratislava Svätý Jur is an old wine town at the very foot of the Little Carpathians, just beyond the Bratislava city limits.
Wine & tastingsDubovský & Grančič Winery, Svätý Jur: tastings and sektSvätý Jur12 km from the centreFrom sixty ares to “Winemaker of the Year” Svätý Jur is an old wine town on the southern slopes of the Little Carpathians, just beyond the Bratislava city limits.Craft nearby
All craft places
Wine & tastingsMagula Winery, Suchá nad Parnou: biodynamic wines and a farmSuchá nad Parnou17 km from the centreSuchá nad Parnou is a wine village on the south-eastern slopes of the Little Carpathians, near Trnava.
Honey & meaderiesVčelovina meadery, Smolenice: mead and honey beerSmolenice22 km from the centreThis is where the Včelovina meadery works — “a small production with a big heart”, as its founders put it.Huts, shelters and springs nearby
Getting there from Ukraine
Border crossings
- Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké — road, 24/7
- Malyi Bereznyi – Ubľa — road, 24/7 For cars and buses; pedestrians not confirmed by the Ukrainian border service, lorries up to 3.5 t.
- Mali Selmentsi – Veľké Slemence (pedestrian) — pedestrian, 09:00–21:00 Kyiv time Pedestrians and cyclists only; inconvenient for the Tatras without onward transport.
- Chop – Čierna nad Tisou (rail) — rail, 24/7
By car
From Uzhhorod to Žilina ≈330 km, ≈4 h 20 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 via Prešov, Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš and Ružomberok (≈17 km on I/18 between D1 sections) → Žilina. To Terchová ≈314 km, ≈4 h 15 min: from the D1 onto I/70 and II/583. From Lviv through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to Chyżne – Trstená → R3, I/59 to Dolný Kubín → II/583 via Terchová to Žilina: to Terchová ≈493 km (≈6 h 30 min), to Žilina ≈518 km (≈7 h). Via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice, S1 and D3: ≈533 km, ≈6 h 35 min. The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).
Checked 23.10.2026; border crossing hours and timetables change — check before you travel.
