Pajštún Castle Ruins
A medieval castle ruin on a limestone crag above Borinka, reached by a steep forest trail, with views over the Small Carpathians.
Why visit
Pajštún was built in the 13th century to guard the north-western border of the Kingdom of Hungary. The Pálffy family rebuilt it as a stronger fortress in the 17th century.
French troops blew it up during the Napoleonic wars, and it has stood in ruins ever since. It is one of the closest castle hikes to Bratislava, easily done in half a day.
What to see
- Walls and bastions: fragments of the castle walls, bastions and a cannon tower built against the Ottoman threat.
- Views: from the top, the forests of the Small Carpathians and the Záhorie lowland towards Austria.
- Marked trails: forest paths that link the ruin with Borinka and Stupava.
Plan your visit
The ruin is open at all times and admission is free.
The quickest route is the red-marked trail from Borinka, 30 to 60 minutes uphill and steep near the top. The yellow-marked trail from Stupava is longer and gentler.
The terrain is steep and uneven, so wear hiking shoes; the site is not suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
Address
1108, 900 32 Borinka, Slovakia
Tourist Information Center
Get maps, travel tips and information about Bratislava and the surrounding region. The centre has a step-free entrance and offers a tactile city map, talking cubes with information about 12 landmarks in six languages, and magnifying glasses.
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