The mountains are situated in Western Slovakia, covering the area from Bratislava to Nové Mesto nad Váhom, and northeastern Austria, where a very small part called Hundsheimer Berge (or Hainburger Berge) is located south of the Devín Gate.

The mountains are densely forested (90% being broad-leaved trees), and the southeastern part contains extensive vineyards (e.g. Rača, Pezinok, and Modra).

[2] This particular fault is closely monitored because of its proximity to the Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant, approximately 15 km away.

During the Second World War, the Little Carpathians were the birthplace of the partisan group Janko Kráľ.

The mountain range contains a dense network of trails, and the recreational infrastructure is relatively well developed, especially in the south.

The main tourist centers include the Slovak capital Bratislava, Pezinská Baba (halfway between Pezinok and Pernek), and Zochova chata (near Modra).