The main features of the Alpine and pre-Alpine metamorphisms in the Western Carpathians (WCp) are outlined in this paper, in order to give the basic information for interregional correlations within the ambit of the IGCP Project No. 276. The WCp consists of three main Alpine structural zones. The outer zone is made up of non metamorphic sediments of the Flysch and Klippen Belts. The central zone includes three tectonic units: those comprising pre-Alpine complexes, the Tatricum, Veporicum, and Zemplinicum. The inner zone is the Gemericum. The Tatricum, Veporicum, Zemplinicum and Gemericum include metamorphic sequences of different age and petrological features. For each of these four structural domains, the available data concerning lithology, petrological features and chronological framework are critically summarized, and the main open problems are focused upon. Due to the very complex history of the WCp, our present knowledge on the timing, regional distribution and petrological features of the variously aged metamorphic stages is sometimes not sufficient for presenting clear statements, notwithstanding the huge amount of new data published in the last ten years. Therefore, some aspects described in this paper are rather problematic. However, the basic features of the Alpine and Variscan metamorphism are relatively clear. The Alpine metamorphism appears to be characterized by medium/high pressure and low to very-low temperatures. The Variscan event covers the whole range of metamorphic temperatures. It displays low-pressure conditions in certainly monometamorphic, low-grade sequences. In the high grade pre-Alpine terraines, barrovian-type conditions have also been reported as related to the Variscan event: however, they could also be a record of a pre-Variscan history, surviving after the prevailing Variscan effects, as some chronological data and geopetrographic hints may suggest.