Slovakia

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Why visit Slovakia?

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Slovakia is not the province of the Czech Republic. Going strong over two decades as an independent state after the breakup of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia out-trumps the Czechs for ancient castles, which decorate the country like cherries on cakes, and boasts nature far wilder than its western neighbors. It savors wine over beer and, in its reserved heartland amid mountains and forests, embraces culture most European nations have lost. Slovakia's small size is possibly its biggest attraction. You can hike woodsy waterfall-filled canyons one day and hike from peaks soaring more than 2500m the next. Its capital Bratislava is saturated with peculiar museums and backed by thick forests. With its Old Town, it might just win world prize for most cafes per city resident.

What does Slovakia bring in mind?

Bratislava Castle

Dominating the southwest of the Old Town on a hill above the Danube, the castle today is largely a 1950s reconstruction; an 1811 fire left the fortress ruined for more than a century and renovations continue. Most buildings contain administrative offices, but there is a museum of Slovakia through the ages, and lawns and ramparts provide great vantage points for city viewing.

Blue Church Every surface of the 1911 Church of St Elizabeth, more commonly known as the Blue Church, is an art nouveau fantasy dressed in cool sky-blue and deeper royal blue.

Museum of Jewish Culture

The most moving of the three floors of exhibits here focuses on the large Jewish community and buildings lost during and after WWII. Black-and-white photos show the neighborhood and synagogue before it was ploughed under.

Saint Martin’s Cathedral A relatively modest interior contradicts the elaborate history of St Martin's Cathedral: 11 Austro-Hungarian monarchs (10 kings and one queen, Maria Theresa) were crowned in this 14th century church. The busy motorway almost touching St Martin's follows the moat of the former city walls.

Hike from Strbske pleso to Skok waterfalls in High Tatras

Strbske pleso is a gateway to many favorite tours in High Tatras. Park your car there and hike away! It is a tidy short tour up to the waterfalls and the views are worth it. Fresh air of High Tatras is known to be curative. If you feel strong, walk up along the waterfalls and look at them from above! You will find gripping mountain lakes at the top. For slow walkers, take a relaxed walk around Strbske pleso tarn; it is so beautiful there.

Spis Castle This magnificent 900 years old ruin is one of the biggest castles in Europe! It is beautifully placed in the countryside on travertine rock. From there, the landscape stretches away so unspoiled. Magical place that is perfect to transport you back in time. The castle is legitimately listed in the UNESCO Heritage List, among the most important monuments in the world. The exhibition is large and profound; you can spend a whole day wandering about.

Sucha Bela hike in Slovak Paradise National Park

Slovak Paradise is a magical forested piece of land in the east of Slovakia, full of ravines, canyons, gorges, fields and waterfalls. Devoted local hikers enjoy refreshing walks through the narrow canyons and up the waterfalls, often with the help of wooden bridges, high ladders and iron chains. The elevations are not high, but the adventure factor is.

Demanovska Cave of Liberty Located in Low Tatras in Demanovska valley, only a couple of minutes by car from Liptovsky Mikulas, Demanovska Cave of Liberty might just be the most beautiful underground place in Slovakia. The tour lasts for about 1 hour and takes you through magnificent halls and domes, viewing rich flowstone fillings, water lilies, peculiar stalactites, mighty waterfalls and columns and many other forms of stalactites and stalagmites that are totally captivating. The temperature in the cave is 7°C and there are many stairs, so it's probably not recommended for very young children (4 years and less).

Vychodna Festival

Vychodna, a village below the High Tatras, is the place to be the first weekend in July of every year. The oldest and greatest folklore music and dance festival in Slovakia held since 1953 is the top show of hugely diverse folklore traditions in Slovakia. An international range of performers present folk traditions from other countries. Amusements, dance, craft workshops and accommodation are provided.

Village of Folk architecture Skanzens, as we call the open-air museum- villages, are scattered all over Slovakia and are definitely a must-see. They showcase Slovakia's folk history, architecture and basic life of past centuries, high class and low class. The museums include examples of traditional buildings and furnishings, schools, churches and craftsmen' workshops.

The museums frequently host thematic exhibitions and special events. There are many skanzens across Slovakia. We especially recommend Pribylina, Vlkolinec (UNESCO site) and Cicmany.

Little Carpathian Wine Tour

The intellectuals of Slovak nation are devoted wine lovers. We are inviting you for wine tasting tours in exquisite places of the Small Carpathian region, offering an extraordinary experience of wine tasting with a piece of history. Little Carpathians is a fertile land perfect for producing wine. This range of hills is visible across the Danubian plain from many kilometers away.

Things you shouldn’t miss in Slovakia

• Walk in Bratislava: Old Town is the most charming area of Bratislava, with its narrow lanes and historic buildings. Fun to explore at night and find those “hidden” bars and shops.

• Visit St Elizabeth’s Blue Church: that is actually blue inside and out! Not a far walk from Old Town, and definitely worth the walk to see.

• Walk on UFO (New Bridge) which is the world 7th longest suspensions bridge with the observation deck over 95 meters above the ground! The round structure with glass windows all around offers a fantastic view of the entire area. Whether you eat or have a drink there or not, it is a place not to miss!

• Enjoy water sports at Zlate Piesky: the ideal place to escape the summer heat and enjoy some water sports. This resort lake near the city is a favorite for everyone to escape to, and offers rentals, lessons and equipment for whatever you enjoy.

• Eat at Mytny domcek: a restaurant with great food of the typical fare. With pictures of old Bratislava on the walls, the atmosphere of this place makes it a favorite for the locals.

• Wander in St. Michael's Gate and Street: that are one of Bratislava's popular sights, a quaint street lined with many shops and restaurants. In the summertime, the Michalska Ulica is teeming with tourists, street bands, and locals enjoying the cool Slovak summer nights.

• Take a stroll through the traffic-free old town and breathe in the atmosphere of its centuries-old streets, squares and buildings.

• Do as the locals and savor coffee in one of the numerous city-centre cafes.

• Visit one of the city's excellent galleries, for instance the Bratislava City Gallery at the Pállfy Palace, to experience Matej Krén's unique "Passage" installation.

• Check out one of the quirky museums like the Museum of Clocks or the Pharmacy Museum.

• If you are feeling energetic, continue through the handsome hillside villas surrounding the castle to the imposing Soviet War Memorial at Slavín, which commands the best views over the city.

• If the weather is good, take a boat ride on the Danube: upstream to the historic castle ruins at Devín; or downstream to the remarkable Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum.

• Enjoy a glass of locally produced wine or beer in one of the city's atmospheric bars and wine cellars. You may be inclined to have another as you take an evening stroll along the cafe-lined 'Korzo' promenade centered on Hviezdoslavovo Square.

• Experience classic Slovak cuisine with dinner at one of the capital's many restaurants.

• Partying in one of the city's stylish clubs or maybe just watch the city lights with a walk along the banks of the River Danube.

Best cities of Slovakia

Bratislava

Slovakia's capital city is at last coming to life. Tourists are coming to love the freshly restored old town, now almost entirely closed to cars. Business of all kinds is booming in one of the European Union's most rapidly expanding capitals. The population of some half-million inhabitants is quickly adapting to its new role in the expanded Europe.

Košice

This metropolis of Eastern Slovakia is a regional administrative centre and hub of industry, commerce, science and culture. The country's second largest city, Kosice currently has a population of more than 250,000 inhabitants. Several distinct ethnic groups enrich the city with their cultural activities.

Banska Bystrica

This town is living heritage of the former fabulous riches of central Slovakia's mining culture. The gorgeous architecture on the main square dates from the late middle ages and early renaissance, and was financed by vast mining profits that then dominated its economy.

Poprad

The town's identity is closely tied to the High Tatras Mountain with its excellent train, air and road connections into the Tatras National Park. However, its history as a 13th century German colony has left its mark on the town's architecture, most visible in the significant gothic church on the main square.

Piestany

The quiet spa resort town of Piestany was founded in the picturesque valley of the Vah River. The spa is renowned for successful treatment of arthritis. Many treatment methods are based on the extraordinary therapeutic effects of the area's thermal springs and curative mud. Piestany boasts beautiful parks and recreational areas.

Presov

Slovakia's third largest city has the character of a small regional centre. Its reformation history is abundant, and it was in that period a focus of anti-empire sentiment.

Zilina

The most significant regional city in northwestern Slovakia; its arcaded square is unique in architecture. The city is also a significant centre of native Slovak craft and culture. Zilina is becoming an increasingly important centre of international manufacturing.