Destination overview

Most of Slovakia’s action is centred in the capital city of Bratislava, where you can find the bulk of the country’s cultural institutions, nightlife and dining. The Old Town and imposing Bratislava Castle are just two of the attractions of this 1,000-year-old city. Outside of the capital, visitors can soak in the wonderfully undeveloped countryside as it rises towards the towering High Tatras Mountains along the northern border. Vineyards, thermal spring spas and old ruined castles are just some of the attractions Slovakia has to offer.

Since its independence in 1993, Slovakia has been shedding its Eastern Bloc past and embracing its own folk culture. The capital of Bratislava is a popular destination, but don't bypass the old-world essence of places such as the Spis Castle overlooking Spisske Podhradie; Liptovska Sielnica, with its preserved historical homes; and the spas of Piestany.

Ancient castle ruins, traditional villages and mountainous National Parks - visiting Slovakia is about experiencing a place where age-old folklores and nature are still important. In this compact country you can hike beside a waterfall-filled gorge one day and see wooden churches built without nails in a village museum the next. The small capital, Bratislava, may not have the superlative sights of nearby Prague or Budapest, but it’s humming with development with each new riverfront dining and entertainment complex vying to outdo the next. And try to spend a day or two in the rabbit-warren Old Town centre where you’ll find lots of hidden gems.

Make sure you also venture east. In the countryside, fortresses tower over cities and rivers, hiking trails cover the hills and well-preserved medieval towns nestle below rocky peaks.

Approximately 40 per cent of Slovakia is covered with forests which contain a wide biodiversity and animals including brown bears, wolves, foxes, wild boars, muskrats, chamois and lynxes. Slovakia also features a high percentage of wildlife encompassed in protected areas and there are hardly any mountain ranges and areas not under some form of protection.

One of Slovakia's main tourist attractions are the Tatra Mountains, particularly the High Tatras, the highest part of the Carpathians. They feature many rare plant and animal species and offer numerous ski, hiking and mountaineering opportunities.

Rivers and streams in the mountains of Slovakia are often used for rafting and other white water-based activities and sports. The use of rafts has a very long tradition in the country and rafting on the spectacular Dunajec River is a particularly popular activity for visitors.

The development of Slovak culture reflects the country's rich folk tradition, in addition to the influence of broader European trends. The impact of centuries of cultural repression and control by foreign governments is also evident in much of Slovakia's art, literature and music.

Things you should not miss while visiting this magnificent little country include hiking from Strbske Pleso to Skok waterfalls in the High Tatras. It's a short tour up to the waterfalls - three hours there and back - and the views are certainly worth it. For slow walkers, take a relaxed walk around Strbske Pleso Tarn.

The magnificent Spis Castle is a 900 year-old ruin and one of the biggest castles in Europe. It is beautifully situated in the countryside on travertine rock and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. And try not to miss Slovak Paradise National Park in the east of Slovakia. It is full of ravines, gorges, chasms, meadows and waterfalls and devoted hikers will enjoy walking through the narrow canyons and up waterfalls, often with the help of wooden bridges, high ladders and iron chains. The elevations aren’t high, but the adventure factor certainly is.

Sucha Bela gorge makes for one of the most fascinating karst marked paths through the Paradise. Waterfalls, rock windows, cascades, ladders, natural jacuzzis and even an ancient carthusian monastery await you on your journey.

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. Embark on the tour which lasts for about an hour and a half and takes you through magnificent halls and domes, viewing rich flowstone fillings, water lilies, mighty waterfalls and columns, and many forms of stalactites and stalagmites that are totally captivating. The temperature in the cave is 7°C and there are lots of stairs, so an appropriate level of fitness would be recommended.

Skanzens, or open-air museum-villages, are scattered all over Slovakia and are definitely a must-see. They showcase Slovakia's folk history, architecture and day-to-day life of past centuries. There are many skanzens across Slovakia, and among the best are Pribylina, Vlkolinec (UNESCO site) and Cicmany.

Slovakia is full of beautiful caves and underground places. Many of them are hidden and undiscovered and others can be entered only by experienced cavers. There are almost 2,500 caves in Slovakia but only a small number are open to the public. The caves of Slovak Karst system are listed in the UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Slovakia's cities and towns are neatly distributed throughout the country, throughout several recognisable regions. Bratislava in the southwest and Kosice in the east ‘bookend’ most of the other towns. Apart from these two mid-sized metropolitan areas, all of Slovakia consists of a wide scattering of cities, each with their own high points of history, culture and recreation.

Bratislava

Slovakia's capital and largest city is fast becoming a popular destination and one of Europe’s most rapidly expanding capitals. Tourists are flocking to the freshly restored Old Town, now almost entirely closed to cars.

Bratislava borders with Hungary in the south and with Austria in the west. The town spreads like a fan on both banks of the Danube River, and at the foot of the Low Carpathians. Many beautiful monuments survive in the Old Town to tell of its past under Austro-Hungarian rule, and Bratislava's numerous museums are surprisingly rich. Franz Liszt visited Bratislava 15 times, and the opera productions of the Slovak National Theatre rival anything in Europe.

The Old Town and the Bratislava Castle are the best parts of Bratislava. Must-sees in the Old Town include the Municipal Museum which comes complete with torture chambers, and the Museum of Wine Production. The Castle, built above the Danube, was a frontier post of the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 5th Century. Climb up for the great views and to check out the very interesting Slovak National Museum expositions inside.

Kosice

Kosice is Slovakia’s second-largest town in the centre of East Slovakia. The city has a long and rich history as an important and wealthy regional hub under the Austro-Hungarian empire. In the town centre is the magnificent Gothic cathedral, the Cathedral of St Elizabeth; as well as the Chapel of St Michael; the Urban Tower; and the Neo-Baroque State Theatre where good quality orchestras perform. The Katova Citadel and the Mlynska Citadel are part of the ancient system of fortifications for protecting the city against its enemies.

Kosice also has several other beautiful monuments and cultural buildings including the old Town Hall and the old University; the Captain’s Palace; Liberation Square; a number of galleries and the East Slovak Museum.

The Jasov Monastery, Betliar Castle and Krasna Horka are located in the surrounding areas of Kosice and make for a great day trip.