Tourism in Slovakia

Tourism in Slovakia offers a wide range of options for travellers of all ages and interests — for young people and for families travelling with children alike.

Slovakia is a beautiful country of landmarks, with stunning nature and a rich culture. It is impossible not to fall in love with it. Thousands of tourists come every year to this small European country, whose beauty, Gothic architecture and medieval history leave no one indifferent.

There are more than 700 places worth visiting in Slovakia; in this article we have picked out the most popular ones, and we hope you enjoy them.

One of Slovakia’s main attractions is its beautiful countryside, which stretches across the whole country. In winter, the ski resort in the High Tatras at Tatranská Lomnica (https://www.vt.sk)

In summer, the perfect place to relax is the best water park in the country — Tatralandia.

It is the largest thermal park in Slovakia and also offers accommodation. You will find all the information on the official website https://www.tatralandia.sk/

Spa tourism in Slovakia.

Another branch of tourism in Slovakia is health and spa tourism based on thermal waters. The country has more than 1,500 springs and about twenty medical spa resorts for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal conditions, among others. You can choose a resort here.

Tourism around historical sites.

Slovakia has around 170 castles (hrady) and fortresses. The most popular with tourists are:

Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad) –

This is a huge medieval castle in Slovakia, set on a hilltop above the town of Spišské Podhradie. It was built in the 12th century and was one of the largest and most important castles in Europe of its time. Long ago the grandson of Genghis Khan tried to take it, without success. Today Spišský hrad is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an architectural monument of Slovakia with an impressive history.

Bratislava Castle –

This is a historic castle standing on a hill above the old town of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It was built in the 13th century and is one of the country’s most important cultural monuments. The castle houses a museum presenting the history of the castle and the city, along with exhibits from different eras. But perhaps the most interesting thing about Bratislava Castle is its architecture, which combines Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements and makes it truly unique for visitors from all over the world.

If you are in Trenčín, be sure to visit Trenčín Castle.

Interesting places in Slovakia.

Where should you go to enjoy nature and scenery? We recommend a few places, such as Zelené pleso.

You will see a crystal-clear glacial lake in the High Tatras. The climb up to it along the Tatranská magistrála is not especially difficult, particularly if you take the yellow walking trail, which makes the route suitable for hiking with children.

Čičmany – The village of Čičmany, in the Rajecká dolina valley, is surrounded by hills and feels sheltered from the bustle of civilisation. It is home to a unique architectural reserve of more than a hundred wooden log houses around 200 years old. Each of them is decorated with distinctive fairy-tale patterns that have become the village’s calling card.

The long-standing tradition of painting geometric designs on the wooden houses of Čičmany has become an inseparable part of local culture and is used not only on buildings but also on clothing, including the kit of the Slovak Olympic team.

Art venues and viewpoints in Bratislava.

A few kilometres south of Bratislava stands one of the most charming museums of modern art in Europe — the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum. “Danubiana” https://danubiana.sk/

UFO Observation Deck – a landmark building and a symbol of Bratislava, visited by thousands of people every year. You get a panorama of the capital laid out below you: Bratislava Castle, the Parliament, St Martin’s Cathedral. This is a sight you simply have to see with your own eyes.

There is also a restaurant, a bar and the unique SKYWALK attraction.

(official page UFO observation deck)

What to take hiking in the Slovak mountains

The weather in the Tatras can change within an hour, so the basis of your kit is not one warm jacket but layers: thermal underwear, a fleece and a windproof shell on top. Trekking boots with ankle support matter more than any other piece of equipment: most injuries on the trails are twisted ankles.

You will find outdoor clothing and thermal underwear in the seasonal collections at Tchibo.sk. Flasks, camping cookware and picnic gear are available at 4Home.sk. Energy bars, electrolytes and isotonic drinks that genuinely help on long routes are sold by GymBeam.sk.

Save the mountain rescue number 18 300 in your phone and check before you set out whether the route is open: some trails in the Tatras are closed from November until mid-June. For more on emergency numbers, see a separate article.

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