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So, what are the best places to visit in Slovakia?
Most people don’t even realise that Vienna is only 50km away or a 1-hour journey from Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia.
I’ve wanted to explore this country for a few years now, and lucky for me, I’ve recently had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks there. I’ve made a list of the ten best places to visit in Slovakia; some of my favourites were recommendations from Slovakian friends.
Slovakia is a small country, so if you visit for just a few days or weeks, these places are definitely worth visiting.
If you are confused about Slovakia and Slovenia, you might want to read this helpful article.
Košice has the looks and charm of a small cosmopolitan city. With one of the most well-preserved historical town centres in the country, it is definitely pleasing to the eye.
The Old town centre has been pedestrianised and the buildings and architecture have a cosy medieval feel.
Buzzing cafes and restaurants are sprinkled along the main street, with cobble-stoned alleys leading off in all directions. We found this city to be most beautiful in the evening time when the magnificent St Elizabeth gothic cathedral is lit up with many colours.
Plus we had an amazing meal at Krcma Letna, so Kosice starts our list of best places to visit in Slovakia. If you are exploring more of Europe, you might also visit Ukraine – it has surprisingly great food!
Creating the border between Slovakia and Poland, the Tatra Mountains are considered to be the tallest mountain range in Slovakia. Because of its altitude, the High Tatras have become a very popular skiing destination in the country. The High Tatras offer a more affordable option for skiing vacation when compared to France, Austria or the Swiss Alps.
The place to be is the town of Štrbské Pleso. People have been skiing here for centuries because of the glacial lake found nearby. But it also offers something in summer, there are a few hiking trails to follow. Enjoy a drink or meal with a view at the end of the day.
We spent two nights in Štrbské Pleso and hiked up to Skok waterfall, around 3 hours roundtrip. The views were fantastic. The High Tatras MUST be on your list of best places to visit in Slovakia.
Levoča is known for its visually pleasing town centre and the historical walls around the town.
Most of the Old town is considered a World Heritage site as there are countless buildings in the town that dates back to the Renaissance. All these buildings have been beautifully preserved.
It is definitely worth stopping in this town, even if it is just for an afternoon visit.
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This preserved town with timber houses dates way back to 1272.
Čičmany is unique because of the specific white patterns painted on the exterior walls of houses that decorate them. The local folk music, costumes and folk dances of the village have been preserved too. This village has so much character and was highly enjoyable to explore.
You will need your own car to get here (Europcar offers great rental deals) and it feels so remote from the cities, despite being just a short drive. Since these houses are truly unique, I think it is one of the best places to visit in Slovakia.
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Located in the east of Slovakia, you must visit the remains of this magnificent castle, also, UNESCO listed. There are fantastic views of the countryside from the castle, and you can explore an authentic medieval dungeon, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and armoury.
There are many castles in Slovakia and I think they are definitely some of the best places to visit. But Spiš castle is the largest one. It gives you a very real experience of what life would have been like, back in medieval times.
The city of Trnava is situated along the banks of the Trnávka River and is only 50km from the capital city of Bratislava. This city has been referred to as the ‘Slovak Rome’ because of its many churches within its city walls.
Trnava has a very pretty and well preserved historical centre, perfect for enjoying coffee in the sidewalk cafes or a delicious local snack of lángos. I recommend visiting in June – September when the old town hosts many cultural events.
There are amazing cafes, such as Synagoga, great beer at Academia and if you are already missing Asian food try ENAK,
The historic town of Bojnice is located along the banks of the Nitra River. The oldest zoo in the nation is situated in Bojnice, just behind the Bojnice Castle. This is one of the most visited castles in Slovakia and for good reason.
A guided tour of the castle is highly recommended. The castle appears fairytale-like from the exterior and has been featured in many international films and it’s one of the best places to visit in Slovakia because it’s quite unique.
One of the oldest towns in Slovakia. In the past, it was also one of the wealthiest due to the huge deposits of gold and silver. Rich miners built Many beautiful buildings here during the 16th and 17th centuries.
It is one of the cultural sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today the town is very well preserved and has some wonderful cafes and small stores with Slovakian handicrafts and gifts. Many more reasons why it’s on our list of the best places to visit in Slovakia.
The largest city in Slovakia and one of the youngest capital cities in the world. The population also seems young. Bratislava is a small metropolitan city and seems to have a buzzing social life, as well as a historic charm too.
There are so many great things to do in Bratislava.
There are many museums and art galleries, although a visit to Bratislava castle should also be on your hit list. This sightseeing bus tour with the Castle entrance included is a good choice.
After you’ve finished sightseeing for the day, visit one of these best restaurants in Bratislava for some tasty Slovak cuisine.
Bratislava is found in the southwestern part of the country situated along both the Danube and Morava banks. It is here that the country borders Austria and Hungary. But many visitors might continue on a train across Europe to the neighbouring Czech Republic.
Here are the 7 Best things to do in Prague. And, we’ve also got you covered for the places to try the best Czech food in Prague.
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A quaint little village, situated in the centre of Slovakia, with views of mountains and rolling fields surrounding it. This village dates back to 1376, and in 1993, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a remarkably intact settlement with the traditional features of a central European village.
More than 40 log houses are painted in bright colours and a very well-preserved chapel still stands proudly in the village. It really felt like a step back in time, wandering through this little piece of history.
Not only is this one of the best places to visit in Slovakia, but it’s also like no other place you’ve seen before in the world.
We hope you enjoyed reading about the best places to visit in Slovakia. Does your favourite place in Slovakia appear on our list? If not, could you tell us more about it below?
We have many travel guides and tips for Slovakia—what a great country!
Start your food journey with our Slovakian Food Guide (18 popular dishes), or check out our Food Map of Europe!
Heading to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city? Here are 13 of the best things to do in Bratislava, and you should check out our list of the best restaurants in Bratislava.
Slovakia is an excellent destination for outdoor lovers. We recommend this hike to the amazing Green Lake (Zelene Pleso) in Slovakia’s High Tatras.
Did you know Slovakia is one of the 10 most affordable European countries to travel to? Check out our recommendations for the 10 best places to visit in this budget-friendly destination.
Make sure to avoid the common mistake and confuse Slovakia with Slovenia! Read more about the differences between Slovakia and Slovenia.
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