If a friend from abroad came to visit me, I’d start with Bratislava or Košice and then take them out into nature and to the castles. My list: Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad), Banská Štiavnica, the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry), Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj) and Bardejov. Seven places are only a start, though – Slovakia has a lot more.
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What to visit in Slovakia if you’ve never been? Slovakia is a small country right in the heart of Europe, but it packs a lot of variety into that small area – cities, mountains, gorges, castles. Here are 7 places that I think are simply worth the trip.
Tip from Milan You can compare flights from London to Bratislava on Omio. For trips around the country a car comes in handy – I compare rental cars on Discover Cars.
7 places to visit in Slovakia with a friend from abroad
Bratislava and Košice
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and also its largest city. It has many faces, and that’s exactly why it’s worth visiting. In the historic centre, Bratislava Castle sits right on the hill, and below it you’ll find medieval and Gothic buildings alongside Baroque palaces. Leave the old town and you’ll see plenty of concrete blocks of flats from the communist era along the Danube, which flows through the city.
Go a bit further and you reach the farms, fields and villages around the city. That’s why I say Bratislava has many faces. In this mix of old and new there are lots of bars and restaurants to try, and every year new luxury boutiques and trendy cafés open. My favourites are Brixton House and Moja srdcovka.
Bratislava never gets old, because there’s always something new to see and do. I’ve written more tips on what to do in Bratislava. And if you ever feel like a change of scenery, Vienna and Budapest are both close by – a big advantage of Bratislava.
Košice is Slovakia’s second-largest city, on the opposite side of the country. Over the centuries it has changed hands many times. You’ll find lots of monuments, statues and cultural sights here, as well as good bars, restaurants and shops.
For your free time, the city has many art galleries, museums and theatres. The art and culture scene is worth exploring, but no visit to Košice is complete without a walk through the old town, its sights and its architecture. Besides the 14th-century cathedral, you’ll see a huge number of churches. Many people use Košice as a base for exploring the east of the country, which is full of places to see. Read my article on what to see in Košice.
What to visit in Slovakia
Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad)
As I mentioned above, the east of Slovakia has a lot of nature – and not only that. Another place that’s definitely worth a visit is Spiš Castle. Its sprawling ruins stand on top of a hill above the town of Spišské Podhradie and cover a huge area, so it’s no surprise it’s one of the largest castle complexes in all of Central Europe.
Walking along its many walls, fortifications and towers is an experience mainly because of how big it is. Spiš Castle was once the main centre of power in the region. The spot wasn’t chosen by chance: Slavic and Celtic tribes lived here before, people believed the place had supernatural power, and the lords hoped it would protect their castle too. Today it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovakia. You’ll understand why as soon as you get close to it.
Banská Štiavnica
Banská Štiavnica lies not only in the middle of Slovakia but also in the middle of a former volcano, and it’s a great town to explore. Much of its wealth came from the rich ore deposits once found in the ground around the town. Banská Štiavnica is known for its long mining history. Mining is also behind the tajchy, the many artificial lakes around the town. Miners built them as a system of connected reservoirs that supplied energy for the mines. Twenty-four of them have survived, and today people use them for swimming, boating, fishing and ice skating in winter. The former mining town has a beautiful historic centre with lots of churches, palaces and museums – plus cafés and restaurants where you’ll happily sit for a while.
As you wander through the town, you’ll pass many historic and cultural landmarks. On top of that, Banská Štiavnica has two castles. The open-air mining museum is also worth a visit – it takes you deep underground so you can see what life in the mines was really like.
High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry)
The High Tatras are the country’s highest mountains, which makes them a favourite with hikers and climbers. In winter, the Tatras have plenty of good slopes and pistes for skiing. Tatra National Park is the oldest national park in Slovakia, founded in 1948. It borders its Polish neighbour, Tatrzański Park Narodowy. Between the massive peaks, slopes and valleys you’ll find glittering lakes and meadows.
The High Tatras are a big part of Slovak national pride and a national symbol, and the snow-capped Kriváň is the most distinctive peak. The landscape suits all kinds of outdoor activities: there are lots of trails for hiking, cycling or skiing, and the views from them are worth every step.
Slovak Paradise National Park (Slovenský raj)
Slovakia is known for its national parks. Slovak Paradise National Park covers wild, rugged country that you simply have to explore: deep canyons, valleys and rivers cutting through endless forests. Wherever you are in the park, the scenery keeps surprising you.
In the thick forest you’ll find glittering waterfalls and deep rocky gorges, and one of the main attractions is the Dobšinská Ice Cave (Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa). It’s the largest ice cave in Slovakia, and its tour route is more than 500 metres long. Countless paths and trails wind through the hills.
Sometimes you have to cross rickety footbridges that sway from side to side and climb steep ladders fixed to the rock face, but it’s worth it. The most popular part is the hike through the Suchá Belá gorge.
Bardejov
Another treasure of eastern Slovakia is the town of Bardejov. This well-preserved medieval town with a beautiful historic centre is definitely worth a visit if you get the chance. It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque place. Life in this small town still revolves around its square, just as it did centuries ago, when market squares were the heart of many towns. In the middle stands the elegant St Giles‘ Church (Kostol sv. Egídia), surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance townhouses.
There’s also a beautiful old synagogue to see, and a small Jewish quarter – sadly, all that’s left of the once thriving Jewish community. Bardejov lies in the north-east of the country, surrounded by the Beskids. The town is enclosed by fortifications from the 14th and 15th centuries, and several interesting wooden churches are scattered across the countryside around it.
Slovakia has much more to offer
I hope I’ve inspired you to visit these places in Slovakia. Seven is far from the final number. There are many more places worth visiting – towns, villages, cultural sights, castles and chateaux, or just the untouched nature in every part of the country.
With love, Milan Bez Mapy
A Slovak travel blogger who has been getting Slovaks out of their office chairs since 2013. Author of the book Influencer and founder of the Bez Mapy blog.
