35 Amazing Places To Visit In Slovakia
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Loading... - Diane Hunter
- 22 Apr 2022
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Slovakia is often overlooked by tourists who prefer to focus on neighboring countries like Poland and the Czech Republic or who only visit Bratislava, the capital. Yet this underrated country really offers a lot and, as you will see below, the list of best places to visit in Slovakia is long and diverse.
You can find there vibrant cities and charming medieval towns, fairytale castles and impressive ruins, numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and breathtaking mountains. If you are looking for a less known yet exciting destination you definitely should consider visiting Slovakia!
I can’t count how many times I’ve been to Slovakia but every visit is a treat for me. This is one of my favorite destinations in Europe and every time I’m really excited to return there, discover new places or revisit those that I enjoy.
And today I’m more than happy to share the best places to visit in Slovakia with you.
Why visit Slovakia
Even if the independent Slovak state was created only in 1993 (when Czechoslovakia was divided, before it was briefly independent during WW2) the area has been an important spot in Central European history since medieval times. You will find numerous places (cities, towns, castles) that date back to that time and still are full of historical remnants from a few centuries ago.
Slovak cities, especially Bratislava and Kosice, are vibrant and besides numerous monuments, you can also enjoy there a great food scene and cultural life.
But the main reason to visit Slovakia is its nature, especially the mountains. The most popular are the High Tatras but there are a few more mountain ranges worth your attention. Other interesting natural wonders include caves, gorges, and waterfalls.
For such a small country, there are surprisingly many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Slovakia and those include medieval towns, wooden churches or impressive caves. If you like visiting those, you are in for a treat in Slovakia.
Slovakia is also a great destination for a cultural trip. There are a few good open-air folk museums as well as old folk villages you can visit.
The traditional Slovak food is really tasty and has some fine vegetarian options. And if you are lucky you can experience some local traditions that are always interesting to see.
Places to visit in Slovakia
If you are wondering what to see in Slovakia I’ve prepared this long and extensive list of the best destinations in Slovakia you might want to visit. I based it on my numerous trips to Slovakia as well as on my personal list of places to visit in Slovakia that are still waiting for me.
Bratislava
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is such an underrated city that is often considered only as a day trip from Vienna or Budapest. But the city really has a lot to offer and all the things to do in Bratislava will keep you busy for at least the weekend.
You will wander the small yet very charming Old Town where, besides winding lanes and beautiful townhouses, you can find some quirky sculptures such as Cumil. The castle towering above the city offers a beautiful panorama of Bratislava (especially its Petrzalka district with colorful blocks of flats) but is an interesting place to visit itself too.
You can get an even better view of Bratislava from one of the iconic structures of the city – the UFO-shaped bridge over the Danube river. Just a short walk away from the Old Town you will find some less known yet still impressive attractions of Bratislava – the fairy-tale alike art-nouveau Blue Church or the brutalist masterpiece – the radio broadcast building that looks like the reverse pyramid.
For lunch head to the beautiful Bratislava Flagship Restaurant to try some of the delicious Slovak dishes. Bratislava also has a very impressive cafe scene with numerous great cafes to choose from for your coffee and cake break.
Overall, this is a really charming and laid-back city that doesn’t really feel like the capital, where you can slow down a bit during your travels and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Central Europe. You can also use Bratislava as a base for numerous day trips around Slovakia and beyond.
Devin castle
Devin Castle, located just outside of Bratislava, is mostly in ruins today but you still can appreciate the impressive structure towering above the Danube river as the keeper of the capital.
Originally it dates back to the 9th century but this place was used already in ancient times as the Roman border post. Over the centuries it played an important role in the region until it was eventually blown up by the Napoleon army in 1809.
Today you can visit the remnants of the castle and learn more about its history (including the ancient times) in the interesting exhibition.
Trnava
Trnava is among the most underrated places to visit in Slovakia and even if it is often overlooked by tourists, the city is full of attractions.
With its history dating back to the Middle Ages (when Trnava was the first place in Slovakia that was granted the right of a free royal town), the place is often called “the Little Rome” due to the numerous churches that you can still see there today. You will find most of them within the Old Town, surrounded by the longest remaining defending walls in Europe.
The center is mostly pedestrian and is a perfect place to wander around, enjoy one of the cafes or attend some city events. It is especially vibrant in the summertime when locals hang out there, taking advantage of the warm weather.
To get a good view of the center and beyond you should go up to the 16th-century town tower. One of the most unique attractions of Trnava is a 19th-century synagogue that was turned into a popular cafe where you can enjoy a drink in beautiful surroundings.
Smolenice castle
A fairytale castle of Smolenice, located not far from Trnava, was built in the place of the 14th-century sentry castle. Over the years it was rebuilt a few times to eventually get its current look in the 19th century.
Today this is the best example of Roman architecture in Slovakia since the castle is based on the best examples of similar architecture from France. Its most notable feature is the impressive tower from where you can admire a beautiful vista of the surrounding area.
The Smolenice castle is home to the Slovak Academy of Sciences and is open to the public only in July and August. Read More…
