Slovakia Travel Guide

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Slovakia is well stocked with glorious alpine scenery, cliff-top castles and well-preserved architecture, offering an enticing combination of outdoor adventure and medieval charm.

It might be overshadowed by its neighbor and one-time compatriot the Czech Republic – largely because capital Bratislava, alluring though it is, isn’t Prague – but the upside is that Slovakia's myriad attractions are often blessedly throng-free.

Following the ‘Velvet Divorce’ in 1993, which saw Czechoslovakia split into two constituent parts, the nation set about re-asserting its independence, and today there’s a humble, creative nature to the Slovaks that wins over no shortage of visitors.

Slovakia draws a broad range of travelers, from skiers and backpackers to businesspeople and history buffs. Bratislava and the High Tatras mountain range remain its two headline draws, but this is a diverse country that rewards considerable exploration.

Geography

Slovakia - formerly known as the Slovak Republic - is land-locked in Central Europe, bordered by the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine. Capital city Bratislava sits in the extreme south-western corner, close to the Austrian border. For a small country, its landscape varies impressively. Mountains, canyons and caves are prevalent, as are lakes, forests and lowland meadows – this natural beauty has helped make it an appealing year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Almost half of the country is taken up by the Carpathian Arc: a range of mountains stretching across the north. Within the Arc, smaller ranges include the Lesser Carpathians, White Carpathians, Malá (Lesser) Fatra, Vel'ká (Greater) Fatra, High and Low Tatras and the Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovak Ore Mountains).