Slovakia Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Andy Warhol Gallery
The provincial town of Medzilaborce isn’t the most obvious place to find a classy modern art museum, which makes the Andy Warhol Gallery (www.andywarhol.sk) something of a curio. Warhol’s parents were from the area, and the man himself would be happy with the collection on show.

Bardejov
A picture-perfect civic square forms the centerpiece to this northern town, and the region offers ample opportunity to sample a part of Europe that sees comparatively few tourists. You won’t want to forget your camera.

Bratislava’s architecture
To get a sense of the country’s past, take a walk up to Bratislava Castle (itself an impressive cultural monument) above the Old Town and gaze out. You’ll see the pretty medieval core spread below, while rows of socialist-era tower-blocks line up in the distance.

Museum of Jewish Culture
A fascinating look at Judaism and, in particular, the history of Slovak Jews, the museum sits in Bratislava’s former Jewish neighborhood. The permanent exhibition includes a Holocaust Memorial Room.

Settlement of Vlkolinec
Awarded World Heritage Status by UNESCO, Vlkolinec (www.vlkolinec.sk) is a delightfully well-preserved village of almost 50 traditional log houses – one plays home to a folk museum - located in the center of the country.

Snina region
Slovakia’s north-eastern corner is rich in natural beauty, with hill ranges, wilderness areas and walking trails. Add to all this its wooden churches and an all-round sense of bucolic calm, and there’s much to appeal.

Spis Castle
Spis (www.spisskyhrad.sk) is the largest castle in Slovakia, and one of the biggest in Central Europe. Standing proud on a 200m- (656ft-) high dolomite hill, it’s as impressive for its setting as it for its medieval architecture.

Vratna Valley
Part of the Mala Fatra mountain range, Vratna Valley offers year-round appeal: enjoy top skiing conditions in winter; wander glorious countryside in summer. Don’t miss the view from the cable-car on a sunny day.

Top Things to Do

Explore Bratislava
Bratislava’s red-roofed Old Town is compact and best explored by foot. Make the most of the vibrant café culture, call in at baroque palaces and seek out the quirky public art dotted around the center.

Ghost Festival
Bojnice Castle (www.bojnicecastle.sk) is a big enough draw in its own right, but visit in late April and you might catch the annual International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits - a fun chance to rub shoulders with local ghouls and goblins.

Hike the High Tatras
The photogenic mountains of the High Tatras are Slovakia’s biggest magnet for hikers, and draw visitors year-round. Boasting glacial lakes, towering peaks and world-class trails, they’re ideal for bracing open-air thrills.

Head to Mala Fatra National Park
A postcard wonderland of soaring ridges and beech forests, Mala Fatra National Park offers a chance to get up close to what Slovakia does best: the great outdoors. Flora and fauna are abundant – keep your eyes peeled for eagles, wolves and storks.

People-watch in Kosice
Slovakia’s second city is known for its buzzy atmosphere and pretty Old Town. Grab a coffee in the town square, take a terrace seat and watch the world go by. When evening rolls around, visit the State Theater for a taste of high culture.

Revisit the past at Devin Castle
The romantic ruins of Devin Castle, perched on a rocky ledge above two rivers, make for one of the country’s most iconic sights. Absorb the medieval history then revel in the panoramic views from the hilltop.

Take to the piste
Jasna offers some of Slovakia’s best skiing. The Demanova Valley resort has modern lifts and well maintained slopes, and with prices at a fraction of its Western European alternatives, makes for an alluring option.

Thermal spa
Slovakia’s copious mineral springs mean the country boasts some excellent thermal spas, which can be enjoyed both for health benefits and leisurely indulgence. “Wellness hotels” can be found in most regions.