Last Updated on October 10, 2024 by
Slovakia Unfortunately many people will think of Russia or Czechoslovakia when hearing the word – some will have no idea it’s even a separate democratic country. And that’s a huge shame!
Slovakia has a lot of hidden gems and so far I have not heard of anyone who visited the country and did not find something they would really enjoy – and no, no one is killing tourists here like in the Hostel movie.
The movie was not even filmed in Slovakia so not a scene in it is real. Be brave, don’t trust the movie and go to explore the best places of Slovakia.
As I was born in a small town in the very East of Slovakia, just a few kilometres from Ukraine border, each time I wanted to fly to another country, I just had to cross the whole Slovakia to get to the airport in the capital Bratislava – everyone says it’s a waste of time to live so far away but for me it has always been a pleasure as I can say I really know Slovak hidden gems personally now.
If you ever go to Slovakia, please do not make the same mistake as many others. Bratislava is a cool city with beautiful old town, 2 castles and amazing Danube river but it has nothing to do with the rest of the country.
In the past few years Bratislava has changed from a communist city into a Western city and even the prices got higher. The rest of Slovakia has not changed so much.
During your typical route Prague-Bratislava-Vienna-Budapest I also recommend you to find a week or two to spend some quality time in the ”real” Slovakia.
Here are 5 places to visit in Slovakia
High Tatras
One of the 9 national parks in Slovakia is the most visited by both locals and foreign tourists. The prices here are about the as in Bratislava but still you won’t destroy all your budget compared to other European destinations.
High Tatras can be visited both in summer for hiking, or winter for skiing and snowboarding. For those less fit, there are many easy walking routes, chilling out at lakes and also getting the best views on a sunny day from a cable car.
You cannot get to the High Tatras highest peak – Gerlachovsky stit, but the second highest one with 2,633 m a.s.l. – Lomnicky stit is reachable by a cable car.
Kosice
With just around 250,000 inhabitants, Kosice is it the second biggest city of Slovakia. If you visit Slovakia in 2013 and you are a culture/concert freak, then you have to visit the Eastern Slovakia town of Kosice!
Together with Marseille they are both European capitals of culture of 2013 offering its visitors concerts, festivals, dance performances, night galleries and museums, literature classes, music days and much more.
Don’t forget to visit also the St. Elizabeth Cathedral from 1380 which is the biggest church in Slovakia.
Caves
Many people are amazed at the fact that we have at least 44 explored caves in such a small area and many more undiscovered yet, out of which 2 are ice caves and one aragonite cave (Ochtinska aragonite cave is one out of the only 3 aragonite caves in the world).
The ice caves (Dobsinska ice cave, Demanovska ice cave) are covered with ice throughout the year but logically have more ice in winter months. Get ready for hundreds of steps and bring your jacket, gloves and a hat.
Slovak Paradise
One of my favorite places in Slovakia – unspoiled nature, fresh air, clear water rivers, a bunch of small waterfalls and gorges formed by many creeks you need to cross and the best views when hiking the national park.
All this and as well as the ruins of Klastorisko – a monastery from the 13th century which was hidden in the forest for hundreds of years until its ruins were rediscovered.
Slovensky raj with its literal translation Slovak Paradise truly proves why it got its name.
Spissky Castle
Spissky hrad (sometimes translated to English just as Spis Castle) is a complex Romanesque castle with walls from the 12th century.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, it is also claimed to be the biggest castle in Central Europe.
Situated on a huge whitish calcareous stone it’s visible to tourists and passers by already from afar.
Unfortunately, the castle burned down in 1780 and only the ruins that are being reconstructed remain.
It still attracts thousands of visitors every year and has been used as a location in many movies, too.
Bratislava
Bratislava likes to call itself ”The Little Big City” – perhaps because it’s a small city but still the capital of the country, forgotten by many, unknown to others, waiting in the shadows of the big neighboring capitals ”Vienna” and ”Budapest”.
Even Bratislava’s airport is called “Vienna airport” by Ryanair, despite being in another capital – let alone another country.
But the capital city of Slovakia still tries hard to fit into those big shoes that capital cities are expected to wear, however it is not quite succeeding.
The city really doesn’t seem like a capital city, and to be honest I don’t think they should try to make it that way either. It’s good just the way it is.
Nearly everything is within walking distance, large areas of the city are completely free of cars and the whole place has a small town feel to it.
The Little Big City of Bratislava, SlovakiaIt’s a city which seems to make adults act a bit like kids again. Everywhere on the streets you see these quirky, fun statues and people in all ages playing and posing with them, taking silly photos and showing off to their friends.
Bratislava Slovakia Travel VIDEOOn the main square there was some small local celebration going on with medieval games on the streets, stalls with traditional snacks and a stage where dance groups dressed from top to toe in incredible folk lore dresses were dancing traditional Slovakian folk dance.
These kind of events always enhance the experience of a city, and we got a great insight to the traditions and folklore of Slovakia. We also saw A LOT of wedding couples…
blue churchYou’d be amazed to know how many weddings we’ve accidentally attended during this trip, and even more wedding photography sessions.
In Bratislava alone we saw 5 wedding couples around the churches, and accidentally attended a baptism celebration in a bright baby blue church, which on the inside looked just like a baby’s cradle.
This bright blue church was a real fun and quirky touch, unlike any church I’ve seen.
To me, this little capital was a colorful spot on the map, full of cafes with unforgettable thick custardy hot chocolates and fun surprises around every corner … really a great place to visit and explore for a few days.
Bratislava Slovakia Travel Video
There are so many quirky details to be found in this city if you look for them, like a bright blue church and funny statues everywhere.We happened to be there during the beginning of some festival, so the streets were filled with people in traditional folk lore clothing and performing folk dance on stage!
Bratislava really doesn’t seem like a capital city, and to be honest I don’t think they should try to make it that way either.
It’s good just the way it is.
Nearly everything is within walking distance, large areas of the city are completely free of cars and the whole place has a small town feel to it.
It’s a city which seems to make adults act a bit like kids again.
We hope you enjoyed our Bratislava video, and stay tuned for at least 1 new video every week – Next stop Austria!
(photo credits:nNigel’s Europe – mirci – 1 – 1 – 2)
