Not sure where to start exploring the hidden gems of Slovakia? Let us help you decide what to prioritise on your trip. Our tips are designed for all types of travellers. You'll encounter a fascinating mix of history and modernity in charming cities, discover exclusive UNESCO sites and marvel at the varied scenic landscapes. Slovakia has many unique and exceptional attractions, so make the most of your stay by exploring them all!

1 Experience a capital city with vibrancy and colour

An hour by train from Vienna and a three-hour romantic cruise on the Danube from Budapest. Sprawling on the border of three countries, Bratislava will win you over with its coziness, plenty of greenery and eclectic architectural contrasts. Look closely at the distinctive silhouette of Bratislava Castle. From there, the brass crowns on the pavement will lead you through the narrow streets of the Old Town to the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin, where 18 Hungarian kings and queens have been crowned. On the main square, enjoy the skills of street performers and the bustle of the cafés. Looking for the perfect photo opportunity? Take a selfie with the quirky Čumil ("Watcher") looking out from under a manhole, or pose in front of the Gaudi-esque Blue Church. You should also visit the SNP suspension bridge, which has a restaurant and a lookout tower in the shape of a UFO. The best time to get to know "Beauty on the Danube" is during the Bratislava Cultural Summer, the city's largest multi-genre festival, which fills the streets with concerts, guided tours and a variety of community events. Don't forget, that you are in Slovakia's largest wine-growing region. Choose one of the dozens of historic cellars and cosy wineries scattered on the slopes of the Little Carpathians and taste noble varieties of delicious local wines. They were once served at the imperial court in Vienna and on board the famous Titanic. Cheers! (Photo: www.visitbratislava.com)

    2 Get your creative blood pumping in the metropolis of the East

    Welcome to Košice, the second largest city with the soul of a metropolis that never sleeps. The wide Hlavná Street leads you through a plethora of restaurant terraces to the dazzling Cathedral of St Elisabeth, the largest church in Slovakia. If mysterious stories are your thing, visit the 14th-century Urban's Tower, the former bell tower of the Cathedral, and learn about the region's influential historical figures in the wax museum. Stop off at a green oasis with a singing fountain where the water changes colour to hundreds of melodies. Or explore the city from the comfort of your bed at the unique Invisible Hotel. Its five rooms have been designed by local artists and each offers a different perspective on Košice. Spend the night in the room lined with impressions of ducats depicting Košice's famous gold treasure, or immerse yourself in a live panorama of the city through augmented reality in the interactive room celebrating Košice's entry into the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of media arts in 2017. If Košice is too small for you, there are 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a 100-minute drive from the city. If you are a real treasure hunter, take an adventurous trip to the oldest opal mines in the world, just 23 km from the city. In the last hour of the tour, you will have the chance to extract a precious gem using the same tools that were used 150 years ago! (Photo: SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, Martin Šopinec)

      3 Into the primeval forest full of surprises

      Looking for a unique sustainable adventure? Visit the Poloniny National Park, located in the far eastern corner of Slovakia. Its localities Stužica, Rožok and Havešová are part of the UNESCO protected primeval beech forests of the Carpathians. Follow the marked footpaths and let yourself be seduced by the beauty of the unusually scenic landscape, which is a prime example of how forests would have looked thousands of years ago. You will be surrounded by giant beeches, firs and maples. The park is also a safe and undisturbed haven for rare animals such as the brown bear, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx and even the European bison. With very little light pollution in the area, you can see literally thousands of stars with the naked eye at night, including the majestic Milky Way. Pitch a tent and marvel at the twinkling stars overhead. Combine this eco-friendly trip with a visit to the nearby Gothic pearl of north-east Slovakia - the royal town of Bardejov. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Jewish suburb. Take a stroll around the original stone-paved Town Hall Square, lined with burgher houses with typical gabled facades and wooden beams. It is dominated by the medieval Basilica of St Egidius and the statue of the photogenic executioner. Bardejov is also world famous for its wonderful spa, visited by the Empress Sissi for the healing properties of its natural mineral waters. (Photo: Košice Region Tourism)

        4 Conquer the highest mountain range in the entire Carpathians

        Exploring the High Tatras, also known as Europe's smallest alpine mountains, is a must for anyone who loves outdoor activities. In 2019, the Lonely Planet travel guide named them the top summer destination in Europe. There are many amazing things to discover in the area, including stunning rocky peaks (more than 26 of which rise above 2,500m), dense pine forests, waterfalls, gorges and deep valleys. You can hire a local mountain guide to take you to the top of Gerlach, the highest mountain in Slovakia, and enjoy breathtaking views. You can also take a boat ride on the glacial lake of Štrbské pleso, try to spot chamois and marmots, or take the funicular to the top of Lomnický štít, where you can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee at the stylish Dedo Café at an altitude of 2,634 metres. There is also a botanical garden and two luxury rooms where you can spend a magical night. You can also enjoy the traditional hospitality of 13 mountain chalets. The High Tatras also offer an excellent opportunity to explore the nearby Spiš region, a paradise for any collector of UNESCO monuments. You can start at Spiš Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe, continue to the town of Spišské Podhradie, famous for its rare Gothic-Renaissance burgher houses, and then visit Spišská Kapitula (also known as the "Slovak Vatican") or the royal town of Levoča, famous for the world's largest late-Gothic wooden altar and a beautiful historic centre surrounded by medieval walls. (Photo: SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, Martin Šopinec)


          5 Discover mining treasures of Central Slovakia

          If you are interested in exploring historic towns with beautiful buildings and scenic tours, the central part of the country is the place to go. This region is famous for its mining tradition and the town of Banská Štiavnica is a great starting point. Situated in the hills left by a giant volcano, the town is marked by a Baroque Calvary on a hill, accessible by winding paths. The picturesque town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once home to the richest silver mines in central Europe, and you can wear a helmet and lantern as you explore the remaining underground shafts. You can also visit the Dežo Hoffmann Museum, which houses exhibits by the internationally renowned photographer, who was born in Štiavnica and took iconic pictures of the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities. For refreshment, visit Počúvadlo tajch, one of the many artificial mining reservoirs. Then head to nearby "golden" Kremnica and visit its mint, the oldest continuously operating mint in the world. Be sure to try a unique local potato-shaped dessert: Atkáry's kremnický krumpel. It tastes best in a replica of the original confectionery workshop, where you can see how the new Kremnica gold is 'mined' by the hands of skilled confectioners.

            6 Traverse gorges and ravines in a true jungle-like paradise

            Constant sunshine, singing songbirds and fragrant flowers in full bloom - of Slovakia's nine national parks, none is more likely to catch the photographer's eye than the aptly named Slovenský raj, or Slovak Paradise, to the east. With more plant species per square metre than anywhere else in Europe, the park will enchant you with its incredible diversity. Discover one of the largest ice caves in Europe, the Dobšinská Ice Cave, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Hike through beautiful gorges full of jungle-like greenery, such as Suchá Belá or Veľký Sokol. Visit the natural rock gallery called Tomášovský view, which offers one of the best photo opportunities in the park, and be moved by nature's performance at the Závojový waterfall with a total drop of 75 metres. The tempting mix of raw power and unspoilt beauty will leave you speechless, especially in spring - after the snow has melted and after heavy rains. You can also enjoy the charm of the park from a river perspective - go rafting in the 12km-long Hornád ravine. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of shy deer, lynx, bears and wolves, or visit a meadow full of European ground squirrels in the hamlet of Biele vody, not far from the park. You can buy sunflower seeds in the village and feed these cute rodents by hand.


              7 Castles straight out of a fairy tale

              Did you know that the country of Slovakia - once ruled by powerful monarchs - has the most castles per capita in the world? With over 180 castles and 425 palaces spread across the country, you can immerse yourself in the rich history of this crossroads of European cultures. Live out your Disney fantasies and discover the fairytale Bojnice Castle, a popular destination for its striking blushing sandstone towers and crenellated turrets. Does the castle look familiar? This is because the last owners were inspired by the castles of the Loire Valley in France. Its stunning aesthetics have also made it a popular location for fantasy films, and visitors can explore not only its many rooms with antique furniture and art from various regions of the world, but also a beautiful karst cave with stalactite formations and crystal-clear lakes beneath the castle. The town also boasts a spa with curative waters and a ZOO with more than 360 species of animals. No wonder Bojnice is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Slovakia. Or head to the northern region of Orava, which will impress you with its wooded hills and slopes dotted with fields. It is home to the highly photogenic 13th-century Orava Castle, which you may know from the Netflix series Dracula. Fancy a night tour?



                8 Get ready for one of the best music festivals in Europe

                Can you imagine a summer without a music festival where the feel-good vibes are reflected in a star-studded line-up? Neither can we! Mark your calendars for the Pohoda Music and Arts Festival, held every July at Trenčín Airport. Over the years, big names such as Lou Reed, Prodigy, Björk, Pixies and Nick Cave have taken to the stage. Get ready for three jubilant days of musical mastery and engaging art in a family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes up to 30,000 visitors every year! And then take the opportunity to explore Trenčín, European Capital of Culture 2026, in advance. Its dominant feature is an ancient castle perched on a steep rock. If you decide to visit it, you will be told how an inscription carved into the rock in the 2nd century is linked to the Oscar-winning film Gladiator. Another place to visit is the remarkable reinforced concrete synagogue with Byzantine and Moorish-Oriental elements. For a special UNESCO-label excursion, visit the national stud farm in the nearby town of Topoľčianky. In 2022, the tradition of Lipizzaner horse breeding in Slovakia and 7 other countries was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Learn more about these noble creatures and enjoy a carriage ride. Their elegance makes them perfect for any occasion, from a romantic evening to a fun family outing. (Photo: Michal Augustini, www.pohodafestival.sk)

                  9 Embark on a journey into the folkloric past

                  Are you ready to take a trip back in time and explore the Slovak countryside of years past? Then head to Čičmany, a charming wooden village at the foot of the Strážov Hills, which happens to be the world's first folk architecture reserve. Discover how our ancestors lived, dressed and built their painted wooden houses, reminiscent of a fairy tale gingerbread house. With a history dating back to the 13th century, Čičmany has many interesting stories to tell about the distant past. As is the picturesque hillside village of Vlkolínec in the Liptov region, which is unique in being untouched by modernity. Founded by miners and lumberjacks, this UNESCO-listed gem is a perfectly preserved village made up entirely of log houses. You will be enchanted by its colourful, playful architecture and mountainous location with views of Veľká Fatra mountains. Take a picture of a log well and a two-storey bell tower from 1770 on a stone plinth amid dozens of original wooden houses with shingle roofs and blue, pink and white lime paint. Get ready for a magical experience in a place where time has stood still. (Photo: SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, Martin Šopinec)


                    10 Recharge your batteries at spas and thermal water parks

                    If you are looking for relaxation and refreshment, you have come to the right place! Slovakia is a country blessed with an immense underground wealth of mineral and thermal springs with curative properties, and there are many spas and aquaparks throughout the country. Probably the most famous spa town is Piešťany in the south-west of Slovakia. If you decide to treat yourself to the benefits of the unique sulphurous mud and healing springs of thermal sulphur water, you will be in good company. The Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand I, the Indian Maharajah, the composers Franz Liszt, Oskar Nedbal and, allegedly, Beethoven himself have all come here. The local spa complex is a European leader in the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system and nervous disorders. Or discover the water of the hot springs in Podhájska, which has even more beneficial effects than the world-famous Dead Sea water, about which people have been writing odes for centuries. Or visit one of the ten aquaparks that are open all year round thanks to the thermal water. The best known are AquaCity Poprad at the foot of the High Tatras and Tatralandia in Liptovský Mikuláš in the Liptov region. (Foto: SLOVAKIA TRAVEL, Martin Šopinec)