In the Trenčín Region, you’ll come to know history through unique experiences and adventures

Travel today is no longer just about visiting famous sites. People are more and more looking for stories, experiences and authentic discovery of regions. Therefore, the Trenčín Region brings modern tourist products that combine history, culture, technology and entertainment. Thanks to them, castles are becoming gaming worlds; culture is turning into an interactive experience and trips into adventure expeditions.

One of the most interesting projects of recent years is the mobile application Hrady 3D (Castles 3D), which allows visitors to see famous castles in a new way. Visitors can directly at the Trenčín Castle, Beckov Castle, Čachtický Castle or Považský Castle see how they looked in the past, enter virtual spaces, and even meet historical figures.

Photo: KOCR Trenčín región

An adventure awaits families with children in the region. After the successful expedition to the castles of the Považie castle route, its new continuation is coming in 2026. The castles of the Trenčín Region will again be transformed into a great adventure game full of tasks, expeditions and chivalric challenges. Children will discover their secrets, collect stamps and fulfil tasks. At the end, they’ll be ceremonially knighted at the Trenčín castle and awarded the title of knight.

A modern approach to culture is brought by the new Považie cultural passport from the regional tourism organisation OOCR Región Považie. This is a digital guide to cultural events in Považie region which connects the events of the Trenčín 2026 – European Capital of Culture project with concerts, festivals, exhibitions and community events. Visitors collect points for taking part in events, which they can then exchange for various benefits – discounts on admissions, gastronomy, accommodation or original experiences.

Región Považie zároveň pripravuje nový e-shop zážitkov, ktorý ponúkne jeho autentické spoznávanie cez miestnych ľudí a tradície. Súčasťou ponuky budú napríklad degustácie, komentované prehliadky, cyklovýlety či kreatívne workshopy. Cieľom je ukázať región nielen ako miesto na návštevu, ale ako priestor na skutočné zážitky a stretnutia.

The OOCR Región Považie is also preparing a new e-shop of experiences, which will offer an authentic way to get to know the region through local people and traditions. The offer will include, for example, tastings, guided tours, cycling trips and creative workshops. The goal is to show the region not only as a place to visit but also as a space for genuine experiences and meetings.

Podcasts and city games are also elements of modern tourism. The podcast In Štúr’s voice introduces the personality of Ľudovít Štúr, one of the most prominent figures in Slovak history, through podcast episodes recorded directly in his birthplace in Uhrovec. The combination of experts, historians and young creators demonstrates that even important historical figures can be presented in a comprehensible and attractive way for today’s generation.

Families with kids can also discover Trenčín and its stories in a playful way. The mobile encryption game Trenčiansky drak (The Trenčín Dragon) from the Pod klobúkom team also offers an adventure. Over a roughly two-kilometre route through the historical city centre, players solve ciphers, look for fairy-tale helpers and together face the feared dragon that plagues the city.

The Trenčín Region shows that tourism can be modern, playful and also full of content. Thanks to projects that link history, technology, culture and authentic experiences, the region is turning into a place where every trip becomes an adventure.

You’ll find all the information and interesting facts about the Trenčín Region at www.trencinregion.sk.

Discover the diverse offer of central Slovakia

Do you sometimes feel that we’re searching for the most beautiful stories and the most profound experiences at the other end of the world, even though they are literally right in front of our noses? If you are longing to exchange crowded resorts for something real, magical and full of deep meaning, we have the perfect tip for you. We’ll take you to a place where fairy tales become reality. We present you with the project kraj Za horami, za dolami (Land over the mountains, beyond the valleys) and its diverse offer, which will change the way you discover central Slovakia.

“Land over the mountains, beyond the valleys” is a guide to the soul of the Banská Bystrica Region and its 8 diverse areas. The philosophy is based on solid foundations of sustainable and natural tourism. The offer of experiences is created in close cooperation with local craftsmen, beekeepers, foresters and historians. By purchasing an experience, you directly support the people who live and create in that region.

Thanks to them, you can uncover the secrets of history, touch on the legacy of old crafts, feel the wisdom of our predecessors, draw energy from wild nature or experience a proper dose of adrenaline while doing sports. The summer season is right around the corner; so, come and take a look with us at the current offer of things that you definitely should not miss.

Slow down and look through the window to watch the magic of nature and distant mountains, which are at your fingertips. To this, add a pinch of nostalgia and joyful moments, leading to the most beautiful experiences. The region of the “Land over the mountains, beyond the valleys” is intertwined with unique railway lines. You can experience uncommon rides along them on historic trains. Just sit back and let yourself be carried away to unknown lands. As if by magic, you’ll be taken back in time to the hard work in the hammer mills of Horehronie, to the underground adventures of the mines, to the events during the Slovak National Uprising and to the times when no one could be sure that they would not be robbed by local highwaymen.

Do you long to experience a truly unique and unforgettable night? Then come with us on a unique journey into the depths of space and discover the beauties of the night sky. Experts from the observatory in Rimavská Sobota will familiarise you with the fascinating world of stars, planets and galaxies, right in the wild nature of the Muránska planina National Park. Several different telescopes will bring you closer to mysterious objects in space; you’ll get a closer look at the planets, discover a star cluster and explore the Milky Way and other unusual phenomena of the night sky.

Photo: Hviezdy nad Muráňom

Those who love the wind in their hair and a good blast of endorphins will not be disappointed either. Experience ultra-adrenaline on a cycling course in the bike park. Learn and improve your skills with experienced instructors. A great many challenges and exciting moments that will make your heart beat faster and put a smile on your face await you here. Get your bike ready, set off down the track and go beyond your limits on two wheels. Your cycling skills will be tested by professional tracks, the cycling community and the beautiful surroundings of the Pohronský Inovec mountains.

The sound of a hammer on an anvil long ago disappeared from Železné Horehronie (the Iron Upper Hron River region), but the sleeping history of the ironworks of the aristocratic Koháry and Coburg families is coming back to life. Set off in the footsteps of the renown noble Coburg family, which fundamentally influenced the history of Horehronie and Gemer regions. Step back in time and learn about the once famous, but now almost forgotten, architectural objects of the Pohorelá Ironworks Complex. Aside from historical facts, you can also look forward to a number of curiosities related to the life of the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand Coburg and the Coburg family.

Finally, we invite you to the enchanting town of Banská Štiavnica. Forget the classic tourist guide and take a walk through the town, where every corner breathes of history in a different way. Stone streets, quiet courtyards and corners hidden out of sight of common visitors will literally tell you their story. An easy walk with an attractive narration will also take you to locations that only locals know. You’ll discover architectural treasures and enjoy the atmosphere of the town to the fullest.

Pýtate sa, prečo cestovať „Za horami, za dolami"? Pretože tie najlepšie suveníry si neodnesiete v taške, ale v srdci. Keď sa namiesto anonymného hotela rozhodnete stráviť čas s človekom, ktorý vám ukáže, ako žili naši predkovia, alebo vás vezme na miesta, kam bežné mapy nevedú, zmení to váš pohľad na cestovanie.

Viac informácií a ponuku zážitkov Za horami, za dolami nájdete na zazitky.zahoramizadolami.sk/sk/zazitky.

Set off on a legendary ride through Horehronie with Drakovláčik

Imagine a train that is not merely a means of transportation, but also a ticket to the world of history, legends and experiences. This exactly describes Drakovláčik – an original thematic tourism product in Horehronie that combines exploring the region with fantasy, stories and adventure for both young and old.

Photo: OOCR Región Horehronie

During the summer season, the town’s tourist train becomes an indispensable part of the streets of Brezno and its surroundings. At first glance, it will impress with its fairy-tale visuals, but its real charm lies in the story that accompanies each ride. Drakovláčik did not arise by chance – its theme is based on a legend inspired by the historical facts of the town of Brezno and its past.

This is the story of a mysterious dragon who was once said to guard underground passages and treasures hidden under the town, which the dragon himself helped build. The story works with ancient legends, mining history and the atmosphere of the royal town and creates an original fairy tale line, that accompanies visitors along the ride in the form of audiovisually processed legend. Drakovláčik is not just an attraction; it is an experiential product with its own identity and story.

During thematic rides, you’ll discover the beauties of Horehronie region – from the historical centre of Brezno to the natural corners of the Bystrianska dolina valley at the foot of the southern slopes of the mountain Chopok. The routes connect culture, history, attractions and relaxation and enable you to get to know the region in a comfortable and playful way.

An element of the Drakovláčik concept is organised thematic trips that connect a tourist train ride with a visit to major attractions in the region. For example, you can head for the dominant features of the town of Brezno, visit the City Tower with the Info Centre in the Bell Tower, the Nostalgia Exhibition with a period-furnished flat, or the unique World of Illusions.

One of the most popular routes on the Drakovláčik is the themed ride “To the World of Fairy Tales”, which carries you to a magical world of fantasy, secrets and adventure. During this experiential journey, both children and adults will be taken to places where legends, fairy-tale creatures and interactive stories come to life, thus turning an ordinary trip turns into a small adventure story.

An original colouring book with the Drakovláčik motif was also designed for the product, and it playfully attracts young travellers to the world of legends while supporting their imagination and relationship with the region.

Drakovláčik is an example of a modern approach to tourism that combines theming, storytelling and experiential marketing to bring emotions, authentic stories and experiences. In this way, the Horehronie shows that regional tourism can also be creative, playful and built on local identity and history.

The result is a product that entertains children, is of interest to adults and naturally presents the cultural and natural wealth of the region. So, if you want to experience Horehronie a little differently, get on the Drakovláčik and start off on a journey filled with legends, stories and unforgettable experiences.

You’ll find recommendations for trips and exploring the Horehronie region at horehronie.sk.

The Gemer enchants with the interactive game Star Eater and unique podcasts

Imagine a city shrouded in darkness. All the stars have disappeared from the night sky, and the mysterious wizard Star Eater is behind it all. But you and your children can save Revúca. Are you up for it?

The interactive city game Hviezdojed (Star Eater) brings an original combination of fairy tales, movement, city exploration and modern technologies. All that’s required is a mobile phone, an Internet connection and a desire to embark on an adventurous journey full of tasks, illustrations and fantasy.

The game plays out in different areas of the city of Revúca, where players gradually visit six sculptures inspired by the stories of Pavol Dobšinský and the science fiction world of Gustáv Reuss. Along the way, players collect talismans, solve tasks and try to defeat the wizard who stole all the stars from the sky.

This is no ordinary walk through the city, however. Star Eater creates a new story in which the main characters are the children themselves. Thanks to their own imagination and interaction with the story, they can immerse themselves in the world of fairy tales and help save Revúca from the darkness.

You don’t need anything special to play the game Star Eater. All you need is a charged mobile phone, an Internet connection, comfortable shoes and about 55 minutes of time. The preparation is easy, and anyone can do it; so, you can set off on a fairy tale adventure with no unnecessary complications.

The big advantage is that you don’t have to download an application. The game is played online – simply visit the website, press the “Start game” button, listen to the introductory story and move to the start at the Tourist Information Centre in Revúca. From there, the fairy tale voice will guide you through the entire adventure.

Star Eater contains 26 different tasks, and even children from three years old can handle the entire game. We recommend playing it during the opening hours of the Tourist Information Centre in the premises of the First Slovak Gymnasium building in Revúca, since the whole story begins and ends there. During the summer season (July – August) it is open daily from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 18:00.

Star Eater is proof that getting to know a city can be playful, modern as well as full of fantasy. If you’re looking for an original family programme that combines movement, story and experience, this interactive game will certainly not disappoint.

Photo: OOCR Gemer

The Gemer region, however, offers much more. If you want to really get to know the region in depth, we recommend the Gemer region podcasts. They present this unique part of Slovakia through authentic stories of local people in both audio and video form. In this way, both listeners and viewers can learn interesting facts from the history, culture and nature or the lives of important figures from the region.

The content of the individual episodes is very diverse. Some are focused on historical topics, such as the medieval churches on the Gothic Route or the mining tradition. Others present the region’s natural beauties, such as the Muránska planina plain, hiking trails and cycling routes or interesting places suitable for photography. Local enthusiasts and actors who support the development of tourism and cultural life with their activities are also given space, and the episodes also include practical tips for trips and recommendations. The podcast is available on Spotify and YouTube.

If you want to learn more about the Gemer region, visit https://www.regiongemer.sk/en/.

Endless adventures with Šťastík and Šťastenka in the Slovenský raj

Deep in the forests, gorges and corners of the Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise) and the Spiš region, ancient legends and magic come to life again. The favourite guides for children’s tourists – the elf Šťastík and the fairy Šťastenka – are returning after last year’s success. This year you can conquer interesting challenges with them as well as uncover new stories, mysteries and secrets linked to one of the most beautiful regions in Slovakia.

Your task is to visit 15 selected places, take pictures of yourself near them and correctly answer the questions that Šťastík and Šťastenka ask. Aside from the adventures that await you on these trips, each successful explorer will receive a diploma and a reward for completing the challenge.

You’ll see the caves, reservoirs, manor houses, lookout towers and unique features that only the Slovenský raj can offer. For example, you’ll visit the Kaštieľ Markušovce manor house, the medieval cage of shame in Levoča, the Tomášovský výhľad overlook, the entrance portal to the Suchá Belá gorge, the Šarkanova diera cave or the Hojdačka nad Gelnicou (the swing above Gelnica).

Photo: Košice Región Turizmus

You’ll learn their story, relish the beauty of the surrounding nature and recharge your batteries with exercise and fresh air. Each successful explorer also gets a diploma and fifteen memories of shared family moments.

Štastík and Šťastenka also think about safety, which is why they have selected locations that are diverse and breathtaking, but easily accessible and safe, especially for child explorers. So, you won’t have to worry about climbing ladders or moving along via ferratas.

All you need to do is pack your curiosity, a good mood and a desire to set off on an adventure in the Slovenský raj, which fascinates visitors from all over the world. Šťastík and Šťastenka are impatiently waiting to see who will help them solve the mysteries first.

You’ll find tips for trips across the entire region at www.vraji.sk.

The Košice Region will surprise with a playful Haravara quest and a trip along the Gothic Road

The Košice Region looks forward to every visitor, especially the youngest ones. It was families and children that were the driving force behind the creation of the fairy tale world of Haravara. Tip for trips, events and attractions suitable even for the little ones come from three friends – Max, Majka and ghost Kaško.

On the website you’ll find, in addition to many recommendations, the online monthly KUK from Haravara, fairy tales in text and audio form and colouring books and games. Discovering new places thus becomes an endless adventure for children, and it was specifically with this idea that the children’s Haravara quest was created.

Photo: Košice Región Turizmus

It motivates families with children to get to know the Košice Region in a playful, modern and experiential way, collecting stamps and competing for attractive prizes. Most recently, this popular tourist game has been transformed into a modern mobile application, which makes exploring the region an even greater experience.

The new application will be available in June and will be an engaging digital guide through which children collect virtual DUCHáty (ghostly ducats) and treasures during their trips. Simply visit the places of interest and scan the QR codes spread across the region. Galleries, museums and attractive tourist locations in nature have been linked to the game.

Among the popular products in the region are organised trips that combine comfort and getting to know historical jewels. A fine example is a half-day minibus ride along the Gothic Route, which during the summer season of 2026 will comfortably carry you to the unique monuments of the Štítnik circuit.

The set of twelve early Gothic churches of the Gemer and Malohont regions are proud of the European Cultural Heritage designation, and this trip is the perfect opportunity to explore their secrets with your own eyes. The route starts in Plešivec, to which you can easily get via the Gemeran morning train from Košice, for example. You’ll then be taken on a 22-seater minibus to accessible churches with breathtaking frescoes in Ochtiná, Koceľovce and Plešivec itself.

The stop in Štítnik offers you a unique exhibition and a virtual tour in the information centre of the Vodný hrad castle area, as the Evangelical church there is currently undergoing extensive and complex restoration. The minibus will run every Saturday from 20 June to 12 September. Tickets need to be purchased in advance, either online or in person at the Regional Information Point in Košice. The entrance fee to the churches themselves, where guided tours are available during the season, operates on the basis of a voluntary contribution.

You’ll find all the information and inspiration you need for trips in the Košice Region at https://www.kosiceregion.com/en/.

Discover Košice during family adventures with an illustrated guide

Set off for Košice to discover previously unexplored places and children’s attractions, which are a guaranteed source of endless fun and interesting knowledge. A unique guide tailored for energetic family moments – the Košice Children’s Passport – awaits all the little adventurers and passionate explorers. This illustrated guide contains information about 29 exceptional places in the city centre and the surrounding area.

It is devoted to all bold and curious travellers who are interested in any new adventure and discovering new places. The main character is the adventurer Buki, who knows these places by heart and accompanies children on unforgettable experiences, for example, in DinoPark, the Košice Zoo, on the Košice Children’s Historical Railway and many other places.

Photo: Visit Košice

In the guide you will find all the simple and practical information, brief and insightful descriptions of individual attractions, bonus tasks and a fantastic travel ranking system, on the basis of which children obtain different ranks according to the number of places visited from the passport. You’ll be rewarded with a designer sticker for each attraction.

You’ll find complete information about the popular Košice Children’s Passport on the website, where you can also order it for free directly to your mailbox. Buki’s blog will likewise introduce you to other tips for family adventures and tips for different types of child travellers for even more intense experiences from Košice. You can also pick up the Košice Children’s Passport in person at Hlavná 59 in Košice.

You can read more information about Košice at www.visitkosice.org.

Summer in the Prešov Region belongs to Legendarium

Do you know what makes summer in the Prešov Region so special? Because it belongs to Legendarium – a large family travel competition that has been transforming the discovery of the region into an adventurous journey full of experiences for 10 years. The playful concept with legendary heroes and interactive tasks brings the most beautiful places of the entire region closer in an entertaining way – from the majestic Tatra Mountains to the untouched Poloniny National Park.

The Legendarium 2026 competition will take place from 13 June to 13 September 2026, and this year it will once again bring a varied programme for explorers of all ages. In the LEGENDARIUM application they will discover natural gems, museums, castles, outdoor swimming pools and places full of traditions and crafts. Legends will lead them on trips with beautiful views, to mysterious gorges, to hidden natural niches or to remarkable highwaymen trails.

Photo: KOCR Prešov Region

Each completed trip turns into a game. Children collect points directly in the application, add stickers to their favourite booklet and receive a variety of rewards and gifts. This turns every trip into an unforgettable family experience.

In Legendarium 2026, as many as 16 legendary heroes await participants and will guide them through 16 natural locations and introduce more than 70 attractive sites and facilities across the entire region. There will be bonus tasks, too, as well as mysterious places and rewards for overcoming challenges.

Every region tells its own story. In the Tatra Mountains, children will be welcomed by the waterman Štrbko; near Prešov they will be accompanied by the shepherd Michal, who once discovered the region’s salt wealth; around Svidník the story of the soldier Vasiľ comes to life, and near Bardejov King Matej himself will take the little adventurers to see the royal views.

Whether you’re looking for a tip for an active weekend, a family trip with children or a programme for teenagers, you can find everything clearly in one place – in the free Legendarium application, which will open the door to a flight full of discovery.

The Prešov Region is also bringing a new feature for the 2026 summer season – the Prešov Region Travel Card – a destination card in a mobile application. This modern destination card is your guide to the most beautiful spots in the Prešov Region. It provides discounts, benefits and special offers in dozens of participating facilities – from water parks, museums and wellness centres to restaurants, accommodation and attractions for families with children.

In the application you’ll find hundreds of recommended trips divided into various categories, an overview of events from the entire region and a number of benefits that will help you fully enjoy your stay in the region. It’s available for free on Google Play and App Store.

You’ll find out everything important about the Prešov Region at presovregion.travel.

A notable “salt” trip full of flavours in the Šariš region

Photo: OOCR Šariš

Would you like to add some “flavour” to your trip? We invite you to the Šariš region, whose history is inextricably linked to salt, and we present you a product called Podoby soli (the forms of salt). Set off with us in the footsteps of “white gold” and visit places associated with this precious mineral.

Our journey begins in Hanušovce nad Topľou, where the Šóšovský kaštieľ manor house from the 16th century is located. The Soós family ranked among the most important noble families linked to salt near Prešov. It derived its name, position and property from Solivar, the historical Sóvár, where salt springs were used already in the Middle Ages and a significant salt complex was later created.

The manor house was a comfortable aristocratic residence for the Soós family, and the centre and protected point of the salt-making estate was Soľnohrad – our second stop. The manor house is today home to a library, a gallery and a small concert hall. Don’t miss out on a tour of the archaeological park, the archaeological exhibition in the neighbouring Hanušovce kaštiel manor house and the early Gothic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with decorative elements from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

You’ll then move on to the village of Ruská Nová Ves, above which the castle ruin rises. Although many know the castle today as Zbojnícky hrad castle, its original story is not related to the highwaymen, but to salt. The historic Soľnohrad, also known as Castrum Sowar, was founded in the 13th century as a guard castle and power point of the estate connected to the Solivar salt springs. Its role was to guard the salt wealth, the estate and the strategic territory at the edge of the Slanské vrchy mountains.

You can get to the castle ruins along the marked red hiking trail, where the educational trail “Waterway to the Soľnohrad” leads. The trail starts in the village of Ruská Nová Ves and ends directly on the castle cliff. The ascent is easy, taking only about 30 minutes at a comfortable pace. There is a tourist shelter at the castle, and panoramic views of the Vysoké Tatry mountains and neighbouring castles along the important Via Magna postal route await you.

The last stop on the “salt” route is the national cultural monument Solivar in Prešov. This is a unique complex of technical buildings used for pumping and boiling salt from brine that dates back to the 17th century and ranks among the most important technical monuments in Slovakia. Here you’ll learn a lot of interesting information about the mining, production, processing and use of Prešov salt.

This unique area is protected as the Soľná Baňa monument zone, where you’ll find several technical monuments, such as the Leopold shaft with the “gápeľ” (horse-gin) building, the brine reservoir, the smelter, the boiling house, the salt warehouse, the blacksmith’s workshop and the “klopačka”, or knocker. A portion of the technical objects are accessible within the Slovak technical museum – Museum Solivar.

If you want to “salt” your trip even more, we recommend a cycling trip along the Cyclo Railway, where you’ll learn about its history connected with salt, relax in the Prešov salt cave and visit the Šariš region tourist information centre, where you’ll find the unique salt mine lace.

Everything important about the Šariš region is available at www.regionsaris.sk.