Slovakia is not just about Bratislava and the Tatra Mountains, there are many other beautiful places worth exploring. Let’s take a look at 20 of the most beautiful attractions in Slovakia!
Two-thirds of the country is mountainous, with a significant part of the northern arc of the Carpathians. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Hungary to the south, Ukraine to the east and Poland to the north.
Table of Contents
Best places in Slovakia
Bratislava
We start with the capital, which occupies a prominent place in Hungarian history. It was the coronation site, legislative center, and capital of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1536 and 1783.
The cityscape is dominated by the four-turreted, white castle on a hill, housing the Slovak National Museum.
Below the castle stands the Gothic coronation church, St. Martin’s Cathedral. Built in the early 14th century on the site of an earlier church from 1221, it acquired its present form in 1895. Its neo-Gothic tower, 85 meters high, is crowned with a gilded replica of the Holy Crown, commemorating the coronation of eleven Hungarian kings and eight queens between 1563 and 1830.
Bratislava is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike, as all major attractions are within a 2 km radius.
Hernád Breakthrough
One of the best hiking opportunities is the 16 km long gorge valley carved by the Hernád River in the Slovak Paradise National Park.
In 1906, the local leader of the Hungarian Carpathian Association decided to make this beautiful place accessible to hikers. Some sections of the trail can be completed with the aid of chains and metal floors, providing a thrilling experience.
Spiš Castle (Spišský hrad)
Located above the town of Spišské Podhradie, between the Tatra Mountains and Košice, near the D1 motorway.
It’s one of Central Europe’s largest castles and part of the World Heritage Site along with associated cultural monuments (Spišské Podhradie, Spišské Vlachy, Žiga). Restored sections host museum exhibits: archaeological finds, weapons collection, torture chamber, and castle history exhibit.
Banská Štiavnica
Formerly one of the Kingdom of Hungary’s most significant mining towns, it is considered one of Slovakia’s most charming towns. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The old town boasts 360 historical objects, the most prominent being the Old Castle. The oldest building is the former parish church, originally built as a three-aisled Romanesque basilica. Today, the Old Castle functions as a museum, featuring an interesting collection of pipes, among other exhibits.
Opposite the Old Castle is the New Castle, offering a splendid view of the town.
Overlooking the town is the Calvary, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful calvaries, located on a volcanic cone and consisting of 19 chapels and two churches, providing stunning panoramic views.
High Tatras
This mountainous region near the Polish border is a paradise for hikers and skiers alike.
The primary destination is Lake Čsorba, 1346 meters high, an excellent starting point for conquering surrounding peaks: the most famous being Rysy (Sea Eye Peak) and Kriván. I’ve climbed these a few times.
For those who prefer not to hike, the Lomnicky Peak can be reached by cable car, offering splendid views.
Bojnice Castle
Built in the second half of the 13th century on a small, easily accessible hill along the right bank of the Nitra River, surrounded by a moat. It is one of those Hungarian noble residences that can showcase some of the monarchical splendor and historical times.
Originally built as part of the border defense system, it later became a site of luxury. The castle complex has 182 rooms, of which 50 are living quarters.
It consists of an outer and inner castle, with the most beautiful parts being the Marble Hall, the Tower Room, and the Golden Hall, the latter named for its ceiling covered in pure gold leaf carvings.
Levoča
Located not far from the Tatras, this small town is worth visiting not only for its atmosphere but also for its famous church and beautiful main square.
The Church of St. James is considered one of the most beautiful churches of the former Kingdom of Hungary. Construction began in Romanesque style in 1245, took 100 years to complete, and gradually transformed into a Gothic-style pseudo-basilica. Its altars are among the finest creations of medieval woodcarving.
Piešťany Spa
This world-famous spa town in the northern part of the Vágamente owes its fame to its geothermal healing water and therapeutic sulfur mud.
The Piestany mud and mineral-rich thermal water have extraordinary healing effects on musculoskeletal disorders, considered unique not only in Europe but worldwide.
Orava Castle
The castle in this town west of the Tatras played an important role in the protection of Hungary’s northern border and the trade route to Poland during the Middle Ages.
Rebuilt after the Mongol invasion on a rocky outcrop, the castle is now fully restored and has become a popular international tourist destination. Visitors can admire the Baroque chapel altar, the knight’s hall, a picture gallery, an armory, period room furnishings, and valuable archaeological and ethnographic finds in its collection.
Caves
Slovakia has many caves open to the public, three of which are noteworthy.
The most famous is the continuation of the Aggtelek Cave, the Baradla-Domica cave system, the largest in the Slovak Karst region of global significance. Its extraordinary diversity and richness of stalactite formations rank the Domica Cave among the most beautiful. A memorable experience for visitors is boating on the underground river Styx.
The Dobsina Ice Cave, one of Central Europe’s most visited ice caves, is part of the World Heritage Site of the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst caves since 2000, though not located in the Slovak Karst region.
The Martonháza Aragonite Cave is unique because only three such caves are open to the public worldwide. Its underground halls are adorned with various formations formed from aragonite, resulting from the corrosive activity of surface waters and the crystallization of limestone.
Bardejov
Located near the Polish border, this town is part of UNESCO’s natural and cultural world heritage. Many refer to it as Slovakia’s most Gothic city.
Its most famous sight is the old town hall on the main square, built in Gothic style between 1505 and 1508. Known for its rich stone lacework, its Renaissance staircase, and steeply pitched ornate roof are notable features.
Another beautiful attraction on the main square is the Basilica of St. Giles. This 15th-century Gothic church is extremely rich in art: carved Gothic altars, vestments, choir stalls, and reliefs.
The nearby Orava Castle, once owned by the Rákóczi family, is worth a visit. One of the strongest border castles, it was later neglected. Today, much of it has been restored, making it worth a visit.
Zvolen Castle
The symbol of Zvolen, this Gothic-Renaissance castle was built in the 1370s by Louis I of Hungary. It served as a hunting lodge and summer residence for Hungarian kings. Built in Gothic style, inspired by Italian castellated architecture.
The castle holds significance in Hungarian history: it is the birthplace of Bálint Balassi and where Gábor Bethlen was crowned king.
The most beautiful part of the castle is the wooden painted coffered ceiling in the Kings’ Room, where portraits of 78 Roman and German emperors can be seen.
Trenčín Castle
Located in the heart of Trenčín, on a limestone hilltop above the valley of the Váh river, the relatively large castle is beautifully restored.
Trenčín and its castle played an important role during the Turkish invasions, then gradually became the property of several significant noble families. Its most famous owner was Máté Csák.
The castle’s prominence comes from the palace complex, the Máté Tower, and the Cannon Bastion.
Košice
The second-largest city in Eastern Slovakia, located on the banks of the Hernád River, Košice combines the characteristics of multiple nations and ethnicities, known for its steel production.
Most of Košice’s monuments are on the main street of the city, almost all with Hungarian relevance, the most important being the St. Elisabeth Cathedral, dedicated to St. Elisabeth of the Árpád dynasty.
The city’s appearance is significantly influenced by ecclesiastical buildings, proving its diverse population.
Košice attractions, museums, weather
Čičmany
Located between Žilina and Trenčín in a valley, it is famous for its black-painted, white-decorated wooden houses and colorful traditional costumes. The village’s folk architecture treasures were declared protected at the end of the 1970s.
Often called the Slovak Hollókő, it showcases local folk art culture. The dark-colored houses are painted with white patterns. The village museum houses an ethnographic collection.
Vlkolínec
Part of the town of Ružomberok, this small mountain village has preserved the architectural and cultural characteristics of traditional mountain villages and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Not a museum but a living place, it still has residents today. In the village, there are 45 typical stone-based, mud-plastered, shingle-roofed peasant cottages.
Every house is made of wood, except the village church, which is built of stone. The 19th-century houses have a unique layout with three rooms. The entrance hall has a beaten clay floor, the living room is floored. The stove is in the entrance hall, with smoke exiting through an opening in the saddle-shingled roof.
Kežmarok
Located on the eastern side of the High Tatras, this city is primarily known for its castle.
The 15th-century castle was long the possession of the Thököly family, who transformed it into a splendid château. Unfortunately, it burned down along with the city in the 18th century and was rebuilt in its current form. The castle’s chapel, of Gothic origin, houses the tombs of the Laszki and Thököly families.
Another notable attraction is the Lutheran wooden church. The building, which can accommodate 1,500 people, is richly decorated with wood carvings inside. Its shape is modeled after the Noorderkerk church in Amsterdam, which is designed as a Greek cross.
Wooden Churches of the Slovak Carpathians
This World Heritage site includes eight wooden churches and a belfry, built between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Among the churches are two Roman Catholic, three Lutheran, and three Greek Catholic, showcasing the rich local traditions of religious architecture, a meeting of Latin and Byzantine cultures.
The eight wooden churches are located in: Hervartov, Tvrdosin, Kezmarok, Lestiny, Hronsek, Svaty Kriz, Ladomirova, and Bodruzal.
Low Tatras
Situated in the middle of Slovakia, between the valleys of the Váh and Hron rivers, this popular hiking and ski center spreads out.
In the eastern part of the mountain range, especially between the Ďumbier and the Chopok peaks, lies a genuine primeval forest, home to abundant wildlife, including bears. Several interesting hikes can be taken in this nearly untouched primeval forest.
Its three adjacent peaks (Ďumbier, Chopok, Dereše) are the most popular excursion destinations, easily accessible from the Trangoška parking lot.
Špania Dolina
This village near Banská Bystrica is known for its ensemble of wooden and stone miners’ houses.
The village is a protected area of folk architecture. Its typical single and double-story miners’ houses were mostly built on stone foundations in the 19th century. Their stone and wooden walls were covered with clay and whitewashed with lime.
The „Klopačka” serves as a reminder of the mining history. This clapper-like signaling device, which emitted a knocking sound to summon miners to work, was located in the wooden tower of the mine administration building.
Its most beautiful building is the Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, dating back to the 13th century. A unique feature is the covered stairway leading to the Gothic church, consisting of 160 steps.
