Slovakia – A General View
Slovakia or the Slovak Republic is literally at the centre of Europe. It is a mountainous and beautiful country that is famous for all sorts of winter sports. Surrounding Slovakia is five European countries: Hungary, Ukraine, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
Interestingly, the people and the language are called Slovak (Slovaks to refer to many or the plural form of Slovak). This Central European country is has a population of more than 5 million and is generally known to be a quiet and peaceful place to live.
It is rooted in rich culture and history yet modern in most of its ways and infrastructure. Although many people still believe Slovakia to be a communist country, tourism is briskly expanding and more tourists are finding their way to this quaint country with spectacular scenery.
The capital city of Slovakia is Bratislava which is quite charming because of its lack of frenzied activity. Unlike most capitals across the world, Bratislava is amazingly provincial in many ways. For one, there is no congestion in the streets because vehicles are not allowed into the city, at least the majority of them.
Slovakia is home to the amazing High Tatras which is a stupendous mountain range dotted by several villages deeply rooted in culture and tradition. The Slovaks are very friendly and hospitable people who are mostly Roman Catholic in religion.
Slovakia has several major industries like car manufacturing, oil refinery, the manufacture of plastic and chemicals, and engineering. In Slovakia, mercury, iron, copper, lead and zinc are some of the most important natural resources. However, of all the natural resources of Slovakia, nothing beats the awesome beauty of the country.
You can not be in a more perfect setting. The country has a rich culture, and the way of life there is so different from being in a major city of the world. Here in Slovakia, you will wonder why people even want to live in a polluted, busy and congested city when here in Slovakia in all its tranquillity and serenity, you have the best that life has to offer.
In addition to all the splendour of Slovakia, there are so many things you can do here. UNESCO has chosen three localities in Slovakia as part of their list of cultural monuments, and these are wonderful places to see. In 1993, the Castle of Spis was chosen; then in 2000, Bardejov, which is a historical site, was selected to join the list, In 2008, the churches made entirely of wood located in the Slovak part of the Carpathian Mountains; and finally, in 2009 town Levoča joined this prestigious lineup.
Slovakia is also home to many firsts in the world. In St. James church, you can find the highest wooden gothic altar which took 10 years to finish. There is also the Tinkers Museum and the highest sinter column in the world.
Come, visit Slovakia today, and see how history has made this one of the greatest tourist spots in Europe.
Capital city – Bratislava
The beautiful and vibrant capital city of Slovakia is also its largest; Bratislava is the centre of the National Council where all the government offices and agencies are situated, including the national ministries and the central government.
On the south of Bratislava, you will see Hungary while on the west is Austria. If you look at Bratislava from above, you will see that it looks like a fan from both sides of the Danube River, all the way to the Low Carpathians.
Since it is near the borders of warm climatic zones, this city is also one of the warmest places in Slovakia. The average temperature here is around 9.9 degrees Centigrade, with an annual rainfall of about 527.4 mm. The population of the city measures less than half a million, which makes it one of the most populated cities in Slovakia.
Bratislava is also Slovakia’s industrial centre. Here they have built a reputation for manufacturing Volkswagen cars, chemicals, furniture, musical instruments, and tobacco products. They also are incredible craftsmen in leather goods and woollen products.
From the historical point of view, you will not be disappointed because Bratislava is dotted with sites that have been major contributors to the rich and colourful history of the country. There is an 11th-century Gothic cathedral, the old Hungarian royal palace, the town hall, and a 13th-century church run by the Franciscans.
Bratislava has 3 universities that have withstood the test of time. These are the Slovak Academy of Science which was built in 1953; the Comenius University of Bratislava which was built in 1919; and the Slovak Technical University which started operations in 1938.
A walk down the history corridors of Slovakia will tell you that this city was once called Pressburg, and was part of Hungary. In fact, from 1541 up to 1784, Bratislava was the capital city of Hungary.
After World War I, Czechoslovakia was established and the name Bratislava was created.
Modern Bratislava still has remnants of the time when Austro-Hungarian rule was enforced in this historical city. If you arrive by train, you will see beautiful vineyards along the slopes of the famous Carpathian Mountains. Not far is Hungary, about 16 km away, and the Austrian border.
You must go on a city tour to see all the interesting museums and monuments that honour their past victories and triumphs.
When you go on a city tour, you will visit the castle and the old city which has many museums like the Municipal Museum and the Museum of Wine Production. The castle was the place where the Roman Empire established posts from the 1st century up to the 5th century.
There is also the town square called Hviezdoslavovo Nmestie which is used as a meeting place since it has the old town on the north, the Bratislava Castle to the west and the Danube River on the south.
As far as accommodations are concerned, you need to worry about finding a wide range of high luxury hotels to mid-priced and economy hostels. Slovakian food is fast becoming known for its gastronomic delight. The usual Slovakian staple is still cabbage, potatoes, and milk. However, the food has expanded to include many new Slovakian delicacies and desserts. Hotel Reservation in Bratislava.
Find many discoveries in every corner and street of Bratislava, and meet the friendly and hospitable Slovakians willing to give you a holiday experience you will never forget.
Other cities in Slovakia
Slovakia is a country in the centre of Europe and has some of the most amazing and spectacular sights and places to see in all of Europe. Some of the areas around Slovakia have made a name for themselves as tourist destinations and a must-see when in Slovakia.
Trencin
This place was once a Roman military colony and is located at the foot of Strazovske hills, near the Valley of Vah River. The highlight of a visit to Trencin would undoubtedly be the castles. There are two castles you must see when you go to Trencin. The first is the Cachtice castle which was where Countess Elisabeth Bathory who lived during the 17th century supposedly had over 500 young ladies killed.
The second castle is Beckov castle which was built in the 13th century amidst lush green rolling hills and plains.
Trnava
This widely famous area in Slovakia is one of the oldest cities, and was in fact, once a religious centre and a university town. This city is also called “Slovak Rome” because of its architecture. Some of the interesting sites here are the Clarist Convent, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the West Slovakia Museum, and the Museum of Book Culture.
Piestany
About 35 km away from Trnava is Piestany which is one of the most visited areas in Slovakia because of its spa resort. The therapeutic warm waters of the springs are considered beneficial to people with neuropathy medical problems.
Zilina
This is a lovely region of Slovakia and known for its valleys and mountain ranges. When you visit Slovakia, one of the most recommended sites to go to are the Tatras – the Western Tatras and the Low Tatras.
The mountains make the area ideal for many sports like fishing and hunting, and of course, water sports.
There are also thermal baths and caves, including four natural reserves, 14 national monuments, and the Mala Fatra National Park. However, the most famous of all the wondrous places to go is the Budatin Castle.
Banska Bystrica
This is the economic and cultural center of Slovakia. Many buildings will attest to the cultural richness of Slovakia. Here in this city are some of the most exceptional buildings in all of Slovakia. You must see the Clock Tower, the SNP Museum, and the Church of Our Lady which is the oldest building in Slovakia.
Banska Bystrica also has many ski resorts and thermal baths. You can go cross country or alpine skiing which is a fantastic sport because of the awesome views of mountain ranges.
This is one of the best cities to go to in Slovakia. If you must choose, then this has to be on the top of the list. Here you get to enjoy nature at its best, unique cultural and historical sites and amazing architecture. The largest national park is here with over 92 km of vast land and mountains covering it. The biggest Slovakian cave is also found here – the Freedom Cave.
Presov
Presov has the High Tatras where you can see for miles around. The magnificence of this mountain range is breathtaking. It spans several summits and valleys.
Many of the sites and cities in Slovakia are beautiful but they cannot be enjoyed in a day. You will need several days to weeks to enjoy the amazing sites of Slovakia and its cities. It’s really no wonder that Slovakia is fast becoming known as a top tourist destination in Central Europe.
The beauty of Nature in Slovakia
Slovakia now a day’s become more open to tourism, travel to Slovakia is picking up, and the hospitality industry is bound to grow by leaps and bounds.
The jagged peaks of the High Tatras are splendid to see because we normally don’t come across mountain ranges with this kind of profile. Many of the mountain ranges have a rounded top. Of course, the mere fact that these mountains have protected Slovakia is a testimony to the preservation of its nature and identity.
Some of the most amazing creations in all the world may be found in this relatively small country in Central Europe.
High Tatras
The snow-topped mountain range is the only alpine mountain in Eastern Europe. It climbs up to a height of over 8700 feet, with an area of 100 square miles, which makes it one of the smallest mountain ranges in the world.
You can take a cable car to the Lomnicky Stit which is the second-highest point. This tourist destination is one of the top choices for outdoor winter sports that are off the beaten track. Despite the terrible storm in 2004 which almost destroyed the forests entirely, people still choose to go to this spot because of the amazing and spectacular view from the top.
Mala Fatra
The serenity of the area in Mala Fatra is a spectacle of valleys and peaks with a lot of forests and mountains around. Here, it looks like time stood still because it seems that nature was allowed to just grow and blossom here – almost untouched in its beauty. For many, seeing Mala Fatra is like being in a paradise with a grand variety of flora and fauna, birds and animals, and blissful natural beauty.
Low Tatras
This is a more accessible version of the High Tatras except it is a bit more extensive in reach. It is also less visited which lends a better, but more dangerous visit. A hike up these peaks might reward you with a glimpse of the wild animals that roam the area like the bears, lynx, wolves and chamois. There is even an ice cave plus 5 other underground caves to explore. Spelunking can never be as good as it is here.
Pieniny
If mountains are not your idea of a great vacation, you can visit Pieniny which is a rocky landscape that scans the Polish border. You can go rafting here with tour guides dressed in traditional costumes.
Ochtinska Aragonite Cave
Of all the numerous caves in Slovakia, this might probably be the most unusual. It was discovered in 1954 and has blue limestone walls
Slovakia is really a hotspot of natural wonders. It also has hot springs and even a geyser. It’s no wonder that tourists from all over the world come here for the “miracle waters” of Slovakia. The spas here have been known to alleviate medical conditions such as respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive conditions.
If you enjoy going to spas, there is no better place than Slovakia.
Interesting Places in Slovakia
In a place along the Podunajska area in Povazie and the Smaller Carpathians is Cachtice. It’s a lovely village around 7 km away from Nove Mesto nad Vahom with a population of over 3500.
The first mention of Cachtice is about 1248 during the reign of King Bela IV. It became recognized as a town in 1392, but its real charm comes from its history. Cachtice is best known as the place where Cachtice Castle is.
Here in this remote castle, Elisabeth Bathory, who was a Countess is the centre of a legend that has her murdering hundreds of young women. However, she is also known for her help in the enactment of Slovak literature.
Aside from visiting the Cachtice Castle, there is a small museum that is also worth a look which will give you a clear view of the history of this quaint village.
spišský hrad
This is one of the must-sees in Slovakia, and even in Europe. It is awesome in its splendour as being on the biggest castles in Central Europe. The legend of this castle is equally intense in its romance.
The story goes that two twin brothers were fighting over the love of a girl from the area who was only known as Zorica. One of the brothers built the castle as a monument of his love for Zorica. These two brothers, Bystron and Dragovit were given the task of building castles on separate rocky hills but in the same valley.
Zorica fell for Bystron and accepted his marriage proposal. Not willing to be the loser, Dragovit managed to convince Zorica to choose him instead, to which she agreed. In his anger, Bystron set his brother’s castle on fire hoping to kill them, but only succeeding in driving them away from the area forever. In his rage and monumental loss, Bystron spent most of his time creating the huge castle.
This legend attracts more tourists than what history will reveal about the mighty Spis castle. Nevertheless, it is a testimony to the incredible craftsmanship and endurance of Slovaks. Today, it is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and its magnificence is hard to describe. You must see it in all its ruined beauty.
High Tatras
If you enjoy skiing, this is definitely a place you would want to go to. This is one of the smallest mountain ranges in the world. Just going there is an adventure on its own.
The high Tatras may not be as commercial as the Alps, but then neither is it priced as high. In fact, you could enjoy a fairly decent budget vacation here in this part of Slovakia. Not many people come here so the route to the slopes maybe a little less modern. However, once you get there, the view is amazing!
There are two spots you can try visiting, weather permitting. These are Starý Smokovek and Štrbské Pleso. You may want to bring some snacks from a nearby city since these areas are a little bit off the beaten track.
Slovak Culture
For some reason, Slovakia is full of festivities and cultural events all year round. The people of Slovakia obviously enjoy celebrating momentous occasions and important people and give them the due honour accordingly. Some of the most popular festivities and events in Slovakia are listed below.
The Biennial of Illustrations is an annual event in September (or sometimes held in October) that is organized by the Ministry of Culture. This event recognizes the best pictures and drawings used in children’s books from around the world.
The winners of the awards given during this event usually have their illustrations printed in the Slovakia stamp.
St. Hubert’s Day is a hunting festival held in Svaty. Hunting enthusiasts from all over Slovakia and other countries make their way to the beautiful baroque manor house which is built amidst an English-like park with lakes, museums, and an artificial cave.
Part of the festivities includes Huberts Ride, deer hunting, fashion shows, a grand ball, a display of all sorts of hunting equipment and paraphernalia.
The Trnava Fair is a tradition that is held every second weekend of September. It celebrates the success of market history in Trnava, which is one of the oldest free royal villages in all of Slovakia.
If you have a chance to see this festival in full swing, you will experience the richness and vibrancy of the Slovakian culture. You can even get to bring home some of the wonderful crafts and food delicacies of the area.
The International Jazz Festival in Trencin is also an annual event that features all the most popular jazz artists in Europe and the rest of the world. This musical event will showcase all the different ways that jazz is played from the rock-jazz to free jazz, fusion jazz to jazz fund. It’s all here in one big playground.
Christmas Markets in Bratislava is another wonderful event that brings a flood of emotions for the beauty and wonder of Slovakia in times like the Christmas holidays. The town square and the old town square come out with their most delicious dishes and you hear Christmas carols being sung all through the event. It’s like having your very own winter Christmas village replete with tradition and amazing people. This is the time of the year when they come out happy and celebratory as one of the most important occasions in a Catholic world unfolds.
As a tourist, you will be blown away by the hundreds of crafts and local items for sale. There are handmade items, ceramics, glass, fabric, wood and food items all on display at the town square. You will also taste traditional holiday delicacies like loose, honey cakes, and Christmas mead.
One of the most attended events of Slovakia is Coronation Day which is held in the capital city of Bratislava every September. There is a fantastic parade of actors in traditional costumes, and you are in the middle of a memorable 3-day event with kings, queens and court jesters milling all around you.
In Slovakia, cultural events are a mixture of the tradition of pomp and circumstance, being able to witness just a few of these will give you memories to last a lifetime.
Accommodations in Slovakia
Slovakia has a lot to offer in accommodations. It does not matter what your budget is because there is a varied range of accommodations to suit any budget. For most of these accommodations, whether it is a hotel or an inn, the room rates are almost always cheaper than those you would find in the other parts of Europe.
Most famous in Slovakia are the spas. This is a great way to spend your vacation – in a spa hotel or a spa resort. Not only do you get wonderful rooms, but you also have a wide range of spa services that you can enjoy in the comfort of your room.
Spas are known for their rejuvenating effects, as well as for de-stressing the work-weary or travel-weary tourist. It is even better when you go to a spa in Slovakia because here, the country is known for its warm springs and rich mineral fresh waters, all available amidst stupendous landscape and views.
Since Slovakia is just an emerging tourist attraction, the hotels maybe a little less than what you would expect. Before travelling to Slovakia, make sure you have made your room reservations at a place either recommended to you or one that you have checked out on the internet.
Slovakia does not have the typical bed and breakfast kind of accommodations. They do rent out private beds and bedrooms but rarely do they offer breakfast with your stay.
If you are planning to stay in Slovakia for several days or weeks, it might be better if you make prior arrangements. Most recommended would be to find accommodations that gave friendly staff that will go out of their way to make your stay pleasant. In many cases, tourists find that the kinds of hotel services they get in other European countries are not the same as in Slovakia. This is only because Slovakia is relatively new to the hospitality business.
Most Slovakia hotels have modern amenities and recreational facilities. Many of them are equipped with a swimming pool, business and fitness centres, massage and saunas, and outdoor activities like lawn tennis and skiing.
If you are used to having in house laundry service, room service, or safety boxes, you might be a little surprised to know that not all the hotels in Slovakia offer these. There are nearby laundry shops and restaurants which can handle your personal needs.
If you prefer to stay in apartments or cottages, you will probably not get any personal services, so this means you will have to source them yourself.
Some cities in Slovakia do not have international hotel chains, thus you will have to settle for accommodations from the locals. If you find yourself in this kind of situation, make sure to speak with the landlord a little extensively to find out what exactly is part of the short term lease contract. Slovaks are not used to having tourists in their cities, and it is just starting to pick up on the need to be hospitable and friendly to strangers. But then, for many tourists, this is part of the charm of Slovakia.
Travel to Slovakia
Since Slovakia is in the center of Europe, it is very easy to access it. You can enter Slovakia by air, boat, railways, ferry or car. You can even cross the border on a bicycle if you want!
Ports of entry are Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Germany, and Ukraine. Unfortunately, there are no international flights to Slovakia from the US. You will have to take a flight to one of the countries near it, then get a connecting flight to Slovakia. If you are feeling a little adventurous, you can try a land route after landing in one of the international airports in Central Europe.
Some of the international carriers that land near Slovakia are Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Czech Airlines. There are other smaller airlines or charter planes that you can avail of if you desire.
If you plan to travel to Slovakia by land, there are many car rental companies in international airports, including some Slovak car rental companies. Going in my car is the more scenic route because you can appreciate the beauty of the surroundings.
The railway is another option, and fortunately, Slovakia has a fairly decent and modern railway system, including an electric train that travels to the High Tatras.
From Vienna, Budapest, and Prague you can get a train to Slovakia. Tourists enjoy this route more because of the first-class amenities such as roomier coaches.
If you get a Euro Pass, you can go to Slovakia as well. This is, of course, the travelling student’s manner of touring Europe which can get pretty interesting, even for non-students.
From Vienna International Airport, you can travel more cheaply to Bratislava by bus. However, there is always crowded buses that you will have to deal with. Nevertheless, this is a unique and very interesting route since you will be among the locals most of the time.
There is also a way to travel first by railway, then shift to a local bus to get into Slovakia. The choices are pretty extensive, and since it is a land route, anything that can travel on land is possible.
One very scenic route that you can get to travel to Slovakia is by hydrofoil or boat. Some boats travel from Budapest and Vienna along the Danube River and will dock in Propeller Dock at Bratislava. In the warmer months of the year, this could perhaps be the more preferred choice since it will help you cool down from the heat. This trip takes about an hour and a half and departs from each city about 3 times a day, weather permitting.
Travelling to Slovakia will never seem the same because you can actually bike your way into the country, and go all the way up to Hungary. There is the famous Danube Bike Route which practically trails the river from country to country.
If you do not want to trouble yourself with transfers, you can always take a taxi to Slovakia. However, make sure that you either agree on a flat rate, or he turns on his meter before moving.
Travel Around Slovakia
Once you get into Slovakia, transportation will still be relatively easy. The best way to see Slovakia though is by train. You don’t need to rent a car or take the bus. The railway network reaches far and wide except for the central-southern part of Slovakia. For this area, you are better off taking the bus.
The trains in Slovakia are clean and not expensive. If you prefer a more modern train system, use the InterCity (IC) railway. These trains travel from the capital city of Bratislava to Zilina, High Tatras and Kosice. They are more expensive than the regular trains but they are quite efficient and will get you to your destination safely. The ordinary trains may also be efficient but since they are cheaper, they tend to get overcrowded.
Aside from taking the train, if you can, try biking or walking tours. There is also hitchhiking which you will find very commonplace in Slovakia, as in other parts of Europe.
Hitchhiking may not be as easy as it sounds because finding a ride may take some time. If you want, some hitchhiker websites include Slovakia in their lineup, you may be interested in checking them out.
Since there are so many interesting places to see in Slovakia, there are several recreational transportations that may tickle your fancy. Aside from the functional IC train, there are tourist trains like the popular Presporacik train that travels to Bratislava using an ecologically friendly gas engine. You can join a tourist group for one of these trips.
If you are feeling adventurous and do not have a problem with height, go on an exhilarating plane flight. From a compact aeroplane, you can see all of Slovakia and the beauty of its surroundings. It will give you a different angle on how Slovakia looks from the air. If you want to all-natural, there are even hot air balloon rides that are a serene and absolutely memorable way to Slovakia by air.
If air travel is not your thing, you might be interested in a boat tour or a sightseeing boat. From the dams to the rivers of Slovakia, you can see it all in all its splendour from the clear, blue, refreshingly tranquil waters of Slovakia.
You can travel to the different historical sights and tourist destinations while travelling down the famous Danube and Morava rivers. These sightseeing boats go from one end of Slovakia to the opposite end, and further down to the Black Sea, if you want to really experience and your boat trip.
One very popular sport and a traditional method of travelling around Slovakia is river wood rafting. The river Dunajec has a borderline between Poland and Slovakia and runs through the fabulous Pieniny National Park. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to go rafting the way it was done hundreds of years ago in Slovakia. It makes you appreciate the natural beauty of Slovakia’s surroundings even more.
