Slovakia lies in central Europe and it is easily reached by plane, via its international airport in Bratislava as well as by car, coming from the countries surrounding it: Poland, Austria, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Hungary.
Slovakia is a young country on the map of Europe, appearing in 1993 after the peaceful dismantling of the former Czechoslovakia.
It has a population of 5.4 million people, who officially speak a Slavic language very similar to Czech and Slavic languages of southern Serbian and Croatian. Anyone who knows a little Russian will find they’ll pick up Slovak relatively quickly.
Chances are you will start in Bratislava, Slovakia’s historical capital and after that you can drive through the ‘little big country’ stopping off to spend a day or two at the medieval cities scattered throughout.
1. Bratislava
Start with at least two days in the Slovakia’s capital.
The Old City Hall, situated in the Main Square is host to the City Museum with exhibits about Bratislava‘s historical past.
Slovak National Theatre in Hviezdoslav Square and on the suburbs of the historical centre district makes for a great evening and the Presidential Palace, built by a Croatian count has beautiful gardens open to the public every day.
2. Bardejov
Located in north-eastern part of Slovakia, 430 km away from Bratislava, Bardejov is one of the main tourist attractions in Slovakia. Bardejo is a medieval spa town worth visiting.
The historical centre of Bardejov was added to UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, with its 131 national cultural monuments and is enclosed by exceptionally well preserved city fortifications.
Visit the Saris museum, the open air museum with many wooden houses and churches, as well as the famous spa of Bardejovske kupele.
3. Kosice
Located in the eastern part of Slovakia, 63 km away from Bardejov, Kosice offers at least a day of wonder for the traveler.
Main attractions are St. Michael’s Chapel, St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, The Levoca House, The Franciscan Church, Andrassy Palace, the Plague column and the fascinating musical fountain. The 800 metre long, spindle shaped main street host a number of palatial home which belonged to the nobility and can be visited very easily by foot.
4. Levoča
The city of Levoča lying in the eastern part of Slovakia, 107 km from Kosice, is one of the country’s most outstanding cities. During the Middle Ages, the city was famous for printing presses and educational institutions and also for its trade.
The main square has plenty of nobility houses many serving now as hotels and restaurants worth staying in while the town hall, situated in the centre, is one of Slovakia’s most beautiful buildings.
The bell tower next to the Town Hall was erected in 1651 and is home to bells more than 300 years old.
The Cage of Shame, situated nearby the Town Hall is another tourist attraction. In medieval times it had two functions: one punishing girls and women that had broken the strict social rules and two for punishing minor delinquencies.
Master Pavol’s Square is surrounded by the most precious historical monuments that can be found in Levoca; there are two churches that can be visited: the Evangelical Church and St. Jacob’s Church which houses the famous 18.62m (61ft) tall Gothic wooden altar – the highest wooden altar in the world.
5. Kremnica
Located in the central part of Slovakia, Kremnica was an important medieval mining town.
The mint founded by King Károly Róbert of Anjou, is the only one in the world to have been in continual use and still stamps coins for countries abroad. The Museum of Coins and Medals belonging to the National Bank of Slovakia is located next to the mint.
Muzeum Minci a Medaili (Numismatic Museum) located in an old row house in the southern area provides more information about the tradition of minting and tourists can produce coins with their own hands.
The oldest part of Kremnica is the town castle, built in the 13th century. Its most impressing building is St. Catherine’s Church, built in gothic style.
One of the most remarkable buildings in the square is the Franciscan monastery and church. It’s here, during the summer, the Festival of humor called Kremnicke gagy, takes place.
Have you spent a week or more in Slovakia? Was there anything we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
