Are you planning to visit Slovakia and you have no idea what to expect? Start with this photo essay and see some of my favourite places. Unfortunately, Slovensko, as it’s named in the Slovak language, has been overlooked by mainstream tourism and overshadowed by its big neighbours. The world outside Europe does’t even know anything about this hidden gem. The photos below will show you that Slovakia has tons to offer to those who venture out beyond Prague, Vienna or Budapest.
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BRATISLAVA – THE CAPITAL OF SLOVAKIA

View of Bratislava Castle and historic downtown from the SNP Bridge observation platform

Main Square in Bratislava Old Historic Town

Historic building of the Slovak National Theater

Old Town Hall of Bratislava – today the seat of the City Museum

Hviezdoslav Square – a great place for a Sunday afternoon stroll

Bratislava Castle Gardens

Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, also known as the New Bridge, but foreigners call it the UFO Bridge

Bratislava on the Danube River
Check out Bratislava with one of these fun tours:
CASTLES

Some of the 600+ castles, fortresses, palaces and castle ruins that are located in Slovakia
–> Check out the medieval hilltop castle in Stara Lubovna.
NATIONAL PARKS AND MOUNTAINS

Popradske Pleso Mountain Lake

High Tatras National Park – great destination for hiking and climbing. Click this photo to read more about High Tatras.
Read more about the High Tatras:

Cycling and Nordic walking trail to Sliezsky Dom Mountain Challet

Forest around Terchova village

Strbske Pleso Mountain Lake in the High Tatras National Park

Skok Waterfall – looks small, but it’s tall. It’s a trickling stream from the mountain lake right above the wall.
–> Watch this video about hiking to the Skok Waterfall.
WINTER WONDERLAND

Skiing trails in Central Slovakia

Winter beauty somewhere around Banska Bystrica

Skalnate Pleso

View from the second highest peak of the Carpathians
CAVES

Ochtinska Aragonitova Cave – one of the three aragonite caves in the world and the only one in Europe, also a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site
FOLKLORE

Slovak Folklore Dance is fun, energetic and very social. It involves high and low jumps, tapping, clapping, stomping, tons of swift footwork, fast turning and quick changes of positions. Click this photo to read the article about Slovak Folklore.
ARCHITECTURE

Cicmany – painted wooden village – world’s first folk architecture reserve.

Modern architecture in the capital city

Baroque St. Emeram Cathedral in Nitra Castle

Typical Slovak log houses

WW II Memorial and the seat of the Slovak National Uprising Museum in Banska Bystrica. The building has a shape of Janosik’s higlander hat cut in half. Janosik is the Robin-Hood-type Slovak national hero.

Early Romanesque Church of St. Michael The Archangel in Drazovce near Nitra – one of the oldest churches in the country dating back to the 11th century

Oponice Chateau near Topolcany

Historic Water Mills on the Little Danube River in Southern Slovakia

Petrzalka, Bratislava – you don’t have to travel to Russia to see Soviet-style architecture

Wooden village of Vlkolinec enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Click the photo to read the Vlkolinec travel guide.

Typical houses in Stary Smokovec
TOWNS & CITIES

Slovak National Uprising Square in Banska Bystrica, Central Slovakia

Medieval town of Levoca on a UNESCO World Heritage Site list

Town Hall Square in Bardejov, Slovakia, during the annual Bardejov Fair – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Spisska Sobota near the town of Poprad
COUNTRYSIDE

Sunflower fields in southern Slovakia

Nature in Liptov Region

One of thousands of mineral water springs

Goats and hikers

Sheep farming in the mountains

Countryside around Stara Lubovna

Western Slovakia village
WHY VISIT SLOVAKIA
You should know by now 🙂
Conveniently located in the geographical centre of Europe, it’s easily accessible and on route to other favourite travel destinations. Around 80% of the country are mountains and hills which makes it a perfect place for sports, wildlife observing and hiking. Clearly, Slovakia can be described by three words: mountains, castles and caves. Not only has Slovakia nine national parks and many nature reserves but also 13 caves open for visitors (out of approx. 1000 known caves) and over 600 castles, fortresses, castle ruins and palaces. As you drive across the country, it seems every 10th hill has a medieval castle sitting on its top. Similarly, it seems almost every village has its own mineral water spring and its own distinct folk costume and traditions. There is more to discover.
I hope I have inspired you to come and visit Slovakia. If you watch this video by the talented local videographers from Hike the World, you will inevitably fall in love with Slovakia and put it on you bucket list:
- Travelling to Slovakia? Don’t forget to get your travel insurance and your Schengen visa.
–> You might also like these articles about Slovakia:
16 THINGS YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT HIGH TATRAS
VLKOLINEC – UNESCO SITES IN SLOVAKIA
Planning to visit Slovakia, bookmark this page now and read later:
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17 comments
Love this post! I’m going to Slovakia for the first time later this year and these pictures are inspiring!
Love this photo blog! I am definitely inspired to add Slovakia to my bucket list. Great photography! My favorites are: Skok waterfall, Popradske Preso Mountain Lake, the awesome sunflower field and the colorful town hall square! 🙂
Thank you 🙂 Slovakia is beautiful, definitely a must-see country 🙂
Your way of Slovakia sure is pretty, thank you for guiding us through it 🙂
And there is so much more to see 🙂 🙂
Fabulous photos. You paint a gorgeous picture. I’m not really a cold weather person but those images of the winter wonderland look very enticing. Looks like the time of year I’d like to visit.
Was just planning a girls weekend away. Slovakia was one of the options, looks fab. Think I’ll give it a go. Thanks for the inspiration.
Superb photos! I am so inspired to visit Slovakia. Looks like a country full of culture, history and rich architecture.
I love the visual walkthrough – looks like such a pretty place with so much to see and do.
What a wonderful journey around Slovakia through your photos. I have heard of Bratislava but didn’t realise there was so much more that the country offers. It looks wonderful.
Ok, done! You’ve inspired me, Slovakia is now officially on the list of “places I need to see”. It’s looks stunning.
Slovakia looks gorgeous! I definitely want to visit after seeing these photos. I’ve added it to my list. I agree that it would be a great jumping off point to explore more of Europe as well!
You have definitely inspired me! I love that it is both cool cities and beautiful natural areas!
Beautiful! Visited bratislava last year and it was lovely, though didn’t do half of your list so wish i had it then?
You had me at castles and national parks with mountains! Slovakia has been on my list for a while! Thank you for the beautiful photography inspiration!
You have definitely inspired me to visit! What a beautiful country! I have to admit that I had never really considered Slovakia before but having seen this I will certainly be adding it to my list. Thank you for highlighting & your amazing photos.
Great collection of pictures of beautiful Slovakia!
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