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Slovakia holidays

The High Tatras, castle-topped hills and Bratislava’s old town on the Danube — Central Europe’s quiet surprise.

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Overview

Welcome to Slovakia

Slovakia packs mountains, castles and old mining towns into a country smaller than Scotland. The High Tatras, the highest range of the Carpathians, rise straight out of the plain in the north with alpine lakes, cable cars and marked hiking trails; the Pieniny and the Dunajec Gorge, on the Polish border, are famous for traditional wooden-raft trips. There are more castles per head than almost anywhere in Europe, from Bratislava Castle above the Danube to the vast ruin of Spiš Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the fairy-tale towers of Bojnice.

Bratislava is an easy, walkable capital with a pretty old town, riverside cafés and wine bars, and it is only an hour from Vienna, so many trips combine the two. In the centre of the country, Banská Štiavnica is a beautifully preserved silver-mining town on the UNESCO list, and Levoča and Bardejov in the east have Renaissance squares and wooden churches. Food is hearty mountain cooking: bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese), cabbage soups, local sheep cheeses and wines from the Small Carpathians and Tokaj.

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Best for: walkers and hikers in summer, castle and history lovers, city breaks in Bratislava, and longer Central European tours combining Slovakia with Poland, Hungary, Austria or the Czech Republic. Our escorted tours include the High Tatras, the Dunajec Gorge and Banská Štiavnica.

From the team

Why we love Slovakia

Rossella — Travel Designer · Luxury & Destination Specialist

Slovakia is the Central European trip people tell me they wish they had done sooner. Give it a week: Bratislava, Banská Štiavnica, then three nights in the High Tatras.

Rossella Rossella, Luxury & Destination Specialist Meet our Travel Designers

Main areas

Where to go in Slovakia

4 distinct regions — they pair beautifully two or three at a time.

Bratislava & the Danube

Bratislava & the Danube

Bratislava Devín Castle Small Carpathians

The compact capital, Devín Castle above the river, and the wine villages of the Small Carpathians.

High Tatras

High Tatras

Štrbské Pleso Starý Smokovec Tatranská Lomnica

Granite peaks, glacial lakes and cable cars — Slovakia’s mountain playground for hiking in summer and skiing in winter.

Central mining towns

Central mining towns

Banská Štiavnica Bojnice Kremnica

UNESCO-listed Banská Štiavnica, Bojnice’s fairy-tale castle and the old gold-mining town of Kremnica.

Pieniny & the east

Pieniny & the east

Dunajec Gorge Spiš Castle Levoča Bardejov

Rafting through the Dunajec Gorge, the vast ruin of Spiš Castle and the Renaissance towns of the east.

Find your trip

Holiday types in Slovakia

Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.

City breaks

Slovakia's cities reward 2-4 nights each — pair two for a tailor-made multi-centre trip.

Bratislava

Bratislava

Bratislava Castle above the Danube, the old town’s squares and cafés, St Martin’s Cathedral and the UFO Bridge viewpoint.

Cruises

Bratislava is a regular stop on Danube river cruises between Vienna and Budapest.

See all Slovakia-departure cruises ->

Practical info

Knowing before you go

When to go
Jan
2°
Feb
5°
Mar
11°
Apr
17°
May
22°
Jun
25°
Jul
27°
Aug
27°
Sep
21°
Oct
15°
Nov
8°
Dec
3°

May to September is best for walking in the Tatras and exploring the towns, with warm days and long evenings. September and early October bring autumn colour and fewer people. December is the season for Bratislava’s Christmas markets, and January to March for skiing in the Tatras.

Flights & how to get there

Direct flights from London to Bratislava take about 2 hours 15 minutes, and Vienna airport is about 50 minutes from Bratislava by road. Kraków in Poland is the easiest airport for the High Tatras.

Visa & passport

Slovakia is in the EU and the Schengen area. UK passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The EU’s Entry/Exit System records your fingerprints and photo at the border. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for Slovakia.

Currency & money

The euro (EUR). Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry some cash for mountain huts and small cafés.

Language & tipping

Slovak. English is widely spoken in hotels and by younger people.

Health & safety

No special vaccinations are usually needed. Carry your UK GHIC card and buy comprehensive travel insurance, including mountain activities if you plan to hike.

FAQs

Slovakia — your questions

When is the best time to visit Slovakia?

May to September is best for hiking in the High Tatras and touring the towns. December is lovely for Bratislava’s Christmas markets, and January to March is ski season in the mountains.

How do I get to Slovakia from the UK?

Fly direct to Bratislava in about 2 hours 15 minutes, or fly to Vienna, which is under an hour from Bratislava. For the High Tatras, Kraków airport in Poland is the closest major airport.

What are the highlights of Slovakia?

Bratislava’s old town and castle, the High Tatras, rafting through the Dunajec Gorge, UNESCO-listed Banská Štiavnica, Spiš Castle and the Renaissance towns of Levoča and Bardejov.

Can I combine Slovakia with other countries?

Yes. Bratislava is an hour from Vienna and a short train ride from Budapest, and the High Tatras are close to Kraków and Zakopane in Poland. Many of our tours combine two or three of these.

Make this trip yours

Plan your Slovakia holiday with a Travel Designer

Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.

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