Slovakia travel guide



Slovakia is...
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Our Slovakia Holidays
Tatra mountains winter activity week in Slovakia
Authentic culture, warm hospitality and winter sports
Winter family holiday in Slovakia, High Tatras
An action-packed family winter holiday in the High Tatras.
High Tatras trekking holiday, Slovakia
Centre-based walking in the High Tatras, Slovakia.
Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland family tour
Action-packed Eastern European family week.
Vienna to Budapest cycle ride, self guided
Enjoy rides along the Danube from Austria to Hungary
Tatras mountains winter holiday in Slovakia
Multi-activity winter holiday in the Slovakian High Tatras.
Krakow and the High Tatras in winter holiday
A winter holiday in Krakow and the Tatras.
Slovakia self guided walking short break
A short break walking holiday in the High Tatras.
Slovakia walking and culture holiday
Walking and culture holiday in Bratislava and Tatras.
Danube cycling holiday, self guided
Discove the compelling history of the Danube
Prague to Budapest cycling holiday
A wonderfully contrasting ride through the heart of Europe
Self guided High Tatras trekking holiday in Slovakia
Hut to Hut trekking in the Slovakian High Tatras.
Tatras mountains self guided walking holiday in Slovakia
A summer walking holiday in Slovakia’s national parks.
Slovakia self-guided walking short break
Adventurous walking in the Slovak Paradise National Park.
Vienna to Budapest tour
Travel five countries for memories to last a lifetime
Pieniny National Park
Slovak Paradise National Park
Slovakian Wine
High Tatras
Danube
Winter activities
Jasná
Boozy weekends
Central Europe Tours
Our top Slovakia Holiday
Winter family holiday in Slovakia, High Tatras
An action-packed family winter holiday in the High Tatras.
Food, shopping & people in Slovakia
Eating and drinking in Slovakia
Soup is a great way to start a Slovakian meal, and garlic soup is a delicious speciality. Next, try Bryndzové halušky, potato dumplings (think gnocchi) topped with soft, pungent ewe’s cheese and cubes of bacon. You’ll find dishes like this in traditional Slovakian restaurants and particularly in mountain huts. Also on the menu: stews, gruels – and goose, which is cooked until crispy. And at Christmas, Slovakian tradition dictates a Christmas carp.As for drinks: beer is everywhere, but Slovakians are very proud of their wine, which grows around the Danube and Váh rivers. Get your hands on a dessert wine after dinner. These come from the celebrated Tokaj region, which Slovakia shares with Hungary. Slovakians have built up a high tolerance to their extremely strong local liqueurs: slivovica, made with plums, and gin-like borovička, made with juniper, so proceed with caution. They’ve even made alcoholic tea: in the mountains you might be offered herbal Tatratea, with the insistence that it will cure what ails you. Fans of undermining the Coca Cola conglomerate will want to order ‘Kofola’ instead, a Central European alternative to the soft drink giant.


People and Language
In the 18th century, the outlaw Juraj Jánošík and his highwaymen robbed rich merchants. He was captured and brutally executed in 1713. His story, which quickly accrued a kind of legendary status, did much to solidify the Slovak idea of nationhood; this plucky underdog became the people’s hero, their ‘Robin Hood’. He’s been the subject of many stories and films since and is often depicted wearing a Slovak highlander's hat, which has a distinctive upward-turned brim.
Dobrý deň: Good day
Dobrý večer: Good evening
Ďakujem: Thank you
Ahoj: Hi (informal – use this with people you know)
Gifts & shopping
Textile appreciators won’t have failed to notice the gorgeous embroidery that adorns Slovakian folk costumes, and may want to take a piece home for themselves. The same geometric embroidery is applied to tea towels and other textiles for tourists. The Goral people of the Tatras Mountains make gorgeous crafts. A popular souvenir is a pair of kierpce. These soft leather moccasins are handmade, and come with graceful ankle lacings and delicate studding.How much does it cost?
Soup: £3
Bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings): £5.20
Family ticket to AquaCity: £44


A brief history of Slovakia
By the 4th century, the Roman Empire was in decline and Germanic tribes took over. Attila the Hun came and wreaked general Hun havoc, then died and Germanic tribes took over again. Read more