Slovakia travel guide
With a complex political past, it is striking that two of Slovakia’s public holidays commemorate the end of WWII fascism (8th May) and then Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day on 17th November, which marks the beginning of the end of communist rule in 1989. Freedom is, therefore, fundamental in Slovakia, and there are few better places to feel that than in its High Tatras Mountains. Gerlachovský štít is the country’s tallest peak (at 2,654m), and also the highest summit of this Carpathian Mountain range as a whole.
If we could choose this country’s strapline, ‘SlowVakia’ would be it. With mountainous landscapes where cycling, hiking and cross country skiing are what make life worth living.
This Slovakia travel guide aims to help you indulge in this independence that is worthy of celebration, both culturally and naturally, here. Leading you up Tatras’ cross country skiing tracks, rafting down the Dunajec gorge in Pieniny National Park or hiking across the Slovak Paradise National Park. Stopping at medieval, wooden churches, castles and Carpathian communities en route. Where conviviality is everywhere. Because complexity is so last century.
Our Slovakia Holidays
Winter family holiday in Slovakia, High Tatras
Action-packed family winter holiday in Slovakian High Tatras
From
€899 to €1029
8 days
ex flights
Tatra mountains winter activity week in Slovakia
Authentic culture, warm hospitality and winter sports
From
Ł1099 to Ł1429
8 days
inc UK flights
Central European tours
A fascinating and varied journey through the heart of Europe
From
Ł1749 to Ł1849
14 days
inc UK flights
Self guided walking holiday in the High Tatras, Slovakia
Experience the delights and natural beauty of the Tatras
From
€499
8 days
ex flights
Vienna to Budapest cycle ride, self guided
Enjoy rides along the Danube from Austria to Hungary
From
Ł609
8 days
ex flights
North Eastern Europe motorcycle tours
Enjoy North Eastern Europe with friendly guides + good bikes
From
€6299
18 days
ex flights
Slovakia family activity holiday
Action-packed family winter holiday in the Slovakian Tatras.
From
€895 to €995
8 days
ex flights
Tatra Mountains family holiday, Slovakia
Family Holiday in the stunning Slovakian Tatra Mountains
From
€829
8 days
ex flights
Highlights of Slovakia holiday
Discover Slovakias history, culture and heritage.
From
€1069
8 days
ex flights
Self guided High Tatras trekking holiday in Slovakia
Spectacular hiking in Slovakia and Poland
From
€439
8 days
ex flights
Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland family tour
Action-packed Eastern European family week.
From
€899
8 days
ex flights
Wolf tracking short break in Poland & Slovakia
Wildlife & wolf tracking in the Eastern Carpathians
From
PLZ3875 to PLZ4320
4 days
ex flights
Slovakia bike hike and raft holiday
Summer activity holiday in the stunning Slovakian mountains
From
€799
8 days
ex flights
Danube cycling holiday, self guided
Discove the compelling history of the Danube
From
Ł1295
14 days
ex flights
Slovakia walking holiday, self guided
Slovakia Paradise National Park adventurous walking
From
€529
7 days
ex flights
Austria, Czech Republic & Slovakia cycling holiday
Self-Guided Cycling in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria
From
€639
7 days
ex flights
Tatras mountains winter holiday in Slovakia
Multi-activity winter holiday in the Slovakian High Tatras.
From
€889 to €999
8 days
ex flights
Prague to Budapest cycling holiday
A wonderfully contrasting ride through the heart of Europe
From
Ł2079 to Ł2249
11 days
inc UK flights
Vienna to Budapest tour
Travel five countries for memories to last a lifetime
From
Ł1660 to Ł1825
15 days
ex flights
Slovakia is/isn't...
Slovakia is...
a land of mountains, meadows, medieval history and, with plenty of local breweries and wineries, never short on merriment
Slovakia isn’t…
for beach lovers. It is landlocked, but open to the natural world in so many other wondrous ways.
Our top Slovakia Holiday
Winter family holiday in Slovakia, High Tatras
Action-packed family winter holiday in Slovakian High Tatras
From
€899 to €1029
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2018: 27 Dec
2019: 9 Feb, 16 Feb
2018: 27 Dec
2019: 9 Feb, 16 Feb
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Slovakia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Slovakia map & highlights
You can whizz through Slovakia on a bike, following the Danube from Austria en route to Hungary, or you can also just stop. Because, if we could choose this country’s strapline, ‘SlowVakia’ would be it. And steep, of course, with those tantalising High Tatras Mountains beckoning hikers in summer and cross country skiers in winter. The medieval culture of its capital, churches, castles and country lifestyles is on tap all year round. Slovakia is great value for families too, whether you are rafting down the Pieninský National Park’s Dunajec gorge, husky sledding through the winter wilderness of Slovak Paradise National Park or exploring wild rivers in searing summer heat.
1. Bratislava
2. High Tatras Mountains
3. Pieninsky National Park
4. Slovak Paradise National Park
5. Spis region
6. Stary Smokovec
2. High Tatras Mountains
3. Pieninsky National Park
4. Slovak Paradise National Park
5. Spis region
6. Stary Smokovec
Bratislava
1. Bratislava
This medieval capital is close to Austrian and Hungarian borders, and popular for those taking on the Danube Cycle Route. With traffic free, cobbled streets, historic squares, ancient narrow dwellings, red tiled rooftops, churches from every era and a bevy of breweries, it is quite the EU hangout. The castle was a historical hangout for many too, with renaissance, baroque and gothic gorgeousness throughout.
High Tatras Mountains
2. High Tatras Mountains
A natural border between Poland and Slovakia, this mountainous magnificence proffers the highest peaks in the Carpathians. Protected by the Tatra National Park, a pretty patchwork of hiking routes, the highest peak is Gerlachovský štít (2,654m), only to be tackled by experts. The second highest, Lomnický štít, is accessible by cable car, and the Belianske Tatras are popular for cross country skiing and dog sledding.
Pieninsky National Park
3. Pieninsky National Park
The smallest national park in Slovakia but thinking big in terms of adventure. Its somewhat dashing Dunajec gorge, Central Europe’s longest canyon, cuts quite a fine figure on the European circuit of white water wanderlusters. Traditional wooden rafting trips here have been happening for centuries. Start your rafting trip in the village of Cervený Kláštor, with its monastery and Museum of National Culture.
Slovak Paradise National Park
4. Slovak Paradise National Park
This limestone land of caves, waterfalls, rivers and ravines, makes explorers ecstatic. From spelunking cave fanatics to mountain biking pumpers, it’s all happening in paradise. Bear Grylls would have a field day here, crossing ravines and rivers using old wooden bridges and ladders, creepers and chains. With 350 caves, only the Dobšinská Ice Cave, a UNESCO site, is open to the public.
Spis region
5. Spis region
Poprad and its international airport is the centre, but this region is home to a collection of hillside villages, all gorgeous gateways to the High Tatras. Spišská Sobota is just one of many medieval revelations where you can sit in a pretty square, visit an ancient church and sip a Slovakian brew. In complete contrast, AquaCity in Poprad, the biggest geothermally heated waterpark you will ever see, is something else.
Stary Smokovec
6. Stary Smokovec
This small, mountain resort town in the High Tatras, is the perfect antidote to the downhill debacle of some of Europe’s other mountain ranges. From here you can take on a wide array of cross country skiing trails, leading off to the Levoca Mountains and Slovak Paradise National Park, where the snow wrapped forests, meadows and hills befit the name. All of these trails become hiking heavens in summer.
More about Slovakia
The best time to visit Slovakia for wildlife fans is in winter - when you can follow the tracks of lynx and wolves through the snow.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: kovop58] [Is/isnt: Traveltipy]
[Map intro: Govisity.com]
[Bratislava : Kamil Rejczyk]
[High Tatras Mountains: Pawel Pacholec]
[Pieninský National Park : Jerzy Opio?a ]
[Starý Smokovec: Edgars En.]
[Slovak Paradise National Park: Traveltipy]
[Spis region: Yellowfire ]
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