Travel Guide Slovakia – Uncover central Europe

Located in central Europe, Slovakia is a country marked by the turmoil of war and political unrest. Originally forming part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire, in 1918 the Slovaks were closely unified with what became Czechoslovakia. During the second world war, Germany controlled its newly founded republic until it became a soviet state controlled by Russia. In 1993, the union between Czechoslovakia was peacefully dissolved and the modern-day Slovakia was emerged. In 2004 the country entered the European Union and NATO.

A highly overlooked country by tourists, Slovakia has plenty do see and do. From its beautiful capital – Bratislava, to its many natural and national wonders. Visit the St. Elisabeth church, High Tatras or the astronomical clock of Stará Bystrica. Other places that warrant your time is Košice and the historical city of Levoča – our travel guide to Slovakia will summarise all the key points-of-interest.

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Look over the Slovakia travel guide topics listed below and take a look at each page for information on a specific aspect of traveling in Slovakia.

• Slovakia Car Hire Guide - A full synopsis of everything needed to hiring a car in Slovakia.
• Slovakia Driving Information - Key information on driving a car in Slovakia together with all the relevant road rules and regulations.
• Slovakia Fleet Guide Options - Details of the various car rental options for Slovakia.

Road trips with my car hire in Slovakia

Slovakia is small enough to make a road trip around the country both affordable and easy to plan. Rish in natural beauty, stunning castles and traditional quaint villages. Covering just under 19,000 sq.miles, The country has a well-maintained and well laid out motorway network, which makes driving around an enjoyable experience. A mountainous country with many remote areas, once you have uncovered what Bratislava has to offer, jump in the car and head to the following recommended places.

• Bratislava to Rajecke Lesná: Taking just under an hour by car, the drive to Rajecke Teplice is an enjoyable and pleasant one. Visit one of the most stunning castles in the country – Trenčiansky Castle, and a traditional Slovak style village to catch a glimpse of Slovakian folklore. Once done, head towards Rajecká Lesná to view a carving that took around 15 years to create. Depicting Bethlehem, the carving was done by a local carpenter and is one of the main attractions in the city.


• Čičmany: Taking around 4 hours by car, the drive to Tetra Mountains will take you once again through Čičmany. This small village consists of wooden timbered houses which have been painted in lime of various colours. Records date the village to the 13th Century but the tradition of painting the houses in lime only dates back around 200 years. A leisurely walk along the roads will introduce you to some quaint coffee houses, little shops and beautiful views of streets that transport you back in time with their fairy-tale charm.


• Tatras Mountains: This outdoor paradise is visited by thousands of locals and tourists alike. With incredible hiking paths, wonderful clear emerald lakes and soaring mountain peaks – enjoy a magical cable car ride through the mountains. A great place for mountain-biking, or a picnic with the family – the Tatras Mountains will show you a side of Slovakia often overlooked by visitors. Consider taking a wooden boat out across one of its lakes, sit by the shore and enjoy a great meal in the local restaurant.


• Košice: The second largest city in the country, Kosice is located in the eastern half of the country. It is cheaper than Bratislava and thus a great city to eat out in and enjoy. It is near the Hungary border, so a quick jump into Hungary isn’t out of the question. The city dates to the medieval period and much of its fortifications from the 13th Century. The main square has two Gothic churches, one dating back to the 13th Century and the other to the 14th Century.

What to do in Slovakia

Along with the previously mentioned road trips around Slovakia, we would advise doing the following things whilst visiting. Traditional cuisine, unique tourist attractions, thrilling activities and pleasant mountain hikes, are all on offer in this often-overlooked central European country. Gain a deeper understanding of Slovakian history, the impact from the Nazis and the influence from the soviet era. Learn all about this relatively new republic and the impact of joining the European Union and NATO has had on the development of Slovakia.

• Slovak Open-air Museum: Regarded as one of the largest open-air museums in the country, this museum is a magnificent portrayal of Slovakian folklore architecture. Consisting of 129 buildings, this village museum contains a traditional fire house, church, shops and even a pub. With agricultural exhibitions and regular events, this museum helps visitors understand what living in a rural Slovakian village in the 19th Century was like.


• Paradise Natural Park: One of the most famous natural parks in the country, Paradise Natural Park is visited by thousands of locals and tourists each year. With more than 350 caves, lots of magical canyons and gorges – the whole park consists of 19 individual nature reserves. A hike through this reserve will take you along suspension bridges, across planks and up ladders. Some trails even require visitors to hold onto chains. Zavojovy waterfall is particularly difficult to get to, requiring visitors to climb down vertical metal ladders and cross high rope bridges.


• Spiš Castle: The ruins of this ancient castle cover a total area of 41,000 sq. meters. Dating to the 12th Century, it is regarded as the largest castle complex in Europe and has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status due to this. Originally of Romanesque design, it now also contains a 14th Century partially destroyed palace and beautiful basilica. Within the castles structure, visitors will see numerous devices for torture, an armoury and a glimpse into Slovakia’s previous royalty.


• Dobšinská Ice Cave: Within a mining town located in Paradise Park, Dobšinská Ice Cave is another UNESCO Heritage Site waiting to welcome you. Visitors will, however, have to hike up 900 meters before catching a glimpse of its entrance. Once there, a decent of 500 meters into this cave is on the cards. Only opened between the months of May and September, visitors will only have access to a small percentage of its total 1,500-meter length caves. With ice walls, floors and ceilings, the cave remains a pleasant 0 degrees during the summer months.


• World War Bunkers: Being centrally located in Europe, it is no wonder that much of the country has been scared by war and turmoil. From medieval battles to the German invasion and Soviet era, the landscape has taken the brunt of the scars left over. On the northern side of the Danube River, in Bratislava itself, visitors can find one of the largest concentrations of war bunkers. On-site you’ll find a museum, and within its walls you’ll also find original weapons, documents and photographs of the war.

Frequently Asked Questions about travelling in Slovakia

The following questions and answers have been put together to provide an easy go-to section should you have any questions. Here we will briefly explain visa requirements, currency types, time zones and more. Our trained staff have both knowledge of car rentals in the country and general information, with travel tips. If you have had your questions answered, then please call our reservation team.

Useful Links

Slovakia Airport Information

Official Tourism Website of Slovakia

Gov.uk Slovakia Travel Advice