What to do in Slovakia

August 3, 2018 car rental

Slovakia is a tiny country situated in the heart of Europe. But what are the must-dos when visiting Slovakia?

1. Hike from Strbske pleso to Skok waterfalls in High Tatras

Strbske pleso is a gateway to many favorite tours in High Tatras. Park your car there and hike away! It’s a neat short tour up to the waterfalls (3 hours there and back on yellow marked path) and the views are worth it. Fresh air of High Tatras is known to be curative. If you feel strong, walk up along the waterfalls and look at them from above! You’ll find mesmerizing mountain lakes at the top.

For slow walkers, take a relaxed walk around Strbske pleso tarn. It’s so beautiful there… Many locals find accommodation in the centre and with the first rays of daylight undertake whole-day hikes to Tatra peaks.

2. Spis Castle

 

Spis Castle from distance

This magnificent 900 years old ruin is one of the biggest castles in Europe! It is beautifully placed in the countryside on travertine rock. From there, the landscape stretches away so unspoilt. Magical place, perfect to transport you back in time. The castle is legitimately listed in the UNESCO Heritage List, among the most important monuments in the world. The exhibition is large and profound, you can spend a whole day wandering about. During weekends the castle really comes alive with costumed enthusiasts and historical props. You’ll find the Spis castle on the way from Levoca to Presov.

3. Sucha Bela hike in Slovak Paradise National Park

Sucha Bela hikeSlovak Paradise is a magical forested piece of land in the east of Slovakia, full of ravines, gorges, chasms, meadows and waterfalls. Devoted local hikers enjoy refreshing walks through the narrow canyons and up the waterfalls, often with the help of wooden bridges, high ladders and iron chains. The elevations are not high, but the adventure factor is. But no worries, the walks are very enjoyable and not that demanding as it may seem!

Sucha Bela gorge makes for one of the most fascinating karst marked paths through the Paradise. Waterfalls, rock windows, cascades, ladders, natural jacuzzis and even an ancient carthusian monastery await you on your way. The tour start in Podlesok. You’ll get there from Hrabusice. Park your car in the guarded parking lot. The main walk is one-way up the stream. Make sure you have good water-resistant hiking boots on, you will walk through the gorge, often with the stream below your feet. Refresh with a cabbage soup, Kofola or langoš in Klastorisko cottage. From there leads a quick return way to Podlesok. The tour is semi-demanding, 4 hours total. We wish you a heavenly journey!

4. Cruise on traditional flatboat on Dunajec from Cerveny klastor in Pieniny mountains

Pieniny Dunajec traditional goral raftAn area with a rich historical and folk artistic heritage, as well as a distinctive folklore and architecture, it is also exceptional in its memorable scenery, rocky ridges, unspoilt scenery and repose. Pieniny are an ideal destination for anglers and kayakers alike, and a paradise for cyclists. But we have something else in mind: folk rafting in the rapids of the Dunajec river on traditional wooden rafts!

The river Dunajec has cut a narrow gorge with high rock walls into the limestone, with the majestic Three Crowns at the center.  A gentle trip along on the river which borders Poland with Slovakia on a typical “Goral” raft makes for a memorable outing. The trip lasts 1 – 1.5 hour and can be easily set up directly in Cerveny klastor by any of the small local rafting companies.

For the more adventurous, rent a raft and have a blast!

5. Tour around Bratislava in Prešporáčik

Presporacik tour in Bratislava

Want to get to know our lovely capital in an original, no-hassle way? Take the Old Town Tour by Presporacik – Oldtimer! This 30 or 60 minutes tour offers you a return to the rich history and grandeur of the heart of old Bratislava. Explore the most beautiful parts of Bratislava: the Town HallSt. Martin’s Cathedralthe Little Blue ChurchBratislava Castle

Presporacik rides daily from the Main Square – Hlavne namestie. No reservations are necessary for the 30 min tour.

6. Demanovska Cave of Liberty

Deomanovska Cave of LibertyLocated in Low Tatras in Demanovska valley, only a couple of minutes by car from Liptovsky Mikulas, Demanovska Cave of Liberty might just be the most beautiful underground place in Slovakia. You can park the car right below the entrance, the only downside here is the parking lot price :(… The tour lasts for about 1 – 1.5 hour and takes you through magnificent halls and domes, viewing rich flowstone fillings, flowstone water lilies, eccentric stalactites, mighty flowstone waterfalls and columns, sphaerolithical stalactites and many other forms of stalactites and stalagmites that are totally captivating. The temperature in the cave is 7°C and there are many stairs, so it’s probably not recommended for very young children (4 years and less). The ticket is 7€ (plus 10€ if you want to take pictures). And if you feel like caving, Demanovska Ice Cave is right next door.

7. Vychodna Folk Festival

Vychodna Folk FestivalVychodna, a village below the High Tatras about 20 kilometres east of Liptovsky Mikulas, is the place to be the first weekend in July (every year).  The oldest and greatest folklore music and dance festival in Slovakia held since 1953 is the top show of hugely diverse folklore traditions of Slovakia. An international range of performers also present folk traditions from other countries.  During the festival in the large open-air theatre, the whole village lives in a unique summer atmosphere. Amusements and accommodation is provided everywhere. Dance and craft workshops, dance parties and games are organized for the visitors. Top folk event of the world!

8. Village of folk architecture

Skanzen Pribylina Folk VillageSkanzens, as we call the open-air museum-villages, are scattered all over Slovakia and are definitely a must-see. They showcase Slovakia’s folk history, architecture and basic life of past centuries, high class and low class. The museums include examples of traditional buildings and furnishings, schools, churches, craftmens’ workshops, manor houses, hundreds and hundreds years old – some even from the 11th century. The museums frequently host thematic exhibitions and special events, even weddings.

There are many skanzens across Slovakia. We especially recommend PribylinaVlkolinec(UNESCO site) and Cicmany.

9. Relax in thermal SPA after skiing in mountains

AquaparkSlovakia possesses many kilometers of wonderful slopes, local ones and in large skiparksJasna in Low Tatras is the most popular ski resort with modern lifts, cable cars, perfectly done slopes and best natural conditions for skiing and snowboarding. After your day of snowy fun, dip your body into a warm bubbly pool or hot sauna. There’s nothing better than to change the ski jacket for a swimsuit during a dark winter evening. There are numerous wellness centres and spas in the close proximity to the mountains. BesenovaOravice, Tatralandia in Liptovsky Mikulasand Aquacity in Poprad are the best ones for thermal relax. Numerous hotels have their own wellness centres. Find the one closest to you and enjoy a day of maximum sportand relaxation!

10. Little Carpathian Wine Tour

WIne tasting ModraThe intellectuals of Slovak nation are devoted wine lovers. Many take a wine tour every year during the season. We are inviting you for wine tasting tours in exquisite places of the Small Carpathian region, offering an extraordinary experience of wine tasting with a piece of history.

Little Carpathians is a fertile land perfect for producing wine. This range of hills is visible across the Danubian plain from many kilometres away.

The tour includes colorful villages and small towns of St. JurPezinok, and Modra, which lie in the foothills of the Small Carpathian Mountains, where the most famous producers of top-class Slovak wines have served locals and kings for centuries. Wine tasting includes a visit of a traditional wine cellar where wine and cheese plates are served. Not to be missed is the Red-Stone Castle (Cerveny kamen), where the historical lifestyle of the nobility is preserved, with a visit to the largest wine cellar in Central Europe. 

 

Article from https://www.slovakia.com/top10/