Slovakia travel guide: Bratislava, the mountains and how to get around
Slovakia is a small country of castles, mountain ranges and old mining towns, with a capital on the Danube that is easy to add to Vienna. It suits a short city break with a day or two in the hills. The one thing to know is that the best places are spread out, so plan around trains and a few long days.
The short answer
- First trip
- Spend two or three days in Bratislava, then add a day trip to a castle or a night in the mountains.
- How long
- Two days covers Bratislava. A week lets you add the High Tatras and Košice by train.
- Best time to go
- May to September for hiking and castles. December for Christmas markets, January to March for skiing.
- Getting around
- Trains link Bratislava, Košice and the Tatras. Buses and local trains fill the gaps.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are widely taken in towns, but small huts and village shops may want cash.
- Book ahead
- Mountain huts in summer, rooms in the Tatras in winter and seats on long-distance trains.
Best cities to visit in Slovakia
Bratislava
A small capital with a pedestrian old town, a hilltop castle and a river promenade. It suits a short stop on a Vienna or Budapest trip, or a quiet two-day break.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
The High Tatras
The country's main mountain range, with lakes, trails and ski resorts. Trains run from Bratislava and Košice to Poprad in about four to five hours, with a mountain railway on from there.
Banská Štiavnica
An old mining town on a World Heritage list, with steep streets, lakes and a castle. It is easiest by car or a mix of train and bus, so plan a night rather than a day.
Spiš Castle
One of the largest castle sites in central Europe, on a hill above the Spiš region. It is a short drive from Poprad, with buses from the nearby town of Spišské Podhradie.
Košice
The second city, in the east, with a long main street, a Gothic cathedral and a lively cafe scene. It is a good base for the Slovak Karst and the Tatras.
Slovakia itineraries
- Three days: Bratislava and a castle
Two nights in Bratislava for the old town, the castle and the Danube. On the third day take a train or bus to a nearby castle or wine village, then return the same evening.
- Seven days: Bratislava, Tatras and Košice
Two nights in Bratislava, then a train east to Poprad for three nights in the High Tatras. Finish with two nights in Košice, which has direct trains to Budapest and onward.
- Ten days: Vienna, Bratislava and the east
Start in Vienna and take the short train to Bratislava. Continue east to the Tatras and Spiš, add a night in Banská Štiavnica if you have a car, and end in Košice.
Best time to visit Slovakia
May to September is the main season. Trails and mountain huts are open, castles run their full hours and the days are long. July and August are warm in the cities and busier in the Tatras.
December has Christmas markets in the main towns, and the mountains turn to ski country from about January to March. Many high trails close or need winter gear outside summer, so check conditions before you set out.
How to get around Slovakia
- TrainsZSSK runs the national network. Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted on its trains. Reservations are needed in first class on most express services and are optional in second.
- BusesRegional buses reach places the trains don't, including many castles and mountain villages. Timetables thin out at weekends and in the evening.
- Mountain railwaysNarrow-gauge electric trains link the High Tatras resorts with each other and with the main line at Poprad. They are the easiest way to reach the trailheads.
- CarsA car helps for Banská Štiavnica, Spiš and villages in the hills. Motorways need a vignette, which you can buy online before you drive.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Slovakia. Each city guide has its own list.
- Mountain huts and Tatras rooms1 to 3 months ahead
Beds are limited, and the summer and ski seasons fill first.
- Long-distance train seatsa few days ahead
Express services on Fridays and Sundays can be busy, and first class needs a reservation.
- Bratislava Castle and guided toursa few days ahead in season
Timed tours and small groups can sell out at weekends.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro. Slovakia has used it since 2009.
- Cards and cashCards are taken in most hotels, restaurants and shops in towns. Carry some cash for mountain huts, small cafes and village buses.
- TippingService is not always included. Rounding up or leaving about 10 percent for good service is normal.
- Tourist taxesEach municipality sets its own accommodation tax, usually a small flat amount per person per night, with exemptions for children and some others. Your hotel will say whether it is added.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType E sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Slovakia
- Trying to see the whole country in a long weekend
Bratislava is in the far west and the Tatras and Košice are hours away. Pick Bratislava, or the east, and leave the rest for another trip.
- High mountain trails in bad weather or out of season
Weather in the Tatras changes quickly and some routes close in winter. Check conditions locally and choose lower walks if in doubt.
- Hiring a car for Bratislava itself
The old center is small and walkable, and parking is limited. Hire a car only for the countryside, for the days you need it.
Slovakia: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Slovakia?
Two or three days is enough for Bratislava. A week lets you add the High Tatras and Košice, and ten days leaves time for Spiš and Banská Štiavnica.
What are the best places to visit in Slovakia?
Bratislava, the High Tatras, Spiš Castle, Banská Štiavnica and Košice are the most popular. Many visitors also stop at one of the country's castles.
Is Slovakia worth visiting?
Yes, if you like mountains, castles and quiet old towns at lower prices than Austria. It is less polished than its neighbors, which is much of the appeal.
Is Slovakia easy to visit without a car?
Mostly. Trains connect Bratislava, Poprad and Košice, and buses cover many smaller places. A car only helps for rural spots such as Banská Štiavnica.
What is the best time to visit Slovakia?
May to September for hiking and castles, December for Christmas markets, and January to March for skiing.
Does Slovakia use the euro?
Yes. Slovakia has been in the euro area since 2009, so you don't need to change money if you arrive with euros.
Can you visit Bratislava from Vienna?
Yes. Trains and boats run between the two capitals, and the train takes roughly an hour. Many visitors do it as a day trip, though an overnight stay is easy.