Discover the Beauty and Culture of Slovakia: A Comprehensive Guide
Situated in central Europe, Slovakia is an up-and-coming tourist destination that lures travellers from around the world with its rugged mountainous scenery, rich architectural history and, perhaps notably, its very competitive prices.
The centre for Slovakia’s arts and culture is the capital city of Bratislava, which boasts many museums, art galleries, palaces and ornamental churches in and around its historic Old Town district.
The Tatra Mountains are a popular destination year round, offering skiing in winter and hiking and climbing in summer. The country also boasts a number of mineral springs and natural spas that cater for health-conscious tourists looking to relax and unwind.
Scattered among the hills and valleys of the lowlands are numerous fortified castles, relics from the Middle Ages that were built near hamlets and major roads for protection from invaders. Also among the country’s greatest architectural treasures are the ancient wooden churches in northeast Slovakia. Still functioning as religious buildings today, these are unique in their construction in that they were built without nails.
Slovakia became an independent nation in 1993 when Czechoslovakia split into the Czech and Slovak Republics. The Czech Republic went on to revel in the glory of its capital city, Prague, which has become one of the must-see cities in Europe, while Slovakia’s quiet charms have remained relatively unexplored.
Nowadays, the beautiful scenery, ski resorts, historic towns, and easy access from the rest of Europe mean that more and more travellers are starting to wake up to Slovakia’s various and well-priced delights.
Key Facts
- Language:
- Slovak is the official language, which is closely related to Czech. English and German are the most commonly spoken foreign languages, although English is not widely understood outside Bratislava.
- Passport/Visa:
The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from Slovakia. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
- Currency:
The unit of currency is the euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. The euro replaced the Koruna (SKK) as the official currency in 2009. Visa and Maestro are accepted at almost all hotels and restaurants in popular tourist areas such as Bratislava, and shops are increasingly accepting credit cards, but it is best to check beforehand. ATMs accepting international cards are common.
- Electricity:
- Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Two round-pin plugs are used, similar to other European countries.
Overview
Home to incredible natural beauty and a rich, storied history, visitors will love what Slovakia has to offer. Nature enthusiasts should make a beeline for the High Tatras, which boast gorgeous, unspoilt mountainscapes with lakes and waterfalls aplenty. One of the best starting points for hikes is Strbske Pleso, where walking trails access the lovely Skok Waterfalls.
An alternative to the High Tatras National Park, the Slovak Paradise National Park in the east of the country is also a superb hiking destination and invites visitors to explore the magical forests and valleys of Slovakia.
In addition to glorious natural resources, Slovakia is home to many ancient castles and romantic ruins, which are well preserved and still in use. The most popular with tourists include Spis Castle, a UNESCO-listed ruin and one of the biggest castles in Europe; Bratislava Castle, looming above the capital city; and Devín Castle, said to be more than 5,000 years old.
Slovakia is renowned for its rich folkloric traditions and well-preserved architecture, with Bratislava’s Old Town home to many historic buildings and a number of interesting skanzens, open-air museum villages, scattered around the country.
The UNESCO-listed town of Vlkolínec boasts the best wooden folk architecture in the country, while the Vychodna Folk Festival, held annually in July in the village of Vychodna, is said to be one of the best folk music and dance festivals in the world.
Climate in Slovakia
The Slovakian climate is generally temperate, with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm with temperatures in July averaging 70F (21C); while the coldest month, January, averages 28F (-2C).
Winter brings snowfall, which usually lasts from November to May in the Tatra Mountains. The mountains are colder and wetter than the lowlands in general, with most rain falling in June and July. Autumn and spring are good times to visit Slovakia, as the weather is mild and the crowds are thin.
Health Notes when travelling to Slovakia
All eligible travellers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines; visitors intending to spend a prolonged period in the forests and rural areas should consider a vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis. No other special precautions are necessary.
Slovakia has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, providing emergency healthcare on the same terms as Slovak nationals. EU travellers should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them. After Brexit, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK citizens. The GHIC allows UK citizens access to state healthcare during visits to the EU. The GHIC is not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
However, it’s still recommended that visitors take out comprehensive medical insurance, including mountain evacuation. Hospitals are available in all major towns, and pharmacies and clinics exist in the tourist areas and smaller towns, but little English is spoken.
Safety Notes when travelling to Slovakia
Slovakia is generally a safe country and most visitors will experience a trouble-free holiday. However, it’s wise to be careful of personal possessions in the cities due to incidents of pick-pocketing and bag snatching, particularly in popular tourist areas and on public transport.
Customs in Slovakia
Visitors should maintain eye contact with locals when talking or shaking hands, as this is interpreted as a sign of honesty and sincerity. Knowing even a few words in Slovak will be well received, and guests are expected to remove their shoes when entering someone’s home.
Rowdy behaviour and loud noise are not allowed between 10pm and 6am; travellers must carry passports with them at all times for identification purposes. Bratislava has become a popular destination for stag parties and boisterous tourists have been fined or imprisoned for causing a public disturbance.
Duty Free in Slovakia
Travellers to Slovakia from non-EU countries do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 4 litres of wine or 1 litre of distilled liquor and spirits.
Doing Business in Slovakia
Slovakians tend to be fairly formal in their business dealings, particularly the older generation, and women may encounter some chauvinism. The normal greeting is a handshake. Although business may be conducted in English or German, an interpreter should be arranged and all written documents should be translated into Slovakian. Punctuality and politeness are always appreciated. Most businesses open Monday to Friday from about 9am to 5pm.
Communication in Slovakia
The international dialling code for Slovakia is +421. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). Travellers can purchase a local SIM cards for their phones; most hotels and cafes have WiFi.
Tipping in Slovakia
Ten percent tips are becoming increasingly common in restaurants, and Slovaks may also round up bills to the nearest euro. Taxi fares are usually rounded up by an extra one or two euros.
Passport/Visa Note
The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from Slovakia. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US nationals require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a passport valid upon arrival, but no visa is required.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African nationals require a passport valid for at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. A visa is required.
Tourist Offices
Slovakia Tourist Board, Bratislava: http://slovakia.travel/en
Slovakia Embassies
- In the United States:
Slovak Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 237 1054.
- In Canada:
Slovak Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 749 4442.
- In the United Kingdom:
Slovak Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7313 6470.
- In Australia:
Slovak Embassy, ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 26 290 2405.
- In Ireland:
Slovak Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 661 9594.
- In New Zealand:
Slovak Embassy, ACT, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 26 290 2405.
- In South Africa:
Slovak Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 342 2051.
Foreign Embassies in Slovakia
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, Bratislava: +421 2 5443 0861.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy, Bratislava, Slovakia: +421 2/5920 4031.
- British Embassy
British Embassy, Bratislava: +421 2 5998 2000.
- Australian Embassy
Australian Embassy, Vienna, Austria (also responsible for Slovakia): +43 1 506 740.
- Irish Embassy
Irish Embassy, Bratislava: +421 (2) 3233 8700.
- New Zealand Embassy
New Zealand Embassy, Berlin, Germany (also responsible for Slovakia): +49 3 020 6210.
- South African Embassy
South African Embassy, Vienna, Austria (also responsible for Slovakia): +43 1 320 6493.
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
