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City in Žilina Region, Slovakia
Photo: Sebastian Mierzwa, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Žilina is a town in Central Slovakia with a population of 80,000 (2024) and the capital city of the Žilina self-administrative region. The city itself offers a nice historic centre, which is unique in Slovakia thanks to the arcades on the main square, and a vibrant cultural scene. The surrounding region is a paradise for hiking and skiing, with the Little Fatra mountain range being one of the nature hotspots of the country.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Roman Catholic church from the 15th century, one of the town's most significant monuments and seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Žilina. Locals call it simply the "Parish Church" (Farský kostol).
Roman Catholic church from the 18th century on Mariánske námestie, the town main square. Locals call it the "Orphans‘ Church" (Sirotár)
Roman Catholic church from the 18th century built by the Franciscan Order.
Church of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia, the biggest Protestant denomination in the country. It was built in 1935-36 by famous Slovak architect Milan Michal Harminc.
The oldest architectural monument in Žilina, it dates back to the 13th century. Today, it is located in an industrial area. Take trolleybuses no. 1, 6, 7 or 16 to "Závodská" stop.
Located in the suburb of Trnové, it is the westernmost wooden church in Slovakia with the oldest preserved record coming from 1583. It is a 20 minute-long bus ride from the main train station - take line no. 24 to "Cintorínska" stop.
Budatínsky zámok
Beautiful 13th-century castle with a nice park on the confluence of two rivers. It is the seat of Považské Museum, which covers the history of Slovak tinkers and their crafts.
A gallery with regularly changing exhibitions in a variety of forms, sometimes modern, sometimes more traditional. Well worth a visit.
One of the most beautiful art nouveau palaces in Slovakia built in 1907. Guided tours are available.
Dom umenia Fatra
A picturesque art nouveau building near the main square, also known as Grand Bio Universum. Seat of the Slovak Sinfonietta, a professional chamber orchestra.
Katolícky dom
A neoclassicist house on the edge of the city centre. It was the site of the declaration of autonomy of Slovakia within Czechoslovakia made in 1938. Today it serves as a secondary school.
It is a symbol of Slovak feudalism, built in the 14th century. It is part of Slovak national heritage.
The ruins of the 3rd largest castle of Slovakia.
Nová synagóga
World-famous German architect Peter Behrens designed this functionalist synagogue in the 1930s. It lost its function after WW2 and today it serves as an exhibition centre while being faithfully restored.
Burianova veža
A bell tower next to the cathedral. It can be climbed up, but you usually have to book a tour at the Tourist Information Office.
Vodne Dielo
Do running, walking, inline skating, cycling, beach volleyball
Walking, running, barbecue, high-rope adventure park lanovypark.preles.sk
In the building of old and still operating train station Zilina-Zariecie. Concerts, theater performances, films (often in English or with English subtitles), festivals, exhibitions, discussions, bar.
concert hall
Weekly classical performances by the State Chamber Orchestra Žilina. Tickets at navstevnik.sk
Nice looking restaurant. They have daily menus all day for about €4 including soup.
Typical Slovak looking building with typical Slovak dishes
Pork or chicken escalopes (wiener schnitzel), or chicken and pasta, or a meat and rice, served with potatoes and vegetable and a drink, all for a very reasonable €4. Pleasant little place.
Cheap restaurant with typical Slovak food. Very popular with locals for lunch and dinner, and arguably the cheapest Aperol Spritz in all of Slovakia. Only set meals, no á la carte dishes. Covered terrace in summer.
Stylish and modern. Video games, casino and billiard upstairs.
Up in the second of the square is very agreeable.
Relatively new restaurant which is quickly gaining in popularity. Wide choice of steaks of different cuts and burgers, neatly served. They also have a few vegetarian options.
Daily menus for €5.5. Solid gelato around corner.
Good place to meet, drink and have something to eat. They have also English menu card.
Twelve different beers on tap, changing regularly. Also other drinks, snack foods and pizza on the menu. A bit expensive by local standards but worth it for the assortment and ambiance. English speaking staff and menu. Good for groups.
Small sit-down pub with good atmosphere and music at a good level for conversations with friends or strangers. Very good specialty beers on offer. Cash only.
A good cheap option although quite far from the train and bus stations. Private rooms with sinks from €20 a night, on the 9th and 10th floors. No internet but nearby restaurant has free Wi-Fi.
Free wifi, single bedroom
An ubytovňa is a traditional Slovak workers hotel, expect just basic service but good value. Breakfast and tourist tax not included in the price. Located just a short walk from the old centre.
A very nice ex-communist hotel with over 100 rooms, centrally located with parking.
Comfortable accommodation 3 km from Žilina in beautiful surrounding.
Non-stop
Non-stop.
Large shopping mall south of the city centre offering wide range of stores.
By train
Žilina is one of Slovakia's most important railway junctions and thus has very good connection with the rest of the country.
By bus
From some towns in the Czech Republic, Poland or Slovakia, it could be easier to catch a bus rather than a train.
By car
There are 3 European roads crossing in Žilina: E75, E50 and E442.
By bike
Žilina lies on the Váh long-distance cycle path (Vážska cyklomagistrála), a cycling route that follows the river Váh from Strečno up until its confluence with the Danube in Komárno.
By public transport
The city offers decent public transport with modern vehicles on 8 trolleybus lines and 10 normal bus lines throughout Žilina, its suburbs, and neighbouring villages.
By bike
The city has quite a few hills, holes in the road and fast drivers, making cycling around sometimes a fun challenge.
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Mošnov · International · OSR
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