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City in Slovakia
Photo: Marek Novotnak, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Banská Bystrica is a city in Central Slovakia between the national parks Great Fatra and Low Tatras (north of the city), the national park Poľana (east of the city), and the Štiavnické Vrchy (southwest of the city).
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This house belonged to a medieval miner who built this enormous house beside the town square. Now it hosts information centre of the city and it is also used for the representative purposes of the mayor.
Set in a beautiful renovated renaissance house, it also has expositions in two other historical buildings in the city.
The baroque pillar was built in 1719 as a sign of gratitude to the Virgin Mary after the end of the plague.
Monument in honour of soldiers of the Red Army and the Romanian Army.
Baroque style Roman Catholic church, built in the early 18th century.
Built around 1552 as a part of the Town market. Entrance fee to the top is €2 (children go for free).
Barbican
The main fortification complex and the dominant point with the Petermann bell – tower. It hosts a stylish restaurant.
Roman church built in the 13th century which was expanded in the gothic era.
Small museum of items and documents of the resistance in the Second World War. Wide stairs lead to a symbolic grave of an unknown soldier, eternal fire and soil from the battlefields and burnt villages, tables dedicated to Holocaust victims and international involvement in the uprising. The building was designed by architect Dušan Kuzma and completed in 1969. Parking €1/hour.
This park at a "center of independent culture" may be closed or used for different happenings.
Vegetarian cafeteria with Slovak specialities
Cheap restaurant with typical Slovak dishes. They have daily menus for €4-5 including soup.
Relatively cheap restaurant with international food including pizza, daily menu for €4-5. It is a bit off from the city centre.
Pleasant restaurant not far from SNP square, they offer mainly European food including steaks and pizza. It also contains a beer bar with home-made beer.
Nice traditional restaurant next to the road E77 direction to Donovaly. Unfortunately accessible only by own car but if you are driving around it is worth to visit. You can taste Slovak national meal called Halušky (Potato dumplings with Bryndza cheese) in traditional atmosphere.
In the city centre, this restaurant offers traditional Slovak specialities and home-made beer as well.
Centrally located elegant, modern restaurant with gourmet cuisine. They serve delicious coffee specialities and alcoholic drinks too.
It's the edge of SNP square, and is a good place to meet. Daily menu, several types of beer and other alcoholic drinks are available.
Stylish cocktail and coffee bar next to the SNP square with wide selection of drinks. They also serve beer and some dishes.
Very nice and relaxed tea house near the city centre with several types of tea. Coffee and shisha are available too.
Basic tourist dorms. Costs around €10/night per person.
Cheap guesthouse, central location close to the bus station. Costs €25/double room.
Situated in a residential quarter, 10-15 min walk from the center. Clean, and friendly staff. Typical price in 2015 was €40 for a double room.
Decent and very centrally located guesthouse. Costs €42 for a double room + €4/pp for breakfast.
The most famous hotel in Banská Bystrica has become the city landmark since its construction in 1970 and even nowadays it's a significant reminder of Communist era architecture (although it has undergone a partial reconstruction). Costs around €50 for a double room (breakfast included).
4* Hotel Dixon is in a quiet city zone nearby open swimming pool and sport-relaxing area surrounded by enjoyable greens. Double room costs up to €90 (breakfast included).
Just off the highway R1 between Banská Bystrica and Zvolen, it includes wellness, spa and restaurant. Basic double room costs €90 (presidential suite is €300+/night).
Large shopping mall offering wide range of stores. Joined with Europa Business Center (the tallest building in the city).
By train
There are train connections from the major Slovak cities. Banská Bystrica can also be reached from Vienna, Budapest, Poland and the Czech Republic (direct train).
By bus
There are bus connections to all major Slovak cities, and international routes to Vienna, Czech Republic and many other cities in Western Europe.50 (RegioJet buses cost €5).
By car
Banská Bystrica has road connections from all major Slovak cities. It can be reached from Bratislava (210 km) via highway R1.
Public transport
Public transport is useful if staying outside the city center or for trips around the city.70 (as of mid-2015).
Taxi
Due to increased competition (triggered by complete absence of public transport over night), prices of taxi in Banská Bystrica have plummeted to flat rate of around €3-4 per trip anywhere inside the…
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Articles and travel topics about Banská Bystrica and Slovakia.
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