Europe · Central EuropeOutline guideCountry in Central Europe
Photo: Përpunuar prej Image:Slovakia-map.png nga User:Hipi Zhdripi., Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Slovakia (Slovak: Slovensko) or the Slovak Republic (Slovenská republika) is a country in Central Europe. The main reasons to visit Slovakia are its natural beauty, vivid history and great opportunities for relaxation (and due to the small size of the country, it is quite easy to combine all three).
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Slovakia.
Cards and cash
Automatic teller machines (ATM, "bankomat" in Slovak, pl.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory in Slovakia, but in practice it is common in establishments where you sit in (cafes and restaurants), where rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% tip is common.
Slovak
The official and most widely-spoken language is Slovak. In some parts of the country, especially in the east, dialects are used which may sound quite different from the codified language.
4G (LTE) is available in the huge majority of the country, including the countryside, with some 5G coverage primarily in urban areas.
Mobile networks
O2 Slovakia
Orange Slovensko
4kaTap water is drinkable everywhere - according to one study, water used as tap water in the Bratislava-Vienna region is the cleanest in the world.
No vaccination is necessary to visit or stay in Slovakia, although if you plan to visit countryside areas, a tick vaccination is recommended.
Slovaks are friendly and peaceful people living in a free, democratic state. There are not really issues that would provoke actual hostility or trouble.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
capital and the largest city of Slovakia with a beautifully restored historical centre full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance churches, houses and palaces, cobblestone streets, fountains, pleasant cafes and lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere
was one of the most important mining towns of Hungarian part of Austro-Hungarian Empire; beautiful restored square, many churches, castles and museums and memorial of the Slovak National Uprising
metropolis of the east, second biggest city of the country with the easternmost situated Gothic Cathedral in the World, the oldest European coat of arms, a great historical city centre with the Cathedral Complex, numerous churches, palaces and interesting museums.
the oldest Slovak town, with beautiful castle and number of fairs
the entryway into High Tatras
very peaceful spa town surrounded by magnificent Mala Fatra National Park
one of the most beautiful Slovak towns with a castle lying above the city overlooking the historical centre and the river Váh
old Slovak town with the highest number of churches (12) and well preserved baroque architecture
Slovenský Raj consists of deep ravines and canyons created by the water cascading in waterfalls through the limestone.
Vysoké Tatry is the biggest national park in Slovakia and a centre of winter sports and hiking.
UNESCO heritage list village, preserving the character of a traditional Carpathian village
Slovenský kras, known for its cave systems, part of UNESCO world heritage
magnificent medieval pearl of the Spis region surrounded by town walls with a unique Renaissance town hall, burger´s houses, numerous churches and St. James Cathedral where the biggest gothic wooden altar of the world is situated
the most visited castle in Slovakia, almost intact with beautifully preserved interiors.
the most famous spa town in Slovakia
one of the largest castles in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Places in Slovakia on the World Heritage List.
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Listed 2007
Vlkolínec
Listed 1993
Spiš Castle
Listed 1993
wooden churches of the Slovak Carpathians
Listed 2008
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
Listed 1995
Spišská Kapitula
Levoča, Spiš Castle and the associated cultural monuments
Listed 1993
Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity
Listed 1993
Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve
Listed 2000
Spiš Castle and the associated cultural monuments
Listed 1993
historical town of Banska Stiavnica and the technical monuments in its vicinity
Listed 1993
Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Western Segment)
Listed 2021
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The tourism here focuses on the capital Bratislava and its immediate surroundings. The southern region is a great plain along the Danube river, the country's most fertile area. The North consists of broad valleys of the rivers Vah and Nitra separated by wooded mountains, topped by castles like in Nitra, Trenčín or Bojnice.
A region in the heart of Carpathians. Several winter sport areas are here, also the biggest one in Jasná. There are also several national parks, Low Tatras, Great Fatra, Little Fatra etc. The main cities are Banská Bystrica and Žilina, but there are several mining towns as well - like UNESCO listed Banská Štiavnica.
The region of High Tatras mountains, the top of Carpathians, and Slovak Paradise, a paradise for ravine hiking. It includes towns of Levoča and Bardejov, listed in UNESCO - as well as majority of wooden churches of the country. The main cities are Košice, seconded by Prešov.
Public transport and paid services in Slovakia.
By train
Train is by far the best option to travel across Slovakia, provided you don't have a private vehicle.
By bus
Bus connections are usually slower than trains, but can get you where trains cannot, and some private companies also offer discounts for travellers with a foreign ISIC card (state-run companies do…
By taxi
Ride-hailing is available in Slovakia and the following are the most anticipated providers:
By car
The road network is extensive and in an overall good condition.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Slovakia.
Finding apps for Slovakia…
Other ways to travel:HitchhikingOn foot
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bratislava · International · BTS
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Bratislava
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 2° | 5° | 10° | 17° | 22° | 26° | 29° | 28° | 22° | 16° | 9° | 3° |
| Avg. low | -4° | -3° | 0° | 5° | 10° | 15° | 17° | 16° | 11° | 6° | 2° | -3° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 40 | 36 | 41 | 35 | 71 | 73 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 49 | 43 | 41 |
| Humidity | 90% | 85% | 78% | 71% | 68% | 63% | 59% | 60% | 67% | 79% | 87% | 90% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$65
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$180
Per person, per day
Luxury
$455
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $100 | $265 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $40 | $90 |
| Local transport | $10 | $15 | $40 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $60 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Slovakia. Slovakia is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our travel guidance for Slovakia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Slovakia.
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Travel tipsEurope is a continent that is relatively small but with many independent countries. Under normal circumstances, travelling through multiple countries would mean having to go through visa applications and passport…
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ItinerariesThe Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, with a length of 2,850 km (1,770 mi). It begins in the Black Forest in Germany and flows east to the Black Sea, forming the Danube Delta on its western coast.
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ItinerariesPriecne Sedlo is in the High Tatras, Slovakia
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Culture & historyRoma and Sinti, sometimes called Gypsies, are the largest ethnic minority in Europe, at an estimated population between 1 and 20 million.
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Nature & adventureThe Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe is a world heritage site. First listed in 2007 and only including forests in Slovakia and Ukraine, it has been expanded in 2011 and…
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