Places to Visit in Slovakia & Points of Interest

There are lots of places to visit in Slovakia, including cities, the countryside, and points of interest. This variety of options means there are plenty of options for fun or interesting activities.

Slovakia in Europe is the other half of the former country of Czechoslovakia, whose capital is Bratislava. It is a beautiful country bordering the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Austria, and Hungary. The key cities in Slovakia are the capital, Bratislava, and Košice and Bardejov. Geographically, the country is mainly mountainous, and the River Danube runs through it.

Places to Visit in Slovakia

Some of the tried-and-tested places I’ve enjoyed visiting in Slovakia.

Bratislava The Capital

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a great place to visit, with lots of attractions to experience. There are lots of things to do in Bratislava, including many historic sites and museums. Visitors can see most of the city’s highlights with the bargain Bratislava Card, which includes entry to many places. Alternatively, if staying longer, you can pay for entry individually. As with most capitals, there are many options for places to stay, from budget backpacker hostels to some more luxury hotels. We’ve enjoyed both and found them a positive experience.

It is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. Bratislava is on the River Danube and is close to Hungary and Austria, both of which are great day-trip options. The city is very popular, and over a million visitors stay every year, including tourists on Danube cruises.

Bratislava has 2 castles, Bratislava Castle in the city centre and Devin Castle upstream on the river in some beautiful countryside. Both castles are well worth visiting. The Slovak city also offers museums, art galleries, and theatres. There are also some interesting churches to visit, including the must-see Blue Church.

The city has lots of bars and restaurants, including those that specialise in Slovak cuisine. As with most big cities, it has a cosmopolitan choice of restaurants. Overall, Bratislava is a fantastic city to visit to get a sense of what Slovakia is all about.

Komárno: A Small Town With Interesting Attractions

Komárno is a town on the River Danube in Slovakia and is rather pleasant to visit. The principal attraction in Komárno is the Courtyard of Europe, a pleasant place to visit and a fantastic concept. There are many ways to reach Komárno depending on where you are travelling from. They have a train station and buses that travel to the city.

The Courtyard of Europe is the town’s chief attraction. It is behind Klapka Square in the former backyard of the Zichy Palace. The construction of the houses and the square was the brainchild of local architects. They wanted to symbolically bring Europe together in one place, using the unique architecture of each European country. The architects then designed 44 buildings, each of them representing the typical architecture of a given European country.

In addition to the main attraction, there are other things to see or do while visiting Komárno in Slovakia. First, the Komárno fortress is a complex of fortresses used by the Austro-Hungarian Empire to fortify the Danube. This fortress dates back to the 16th century and was built to defend the Habsburg border against the Ottomans. The fortress saw action in 1594 and repelled an attack by 100,000 men. The site’s historical importance means it is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The main town square is also pleasant and tree-lined with pretty buildings and statues. There are plenty of options for pubs and places to eat out, including many that serve Slovakian beer and food. This is an ideal place for a day trip when visiting Slovakia.

Why Visit Slovakia?

There are countless reasons to visit Slovakia, and there are many places of interest to keep you entertained. This includes some fantastic sights and places of interest. These are the highlights of what I’ve visited and enjoyed.

Castles

Throughout Slovakia, there are various pretty castles to visit. This includes a few in the capital, which are wonderful tourist attractions. We’ve visited both and have a castle hotlist for others in the country. The fortress on the River Danube in Komárno is also pretty impressive and has been added to UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list.

Churches & Cathedrals

There are many churches to visit while visiting Slovakia. This includes some famous church buildings and some less well-known. Two of my favourites are the Blue Church and the Church of the Annunciation, both in the capital. Each city has its own distinct set of churches to visit, and they are great for learning about the area’s history.

Slovak Food & Beer

A highlight of my trips to Slovakia was the Slovak food and beer. The local pilsner beers are right up my street, including Zlatý Bažant. They have been brewing beer here since the 15th century. The food out in the traditional restaurants I tried was delicious and hearty. I tried various soups, stews and goulash.

Grassalkovich Palace – The Slovakian President’s Palace

The Presidential Palace in Slovakia is also known as Grassalkovich Palace or the Slovakian White House. It is located just outside Bratislava’s old town and is a pretty special building. It has a pleasant garden to walk around towards the rear. Antal Grassalkovich built the palace in 1760.

At the front of the building is a fountain shaped like the Earth. They say this fountain is to symbolise freedom. The palace has many flags out the front and, at midday, a changing of the guard.

Wine Tasting & Tours

A popular thing to do in Slovakia is to learn about and try the various Slovak wines. The Romans first introduced the Slovaks to grapes and winemaking when they became part of the empire. Since then, the country’s wine has evolved. A good place to try wines and to learn about winemaking in Slovakia is at the Slovak National Collection of Wines.

The Slovak National Collection of Wines in the capital is a museum, a shop and a wine-tasting experience all rolled into one. The collection includes the top 100 Slovak wines, all of which are available for tasting. Also, there is the option of buying a few bottles to take home. You can find many other wine tour options in Slovakia. You can find many of these options listed on the Viator website.

Travel Tips

• Free ATMs can help you save some money when visiting. We found that many smaller bars preferred cash outside of the main tourist areas.
• There are many options for laundrettes in Slovakia, which are handy if you are travelling light and need to refresh your clothes.

Is Slovakia Worth Visiting?

In my experience, Slovakia is a lovely country to visit, with many places of interest. The capital, like most capital cities, offers plenty of sightseeing and activities. To complement the sights, the local Slovak cuisine and beers are delicious. As a bonus, it is pretty dog-friendly.