Slovakia tours & holidays
Set against a backdrop of wooden churches, brooding forests and snow-capped peaks, Slovakia is a land where folktales come to life
Boasting ancient castle ruins, cool street art and an array of cafés and bars, Slovakia offers an opportunity to discover a relatively tourist-free region of Europe. With its mix of old and new, Bratislava’s quirky character and the tremendous peaks of the Tatra Mountains, Slovakia easily captivates its travellers.
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Explore tailor-made tripsSlovakia at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Bratislava (population 460,000)
POPULATION
5.4 million
CURRENCY
EUR
LANGUAGE
Slovak
TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) Belgrade, Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Prague
CALLING CODE
+421
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)
Learn more about Slovakia
Best time to visit Slovakia
Slovakia enjoys four very distinct seasons. Summers are blissfully warm with July and August the most popular times to visit.
To skip the crowds, travel in spring and autumn. Be sure to bring warmer clothes, as nights can get quite cold, especially in the mountains.
Slovakia turns into a white wonderland over winter and temperatures drop below freezing. Excessive snow cuts off the Tatra Mountains from November to March.
Geography and environment
Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, stretches out into the lowlands, where the Danube rolls past farms and meadows. Further to the north and west, the country abounds with natural beauty, including the Tatra Mountains, lakes, forests and caves. The Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine and Austria are all within easy reach of this tiny landlocked country and Vienna is easily reached as a day trip from Bratislava.
Top 5 places to visit in Slovakia
1. The Tatra Mountains
With soaring peaks, thick forests and hillside villages, the Tatra Mountains are straight out of a storybook. Stretch the legs with a hilly hike or take a funicular to one of the heady peaks.
2. Hidden treasures
Bratislava is filled with hidden treasures. Search out the curious Peeping Tom statues poking out from doorways and manholes. And be sure to look up when walking past older buildings, you might see a cannonball, courtesy of Napoleon, still embedded in the walls.
3. Bratislava Castle
Perched high above the city on a rocky outcrop is the grand Bratislava Castle. Walk around the grounds for sweeping views all the way to Hungary.
4. Devin Castle
The rocky ruins of this 13th-century castle conjure up images of dragons, witches and epic quests. Take a boat along the Danube for your own adventure and look up at the ruins on a river cruise.
5. Danube River
One of Europe’s mightiest rivers winds its way past forests, cliffs and castles. Take a walk or hire a bike to cycle along its banks.
Slovakia travel FAQs
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their adventure. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
Learn more about travel insurance
Tipping in restaurants is becoming more common in Slovakia. Leave around 10%.
Internet access is good in Slovakia. Internet cafes can be found all over the country.
Slovakia has excellent mobile phone coverage. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone.
Slovakia has western-style flushable toilets. Keep loose change handy to pay for public toilets.
Yes, tap water is considered safe to drink.
Credit cards are widely accepted.
There’s good access to ATMs in nearly all towns and cities.
We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.
We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Travelling from Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
Yes, all Intrepid trips support The Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made.
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles to those who need them most, specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions.