Travel to Slovakia

Slovakia, officially known as the Slovak Republic, is a Central European country. It shares borders with a few other countries like Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, and Hungary. The capital and largest city of Slovakia is Bratislava. Slovakia is a member of several notable organizations including the European Union, Schengen Area, the Eurozone, United Nations, WTO, and NATO, to name a few. Explore what attractions and sites to visit during your travel to Slovakia.

The earliest record of history in the country dates back to the 5 republics of Slovakia were integrated with Hungary in the 10 known as the Austro­Hungarian Empire.

Slovaks enjoy a high standard of living due to its high-income economy. The country’s economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The country also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe and the world, which went down to 7.5% in 2008. Today, it continues to attract foreign investors due to its low tax, low wage and a highly educated labor force.

Currency: Euro

Official Language: Slovak is the official language in Slovakia.

Wi­Fi Availability: It is easy to get free Wi­Fi access from hotels and resorts in Slovakia. You can also get internet access from coffee shops and cafes.

Airport/s: Tourists that travel to Slovakia do not actually land in a Slovakian airport. The most commonly used transit airport for those who travel to Slovakia are Vienna International Airport and Budapest Ferihegy Airport.

Visa Required: Slovakia is part of the Schengen Area; therefore, all holders of the Schengen passport are allowed to travel to Slovakia without a visa. Only citizens from the US, Canada, UK and Australia are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel to Slovakia for a maximum of 90 days stay.

Driving: The people of Slovakia drive on the right side of the road.

International Driver’s License Accepted? You cannot use foreign ­issued driver’s license in Slovakia without an international driver’s license.

Crime: Slovakia has a history of relatively low crime, especially by Central European standards. The strict enforcement of law enforcement agencies and secret services help fight crime in Slovakia, especially those of organized crimes.

Electrical Adapters: Slovakia has an electrical currency of 230 volts and 50 Hertz. They also use the C and E plug types.

Trivia: There are hundreds of caves in Slovakia. Most of these caves are underneath the mountains in the country. In fact, there are five caves in Slovakia that are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Slovakian Cuisine

Travel to Slovakia

The cuisine in Slovakia is pretty distinctive and varied depending on the region. It has several influences from its neighboring countries. However, traditional Slovak cuisine is dependent on a few staple food items (due to the self­sufficient villages that used little-imported food products and had no means of processing or preservation). Among the staple food items in Slovakia are milk (and milk products), wheat, onion, pork meat, potatoes, and sauerkraut. They also like to cook with mushrooms, poultry, lamb, beef, and lots of vegetables.

Slovak cuisine is not known to use a lot of spices. Also, they like to substitute cooking oils with animal fat or butter. Popular Slovak dishes include the following:

  • Rezen or breaded schnitzel
  • Lokse or potato pancakes cooked in the oven
  • Bryndzove halusky or potato dumplings with sheep’s milk cheese
  • Segedin Goulash or Hungarian pork stew with sour cream sauce
  • Fazulova or bean soup

Travel to Slovakia: Top Tourist Attractions

Travel to Slovakia

High Tatras – This is a mountain range located in the Presov region, which is near the border of Poland. It offers a spectacular view for the adventure­seeking tourists traveling to Slovakia.

Bratislava Castle – This is the main castle of Slovakia, which is located in the capital city of Bratislava. This castle is notable for its architectural design that is basically a rectangular building with four towers located at each corner of the building.

Dobsinska Ice Cave – This ice cave is another popular tourist attraction in Slovakia. It is located in the mining town of Dobsina and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Michael’s Gate – This is the sole remaining medieval fortification in Slovakia. Therefore, it is also one of the oldest surviving structures in the town of Bastova.

Slovak Paradise – This is another mountain range that is frequented by tourists in Slovakia. It acts as a major subdivision for the Western Carpathians.

Most SNP – This cable­stayed bridge is one of the most iconic structures of modern times in Slovakia. It is also popularly referred to as the UFO bridge. This road bridge in Bratislava travels above the Danube river.

Where To Go: Slovakia

Online Resources for Slovakia