SLOVAKIA

HIGHLIGHTS

THE SLOVAK PARADISE

Completely overlooked by most visitors to Slovakia, the Slovak Paradise might just be the country's hidden highlight!

 

Underneath a dense forest canopy, intrepid travellers will find absolute pristine hiking opportunities.

 

Free-standing iron ladders, metal steps, and wooden walkways will lead you deep into this enchanted land of gorges, streams, and waterfalls, creating an unforgettable adventure.

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CAVES OF THE SLOVAK KARST

Even though the Slovak Karst is home to over a thousand known caves, onyl a view have been opened to the public.

 

Whether it is colourful dripstone decorations, millimetre-thin straw stalactites giving the illusion of rain, or mesmerizing ice sculptures, every cave is unique in its own right. 

 

Descend into these subterranean wonderlands and get awed by Mother Nature's spectacular creations.

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SPIŠ CASTLE

East of the Tatra mountains, in Slovakia's historical Spiš country, lies one of Europe's biggest castles.

 

Perched on a jagged limestone cliff, this masterpiece of medieval architeture was never conquered, due to its formidable natural, as well as man-made defences.

 

Walk along its outer wall, wander through its once majestic halls and corridors, and revel in the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

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ESSENTIALS

VISA | There are no visa requirements for European countries with the exception of Belarus, the Kosovo, and Russia. European countries outside the EU can stay up to 90 days in Slovakia.


If you are a resident of a non-European country check Passport Index for a quick overview.

MONEY | Currency: Euro. ATMs can be found in every major town and Debit/Credit cards are widely accepted. You will need cash for buses, however.

Public Transport | The easiest way to get around Slovakia is by train, connecting all major cities in the country, as well as several smaller towns and villages (although less frequent). Moreover, ticket prices are extremely affordable (calculate roughly 2,5€ for half an hour).

 

Bus terminals can be found next to most major train stations, allowing you to visit pretty much the entirety of Slovakia without relying on a car. In addition, both trains and buses are extremely punctual (in my experience), making it very reliable and enjoyable to travel around Slovakia using public transport.

 

Train tickets can either be bought in the train station or on the train itself, while bus tickets are purchased directly on the bus. Train tickets are valid for a full day, providing you with a lot of flexibility.

| SLOVAKIA TRAVEL TIP

 

If you are planning to visit northwestern Slovakia, be aware that you won’t find any hostels up there and accomodation can get relatively expensive, when you are travelling on a budget.

 

However, train tickets are extremely cheap and distances quite short. Therefore, I strongly suggest to use Bratislava as a base for day trips to cities like Trnava, Trenčin, as well as the many ruins and castles in the area.

 

Book yourself into a hostel close to the main train station and you are all set to explore this cultural rich part of the country, while retaining your budget.

| SLOVAKIA TRAVEL TIP 2

 

If you are using trains and buses, make sure to download the Cestovné poriadky CP app. This little application will be your most reliable source regarding the train and bus schedule of Slovakias public transport system.

 

It helps tremendously with your planning, combining buses and trains, to bring you as fast as possible to your desired destination and back.

 

The app also displays delays, diversions and similar infos that might be important for travellers. 

 

 Travelling by public transport has never been easier.

HISTORY OF SLOVAKIA

ANTIQUITY

380-453
Migration period

Various people settle in the Carpathian basin in the wake of the great migration period. The region is dominated by the Huns until the death of their infamous leader Attila.

5th century
Arrival of the Slavs

The first Slavic tribes arrive in the eastern reaches of modern-day Slovakia.

Middle ages

6th/7th century
The Avar Khaganate

Following Attila's death, the Hun tribes slowly disappear from the region. In the ensuing century, the vacuum is filled by the Avars, who establish a Khaganate encompassing a considerable part of Eastern and Central Europe.

623-658
Samo's Empire

The western Slavic tribes rally under the leadership of Samo, a Frankish merchant, and revolt against their Avar overlords. The tribal union forms the first Slavic state, however, following Samo's death, the realm breaks apart soon after.

8th century
Principalities of Nitra and Moravia

The region experiences an Avar resurgence, and the principalities of Nitra and Moravia form.

833-907
Great Moravian Empire

Mojmír I, consolidates his power in Moravia and extends his influence southward into the principality of Nitra, creating the Great Moravian Empire.

863
Cyril and Methodius

Saints Cyril and Methodius arrive in Slovakia, create the first Slavic alphabet, and translate the Bible into Old Slavonic, thereby playing an integral part in the Christianization of Slovakia. 

10th century
Fall of Moravia

Due to internal strife, the Great Moravian Empire falls apart and is slowly incorporated into the emerging Hungarian Kingdom.

Modern era

11th century-1918
Hungarian rule

Slovakia is fully annexed by the Magyars and remains a vital part of the kingdom until the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Rich in natural resources, Slovakia flourishes and becomes one of the economic and cultural centres of Hungary.

after 1241
Settler influx

In the aftermath of the Mongol invasion, settlers from Eastern and Central Europe arrive and establish themselves in depopulated areas. Especially German settlers play a critical role in the development of towns and cities, using their administrative and economic expertise.

1541
A new capital

Ottoman armies seize Buda and occupy large parts of the kingdom. Pressburg (Bratislava) becomes the new capital and remains so for almost 300 years.

18th century
Emergence of Slovak identity

A Slovak identity starts to form, and during the Hungarian Revolt of 1848, Slovak nationalists support the Austrians hoping to separate from Hungary within the Habsburg Empire.

1867
Austro-Hungarian Compromise

Following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, the Habsburg empire is transformed into a dual monarchy, crushing all hopes for an independent Slovakia. Due to their role in the 1848 revolt and Hungarian fear of Pan-Slavism, oppression against Slovaks starts to ramp up.

1896
Czecho-Slovak Mutuality

In need of an ally, Slovakia looks towards Bohemia, and in 1896 the concept of Czecho-Slovak Mutuality is formulated.

1918-1938
Czecho-Slovakia

In the wake of World War I, the first Czecho-Slovak Republic is founded. However, apparent demographic, economic, and political disparities in favour of Prague, lead to growing discontent among the Slovakian population. 

1938-1945
World War II

Czechoslovakia dissolves for the first time when Germany annexes the Sudetenland (a predominantly German region in Czechia). Although, Slovakia nominally becomes an independent nation, her foreign policy is controlled by Germany, and the country not only supports the Third Reich in their efforts against the Soviet Union but also deports tens of thousands of Jews to Poland.

Contemporary history

1948-1989
Communist era

After winning the first free election, the communists take advantage of an inner-political crisis and gain complete control over the country's institutions by 1948. Czechoslovakia effectively transforms into a Soviet satellite state, and over the next four decades, Moscow strengthens its grip on the nation by purging the military apparatus of pro-Western personnel, suppressing the church, and blighting any opposition.

1968
The Prague Spring

Proposed political, social, and economic reforms by Alexander Dubček, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, lead to the brief occupation of the country by concerned members of the Warsaw Pact.

1989-1990
Velvet Revolution

In the wake of anti-communist protests across Eastern Europe, Czecho-Slovakia erupts in revolt, resulting in the resignation of Gustav Husak, leader of the Communist Party, and free elections in 1990. 

1992
Velvet Divorce

Due to rising tensions between political parties and ethnicities, the new policymakers soon realize that a new constitution serving both Slovaks and Czechs seems increasingly unlikely, thus the two countries part ways once more, an event later called the Velvet Divorce.

2004
EU and NATO

Slovakia becomes a member state of both the EU and NATO.

MEDIEVAL HERITAGE
NATURAL BEAUTY

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