Tourist Attractions in SlovakiaHistoric towns, Mountains, Caves, Rivers for rafting- it's Magic!
Tourist attractions in Slovakia cover a wonderful range of
It is a fascinating travel destination that more people should seek out.Situated so close to Austria and the Czech Republic,a Slovakia holiday has much to offer the tourist looking for something a little different, yet still featuring a high degree of comfort. Recommended Tourist Attractions in Slovakia
If you are wanting a holiday where hiking, and mountains feature, you will certainly find them in Slovakia. The
You really should spend a few days in this wonderfully picturesque country if you are travelling to Eastern Europe. Do you have a Slovakia travel experience to share? Funny, interesting, a “must do” activity......... or a gorgeous place to visit. We would love to read about it. CLICK HERE to tell us your story or write a review.You can upload photos too. Banska Bystrica - Central SlovakiaBanska Bystrica - lies in the Hron Valley.The picture postcard historic towns Banska Bystica and nearby Banska Stiavnica , their buildings set around town squares, are both lovely, though quite different. Banska Bystrica is best known as the centre of the 1944 Slovak National uprising. The focal point of this old city is namestie SNP, once the old medieval market place. 
You could be forgiven for wondering where the Banska Bystrica shops are! This large square, with clusters of restaurant seating, was the only visible sign of commercial activity. But look behind the arches of these soft, pinky cream, old plastered buildings.You will find them. At one end of the Square is the Clock Tower.It is a short climb to the top for an all encompassing view of Banska Bystrica, to the Tatra mountains in the distance. Try the Ice Cream! The ice cream shop right next to the entrance makes the most delicious fruit ice-creams- hazelnut, peach, lemon...............so many to choose from it is a good idea to try a scoop each of two or three flavours. Behind the tower, is what is left of the old castle. A main feature of Slovakia tourism is the many castles,where ever you turn, albeit many are now crumbling remnants of once glorious castles. 
There was talk of removing the black obelisk, which was put there by the Russians as a war memorial, and therefore all that the Slovaks would like to forget.Despite a wide variety of tourism activities in Slovakia there were surprisingly few English tourists...... most appeared to be either Czech or German. Our hosts live in a small town 12 kilometres from Banska Bystrica. Slovenska Lupca is best known for the Oravska castle that overlooks the town. Hronsek - a 17th Century Wooden Church
Hronsek - nearby is well worth a look. This beautiful, totally wooden Baroque style church was built in 1726 and has been well preserved . It is quite unique. Built in a cross design it church seats 1100 people. The organ, installed in 1763, is still in working order. I was fortunate to have a play on the organ, since my hostess was a local! It was carefully restored preserving the original character of the church, built without the use of iron nails. The church is typical of Scandinavian and German architecture. On the roof of the church ,sits a rooster –a symbol of the reformed church.
Banska Stiavnica - a UNESCO Heritage Town!Banska Stiavnica - is a real Slovakia tourism treasure with beautiful old buildings that have helped give it receive UNESCO protected status. A restoration programme is in place, as many of the buildings, originating from the days when it was a gold and silver mining town, have fallen into disrepair. It is a pleasant town to wander, especially the gardens, and the Aboreatum with huge old redwoods trees .Bartolomej Mines and Zvolen make a good day trip!
There were quite a lot of steps and you are in very confined quarters. But it was fascinating seeing the museum and conditions that miners had worked in. The Zamok or Chateau at Zvolen is near the Bartolomej mines and a beautiful example of an earlier era. With a museum on the ground level built up by the owners – the Esterhazy family,the living quarters upstairs were presented much as they were when this beautiful building was a home. It is a view of life before the Slovak National Uprising when it was taken over to be used into a fortress. Many rooms now house art works. Visit the Mint at KremnicaKremnica - was an important gold mining town in the Middles Ages. The main buildings are set around a town square overlooked by Mestsky Hrad, a lovely old castle set above the town.The queues were quite long, but we wandered the gardens. The most interesting feature was the Town mint built before 1434. It has been turned into a feature for Slovakia tourism with it's fascinating little museum which includes a coinage hall and old mint machines. You can actually press a coin yourself for a keepsake! The High Tatra Mountains are BeautifulStrbske Pleso - is the highest community in the Tatra Mountains. Situated around the lake, it is on the Electric Railway that runs through the Tatra Mountains. With its many bars, restaurants and shops, Strbske Pleso makes an excellent base for anyone wanting to explore the Tatra Mountains............a centrepiece of Slovakia tourism.
Bilikova chata - at Stary Smokovec in Hrebienok, Vysoke Tatry ( High Tatras) is a beautiful traditional wooden restaurant. This whole mountain area is just magnificent with a wonderful walk down to a rushing river and waterfall. The Grand Hotel is striking, set against the mountains as a back drop. It was here in the Hotel Ariana we tasted our first traditional Slovak meal of Halusky which are dumplings made from sheep’s cheese. It is made with a special pan, and eaten with bacon. Chopok-JasnaChopok - is in the Low Tatras.It is a huge system of mountains with the highest peaks more than 2000 m above sea.It is a popular ski resort in winter, while in summer it is great for hikingYou can take the funicular cable car built in 1936 to Chopok from Demanovska dolina. 
Hotel Srdiecko is on the South side of Chopok, 1213 m above sea level and you can have meals and drinks. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel is the bottom station of the 4 Srdiecko - Kosodrevina -chairlift and exit station of the Krupova – Srdiecko ski-lift, operated also for evening skiing.We walked up and had the satisfaction of reaching the height marker! After lunch and a look around, we caught the chairflift down, rewarded with magnificent views. The hotel environs are suitable for
Chopok is open for tourists all-year long. In summer, spring and autumn the visitors enjoy
On the northern slopes of Chopok there are 3 well equipped ski areas. Liptov - area has a plethora of sights, cultural attractions, spas, thermal swimming pools. Demanovska dolina - is famous for it's two caves - the Cave of Freedom and the unique Ice Cave.......both are open to public. Vychlovka Historic Steam TrainVychlovka - includes a skanzen of an old village, as well as an old steam railway, which in the past was used to transport wood throughout the Orava region.Our daughter was fortunate to have a week here when in Slovakia on a work programme helping with railway restoration work. Today, Vychylovka is an interesting tourist attraction, with a half hour ride on the historic steam train. Visit the "Cage of Shame" at Levoca
Levoca - is one of the oldest Slovak towns.Starting at the Kosice gatehouse, you can explore the many historic houses around the square, and if you are there in June, you may be able to take part in the annual pilgrimage . The Spis area dates back to the Stone Age!. This town is rich in Slovak history. The “cage of shame” was used in the 16th -17th centuries to publically shame those who behaved badly or trespassed. Hotel Arkada was where we enjoyed some icecreams served by these lovely young girls dressed up in their medievil costumes
Castles of SlovakiaBojnice Castle - is a stunning fairytale castle, in the town of the same name, and a National Cultural Monument. Built in several stages, as many European castles and churches were, it dates back to at least 1113. The tours covered different sections. We saw the main areas of this huge castle which included beautiful ornate plaster ceilings in a chapel.
The Slovensky Bethlehem - was a delightful piece of art, carved out of wood , with moving parts, depicting not only the birth of the baby Jesus, but also the country of Slovakia. It is in the village of Rajecka Lesna ,about 15 miles south of Zilina.Another gem Slovakia Tourism marks on their map of must do's.
Slovensky RajThe Slovensky Raj ( Slovak Paradise) - is yet another beautiful Slovakia Tourism adventure location. This National Park with waterfalls, gorges, canyons and beautiful forests is popular for hikers.
There is skiing nearby and many hikes and walks. You can climb up waterfalls, on the narrow wooden steps installed, until you come out onto an expansive grass area at the top, complete with picnic tables, a small shop and with magnificent views. We took the chairlift back down which gave the waterfalls and forest we had just climbed through, a different perspective.
ACCOMMODATION at STARA LESNA Stara Lesna's - Pension Vila Tatra was a very pleasant, homely place to stay. As there were 13 of us, it was large enough to accommodate us all, which was lovely.It was very central for sightseeing in the area.
Slovakia tourism has a wide variety of accommodation .Check the search box at Slovakia Travel.
One of Slovakia's Spa RetreatsTourist attractions in Slovakia include a good variety of natural mineral spas around the country.The Korytnica Spa - has been used since the second part of the 19th century. The first spa buildings were built in 1824. After two great fires in 1911 and 1921, a large part of the spa was destroyed. More late the thermal complex was restored again. The Korytnica Spa is situated in the national Park of Low Tatras under the Prasiva mountain, 30 kilometres from Banska Bystrica. We enjoyed a swim in the warm waters, including a cave like pool.The massage that accompanied the swim was very welcome at the end of a long day. Vlkolinec - A Heritage VillageVlkolinec - was included in the World's cultural heritage list of UNESCO in 1993 due to the country folk heritage. Slovakia Tourism would advocate a visit to this picturesque village,situated near the town of Ruzomberok. We met up with Elenka’s family and wandered the town which is like a living historic village. Vlkolinec is known for its well preserved wooden architecture , where there are 40 wooden houses from 15th to 19th century, although they look identical from the outside. The village was first written about in 1376. In the 18th century two hundred and eighty people lived here.Now there is only about 20 and they are part of a Slovakia tourism model village.Part of the village was burnt in 1944 during the Second World War. In the village is a wooden Bell Tower dating from 1770 that dominates this unusual village. Beyond the Bell Tower there is the Church of the Virgin Mary built in 1875. The Well was built with wooden logs in 1860, while the Museum is situated in the Farmer’s House with a historical exhibition about the village and an information office. Caves in SlovakiaSlovakia Tourism mentions 14 caves open to the public. I went to three of those.There is every thing from an ice cave to one of only three arangonite caves in the world.
The Domica cave - in the province of Roznava, near the small town Plesivic was discovered in 1926 by Jan Majko, and opened to the public in 1932 adding another Slovakia tourism experience. Together with the Baradla cave in Hungary, they are part of a unique complex with a total length of 23 km, of which seven kilometres is in Slovakia. This gorgeous cave has many stalactites and its underground cavern has been created by two rivers - the Styx and Domica . Slovakia tourism introduced Ochtinska Aragonite Cave in 1995The aragonite cave is situated in the attractive landscape of the Slovak Metalliferous Mountains (Slovenske Rudohorie) between Jelsava and Stitnik.There are only three caves of this type accessible to the public in the world. The other two are situated in Mexico and in Argentina. ARAGONITE is a less common crystalline form of calcium carbonate than calcite.There are regular 45 minute tours daily except Monday.
The aragonite cave is not the classic cave of stalactites or stalagmites, but has sticks of the aragonite, and small bursts of the white aragonite formations. There are three types: kidney-shaped (138 thousand years old), needle-shaped (13 thousand years old) and spiral forms. The Milky Way Hall is beautiful with the characteristic oval formations. It given its name because of the long crack in the ceiling, where the white aragonites formations shine like the stars in the Milky Way. The Dobsinska Ice Cave The largest part of the cave was discovered in 1870 and immediately attracted a lot of attention. Thanks to the Dobsina town the cave was open to the public already in 1871, just a year after its was discovered. In the Big Hall or ice chamber ,there is ice in the form of ground ice, ice waterfalls, ice stalagmites and columns, the thickest layer of ice is 26,5 m thick. Other parts of the cave are named Small Hall, the Big Hall, the Hall of Rufiny and the House destroyed. The karst section has Stalactites Hall, the White Hall, the Dry House, and the Hell. Listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2000 it is a popular cave for tourists. Rafting another Slovakia Tourism Adventure
Rafting is a popular Slovakia tourism activity. We had a fun rafting experience rafting on the River Hron. We all climbed into a large rubber raft, and the men used poles to push us down the river, with some help from the flow. When Lacko tumbled backwards into the water, it was fortunately not very deep. Although it didn’t do his watch and camera a lot of good! Later we were to raft down the Dunajec River.( Danube) Pieniny National Park - was founded in 1967, and covers 3750 hectares - the Pieniny and Spisska Magura mountain ranges. The biggest attraction for tourists is rafting on the Dunajec river on wooden rafts leaving from the historical monument of Cerveny Klastor - the Red Monastery from the small village Lesnica. From Lesnica it is possible to return to Cerveny Klastor on foot following the tourist path, with the rented bicycles or with the coach.Rafting down the Dunajec is a must when you visit Slovakia. The Dunajec river marks the international boundary between Slovakia and Poland Another rafting trip was complete with a man akin to a gondelier, guiding the raft down the river, under the crumbling castles.
NOTE I apologise to Slovak people. I do not have the inflections on my computer, to spell your words correctly. Can't find the page you want? CLICK HERE to do a SITESEARCH. If you still have a question you can CONTACT ME HERE.
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