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Slovakia map & highlights

Slovakia can be roughly divided into the lowlands of the south (Danube, Bratislava, wine regions, the Hungarian border), and the mountains of the north (High Tatras, Pieniny National Park, Slovak Paradise National Park, the Polish border). Find out about the highlights in the highlands and lowlands of this brilliant Central European country.

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Slovakia map & highlights

You can whizz through Slovakia on a bike, following the Danube from Austria en route to Hungary, or you can also just stop. Because, if we could choose this country’s strapline, ‘SlowVakia’ would be it. And steep, of course, with those tantalising High Tatras Mountains beckoning hikers in summer and cross country skiers in winter. The medieval culture of its capital, churches, castles and country lifestyles is on tap all year round. Slovakia is great value for families too, whether you are rafting down the Pieninský National Park’s Dunajec gorge, husky sledding through the winter wilderness of Slovak Paradise National Park or exploring wild rivers in searing summer heat.

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1. Bratislava
2. High Tatras Mountains
3. Pieniny National Park
4. Slovak Paradise National Park
5. Spis region
6. Stary Smokovec

Bratislava

1. Bratislava

This medieval capital is close to Austrian and Hungarian borders, and popular for those taking on the Danube Cycle Route. With traffic free, cobbled streets, historic squares, ancient narrow dwellings, red tiled rooftops, churches from every era and a bevy of breweries, it is quite the EU hangout. The castle was a historical hangout for many too, with renaissance, baroque and gothic gorgeousness throughout.

Bratislava

High Tatras Mountains

2. High Tatras Mountains

A natural border between Poland and Slovakia, this mountainous magnificence proffers the highest peaks in the Carpathians. Protected by the Tatra National Park, a pretty patchwork of hiking routes, the highest peak is Gerlachovský štít (2,654m), only to be tackled by experts. The second highest, Lomnický štít, is accessible by cable car, and the Belianske Tatras are popular for cross country skiing and dog sledding.

Pieniny National Park

3. Pieniny National Park

The smallest national park in Slovakia but thinking big in terms of adventure. Its somewhat dashing Dunajec gorge, Central Europe’s longest canyon, cuts quite a fine figure on the European circuit of white water wanderlusters. Traditional wooden rafting trips here have been happening for centuries. Start your rafting trip in the village of Cervený Kláštor, with its monastery and Museum of National Culture.

Pieniny National Park

Slovak Paradise National Park

4. Slovak Paradise National Park

This limestone land of caves, waterfalls, rivers and ravines, makes explorers ecstatic. From spelunking cave fanatics to mountain biking pumpers, it’s all happening in paradise. Bear Grylls would have a field day here, crossing ravines and rivers using old wooden bridges and ladders, creepers and chains. With 350 caves, only the Dobšinská Ice Cave, a UNESCO site, is open to the public.

Spis region

5. Spis region

Poprad and its international airport is the center, but this region is home to a collection of hillside villages, all gorgeous gateways to the High Tatras. Spišská Sobota is just one of many medieval revelations where you can sit in a pretty square, visit an ancient church and sip a Slovakian brew. In complete contrast, AquaCity in Poprad, the biggest geothermally heated waterpark you will ever see, is something else.

Spis region

Stary Smokovec

6. Stary Smokovec

This small, mountain resort town in the High Tatras, is the perfect antidote to the downhill debacle of some of Europe’s other mountain ranges. From here you can take on a wide array of cross country skiing trails, leading off to the Levoca Mountains and Slovak Paradise National Park, where the snow wrapped forests, meadows and hills befit the name. All of these trails become hiking heavens in summer.