Slovakia Unveiled: Castles, Mountains, and Medieval Towns

If there’s a European country that flies under the radar but over-delivers on every level, it’s Slovakia. Slovakia isn't the first European destination most people think of and honestly it hasn't been top of our list over the last 20 years of travelling but we finally made it to Slovakia in May 2025 and were pleasantly surprised! Below is our itinerary of where we visited, stayed and our highlights.

Nestled in the heart of Central Europe, this small yet stunning nation offers a mix of medieval towns, dramatic mountain landscapes, hearty cuisine, and a refreshingly authentic travel experience.

Pro tips:

• If you are driving (like we did) then you will need to hop online and purchase and eVignette for the period that you will be in the country and for when you are driving on highways

• English was generally spoken widely

• The euro is the currency and was credit cards were generally widely accepted

• Weather was cool and rainy when were there in late May and even light snow in the Tatra mountains so pack accordingly

• Grab a travel eSIM to make travelling easier - we always use SIMIFY and they are offering $10 off with this code here

Bratislava (2 days)

Bratislava, the capital perched along the banks of the Danube. Compact, walkable, and full of personality, the city's Old Town feels like a fairy tale with its pastel buildings, cobbled lanes, and quirky statues. Here is our Instagram Post on our trip to Bratislava.

Where to stay: VIP Apartments.

These apartments are right in the centre of the old town beside Michael's Gate. The apartment had a kitchen and washing machine. Parking is a few hundred meters away in the public car park (for about 20 euros per day).

Day 1: Explore the Old Town, Bratislava Castle and Danube River

Morning:

• Stroll through Old Town (Staré Mesto):

  • Michael’s Gate – the last remaining medieval gate.

  

  St Michael's Gate

  • Main Square (Hlavné námestie) – with the Roland Fountain and colorful architecture.

  • Stop at quirky statues like Čumil (peeping Tom) and Schöne Náci.

  

  Peeping Tom

• St. Martin’s Cathedral – the coronation church of Hungarian kings.

Lunch: Modrá Hviezda – tucked below the castle, traditional Slovak fare with a view.

Afternoon:

• Bratislava Castle (Bratislavský hrad) – explore the grounds, exhibitions, and panoramic views over the Danube and Austria.

• Stop to admire the 'futuristic' New Bridge which connects the old city to the Petržalka district. At the top of the bridge resides what many consider to be the real attraction: the UFO. Inside is a restaurant and a skybar with a splendid view of the Danube.

New Bridge - View from Castle

• Walk down through Zámocké schody (Castle Stairs) to return to Old Town.

Dinner: Zylinder – upscale Slovak-Austro-Hungarian cuisine. Afterwards walk along the Danube promenade or have dinner / drinks at the skybar atop the New Bridge.

Day 2: Explore Bratislava's Architecture and Culture

Morning

• Grassalkovich Palace itself is considered a masterpiece of Bratislava. Surrounded by beautiful gardens with statues and benches and characterised by a spherical fountain, the palace is targeted by tourists every year, especially at the eagerly awaited moment of the changing of the guard, at 1 p.m.

• Walk to the Blue Church in Bratislava, dedicated to St Elizabeth of Hungary and built in Art Nouveau style. It won't be hard to recognise it, with its distinctive blue exterior facades!

  

  Blue Church

  Lunch: Bratislavsky Mestiansky Pivovar is not far from the Blue Church.

  Afternoon

• The Slovak National Theatre captivates with its exterior façade adorned with busts of illustrious musicians such as Liszt, Mozart, and other figures from the artistic and literary scene such as Goethe, Shakespeare and Katona.

• National History Museum or National Gallery

  Dinner: Bratislava Flagship Restaurant – huge portions of Slovak classics in a former cinema hall.

If you have an additional day, you could also catch a train or bus to Vienna. We caught an 8am Flixbus and was back in Bratislava around 6pm.

Day 3 - Trenčín

Trenčín is only a short drive or train trip from Bratislava. Trenčín, Slovakia’s charming northwest town, is a perfect mix of medieval history, riverside relaxation, and Central European flair. Dominated by one of the country's most impressive castles, Trenčín is ideal for a day trip or a quiet overnight stay. We really loved this little town.

Where to stay: Apartmán s átriom v historickom centre. This apartment has spectacular views of the Trenčín Castle and also provides a kitchen and washing machine. There is free parking about 200 meters from the apartment.

1. Mierové Námestie (Peace Square)

   • The heart of Trenčín’s Old Town has colourful facades, fountains, shops, and cozy cafés.

   • Don’t miss the Plague Column and Town Hall – both great photo spots.

2.  Trenčín Castle (Trenčiansky hrad) - Perched on a steep hill, this medieval fortress dominates the town’s skyline.

3. Roman Inscription (Laugaricio) - inside the Hotel Elizabeth (take the elevator to the first floor). Hidden in plain sight on the castle rock wall, this ancient Roman inscription dates back to 179 AD, commemorating the victory of Marcus Aurelius’s legion.

4. Váh River Promenade - Walk along the riverbank for beautiful views of the castle and town.

   
   

Day 4 - Bojnice and Orava Castle, Štrbské Pleso 

Slovakia’s Bojnice Castle and Orava Castle are two of the country’s most iconic fairy‑tale fortresses—each offering a unique mix of medieval history, dramatic architecture, and captivating legends.

First stop after leaving Trencin is Bojnice Castle (1 hr drive). Think French castles, Bojnice is a romantic, Gothic‑Renaissance fairytale castle dating back to the 12th century, but significantly redesigned by Count Pálffy between 1889–1910. There are plenty of restaurants and markets near Bojnice Castle and you can do a tour inside.

Bojnice Castle

From Bojnice to Orava Castle is about a 2-hour drive. Orava Castle has some wonderful medieval exhibits inside and breathtaking views from top. You will need to pay for parking.

Finish the day with a drive to Štrbské Pleso (about 1 1/2 hrs from Orava Castle), often called the gateway to the High Tatras. While the Štrbské Pleso itself is quiet, its proximity to Slovakia’s most iconic mountains makes it a perfect base.

Where to stay: Penzion Pleso

Where to eat: Furkotka

Day 5 - Štrbské Pleso 

Start the day with an easy walk around the lake. In summer, rent a paddle boat or rowboat. There isn't alot of places to park the car, but we found a lot near the restaurant Koliba Patria.

Afterwards, ride the ski lift or cable car up to Predné Solisko (~1,810 m) for panoramic views, photo ops, and as a base for hikes. Štrbské Pleso is a great base for hikes.

If you aren't into hiking or the weather isn't great then drive into Poprad. There is a Aquacity waterpark in town that is indoors.

The weather is much cooler in this region. We were here in May, and one day we had beautiful fine weather and the next day snow!

Where to eat: Koliba Zerucha

Day 6 - Spiš Castle and Kosice

Drive to Spiš Castle (about 1 hr from Štrbské Ples), which is one of the largest castle ruins in Central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Towering over the surrounding countryside, the castle offers panoramic views that stretch for miles. Walking through its crumbling walls, towers, and courtyards, you can imagine the footsteps of knights and nobles. The on-site museum offers context, with artifacts and models that bring the history to life. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but that’s part of the magic — no tour buses, no souvenir overload, just wind, history, and stone.

From Spis, the drive to Košice is just under an hour. Kosice is Slovakia’s second-largest city and a cultural gem. The city’s pride is St. Elisabeth Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Slovakia, and the centerpiece of Hlavná ulica, Košice’s main street lined with fountains, galleries, and cafes.

Slovakia is a land of contrasts — between its cities and countryside, its past and present, its grandeur and simplicity. Whether you're tracing the spires of Gothic cathedrals, soaking in a mountain spa, or exploring the ruins of a medieval fortress, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered something special — because you have.

Where to stay: City Residence Apartment Hotel

So if you're looking for an authentic European escape with soul, scenery, and storybook charm, make sure Slovakia is on your travel list. It might just surprise you like it did us!