Slovakia / Slovenská republika – Let’s explore here
Slovakia is a mostly mountainous and hilly country in central Europe, dominated by the Tatra mountains. Because the landscape is so spectacular, much of the country has been given over to national parks. The Tatra Mountains contain 29 peaks higher than 8,200 feet (2,500 m) above sea level, and are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains. The highest point in Slovakia is Gerlachovský štít, at 8,709 ft (2,654m) above sea level.
It’s not a large country – we easily drove its entire width (length) in a day, and it only has a relatively small population. The country also has a long, varied and rich history that’s intertwined with many of its neighbours. It was formerly part of the Hungarian Kingdom and part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, as well as a joint country with Czechia – Czechoslovakia, before becoming an independent country in 1993 after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Current travels
We’ve created a blog for our visit to Slovakia. You may find it helpful, and you may pick up some tips, or more likely mistakes not to make that we’ve made 😉, including how not to get involved with the police first thing in the morning!
On our current road trip we travelled from from Český Krumlov in Czechia to Banská Bystrica – a pretty town in the centre of the country, avoiding all of the toll roads – an 8 hour journey though some wonderful countryside. We moved on to the Tatra mountains again – the opposite side from Morskie Oko in Poland. We then visited some of the many caves in the area – there are thousands apparently! – before heading South to Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka. Initially we wanted to visit Košice in the East, and the capital, Bratislava, but the storms prevented this, and we were forced to leave for Hungary.
This is a map of the route that we took through Slovakia
Banská Bystrica – Donovaly – Strba – Smižany – Spis Castle – Dobšinská Ice Cave – Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka. Bratislava
We really learned a lot about this outstandingly beautiful country, and met lots of people that, again, went well out of their way for us. People really are super friendly in times of need, and indeed just all the time we’re finding on this trip! 🙂
Our best places in Slovakia
Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka
Whilst it doesn’t have the most imposing or dramatic scenery, Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka is certainly the most chilled area of Slovakia that we visited – save for the storms! There’s low lying forested mountains, and castles in the area, and the people were second to none in friendliness terms!
Donovaly
Donovaly definitely made the biggest statement in Slovakia in our eyes. Whilst not as massive as the Tatra mountains, they were the most sheer sided and imposed on your like none others in the country. Some amazing roads to drive on too because of the shapes of the mountains.
Strba
The Tatra mountains are always impressive. If the weather had been better, we may have climbed them again (see our Poland blog), and we may have put this back to the number one spot in the country. there are lots of hiking trails throughout the mountains, ranging from very easy to extreme, to suit all tastes.
What’s it like to drive in Slovakia?
Driving in Slovakia is not a laid back ordered affair like it is in Czechia. Slovaks are much more aggressive in their driving – not as crazy as the Latvians, but impatient enough to take risks on blind corners. Partly this is because many of the roads are mountainous and twist back and forth. This makes it very difficult for larger vehicles to travel at speed. Partly its because there are people like us driving near the speed limit (which are only 30mph and 60mph) but admiring the views and not travelling directly to work at speed!
In Slovakia, they also let you drive on unmade roads and roads that are currently under construction, which can be interesting! Often there are sheer drops off the sides of mountains, with nothing to stop you but a randomly place traffic cone!
We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂
What currency do they use in Slovakia?
In Slovakia they use the Euro. The use of credit / debit cards is now widespread, although not guaranteed – have some cash just in case, particularly in café’s and restaurants. Traveller’s cheques are not generally accepted. There are lots of ATMs.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Slovakia?
They speak Slovak in Slovakia, although many also speak Hungarian, Russian and Czech. English is understood mainly in tourist areas.
What time zone is Slovakia in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Slovakia?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
Is wild camping legal in Slovakia?
Yes, wild camping is fine in Slovakia, although you should avoid national parks and natural reserves.
Is it safe to drink water in Slovakia?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Slovakia. Bottled water is also readily available across the country.
If you’ve got some awesome pictures, or some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!