5 Great Reasons to Visit Slovakia

Slovakia may not be one of the most popular destinations in Europe, but there's no reason why you shouldn't drop by. In fact, here are five reasons to visit Slovakia.

The Capital City of Bratislava

Most of those who visit Slovakia find themselves in the beautiful capital city of Bratislava, which alone has many attractions to offer for tourists. The most popular one is the imposing Bratislava Castle which dates back to the first century and offers breathtaking views of the city, particularly the Old Town, where you can also find the remarkable Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral, Mirbach Palace, the pink Primate's Palace, St. Michael's Tower and various other monuments. The city also has many green spaces and nearby forests that provide a sanctuary for relaxation, as well as excellent museums like the Slovak National Museum and National Gallery.

Other popular cities in Slovakia include historic Banska Bystrica, Kosice, with its magnificent St. Elizabeth Cathedral, and the cities of Levoca, Nitra and Trencin, which all have their share of must-see medieval architecture.

Vysoke Tatry

Next to Bratislava, the region of the Vysoke Tatry or High Tatras draws the most tourists each year. This is because it offers a wonderful alpine climate, amazing views and various opportunities for recreation. For those who love the outdoors, a climb up Krivan, its most beautiful peak, is recommended, or a hike along one of the many winding, scenic trails during summer, while facilities for skiing and other winter sports are available in winter. For those who simply want to relax, just sit back and savor the views from the train or one of the cable cars. If you're lucky, you might spot chamois and rare birds in the distance.

Caves

There are also several caves which you can explore in Slovakia - fourteen, to be exact, and five of them are considered World Heritage Sites. These include the Dobsinska Ice Cave, the first electrically illuminated cave in the world with its many astonishing ice structures; Ochtinska Cave in the World, the largest aragonite cave in the world with glittering oval formations in its Milky Way Hall; the Domica Cave, with its House of Indian Pagodas; the Gombasecka Cave, which is widely used for speleotherapy; and the Jasovska Cave, which yielded many archaeological finds. The Demanova Cave, with its numerous stalactite formations, is the most visited cave, though, while the Vazecka Cave is just as interesting.

Architecture

Like many of the countries in Europe, Slovakia also has its own assortment of romantic castles. In fact, its Spis Castle is one of the largest in Central Europe, a World Heritage Site, and a popular film location. Other popular castles include Bojnice Castle, Trencin Castle and Nitra Castle, which, like Bratislava Castle, have a wealth of historical heritage, while Orava Castle and Cerveny Kamen Castle house excellent museums. Several, like Hradok Castle, give you the chance to spend the night in a unique and luxurious setting.

In contrast, you will also find many humble wooden churches when you visit Slovakia, particularly in the Svidnik province, which are just as worth seeing. One of the largest wooden structures in Central Europe can be found in the country, too - the Wooden Lutheran Church - while Podbiel has a collection of more than 70 well-preserved rustic houses. Although not entirely wooden, St. Jacob's Church in Levoca has the highest wooden altar in the world.

Handicrafts

The Slovaks are known for their creativity, which is evident in their folk handicrafts that make great souvenirs when you visit Slovakia. Consider buying a crpak (ornamented cup), fujara (folk woodwind instrument), valaska (a folk hatchet), kraslice (painted eggs), ceramics from Modra, or dolls in national costumes. Souvenir sets are also available.

About the Author

Isabella Olsen is a writer for various travel magazines who has been to global tourist destinations like Slovakia. To book your slovakia car hire or learn more about cheap car hire worldwide, visit Zencarhire.com.