Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Slovakia, a mountainous country nestled between Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Slovakia travel doesn’t get nearly as much attention as its neighboring countries. For first-time visitors, there are some shocks you might expect on your first tour of Slovakia.
Empty Streets
When you visit Slovakia, it feels like nobody else is there! Slovakia is seriously underrated as a tourist destination. Most travelers skip over Slovakia in favor of Prague, Vienna, or Budapest. Those are all great destinations to visit, but if you’re looking to escape the crowds, Slovakia is the best destination. You might see a lot of day trippers from Vienna visiting Bratislava, but nothing compared to other European capital cities.
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Prices in Slovakia
Slovakia is extremely affordable to visit. It’s not necessarily “cheap” but it’s very affordable. You can eat and drink very well on a budget in the cities in Slovakia, and the transportation and accommodation are also very affordable. It even makes a great base for exploring nearby cities. Vienna is only an hour away from Bratislava, but you’ll spend much less on accommodation.
Slovakia Food
Slovakia food is fantastic, whether you’re up in the mountains or in Bratislava. You will eat really well in Slovakia, and it’s not a light food. Slovakia food features a lot of pork, duck, dumplings, and other hearty dishes. That’s why a digestive drink is so popular after a meal because it will help you digest all of the fat in your dinner.
The stinky cheese in Slovakia is a shock of its own! Olomoucké tvarůžky is actually a Czech cheese, but Slovaks love to try and trick Americans into eating it.
Slovak Locals
The local residents of Slovakia are extremely welcoming. Of all the surrounding countries, I have found the Slovak people to be the kindest and nicest. Every time we’ve visited Slovakia, the people have been wonderful. They love to feed you and they love to share the highlights of their country with you. As an added bonus, most locals under 40 speak English.
Folk Arts
The people in Slovakia really love any kind of folk art. Folk dancing, costumes, and crafts are all very popular. They take great pride in their culture and it’s obvious throughout the country, in museums and other attractions. Most cities in Slovakia host several folk festivals, so if there’s one happening when you are visiting Slovakia, make sure you go check it out!
Nature in Slovakia
Slovakia is not a country of large cities. The largest is Bratislava, with about half a million residents. The country is mostly made up of natural areas. The Tatra Mountains have skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. There are lots of cool caves to explore, and mineral pools for soaking. If you are looking for an affordable outdoor adventure destination, Slovakia is a great choice!
Castles in Slovakia
Slovakia is said to have over 100 castles, ranging from castle ruins to castles you can tour on the inside. The Bratislava Castle is probably the most popular castle in Slovakia; it sits on a hill overlooking the town and the river and it is open for tours. If you take a train or bus through Slovakia, you’ll see dozens of castles set on hills overlooking the nearby villages.
Visiting Bratislava
As a capital city, Bratislava is tiny and charming, but it has a lot going for it. It’s way more affordable than other European capitals, yet there are tons of restaurants and clubs to check out. Most Central European travelers overlook Bratislava in favor of Prague, Vienna, or Budapest, which makes it all the more worthwhile to visit.
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It’s Not Czechoslovakia
Many people who grew up in the 80s or earlier might think of this as Czechoslovakia. However, those two countries split in 1993 and now there’s the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The people are Slovaks and Slovakia is its own country, so be sure to brush up on the history a bit and don’t call it Czechoslovakia. Similarly, this is considered Central Europe, not Eastern Europe.
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I’ve been to Slovakia several times, with my family and as a solo traveler. It’s really a great country to visit, with beautiful scenery and fantastic food. As you can see, you’re in for a lot of pleasant surprises when you visit Slovakia! Start planning your trip at Slovakia Travel!
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