Slovakia：The Land of Majestic Old Castles and Soaring Misty Mountains

Slovakia maybe a small country in the middle of Europe but when it comes to sightseeing attractions, it has them in big numbers. Slovakia is the one country where nature and humanity exist in one accord, where the landscape is as amazing as the cultural heritage. From thousands of caves, the many national parks and primeval forests, to the spectacular castles and towns, your sightseeing tour in Slovakia will be about discovery, awe, and fun.

1. Spiš Castle (Zehra)

Standing 200 meters above the town of Spišské Podhradie in Slovakia, and with an area of 41,426 sq. m., the Spiš Castle is one the largest castle complex not only in Slovakia but also in all of Europe. This popular sightseeing destination has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most precious cultural monuments in Slovakia. This mighty architectural masterpiece in Slovakia was built in the 12th century and acted as the political, administrative, economic and cultural center of Szepes County. Sightseeing tourists in Slovakia can visit the building which also features a museum which has medieval torture devices on display. Its 22m-high tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding towns and villages on this region of Slovakia. Audio-guide tours are available as well as regular night tours of the castle are conducted during summer.

2. Bratislava Castle (Bratislava)

Bratislava Castle is one of the famous sightseeing landmarks in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The massive, rectangular architectural masterpiece sits on a hill, directly above the Danube River and the old town of Bratislava. The castle, which has towers on all its four corners, features a brilliant shade of white which can be seen from afar. Sightseeing attractions inside the castle include a museum that contains collections documenting the history and ethnological development of Slovakia from the middle ages up to today. You can complete your sightseeing tour of the castle by climbing up the Crown Tower for spectacular views of the Danube River and the old city below. It is recommended you plan your sightseeing tour of Slovakia during the summer and arrive early on your sightseeing visit of the castle to avoid huge crowds.

3 .Bratislava City Museum (Bratislava)

The Bratislava City Museum was established in 1868 and is headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia. The museum is located in the Old Town of Bratislava, adjacent to the Main Square at the Old Town Hall. It is the oldest museum in Slovakia and it documents the history of Bratislava from Medieval times up until the 20th century. It also showcases individual works of art in its 9 permanent exhibitions, many of which are located in the Old Town, the others being hosted in the Devin Castle and the Museum of Ancient Gerulata in Rusovce. On your sightseeing tour of the museum you’ll get to see many collections of extraordinary artistic and historical value associated with Slovakia.

4. Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum (Bratislava)

This art museum is situated about 15km south of Bratislava, Slovakia. Its location in the middle of the massive flow of river Danube is as invigorating as the art. On your sightseeing tour of the museum, you’ll be impressed immediately by its outdoor sculpture garden. Its huge floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the water provide breathtaking views of the surrounding reedy wetlands. The museum, being one of the youngest European museums of modern art, showcases contemporary art by many artists in Slovakia including Viera Kraicová, Vincent Hložník, Rudolf Fila, and many more. Sightseeing tourists on their tour of Slovakia can reach the museum by boat rides which run from the city center on weekends from May to October, or take a taxi or bus, which are a bit cheaper.

5. St. Martin’s Cathedral (Bratislava)

The St. Martin's Cathedral is located in Bratislava, Slovakia, below the Bratislava Castle, and is the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Bratislava. The cathedral is one of the largest and oldest churches in Bratislava. The church was part of the defensive walls of the city and its 85-meter spire, which towers over the old city, served as a defensive installation. The church also hosted the coronations of Hungarian Kings and on your sightseeing tour of the cathedral, you’ll see a 300-kg gilded replica of the Hungarian royal crown still intact on top of the cathedral’s tower. For students and sightseeing visitors who want to learn more about Slovakia in terms of religion, history, art, and literature, the cathedral can form part of an important learning excursion on top of being a sightseeing destination in Slovakia.

6. St. Michael’s Gate (Bratislava)

You cannot wind up your sightseeing tour of Bratislava, which is the capital city of Slovakia, without visiting St. Michael’s Gate, the only city gate among the four heavily fortified gates from the medieval times that has been preserved. Located in the heart of Bratislava, near the Old Town Hall, St. Michael’s Gate is one of the popular sightseeing landmarks in Slovakia. The 51-meter tall tower contains seven floors and a baroque architectural style copper roof. Visitors on a sightseeing tour of Slovakia can climb to the upper terrace of the tower which offers a panoramic view of the old town. You’ll also see the statue of the Archangel Michael slaying a dragon as well as the Exhibition of Weapons of the Bratislava City Museum.

7. Tatras National Park (Tatranska Lomnica)

The Tatras National Park is the oldest and most popular national park among the 9 national parks in Slovakia. The park offers countless opportunities for hiking and climbing enthusiasts with about 600 kilometers of well-marked hiking trails. A suspended cableway, which takes you all the way to the mountain peak, offers splendid views of one of the most stunning landscapes in Slovakia. For sports lovers, the park features several ski slopes and cross-country trails which make it a popular sports destination for both domestic and foreign sightseeing tourists in Slovakia, especially in winter. In addition, the area is also known for having some of the most famous spa resorts in Slovakia so you can cap your sightseeing tour of the park in style.

8. Slovak Paradise National Park (Spisska Nova Ves)

Situated in East Slovakia, the Slovak Paradise National Park is one of the famous sightseeing parks among the nine national parks in Slovakia, and as its name suggests, it’s the perfect place for those sightseeing tourists who love all that nature has to offer. On your sightseeing tour in the park, the flora and fauna characteristic of Slovakia, forests, lush park lands, and chilly caves, will definitely impress you. For those who want to take on hiking on their sightseeing tour of Slovakia, there are over 300 kilometers of hiking trails that feature wooden bridges, ladders, and chains. Other fun activities in the park include bird watching and cycling. You can wind up your sightseeing tour of the park by visiting the Dobšinská Ice Cave, and many narrow canyons and deep gorges that are found on this part of Slovakia.

9. Dobšinská Ice Cave (Dobsina)

Dobšinská Ice Cave is a fascinating ice cave located in the Slovak Paradise National Park, close to Dobšiná Town in Slovakia. The cave, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, stretches over a kilometer making it one of the largest ice caves both in Slovakia and in Europe. It was known as “Cold Hole” to the local people in Slovakia until its discovery by a royal mining engineer in 1870. It was the first cave in Europe to be connected to the electric grid. If you want to take on a sightseeing tour of the cave, it is recommended you plan your sightseeing tour of Slovakia between the months of May and September, when the ice cave is open. The average temperature inside the cave is around 0°C and so you can don winter-style clothing on your sightseeing visit to the cave.

10. Aquapark Tatralandia (Liptovský Mikuláš)

Aquapark Tatralandia, which is close to Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia, is one of the largest aqua parks in Central Europe and also one of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Slovakia. It is open all-year round and your trip here will be more than a sightseeing tour. With such features as 29 water tracks and slides, and 11 pools which contains heated water with temperatures of up to 38 °C, your time in this park will be fun-filled. On top of that, there is a huge wellness center offering massages and other procedures that guarantee a whole day of fun and relaxation. Furthermore, accommodation is available so you can extend your sightseeing experience in Slovakia. Indeed, a visit to this aqua park, which also offers spectacular views over the Tatra Mountains, will be the pearl of your sightseeing tour in Slovakia.

◎ Closing

Slovakia is a country rich in culture heritage and tradition. This is evident in its popular sightseeing landmarks in Bratislava and many others spread across the country. From the famous Bratislava Castle, the Spis Castle, one of the most impressive medieval fortifications in Slovakia, to the national museums, your sightseeing tour in Slovakia will be a treat of a lifetime. We hope our list of the most interesting sightseeing destinations in Slovakia will enlighten you as you prepare to visit Slovakia.