Slovakia holidays

No two holidays to Slovakia are the same. From Bratislava city breaks to mountain ski resorts, there’s a tonne of variety.

A fairytale land

Forest-filled green valleys. Snow-dusted mountains. Fairytale castles. It sounds like a land of make-believe, doesn’t it? But Slovakia’s real alright. From the Carpathian Mountains in the north to the River Danube in the south, this little-explored kingdom separates Poland and Hungary like Moses parting the Red Sea. With a bumper bonanza of ski resorts, spa towns and Loire-like fortresses, it’s an up-and-coming holiday hotspot with plenty of jaw-dropping landmarks waiting to be seen.

Under-the-radar sights

For starters, there’s Banska Stiavnica – a perfectly preserved Medieval town with a leaning clock tower in the heart of it. There’s Spis Castle, too, which is the biggest in central Europe, with remarkably intact Romanesque and Gothic architecture. If you’re looking for natural wonders, there’s the Herl’any Geyser, which erupts in a fountain of water every 36 hours. Or, you can take tours through the Tatra Mountains, spotting bears, lynxes and eagles. And, we haven’t even mentioned Bratislava yet…

Slovakia’s compact capital

Most tourists make a beeline for Bratislava – Slovakia’s cosy capital. Butternut-squash-coloured rooftops, splashes of gold along Medieval streets and a turquoise-tinted Art Nouveau church all add to the colourful look in its old town, which is topped off by Bratislava Castle. This hilltop fortress is built from snow-white stone and capped with terracotta turrets, and it’s a prime spot for views over the River Danube. Speaking of great views, the 100-metre-tall viewing deck on the city’s futuristic UFO Bridge is also worth a visit.