Slovakia Attractions

Trenciánske Teplice

Trenciánske Teplice is a spa town in West Slovakia. Hiking trails lead into the green hills flanking the resort. The resort has a thermal swimming pool and five hot sulphur springs. Those with a taste for the exotic should also visit the hammam, a Turkish bathhouse in the middle of town.

Vysoké Tatry

The Vysoké Tatry (High Tatras) are the only truly alpine mountains in Eastern Europe and one of the smallest high mountain ranges in the world. Narrow rocky crests soar above wide glacial valleys with precipitous walls while the lower slopes are covered by dense coniferous forest.

Enhancing the natural beauty packed into this relatively small area (260 sq km/100 sq mi) are 30 valleys, almost 100 glacial lakes and numerous bubbling streams. A network of 600km (372mi) of hiking trails reaches all the alpine valleys and many peaks.

Bratislava

Bratislava is Slovakia's largest city and has been the capital since 1969. Here the Carpathian Mountains, which begin at the Iron Gate of Romania, finally come to an end. If travelling by train, you'll see vineyards on the slopes of the Little Carpathians, where they meet the Danube River.

Many beautiful monuments survive in the old town, reminders of its past under Hungarian rule. The city is also home to several surprisingly rich museums. Franz Lizst visited Bratislava 15 times, and the opera productions of the Slovak National Theatre rival anything in Europe.