Slovakia attractions

The central Slovakian town of Banska Stiavnica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site first settled in the Neolithic area. While it was once a major mining destination, these days its biggest draw is its numerous attractions, which include a mining museum, several castles, and nearby hiking opportunities.

Outdoor exhibits surround a long and dark mining tunnel at the Open-Air Mining Museum near Banska Stiavnica. See exhibits on the mine’s history and a short movie before heading underground to experience what was once the lifeblood of central Slovakia. It is an interactive experience that is quite popular among families with kids.

Occupying the northern Slovak Ore Mountains, Slovak Paradise National Park is characterized by emeraldine forests, massive gorges, and lots of hiking trails. If you want to spend time in nature, it's an incredible place to visit. It offers ample opportunities for summer hiking and winter snow sports.

A 14th-century gate for Bratislava’s city walls, Michael’s Tower is the last remaining of the original four, with additional construction increasing its height until the 18th century. The gate is a landmark of Bratislaval’s Old Town, and today is a popular tourist attraction.

Slavín is a monument built as a memorial to fallen WWII Soviet Union soldiers. This tower is the focal point of a site that includes a cemetery with hundreds of gravesites containing thousands of remains. The Slavin memorial was built over a decade after Bratislava’s liberation and is one of the main Soviet-era landmarks in the city.

In the heart of Bratislava's compact Old Town, Franciscan Square (Frantiskanske Namestie) is home to the historic Franciscan Church, whose baroque façade belies the fact that it was constructed in the late 13th century. The square is lined with old baroque rowhouses, and there's a small café with indoor and outdoor seating on one side.

Sitting on the banks of the Danube and just outside the city’s old town, Eurovea Galleria is Bratislava’s most convenient shopping destination. This large lifestyle complex has a vast array of retail stores under its glass roof, as well as restaurants, a food court, a cinema, and a casino. It’s an ideal destination for anyone with shopping on their minds or those seeking a break from sightseeing.

Sitting on a spit of land that stretches into the Danube River, the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum houses an array of contemporary and modern art. Located outside Bratislava, the impressive building is designed to look like a Roman galley that almost floats above the water’s surface. Colorful and striking sculptures are scattered throughout its grounds.

With its fantastic views and fresh, crisp mountain air, Lobicky Peak has been a popular destination for generations. A cable car ferries passengers up to the peak during summer, though some intrepid travelers prefer to climb on foot.