Slovakia Tourism - Travel to Slovakia
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Bratislava |
| Government | parliamentary democracy |
| Currency | Slovak koruna (SKK) |
| Area | total: 48,845 sq km water: 45 sq km land: 48,800 sq km |
| Population | 5,422,366 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | Slovak (official), Hungarian, Czech |
| Religion | Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5% |
Slovakia (also known as the Slovak Republic) is a landlocked country in central Europe. It is surrounded by Austria to the west, Czech Republic to the north west, Hungary to the south, Poland to the north and Ukraine to the east.
With numerous medieval towns, high mountains, caves and a lively capital city, there's probably something for every traveller to enjoy in Slovakia. Slovakia is said to be the country with the highest number of fortified castles per capita in the world.
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Cities in Slovakia
- Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia
- Kosice
Map of Slovakia
Understand Slovakia Tourism
Slovakia has a temperate climate with cool summers and cold, cloudy, humid winters.Much of the central and northern part of Slovakia is rugged and mountainous. Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 m in the Hight Tatras is the highest point. The Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys. The lowlands are in the south with the lowest point of the Bodrog River being 94 m below sea level.
In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free.
For many years overshadowed by their north-western Czech neighbors, Slovak citizens voted to strike out on their own. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993 and Slovakia became a country in its own right.
Historic, political, and geographic factors have caused Slovakia to experience more difficulty in developing a modern market economy than some of its Central European neighbors. Finally, however, Slovakia joined the European Union and the NATO in 2004.
Get into Slovakia
Visas
Since Slovakia is a EU member, citizens of EU countries do not require a visa for stays in Slovakia.Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and US citizens are all permitted to stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
South African citizens require a visa for entry into Slovakia.
Travel to Slovakia By Train
The easiest way to get to Slovakia by train is via Vienna, in Austria. Bratislava is a simple 50 - 70 minute trip on a express or a local train (either via Kittsee or Marchegg).
Trains also travel to Slovakia from the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and the Ukraine.
Travel to Slovakia By Plane
As Vienna airport Schwechat is just about 35 kms from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, it's the most convenient way of arriving to Slovakia by the major airlines. Buses leave for Bratislava hourly, optionally you can take airport shuttle.
Bratislava has its own airport, too, albeit much smaller than that of Vienna, many regular flights are scheduled to land here. Sky Europe provides the most convenient and cheap way to fly to Bratislava from London, Paris and other European cities.
Get around in Slovakia
Slovakia Talk
The national language of Slovakia is Slovak, a slavic language which is similar to (and mutually intelligible with) Czech. While you can probably make do with English and German in Bratislava. In smaller towns and villages always try to approach younger people that speak some English. Older residents may know some German, so it could help to brush up on your high-school classes. People born before 1980 and after 1935 have learned Russian in the school.
Slovak is written using the same Roman characters that English uses, so Western travellers won't have any trouble reading signs and maps.
Buy
The official currency of Slovakia is the Slovak Crown (Slovenská koruna, Sk / SKK). The Euro is planned to replace the Slovak Crown around 2007.
Automatic teller machines (ATM) are widely available in Bratislava, and obtaining money there should not present a problem. Credit cards and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Visa Electron, Cirrus Maestro are widely accepted both in shops and restaurants in bigger cities.
Eat - Travel to Slovakia
Bryndzove halusky is Slovak national meal made with potato dumplings and special kind of sheep cheese (that is not actually the cheese) called "bryndza". You will get pieces of fried meaty bacon on top of Bryndzove halusky. Very tasty and delicious.
Drink
For non-alcoholic drinks try Viena, soft drink made from grapes, featured in both red and white. Additionaly, there is also Viena without CO2. Kofola, another soft drink similar to Coca Cola, is also very popular amongst locals and is available both on tap and bottled. For beers, try Zlaty Bazant, Smadny mnich and Saris. Saris comes also in dark version that is thicker and heavier on your stomach.
Sleep - Slovakia Tourism
Bratislava Hotels is a directory of hotels, pensions and hostels in Bratislava. Libma is agency that provides an accommodation for whole Slovakia. You can also try Zoznam Directory to search for other accommodation possilities.
Learn
Work
Stay safe - Slovakia Tourism
Stay Healthy While You Travel to Slovakia
Respect
Contact
External Links for Slovakia Tourism
- Official Slovak Tourist Board
- Slovak Government Web Site
- Slovak President
- Slovak Television
- Slovak Tourism Web Site
