There are spectacular mountains
Around 80 per cent of Slovakia lies more than 800 metres above sea level, and its crowning glory is the Tatras. The highest range in the Carpathians, they form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, are a designated Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and contain some 100 high-altitude lakes and a clutch of waterfalls. They can be explored via a network of hiking paths.
“There is a raw, magical quality to the Tatra Mountains: a sense of living folklore,” wrote Rosemary Griffith, a Telegraph Travel reader, after a visit in 2013. “The air is almost metallic in its purity, the pastures a brilliant shade of green. Houses nestle on the slopes, their red roofs steep and long to accommodate heavy snow. Wild boar, wolves and brown bears roam the forests.”
There are great outdoor activities to do all year round
Hiking on all levels – from easy to difficult
You will find such untouched nature in Slovakia as hardly anywhere else in Europe, but you will not get lost thanks to a dense network of marked hiking trails. Whether you wish for a hike through deep valleys around gurgling waterfalls, ascend along a majestic ridge to a Tatra peak or an easy walk on an educational trail, you will certainly find your route here.
Water sports
Great number of rivers, lakes, tarns, ponds or artificial water reservoirs provide variety of water activities. From rafting down the Slovak rivers, either adrenalin rafting, or rafting in canoe, through a quiet raft trip while admiring scenery, rowing, diving, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, up to the ultimate test of your abilities in two artificial white-water courses in Liptovský Mikuláš and Čuňovo. There are plenty to choose from!
Adrenaline
If you love adrenalin sports, you can choose from many throughout the whole year. In the summer season you can use canoe, go rafting, water-skiing, sailing or windsurfing. You can test your abilities in two white-water resorts, on artificial courses in Liptovský Mikuláš and Čuňovo. You can try paragliding throughout the whole year, e.g. in Donovaly area, or do bungee jumping in a few attractive locations.
In summer, you can test your courage in a few bike parks located in mountain centres. In winter you can do snowboarding, Ski-mountaineering, try a bobsleigh track, snowrafting or snowtubing, unique Boarder Cross track in Tále. Drivers can push their limits in Automotodrome Slovakia Ring in Orechová Potôň.
And some great budget skiing
“Slovakia is getting more attention as a ski destination, thanks to low prices, recent investment in resorts – and big mountains,” says Cat Weakley. “There are several small resorts, but it’s Jasná and its 49km of mostly intermediate pistes that’s the most attractive destination for international visitors.” Europe's 10 best budget ski resorts
In summer, you can test your courage in a few bike parks located in mountain centres. In winter you can do snowboarding, Ski-mountaineering, try a bobsleigh track, snowrafting or snowtubing, unique Boarder Cross track in Tále. Drivers can push their limits in Automotodrome Slovakia Ring in Orechová Potôň.
Cycling
Set in the lap of Slovak nature, which offers a rich array of fascinating experiences, enthusiasts of active and healthy relaxation can enjoy the breathtaking rock massifs, canyons and ravines, magical mountain valleys, amazing caves of world signifi cance, meandering streams and cascading waterfalls, rare fauna and flora and so much more, from the saddle of one of the most ecological means of transport, a bicycle.
In addition to astonishing natural beauties, cyclists in Slovakia will discover all kinds of unique cultural heritage as medieval towns, romantic castles, chateaux and ruins, glorious manor houses and exceptional archaeological findings.
Golf
Golf is a game of precision and patience, it tests your mind and technique. This sport makes you want to improve on every level - whether you are a beginner or a professional player. Fresh air can't harm you either. And that's why it's so popular, more and more so in Slovakia. In Slovakia we offer beautiful environment of 12 golf courses and 10 golf academies. Well-equipped resorts provide highest quality services and great conditions for this sport.
In addition to astonishing natural beauties, cyclists in Slovakia will discover all kinds of unique cultural heritage as medieval towns, romantic castles, chateaux and ruins, glorious manor houses and exceptional archaeological findings.
Winter sports
Winter sports are very popular in Slovakia thanks to well-equipped resorts that attract many local as well as foreign visitors. In the mountain areas there are 36 modern skiing resorts operating, they provide 350 km of downhill tracks and 600 km of cross-country tracks, thus offering great skiing conditions for everyone. You will get there by 1,000 ski tows and many cableways of the up-to-date design.
Except skiing and cross-country you can do snowboarding, Ski-mountaineering, try a bobsleigh track, snowrafting or snowtubing, unique Boarder Cross track, Dog Sleigh or winter paragliding.In addition to astonishing natural beauties, cyclists in Slovakia will discover all kinds of unique cultural heritage as medieval towns, romantic castles, chateaux and ruins, glorious manor houses and exceptional archaeological findings.
There is rich culture and interesting history
It’s home to one of Europe’s most beautiful towns
According to the fine people at the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA), Vlkolinec is one of the 30 most beautiful towns in Europe.
A World Heritage Site, the small hamlet is “a remarkably intact settlement of 45 buildings with the traditional features of a central European village,” says Unesco. “It is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses.”
Its capital is criminally underrated
And the perfect alternative to Prague, reckons Telegraph Travel’s Gavin Haines. “Estranged from Prague during the Velvet Divorce, Bratislava has long been considered a poor relation to its more popular sibling,” he says. “There are some striking similarities between the two cities, though, not least in the grand civic architecture, cuisine and meandering River Danube, which, like the Vltava in Prague, slices the city in half. There’s a shared history too, of course, but you’ll find far fewer crowds in Bratislava.” Surprising alternatives to Europe’s
A World Heritage Site, the small hamlet is “a remarkably intact settlement of 45 buildings with the traditional features of a central European village,” says Unesco. “It is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses.”
It has a capital of culture
Speaking of Kosice, Slovakia’s second city was European Capital of Culture in 2013, and retains some of this spirit in the sculpture and painting of the Muzeum Vojtecha Lofflera (dedicated to the prominent Slovak artist, who was born in the city in 1906). Elsewhere, St Elizabeth Cathedral is a splendid Gothic masterpiece which dates to the 14th century – while gilded Art Nouveau flourishes are to be found in the likes of the Hotel Slavia.A World Heritage Site, the small hamlet is “a remarkably intact settlement of 45 buildings with the traditional features of a central European village,” says Unesco. “It is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses.”
There are lovely hotels
Don’t let the horror movie Hostel, set in Slovakia, put you off. There are great possibilities of accommodation from luxury 5 star hotels to simple mountain lodges.
And six other World Heritage Sites
With seven listed attractions, Slovakia - a country of just 5.4m people - punches well above its weight in the Unesco stakes. Malaysia, Venezuela, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, each with more than 30 million residents, have fewer.
They include a collection of eight wooden churches built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and the ruins of Spiš Castle. There are 19 of the world's eeriest abandoned castles.
And has a gorgeous forest on its doorstep
Chris Leadbeater explains: “Bratislava stands as a protector of the tree-swathed Europe of medieval lore thanks to Bratislava Forest Park: 10 square miles of treescape on the northern flank of the city, in the foothills of the Little Carpathians range, where hiking trails meander.”most overcrowded cities
They include a collection of eight wooden churches built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and the ruins of Spiš Castle. There are 19 of the world's eeriest abandoned castles.
Getting there is easy
There are direct flight from the UK to three Slovakian cities: Bratislava (from London, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, all with Ryanair), Kosice (from London and Doncaster/Sheffield, thanks to Wizz Air), and Poprad, gateway to the Tatras and home to a vast eco-resort called AquaCity (from London, also courtesy of Wizz).They include a collection of eight wooden churches built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and the ruins of Spiš Castle. There are 19 of the world's eeriest abandoned castles.
Borovička is the thing to order
The country’s national drink is flavoured with juniper berries and similar to gin. The national dish, meanwhile, is bryndzové halušky, a hearty combination of potato dumplings and soft cheese.