The Best of Slovakia in two days

Day 1

On the first morning, you’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Bratislava and drive for about 2.5 hours, passing by Trencin and Beckov castles as you go. The first stop will be at Orava Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia where one of the first-ever vampire movies, “Nosferatu”, was filmed in 1922.

The castle, built on a rock above the river Orava in Oravský Podzámok village like an “eagle nest”, is one of the greatest tourist attractions of Slovakia, but not only. It was built in the place of an older wooden hillfort after the Tartar invasion in 1241. Through the following centuries, this small fortress transformed into an extensive castle structure with 154 rooms. Since 1556, the castle was administered by Thurzo family who initiated the greatest rebuilding actions in its history. The castle then acquired its final form in 1611.

After another hour or so, you’ll arrive at the Tatra National Park, the oldest national park in Slovakia and recently named the best destination to visit in Europe. Take an easy hike around a mountain lake before settling for an overnight stay in a 4-star hotel in a mountain village in Tatras National Park.

Day 2

In the morning we’ll visit Spis Castle, one of the largest mediaeval castles in central Europe. This castle is the largest in Slovakia and belongs also to the largest castles in Europe. The oldest writing about the castle is dated on 1120. The castle is listed in the historical heritage of UNESCO. Unfortunately from November till March the castle is closed because of weather conditions. We’ll drive around and you’ll see this castle from outside.
Instead of the castle we’ll visit another UNESCO heritage site, medieval town Levoca, located close to Spis castle. Levoca town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 2009 for its well-preserved original Medieval core, dating back to the period between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, including the town fortifications and the Church of the St. James. The church boasts ten Gothic altars, the main altar being the real magnet for visitors. With a height of almost 19 metres, it is a masterpiece of Master Paul, dating back to the sixteenth century.

Next, head through the Low Tatras National Park on a 2-hour journey to Vlkolinec and Banska Stiavnica town.

Vlkolinec is a typical Central European mountain hamlet with log houses. It consists of the best-preserved example of an authentic mountain hamlet in Central Europe.
Wooden houses and wooden belfry, dating back to 1770, while the other one is a wooden well, dating back to 1860.

Banská Štiavnica, a UNESCO Heritage site, famous and most visited former medieval mining town in Slovakia.

The town was registered as a UNESCO heritage site in December 1993. Until 1919, town was also the site of the first technology-oriented university in the world. First mining university was established here. Banská Štiavnica became a center for science and technology development in Europe.

This town is one of the most beautiful and historically interesting towns in Slovakia, attracting artists and romantics with its old mining roads, stylish cafés and many restaurants.

We’ll take in a tour of this beautiful town, then have a short break and lunch.

After the tour, you’ll head back towards Bratislava, passing Nitra Castle, one of the oldest in Slovakia, before arriving back in Bratislava/Vienna for approximately 6 PM.