UNESCO Jewels of Slovakia in 4 days

Discover the hidden charm of the beautiful landmarks and heritage sites of Slovakia. Visit places of interest forever carved into the history of Slovakia.

Be inspired by outstanding landmarks of natural beauty. Traveling across Slovakia, we’ll show you the most interesting UNESCO heritage sites we can fit into four days. On our tour, we’ll see several castles, go through three national parks, sample Slovak cuisine and enjoy breathtaking views!

Highlights of UNESCO heritage sites:

Day 1: Transfer from Bratislava to Banska Stiavnica and Vlkolinec village, UNESCO heritage sites

On the first morning, you’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Bratislava and drive for about 2.5 hours, passing by Nitra castle as you go.

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.

Next, head through the Low Tatras National Park on a 1,5-hour journey to Vlkolinec village.

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.

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 3-star hotel in the Tatras National Park.

Day 2: Spis castle, Levoča and Bardejov, three UNESCO gems

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.
Also we’ll visit wonderful 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.

Lunch at traditional Slovak restaurant

Next, we’ll visit the third wonderful place, hidden gem, Bardejov medieval town, registered on the World UNESCO Heritage list, we’ll drive about an hour by car. In this town with a picturesque square we can see the most interesting buildings like the town hall, built in 1505 and the gothic church with 11 wooden altars. The Bardejov spa has played host to a number of dignitaries, including Marie Louise (the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte), Tsar Alexander I. of Russia and Empress Elisabeth, Sisi, of Austria-Hungary.

After the tour, you’ll head back to Tatras mountains. Overnight at the same 3* hotel in the High Tatras.

Day 3: Ochtinska – aragonite cave, UNESCO heritage site and Košice city

Ochtinská Aragonite Cave represents a unique natural phenomenon drawing attention by the richness and variety of aragonite fill, as well as an interesting evolution and development of cave spaces.

Three generations of aragonite were determined in the cave. It is formed from water solutions with high content of Mg-, Fe- a Mn-ions under conditions of stabile microclimate. The oldest are milky translucent kidney-shaped formation and their corroded relics (dated age of 121- 138 thousand years) with partially re-crystalized aragonite, in places metamorphosed to calcite.

Air temperature in the cave is between 7.2 and 7.8 ºC, relative humidity between 92 and 97 %. Stabilizing of the cave microclimate is caused by ochres that contain 47-56 volume percent of water and they are able to absorb and release water vapour.

Next we’ll visit the second biggest city of Slovakia, Košice, with its magnificent square.

The first evidence of inhabitance can be traced back to the end of the Paleolithic era. The first written reference to the Hungarian town of Kosice (as the royal village – Villa Cassa) comes from 1230. The first written mention of the city was in 1230 as “Villa Cassa”.
After the Mongol invasion in 1241, King Béla IV of Hungary invited German colonists to fill the gaps in population.
The significance and wealth of the city in the end of the 14th century was mirrored by the decision to build a completely new church on the grounds of the previously destroyed smaller St. Elisabeth Church.

Overnight in the High Tatras, 3* hotel with breakfast the following morning.

Day 4: High Tatras and transfer back to Bratislava

After breakfast, we’ll start heading back towards Bratislava or Vienna, passing by Trencin and Beckov castles as you go.

Expected arrival back in Bratislava: 5 – 6 pm

Prices:

Adults:  2 travelers: EUR 590,- per person

3 – 4 travelers: EUR  490,- per person

5 – 8 travelers: EUR 390,- per person

Children: 6-11 years old: EUR 180,- per person

Youth: 12-17 years old: EUR 230,- per person