Slovakia

Why choose Slovakia?

Slovakia is a unique country and a great destination, somewhat under the radar in the heart of Europe. Despite its many natural and cultural treasures, it has not yet been overrun by mass tourism. When travelling in Slovakia, you get the impression that everything is within easy reach. Within a small area, you can find natural treasures and monuments with a long and fascinating history, alongside a rich folk culture. Unique castles, caves, towns and villages, traditional architecture and unspoilt European countryside are Slovakia’s main tourist attractions. The history of Slovakia is the history of a European country. Formerly part of Moravia, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Habsburg Monarchy and Austria-Hungary, Slovakia was not independent. From 1918 onwards, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, known as Czechoslovakia, were established, and both remained under communist rule for many years. It was not until the Velvet Revolution in November 1989 that the communist dictatorship was overthrown. The restoration of democracy subsequently led to the break-up of the joint state of the Czechs and Slovaks and the creation of the independent Slovak Republic on 1 January 1993. Slovakia is a very diverse country and officially comprises 21 tourist regions. The most famous are: the capital, Bratislava, and its surroundings; the majestic Tatra Mountains; Spiš; a multicultural region and the centre of medieval and German settlement in this part of the Carpathians, eastern Slovakia, with strong influences from Ukrainian and Orthodox culture. The most precious treasures of Slovak history have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Spiš Castle, Banská Štiavnica, the mountain village of Vlkolinec, Bardejov, and the wooden churches of eastern Slovakia, owing to their unique character. There are as many as nine national parks within the country’s borders, and the impressive mountain ranges cover more than 70 per cent of the country’s surface area. The abundance of cultural and natural monuments characterises Slovakia’s beautiful and varied landscape, which is why it has been called the "Switzerland of Eastern Europe".