Slovakia Tours

Name: Slovakia
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Unleash your adventurous side – expect theatrical peaks and iconic rivers ripe for exploration

Tours in Slovakia

From the High Tatra Mountains flanking the Polish border, to the lower but equally dramatic massifs of the Mala Fatra and the Low Tatras, Slovakia has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in central Europe. Our Slovakia tours guide you through the country’s compact capital, Bratislava, which retains much of its historical charm, as do smaller towns such as Levoča and Kežmarok. Whether you’re cycling through the verdant countryside or wandering among the imposing Baroque buildings in Bratislava, tours in Slovakia have a lot to offer the intrepid traveller.

Standing at the heart of Europe, Slovakia has become synonymous with castles and mountains. Formerly Czechoslovakia, the country also has an intriguing history and a vibrant culture. The charismatic old town of Bratislava draws visitors wanting to delve deeper into Slovakia’s rich past. From the Baroque-style Bratislava Castle with its unparalleled views over the city to the colourful Blue Church that flaunts an ornate tiled interior, the old town has a real allure. Escape the hustle and bustle and take a walk through the lungs of the city at Medická Záhrada, a park peppered with sculptures, or tuck into some authentic Slovak dishes at one of the restaurants in the main square.

Inside its national parks you’ll find glacial lakes fringed by rugged mountains and High Tatras National Park is the oldest of them all with a history dating back to 1949. The park is mostly covered by pine forests and owing to its wild beauty, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Slovakia Adventure Holidays

8 Days from £ 949

Self-Guided Holidays (Excl. Flights)

Enjoy 3 capital cities in one week as you journey from Austria to Hungary

Cycling

8 Days from £ 1999

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Discover captivating cities and fairytale landmarks in the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia

Culture

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Activities in Slovakia

Cycling

Top 5 Things to Do in Bratislava

Explore the Old Town: Although Bratislava is only a relatively small city, it packs in a lot of incredible sights. If there’s just one place you must visit in Slovakia tours, head to the Old Town. Amble through the ancient alleyways and palatial squares to discover the most wonderful Baroque buildings and landmarks. From pretty fountains and historical monuments to lively pavement cafes, the Old Town is a pure joy to explore. The four medieval gates that were built to protect the city are certainly worth seeing. Michael’s Gate is around 51 metres high and dates back to the 14^th century.

Visit St Elizabeth’s Blue Church: You can’t miss St Elizabeth’s Blue Church because, as its name suggests, it’s painted a beautiful shade of blue. Just to the east of the Old Town, this Art Nouveau building was created in the early 20th century as the local grammar school’s chapel, and it has now become one of the most iconic sights in Bratislava. Its exterior is adorned with stucco mouldings and Romanesque and Baroque designs, which bear a resemblance to the types of grand buildings you’d see in a fairy tale. Inside, a striking oil painting of St Elizabeth hangs above the altar and the pews are ornately painted in gold and blue.

Visit Bratislava Castle: Taking centre stage in the heart of the capital and looming over the city and the River Danube is Bratislava Castle. The hilltop castle stands on a fortified site and was originally built as a lookout and stronghold before becoming home to the Kings of Royal Hungary and the Hungarian crown jewels, which would remain there for the next 200 years. From the castle terrace, views stretch uninterrupted across the Austria and Hungary borders. Nowadays, exhibitions for the National Museum are held inside, teaching you about the history of Slovakia from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Slovak National Gallery: Lovers of history and art will be in their element at the Slovak National Gallery. Inside the 18^th-century palace there are exhibitions showcasing Baroque and Gothic art and fascinating artefacts dating back to the early14^th century. The gallery is made up of a complex of buildings and its central building was once a Baroque residence on the banks of the Danube. As well as housing a large collection of early European art, there’s also an historical library, which currently holds more than 8,000 books, maps and magazines.

Grassalkovich Palace: Taking pride of place on Hodžovo Square just outside of the Old Town, the Rococo-style Grassalkovich Palace has been the official presidential residence since 1760 and is worth visiting during tours in Slovakia. Sadly, the palace isn’t open to the public, however, you can walk around the formal gardens and admire the architecture from the outside. Within the gardens there are tree-lined paths, manicured lawns, a fountain, and a statue of the empress on horseback.

Expert view: Slovakia tours

“The destinations you can reach when you go cross-country skiing can be really quite remote and remarkable. Even in the Tatras, which can be quite popular, we’re able to explore some hidden corners, visiting charming medieval villages. And there’s much more to enjoy than just skiing: dogsledding, thermal baths, snowshoeing and winter picnics all lie in store. The High Tatras’ snowy peaks are etched high above valleys seemingly untouched by the passage of time.”

Exodus Product Manager Marta Marinelli – read more from our experts here.