Slovakia Fast Facts

Slovakia is located in Europe, bordering the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Ukraine. Mountains, castles, great cities and beautiful nature make the country a popular travel destination that can still be visited quite cheaply today. See andyeducation.com for education in Slovakia.

Capital City Bratislava
Size 49,034 km²
Resident 5,457,900
Official Language Slovak
Currency Euro
Time Zone UTC+1/+2
Telephone Area Code +421

Fast facts to know

  • Two thirds of Slovakia are occupied by the Carpathians.
  • The majority of Slovaks belong to the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Slovakia has a fascinating world of caves.
  • The geographic center of Europe is in Slovakia
  • After Austria, Slovakia is the country with the largest forest area in Europe.
  • The most popular sport in Slovakia is ice hockey.
  • As an EU citizen, your identity card is sufficient for entry.
  • The use of motorways in Slovakia is subject to tolls.
  • Many Slovaks also speak German.
  • The country is rich in beautiful nature.
  • Hungarians form the largest minority in the country.
  • Slovak cuisine is generally not for vegetarians.
  • Slovakia has one of the highest economic growth rates in Europe.
  • In Slovakia there is the largest river island in Europe, the largest stalactite in the world and the largest horse statue in the world.
  • Bratislava is the only capital in the world that borders two countries at the same time: Austria and Hungary.

Exciting cities in Slovakia

  • Bratislava
  • Bardejov
  • Poprad
  • Kosice
  • Banska Bystrica
  • Nitra
  • Strbske Pleso
  • Zilina
  • Levoca
  • Kezmarok
  • Banska Stiavnica
  • Trnava

History of Slovakia

  • The area of ​​today’s Slovakia was inhabited by people before the last Ice Age.
  • 4th-5th Century Slovakia is part of the Kingdom of Huns.
  • 500-1000 Slavic ancestors of the Slovaks arrived in the area and became the dominant ethnic group there in the course of the 6th century.
  • 1000-1918 Upper Hungarian era
  • 1918 Slovaks and Czechs found their common state of Czechoslovakia.
  • 1938 Czechoslovakia loses large parts of its national territory as a result of the Munich Agreement and the First Vienna Arbitration.
  • 1939 The rest of the state, meanwhile renamed Czecho-Slovakia, is broken up.
  • 1939 Slovakia takes part in the invasion of Poland and from 1941 in the war against the Soviet Union.
  • 1945 Slovakia is occupied by the Red Army and, after the Second World War, becomes part of the newly founded Czechoslovakia with a communist government.
  • 1989 Velvet Revolution leads to the bloodless overthrow of the communist regime.
  • 1993 Czechoslovakia was dissolved and divided into two independent states.
  • 1993 Establishment of the Slovak Republic.

Climate & travel weather in Slovakia

  • Largely continental climate (hot winters, cold, snowy winters).
  • Danube lowlands warm and dry.
  • Harsh mountainous climate in the mountains.
  • Rather difficult to travel in winter.
  • Recommended travel time:
    • City tours: May – October
    • Mountains: July, August
    • Winter sports: February, March

Ideas for trips in Slovakia

  • Spiš Castle
  • Spisské Tomásovce viewpoint
  • Trencin Castle
  • Castle Beckov
  • Fairytale castle in Bojnice
  • Liptsch Castle
  • Orava Castle
  • Cervený Klástor (The Red Monastery)

Eating & drinking in Slovakia

  • The national dish of Slovakia is Bryndzove halusky (Brimsennockerl).
  • Goulash and hearty soups are also very popular.
  • Popular drinks are brandy and beer.
  • Cheese and dairy products are often processed in mountain regions.
  • Traditional Slovak pastries are sourdough cakes or buns with jam, poppy seeds, cottage cheese and nuts.
  • Slaughter festivals are celebrated in many villages.
  • In mountain regions, fish also plays an important role.
  • Typical dishes:
    • sauerkraut soup
    • garlic soup
    • Mushroom soup
    • Kapustnica (cabbage soup)
    • Buchty na pare (stuffed dumplings)
    • Kapustnica is (cabbage soup with mushrooms, sausage)
    • Vyprázaný syr (fried block cheese with potatoes or french fries)
    • Loksa (pancakes made from flour and potatoes)
    • Bryndzové Pirohy (stuffed pierogi)
    • Vepro knedlo zelo (pork with dumplings and cabbage)
    • Trdelnik (funnel cake)
    • Parené buchty (steamed noodles)
    • Bábovka (Gugelhupf)
    • Bratislavské rozky (Pressburg croissants)
    • Medovníky (honey cake)

Particularly scenic

  • High and Low Tatras
  • Pieniny National Park
  • Dobsiná Ice Cave
  • Slovak paradise
  • Big and Small Fatra
  • Badin jungle
  • Little Carpathians
  • Manínska tiesnava gorge
  • Geyser Herliansky
  • Zádielska tiesnava gorge
  • Lúcanský vodopád waterfall
  • Waterfalls Vodopády Studeného potoka
  • Lake Liptovska Mara
  • Mountain lake Strbske Pleso
  • Slovensky Kras (Slovak Karst)

Slovakia Fast Facts