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)
