Slovakia is one of Central Europe’s true hidden gems. With fairytale castles, medieval towns, alpine mountains, hearty food, and some of the best value prices in Europe, it’s a country that deserves far more attention than it gets. While many travelers head straight for Prague, Krakow or Budapest, Slovakia remains refreshingly under the radar — which makes it the perfect road trip destination.
In this Slovakia itinerary, I’ll share the best places to visit on a 7–10 day trip — from Košice and Spiš Castle to the High Tatras, Liptov region, and Orava Castle. Whether you’re into hiking, history, or simply exploring authentic Central Europe without the crowds, this Slovakia road trip guide will give you everything you need to plan an unforgettable journey.
Slovakia Road Trip Itinerary (7-10 Days)
My recommended Slovakia travel itinerary focuses on the eastern, northern and central regions of the country as these are the parts I believe to have the best mix of diverse gorgeous scenery, pretty towns and historic sites. And they combine nicely, especially for a little road trip.
This itinerary is designed to be done by car. We used DiscoverCars for our trip, which lets you compare both international rental companies and local Slovak providers. Compare Slovakia car rental prices →
Košice: Slovakia’s Best-Kept Secret
Slovakia’s second-largest city is surely one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Košice was a pleasure to explore by foot for a couple days – especially its beautiful Old Town, dominated by St Elisabeth’s Cathedral – the Easternmost Catholic Cathedral in Europe.
At the heart of the Old Town you’ll find the Singing Fountain, with its colourful evening lightshow drawing in visitors as it “dances” to classic hits. Next door is the grandiose State Theatre, a beautiful legacy from the Austro-Hungarian era.
There is a decent food & coffee scene too, marked by some of the oldest restaurants in Europe with their impressive interiors and an impressive cafe culture. Nothing like a quality coffee and apple tart with a view of the main (Hlavna) street. Or a refreshing local beer.
If you’re after a stroll, the Botanical Gardens are a pleasant and surprisingly large spot a 10-min bus or tram ride from central. Just don’t go into the greenhouses during a heatwave like I did. There are also a couple decent parks – Park Anicka next to the river, and the more central but smaller Mestsky Park.
For the best views of Kosice, climb up the Cathedral tower or head to Hradova Lookout Tower in the verdant hills outside of town.
If you like to venture outside of town, I recommend a little tour around the Tokaj Wine Region on the borders with Hungary – known for its sweet wines. The impressive Spis Castle is also about an hour away by car. More locally, you could hop on an old steam train on the Children Railway (it’s enjoyable for all, not just kids as the name suggests), or visit the Kosice Zoo nearby.
In case you’re feeling extra adventurous, the run-down neighbourhood of Lunik IX shows the contrast of the parallel and very different life of Košice’s large gypsy community. Visit at your own risk..
How to get to Košice
Košice has its own Košice International Airport served by a number of low-cost airlines, so makes for a perfect gateway to start or end your Slovak trip. You can also get direct trains in from Bratislava (5 hours), Budapest (4 hours) or Prague (8 hours).
Spiš Castle: Slovakia’s Largest Castle Ruins
You’ll see it from a long way off – a grand, imposing hilltop fortress commanding over the surrounding landscape. Built some 900 years ago by the Kingdom of Hungary, it’s now the biggest ruin in all of Central Europe and a deserved UNESCO World Heritage site.
Although burned down and gradually ruined by time, the huge castle complex is now carefully preserved, and the sheer size of these ruins is worth visiting. There are numerous exhibitions and many areas to cover including a walk along the top of the fortress walls – so bring good walking footwear especially as some of the steeper paths can be slippery. The beautiful panorama from the top oversees a vast area, and with a little luck you’ll even see as far as the peaks of High Tatras.
The small town down below – Spišske Podhradie – is also worth a visit for a couple hours. If you won’t have a car, this is where you’ll need to get the bus to before catching a taxi (or walking) up to the castle. Although it’s definitely easier with a car, especially with the D1 highway passing right next to it.
How to get to Spiš Castle
Spiš Castle is an hour’s drive from Košice, so while it can be done on a day trip it’s also a perfect halfway point between the city and the Tatry / Liptov regions further west. Keep in mind the castle is usually closed for sightseeing during winter, although you can still enjoy its view.
Levoča: A Hidden Medieval Gem in Slovakia
The picturesque jewel of a medieval town conveniently just off the main motorway is surrounded by city walls with grandiose gates and a beautiful town center. Yet it’s somehow
Levoča was once a German-majority settlement during Austria-Hungary rule, known as Leutschau back then. The town prospered from being on the major trading route, the Via Magna. Now it’s just a pleasant, slow-paced town with beautiful renaissance facades, friendly locals and cute cafes.
While there’s much in Levoča that pleases the eye, my particular highlight is the Cage of Shame by the old market hall, which gives Game of Thrones vibes. Criminals used to be locked in what looks like a giant birdcage, to be shamed by locals as they went about their shopping.
How to get to Levoča
Like Spiš Castle, Levoča is conveniently halfway between the Tatry mountains and Košice, both around an hour’s drive – so is a must-stop on your road trip itinerary. Train is complicated, with just a small railway station connecting to Spišska Nova Ves, with onward connections to the rest of Slovakia. For public transport it’s easier to get a bus from Košice or Poprad.
High Tatras: Hiking and Skiing in Slovakia’s Alps
It might be surprising to find Alpine scenery in Slovakia, but the steep razor-sharp peaks of Vysoke Tatry (High Tatras) reach over 2,500m above sea level. This makes High Tatras a popular ski resort by winter, and an outstanding outdoor destination by summer.
Slovaks love their hiking, and the High Tatras has a very established selection of trails for every level – ranging from family-friendly paths to steep, technical and sometimes treacherous hikes up to the very peaks bordering Poland.
While there are plenty of great hiking resources to help you find the best routes, I really recommend a hike up to Popradske Pleso. For what is a gorgeous mountain lake, it’s a surprisingly easy and accessible 1.5hr walk up that just about anyone with basic fitness can manage. You can choose between a walking path or an accessible asphalt road right up to the lake.
For a base close to High Tatras, you could stay in the town of Poprad, or on the scenic lakefront resort of Štrbske Pleso. However even if you base a little further out like the Liptov region, it’s still within an hour’s drive.
How to get to Slovakian High Tatras
The main motorway D1 is the fastest way by road, with about 1.5-2 hrs to Košice or 4hrs to Bratislava. Trains are a good option, with Poprad being the main hub to then jump on the TEZ (Tatra Electric Railway) for a scenic ride up to one of the smaller towns and resorts in the High Tatras.
Liptov Region, Villages, Spas & Cycling
Slovakia’s Liptov region is best characterised by picturesque rolling hills, thermal springs, quaint villages and a large lake at its heart. All with a backdrop of mountains in three directions – the High Tatras to the north, the Low Tatras to the south and the Vel’ka Fatra to the west.
All of this makes Liptov a fantastic destination whether you’re after hiking, cycling, water sports or just chilling in spas. And with so much at your doorstep, it’s also a perfect base for your Slovakia stay.
I would really recommend hiring a bicycle for a day or two to explore the countryside and the local villages – there are so many quaint cycling routes. You don’t need to be particularly fit either – e-bikes are widely available alongside MTBs and gravel bikes. I’d recommend these guys for bike rentals.
There are plenty of cute villages to discover – I loved Pribylina and Partizanska Lupča just to name a couple – as well as countless outdoor activities. So I’ll just highlight some of the little gems you shouldn’t miss.
Vlkolinec
The little village nestled in the mountains of Vel’ka Fatra seems like a place where time stopped. Vlkolinec is a beautifully preserved example of medieval Slovak architecture, with a wooden bell tower, colourful log houses and a little stream flowing through its steep main street. The surrounding views are breathtaking, and are more than worth the winding road to get up here. For me, Vlkolinec is one of the best places to visit in Slovakia.
There is a great little restaurant to savour traditional fare like the halusky (Slovak gnocchi) with bacon and sheep milk cheese. The restaurant is literally called “Restaurant Vlkolinec“. While there are numerous small exhibits throughout this UNESCO-designated village, keep in mind that it’s still a lived-in settlement so be respectful of the locals.
Lučky Thermal Springs
There’s more to the small town of Lučky than a memorable-sounding name (pronounced more like Looch-key). The Liptov Region is known for its medicinal thermal springs, and Lučky is home to one of the oldest spa resorts in Slovakia – the Lučky Spa. An excellent spot to affordably enjoy thermal pools and saunas, especially on the gloomier days. And if you don’t want to pay for your thermal pool, there’s a free public one in the open air in the village of Kalameny next door.
Lucky also boasts a pretty waterfall right in town (Lučansky Waterfall) from the same thermal source. Best of all, you are free to have a dip.
Liptovska Mara
The reservoir at the heart of Liptov region was made in the 1970s by building a dam and flooding the valley – and a few villages along with it. A few remnants of the old settlements remain, like the now-waterside Church of Virgin Mary.
Nowadays, while it’s no Mediterranean, Liptovska Mara has a seaside feel to it along with a few beaches, a sweet mountainous backdrop and recreational areas including all kinds of watersport activities. For families, the nearby town Bešeňova also boasts a huge thermal water park.
Orava Castle: Slovakia’s Fairytale Fortress
While you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to castles in Slovakia (which apparently boasts the most castles per capita in the world), there are few as stunning and fairytale-like than Orava Castle (Oravsky Hrad).
Perched high up an extremely steep cliff rock above the Orava river to defend from the invading Tartar-Mongols way back, the castle evolved over time to become a peculiar blend of Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque styles. The castle is layered in 3 ‘levels’, each one with plenty to see indoors including ever-changing exhibitions. To get access to all rooms and learn about its fascinating history, jump on the guided tour. It’s definitely worth exploring for the panoramic views alone.
How to get to Orava Castle
Orava Castle is overlooking the town of Oravsky Podzamok, which is on the highway E77 heading towards the Polish border. The town has a train station too, although it’s about 4 hours each from both Bratislava and Košice.
Slovakia Road Trip FAQs & Tips
Is Slovakia worth visiting?
A resounding yes — Slovakia is one of Central Europe’s most underrated destinations, with castles, mountains, medieval towns, and affordable prices compared to its neighbours. And as a bonus – without the tourist crowds.
Is Bratislava Worth Visiting on a Slovakia Itinerary?
If you’re starting your Slovakia road trip from the capital, or indeed Austria’s Vienna just across the border, Bratislava is worth a day or two. I just personally didn’t find it as interesting as the places and regions recommended in this Slovakia itinerary, and indeed it’s relatively far from that cluster.
If you’re considering expanding your itinerary, consider instead Banska Stiavnica – an extremely picturesque UNESCO heritage mining town in the heart of the country.
Best time to visit Slovakia
Slovakia has a continental climate with distinct seasons. If you’re after good warm weather, May, June and September to early October are the best months to visit, with July and August also fine options but can get pretty hot unless you’re up in the mountains. September is probably the best month as it also tends to be drier than early summer.
For skiing, January and February are naturally the months to visit the High or Low Tatry.
How to Get to Slovakia
Based on the recommended itinerary, the most obvious route in would be to fly into Košice Airport in the country’s east. Alternatively there is the bigger Bratislava Airport to the west and the tiny Poprad-Tatry Airport with a handful of flights including to London. For a broader selection of direct flights, you could also consider Krakow in Poland (about 2.5hrs drive to High Tatry) or Vienna that’s right next to Slovakia.
Do you need a car in Slovakia?
If you’re after visiting more isolated spots, I recommend hiring a car and Slovakia is no exception. Driving is pretty straightforward and nothing as hair-raising as some of the Balkan countries. We managed to get a car in Košice Airport for a very good price from Europcar, and there are also local company options – you can find both on DiscoverCars.
Need a car? Compare Slovakia car rental prices on DiscoverCars →
Trains are affordable and the local network will get you to most Slovak towns, you’ll just struggle with the villages and some hiking spots. The bus network is also fairly decent, although naturally they take more time and your flexibility. You can usually buy bus tickets on board.
I hope this Slovakia travel guide helped inspire your next road trip holiday. If you’re considering other road trip holiday options in Europe, check out my guide to 9 Wonderfully Affordable Road Trip Destinations in Europe.
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