What to See in Slovakia: Cities to Explore on Foot

Slovakia is a landlocked Central European country shaped by mountains, layered political history and enduring folk traditions. The best things to do in Slovakia include exploring historic cities, discovering the Carpathian landscape, visiting caves and national parks, and tasting a cuisine influenced by its neighbours. Neywo offers free audio guides for 4 cities in Slovakia, with 134 narrated places in total, 9 walking tours and narration in 11 languages.

What to see and do in Slovakia

Explore Slovakia’s history

Slovakia’s past reflects repeated changes of rule and a long search for its own political voice. Slavs arrived in the territory during the fifth and sixth centuries, later helping to create Samo’s Empire and establish the Principality of Nitra. The land became part of Great Moravia before being absorbed into the Hungarian state after Great Moravia’s fall.

For centuries, Slovakia remained tied to the Kingdom of Hungary. Its history also includes destruction during a Mongol invasion, Ottoman rule in parts of the south and later Habsburg control. A Slovak uprising failed to achieve its political aim but helped strengthen national identity.

After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Slovakia became part of Czechoslovakia. Fascist rule during the Second World War was followed by communism. The peaceful Velvet Revolution brought that system to an end, and Slovakia became an independent democratic state in 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

The country’s cities are a good place to encounter these different layers of history. Bratislava, the capital, has 77 narrated places on Neywo, including St. Martin’s Cathedral, Grassalkovich Palace, the Church of St. Elisabeth and the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising.

Discover the Carpathian Mountains and the Tatras

Mountains are central to the character of Slovakia. The Carpathian Mountains extend across much of the northern half of the country, while the Tatras form the highest range in the Carpathians. The range has 29 peaks rising above 2,500 metres.

The mountains also shape Slovakia’s waterways. Most rivers begin in the Slovak mountains. Some cross the country, while others form natural borders with neighbouring lands. Together with national parks, these landscapes make Slovakia a destination for travellers interested in mountain scenery and protected natural areas.

The climate lies between temperate and continental conditions. Summers are relatively warm, while winters are cold, cloudy and humid. This contrast is part of the country’s changing mountain environment.

Visit Slovakia’s caves and caverns

Slovakia’s landscapes continue below ground. Hundreds of caves and caverns lie beneath its mountains, and some are open to the public. They offer another way to experience the country’s geology beyond its peaks, forests and rivers.

The combination of underground spaces and dramatic mountain terrain is one of Slovakia’s defining natural features. It also helps explain why the country’s national parks and protected landscapes are such an important part of its identity.

Experience Slovak folk culture

Folk tradition runs deeply through Slovak literature, music, dance and architecture. The country’s national anthem, “Nad Tatrou sa blýska”, is based on the melody of the folk song “Kopala studienku”. A traditional folk tune therefore became part of the national sound.

The Východná Folklore Festival is another expression of this living tradition. Folk culture is not limited to performance: it also appears in regional architecture and in the way local identities have endured through periods of political change.

Slovak is the official language and belongs to the Slavic language family. Slovakia also has a multilingual character. Hungarian is widely spoken in southern regions, while Rusyn is used in parts of the northeast. In some municipalities, minority languages have co-official status when the local minority population meets the legal threshold.

The country’s name itself preserves a connection with this history: Slovakia means the Land of the Slavs.

Taste Central European and eastern influences

Traditional Slovak food is based on familiar, filling ingredients. Pork and poultry are important, with chicken the most widely eaten bird. Flour, potatoes, cabbage and milk products also play a central role.

Slovak cooking is closely related to the cuisines of Hungary, Czechia, Poland and Austria. In the east, it also reflects Ukrainian influence, including Lemko and Rusyn traditions. Rather than being defined by a single dish, Slovak cuisine is best understood as a meeting point of Central European and eastern influences.

Visit Slovakia’s historic cities

Slovakia’s cities offer some of the clearest ways to connect the country’s history, culture and regional character.

• Banská Bystrica has 15 narrated places on Neywo. Its highlights include the city itself, the Museum of Central Slovakia and the SNP Monument and Museum in Banská Bystrica.
• Banská Štiavnica has 12 narrated places, including Nový zámok, Galéria Schemnitz and Starý zámok.
• Nitra has 30 narrated places. Its highlights include St. Emmeram’s Cathedral, Župný dom, the Bishop’s Palace and Ponitrianske múzeum.
• Bratislava has the largest Neywo selection in the country, with 77 narrated places covering important religious, civic and historic landmarks.

Together, these cities provide different perspectives on Slovakia: political history in the capital, regional heritage in Banská Bystrica, the cultural and historic character of Banská Štiavnica, and Nitra’s long connection with Slovak history.

Explore Slovakia with Neywo

Download Neywo to discover Slovakia through 9 walking tours across 4 cities, with 134 narrated places in total. The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages, so you can explore Slovakia independently while the city itself guides your route.