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Travel Guide
Visiting Slovakia
Select your passport to instantly check if you need a visa.
Discover
Top Attractions in Slovakia
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Spis Castle
Spis Castle is one of the largest medieval castle complexes in Central Europe, its sprawling ruins crowning a solitary hilltop in eastern Slovakia's picturesque landscape. The fortress dates to the 12th century and once served as the administrative centre of the Spis region; together with the nearby ecclesiastical town of Spiska Kapitula and the walled medieval town of Levoca, it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors walk among restored towers, chapel ruins, and exhibition halls that trace the castle's role in Slovak and Hungarian history.
Bratislava Castle
The four-towered Bratislava Castle rises 80 metres above the Danube on a rocky promontory, its white walls visible from much of the capital and from across the river into Austria and Hungary. Settlement traces on the site date back 4,500 years, and the castle served as a royal seat during the era when Bratislava was the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary. Today it houses the Historical Museum, with galleries covering Slovak cultural history, a Treasury of decorative arts, and panoramic views from the Crown Tower.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Slovakia. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Slovakia.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Dial 155 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Slovakia see where to get vaccines and whethe
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police158
Ambulance155
Fire150
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Slovakia
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Slovakia page at Yoogo.
Slovakia uses the euro (EUR), having adopted it in 2009. Card payments are widely accepted in cities, hotels, and larger restaurants, though it is wise to carry some cash for smaller towns, rural guesthouses, and market stalls.
Slovakia is generally considered a safe country with low levels of violent crime. As in any European city, travellers in Bratislava and Kosice should be alert to pickpocketing in busy tourist areas and around public transport hubs.
Trains connect Bratislava to Kosice, Zilina, and other major cities, with ZSSK operating the national rail network. Regional bus services run by SAD reach smaller towns and villages not served by rail, and renting a car is a practical option for exploring the High Tatras, Slovak Paradise, and the many UNESCO-listed small towns.
Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September) offer pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for hiking and sightseeing. Summer (July to August) is the warmest period and best for high-altitude trails, while winter (December to March) suits skiers heading to the Tatras resorts.
Slovak is the official language, with Hungarian spoken by a significant minority in the south. English is widely understood in Bratislava, in tourist areas, and among younger generations, though knowledge of basic Slovak phrases is appreciated and can be helpful in rural areas.
No specific vaccinations are required for entry to Slovakia, but travellers should ensure routine jabs are up to date. Tick-borne encephalitis vaccination is recommended for those planning extensive hiking or camping in forested areas, particularly in summer.
Tipping is customary in restaurants, with around 10 per cent of the bill considered appropriate; in more casual settings, rounding up to the nearest euro or two is common practice. Tipping hotel porters one or two euros per bag and rounding up taxi fares are both appreciated but not obligatory.
Slovakia has good 4G coverage across cities and main tourist corridors, with 5G available in Bratislava and Kosice. Travellers with a compatible device can purchase an eSIM from providers such as Airalo before departure, which connects automatically to local networks including O2 and Orange upon arrival.