←Slovakia travel guide
Banská Bystrica Region, Slovakia
Banska Stiavnica
A UNESCO mining town of silver, baroque, and mountain lakes
ArchitectureHistory & HeritageScenic Views
Banska Stiavnica is a remarkably preserved medieval mining town in central Slovakia, set among wooded hills and a network of artificial reservoir lakes built to power the silver and gold mines that once made it one of the most important cities in the Habsburg Empire. The town's Renaissance palaces, baroque churches, and the world's first mining academy give it a depth of history quite out of proportion to its modest size.
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Best time to visit
May to September
Region
Banská Bystrica Region
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Getting Around Banska Stiavnica
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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.