Ultimate Itinerary For 5 Days In Slovakia 2026

After an incredible few days in Slovakia I can safely confirm two things – Slovakia is a beautiful country to visit with a whole lot to offer and secondly, travelling beyond Bratislava is a must.

With that in mind, I’m sharing my tried and tested itinerary for five days in Slovakia featuring city sightseeing, mountain hiking, picturesque castles and a spot of wine tasting. Before we get into it, it’s worth noting how we got to Slovakia and a couple of recommendations. Read on or use the options below to jump to sections you’re most interested in.

1. Getting to Slovakia
2. Getting around the country
3. The route
4. Day 1: Bratislava
5. Day 2: Bratislava to Banska Bystrica
6. Day 3: Banska Bystrica to Low Tatras
7. Day 4: Banska Bystrica to Modra
8. Day 5: Modra to Bratislva

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Slovakia at a glance:

• My favourite wine tasting tour: Fedor Malik & Son
• Easiest car rental: prices from £30 per day
• Most impressive castle: Bojnice Castle
• Best Low Tatras hike: Mt Chopok – Mt Ďumbier ridge
• Best eSIM to stay connected: Airalo

Getting to Slovakia

To arrive in the capital, Bratislava, my friend and I flew directly from London Stansted with Ryanair. But other airports do also offer this route so you don’t have to fly from London if that doesn’t suit you. Bratislava is also very close to the Austrian border and the city of Vienna. Which makes it the ideal add on to a central European trip or an easy hop over if you find cheaper flights to Vienna.

Getting around the country

While there is a good train network in Slovakia, I recommend travelling by car in order to get to some of the more remote and special places. Because of that this itinerary is based on having a car. In our case we rented a car in Bratislava which worked really well. We paid around £200 for four days and had no problems with extra charges or fees.

CAR RENTAL: Find the best prices for car rental in Slovakia with Booking.com here.

The route

Here’s the map of the full itinerary. As you can see, this route will take you into the heart of the central mountainous region of the country and back. Plus, as there’s lots of stops along the way, the driving is broken down into manageable chunks so you’re never in the car for too long.

Day 1: Bratislava

Start your trip right in the west of the country, the capital, Bratislava. With a population of just 440,000, it’s a small but perfectly formed city that makes the ideal base to start your trip. If you arrive in the morning, one day here will be plenty of time to tick off the key sights.

Because it is such a small city, you can generally walk to the major attractions within 5-20 minutes of each other. Just get the bus or an Uber from the airport directly into town and check into your accommodation first. We chose the option of an Uber that cost us under £10 to get to our AirBnB just outside the Old Town.

From there it’s time to explore, here are the main sights I recommend seeing…

Top things to do in Bratislava:

Visit Bratislava Castle

The city’s castle is not only beautiful in itself but its position by the Danube offers great views of the rest of the city. We walked over here in the early afternoon but it would be very pretty to visit at sunrise or sunset. Take your time to walk around the perimeter of the castle to take in the views and wander through the free manicured gardens tucked at the back of the castle for that fairytale feeling.

If you want to enter the buildings you do have to pay. But if you’re just looking to get a flavour for the castle I’d recommend just having a walk around the grounds. Plus, there’s some lovely cafes and bars serving ice cold Aperol spritz and other treats on the walk up. It would be rude not to stop and sample them…

Admire the Blue Church (also known as the Church of St. Elizabeth)

Now you might be thinking, across Europe, isn’t every church basically the same…? This one proves the answer to be – no. I think the Blue Church is one of the most lovely churches I’ve ever seen. With so much hand-painted decorative detail, it’s really a special spot. We didn’t even go inside because there was a service happening but it was worth the short walk over to admire its exterior.

Marvel at St. Michael’s Gate & Tower

Your next must-see is the main historic point in the centre of Bratislava Old Town. Built in around 1300 it’s one of the oldest buildings in the city, featuring a gate that you can walk through on the street as well as a tower you can climb for a small fee for 360 degree views.

Pay Čumil a visit

A curious sight is the statue of Čumil – a notorious Slovakian sewage worker. In true form he’s captured emerging from under a drain cover. There’s actually a number of other bronze statues hidden around the city that you can hunt down but Čumil is definitely the most famous.

If you’re heading down through Old Town it’s worth stopping past to see him (or at least watch your step so you don’t trip on his head).

Learn about St. Martin’s Cathedral

On your walk to or from Bratislava Castle you might stumble upon the beautiful St. Martin’s Cathedral. Originally part of the city walls and a defensive bastion, the church was consecrated in 1452. There was a wedding ceremony taking place when we visited so we didn’t see inside the church but even from the outside it’s highly impressive.

Plus, there’s a fascinating series of plaques with information about the history of the jewish community in Bratislava and wider Slovakia on the remains of the city walls.

Get a glimpse of Most SNP (the UFO bridge)

Opposite the historic castle, the last thing you would expect to see is a tower designed to look like a UFO. But that’s exactly what was built in 1967 and today the UFO tower features an observation deck and restaurant serving views of the Danube while you dine.

I would say as the observation deck isn’t that much higher than the castle you can probably save a few euros by just admiring it from the outside which is what we did. But no trip to Bratislava would be complete without spotting this unlikely sight.

Wander Old Town Hall

Another unmissable spot is Old Town Square – surrounded on all sides by striking architecture, history and Old Town Hall. Again, for a small fee you can tour the full Town Hall museum but if you’re wanting to just get a flavour for the place you can wander the outside and admire the Baroque style.

Soak up Old Town

My final top tip for your 24 hours in Bratislava is to just take some time to relax and enjoy. With so many beautiful cafes, bars and restaurants we loved just sipping an Aperol Spritz while people watching and getting a flavour for life in Bratislava.

Where to eat & drink:

Luculus Ice Cream – Cool off with some of the best gelato in the city. There are to Luculus ice cream shops and they’re both equally good. Expect fun service, excellent prices (€2 for a cone with one scoop) and delicious flavours. I can personally recommend the hazelnut!

Brixton House – For excellent drinks and small plates, we really liked this spot just off the Old Town Square. Think mexican snacks and botanical drinks.

Langos Bar – Okay, now for dinner, lunch or really any meal you have to head to Langos Bar. If you’ve never had a langos before – it’s a Hungarian treat that’s crossed the border here. A deep fried doughy bread traditionally served with sour cream, garlic and cheese. I mean what’s not to like!? And not to cause controversy, but I think this spot was actually better than places I’ve tried in Budapest so run, don’t walk to Langos Bar…

Where to stay:

For the best position in the city and easy access to all of the sights above, I’d recommend choosing a hotel or hostel that’s in or close to Old Town. Here are my top picks…

Budget: Chors Boutique Hostel with dorm beds from £30 per night

If you’re on a tight budget but don’t want to sacrifice your privacy and personal space, choose Chors. While it’s still a hostel and you’re still sharing a dorm room with other travellers, the way they’ve designed each pod bed offers so much more privacy to enjoy a better night’s rest or a little down time.

The whole hostel is modern, fresh and perfectly positioned in the Old Town for the ultimate stay in Bratislava.

Mid-range: City centre apartment from £67 per night

If you’re travelling with another person or want more of your own space to cook and relax, then it actually works out better value to rent an apartment. Bratislava is blessed with lots of beautiful bright apartments at super reasonable prices. This one right in the centre of the Old Town is my favourite. The reviews speak for themselves!

Day 2: Bratislava to Banska Bystrica

After a day strolling around town, like us you’re probably ready to escape the crowds. On day two, if you haven’t already, I recommend picking up your car and starting the journey towards the east of the country. You’ll be heading to the beautiful town of Banska Bystrica (complete guide to Banska Bystrica here) on the edge of the Low Tatras national park, stopping off at sights along the way.

To drive straight from Bratislava to Banska Bystrica will take you just over 2 hours. But it’s always nice to break up the journey and there are some key places to visit en route.

Top sights:

Take a tour of Bojnice Castle

A short detour from the road to Banska Bystrica will take you to the town of Bojnice, home to one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country. As you can imagine from the photos, it inspires a fairytale feeling and lots of films have been shot there.

While there are a lot of castles in Slovakia, this one is special and I’d really recommend taking the time to stop here. All the tours around the castle are guided in Slovakian but the information is available in other languages including English in a small leaflet. For €13 per adult, you can get a full tour of the castle including the caves in the foundations of the building which takes just over two hours.

Walk up Bojnice viewpoint (Seagull in the Clouds)

After a tour of the castle, head up the hill overlooking Bojnice and the castle for incredible views of the area. If you have kids, up here there’s also amusement style attractions and a dinosaur park.

But the best spot for view point lovers is the lookout tower. You do have to pay €8 to enter the tower but it’s a pretty special site. Plus, for an extra €1, you can take the slide down – what more could you want?!

Wander Banska Bystrica Old Town

From Bojnice, head on to your final destination for the day – Banska Bystrica. Once you’ve arrived in town and settled in your accommodation, the early evening is the ideal time to get a feel for the place. Wander to the main square where you’ll find gorgeous churches, lots of excellent restaurants and bars serving cool cocktails.

Where to eat & drink:

Kut12 – On the corner of the town square you’ll find a lovely Italian place offering cool crisp cocktails and great pizzas. Sit outside to soak up the evening vibes and catch the sunset.

Regal Burger – If you’re in the mood for a burger or more traditional Slovakian food, try Regal Burger just outside town. They also do delivery if you want to just chill on your balcony.

Where to stay:

For the best night’s rest with easy access into the centre of Banska Bystrica, I’d recommend these spots…

Budget: Gran Hostel dorm bed £16 per night

If you’re keen to conserve your travel budget (who isn’t!? 😂) then choose Gran Hostel. For just £16 per night you can enjoy a great night’s rest in their spacious and spotless dorm rooms.

There’s also a communal kitchen and lounge so you can save a little more cash by cooking your own meals, as well as a terrace for relaxing in the sun and soaking up the laid-back atmosphere.

Plus, as I mentioned, this hostel is actually on the main road through the city centre so finding a great restaurant or coffee shop is as easy as stepping out of the door!

Mid-range: Apartman A&M from £50 per night

If you have a little more budget to play with or want more of your own space, choose Apartman A&M. Again, this apartment is perfect for access to the centre of Banska Bystrica but its position slightly further up the hill offers sweeping views of the neighbouring mountains from the balcony.

That was one of my favourite things about staying here – after a long day of hiking in the Tatras, you could come back and relax on the balcony with a beer and soak up the view. It doesn’t get any better!

Day 3: Banska Bystrica to Low Tatras

After a more chilled day, it’s time to kit up and hit the trails. Today is all about breathing that fresh mountain air and getting summit fever. Grab an early breakfast and make your way over to Jasna (about a 1.5 hour drive) for two incredible hiking options.

Top sights:

Summit Mount Chopok

If you’re looking for more of a physical challenge and the full rewarding feeling of getting to the top of the mountain with only your two feet then this walk to the top of Mount Chopok is the best option. Similarly, if you’re heading to this area on a week day out of season then you’ll also be best to walk up as the cable cars may not be running.

But you’re in for a treat – this walk is a stunner. Park up in Jasna and start the walk working your way up through patches of woodland before you come out onto the open side of the mountain. From here, you can start to enjoy 180 degree views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Just be sure to keep an eye and ear out for bears. Although we didn’t see any on this hike, they’re known to live in the Low Tatras…

About half way up you’ll turn onto a steeper path that takes you straight up to the summit. When we did this in late May there was still quite a lot of snow around that we walked through. As the air temperature was warm it wasn’t a problem doing this in shorts and good trainers or walking shoes, if it’s a cooler day you might want waterproof trousers and more layers.

Finally, after about 3 hours of moderate walking, you’ll reach the top. The perfect time to eat your well-earned packed lunch and take in the incredible views before you start on your descent. It’s worth bearing in mind, there are lots of maps along the way and the route is well marked on Google Maps. So we were able to pretty easily plot the route but if you wanted to print a guide out, there are route maps available online.

Ridge walk from Mount Chopok to Mount Dumbier

If you prefer a walk that maximises views with minimal elevation gain then the ridge walk is for you. Just make sure you’re doing this walk on a weekend when the cable cars are running. From Jasna you can catch the cable car right to the top of Mt. Chopok where you’ll begin the walk across to the highest point in the Low Tatras, Mt. Dumbier.

We didn’t end up doing this walk but we could see the path from the summit of Mt Chopok and Mt. Dumbier peaking (couldn’t resist) up in the distance. The walk is 8.8km and should take you about four hours there and back plus time to get the cable car up and down. It’s definitely on my list for when I return!

Visit Spania Dolina

On the way back to your accommodation in Banska Bystrica, stop by the old mining town of Spania Dolina. It’s a pretty town with lots of history – a quick wander around will not only help you understand more about the region but also start stretching out your legs after the walk.

Where to eat & drink:

Packed lunch – For ultimate flexibility on the mountain (and in case any of the mountain cafés are shut) I’d recommend taking a packed lunch. We went for the classic bread and cheese with some crisps, chocolate and bananas.

Cafés on the mountain – In Jasna and on the walk up to Mt. Chopok there are a series of bars, cafés and restaurants. Just be sure to check their opening hours in summer as they’re reduced outside of weekends and peak seasons.

Where to stay:

As you’ll be heading back to Banska Bystrica for the night, I’d recommend just staying in the same accommodation. That way you can save on packing and unpacking time and go back to your beautiful apartment balcony for drinks and dinner.

Day 4: Banska Bystrica to Modra

After a full day of walking it’s time for some R&R. The perfect excuse to head to the wine region of Slovakia – Modra (complete guide to Modra here). On the way, you’ll stop at two very different but equally striking churches before arriving just in time to sip a range of wines, sample some local cheese and of course, grab a gelato.

Top sights:

Visit Hronsek UNESCO wooden church

Today, your first stop is a short drive from Banska Bystrica – about 15 minutes. Here in Hronsek you’ll find the UNESCO wooden church which as you can probably guess is completely constructed with wood. We did look and we couldn’t see any nails or screws – all just wooden joints. Take a minute to wander around here and a stroll in the park if you fancy a look around this village before hopping back in the car.

Explore St. Michael Archangel Church (Nitra)

Your next stop is quite the viewpoint. Perched on top of the hill outside the city of Nitra is this tiny charming church. While we were there in spring the surrounding ground was covered with poppies and daisies making for a really pretty scene. As you can tell in the photo, this church is right on the edge of a steep rocky drop making for dramatic views.

Again, a quick wander around here is all you need – just park in the town and walk up the hill to view the church. We also nipped into the supermarket here to grab some more snacks and iced coffee for the road.

Enjoy a wine & cheese tasting

Now for the main event! When you arrive in the lovely town of Modra, check into your accommodation and freshen up before you head down the street to your wine tasting. We booked ours with Fedor Malik & Son which happened to be essentially next door to our hotel. It couldn’t have been easier and we were met by the founder’s son who showed us around their facility and cellars before we got to the tasting.

We sat in their beautiful little courtyard sipping white wines, red wines, rosé and even a sparkling wine in the making. Alongside the wine, the founder served us home made bread, sausages, stew and delicious salted radishes. There was so much food with the tasting we didn’t even need dinner.

Slightly tipsy we just went next door again to grab some gelato afterwards. Find our recommended spot listed at the bottom of this section.

BOOK HERE: To join the same excellent tour that I took run by a local family winery, you can book your place here.

Stroll the vineyards around town

After a quick post-wine tasting nap we then headed out for sunset to get views over the vineyards. These all back onto the town and can be walked to in about 15 minutes. As they’re all open footpaths you can just explore as you like before heading back to the hotel for a great night’s rest.

Where to eat & drink:

About Coffee & Food – For breakfast or brunch, look no further than this spot. With great coffee, savoury options and a host of pancakes, it’s ideal.

Cafe Modur – If it’s just coffee, drinks or ice cream your after, head next door to this alfresco spot.

Staré Časy – Lastly, for perfect gelato, pop by this place. Again, the prices were incredible and the hazelnut was chef’s kiss.

Where to stay:

In Modra, the best choice is a hotel. In particular we loved . Not only is it literally next door to About Coffee & Food as well as Fedor Malik & Son wine tasting, but the place is stunning. Set along a stone courtyard the rooms were super comfy, spotless and pretty. Plus, the owner was so kind and friendly, she gave us lots of the helpful tips you’ve read above.

Budget: Club M.K.M. Modra from £37 per night including breakfast

For the best value stay in Modra, choose Club M.K.M. Here you’ll find cosy rooms, a tasty restaurant, sun-dappled terrace and even a full indoor pool and sauna. That’s right – don’t let the humble photos of this place fool you, it has a whole lot to offer!

Mid-range: May House from £64 per night

For a little more luxury, choose May House. This is where I stayed and it’s one of my favourite hotels I’ve ever been to. Let me explain why… Firstly, the location is perfect – you’re right on the main high street through the town with my favourite cafés in this blog literally next door, as well as my favourite wine tasting spot.

Secondly, the hotel itself is stunning. The owners have taken such care to convert this historic stone building into a cosy boutique escape without the huge price tag. One of my favourite parts was sitting in their cute courtyard at sunset watching the starlings that nest in gaps in the stone flit in and out with their chicks.

Lastly, the owners are so lovely. They went out of their way to offer us local tips and advice as well as checking in to make sure we had everything we needed and were having a great stay. It was so nice to get to meet them and learn more about the town they love. So from me, it’s a 10/10, must stay!

Day 5: Modra to Bratislava

That brings us to the last day of the itinerary, but don’t worry this day is still full of things to see and do. Once you’ve packed up your stuff and grabbed some breakfast at one of the cute cafés in town, I’d recommend the following stops on your way back to Bratislava…

Top sights:

Climb Veľká Homola Lookout Tower

Your first stop is actually still within the municipality of Modra, just 15 minutes drive from the town. You’ll be surprised how suddenly green it becomes again as you head into the wooded hills surrounding the area.

While there are lots of walking trails around here, the best spot to head for is the lookout tower. It’s around a 30 minute walk from the car park up to the base of the tower and it’s completely free to enter. From the top you’ll get incredible views of the area and another taste of the Slovakian wilderness. Since the walk back is down hill you’ll be back at the car park in no time, ready to hit the next stop.

Explore Devin Castle

Forty five minutes drive from Modra, and just 20 minutes outside Bratislava is Devin Castle, a great stop on your journey back to the capital. With foundations dating back to the 800s bear in mind that compared with Bojnice Castle, there isn’t a lot of this one left. If you pay to enter you can explore more of the grounds but if you’re short on time and would rather take it easy it’s also a nice area to wander.

The Danube here actually marks the border with Austria and it was also where up until 1989, the iron curtain separated the Eastern Bloc and the West. So there’s a lot of history to soak up, great views of the river and a very nice café to sit and watch the world go by.

…Which is exactly what we did. After four action packed days we were ready to sip an iced coffee and read our Kindles. Discover the café in the food & drink section.

Kamzík TV Tower

Now, as you make your way back to the airport, there’s one final stop you might want to squeeze in. On the hill outside Bratislava is Kamzík TV Tower – a 196m tall television transmission tower with an observation deck for one last look at Bratislava. Plus, in the right conditions you can also see as far as Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

There’s also lots of other walking routes through Bratislava Forest Park from here as well as another lookout tower on American Square. So if you have a little more time before your flight, it’s a great final stop.

Where to eat & drink:

Café Ahoy – Right on the river with cool shaded outdoor seating is this cute café. Only open in the afternoons, it’s the perfect spot to sip an iced coffee and watch the world go by.

And there we have it – that’s my top itinerary for five days in Slovakia to take you beyond Bratislava and enjoy more of the country. I hope you found this useful and that you have an incredible time if you’re headed there. I’m definitely planning to go back and see more of the east of the country, if you have any tips or questions please leave them in the comments. Happy travelling!

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