Slovakia

Straight out of a fairytale, Bojnice Castle is a castle built with Gothic, Romantic, and Renaissance architectural elements. The castle was originally built in the 12th century but has been reconstructed and renovated many times over the years. Bojnice Castle is one of the most popular castles in Slovakia and visitors will love the fantasy environment surrounding it and its grounds. The castle is also home to Bojnice Museum, which specializes in exhibits on architectural neo-styles and is part of the Slovak National Museum. There are many events and attractions hosted at Bojnice, including the International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits, the Summer Music Festival, and the popular Castle Fairytale attraction.

Zamok a okolie 1, 972 01 Bojnice, Slovakia, Phone: +42-14-65-43-06-33

The main castle of Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava Castle is one of the most dominant architectural buildings in the city. Visitors can spend the day exploring the fascinating castle and the stunning grounds that surround it. Other than the beauty of the castle’s architectural structure, visitors will also come across a museum housed in the castle dedicated to precious archaeological finds from the country; one of the most popular exhibits in the museum is the prehistoric statue, the Venus of Moravany. On a clear day, castle visitors will be able to stand on top of the hill upon which the castle is situated and see stunning views of Bratislava, Austria, and Hungary.

811 06 Bratislava, Slovakia, Phone: +42-12-54-41-14-44

Budatin Castle was built in the 13th century as a guarding castle that soon turned into a royal fortress. The castle has a riveting history, which includes surviving the Turkish threat in the 17th century and getting damaged during the revolutions of 1848/1849. Visitors can now explore the structure, which has had various additions made in the Renaissance, Gothic, and baroque styles. One of the most popular aspects of the castle is its oldest: a massive four-story tower. Castle visitors will also be able to explore three exhibitions of the Povazie Museum, which are housed there.

Topolová 1, 010 03 Žilina-Budatín, Slovakia, Phone: +42-14-15-00-15-10

Unique Attractions & More Castles

Chatam Sofer is a memorial named after the rabbi it was dedicated to. The rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Schreiber, was a leading personality of European Judaism in the 19th century who taught thousands of people on Orthodox Jewish perspectives. Built on the site of an old Jewish cemetery, the memorial/mausoleum now only houses the restored gravestones of Chatam Sofer and the 22 other graves that remained. Visitors can explore the memorial/mausoleum, which was redesigned in 2002 in a contemporary architectural style that adheres to Jewish law, though visits must be booked in advance.

Nábrežie armádneho generála Ludvika Svobodu 20, 81102 Bratislava, Phone: +42-12-54-41-69

Devin Castle, which translates to “observation points” or “watchtowers, is the ruins of one of the last fortifications built in the 17th century. The cliff in which the remains lie was an excellent vantage point as people could watch over trade routes on the Danube and Morava Rivers, and archaeologists have found that people had been settled there going back to the neolithic. Visitors can explore the sprawling interior of the castle, which includes staircases, gardens, and open courtyards. One of the most popular aspects of the castle is a tiny watchtower called the Maiden Tower; the tower has many interesting legends, most of which include lovelorn women falling to their death.

Muranska, 841 10 Devín, Slovakia, Phone: +42-12-65-73-01-05

Krasna Horka Castle , which means “a beautiful mountain”, is one of the few fully preserved castles left for visitors to explore in Slovakia. It is a National Cultural Monument of the Slovak Republic and has been mentioned in documents dating back to 1333. An extension of the Slovak National Museum is housed at the castle and visitors can see one of the largest collections of bronze cannons. There are stunning artifacts and exhibitions throughout the castle and its grounds; interior decor, priceless art, and 16th-century armor are just some of the things visitors can see at Krasna Horka.

Slanska, 049 41 Krasnohorske Podhradie, Slovakia

Definitely worth checking out, Man at Work - Cumil is a beautiful sculpture that can be seen in Bratislava’s old town. Designed by Slovakian artist Viktor Hulik, the sculpture depicts a sewer worker who is resting at the top of a manhole watching the people passing by. The sculpture was installed and opened to the public in 1997, and though the artist has said that the sculpture doesn’t symbolize anything and was added to revive tourism in the Old Town, many tales have formed since then. There are many other statues in the vicinity, including Paparazzi, Napoleon, and Schöner Náci.

811 01 Old Town, Slovakia

In medieval times, the town of Bratislava was surrounded by heavily fortified walls, which had only four gates through which people could enter and exit. Michael's Gate, the smallest of the four, is the only city gate that remains and has been preserved since its construction in 1300. Visitors can head to the top of the tower and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding old town. The Museum of Arms is currently housed in the tower; there, visitors can also learn about Bratislava’s fortifications in detail, from construction to the destruction in the 18th century. Under the gate, there are a number of restaurants and luxury shops, such as Swarovski and Christian Dior.

Michalská 806/24, 811 03 Staré Mesto, Slovakia, Phone: +421 2/544 330 44