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Things to see and do in Slovakia

Andy Warhol Gallery

The provincial town of Medzilaborce isn't the most obvious place to find a classy modern art museum, which makes the Andy Warhol Gallery (www.andywarhol.sk) something of a curiosity. Warhol's parents were from the area, and the man himself would be happy with the collection on show.

Bardejov

A picture-perfect civic square forms the centrepiece to this northern town, and the region offers ample opportunity to sample a part of Europe that sees comparatively few tourists. You won't want to forget your camera.

Bratislava's architecture

To get a sense of the country's past, take a walk up to Bratislava Castle (itself an impressive cultural monument) above the Old Town and gaze out. You'll see the pretty medieval core spread below, while rows of socialist-era tower-blocks line up in the distance.

Explore Bratislava

Bratislava's bite-sized, red-roofed Old Town is a joy to explore on foot. Chill out at the terrace of countless cafés, call in at baroque palaces and seek out the quirky public art scattered around town centre.

Follow the wine route

Just outside the Slovakian capital, the Small Carpathian Wine Route snakes through glorious countryside, past ancient wine towns and the wonderfully preserved Červený Kameň Castle. The route offers plenty of stopover options where you can sample the local wine.

Ghost Festival

Bojnice Castle (www.bojnicecastle.sk) is a big enough draw in its own right, but visit in late April/ early May and you might catch the annual International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits - a fun chance to rub shoulders with local ghouls and goblins.

Go underground in Slovakia’s second city

Waterways, fortifications and the cathedrals foundation are all waiting to be discovered if you go underground at Kosice’s archaeological site and explore the labyrinth of passages linking the ancient town.

Head to Malá Fatra National Park

A postcard wonderland of soaring ridges and beech forests, Malá Fatra National Park offers a chance to get a taste for Slovakia’s best product: the great outdoors. Flora and fauna are abundant - keep your eyes peeled for eagles, wolves and storks.

Hiking the High Tatras

The photogenic mountains of the High Tatras are Slovakia's biggest magnet for hikers, and draw visitors year-round. Boasting glacial lakes, towering peaks and world-class trails, they're ideal for bracing open-air thrills.

Museum of Jewish Culture

The museum (www.slovak-jewish-heritage.org), situated in Bratislava's former Jewish neighbourhood, offers a fascinating insight into Judaism and in particular the history of Slovak Jews. The permanent exhibition includes a Holocaust Memorial Room.

People-watch in Kosice

Slovakia's second city is known for its buzzy atmosphere and pretty Old Town. Grab a coffee in the town square, and then take a terrace seat and watch the world go by. When evening rolls around, visit the State Theatre for a taste of high culture.

Revisit the past at Devín Castle

The romantic ruins of Devín Castle, perched on a rocky ledge above two rivers, make for one of the country's most iconic sights. Absorb the medieval history then revel in the panoramic views from the hilltop.

Settlement of Vlkolinec

Some 45 traditional log houses, one of which houses a folk museum, cluster together in Vlkolinec (www.vlkolinec.sk), a delightful, traditional village that was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1993.

Ski in Jasna

Take to the piste - Jasna offers some of Slovakia's best skiing. The Demanova Valley resort has modern lifts and well maintained slopes, and with prices at a fraction of its Western European alternatives, makes for an alluring option.

Snina region

Slovakia's north-eastern corner is rich in natural beauty, with hill ranges, wilderness areas and walking trails. Add to all this its wooden churches and an all-round sense of bucolic calm, and there's much to appeal.

Spas in Starý Smokovec

With its stunning views over the Tatras mountain range, this town famed for its mineral waters, has a plethora of therapeutic spas where visitors can frolic in mineral-charged, hot spring waters said to cure everything from asthma to arthritis. Slovakia's copious mineral springs mean the country boasts some excellent thermal spas, which can be enjoyed both for health benefits and leisurely indulgence. Wellness hotels can be found in most regions.

Spis Castle

Spis (www.spisskyhrad.sk) is the largest castle in Slovakia, and one of the biggest in Central Europe. Standing proud on a 200m- (656ft-) high dolomite hill, it's as impressive for its setting as it for its medieval architecture. It was once one of the most important Gothic castles in Europe and was owned by the Royal Family. It was declared a national monument in 1961 and attempts were made to restore it in order to make it accessible to the public. The castle has a small museum which is open to the public and documents the history of the castle during its prime in the late Middle Ages. Although many parts of the castle's Gothic tower, chapel ramparts and dungeons still stand in ruins, there are fine views of the surrounding countryside from the summit of the hill.

Tatras National Park

Tatras National Park is the oldest national park in Slovakia and home to the famous High Tatras Mountains. Founded in 1949 and covering an area of 741 sq km (286 sq miles), Tatras National Park is a hiker's paradise. The landscape incorporates dense forest on the mountains' lower slopes, as well as glacial lakes and mountain streams. The High Tatras is the only alpine mountain range in Eastern Europe and one of the smallest in the world. The mountains are also famous for their flora and fauna, with chamois (mountain goat), bear and marmot roaming free on the slopes. Also of interest is the TANAP Museum, which describes the natural history and ethnography of the region through geology and exhibits.

Vrátna Valley

From skiing in winter to hiking or biking through glorious countryside in summer, there’s plenty to do in the Malá Fatra mountain range resort of Vrátna, all year-round. And whether it’s winter or summer, the view from the cable-car on a sunny day is a must.

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