I felt a real pleasure exploring the vibrant streets of this city. Even though Bratislava was a lovely experience, during my second visit to Slovakia, I felt the need to explore some more picturesque places situated far away from the fuss of big cities.

I must confess that this trip was a three-day marathon, because I tried to visit as many places as possible in this short period of time. Looking back, I can say that I managed to visit even more places than I had planned in the beginning of my trip. In case you plan a short road trip to Slovakia and you don’t know what to visit there, maybe my three-day trip itinerary will help you.

My first day in Slovakia started with Bojnice, a small town with a simple and beautiful architecture. Besides the narrow streets that can be explored step by step, there is also a gorgeous castle and a zoo.

The Bojnice Castle was actually the place which made me plan this trip, after I saw a picture on the internet. Surrounded by a large green area, the silhouette of the castle which stretches on a mound seems to be cut out of a fairy tale. It goes without saying that it was a real pleasure to take a walk around the castle and admire its beauty.

In order to visit the Bojnice Castle you have to pay an entrance fee, but it is worth the money because here you can admire an old furniture collection, paintings and other valuable items of national significance. As a bonus, if you pay the entrance fee, you can also visit a cave which is situated under the castle.

Situated very close to the castle, the Bojnice Zoo is another famous tourist attraction in the area. This zoo was opened to the public in 1955 and it is considered the oldest zoo in the country. Covering an area of 42 hectares, the zoo is worth visiting, if we take into account the fact that it is home to 390 different species and 2630 creatures.

I added the Bojnice Zoo to my trip list because I really wanted to see the variety of species sheltered by this zoo and also because I wanted to recharge my batteries after an exhausting day. It turned out to be an inspired decision because I spent a few moments of relaxation inside this zoo. The pavilions filled with monkeys and elephants, the aquarium and the terrarium are the areas which I liked the most.

The second day I continued exploring the town of Bojnice and I visited an amazing tourist attraction. Even though the Sightseeing Tower (Výhliadková Veža Bojnice) is the newest tourist attraction in Bojnice, it is in my opinion the most interesting one. This 30-meter tall tower has recently been built by a local investor because he wanted to increase the number of tourists in the area. This spiral tower is made of steel and wood and it has a very interesting appearance.

In my opinion, the most interesting aspect is the fact that the tourists can reach the top of the tower using a solid wooden walkway. Reaching the top of the tower doesn’t involve much effort but even if it did, the panoramic terrace situated on top of the tower is really worth the effort.  For me, it was a real pleasure to spend time on this terrace and admire the incredible views over the Bojnice Castle and over the surrounding areas.

The next stop was in the town of Kežmarok, in the Spiš region, where I visited two beautiful religious edifices. The first one was the Wooden Articular Church or the Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity, an old edifice built in 1717. This small church is famous for its fascinating interior with exceptional wall paintings and wood carvings. There are only a few articular churches which are still standing in Slovakia today and the Wooden Articular Church is considered the most beautiful one. This unique building is made of yew and red spruce wood, without any metal components.

The second one was the New Evangelical Church, situated near the Wooden Articular Church. This church was built between 1872 and 1894 in the electric style and it incorporates a blend of elements from previous historical styles. Having a distinctive and original appearance, it is considered a national cultural monument in Slovakia. Its colored exterior is perfectly symmetrical and it seems to dominate the entire area.

The Spiš Castle (Spissky Hrad) was another beautiful place I visited during my second day in Slovakia. The Spiš Castle was built in the 12^th century, on the ruins of a Celtic fort. It lies majestically in a picturesque area, above the town of Spišské Podhradie. This stone castle is one of the largest in Europe and a perfect setting for movies. It played an important role in the history of the country, if we take into account that it was the seat of the most important feudal lords in the Spiš region.

If you pay an entrance fee, you can visit the ruins of the old castle, together with a small museum and a small exhibition of historical objects. Even though only the ruins of the imposing castle are still standing today, I really liked the few hours I spent inside the walls of the Spiš Castle. The ruins are well preserved and the objects that can be admired inside the castle are really interesting.

The day ended with a short walk in the center of Košice, which is the second largest city in Slovakia. It was a real pleasure to admire Košice by night. Even though it’s not a spectacular city, it still has some beautiful places to offer.

My third day in Slovakia was entirely dedicated to Košice. I wanted to explore its most beautiful tourist attractions and I started with St. Elisabeth’s Cathedral which is probably the symbol of the city. This Gothic cathedral is the largest religious edifice in Slovakia. Blessed with a beautiful architecture, this edifice dominates the entire city center. I stared at this cathedral for minutes because I couldn’t take my eyes off all those beautiful architectural details. After I admired its stunning exterior, I visited its simple, but interesting interior. The high columns, the opulent aisle and the colored stained glass windows caught my attention.

However, climbing inside the imposing bell tower was the part I enjoyed the most. If you pay an entrance fee, you can climb the double spiral staircase of Sigismund Tower and you will have the chance to admire panoramic views over the entire Košice.

St.Urban’s Tower and St.Michael’s Chapel are two other buildings in Košice which I really enjoyed visiting. Both buildings were built in the 14^th century and they are situated to the right and left of St.Elisabeth’s Cathedral. It is practically impossible not to notice their beautiful architecture.

St.Urban’s Tower has a simple appearance with a pyramidal roof and a church bell situated atypically directly on the ground, right in front of it. It is said that the tower and the church bell were both dedicated to St.Urban, the patron of vinedressers. St.Michael Chapel was originally built as a cemetery chapel and it was named after St.Michael, who is considered the saint of the dead.

Not far away from these places, I spent a few relaxing moments in front of the Singing Fountain. The fountain is situated in the middle of a green space and this is the perfect place to rest while you are listening to its soothing songs.

A few steps away, lies the State Theatre, an imposing building which hosts different drama, ballet and opera shows.

Jakab’s Palace is another tourist attraction that caught my attention during my walk in the city center. This palace was a private house, which was later used as the residence of Edvard Beneš, one of the presidents of the former Czechoslovak Republic.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit more in Košice, but I’m very happy that I managed to see its most famous tourist attractions.

Overall, my second visit to Slovakia was a great experience. I visited beautiful places, I tried delicious food and even the weather was nice, taking into account that it was the middle of October. I hope that my three-day trip itinerary will inspire you in case you ever plan to visit this country.

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I vividly remember that pleasant autumn evening and how tired I felt after visiting a few tourist attractions in the town of Bojnice. Feeling very tired, I decided that the best place to relax was the zoo of the town and it turned out to be an inspired choice.

The Bojnice Zoo lies in the middle of a beautiful natural park, near the castle with the same name. Even though the zoo is not a spectacular one, it gained its popularity because it is the oldest zoological garden in Slovakia. The Bojnice Zoo was opened to the public in 1955 and a huge number of tourists have visited it over the years.

Covering an area of 42 hectares, the zoo is home to 390 species and 2630 creatures. The pavilions with monkeys and elephants, the aquarium and the terrarium are in my opinion the most interesting areas of this zoo. There is also a 7-meter tall observation tower, which gives the children the possibility to get close to the animals. If they go down a slide, they will find themselves surrounded by many domestic animals. This aspect makes the zoo a perfect place for families with children, who want to have fun and relax.

I also enjoyed the peaceful vibe of this place and the few hours I spent there went by so fast.  It was a real pleasure to enjoy the company of those lovely animals and to relax after an exhausting day. In case you ever get to Bojnice, my advice is to add this zoo to your trip list, because it is the type of place that will help you recharge your batteries.

If I haven’t convinced you to visit the Bojnice Zoo yet, maybe the following pictures will do a better job.

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I am talking about the Sightseeing Tower (Výhliadková Veža Bojnice), which is the newest tourist attraction in the beautiful town of Bojnice.

This 30-meter-high tower has recently been built by a local investor with the purpose of increasing tourism in the area. This unique construction is situated in a large forest, on the outskirts of Bojnice. If you are wondering what makes this tower so special, the answer is simple. The image of this spiral tower which stands on a steel structure seems to be unreal. At least, this was the feeling I had when I saw it displaying its silhouette among the crowns of the trees.

I stared hard at the construction and I admired its architectural design, trying to find the answer to a question. No matter how much I tried, it was really difficult to make a connection between the image of the tower and the fairytale houses situated nearby.  A few seconds before I saw the tower, I had passed by a few small colored houses, which were lying at the bottom of the tower. Their image seemed cut out of a fairy tale and created a strong contrast with the modern image of the tower.

Even though I was puzzled, I paid the entrance fee and I started exploring the tower. Thanks to a solid wooden walkway, it was easy to reach the top of the tower. Once I got there, the surprise was huge. A panoramic terrace was lying in front of my eyes and I had the opportunity to admire incredible views over the Bojnice Castle and the surrounding areas.

I really enjoyed the moments I spent there and all those wonderful panoramic views. I tried to capture the beauty of those images in dozens of pictures which I’m going to share with you. I hope these pictures will convince you to add the Sightseeing Tower to your trip list, in case you ever get to this part of Slovakia.

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I must say that I am always very careful about what places I choose when I’m looking for an authentic culinary experience.

I have been talking a lot about Bratislava lately and I believe it’s time to mention those 3 places where I had the opportunity to enjoy a real culinary treat.  All of them are situated in the Old Town of the city (Stare Mesto).

Mondieu Laboratoire is a chic café, bistro and bakery which offers healthy options for breakfast, delicious desserts and also different snacks that you can try during the day. Situated in No.1, Laurinska Street, this place is perfect to start your day in a proper way and enjoy the atmosphere of the Old Town of Bratislava. The modern scenery, the lively ambience and the delicious products are simply enough to put you in a perfect mood. No matter what you decide to try, make sure you add a delicious fruit smoothie to your order!

Slovenska Pivaren is one of the best Slovak restaurants in Bratislava, where you can taste the delicious local dishes. Situated in No.5, Sedlarska Street, this restaurant is a perfect option in case you want to try the authentic Slovak beer and specialties, in a rustic and pleasant scenery. There are a lot of options to choose from but as a suggestion, I recommend the incredibly tasty garlic soup served in bread and the delicious ribs.

You shouldn’t leave Bratislava without eating at least one cake at Konditorei Kormuth. This famous pastry and café is the place where you can taste the best desserts in Bratislava. Situated opposite Slovenka Pivaren, in No.8, Sedlarska Street, this place has a special vibe. Thanks to the sophisticated scenery, embellished with paintings and works of art, you get the feeling that you are in a luxury cafe of the 90s. The porcelain dishes and the waiters’ attire and behavior perfectly complete this atmosphere. I will never forget the delicious coconut cake I tried there.

I’m sure there are other interesting places where you can enjoy a great culinary experience in Bratislava, but the ones I have just talked about simply won my heart. I kindly recommend these three places in case you want to complete your travel experience with a real culinary treat.

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St. Martin’s Cathedral is considered an undisputed witness of the coronation of many important kings and queens.

Situated very close to the Old Town, this Roman Catholic edifice is the largest cathedral in Bratislava and also one of the oldest in the city. It was built in a Gothic style and embellished with an 85-meter tall tower, which seems to dominate the skyline of the Old Town. The tower is topped by a gold replica of St. Stephen’s crown, the famous coronation crown used by the Kingdom of Hungary.

Both the exterior and the interior have a simple design, embellished with a few valuable icons and works of art. For example, two exterior walls are decorated with a few colorful paintings, which give a splash of color to the entire edifice.

I must confess it is the first time I have seen such an interesting decoration of the exterior walls of a religious edifice. The best way to admire these colorful paintings is to take a walk in the backyard and patiently study their beauty. The backyard has a special vibration and you will definitely enjoy spending a few moments there.

Another interesting detail about St. Martin’s Cathedral is the fact that the tourists can also visit a crypt and some catacombs.

All things considered, St. Martin’s Cathedral is an interesting edifice and it definitely deserves to be considered one of the main tourist attractions in the city. Make sure you will not miss it in case you plan a trip to Bratislava!

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There are many things we can share, but it goes without saying that my favorite ones are related to traveling.

When it comes to Bratislava, I have another tip to share in case you want to visit this lovely city. I hope that the following accommodation tip will help you enjoy a perfect travel experience in Bratislava. I’m talking about the Mamaison Residence Sulekova, the lovely hotel where I stayed while I visited Bratislava.

I have only words of praise and appreciation about this hotel, thanks to the quality of services it has to offer. The Mamaison Residence Sulekova is located in a quite beautiful area with green spaces and a few interesting restaurants and cafes. It is situated close to the Old Town and it will be very easy for you to visit the main tourist attractions in the city.

Besides the Old Town, the Presidential Palace and Slavin War Memorial, two other representative tourist attractions, are also situated nearby.

The hotel offers 43 spacious apartments decorated in a modern way and painted in vibrant colors. All the apartments include a kitchenette in order to imitate your home comfort.  A gym, a sauna and a parking lot are among the facilities of this hotel.

Even if the exterior of the Mamaison Residence Sulekova is quite simple and modest, as you have probably guessed the interior displays a stylish design.

Last but not least, a lovely atmosphere and a friendly staff will make your stay here as pleasant as possible. As far as I’m concerned, I believe I made the right choice staying at the Mamaison Residence Sulekova.

Take a look at the following pictures and maybe they will convince you to book an apartment there!

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I have already admitted that the Blue Church or the Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is my favorite place in Bratislava. This Catholic church totally charmed me with its simple and yet sophisticated appearance.

Originally built as a school chapel, this lovely edifice is nowadays not only the symbol of Bratislava but of the entire country. In the famous Mini-Europe Museum in Brussels, the Blue Church is the building which represents Slovakia.

Situated very close to the old town, in a quite small street, this church is famous for its interesting exterior design built in the Hungarian Secessionist style.

Painted in lovely shades of white and pale blue, its façade is embellished with beautiful mosaics, pieces of faience and architectural motifs. In front of such an image you’ll get the feeling that you are looking at a place cut out of a fairytale.

There is also a great discrepancy between the Blue Church and the neighborhood which hosts this edifice. The exterior is dominated by the presence of a 36,8 meter cylindrical tower and the interior is painted in the same shade of pale blue which can be found at the exterior.

St. Elizabeth’s portrait, which is a very valuable icon, embellishes the interior of the church. Blessed with a wonderful architectural design and a special type of spiritual energy, the Blue Church is a unique edifice. As far as I’m concerned I hope I will have the chance to visit it again.

All things considered, make sure you add the Blue Church to your trip list in case you ever get to Bratislava!

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I must confess that although I have passed through the capital of Slovakia a few times, this city didn’t really awake my interest and curiosity until this year. Despite this feeling, a part of me felt that this city was hiding something which had to be discovered and admired. Fortunately, my intuition didn’t fail me and to my great surprise Bratislava offered me a lovely travel experience.

Bratislava is considered the largest city in Slovakia and the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country. Blessed with an interesting architecture which combines classical elements with contemporary details, the city has a lot to offer when it comes to interesting tourist attractions. Even if the Austrian and Hungarian influences can be felt all over the city, Bratislava has its own distinctive vibe.

I must say that the city didn’t impress me at first sight, but when I reached the old town, I was really delighted by a very pleasant medieval vibe. The narrow streets, the old buildings, the historic churches, the interesting castles, the palaces and the impressive monuments are some of the places which portray the beauty of Bratislava.

Once you pass through Michael’s Gate, which is a very well-preserved monument, you will plunge into a totally different atmosphere.

Next to the gate there is the entrance to Michael’s Tower which houses the Museum of Arms and if you choose to climb into this tower you will also have the chance to admire a lovely view over the old town. A narrow street will lead you to the Main Square which hosts the Old Town Hall and Maximilian’s Fountain, two representative tourist attractions.

In this street you can admire a few statues which seem to welcome you to the old center. These famous statues in Bratislava are very appreciated by the tourists and they are among the most photographed attractions in the city.

The Primate’s Palace, which serves as the seat of the Mayor of Bratislava is situated a little farther. One of the most emblematic places in the city is the lovely St. Martin’s Cathedral, a Gothic edifice which reminds of the glorious past of the city.

Not far from this cathedral there is the UFO, an interesting observation deck situated on the pylons of the lovely and modern SNP Bridge. This is the place from where you can admire an amazing panoramic view over the entire city and also over the famous Hrad Castle or Bratislava Castle. The castle is the symbol of Bratislava and it hosts the Museum of History. Situated on one of the highest hills in the city, Bratislava Castle offers a wonderful view over the entire city.

The Presidential Palace, an interesting summer palace which is situated very close to the old town is another interesting tourist attraction in Bratislava.

Another place which definitely deserves everyone’s attention is Slavin, the largest war memorial monument and cemetery in Central Europe. Slavin is also situated on one of the highest hills in the city and thanks to its position you will have another opportunity to admire a panoramic view over the entire area.

Last but not least, you should definitely visit the lovely St. Elizabeth’s Church or the Blue Church, as it is called. This edifice is my favorite place in Bratislava thanks to its charming architecture. I must say that I could have spent hours looking at this lovely church. The blend between the lovely shade of blue and all those details that seem to be made of lace is incredibly interesting.

It goes without saying that I really liked Bratislava and all its interesting tourist attractions.  The places I talked about are my favorite ones, but believe me this charming city has a lot more to offer.

To conclude, in order to discover what a city is hiding, you have to give it a chance even if you don’t have high expectations of it. This was exactly what happened in my case and I don’t regret my visit there at all. Give Bratislava a chance and I’m sure you’ll be surprised in a very pleasant way!

1.St.Michael’s Gate&Tower

2.St.Michael’s Gate&Tower which hosts the Museum of Arms

3.Panoramic view over the Old Town seen from the top of St.Michael’s Tower

4.Bratislava is really sweet

5. One of the most famous statues of Bratislava

6.And another one…

7.The Main Square

8.The Old Town Hall

9.The Old Town Hall

10.Maximilian’s Fountain

12.St. Martin’s Cathedral

13.St. Martin’s Cathedral

14.The observation deck UFO & The modern SNP Bridge

15.Panoramic view seen from UFO

16.Bratislava Castle

17.And the same castle by night

18.The Presidential Palace

19.The Slovak National Theatre

20.Slavin War Memorial

21.Slavin War Memorial

22.Slavin War Memorial

23.The lovely Blue Church

24.The lovely Blue Church

25.And back to St.Michael’s Gate

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