Why should you visit Slovakia?

Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central/Eastern Europe, bordering Poland and the Czech Republic to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, and Austria to the west. The countrys only official language is Slovak, which is spoken by 5.4 million people.

Slovakia is a young country that is commonly mistaken for Slovenia. In 1993, it declared independence from Czechoslovakia. Bratislava, the countrys capital and only a few hours from both Vienna and Prague, has established itself as a less touristy alternative to its more well-known neighbours. The Danubes banks are home to a thriving nightlife scene as well as historic buildings such as Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the river and provides excellent views of the city. Traditional Slovakian delicacies such as cheese and potato dumplings are available to visitors in Bratislava. Just outside the city, visitors can visit Vlkolinec, one of Europes most scenic villages, which holds the continents biggest cluster of traditional central European log cabins and is one of Slovakias seven UNESCO Heritage Sites.

For more modern art, Medzilaborce houses the worlds second largest collection of Andy Warhol paintings, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Slovakia. In this hilly nation of waterfalls and lakes, visitors can walk the Tatras mountain range, which creates a natural barrier between Slovakia and Poland and offers spectacular pathways along virgin meadows. In the winter, take advantage of Slovakias rapidly expanding skiing industry, which offers a less congested, lower-cost alternative to Austrias more expensive slopes.

After signing the Schengen Agreement in 2003, Slovakia became a member of the Schengen area in 2007.