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Slowakei.
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Travelling to Slowakei: what to know before you go

Slovakia is a small, mountainous country in the heart of Europe, with castles on almost every hilltop, the alpine High Tatras, limestone gorges and UNESCO-listed towns and villages. Bratislava, its compact capital on the Danube, is an easy city break, while the east feels far off the usual tourist routes. It suits walkers, castle-lovers and anyone who enjoys uncrowded countryside.

Where to go

• Bratislava. A walkable old town with St Martin's Cathedral, where Hungarian kings were crowned, and Michael's Gate, beneath the white, four-towered Bratislava Castle.
• High Tatras. The highest part of the Carpathians, with granite peaks, glacial lakes and marked trails.
• Slovak Paradise National Park. A limestone plateau cut by narrow gorges, where trails climb waterfalls by ladders, chains and metal steps.
• Spiš Castle and Levoča. Spiš Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe, sprawls across a hill in the east.

Best time to visit

Late May to September is the best time for hiking in the Tatras and Slovak Paradise, although July and August are the busiest in the mountains and some high trails close seasonally for nature protection. Spring and early autumn are lovely in Bratislava and the countryside.

Staying online in Slowakei

Coverage is good in Bratislava, Košice and most towns, with 4G widely available and 5G in the cities. Signal can weaken or disappear in the mountains, in deep gorges such as those in Slovak Paradise and in remote eastern villages. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, restaurants and accommodation. Slovakia is in the EU, so EU visitors can usually roam as at home; others may face high charges. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.