Central Slovakia

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Central Slovakia is bounded by the Czech Republic and Poland to the north, and Hungary to the south.

Regions

Historically one of the poorer regions, it's recovering thanks to car manufacturing, ski and cross-country possibilities.

Horné Považie

Beautiful countryside.

Orava

Orava castle and nature.

Turiec

Surrounded by mountains with many hiking and skiing possibilities. Mineral springs spa also in Turčianske Teplice. National cultural center in Martin.

Liptov

One the most visited regions, thanks to plethora of natural and historical sites. Hiking, skiing, water activities, caves, castles - it's all there.

Horehronie

National parks, caves, skiing and spas.

Podpoľanie

Hont

Contains multiple castles (in Čabradský Vrbovok, Bzovík), mineral water pools in Dudince and others.

Novohrad

Volcanic mountain ranges, mining towns, castle ruins.

Cities

Banská Bystricawas one of the most important mining towns of Hungarian part of Austro-Hungarian Empire; beautiful restored square, many churches, castles and museums and memorial of the Slovak National Uprising
Banská ŠtiavnicaThis medieval mining town in central Slovakia is a UNESCO World Heritage site
Dolný KubínOrava castle, skiing in the nearby mountains.
PúchovVery peaceful spa town surrounded by magnificent Mala Fatra National Park
Liptovský MikulášHistorical centre of Liptov, it is located between High Tatras and Low Tatras, near the Liptovská Mara dam.
Rajecké TepliceSpa area.
RužomberokOn the first sight an industrial city, providing plethora of hiking and relaxation possibilities; includes the UNESCO-listed folk village of .
ŽilinaFourth biggest city with a well preserved historical city centre influenced by German architecture and unique museum of the tinker´s culture located at the Budatín castle
Zvolen

Get in

There are regular inter-city bus and train connections available, both to Bratislava/Košice and surrounding countries.
D1 and R1 highways connect most of the biggest cities, except the mountainous area between Žilina and Liptovský Mikuláš, where work is still ongoing. Traffic jams occur there in the rush hours (mostly Friday and Sundays afternoon).

See

Likava castle ruins
Liptov village museumA reconstruction of a historical village destroyed while creating Liptovská Mara dam.
Modrý Kameň castle ruinsThis 13th-century castle of gothic-renaissance style is placed in a town of the same name. Nowadays, a museum of dolls and toys can be visited here.
Orava castle
Strečno castle
SNP memorial
Zvolen CastleA castle standing on a low hill. Slovak National Gallery collections displayed.

Do

The area is a great place to go hiking and skiing. Check e.g. Ružomberok or Liptovský Mikuláš.
Mountain ranges:

Choč MountainsPretty ravines and great overview from the top of the main mountain.
Great Fatra
Little FatraPeaks like Veľký Rozsutec, or ravine Jánošíkove diery make this area very worth the day or two of stay.
Muranska planina National Park.
Oravská Magura
and Oravské Beskydy (Orava Beskids)
PoľanaMany thousand years ago, this was one of the biggest Earth's strato-volcanoes, with diameter approx. 18km. Nowadays though, it's completely forested and suitable for easy hiking.
Low TatrasSkiing, multi-day hiking and caves.
Tatra National ParkTheir most visited part is High Tatras ("Vysoké Tatry"). Great place for one-day hikes, relaxation and skiing.

Go next

Western Slovakia | Eastern Slovakia
Hungary | Poland