I really didn’t know too much about Slovakia before visiting, aside from a vague idea that it’s full of mountains. But when our bus crossed the border from Ukraine and I found myself on a winding road through green hills dotted by colorful villages my heart rate raised to a probably unhealthy speed. I was SO excited to be spending ten days in this beautiful country!
When we researching where to go in Slovakia Dan declared that he wanted to visit every single national park (there are 9), but in the end we managed to narrow it down to two. The first one was Slovak Paradise.
Oh and it was.
The park is full of different trails, so we picked one that followed a small river up a gorge that would take us up the mountain for some views of the snow-peaked High Tatras in the distance.
The gorge was beautiful, though I sort of felt that the hike should have been marked with a warning. As the trail follows a river, a lot of the walking has to be done on rickety wooden ladders and, in parts, incredibly steep, high ladders taking you up the gorge. It was the second time in Slovakia that my heart rate skyrocketed.
Don’t look down!
My legs were quite wobbly by the end of the hike, more out of nerves than physical exertion, but the views at the end made it worth it! Plus Dan gave me a chocolate bar for my efforts.
While Dan wanted to do another hike in Slovak Paradise the next day, our Couchsurfing host in Spisska Nova Ves had a better idea for us: a day trip to Spis Castle!
Built in the 12th century, Spis Castle, or rather its ruins, is one of the biggest castle sites in Europe. We paid to enter the castle, though there was very little information given about the history of the castle and not much to see inside, so I’d recommend just walking up and seeing it from the outside.
One of the best parts of the castle is actually the view from it, because it’s built high up on a hill overlooking several picturesque towns as well as the Tatra Mountains in the distance.
I thought I was taking a photo of Dan admiring the beautiful view, ^^
but of course I should have known…
Spisska Nova Ves made for the perfect base from which to explore both Slovak Paradise National Park and Spis Castle, plus the town itself has a beautiful center. But my favorite part of staying there, as is often the case, was Couchsurfing with our host Lenka, who taught us so much about Slovakia.
I had sort of assumed Slovakia would have tense relations with the Czech Republic, but it turns out they’re very happy exes. In fact, Lenka said that she’s sad that the country split, and that in many regards it didn’t make much sense – Slovakia is less developed and lost its beautiful capital Prague, while the Czech Republic lost a lot of its land and some of the world’s most beautiful parks. It’s sad, but I also found it so sweet that the two countries still seem to love each other so much!
Where to stay in Spisska Nova Ves
If Couchsurfing isn’t your thing, then Lenka did recommend a hotel in Spisska Nova Ves: The Penzion Renesance. She said the managers are really lovely and it’s where she always has friends and family stay when they don’t stay with here. And it’s very affordable. Check current rates and availability here
Have you been to Slovakia yet, or is it on your list?
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jennifer says
Oh hell no to that ladder!
Silvia says
Right?! I’m glad someone agrees with me!
Megan says
i went to slovakia last december for the second time and got lazy and didnt explore 🙁 to be honest, the country’s bus and train system is rather poor for tourists and needs some work to accommodate better if they want to draw more tourism. i had a week in bratislava and getting to and from many places i wanted to visit, even if an hour away, was a pain and didnt offer many good times. apparently this is a known problem and i hope the govt starts putting more effort into tourism because slovakia and its people are incredible and deserve it. it is such a shame that it gets lost in the central european mix and people only stopover in bratislava for one night and press on. this scenery is sick! hope to get back in the summer to explore one of these days <3
Silvia says
Transport was a bit of a pain – especially when we wanted to leave Slovakia, but between smaller cities and towns there were at least lots of buses and trains. Hopefully this means it’s getting better? Because Slovakia definitely deserves lots of tourists, it’s so, so beautiful!
Laura says
That really does look like paradise! I haven’t been to Slovakia YET but it’s definitely on my list for when we’re in Europe next year.
I can totally understand how Couchsurfing can be the highlight of a trip. In so many places I don’t really remember the city itself that well, but I definitely remember my amazing Couchsurfing hosts!
Happy travels! 🙂
Silvia says
I love when that happens! Though it’s always a little bittersweet leaving, because I feel like we had just started to become friends…
EmilyAnne (Eat All Over The World) says
Wow! That is amazing! I love all your pictures and your beautiful descriptions. Thanks for sharing! http://www.eatallovertheworld.com
Silvia says
Slovakia really is amazing!
Alexandria says
I would have legit had a panic attack and i would have also lost my husband because he is so uncoordinated. Kuddos to you for having the guts to do that adventure!
Silvia says
I actually had to slowly start counting when I was at the top of the highest ladder because I felt a bit of a panic attack coming on. Luckily it was fine!
Patricia says
I’m always happy to read about other travellers’ good impressions of Slovakia. I myself have been to Slovak Paradise as a kid, but I don’t remember it that much and would love to go back soon 🙂
Silvia says
I have nothing but amazing things to say about my time in Slovakia!
Melanie Fontaine says
I don’t think I’ve ever really seen pictures of Slovakia before, so thanks a lot for sharing this! 🙂 I’m always curious to learn about places that are a bit more off the typical tourist route and your blog has already introduced me to so many places I had never really heard of before and I absolutely love that! 🙂 I hope you’ll continue to enjoy your trip in Eastern Europe! 🙂
Silvia says
I hadn’t known much about Slovakia either, so it was exciting to get to explore it a bit!
zof says
I’ve been there fifteen years ago. I’m old.
Silvia says
If it makes you feel better, I haven’t traveled much around Norway as an adult, so I visited most sites there 20 years ago. Ahh.
Camille says
I’m really enjoying discovering these lesser-known parts of Europe through your blog at the moment! I love adventure so that ladder hike actually looks really appealing to me! 🙂
Silvia says
It sounds like you definitely need to visit this park then – there were tons of scary ladders like this!
Michelle says
Beautiful pictures! Looks amazing!
Catherine says
Slovakia looks absolutely beautiful – I can see why the place was called paradise! Love the fact that the two countries are still ‘friends’ too, it makes a change from all the places that go through bad ‘break ups’!
f.d. walker says
It looks beautiful! At the end of the summer I’ll be going through the Balkans and up to Budapest before heading to Russia so I might need to make a stop in Slovakia!
Ariana says
Ok, wow. I am definitely becoming a bandwagon fan of Slovakia. I regret not giving it more room in my plans prior to finding out that I have Slovakian blood! Thanks for sharing, it’s really lighting a fire under my ass to get there before the rest of the world catches on. Enjoy!
-Ariana
Silvia says
You definitely need to go explore that heritage! I wish I had Slovakian blood 🙂
Melissa | Suitcase and Heels says
Wow, what a beautiful looking spot! I’d love to be able to do some hiking there.
Silvia says
I’d love to be back there right now!
Vanessa @ The Travelling Colognian says
Slovak Paradise looks amazing, a place I could imagine to explore myself as well. And your photos from Spis Castle are really nice, Silvia, the view looks absolutely stunning. Maybe I should put Eastern Europe on my Radar for a trip in the future. I also had no idea that that Czech Republic and Slovakia still like each other so much, but that’s really sweet. 🙂
Silvia says
I don’t know why I assumed they wouldn’t like each other, but I thought it was sweet too 🙂
becky hutner says
aww! i wonder if they’ll ever get back together? too much hassle at this point maybe?
Silvia says
Haha that would be the cutest!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
I love your photos as I love National Parks. And you’re quite right, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are “siblings” and tend to get on quite well. It was a shame that they actually split up.
I have actually been to Slovakia. In fact, I lived in both the Czech Republic and for a little while Slovakia. Many, many years ago. I always go back to Prague of course as I had the best time there, but haven’t been back to Slovakia for probably 20 years. Yikes! It’s got fantastic natural landscapes though. Did you know that a part of “Lord of the Rings” was filmed there – the-horse-chasing-in-the-river scene? Just beautiful!
Silvia says
No way! I had no idea some of Lord of the Rings was filmed there! It sounds like you’re definitely due for a trip to Slovakia 🙂
Julius from Traveltipy says
Hi Silvia, I am from Slovakia, living just 100 kilometers from Slovak Paradise National Park. I have already explored few gorges in here but not the one you have a picture while passing through the narrow part. Can you please remember which tour you exactly chose on your visit to Slovak Paradise? 🙂 Anyway, Slovakia is very nice country, although you cannot expect any service here, the nature is pristine. 🙂
Silvia says
Hmm I really can’t remember, but when we got to the park we went straight up through a stream/river, if that helps! Anyway your country is BEAUTIFUL!
Julius from Traveltipy says
If you have visited just one gorge, then it had to be Suchá Belá gorge 🙂 You chose the most popular one. 🙂 Every country has something interesting. 🙂
Kristen Hopf says
Love your posts about Slovakia! I am American but have dozens and dozens of close relatives who are Slovakian, and I plan to visit them next year. I live in Colorado and love hiking, so I’m excited to check out the High Tatras and some of the mountain towns! Thanks for the great info!
Silvia says
That’s awesome! The High Tatras are definitely special – I hope I can visit many more times too!
Martin Sloboda says
It’s fun to read your blog being a local a knowing all these places. From the pen of an English speaker it sounds like a blog about Laos than about a country in the heart of Europe. I wish more travellers visited and wrote about it. While for many central Europeans Slovakia is the place for summer and winter holidays others find it exotic. Naturallly, we wonder why they wouldn’t know about it…
A good source of ideas about what to see in Slovakia is a website I found recently: http://www.expeditionslovakia.com and a travel blog http://www.mywamderlust.pl.
By the way, the Czechs and Slovaks are were good friends…
The Spis Castle does offer great audio guides in different languages…
I think the main problem of Slovakia and the Slovaks is they can’t “sell” what they have. They are humble and don’t brag about it. If other countries possessed the treasures Slovakia hides it would be a major tourist destination…
Greg says
This year I visited the castle and made a great impression on me. By the way, I also visited the Spiš Kapituła
Tina Twovelers says
Nature in National park Slovak paradise is really amazing, There is lot of possibilities for hiking for everyone. Few weeks ago I tried via ferrata Kysel there and it was amazing experience. I definitely recommend to go there if you can. 🙂
Take care
Tina Twovelers