96 Best places to visit in Slovakia! Travel ideas with pictures and maps
Best places to visit in Slovakia – Caves
It is so surprising that you can’t get from the above what kind of treasure Slovakia has hidden underground. Miles after miles of this country has real paradise underneath it in the forms of caves. The geographical location of this country is the main reason behind the creation of such caves.
There are more than 2400 caves in Slovakia already. Among those, only 400 caves have been explored so far. Geologists are working hard and new types of caves are being explored constantly. The Slovakian caves are different from each other. While some caves have rivers inside, there are ice caves as well. Today, you will get to know about the best caves in this country. Read on to know more!
Sections of Best places to visit in Slovakia
- Cities, towns and villages
- Castles and Châteaux
- National Parks
- Caves
- More wonderful places to visit in Slovakia
64. Belianska Cave
This amazing cave is located at the Tatra National Park. Basically, it is on the eastern part of the national nature reserve, Balianske Tatry. If you visit this cave, you will get to see the pagoda-style stalagmite, calcite waterfalls and a number of lakes.
To reach Belianska Cave, visitors have to take the road that leads you to a Slovakian village, Tatranska Kotlina. Have you ever enjoyed a musical night in an underground cave? You can experience that here, at the Musical Hall. There are 874 steps in the cave and the tour takes 70 minutes. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O4VA
65. Bystrianska Cave
This is a Low Tatras cave as it is located on the southern side of the Low Tatras National Park. The main characteristic of this cave is the flowstone curtain from the calcite crusts. The hanging style of stones is really attractive to the tourists.
As this cave is located in the southern part of Bystra Village, it is also in proximity of the two tourists’ spots, Myto pod Dumbierom and Podbrezova. There is a parking zone from where the entrance is 120m far. You can visit 3 abysses which are 20m deep approximately. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O4Wd
66. Bojnice Castle Cave
This is a natural travertine cave which is 6m tall and 22m wide. This is located 26meters below the level of the fourth courtyard of Bojnice castle. This castle was formed by the atmospheric precipitation of water.
There are lots of craters and cracks in the middle of the travertine through which water sips and form the cave. There are also two ponds inside the cave which are interconnected to each other and are also linked with other underground areas of this underground travertine. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O4XP
67. Cave of Dead Bats
The name is quite eerie, right? It is indeed a mysterious underground Low Tatras cave, located in the Low Tatras National Park area. This cave is considered one of the largest caves in Slovakia. So far, fourteen floors are discovered in this cave.
Once you are here, you can see the bones and skeletons of thousands of bats. Not only that but also there are bones of rodents, martens, goats and even bears. The bones and skeletons of the bats are around 6000 years old. Why these animals are dead is still a mystery. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O4Ze
68. Demanovska Cave of Liberty
This 1150 km long cave is located on the northern part of the Low Tatras, within the Demanovska Valley in Liptov region. The chamber is 86m and you need to climb 913 stairs. The entrance of the cave is 870m above from the sea level.
Once you are inside this cave, you can have a great view of sinter forms which are created by the flow of the river, Demanovka. The stalactite and stalagmite forms are really incredible inside the cave. You can have a guided tour to know the history of the cave. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O4ZT
69. Demanovska Ice Cave
How about visiting a cave, filled with ice only? You should not miss this cave in the northern part of Low Tatras in Liptov region. You can have a guided tour of the cave where you will be first taken to the sinter decoration of the cave and next you will be headed towards the ice space.
The ground ice, icy formations and the stalactite and stalagmite will blow your mind. There are bones of bears inside the cave which were predicted as dragon’s bones earlier. That’s why the cave is also called, ‘Dragon’s Cave’. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O50w
70. Dobsinska Ice Cave – UNESCO
If you are in Slovakia, you should visit this amazing cave once. This is the largest ice cave in Slovakia and also one of the most famous caves in the world. Each part of the cave is outstanding.
Whether you are in the hall, domes or in the corridors, you will be surrounded by ice only. The ice formation of the cave is jaw-dropping. The temperature inside the cave is -3 degree Celsius. So, you should warm yourself up well. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O51D
71. Domica Cave – UNESCO
This 25 km long cave is located on the border of Slovakia and Hungary. Slovakia has got a quarter of this cave within its territory. This cave is famous for its magnanimity and inside view.
The stalactite and stalagmite decoration will make you spellbound as nature has shaped them in pagoda-style or springlet style. The cascading waterfalls will remind you of the Roman Baths. You can also get to see the artwork, pre-historic people made thousands of years ago. There are also the signs of ceremonies they performed inside the cave. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O4TO
72. Driny Cave
If you are visiting Smolenice Castle, take a short walk also to reach Driny Cave. The location has a breathtaking view while the underground cave is adorned with atmospheric pond and unique formation of stalactite and stalagmite.
The flowstone curtain is adorable. It is only 450m long walk and takes only half an hour to complete. Once you complete visiting the cave, you can go above the hill to have a panoramic view of the place. If you love hiking, you can hike up to this cave from Smolenice through the blue trail. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O52y
73. Gombasecka Cave – UNESCO
The flowstone curtain will remind you of caves in fairy tales. The ceiling of this cave is really unique as it has long tenuous sinter straws which are marvellous. That is why this cave has become a UNESCO site. Gombasecka Cave is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Slovakia because of the amazing colours and the awesome sinter decoration which are unavailable in any other caves in Slovakia.
There are other exciting cave features, like stalactites, straws, and stalagmites. It will take only half an hour to complete the tour. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O53iy
74. Harmanecka Cave
This is known as the ‘White Cave’ of Slovakia. The pure limestone top wall with white sinter decoration has made it unique in the country. What will you visit once you are in this cave? Get amazed by the crystal clear lakes, stalactite decoration, flowstone curtains and sinter waterfalls.
Also, you will visit the 12m high pagoda-style domes can make you stunned. The cave was discovered suddenly when a teen of 18 years dug a narrow hole while he found the snow-white hall of the cave. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O58m
75. Jasovska Cave – UNESCO
This is the oldest cave in Slovakia as it was opened for visiting in 1846. You will find lots of crevices inside the cave which are excavated by the narrow stream of river Bodva. The pagoda-style stalagmite domes, spacious halls, flowstone waterfalls, colourful stalactite decoration, etc. has made the cave beautiful.
The elevation is quite challenging as you have to cross 339 steps. The entire cave tour takes only 45 minutes. There is also a stalactite lake which is the USP of this cave. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O57T
76. Krasnohorska Cave – UNESCO
You need time in your hand to visit this cave as it will take around 2 hours to complete the entire cave tour. This cave is the favourite destination of the adventurers who like to have some adrenaline rush. The rope bridges, ladder, extreme narrow alleys with lots of other natural obstacles have made this cave a lot more challenging.
Children below 15 years must be accompanied by their parents. Overweight people also think twice before going on the journey. You have to be flexible and wear sturdy shoes while you plan to visit the cave. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O57u
77. Ochtinska Aragonite Cave – UNESCO
This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its exclusive aragonite decorations. You will be surprised to know that three generations of aragonite have been discovered from this cave. The oldest one’s age is 138 thousand years!
Due to atmospheric water, the aragonite crystals are formed here in different shapes, like needles, branches, tufts, spirals, stars, sun, and lots of other forms. The white wall is quite attractive while the white aragonite ceiling is almost dream-like. When light falls on it, it seems thousands of diamonds are glowing. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O571
78. Stanisovska Cave
How about entering a cave full of hidden treasure, dazzling in a bit of light? Yes, once you enter into this cave, you can know how true it is. The crystals of stalactites and stalagmites are so milky white that they sparkle like stars.
This is, basically, the only penetrable cave in Janska Valley among 200 more caves. The inscriptions on the walls, lakes, bones of unknown animals and shamanic sacrificial place of this cave will take you to time travel. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O56s
79. Vazecka Cave
Maybe this cave is not popular like others, but once you visit it, you will know how awesome it is. It is located in a quaint village in Slovakia, in the central part of the country.
Basically, this cave was the home of cave bears almost 15,000 years ago where they lived and reared their young. The glistening white stalactites have made the cave glimpse in darkness. You still can find bears’ bones and river sediments inside the cave. The tour does not take more than 30 minutes and it is a great stop if you are travelling from the west to the east of the country. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O55Y
80. Zla Diera Cave
This cave is popularly known as ‘Bad Hole’. No, this is not dangerous at all. Rather, if you want to romance with your beau privately, this is the best place for that. Actually, you have to crawl here to cross certain areas.
So, these are certain famous caves in Slovakia which attracts numerous tourists each year. If you are in Slovakia, your tour won’t complete if you don’t visit any of these caves. To see natural phenomenon and get amazed, you have to come to any of these caves. Pack your bags and book your tickets for an adventurous vacation ahead. Hiking Map: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2O55r
Caves and Underground Wonders: The country is home to several fascinating caves, including the UNESCO-listed Dobšinská Ice Cave and the Domica Cave. These caves offer a unique underground experience for adventurous travelers.
Oh wow! That’s really amazing job you have created. I didn’t realize there is so much cultural richness in the country nearby. Thanks for sharing your hardwork.
There is much more to do here in Slovakia, these are just best of them! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Slovakia is seldom being written about and I think it’s great to know that there are wonderful places to explore. Čičmany looks really charming with its painted wooden houses. And love that chateau in Bojnice! Great recommendations!
Wow, have not come across such a comprehensive guide to Slovakia before. One of our local friends grew up there, so she has shown us photos of some of the natural landscapes near where she lives, but this is a great list to use as the basis to plan a tour of the country.