Slovakia

Much of the central and northern part of Slovakia is rugged and mountainous. Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 m (8,711 ft) in the High Tatras is the highest peak. The Tatra Mountains in the north, shared with Poland, are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys. These areas experience lower temperatures and traditionally people here lived off sheep grazing.

The lowlands are in the south with the lowest point of the Bodrog River being 94 m (308 ft) above sea level. The soil here is much more fertile, especially the area between Small Danube and Danube, and was more agricultural. The weather is gentler and especially summers can get surprisingly warm.

The area that is present-day Slovakia has been settled since the early Paleolithic era. Before the inward migration of Slavs and Huns, the most important cultures were the Celts and Romans. To this day, artefacts and evidence of the presence of these cultures can be found.

The Slavic tribes that invaded the area in the 5th century created a succession of influential kingdoms here. During this era, lasting until the 10th century when the Great Moravian Empire disintegrated, Slavs adopted Christianity and many medieval fort castles were built, ruins of some of which remain to this day.

In the 10th century, Slovakia became a part of the Kingdom of Hungary, which, after 1867, formed an union with the Austrian Empire and became the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. This union, lasting until 1918, was a great influence on the shaping of the entire region. It was a multinational state with many cultures living together, and forms a common cultural history shared by many Central European nations.

In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form the republic of Czechoslovakia. Interbellum Czechoslovakia was also a very diverse state with big ethnic minorities including Hungarians, Jews and German-speakers. There were even more native speakers of German in this country than there were ethnic Slovaks. During World War II, Czechoslovakia briefly split, with the Czech regions being occupied by the Nazis and Slovakia becoming a puppet state that collaborated with the Nazis under the leadership of Father Jozef Tiso. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist country within the Soviet-ruled Eastern Bloc. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once again became free.

For many years overshadowed by their north-western Czech neighbors, political representatives of Czechs and Slovaks decided to strike out on their own. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993 and Slovakia became a country in its own right. This is known as the Velvet Divorce. Both countries remain close culturally and there is a high level of political and economic cooperation between the two.

Historical, political, and geographic factors caused Slovakia to experience more difficulty in developing a modern market economy than some of its Central European neighbors, but now it boasts one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and has been a member of the European Union and the NATO since 2004. This rapid economic growth has led to Slovakia being dubbed he Tatra Tiger, and it is now widely regarded as having advanced to developed country status, having been recognised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as an "advanced economy" since 2009. Slovakia is now a member of the Schengen agreement, and the country adopted the Euro on 1 January 2009.

There are some similarities between the Czech and Slovak cultures but the two nationalities remain distinct. One of the most striking differences is that while Czechs are largely atheists, Slovaks are largely Catholics, like their Polish neighbours.

Slovakia was a part of the Hungarian empire for almost a millennium, and a strong Hungarian-speaking minority of 9.7% remains, concentrated mostly in southern Slovakia. Historic German populations were uprooted and expelled after World War II but their historical influence remains.

In the eastern part of the country, there are many Romanis and some Rusnacs/Rusins and Ukrainians. There are also some Czechs, Poles and still some Germans living in Slovakia.

Slovakia has a temperate climate with sunny hot summers and cold, cloudy, humid and snowy winters. The climate is continental, with four seasons, and while the overall climate is mild, there is a considerable temperature difference between summer and winter months.

It is generally warmer in southern regions and the lowlands, where summer temperatures can climb above 30°C (86°F) on hotter days, and where rain is more common in winters than snow, which usually melts in a few days.

Northern, and especially mountainous regions have a colder climate, with summer temperatures not exceeding 25°C (77°F). Especially in the mountains, snow is common in winters and it can get quite cold, with temperatures dropping as low as -20°C (-4°F).

In the mountains, the weather can change dramatically in a matter of minutes and it can rain or snow even in summer. Take appropriate equipment and don't underestimate the weather.

Slovakia is a predominantly Catholic Country, so major Christian holidays are observed, as well as some other holidays. Unless indicated otherwise, these days are public holidays and banks and most amenities and shops will be closed:

• Slovak Republic Day - 1 January - Czechoslovakia split into two on the 1st of January, so New Year's Day is a national holiday. It is traditionally celebrated by sleeping until midday.
• Epiphany - 6 January - Celebrates the arrival of the Three Magi into Betlehem. Shops and banks are closed.
• Mardi Gras period ('Fasiangy') - this is not a national holiday, but rather a festival season. Some villages will hold a traditional market with food and drinks offered, and there might be a march through the city in masks, and numerous balls, dances and carnivals are held. 6 January till Ash Wednesday (February or March).
• Easter - March/April, dates depend on the lunar calendar. Good Friday and Easter Monday are both national holidays. There are a number of different traditions relating to Easter. The traditional food served includes eggs and special Easter Ham, with bread and horseradish.
  • Religious people will go to mass, and it might be the only time when it is likely to see people in traditional clothing in some villages; however, this is increasingly less common. Everyone will be dressed up, though.
  • Throughout Slovakia, kraslice are prepared, which are egg shells adorned with ornaments and painted over with colours. These, along with sweets and money, are given to boys, who visit friends' and neighbours' houses, where it is their job to make sure the women will be healthy and prosperous the following year by spraying them with water or perfume and beating them with a willow wand adorned with ribbons. It is called oblievacka and sibacka. It tends to involve copious amounts of alcohol, food and wet T-shirts, and is not taken seriously by anyone. Its popularity has declined, however. If you are female, do not wear clothes you like when venturing outside on Easter Monday as you might have water thrown or perfume sprayed at you. If you want to protest this clearly barbaric tradition, make sure to do so in waterproof clothing.
• International Labour Day - 1 May - This is celebrated by not working.
• Day of Victory over Fascism - 8 May - Celebration of the end of World War II in Europe.
• International Children's Day - 1 June - Not a national holiday, but children might have time off school and various activities will be organised for them, and they usually get treats.
• St. Cyril and Methodius Day - 5 July- feast of the arrival of the great Christian missionaries to Slovakia (in 863). They translated the Gospels into the Slavic language spoken at the time, devised a new alphabet to write Slavic-specific sounds and translated the liturgical texts (like the Missal and the Psalms) thus enabling a Slavic tongue to be the fourth liturgical language to be accepted by Rome (after Hebrew, Greek and Latin). St. Cyril also wrote the first poem in the Slavic language, Proglas, underlining the importance of a written language for every nation.
• Slovak National Uprising Memorial Day - 29 August - Holiday to commemorate uprising against Nazis during World War II.
• Constitution Day - 1 September - Children love this one as school starts one day later.
• Day of Blessed Virgin Mary - 15 September - A patron saint of Slovakia.
• Vinobranie This is not a national holiday, but a festival that celebrates the wine harvest, usually held in October in wine-making regions. Cities cooperate so it is held on different weekends in different places and you can visit several. This includes open air markets selling street food, drinks (especially young wine), and various handicrafts.
• All Saints Day - 1 November - This is a day to remember those that have passed away. Halloween is not celebrated in Slovakia, and this is quite a serious religious holiday. All shops are closed and many people go to cemeteries to light a candle for their loved ones.
• Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day - 17 November - Commemorates the student demonstration that brought about the end of Communism.
• St Nicolaus' Day - 6 December - This is not a national holiday, but is seen as a start of the Christmas period. Traditionally, St Nicholaus leaves some sweets (if the child was good) or coal/onion (if the child misbehaved that year) in their shoe overnight (surprisingly enough, most children get sweets, not onion). Celebrations are held in towns, where someone dressed as St nicolaus (think Santa Claus) and his helpers angels/devils help him distribute sweets among crowds of eager kids. Christmas markets open and Christmas lights are turned on.
• Feast of St Lucy - 13 December - Not a national holiday, but many traditions are connected with this day, varying by the region. For example, you can take 13 pieces of paper, leave one blank and write names of 12 boys on the others if you are a girl. One is burned every day until Christmas Eve, what remains is a name of your future husband (blank = single forever).

• Christmas - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (24-26 of December) are national holidays. In Slovakia, Christmas is mainly celebrated during Christmas Eve, when a traditional family dinner is held, after which presents are opened. As Christmas Eve is meant to be a fast in the Christian calendar, no meat is eaten that day. A traditional dinner starts with a thin wafer, eaten with garlic (for health) and honey (for happiness and prosperity). This is followed by a soup (either mushroom or cabbage soup), and a main of fried carp and special potato salad. Many varieties of Christmas cakes (e.g. gingerbread) are also eaten. Traditions differ, however.
• Silvester - 31 December - New Year's Eve is not a national holiday, but is widely celebrated, mostly by partying. At midnight, people toast the New Year with a glass of champagne. Many cities will have a firework display to celebrate New Year. Fireworks and drunk people abound.

• 🌍 Bratislava airport (BTS ^IATA). Ryanair operates low-cost flights to Bratislava from various European cities, including London, "Milan"–Bergamo, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Dublin, Rome (Ciampino), "Paris" (Beauvais), "Brussels (Charleroi) and a few others. These flights can be quite cheap, so if you are arriving from outside Europe, you might end up saving up money by flying to a bigger airport and then connecting to Bratislava. They do not always operate daily and sometimes use remote/uncommon airports, so you may be better off flying into Vienna Airport.
  Norwegian Airlines operate flights from Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, and there are also flights to Moscow and Ben Gurion Airport with UTAir and Sun d'or Airlines respectively. 

The alternative is Vienna Airport (VIE ^IATA), which is just 37 km (23 mi) from Bratislava. It provides a more convenient way of getting to Slovakia by the major airlines, but can be more expensive. It also receives a much greater number of long-haul flights. Direct buses to Bratislava's main bus station depart from the airport hourly. Alternatively, you can take a taxi which will cost around €70.

Smaller international airports are:

• 🌍 Poprad - Tatry (www.airport-poprad.sk; TAT ^IATA)
• 🌍 Košice international airport (KSC ^IATA)
• 🌍 Sliač (SLD ^IATA)

Other options include airports in Prague (PRG ^IATA) and Budapest (BUD ^IATA). You can also fly to Kraków (KRK ^IATA) or Katowice (KTW ^IATA) if you want to go to the Tatra Mountains. Buses from Kraków run to several Slovak towns around the Tatra mountains and Orava.

As parts of former Czechoslovakia, the trains between the Czech Republic and Slovakia are frequent. EC trains operate every two hours from Prague to Bratislava and Žilina. There is one daily train from Prague to Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Poprad and Košice. All these cities have a direct overnight sleeper car connection from Prague.

Cheap tickets SporoTiket Evropa can be bought at the Czech Railways e-shop, at least 3 days in advance. The price begins at €15 for seat or €26 for couchette. An e-ticket is valid only on the train indicated on the ticket.

If you want greater flexibility or cannot buy in advance over the Internet, you can get a significant discount at a railway station if you buy a return ticket called CityStar. Such international return ticket is valid for one month on any train (and cannot be bought over the Internet at all).

There are two-hourly daytime and one overnight train from Berlin to Bratislava. Cheap tickets can be bought at the website of the German national railway, even though the night train is now marketed by the Austrian national railways as Nightjet. Tickets start at €39 depending mostly on demand. Early bird tickets are only valid for the precise train you book. Nightjet trains have further connections from other German cities to Vienna from where you can change onto local trains for the 60 km (1 hour) trip to Bratislava.

Hourly regional expresses operate from Vienna to Bratislava. You can use the EURegio ticket for €16 – a return ticket valid 4 days.

There is an overnight through car from Warszawa to Bratislava via Czech territory. Direct train connection from Poland is very poor, a bus is generally a better alternative. There are only few local trains going just over the border line – one train Zwardoń (PL)–Skalité (SK). There's no international passenger traffic at Nowy Sącz–Prešov (since Dec 2010) and Lupków-Medzilaborce line (since Dec 2009).

If you really want to travel from Poland by train, prepare for a full-day trip with a lot of train changes. It's cheaper to buy Polish ticket only to border point (Skalité Gr.) and then buy a Slovak domestic ticket at conductor (€1.30 surcharge).

There are EC trains from Budapest to Bratislava running every two hours and two IC trains a day from Budapest and Miskolc to Košice. Unlike trip from Poland, it wouldn't be cheaper to buy the Slovak section at conductor. Instead, there is a bilateral return discount of 60% (i.e. a return ticket is cheaper that a one-way ticket).

There is a daily direct sleeper car from Moscow, Kyiv and Lviv to Košice, Poprad and Bratislava. The journey is very long – 2 nights from Moscow and Kyiv and 1 day and night from Lviv – because of state of the rail network in western Ukraine, the lengthy customs process at the border as well as the break of gauge between Ukraine (Russian broad gauge) and Slovakia (standard gauge).

It is much cheaper to buy a Ukrainian or Russian ticket only to the Ukrainian border station Chop, then buy a ticket from Chop to the first Slovak station Čierna nad Tisou, and then buy a Slovak domestic ticket from the conductor (€1.30 surcharge). But then you have no berth reservation for the Slovak section and you have to change to seat car in Chop.

Another option is to buy a CityStar ticket in Russia (or Slovakia were its prices are cheaper) which can be however is valid only for group up to 5 members. CityStar ticket than servers as one-month valid two-way ticket between the stations and is offered with a discount for each next passenger on the ticket. Of course you have to buy berth ticket additionally as well.

Among many others, there are regular services from Vienna, Prague and Budapest to Bratislava; and from Uzhhorod, Ukraine to the eastern Slovak town of Michalovce and from Kraków, Poland through Zakopane, Poland to Poprad.

Taking a bus from Prague to Bratislava is slower but cheaper than train if you buy a ticket in advance, e.g. at Student Agency, Slovak Lines, or using the common bus reservation system AMSBus.

Buses from Poland and Ukraine are the best option, they are faster and more frequent than trains.

From Budapest the travel is 4 hours, the bus stop for 5 minutes at Györ and in a small restaurant in the road.

Slovakia has a highway network connected to neighboring countries.

• There's a pontoon ferry accessible to car-drivers and pedestrians between Angern an der March (Austria) and Záhorská Ves (Slovakia). 05:00-22:00.

Train is by far the best option to travel across Slovakia, provided you don't have a private vehicle. Frequent fast trains connect all important cities, but there are less local trains, even at main lines. For local transport a bus is generally a better alternative. Trains are fairly priced, with the prices competitive with buses, and cheap by western standards. They are reliable and clean.

Opt for an InterCity service if you want Western-style comfort; IC trains link Bratislava, Žilina, The High Tatras and Košice and have compulsory reservations. These can save you from the crowds: ordinary trains do get crowded, usually on Fridays and Sundays or around holidays. Watch out for pickpockets at major stations and steer clear of money scams. Also, sporadic robberies occur to sleeping passengers travelling the overnight longliners.

Most train services within country is provided by ZSSK, other train operators are Leo Expres and Regiojet both offering long distance trains and Regiojet also regional trains between Bratislava and Komarno.

• Internet tickets by ZSSK - with 5% discount can be bought using credit account. Internet tickets in electronic or printed form for domestic trains are valid on the selected train and date or on any next train (though you lost your seat reservation) on the same route on the first day of validity (except all IC trains and Ex 1502 Chopok train). Tickets bought at stations are valid for any one journey on the given route within a specified time period (usually one or two days, depending on the distance), and thus very flexible. Some international tickets can only be bought at stations - if you can't find station using ZSSK website, try using target country language (Wien instead of Vienna; Praha instead of Prague etc.)

• Free transport - children under 16 years of age and seniors over 62 years of age regardless of citizenship or residence status; and students under 26 years of age and pensioners under 62 years of age (including ill health retirement) who are citizens or permanent residents of EU member states. You need registration at train company; do not forget photograph sized 2x3 cm (up-to-date, unused, professional, sharp and bright enough, depicted from the front, without any headwear or background).

• Klasik Railplus by ZSSK - costs €35 offering 25% discount from a standard domestic fare for one year. Worth it if you plan to spend more than €140 of the standard fare in a year (approximately five return tickets Bratislava - Košice). Do not forget photograph sized 2x3 cm for registration. Can be combined with 5% discount using credit account.

• Leo Expres and Regiojet long distance trains - they're cheapest when booking in advance online and are tied to a specific train and time.

Bus connections are usually slower than trains, but can get you where trains cannot, and some private companies also offer discounts for travellers with a foreign ISIC card (state-run companies do not, unless you're a Slovak citizen). Tickets for long-haul routes- 100 km+ (including to/from the Czech Republic or within the Czech Republic) can be bought from AMSBus after compulsory registration (English version is also available). The travel from Bratislava to Nitra is a rare example of a route where buses are significantly faster and cheaper than trains.

Buses are punctual, and it is therefore advisable to arrive at the bus station in advance, the time specified in the timetable is the time it leaves the station. Most tickets are bought directly from the driver, so you will probably need cash. Though the bus driver will give you change, especially for shorter (cheaper) journeys, it is advisable to have some smaller denominations. You can expect to pay a small extra fee if you are carrying a big bag.

Turancar, Student Agency and Slovak Lines are good examples of private bus companies which are pretty reliable, comfortable (as they use new buses often with on-board entertainment LCD screens), running on time and offering student discounts for foreigners with ISIC.

imhd.sk journey planner includes local transport schedules of various cities and towns.

Ride-hailing is available in Slovakia and the following are the most anticipated providers:

• Bolt. Includes many towns. (updated Jul 2020)
• Uber. Works in Bratislava. (updated Jul 2020)

The road network is extensive and in an overall good condition. Most major roads (especially in the Western parts) are two lane and in good repair, however the majority of the minor roads are one lane, and maintenance standard of this can vary from good to rather bumpy. Along major routes and highways fuel stops and restaurants (odpočívadlo or čerpacia stanica) are quite frequently and in smaller towns, you'll most likely find small kiosks (stánok) or fruit or cheese stands (ovocný stánok for fruit, stánok so syrom for cheese) next to the road, presenting local delicacies at low prices.
The driving style in Slovakia is, especially compared to countries in Western Europe, more aggressive and of lower standard. One should be aware of other cars speeding, which is quite frequent, and overtaking on your side of the road, especially in the more mountainous areas of the country.

Vehicles drive on the right side of the road and the speed limits are in general 50 kmh (31 mph) in a village/town, 90 kmh (56 mph) outside build-up areas and 130 kmh (81 mph) on motorways. However trucks and cars with caravans/trailers are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) outside build-up areas or on motorways and motorcycles are limited to 90 km/h (56 mph) on motorways.

Wearing seatbelts in cars and vans is compulsory and children aged 11 or younger or lower than 150 cm must be placed on the rear seat.

Headlights must be switched on when driving at all times, regardless of weather conditions or whether it is a night or day, so switch them on.

In winter, snow and ice is common on the roads, and winter tires are recommended. In extreme weather some minor mountain roads might require snow chains.

Slovakia has a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol. Do not drink and drive. If nothing else, then because the penalties are severe.

Wearing helmets is compulsory for both driver and passenger on motorcycles of any size, and goggles must also be worn by the driver of motorcycles with engines larger than 50cc.

Police presence is frequent on the roads, and especially the major roads, in both marked and unmarked vehicles.

If you intend to drive on the motorways please note that vehicles must show a mandatory sticker (vignette) covering road toll, in the upper right corner on the car's windshield (mandatory location as this is mostly checked by fixed electronic camera system). The vignette can be purchased from most petrol stations and is valid for ten days (€10), for a month (€14) or longer. Please note that the vignette is compulsory on all motorways from the point of entry, and if you are caught without one you will be subject to a fine. If you are renting a car, it most likely is included in the rental, but remember to check or inquire when renting/booking.

If you understand Slovak, many private radio stations include a great traffic coverage as a part of their news, which will inform you about any obstructions on the road, car accidents, traffic jams and even police presence so it is certainly worth tuning in. There is also a website called Stellacentrum, where you can find general information about traffic and police patrols (they even inform, where the police patrols actually are).

Most places offer free parking, however in the central areas of the bigger cities, there may be fees for parking. In the cities outside of Bratislava, the most common method for paid parking, is a closed area, where you enter and receives a slip from a machine. On the way out you'll have to return the slip and pay to a person. The person most likely do not speak English, but if you look confused enough he or she will hand you a handwritten note with the amount. Try to pay the exact amount with cash, and avoid paying with large bills, as these places rarely have much cash at hand. In central Bratislava you can find places, where you have to get a parking slip from a vending machine and pre-pay for your parking. The slip then has to be placed behind the wind shield of the car and must be visible from the outside.

Renting a car is a convenient, efficient and relatively cheap (prices start at approx. €65/day at car rental chains with free mileage) way to explore Slovakia, especially if you intend to visit more remote areas, where train and bus services may be more sporadic. Don't expect neither GPS nor road map to be included and remember to check if highway vignette (see above) is included; it most likely, is but not always. Ask when booking and if it is not, then they can most likely easily include it without any handling charges.

Hitchhiking in Slovakia is best done by asking around at gas stations. It used to be that most people only speak Slovak (and possibly understand other Slavic languages) so it was difficult for foreigners who don't speak Slavic languages. However, nowadays most of the young people speak English and almost as many speak German.

Keep in mind that trains and buses in Slovakia are cheap for Westerners, and (apart from extremely rural areas where people are generally less wary of hitchhikers) it might take a while for someone to pick you up. You can find some offers if you travel from Slovakia and into Slovakia as well on specialized web pages. The biggest hitchhikers page in Slovakia is stopar.sk. There you can find offers in English, German, French, Polish, Czech and Hungarian language and it is free.

There is a long tradition of hiking and mountain walking in Slovakia, and it is an extremely popular sport. Most people you meet will have gone on a hike at least once in their life, and many do so regularly, and can give you advice about the most interesting local trails. The trail network is also very well maintained. The quality and efficiency of the sign-posting system is unique in European (and probably World) context.

Every route is marked and signposted, different trails being given a different colour. There are four colours used - red, blue, green and yellow. Longest and most sternous trails are usually marked red, and it is possible to traverse from north-eastern Dukla Pass all the way to the west (Bradlo, near Bratislava) along the Slovak National Uprising Heroes trail (750 km) along one such red-marked path. However, the trails are numerous, suitable for various levels of fitness, and many lead through beautiful scenery. In towns, you will usually see a signpost, with arrows pointing in different directions, marking the colour of the path and the average walking times to the nearest set of destinations. All you need to do is to follow the colour, there will be a mark every hundred metres or so, and consists of a 10-cm-by-10-cm square three-section mark where the edges are white and the chosen path's colour in the middle.

It is also possible (and highly recommended) to purchase 'tourist maps' of smaller Slovak regions. These are based on sets of former military maps, have a very good resolution (1:50000) and can be purchased from most kiosks, information centres and book stores for bargain price of between €1.50-2.50. These are published by the Slovak Tourist Club (KST), which maintains all the trails, and show all the marked trails in the area, including the average walking times, which makes route planning very easy and efficient. You can also use hiking websites such as Freemap Slovakia (based on OpenStreetMap data) or HIKING.SK.

Slovakia uses the euro, like several other European countries. One euro is divided into 100 cents. The official symbol for the euro is €, and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for the cent.

All banknotes and coins of this common currency are legal tender within all the countries, except that low-denomination coins (one and two cent) are phased out in some of them. The banknotes look the same across countries, while coins have a standard common design on the reverse, expressing the value, and a national country-specific design on the obverse. The obverse is also used for different designs of commemorative coins. The design of the obverse does not affect the coin's acceptability.

Until 2009, the official currency was the koruna ("crown", sk) which can still be exchanged by the National Bank of Slovakia at a rate of 30.126 sk to €1.

Automatic teller machines (ATM, "bankomat" in Slovak, pl. "bankomaty") are widely available in Slovakia except in smaller villages, and obtaining money there should not present a problem. In most of small villages you can gain money at local postal offices (cashback). Credit cards and debit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Visa Electron, Cirrus Maestro are widely accepted both in shops and restaurants in bigger cities.

Tipping is not compulsory in Slovakia, but in practice it is common in establishments where you sit in (cafes and restaurants), where rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% tip is common. The tip is given directly to the waiter (i.e. tell him/her how much to give you back), not left on the table in most establishments. Tips are not included in the bill, if there is a percentage shown on your bill, this is usually the VAT. Tip is added to the bill and should be handed to the waiter while you pay, before you leave the table. Tipping is not compulsory, so if you are not satisfied with the service, don't feel obliged to tip! You will not be hassled if you don't.

Tipping is not common in over-the-counter establishments, bars or for other services.

Bryndzové halušky is a Slovak national dish made out of potato dumplings and a special kind of unpasteurized fermented sheep cheese called 'bryndza'. This meal is unique to Slovakia and quite appetising (and surprisingly filling), and you should not leave Slovakia without trying it. Please note that while this dish will usually be listed in the vegetarian section of the menu, it is served with pieces of fried meaty bacon on top, so if you are a vegetarian make sure to ask for halušky without the bacon. Halušky can be found in many restaurants; however, the quality varies as it is not an easy dish to prepare. If you at all can, seek out an ethnic Slovak restaurant (this can be harder than it sounds), or at least ask locals for the best place in the vicinity. In the northern regions you will also find authentic restaurants called 'Salaš' (this word means sheep farm in Slovak and many take produce directly from these), which serve the most delicious and fresh variety. Sometimes, a variety with smoked cheese added on the top is available. A separate dish called strapačky might also be available where sauerkraut is served instead of bryndza, but it is not as typical (this will also come with bacon on top).

A salaš will usually serve also other typical Slovak dishes, and many will offer several varieties of sheep cheese to buy as well. They are all locally produced, delicious, and well worth buying if you are a cheese fan. Verieties include bryndza (primarily used to make 'Bryndzové halušky', but it is a soft spreadable cheese which is very healthy and often used as a spread), blocks of sheep cheese (soft and malleable, delicious on its own or with salt), parenica (cheese curled in layers into a small peelable roll, sold smoked or unsmoked) and korbáčiky (this word means hair braids in Slovak, and korbáčiky are threads of cheese woven into a pattern resembling a basic braid). Some of these cheeses are available to buy in supermarkets as well but these are mass-produced and not as good.

Most other dishes are regional, and their varieties can be found elsewhere in Central Europe. These include kapustnica, a sauerkraut soup typically eaten at Christmas but served all year round in restaurants. It is flavoursome and can be mildly spicy based on what sausage is used. Depending on the recipe it may also include smoked meat and/or dried mushrooms.

Various large dumplings called pirohy can be found and depending on the filling can be salty or sweet. Fillings include sauerkraut, various types of cheese or meat or simply fruits or jam. They closely resemble Polish pierogi.

Goulash is a regional dish made with cuts of beef, onions, vegetables and squashed potatoes with spices, which is very hearty and filling. Depending on the thickness it can be served as a soup (with bread) or as a stew (served with dumplings). Goulash can be sometimes found outdoors during BBQs or at festival markets, where it is prepared in a big cauldron, sometimes with game instead of beef - this is the most authentic. A variety called Segedin goulash also exists, which is quite distinct and prepared with sauerkraut. Goulash can be quite spicy.

Apart from kapustnica and goulash, which are more of a main dish, other soups are quite popular as an appetiser. Mushroom soup is a typical Christmas dish in many parts, and there are several soups made out of beans or bean sprouts. In restaurants, the most common soups are normal chicken and (sometimes) beef broth, and tomato soup and garlic broth (served with croutons, very tasty, but don't go kissing people afterwards) are also very common. Some restaurants offer certain soups to be served in a small loaf of bread ('v bochníku'), which can be an interesting and tasty experience.

Other typical streetfood includes lokše, potato pancakes (crepes) served with various fillings (popular varieties include duck fat and/or duck liver pate, poppy seeds or jam) and langoš, which is a big deep fried flat bread most commonly served with garlic, cheese and ketchup/sour cream on top. A local version of a burger is also common, called cigánska pečienka (or simply cigánska). This is not made out of beef, however, but instead pork or chicken is used and is served in a bun with mustard/ketchup, onions and sometimes chilies and/or diced cabbage. If you are looking for something sweet, in spa cities such as Piešťany, Trenčianske Teplice or Rajecké Teplice you will find stands selling spa wafers, which are usually two plate-sized thin wafers with various fillings. Try the chocolate or hazelnut ones.

Especially in the western parts, lokše can be found in a restaurant as well, where they are served as side for a roasted goose/duck (husacina), which is a local delicacy. The village of Slovenský Grob, located near Bratislava, is in particular known for its restaurants that serve goose meat.

Other foods worth trying are chicken in paprika sauce with dumplings ('paprikáš'), Schnitzel ('rezeň' in Slovak, very common dish. 'Čiernohorsky rezeň' is a variety that is made with potato dumpling coating used instead of batter and is very good) and sviečková (sirloin beef with special vegetable sauce, served with dumplings; it is, however, originally a Czech dish). From the dessert section of the menu, try makové šúľance (small potato rolls sprinkled with poppy seeds and sugar) or parené buchty (plum dumplings; sometimes other fruit is used, but plums are traditional); this is a good and quite filling dish on its own as well. These meals are usually served as a main course even in most of the restaurants - as a matter of fact, in Slovakia, it is very common to eat sweet dishes as the main course.

In some parts of the countryside, there is a tradition called zabíjačka, where a pig is killed and its various meat and parts are consumed in a BBQ-like event. This is a lot more historic celebration than you are likely to find it in mostly modern Slovakia, but if you have an opportunity to attend, it may be an interesting experience, and the meat and sausages are home-made, delicious and full of flavour. If you can find home-made jaternica (pork meat and liver sausage with rice) or krvavničky (similar to hurka, but with pork blood) on offer elsewhere, they are both very good. There is also tlačenka (cold meat pressed together with some vegetables, served similar to ham), which is served cold with vinegar and onion on top, and can be bought in supermarkets as well. Various other type of sausages and smoked meats are available commercially.

A thick fried slice of cheese served with French fries (vyprážaný syr s hranolkami) and a salad is also a common Slovak dish. It is served in most restaurants, and worth trying out, especially the local variety made from smoked cheese ('údený syr'/'oštiepok') or 'hermelín' (local cheese similar to Camembert). This is not considered a substitute for meat.

There is a good variety of bakery products, including various sweet pastries - try the local fillings of poppy seeds and/or (sweet) cottage cheese (tvaroh). Strudel (štrúdla) is also popular, try the traditional apple and raisins filling or fancier sweet poppy seeds and sour cherries version. For something savoury, try oškvarkový pagáč, which is a puff pastry with little pork cracklings. Local bread is excellent, but please note that some of the several varieties are sprinkled with caraway seeds. You may or may not like this! Baguettes and baguette shops/stands are very common and you will be able to choose from a variety of fillings.

For dessert, visit the local cukráreň. These establishments, though slowly merging into cafes, exclusively specialise in appeasing your sweet tooth and serve a variety of cakes, as well as hot and cold drinks and (sometimes) ice-cream. The cakes resemble similar fare in the Czech Republic or their Viennese cousins. The selection is diverse and on display, so just pick one you like the look of, perhaps a 'krémeš' (a bit of pastry at the bottom, thick filling of vanilla custard, topped with a layer of cream or just chocolate) or 'veterník' (think huge profiterole coated in caramel), selection of tarts etc.

When you are shopping in the supermarket, remember to pick up Tatranky and/or Horalky, two brands of similar wafers with hazelnut filling and lightly coated in chocolate that the locals swear by.

Italian restaurants and pizzerias are extremely popular in Slovakia, and have become ubiquitous. Even if you don't go to an ethnic Italian restaurant, there will be a pizza or pasta dish on almost every restaurant menu. Italian (and generally Mediterranean) ice cream is also very popular.

Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine is also becoming more common everywhere, and kebab/gyros (a bun with sliced bits of meat) stands are very common.

In bigger cities, you will find a selection of ethnic restaurants including Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Italian, French and many others. Moreover, as mentioned above, many Austrian, Czech, Hungarian and Polish dishes with a Slovakian twist are commonplace.

Fast food establishments can be found in Slovakia as anywhere else in the world, McDonalds (colloquially referred to as "mekdonald" or "mekáč") can be found in many bigger and smaller cities. However, due to the other food being relatively cheap in comparison to the Western prices of fast foods, this is not usually considered the truly budget option. A food in a cheaper restaurant will cost 1-1.5x the price of a meal combo (sometimes even less) and might prove a better value. Still, these establishments are reasonably popular, especially with the younger generation.

For non-alcoholic drinks try these:

• Vinea. A carbonated soft drink made from grapes, in both red and white and also non-carbonated. White Vinea is virtually indistinguishable from elderflower cordial. (updated Dec 2023)
• Kofola. A cola soft drink, is also very popular among locals and is available both on tap and bottled. Slovakia is one of three countries in the world where Coca-Cola is not the number one in the market. (updated Dec 2023)

Mineral waters are some of the best in the World, come in numerous varieties and each has unique positive health effects (e.g. getting rid of heartburn, improving digestion etc.) depending on the type of minerals naturally found in the water.

There are many types available from shops and supermarkets, for example, Budiš, Mitická, Slatina, Rajec, Dobrá Voda, Zlatá studňa, Fatra etc. Others are only available directly from the many natural mineral springs common all across the country. As these are true 'mineral' waters, they will invariably contain minerals, and the taste will differ according to the brand/spring. If you don't like one, try a different brand! You may also try mineral waters with various flavourings, ranging from raspberry to 'mojito'.

In contrast to what you might be used to, sparkling water is the default option, so if you prefer still you might have to look for this specifically. The level of carbonation is marked by the label. Dark blue or Red label usually indicates carbonated ones ("perlivá"), a green label indicates mildly carbonated ones ("mierne perlivá") and white, pink or baby blue indicates those without carbon dioxide ("neperlivá"). Due to the excellent local choice and quality of the water, international brands are not as common.

In restaurants, serving a free glass of water is not a part of the culture, so remember that if you ask for one it is quite likely that you will be brought (most likely sparkling) mineral water instead (and charged for it).

• Coffee. Out of hot drinks coffee is available everywhere, mostly in three varieties (cafes in cities will offer more) - espresso, 'normal' coffee which is served medium-sized, small and black and Viennese coffee which is 'normal' coffee with a dollop of cream on top. Cappuccinos are quite common as well. Coffee is served with sugar and cream/milk on the side. (updated Dec 2023)
• Hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is popular as well. (updated Dec 2023)
• Tea. Tea rooms are quite popular as a place to chill out in major cities. These usually have a laid-back, vaguely oriental ambiance, and offer a great variety of black, green, white and fruit teas. Schisha might be on offer as well. A part of this culture spread to the other catering establishments, most of which will now offer a choice at least between fruit and black tea. Note that black tea is served with sugar and lemon in Slovakia, serving of milk or cream is not common. (updated Dec 2023)
• Hot apple. Some places may offer a beverage called 'hot apple', which tastes a bit like softer hot apple juice. (updated Dec 2023)

Drinking is very much a part of the Slovak culture and some form of alcohol will be served at most social occasions. However, the locals mostly hold their liquor well and being visibly drunk is frowned upon, so be aware of your limits. Note that some locally brewed spirits may be stronger than what you are used to, and that the standard shot glass in Slovakia is 50ml, which may be more than you are used to if arriving from Western Europe. If you order double vodka, you will get 1dl of it! Alcohol in general is cheap compared to Western Europe or the US. There are no special shops, and alcoholic beverages can be purchased in practically any local supermarket or food store. You can legally drink and purchase alcohol if you are 18 years or older, but this is not very strictly enforced. You still might be IDed in some city clubs if you look very young, however.

For beer (Slovak: pivo), there is a great variety of excellent local brews that are similar in style and quality to Czech beers (which are also widely available), and beer is mostly the local drink of choice. Try out the Zlatý Bažant, Smädný Mních, Topvar and Šariš. Šariš is also available in a dark version that is thicker and heavier on your stomach. If the local tastes are not satisfactory, "Western" beers are sold in the bigger restaurants and pubs.

Slovakia has also some great local wines (Slovak: víno), many similar to Germanic Riesling styles. There are several wine-growing regions in the south with centuries worth of tradition, including the area just outside Bratislava. If you can, try to visit one of the local producer's wine cellars, as many are historical and it is a cultural experience in itself. You might also be offered homemade wine if you are visiting these areas, as many locals ferment their own wines. The quality obviously varies. Every year at the end of May and beginning of November, an event called Small Carpathian Wine Road takes place in Small Carpathian Wine Region (between Bratislava and Trnava), where all the local producers open their cellars to the public. Buy a ticket in the nearest cellar and you will receive a wine glass and admission into any cellar in the region, where you can sample the best produce from the previous year.

There are also sweeter wines grown in Southeastern border regions called Tokaj. Tokaj is fermented out of the special Tokaj grape variety endemic to the region (part of which is in Hungary and part in Slovakia) and it is a sweet dessert wine. Tokaj is considered a premium brand with a worldwide reputation and is arguably some of the best Central Europe has to offer. Other Slovak wines might not be widely known outside the region but they are certainly worth a try. Around the harvest time in the autumn, in the wine-producing regions, a young wine called burčiak is often sold and popular among the locals. As burčiak strengthens with fermentation (as it becomes actual wine), its alcohol content can vary quite wildly.

Slovakia produces good spirits. Excellent is the plum brandy (Slivovica), pear brandy (Hruškovica) or herb liquor Demänovka. Czech Fernet, a type of aromatic bitter spirit is also very popular.

• Borovička. This Slovak gin is the most typical alcohol. (updated Dec 2023)

In some shops you may try a 25 or 50 ml shot for very little money, to avoid buying a big bottle of something of unknown flavour, then decide whether to buy or not to buy. International brands are also available, but at a price premium (still cheaper than in most Western countries, however).

If you are a more adventurous type, you can try some homemade fruit brandys that the locals sometimes offer to foreigners. Slivovica is the most common, but also pear brandy, apricot brandy, or raspberry brandy can be found. Drinking is a part of the tradition, especially in the countryside. If you are visiting locals, don't be surprised if you are offered home-made spirit as a welcome drink nor that the host may be quite proud of this private stock. The homemade liquors are very strong (up to 60% alcohol), so be careful. If Slivovica is matured for 12 or more years, it can become a pleasant digestive drink.

In winter months, mulled wine is available at all winter markets and mulled mead is also common. A mixed hot drink called grog, which consists of black tea and a shot of local 'rum' is very popular, especially in the skiing resorts, and it really warms you up.

• International Film Festival Artfilm. Yearly in June/July in Trenčianske Teplice and Trenčín. 
• International Film Festival Cinematik. Yearly in early September in Piešťany. Young and relatively small film festival. Accreditation for the whole festival is less than €7. 
• International Film Festival Bratislava. Forever in December. 
• Comics-Salón - A event dedicated to Japanese Anime & Manga, Fantasy and SciFi and its fans, but not only them! Great atmosphere, friendly folk and lots of fun awaits you there. The roots of this event stretch back to 2004, when it was held in "Súza" for the first time. Now, once every year early in September Bratislava enjoys the rush of fine individuals from all over Europe to participate in this unique event. For the past 2 years, the location was moved to "Istropolis" exhibition halls due to space constraints.

• Pohoda Music Festival. One of the biggest Slovak music festivals, critically acclaimed and recognised on European scale. Yearly in July in Trenčín. Hosts mostly alternative music. 
• Grape Music Festival. Another great smaller alternative music festival. Yearly in August in Piešťany. 

The Slovak police you'll see in the street consist of two different police forces - state police and municipal police.

The Slovak Police Force, or the state police, deals with the majority of crimes, whether infractions or felonies. The emergency number to reach state police is 158. Old state police cars can be recognized by their green-yellow stripes on the side. New cars, however, use a pattern and colors similar to that of Czechia, the UK or Germany.

Municipal police forces usually deal with traffic and are not equipped to deal with felonies. Their uniforms and cars can differ from municipality to municipality, and not every municipality may have a police force. The emergency number to reach the local municipal police force is 159.

Rural roads can be poorly lighted and can get very narrow and tricky to drive, especially in the hilly and mountainous parts of the country.

If you plan to drive you must not be under the influence of alcohol. Penalties can be very severe if caught.

Outdoor safety is one of the few things taken extremely seriously in Slovakia.

When visiting mountainous regions of Slovakia, especially the High Tatras, it is customary to let hotel personnel know where exactly you are going and when you'll return. The Mountain Rescue Service is called in case you don't return.

The relative small area and height of the High Tatras is very deceptive - it is steep and difficult terrain with unpredictable weather, especially during spring and autumn. Never hike alone and use proper gear.

The Mountain Rescue Service is a good source of additional and up-to-date information. Take all warnings seriously. In the event of an emergency they can be contacted by dialing 18300 or the universal 112. Make sure your medical insurance coverage includes mountain activities before you venture forth, as a rescue mission in inaccessible terrain may well prove expensive.

Slovakia is blessed with a variety of species rare in some other parts of the continent; bears and wolves still live in the country in relatively high numbers.

Despite the constant coverage in local media, bear attacks are statistically infrequent, and deadly attacks extremely rare. The possibly most dangerous animal in Slovakia (and likely much of Europe) is the wild boar. Unlike bears, they do not stray from humans and will happily attack you.

Most bears are encountered in remote areas, however they can also be seen in the urbanized areas of High Tatras and also other towns and villages in the northern and central part of the country. Bears may feed on corn, oat and other agricultural plants. For this reason, use only track roads or paths when biking or hiking through fields. It may also be illegal to roam freely across fields even if not fenced.

A bear will usually avoid you if it knows you're there, so the best way to avoid this is by making your presence known by talking loudly/singing/clapping etc., especially in an area where it can't readily see you from a distance. Of course, this has limited usage during strong wind or near loud water streams.

If you see a bear, do not run, but leave the area slowly in the opposite direction. Do not approach bears and never approach bear cubs even if they seem to be alone or injured - bear mothers are extremely protective. If possible, wait until they leave the area or return back. You may also dial 112 in case the situation is dangerous.

Slovaks are quite hospitable, and if they invite you into their home, expect to be well looked after and offered a variety of food and drinks. If you are invited in for lunch, expect a 2-3 course meal just as for dinner, as lunch is traditionally the main meal of the day. It is considered polite to bring a small gift for the host, such as a bottle of wine or good spirit, a box of chocolates, or a small bouquet of flowers, but never give money as it would be felt that you are trying to pay for the hospitality.

Most people do not use their outdoor shoes inside for hygienic reasons, so take your shoes off in the hallway when entering somebody's home. Don't worry, they will find you a spare pair of slippers to keep your feet warm.

When dining in a restaurant with the host's family, it is customary for them to pick the bill. This might not happen, but don't be surprised if they do.

When being introduced to or meeting someone, even of the opposite sex, and even for the first time, it is not uncommon to kiss each other on the cheek once or twice (depending on the region) instead of shaking hands. It is not common between two males, but is quite normal for women. Do not be alarmed, and remember that this is not a sexual gesture.

Remember that Slovakia is a separate nation that has been independent since 1993, when Czechoslovakia split into the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. For most of its history it was a part of other multinational states, especially the Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary and lastly Czechoslovakia. Therefore, some people may be sensitive when it comes to nationality issues. There is no hostility or resentment when it comes to the Velvet divorce that split Czechoslovakia, and the two nations remain very amicable, if not having some rivalry in soccer and ice hockey. Do not refer to Slovakia as a part of another state and you should be fine.

Slovakia's position during World War II was quite complex, and this topic is best avoided when speaking to nationalists. Similarly, the decades of communism left its mark on the country and this can be a sensitive topic like the Slovak State during World War II. Slovakia, while formerly a part of the Soviet bloc, has never been a part of the USSR or the Russian Empire. Many Slovaks still harbour much resentment against Russia due to the decades of Soviet domination. You should avoid being overly enthusiastic about Russia even if you are the most ardent Russophile in the world, as doing so may arouse strong emotions among the locals.

The relations with the Roma minority are sometimes quite strained and some people may hold strong views on the subject. It's best to educate yourself about the situation of minorities in Slovakia before getting into any kind of conversation or debate.

Like in many Central European countries, the use of the Nazi salute is a criminal offence. Denying, approving of or justifying the Holocaust or other crimes against humanity committed by either the fascist or communist regimes of Europe is also a criminal offence and punishable by up to 3 years of imprisonment.

Despite the rise of neo-fascism in the 2010s, the majority of the population condemns any behaviour or remarks that even remotely resemble fascist views or opinions. Unfortunately, the seriousness of the topic is flouted by much of the younger generation, especially due to the poor quality of the education system. As such, you might be able to get away with remarks or opinions that would never be tolerated elsewhere. Do not come into Slovakia with such expectations, however.