PANEK for holidays – northern Slovakia

Slovakia is a small country bordering Poland from the south, inhabited by less than 5.5 million citizens. Due to its geographical and cultural location, the country turns out to be a very interesting tourist destination. Magnificent mountains, dazzling nature and a multitude of monuments attract tourists from all over the world to Slovakia. All attractions can be reached by comfortable cars from the PANEK Rent a Car rental.

Slovakia is a great country to explore by car. Well-maintained roads and an ever-growing number of highways allow you to move between attractions stress-free. Please note that motorways are tolled and it is best to pay the fee by purchasing a temporary vignette online. So we no longer have to stick a vignette on the window, because the registration number of the car will be in the database of the payment system operator. A 10-day vignette costs €10, a monthly vignette costs €14 and an annual vignette costs €50.

Orava Castle

Entering Slovakia through the border crossing in Chyżne you will come across a castle that is one of the biggest tourist attractions of northern Slovakia. The castle was erected on the Orava River and served as a defensive fortress securing the border with Poland. The whole castle consists of three medieval and renaissance complexes, open to the public almost entirely. Scenes for the series “Janosik” were filmed in the castle, and the film “Nosferatu” was also made here.

Demänovská Cave of Freedom

A little further south-east (58 km) is one of the biggest natural attractions of Slovak nature. Demänovská Cave of Freedom is one of the most visited caves in Slovakia. Its total length is as much as 8126 meters, and wonderful, diverse karst forms, including: rock waterfalls, stalagmites, stalactites and cave pearls introduce tourists to a mysterious, fairy-tale atmosphere.

High Tatras

The High Tatras are probably the most famous and most visited region by Polish tourists, especially in winter, when you can enjoy well-prepared ski runs. However, Tatranská Lomnica has a lot to offer also in summer. Cable cars and chairlifts operate here all year round, which definitely makes it easier to get to the higher parts of the mountains. In turn, Strbskie Pleso captivates with a lake in which the peaks of the Tatra Mountains are reflected, and a hiking trail leads to a beautiful waterfall called Skok.

Slovak Paradise

This place is an example that Slovak nature still retains its unique, unspoiled atmosphere. Winding trails among gorges and steep walls make you dizzy, and what’s cool, they have been prepared so that people of all ages and physical fitness can use them, and the most important trails are the Sucha Bela Gorge and the Hornad Gorge.

Spiš Castle

Only 50 kilometres west of the Slovak Paradise, Spisky Hrad is the largest castle ruin complex in Central Europe. The castle built on a 200-meter rock covers an area of over 4 hectares! The medieval building has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in the summer interesting historical events and knights’ tournaments take place here.

Treetop Path in the Bachledzka Valley

The already famous Bachledka is a great attraction for the whole family. Rising 24 meters above the ground, the wooden footbridge is one of the biggest attractions of the Slovak Pieniny Mountains. The trail is 1234 m long and the views are simply stunning! From here you can admire, among others, views of the Tatra Mountains, Pieniny with the three crowns peak, you can also see the Niedzica Castle from here. You can reach the footbridge by chairlift from the parking lot level or by walking. The entrance takes about 40 minutes, but in the other direction you can use a 67-meter slide – the longest in Slovakia!

Bardejov

On the way to the south of Slovakia, it is worth stopping in the beautiful Bardejov. The picturesque, perfectly preserved market square created on a rectangular plan captivates with low buildings of small, colorful tenement houses and gives the impression that time has stopped here. Attention is drawn to the town hall from the sixteenth century and the huge Basilica of St. Giles, towering over the surrounding buildings. The entire Old Town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which only confirms its uniqueness.