All you need to know about driving in Slovakia

I have prepared for you a comprehensive guide to renting a car including all you need to know about driving in Slovakia, and a 5-day day road trip itinerary to get you started. I’d say, this plan is for first-timers visiting this cute central European country. The map below shows all the stops we made during the trip.

I lived near Slovakian border for 20 years of my life, yet, I only visited the country briefly and never really explored it. It kinds of makes me giggle to think that I travelled to Slovakia for a road trip all the way from Qatar, my current home. And although Slovakia is small, 5 days was not nearly enough to see all its highlights. Nonetheless, it gave me a taste to what the country has to offer.

How to get to Slovakia

Slovakia is easily accessible, particularly if you’re starting your journey from nearby Austria. The most common entry point is via Vienna International Airport (VIE), which is just over an hour away from Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital (search best connections through SkyScanner). From the airport, you can either take a direct bus or rent a car for a more flexible trip. If you’re traveling from other European cities, direct trains and buses connect Slovakia to neighboring countries such as Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

But since I visited Slovakia as part of a road trip, I will mention all I know about travelling in Slovakia by car.

Renting a car and driving in Slovakia- what you need to know

Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Slovakia at your own pace, especially if you’re planning a road trip. Major car rental companies operate both in Vienna and Bratislava, but we chose the one in Vienna as it was the easiest starting point for us given that we arrived at Vienna airport.

Before starting your road trip in Slovakia, be sure to check whether your rental includes a vignette, a toll sticker required for driving on Slovak highways. If the car rental doesn’t include it, you can purchase it at a petrol station shortly after entering the country or online and can be bought for 10 days (minimum), 1 month, or 1 year.

Driving in Slovakia is generally safe, but be prepared for winding mountain roads, especially if you’re heading to the High Tatras. Make sure your GPS is updated, as some rural areas might have patchy signage. In general, we found it very easy to drive in Slovakia.

Other rules for driving in Slovakia to have in mind:

Speed Limits: The speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on open roads, and 130 km/h on highways
Winter Driving: If you’re visiting during winter, winter tires are mandatory from November to March, and snow chains may be required in mountainous regions.
Alcohol Limit: Slovakia has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving—any alcohol in your system can result in fines or penalties.
Traffic Rules: Drive on the right-hand side, and headlights must be on at all times, even during the day.

Why to do to a road trip in Slovakia?

It’s easy to drive.
Driving in Slovakia is relatively easy, with well-maintained roads and beautiful scenic routes, especially in the mountainous regions. There are so many beautiful stops accessible by car really easily, but require more planning when using public transportation.
If you are short on time, doing a road trip in Slovakia saves a lot of time and allows you to enjoy more. We had a 5-day itinerary for the road trip in Slovakia- even though it seems short, we could see so much because we rented a car.

We rented a car at Vienna airport using DiscoverCars. After doing so much research, we decided to get a car from a local provider called Zippy7 instead of an international agency and it was an excellent decision. It was probably the best car rental experience we have had in a very long time.

What to see in Slovakia in 5 days- road trip itinerary

Day 1: Bratislava

From the airport in Vienna we went straight to the rental car agency and headed to Bratislava- our first stop of the 3-week road trip, which I am going to write about in a separate post. However, I wanted to show you the part of the trip in Slovakia with some highlights in case you wanted to visit only this country.

Bratislava is a small capital, but rather charming. It was so calm and quiet there, that being in the city felt relaxing. Honestly, I haven’t been to many capitals that feel like time is slowing down. I loved the Old Town in Bratislava with its historical buildings, cute red trams and the castle.

Where to stay in Bratislava

Staying in the Old Town (Staré Mesto) is ideal if you want to be within walking distance of key sights like Bratislava Castle and St. Martin’s Cathedral. This is, of course, where we stayed, especially that we only had two days for the city. For quieter, more scenic accommodations, consider hotels along the river or in the Petržalka district.

The accommodation in Bratislava worth considering:

Luxury: Grand Hotel Bratislava
Luxury: Marrol’s Boutique Hotel
Apartment: Leo Apartment Presidential Palace
Budget: Patio Hostel

You can also use Trivago, which is the largest comparison site.

Where to eat in Bratislava

Modrá Hviezda: Located under Bratislava Castle, this cozy restaurant is known for traditional Slovak dishes like bryndzové halušky.
Savoy Restaurant: Housed in the elegant Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel, Savoy offers a sophisticated blend of traditional Slovak and international dishes in a luxurious setting.
UFO Restaurant: This unique restaurant sits atop the UFO Observation Tower, offering panoramic views of the city and an international fusion menu with creative dishes.
Slovak Pub: A popular spot for tourists and locals alike, Slovak Pub offers an authentic Slovak menu at affordable prices, with a rustic atmosphere and classic dishes. I might or might have not eaten way too much in this restaurant. Well, let me keep it a secret.
Houdini: Located in Marrol’s Boutique Hotel, Houdini is known for its refined, European cuisine and impeccable service, making it a great choice for a special occasion.
Bratislava Flagship Restaurant: One of the largest restaurants in Europe, it serves traditional Slovak food in a massive, historic building. This is the place where you can spoil yourself with Slovak food.
Urban House: A trendy café and bistro known for its casual vibe and excellent coffee, Urban House is a great place to enjoy brunch, burgers, or international dishes.
Konditorei Kormuth: It is an old-fashioned bakery, where you’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time. The highlight of visiting Konditorei Kormuth is the beautiful interior, filled with a display of delicious sweets. If you love a good atmosphere, this is the perfect spot to stop for coffee, cake, or ice cream. But there is usually a long line to get in and they don’t let you enter and look around. Apparently, the lovely paintings were

Day 2: Bratislava

Second day in Bratislava for a full day of sightseeing. We walked a lot on both sides of the river that was quite relaxing and gave amazing views of the city (the two photos below are taken from the other side of the river showing us the view of the Old Town).

What to see in Bratislava:

Bratislava Castle. The castle is located on a hill overlooking the city and I think Bratislava Castle is a must-visit. The castle’s history dates back to the 9th century, and its panoramic views of the Danube River and Bratislava Old Town are stunning.
Stroll through the Old Town. Like most main cities in Europe, Bratislava has a beautiful and charming Old Town (Staré Mesto), which is full of narrow, cobblestone streets and pastel-colored buildings. Highlights include St. Martin’s Cathedral, where Hungarian kings were crowned, and the Primatial Palace, known for its Hall of Mirrors. Don’t miss quirky sculptures like the Man at Work, a bronze figure peeking out of a manhole. I’d suggest you join a walking tour to learn the history and listen to anecdotes that you wouldn’t know otherwise.
Climb St. Michael’s Gate. St. Michael’s Gate is the last remaining medieval gate of the city’s fortifications. Climb to the top for a beautiful view of the Old Town.
Devin Castle is located just outside the city. A quick bus ride takes you to this romantic ruin, where you can explore the castle’s ancient walls and enjoy hiking and nature walks in the surrounding area. Or if you prefer, join a half-day tour.
Visit the Blue Church (Church of St. Elizabeth). This unique Art Nouveau church, painted entirely in pastel blue, is a hidden gem in Bratislava. Its architecture is both beautiful and quirky, and it’s an ideal stop for lovers of unique designs.
If you an extra day in Bratislava, why not take a quick ferry to Vienna for a day?
Why not to try this unique activity in Bratislava:

Day 3: Bojnice

For me, the highlight of Bojnice is a castle museum. It is one of the most beautiful and romantic castles in Slovakia. It’s built in a quite unique fairy-tale style. I really enjoyed visiting this castle as it is very different from most castles in Europe. You can even enter the basements and caves under the construction. The only thing to keep in mind is that you need to join a guided tour that runs every half an hour. It also hosts festivals, including the popular International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits in spring.

Another reason of popularity of Bojnice is Bojnice Spa, renowned for its thermal waters. The healing mineral springs are said to benefit those with musculoskeletal or nervous system conditions, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and wellness.

Day 4: High Tatras (stop at Banska Bystrica on the way)

Since we had quite a tight schedule, and we were really looking forward spending time in the mountains and hike, we left Bojnice fairly early in the morning. As we continued the road trip towards High Tatras, we made a half-day stop in Banska Bystrica– a little, charming town known for its historical and cultural sites. In the past, it was a mining village. There are a few things you can do in Banska Bystrica, like having a stroll through the Slovak National Uprising Square (really picturesque part of the town) or visit nearby T own Castle Kremnica.

Štrbské Pleso- our chosen base in High Tatras

There are many places in High Tatras you could chose for your stay as it is a large region. However, we decided to base ourselves in Štrbské Pleso as it has a glacial lake. It is a popular hub for summer and winter sports and there are so many things to do there:

Boating on the lake in the summer.
Ice skating and skiing in the winter months.
It’s also a starting point for many hiking trails. This is what we went there for.
Explore natural wonders like the Obrovský Vodopád (Giant Waterfall) near Hrebienok, one of the most impressive in the region, accessible via a scenic hike.
Wildlife Watching: The High Tatras are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including chamois, marmots, and bears. Bear watching activity is one of the most memorable ones you can have.

We only had a day and a half in High Tatras and the first day it was chilly and wet. Despite that we did some walking as it is super easy and pleasant to walk around the lake. Make sure to stop by Koliba Patria restaurant for a drink or food. The restaurant is styled in the folk-mountain style and the food is really good. In good weather, chose a table on the terrace for lake views. I recommend booking a table in advance, especially on a weekend as it is a popular place among the locals, who visit Strbske Pleso on weekends.

Where to stay in High Tatras

Hotel Patria– this is the hotel we stayed in as it is so well located near the lake with a small spa. Although it is not the cheapest in the area, it is affordable and the price is justified by what it offers.
Grand Hotel Kempinski– similarly to the above hotel, Kempinski is located at the lake with beautiful views and the building and interiors are stunning. The standard is high, but it is definitely a luxury option.

Day 5: High Tatras

High Tatras is the best place for hiking in Slovakia. The views are absolutely beautiful and there are numerous trails to chose from depending on your fitness level, time and preferences. We dedicated the second day to go hiking for a few hours (by the way… there are bears there). The trail we chose was fairly easy and so different from other hiking trails outside of Slovakia: it had parts without tress but rather high flowers and all sorts of plants.

Don’t forget to get a travel insurance that will cover your hiking as well.

Day 6: leave Slovakia and continue the road trip

As I mentioned earlier, Slovakia was our first stop of a longer European road trip, so after 5 days exploring, we continued our adventure and headed to Budapest. However, we really wanted to see Kosice and originally planned to stay there overnight. In the end, we were short on time and only managed to stop in Kosice for a few hours.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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Dishes you must try in Slovakia

Oblátky: it is a wafer-like snack typical to get in Bojnice. It is made of water and flour only, but there are flavoured variations as well, for example with chocolate or salt. In Bojnice, you can find all kinds of oblátky in souvenir shops.

Vyprážaný Syr: A beloved street food, this is fried cheese usually served with tartar sauce and fries. It’s a cheesy, indulgent treat.

Šúľance
A sweet dish made from rolled potato dough, Šúľance are covered in poppy seeds, sugar, and melted butter. It’s a popular dessert in Slovakia.

My favourite dish in Slovakia was bryndzové Halušky. It is a national dish consisting of potato dumplings topped with bryndza (a tangy sheep cheese) and crispy bacon. A real comfort food.

Trdelník
While originating from the Czech Republic, Trdelník is widely available in Slovakia. This sweet pastry is cooked on a spit and coated in sugar, cinnamon, or nuts.

Kapustnica
A flavorful sauerkraut soup made with sausage, smoked meats, and sometimes mushrooms. It’s often served during Christmas but is enjoyed year-round.

Lokše
These potato pancakes are typically served with duck, but they can also be sweet, filled with jam or poppy seeds. They are pan-fried and deliciously crispy.

Zemiakové Placky
Similar to potato pancakes, zemiakové placky are seasoned with garlic and marjoram, then fried until golden. They’re a popular side dish or snack.

Segedin Goulash (Segedínsky guláš)
A Slovak twist on the classic Hungarian dish, this goulash is made with pork, sauerkraut, and a sour cream sauce, often served with dumplings or bread.

Fazolová Polievka
A traditional bean soup made with root vegetables and smoked meats, often thickened with potatoes or flour. It’s a warming, filling dish popular in the colder months.

Pirohy
Slovakia’s version of pierogi, these dumplings are filled with potatoes, cheese, or fruit and are either boiled or fried. They can be served savory with butter and onions or sweet with cream.

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