Slovakia: Bratislava, the High Tatras & Košice in 8 Days
Slovakia
Overview
Slovakia rewards a west-to-east crossing: Bratislava's small, walkable old town by the Danube, the dramatic High Tatras — Central Europe's most alpine mountain range — for hiking beneath jagged granite peaks, and finishing in Košice, the country's second city with a beautifully restored Baroque main square.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Public transport
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €1,050–€1,350
Route
1. Bratislava2. High Tatras3. Košice
Highlights
- Bratislava Castle and the old town's compact core
- Hiking beneath the High Tatras' granite peaks
- A funicular or cable car ride into the mountains from Štrbské Pleso
- Košice's restored Baroque main square, one of Europe's least-visited gems
Worth knowing
- The High Tatras' best hikes need decent weather — have a backup plan
- Bratislava to the Tatras and on to Košice both involve longer train legs
- Some rural areas have limited English signage
Day by day
Day 1
BratislavaMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Bratislava Castle and old town
Overnight: Bratislava
Day 2
BratislavaMain activities
- Danube riverfront
- UFO Tower viewpoint
Overnight: Bratislava
Day 3
Bratislava → High TatrasMain activities
- Train (~4.5h)
- Settle in Štrbské Pleso
~4.5 hoursOvernight: High Tatras
Day 4
High TatrasMain activities
- Hiking beneath the peaks
Optional additions
- Funicular to a mountain lake viewpoint
Overnight: High Tatras
Day 5
High TatrasMain activities
- Further hiking or a rest day by the lake
Overnight: High Tatras
Day 6
High Tatras → KošiceMain activities
- Train (~2.5h)
- Main square and St. Elisabeth Cathedral
~2.5 hoursOvernight: Košice
Day 7
KošiceMain activities
- Old town walking tour
- Singing fountain in the evening
Overnight: Košice
Day 8
KošiceMain activities
- Departure
Overnight: Košice
Alternatives
Shorter version · 5 days
Drop Košice and return to Bratislava after the High Tatras.
Longer extension · 11 days
Add Banská Štiavnica's mining-town old town on the way east.