The High Tatras -- The smallest alpine mountain range in the world, but no less dramatic for it. Peaks above 2,500 meters, glacier lakes, chamois and marmots, and over 600 km of marked trails. The ridge walk from Strbske Pleso to Hrebienok is one of the finest day hikes in Central Europe. In winter, the skiing is affordable and the scenery spectacular.
Spi Castle -- The largest castle complex in Central Europe, sprawling across a hilltop above the town of Spisske Podhradie. The ruins are visible for miles and look like something from a fantasy film. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby medieval town of Levoca.
Slovak Paradise National Park -- Not your typical national park. The signature experience is hiking through narrow gorges on metal ladders, chains, and wooden walkways bolted to cliff faces above waterfalls. The Sucha Bela gorge is the most popular, but Piecky and Kysel are equally thrilling.
Banska Stiavnica -- A UNESCO World Heritage mining town in the volcanic hills of central Slovakia. Once one of the wealthiest cities in the Hungarian Empire, it is now a beautifully preserved small town with pastel-colored buildings, an open-air mining museum, and a calvary hill with stunning views.
Bratislava's Old Town -- Slovakia's compact capital has a charming old town with narrow streets, a hilltop castle overlooking the Danube, and some of the best-value dining in any European capital. The quirky street sculptures -- a man peering out of a manhole, a Napoleonic soldier leaning on a bench -- give the city a playful character.
Bojnice Castle -- One of the most romantic castles in Europe, looking like it belongs in a fairy tale. Originally medieval, it was rebuilt in the late 19th century in a French Gothic style by Count Palffy, who was inspired by the chateaux of the Loire Valley.
Dobsinska Ice Cave -- A UNESCO-listed cave in Slovak Paradise where vast chambers are filled with permanent ice formations up to 25 meters thick. The temperature inside stays below freezing year-round. One of the most impressive ice caves in the world.