Prešov region

Above the village is located a Brekov castle ruin. The purpose of the construction of the castle was to protect the trade route leading from Hungary to Poland.

Bardejov is one of the administrative centers of the Šariš area and a very popular tourist destination. There are lots of Gothic monuments and the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bardejov was made famous thanks to its Town Hall Square with a unique set of townhouses. Historic buildings are surrounded by fortified system of walls, bastions and gates. The square is dominated by the Renaissance town hall of 16 century and Gothic church of St. Egidio of 15 century. Bardejov is well known through its spa.

The ancient monastery of 11 century was the seat of the Benedictine, Carthusian and Kamaldul monks. Červený Kláštor is one of the symbols of Pieniny National Park and is often visited by tourists. In the monastery a museum is located as well. Near the monastery Dunajec rafting harbor is located.

Gelnica is the administrative center of the Hnilecká dolina valley in the southern part of Spiš area. The city has a mining history, which is illustrated by the Mining Museum housed in the former town hall.

This town is interesting for tourist with historical monument in the form of fortified Renaissance castle of 17 century.

Hervartov has the Slovak primacy in the form of the oldest wooden church from year 1500.

Tatra Trail is a popular mountain tracks. It has 70 km and it leads the visitor through the mouth of Jalovecká dolina valley in the Western Tatras to the Veľké Biele pleso tarn on the border of the High Tatras and Belianske Tatras. The trail is marked red. This tour can be finished in about 5 days. It also connects the famous mountain alpine chalets and hotels, making it easier to plan the accomodation. The trail offers nice views of the Tatras, but also Podtatrasnká kotlina basin. During the winter the trail is partially closed.

Hrebienok is one of the major tourist hubs in the High Tatras. It is located above the Starý Smokovec to which it is connected by cog railway, tourist and asphalt road. Hrebienok is the starting point for touring the Veľká and Malá Studená dolina valleys, but also base for the ascent to Slavkovský štít. Studenovodské waterfalls and Obrovský waterfall are located nearby. Frequent destination seeked by many tourist in this area are Téry and Zbojnícka chata, which lie in Veľká and Malá Studená dolina valleys and are connected trough a mountain pass called Priečne sedlo – a hige throu here is a demanding but beautiful action.

Humenné is the administrative center of the upper Zemplín area. The main sight is a Renaissance mansion of 17 century. Today the regional museum resides in here. In the near park outdoor exhibition of folk architecture is located. Visitors can find here many objects of folk architecture but above it wooden church of St. Michael the Archangel, which was originally located in Nová Sedlica.

Jasenov is a castle ruin located in Vihorlatské vrchy hills. The castle was built in the Middle Ages and later in the 17th century converted into a fortress against the Turks.

Kežmarok belongs to the main administrative center of Spiš area. Historically valuable is in particular its center, declared a historical objects reservation area. Town Castle of 15 century, now serves as a museum. The main sights include the local town houses, church of St. Cross and Renaissance bell tower.  Very precious is the wooden church from the early 18th century, with extremely valuable interior. From a historical perspective is important Protestant seminary, where many slovak personalities studied.

In Krásny Brod is among the main attractions the monastery ruins. This monastery was an important point of Ruthenians and Ukrainians in their religious life. During the Mongol invasion Prince Theodore Podolský Koriatovič led here about forty thousand colonists. Later Basilian monks built a stone monastery here which deterioriated after the First World War.

Lesnica is damous village of Zamagurie area that offers especially beautiful surrounding.

Levoča is located at the foot of Levočské Hills and is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Slovakia. City sights reservation was established here. Most sights are concentrated on the Square of Master Pavol. Dominated by a Gothic church of St. Jacob, where altar of St. Jacob is located. Is the highest altar in the world, measuring 18.6 meters. Near the church the Town Hall with arcades and interesting bell tower was built. Spiš Museum resides in here. On the square is located as well the Evangelist Church. The square is surrounded by fifty historical townhouses. The most interesting is Thurzs house wit Neo-Renaissance facade. In Hains house the exhibition of visual arts of the Spiš area is located. House of Master Pavol, where previously housed the carving workshop, that created the mentioned altar of St. Jacob, is now the seat of exposition dedicated to life of this famous artist. The main attractions include brick city walls with polygonal bastion, which now houses the Museum of the Blind and Košice Gate - the only preserved gate of the four city gates. Mariánska hora Hill over Levoča is an important place of pilgrimages, that was visited in 1995 by Pope John Paul II.

Markušovce are remarkable by the rococo manor house with summerhouse Dardanelles and Markušovský castle. In the summerhouse is located Regional Museum and exhibition of keyboard musical instruments.

Romantic holiday in the mountains means the chalets in High Tatras. Once modest shelters, today providing everything you expect from the true base for your tours in Tatras. On the top of it, you can still enjoy the evening silence when a mysterious kerosene lamp is lit up, while telling forgotten, or just today experienced stories from the mountains.

Osturňa is the longest slovak village. Its length is 9 km. It is declared a historical reservation of folk architecture.

The fastest way how to look at the most interesting natural beauties of Pieniny is rafting the Dunajec river. Rafting on simple wooden rafts begins in Červený Kláštor and local natives called Gorals will take you on it. The rafting ends about two hours downstream near the village of Lesnica. During the trip you can admire a popular hill Tri Koruny, Dunajec breaktrough and beautiful gorge meanders of this river. Very interesting are the stories of the rafters, who will tell you many local legends. Near the village Lesnica is a breakthrough of Lesnica stream.

Podbanské is a popular tourist center. It is the starting point for hiking especially in the Western Tatras. Tourist trails lead to Kôprovská, Tichá valleys and High Tatras ranges from here.

Poprad is one of the largest cities in Slovakia and one of the centers of the Spiš area. Tourists seek Poprad as a gateway to the High Tatras. Poprad has renovated the main square of St. Egidio, where a pedestrian zone was built. The main buildings on it are church St. Egidio of 13 century, where you can admire the medieval paintings. Next to the church is a Renaissance bell tower. In addition in Poprad is located Tatra Gallery and Podtatranské Museum.

Popradské pleso tarn is a frequent destination od pleasant trips. Near the tarn a mountain hotel and Majláth hut. Popradské pleso is a point where Tatranská magistrála tourist trail passes. Other trails lead from here to the summit of  Kôprovský štít, Rysy peak,  Hincovo pleaso tarn, Ostrva, as well as to Symbolic cemetery, which is located near the lake.

Prešov is a major administrative center and ranks among the largest cities of Slovakia. The city is historically valuable, and its center was declared a reservation. The most important monuments include the church of St. Nicholas, Town Hall, Greek Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, where the bishop and Greek Catholic Theological Faculty resides, but also building of Evangelical college. Prešov is a center of Greek Catholic Church and important metropolis of the Ruthines. In a former palace of the Pulas Theatre A. Duchnovič is situated.

Sabinov is the administrative center of the Šariš area. From a historical perspective it is interesting throug several buildings on the square - Gothic church, the Lyceum building, but as well some townhouses. In Sabinov were preserved city walls with eight bastions. Suitable conditions for tourist and ski relaxation offers center Drienica-Lysá.

Šariš Castle is now a ruin and is located on the volcanic hills above the town of Veľký Šariš.

At an altitude of 1400 - 1900 m above sea level lies the Ski resort Štrbské Pleso - paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Nine ski slopes, three chairlifts, three lifts and two ski jumps are located here.

Slovak Paradise is one of the major centers of tourism and natural beauty of Slovakia. It is especially popular because its beautiful canyons that can be passed thanks to a system of ladders. Natural wealth is represented by the large number of waterfalls, which are especially wonderful during winter, when frozen. They are used also for ice climbing. The local attractions include breakthrough of river Hornád. The main tourist centers are Podlesok, Čingov and Kláštorisko. The main tourist sights od Spiš area may also include Church of St. Spirit, located in the village of Zehra. It was built of travertine in the mid-13th century. The church is a remarkable building and its interior conceals a rare medieval wall paintings.

Snina is one of the largest settlements of the upper Zemplín region. Historically interesting is classical mansion of the 18th century. In its courtyard is located a statue of Hercules created in the local foundry in the 19th century. In addition, Snina is a gateway to the National Park Poloniny.

Spiš Castle is the most massive castle in Central Europe, which has an eight hundred years old history. It was the center of power over Spiš, but later, in the 18th century, burnt down and began to deteriorate. The castle was conserved later and was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Spiš Museum offers a tour of the castle and expositions of the castle history, but as well of feudal justice.

Spišská Belá is located near Kežmarok. The main attractions include the Museum of M. Petzval - local physicist and mathematician. Slovak National Gallery is located in the city part Strážky in Renaissance mansion of 16 century.

Spišská Kapitula is a town with a rich religious history. One of the most beautiful buildings in Slovakia is the local late-Roman Cathedral of St. Martin. The interior impresses by the sculpture Leo Albus of 13 century and painting of the coronation of Charles I for the Hungarian king. Next to the cathedral was built chapel of Zapolsky. Bishofs palace of 13 century is where episcopal office is located.

Spišská Nová Ves is the second largest city of Spiš area. It is the starting point to the Slovak Paradise. The city center is built by the Radničné Square with the Gothic church of the Assumption od Virgin Mary of 14 century. The church has the highest church tower in Slovakia. It is 87 m high. Next interesting sights are Art Nouveau building of Reduta, but also classicist buildings of the Lutheran church and town hall. On the perimeter of the square is situated one of the main attractions - Provincial house with rich decorated facade. In this house resides the Regional museum.

Spišská Sobota is a city part of Poprad. Its atractiveness is in medieval character, which has preserved until now. Rare Gothic wing altars are found in the local church of St. George of 13 century. The main altar was created by the famous Master Pavol of  Levoča.

In Spišský Štvrtok is located one of the most important Slovak archaeological sites – Myšia hôrka. Main sights include church of St. Ladislav of 13 century with a Gothic chapel of Zapolsky family and Minorits monastery.

Stará Ľubovňa is dominated by Ľubovniansky castle. It was built in the 13th century and is one of the largest slovak castles. Under the administration of the castle were 16 towns, a fact that brought prosperity to the town.

Starý Smokovec is the oldest and largest Tatra settlement. This area is the starting point for many hikes and a spa center of High Tatras.

Štrbské Pleso is most popular Tatra settlement and is also the highest situated. It is same-named as local tarn. It is possible to arrive here by car, cog railway, and Tatra tram. Štrbské Pleso is an important center of tourism and vacation. It is the starting point for tours to Furkotská Valley, Mountaind hut under Solisko peak, the waterfall Skok, but also to popular Kriváň, or Kôprovský štít and famous peak of Rysy – which is a pass to Poland. In winter there are very good skiing and cross country skiing possibilities over here.

Stropkov as one of the region's top administrative centers was founded on the trade route that led through the valley of the river Ondava. In place of the Stropkov castle in the city center can be found Renaissance mansion from the 18th century.

Administrative center, which is interesting from the point of view of military history. There is located Duklianske Museum here, where visitors can view exhibition dedicated to the Carpathian-Dukla operation from the World War II. External expositions are dedicated to military weapons. In addition, you can look up natural Military Museum, located in the Dukla Pass itself. In 1944 it was the site of one of the heaviest fighting during the war. In the nearby village called Kapišová so-called Death Valley is located, where very tough tank battle took place.

Tatranská Javorina is the northernmost settlement od High Tatras. It lies at the mouth of Javorová dolina valley. Originally it was a mining settlement, which was developed by K. Hohenlohe. His seat was a local hunting lodge, which stands today at Hotel Kolowrat. Prince Hohenlohe was buried in a tomb at local church. Nearby Tatranská Javorina lies border crossing and the starting point for tours into the Bielovodská dolina valley- Lysá Poľana.

Tatranská Lomnica is a popular tourist village in the High Tatras. It is the starting point for tours to the Skalnaté pleso tarn, where it is possible to be lifted by a cableway and further more to the peak of Lomnický štít. The cableway to Lomnický štít is unique technical work in High Tatras. It has only one cabin and from Skalnaté pleso tarn it overcomes the height difference 856 m on a 1870 m long rope. Cableway runs from 1940.  Lomnické sedlo pass is an option in the winter to ski back to the Tatranská Lomnica.

Vyšné Ružbachy are well known spa resort. It is as well vacation center. There are good possibilities for swimming and skiing here. Around the city there is quite high number of interesting travertine formations. Most interesting is a crater with a small lake in the shape of a circle. In the former travertine quarry interesting natural sculpture gallery was created.

Eastern Slovakia hides a pearl in the form of 27 monuments of historic wooden churches. Churches were declared a national monument. In the case of Catholic churches is a simply conceived structure made of red spruce built in the Gothic style. Greek churches are mostly three-towered with bulbous architectural elements. The oldest wooden church in Slovakia is located in Hervartov. Other churches can be found in the villages of Frička, Jedlinka, Lukov, Krivé, Tročany and Koržany.

Zborov, located near Bardejov is known by the castle ruin of 11 century. Near the village it is possible to go skiing in resort Regetovka

Ždiar is located at the foot of the Belianske Tatry. This village was founded during the Wallachian colonization in the 16th century. In Ždiar is vividly present Goral folk tradition and folk architecture. This part of the Tatras has relatively limited opportunities for access to the mountains, as Belianske Tatry are closed to tourists except Monkova valley, which enables access to Zelene pleso tarn. Interesting views of the Tatras, however, offer hiking trails leading from here to Spišská Magura. Skiers can enjoy ski resort in Bachledová dolina and Strednica.