Slovakia is set to participate in the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market 2023, taking place in Dubai on May 1-4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The pearl of the Danube will be promoting castle stays, wellness tourism and a four-seasons climate to thousands of travel and media professionals from the Middle East and all over the world.
With hundreds of mighty castles, splendid villages and a unique culture that has no shortage of modern entertainment choices; Slovakia shines as a diverse jewel in the heart of Europe. The EU country enjoys a vibrant atmosphere, wonderful nature, and bustling UNESCO World Heritage sites making it an all-year-round destination.
Slovakia has a good air connectivity with a number of weekly direct flights from the Middle East including direct flights from and to the GCC’s busiest airport, Dubai International Airport. The Europian destination is also a well-known for providing alternative travel options into neighbouring cities such like Vienna, Budapes and Krakow.
The 49,000 square kilometres country can be easily travelled by car or train and not impossibly difficult to be discovered through outdoor exploration activities that have been able to attract more travellers and explorers from around the world. There are nine national parks in Slovakia that are free to public and thousands of kilometres of marked hiking trails. Cycling is very popular with several internationally known routes.
Bratislava City
Bratislava is famous for its dramatic architecture, quaint neighborhoods, and the mighty Danube River. The city also enjoys a unique location; it lies on the border of 3 countries – Hungary, Czech Republic and Austria and serves as one of the main gateways to Slovakia.
Bratislava Castel
The former seat of the lords, today the symbol of Bratislava and the seat of the Museum of History. There is a wonderful view of the city and the neighbouring countries from its 47-metre-high crown tower in which royal coronation jewels used to be deposited. Old Town Hall is the seat of the Bratislava City Museum which is the oldest museum in Slovakia. A 45-metre-high tower at this place will lead the visitors to a breath-taking panoramic view of the Old Town.
Grassalkovich Palace
A Rococo summer palace dates back to the 18th century with a beautiful garden that once created a rich social life and hosted a famous composer; Joseph Haydn who performed many of his symphonies at this place. Since 1996 it serves as the seat of the President of the Slovak Republic.
Devín Castle
A castle ruin built on a high rock towering above the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers is one of the most important historical and archaeological localities in Central Europe is reachable also by boat. Moreover, the castle offers enchanting natural scenery with unrepeatable views. The castle also hosts performances by historical swordsmen.
UFO
A unique observation deck on the pylons of the SNP Bridge at a height of 95 metres with amazing views of the city and visibility of up to 100 km. It offers the most beautiful sunset combined with a culinary experience and sky diving.
Eurovea Waterfront
The combination of the promenade, shopping center, waterfront and the theatre square give this area a special uniqueness. The neighbourhood has grown into a modern center of Bratislava also features the new building of the Slovak National Theatre, cladded with white travertine, and the Eurovea shopping center. The visitor to this area will find fashionable brands, cafes and restaurants on the pleasant promenade on the Danube riverbank overlooking Bratislava Castle. A 72 HOUR PLANNER (application) at 72hourcity.com will help visitors plan their trip to Bratislava based on their preferences.
Košice City
A town with vibrant atmosphere, this is the European Capital of Culture 2013, home of the oldest marathon run in Europe and one of the oldest marathons in the world. St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral is the pride of the city of Košice and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
UNESCO
In 2022, UNESCO commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Convention on the Protection of the World Heritage. Slovakia is rich in cultural and natural heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO list. Historic towns such as Bardejov, Levoča, or Banská Štiavnica. The unique natural works of art concealed in the caves of Slovak Karst, and the enchanting tones of the traditional Fujara woodwind instrument are surely to delight the visitors.
The Castle of Spiš is the largest medieval castle compound in central Europe inscribed the UNESCO list along with the little town of Spišské Podhradie (with typical Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses), the Church town of Spišská Kapitula including several sacral monuments date back to the 14th century and 15th centuries. Banská Štiavnica is a town monument reserve demonstrating the mining tradition in Slovakia.
Nature and Countryside
Slovakia has a diverse landscape and is proud of its 9 national parks. Slovakia is the home to the largest karst area in Central Europe with more than 6,200 caves, from which more than 45 are accessible to the public.
Experience Fun in Slovakia
Slovakia offers a wide range of sport activities throughout the year; from rope parks, shooting and bungee jumping to bouldering, gliding and parachuting. The countryside looks different when explored on a bicycle. Nowadays electric cycling became more and more popular in Slovakia. Liptov – region with the most modern and extensive e-bike infrastructure. 3 international cycling routes pass through Slovakia: EuroVelo 6, EuroVelo 11 and EuroVelo 13. Slovakia has world renowned, unique network of marked hiking paths. Rafting is also popular on the Belá River; considered to be the most ravening and Dunajec river flowing through the beautiful surroundings of the Pieniny National Park.
Experience Fun in Slovakia – Aquaparks
Slovakia is one of the countries with the largest water reserves. Aquaparks offer a lot of water fun; water slides, jumping water attractions, surfing on the waves or adventures on a pirate ship.
Spa and Wellness
The therapeutic spas in Slovakia are among the oldest and best quality in Central Europe. The country is blessed with underground wealth, as the healing power and beneficial effects on the human organism bubble up to the surface from mineral springs. Thanks to their curative power to treat disease and revive health, they have been regarded as miraculous and remarkable since time immemorial. These places also offer massages, facials, and pedicures and other wellness experiences. The exceptionally clean mountain air of the Vysoké Tatry known as High Tatra mountains are home to several climatic spas which help the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Slovak Spa
Slovak Spa Association was awarded at ITB Berlin with the Medical tourism destination Award 2022 for treatments in medical spas that help reduce the suffering of long-term and post covid long covid patients and in some cases mitigate the risk factors that lead to serious health problems such as: #obesity
The Piešťany Spa in Slovakia has always belonged among the largest and most famous in the world. Its reputation is based on the healing power of natural thermal mineral springs, as well as on the unique sulphur mud, which is the true treasure of the spa and ranks among the finest quality and most famous peloids in the world. The effects of the unique Piešťany mud are known to people practically worldwide.
Gastronomy
The traditional meals will appeal to those who love cheese, milk products, potatoes and cabbage. The most typical and national dish is Bryndzové halušky with fried bacon together with the first Slovak product with protected origin Skalický trdelník. Slovak gastronomy is renowned for its excellent seed delicacies; Bratislava Rolls, seed cakes, strudels, dumplings or a special seed dessert called šúľance are famous dishes everyone would want to try. There are enchanting grape farms and growing trails in Slovakia. The rarity of the Tokaj route is the medieval Tokaj cellar carved into the volcanic rock.
