Skip to content
wheretotravel.info
Mountain lakes surrounded by jagged Tatra peaks

Slovakia travel guide

Central European cities and small inland towns, at their best in September

Best: Sep

Photo: Miller_Eszter / Pixabay

Capital
Bratislava
Language
Slovak
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, E · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Slovakia

Slovakia suits travellers who like to combine a compact capital, a second city and small inland towns. Bratislava and Košice work well for city breaks. Banská Štiavnica and Liptovský Mikuláš are slower stops. September is the best month overall, and the two big cities also do well in May, June and August. One honest limitation: Slovakia has no coast, so this is not a beach trip. In Poprad, the best window narrows to September alone.

  • September is the strongest month

    September is the best month for Slovakia as a whole. It is also a top month in each city with month data: Košice, Poprad and Liptovský Mikuláš. If you can only pick one month, September is the safest choice for a trip that covers several regions.

  • A capital of manageable size

    Bratislava is the capital and the largest city, with about 480,902 people. That makes it a city you can get to know in a short stay. It is a practical first stop before you head east to smaller towns.

  • Košice has a long travel season

    Košice is the second city, with about 222,286 people. It has more good months than the other places listed here: May, June, August and September. This gives you room to travel outside the single peak month and still find good conditions.

  • Small towns with a slower pace

    Much of Slovakia is small-town travel. Poprad has about 48,034 people, Liptovský Mikuláš about 29,710 and Banská Štiavnica only about 9,208. Liptovský Mikuláš is best in August and September, and Poprad in September.

  • Simple logistics for independent travellers

    Slovakia uses the Euro and runs on UTC+01:00. It covers 49,037 km², so distances stay short. You drive on the right. Plugs are types C and E at 230 V, and the emergency number is 112.

Is Slovakia right for you?

Great for

  • City breaks in September, when Bratislava averages highs of 22°C and 9 rain days
  • Summer trips with long, bright days: 12.7 sun hours in June and highs near 28°C in July
  • Multi-city trips in a compact country of 49,037 km², linking Bratislava, Košice and Banská Štiavnica
  • Travellers from other euro countries, since Slovakia uses the Euro and needs no money exchange

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidays, as none of the 5 main cities listed is on the coast
  • Winter sun seekers: December averages 4.1 sun hours and January highs reach only 4°C
  • Trips that need dry weather in May, which has 11.4 rain days, the most of any month

Slovakia right now: October

6.4/10
Avg high
16°C
Avg low
8°C
Rain days
9

Averages for Bratislava.

Weather by month

In Bratislava, September is the best month, with highs of 22°C, lows near 13°C and about 9 hours of sun a day, though it is also the wettest month at 75 mm of rain. December and January have the toughest weather, with highs of only 4–5°C, lows of 0°C to -2°C and about 4 hours of sun a day.

Average highs and lows in Bratislava by month January: high 4°C, low -2°C , 11 rain days . February: high 8°C, low 0°C , 9 rain days . March: high 11°C, low 2°C , 7 rain days . April: high 16°C, low 6°C , 9 rain days . May: high 20°C, low 11°C , 11 rain days . June: high 26°C, low 16°C , 11 rain days . July: high 28°C, low 18°C , 9 rain days . August: high 28°C, low 17°C , 8 rain days . September: high 22°C, low 13°C , 9 rain days . October: high 16°C, low 8°C , 9 rain days . November: high 10°C, low 3°C , 9 rain days . December: high 5°C, low -0°C , 9 rain days . 4°C -2°C JAN 11d 8°C 0°C FEB 9d 11°C 2°C MAR 7d 16°C 6°C APR 9d 20°C 11°C MAY 11d 26°C 16°C JUN 11d 28°C 18°C JUL 9d 28°C 17°C AUG 8d 22°C 13°C SEP 9d 16°C 8°C OCT 9d 10°C 3°C NOV 9d 5°C 0°C DEC 9d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Bratislava · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Slovakia: month-by-month weather →

Slovakia's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Lowlands and Danube

    Bratislava, Košice

    Bratislava and Košice have warm summers, with July highs around 27.3°C. January is cold at about 2.9°C. There are 115 rain days a year. The best months are May, June, August and September.

    Best: May, Jun, Aug, Sep

  • Tatras and Central Mountains

    Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš, Banská Štiavnica

    Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš and Banská Štiavnica are cooler. July highs reach about 23.3°C and January highs sit near 0.9°C. With 144 rain days a year it is wetter than the lowlands. September is the best month.

    Best: Sep

Sample itineraries

7 days

Slovakia west to east in 7 days

  1. Day 1–2

    Bratislava

    Start in the capital, home to about 480,902 people. Spend 2 days walking the centre, trying Slovak food and settling into the pace of the trip.

  2. Day 3

    Banská Štiavnica

    This is the smallest stop, with about 9,208 residents. Slow down for a day and explore its compact streets on foot. July, August and September are its best months.

  3. Day 4–5

    Liptovský Mikuláš

    Use this town of about 29,710 people as a quiet base for 2 days of walks in the countryside around it. September and August are the best months here.

  4. Day 6–7

    Košice

    Finish in the second-largest city on this route, with about 222,286 people. Spend your last 2 days exploring the centre and its cafés before heading home.

10 days

Slovakia at a slower pace in 10 days

  1. Day 1–2

    Bratislava

    Begin in the capital, a city of about 480,902 people. Take 2 days to walk the centre and try local food. May, June, August and September are its best months.

  2. Day 3–4

    Banská Štiavnica

    Spend 2 unhurried days in this small town of about 9,208 people. Walk its streets at an easy pace and enjoy the change from city life.

  3. Day 5–6

    Liptovský Mikuláš

    This town of about 29,710 people works well as a calm base. Plan 2 days of walks and outdoor time in the area around it.

  4. Day 7–8

    Poprad

    Move on to Poprad, home to about 48,034 people. Use these 2 days for more time outdoors. September is the best month here in our data.

  5. Day 9–10

    Košice

    End in the east, in a city of about 222,286 people. Explore the centre, sit in a café and look back on your trip. September, August, May and June are its best months.

Food to try in Slovakia

Bryndzové halušky

Small potato dumplings mixed with bryndza, a soft and salty sheep cheese, and topped with fried bacon. It is seen as the national dish. Try it in restaurants or at a salaš, a traditional shepherd's hut.

Kapustnica

A sour soup made with sauerkraut, smoked meat, sausage and often dried mushrooms. Restaurants serve it all winter, and many Slovak families eat it at dinner on Christmas Eve.

Oštiepok

A smoked sheep cheese pressed into carved wooden moulds, which leave a pattern on the outside. It comes from the mountain regions and is sold at markets and stalls. Sometimes it is grilled.

Lokše

Thin potato pancakes baked on a hot plate. They are filled with savoury things like goose liver or duck fat, or sweet ones like jam or poppy seeds. You often find them at food stalls during festivals.

Kofola

A herbal, cola-style soft drink that was first made in Czechoslovakia. It is less sweet than most colas. Many pubs and restaurants serve it on draught, just like beer.

Borovička

A strong spirit flavoured with juniper berries, a little like gin. Slovaks usually drink it as a small shot, often at family events, celebrations or before a meal.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Slovakia uses plug types C and E, and the supply is 230 V. If your devices use a different plug, bring an adapter. If they are not rated for 230 V, you will also need a converter.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Slovakia drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts for the first few days.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for emergencies in Slovakia. Save the number in your phone before you arrive.
  • Currency: Slovakia uses the Euro. If you arrive from another Euro country, you will not need to change money.
  • Language: The official language is Slovak. Learning a few basic Slovak words, such as greetings and thank you, is a good idea before your trip.
  • Time zone: Slovakia is on UTC+01:00. Check the time difference from home so you can plan calls and travel connections.
  • Calling code: The country calling code for Slovakia is +421. Add it before a local number when you call from a foreign phone.

Slovakia: frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Slovakia?

September is the best month to visit Slovakia, with the highest score of the year at 7.9. In Bratislava, days reach about 22°C and nights about 12.9°C, with 9.4 hours of sun a day. It is also the wettest month, with 75 mm of rain over about 9 days. Expect some showers.

Is Slovakia good in August?

Yes, August is a good month for Slovakia, with a score of 7.4. In Bratislava, highs average 27.5°C and lows 17.4°C. There are 11.6 hours of sun a day and only about 8.4 rainy days. It is one of the warmest months, so cities can feel hot in the afternoon.

What is the weather like in Slovakia in winter?

Winter in Slovakia is cold and grey. In Bratislava, January highs are about 4°C and lows about -2°C, with only 4.6 hours of sun a day. December is the darkest month, with 4.1 hours of sun. These months score lowest, at 1.8 for December and 1.9 for January, so pack warm layers.

Is spring a good time to visit Slovakia?

Yes, April and May are both good months. April brings highs of 16°C and lows of 5.8°C, with a score of 6.5. May is warmer at 20.3°C and scores 7.1, but it is wetter, with 74 mm of rain over about 11 days. Bring a light rain jacket.

When is the best time to visit Poprad, Košice or Banská Štiavnica?

September is the top month for Poprad and Košice. For Banská Štiavnica, August comes first, then September and July. Košice also does well in August, May and June. Note that the detailed weather figures on this page are for Bratislava, recorded from 2015 to 2024, so conditions in other towns may differ.

What currency, plugs and emergency number does Slovakia use?

Slovakia uses the Euro. Plugs are types C and E, and the voltage is 230 V. The emergency number is 112. Cars drive on the right, and the time zone is UTC+01:00. The international calling code is +421, and the main language is Slovak.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Slovakia.