# Bardejov: UNESCO old town and how to visit Source: https://taply.sk/bardejov/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-12) Bardejov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2000 as the Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve, and the easiest way to visit is by car from Košice or Prešov. A rental car booked through Economybookings gives you the flexibility to combine Bardejov with the surrounding villages and the spa. The town developed on a trade route between Hungary and Poland, and its medieval layout has stayed remarkably intact, with Gothic and Renaissance buildings around a large square. The Jewish suburb with a synagogue is part of the listing. Below are the ways to get there, what to see and how to plan the visit. ## Key points - Bardejov was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. - The main square has Gothic and Renaissance buildings and the Basilica of St Giles. - A Jewish suburb with a synagogue is part of the heritage site. - Bardejov spa lies a few kilometres from the town. - A car is the most practical way to visit from Košice or Prešov. ## Quick facts - UNESCO: Listed in 2000 - Region: North-east Slovakia near Poland - Known for: Medieval square and basilica - Nearby: Bardejov spa and open-air museum ## Best ways to get to Bardejov, ranked 1. **Rental car with Economybookings** (best for Road trips in the east): A car is the most flexible way to reach Bardejov and the villages around it. Economybookings is a broker that compares economy cars across suppliers, so it suits a budget road trip from Košice or Prešov. Read the supplier's insurance and deposit terms, and our driving guide. 2. **Private transfer with Kiwitaxi** (best for Arrivals with luggage): Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. A fixed-price ride from Košice airport or a city saves time. Book ahead. 3. **Bus or train** (best for Budget travellers): Public transport connects Bardejov with Prešov and Košice, but journey times can be longer than by car. Check current timetables and connections. 4. **GetRentacar** (best for Flexible travellers who read reviews): GetRentacar is a marketplace where local owners and companies list cars. It advertises free cancellation, and the deposit is collected by the owner at pick-up. Public reviews are mixed and Slovakia coverage was not clearly shown, so check availability for your city and read our review. ## UNESCO status Bardejov was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 20 November 2000. The listing covers the historic town centre and the Jewish suburb. The reason is the well-preserved medieval urban plan and the Gothic and Renaissance buildings. ## What to see - The main square with the Renaissance town hall. - The Basilica of St Giles. - The Jewish suburb and synagogue. - The town walls and bastions. Check opening hours for the basilica and museums before you go. ## Bardejov spa and open-air museum Bardejov spa, known as Bardejovské Kúpele, lies a few kilometres from the town. There is also an open-air museum with folk buildings in the spa area. These make a half-day extension to the old town visit. Check current opening hours. ## Getting there from Košice Bardejov is in the north-east, not far from the Polish border. From Košice it is roughly 1.5 hours by car. Read Košice and Košice to the High Tatras for the region. For flights see flights to Košice. ## Combining with other UNESCO sites Another UNESCO site in eastern Slovakia is Levoča with Spiš Castle. You can visit both on a loop from Poprad or Košice. For other ideas see Slovakia road trip. ## Practical tips - Visit on a weekday if you want a quiet square. - Wear comfortable shoes for cobbled streets. - Check the opening days of the basilica and museums. ## Food and drink The square has cafes and restaurants serving Slovak and regional dishes. Prices are generally lower than in the west of the country. Check opening hours, since small places may close early. If you stay at the spa, hotels often serve meals on site. ## History in short Bardejov grew on a trade route between Hungary and Poland and was a significant medieval town. Its walls, bastions and square reflect that status. The Jewish community lived in the suburb, and the synagogue is a reminder of the multi-cultural character of the town. Read the information boards and check the museum for details. ## Seasons and events Spring to early autumn is the best period for walking the square and the walls. Summer can be hot at midday, so go in the morning. Winter is quiet, with fewer opening hours, but the spa continues to operate. Check local event calendars for markets and festivals before you plan. ## Why it is off the main route Bardejov is far from the main Bratislava to Košice line, which is why it sees fewer visitors than Levoča or Banská Štiavnica. That helps if you want a calm historic town. Plan a night in the region if you drive from Košice, so you can see the old town and the spa without rushing. ## Bardejov at a glance, with verified facts Item | Detail | Location | Šariš region, north-east Slovakia, on the Topľa river | Population | Roughly 30,000 people | UNESCO listing | 2000, historic centre and Jewish suburb | Basilica of St Giles | First mentioned in 1247, completed as a three-nave basilica in 1464, with eleven Gothic winged altars | Town hall | Built in 1505, Gothic lower part and Renaissance upper part, now a museum | Town walls | 14th and 15th century fortifications, among the best preserved in Slovakia | Spa | Bardejovské Kúpele, about 2.5 km north of the town | Opening hours and entry fees change, so check them locally. ## A half-day walking route - Start at the main square and look at the town hall from outside before the museum opens. - Enter the basilica if it is open, and look for the winged altars. - Walk around the square and the lanes behind it, where small museums and cafes are. - Follow the line of the walls and bastions on the edge of the old town. - Walk to the Jewish suburb to see the synagogue area and read the information boards. - If you have time left, continue to the spa for a short stroll and the open-air museum. Allow around three to four hours without the spa. The old town is compact, so you can walk it easily. ## Day trip or overnight? Plan | Works for | Trade-off | Day trip from Košice by car | Travellers with a car and one spare day | About 1.5 hours each way means a long day | Overnight in Bardejov | Slow travel, spa visit, evening in the square | One less night elsewhere | Stop on a drive between Poland and Slovakia | Road trippers | Needs a rental car and a plan for the border | If you have only one night in the east, spend it here only if medieval towns are the point of your trip. If you prefer a lively city, choose [Košice](https://taply.sk/kosice/) instead and keep Bardejov for a daytime visit. ## Public transport and accessibility Without a car you can reach Bardejov by bus or train connections via Prešov, but services are less frequent than on the main line, so check timetables the day before and plan your return. See [Prešov](https://taply.sk/presov/) for a good stop on the way. The old town has cobbles and some uneven surfaces, so a pushchair or wheelchair needs care. Churches and museums may have steps. Ask locally about access. ## Events Bardejov has a trade fair and the Roland Games, which recall the town's medieval past. Dates change each year, so check the town's own information before you plan a trip around them. Event days bring more visitors and fewer free tables, so book a room early. ## FAQ **Is Bardejov a UNESCO site?** Yes. It was inscribed in 2000 as the Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve. **What is in Bardejov?** A medieval square, the Basilica of St Giles, the Jewish suburb with a synagogue, and the spa nearby. **How do I get to Bardejov from Košice?** By car in roughly 1.5 hours, or by bus or train with connections. Check current timetables. **Can I visit Bardejov as a day trip?** Yes from Košice or Prešov. A day covers the old town and the spa. **Which UNESCO sites are near Bardejov?** Levoča and Spiš Castle are in the same region of eastern Slovakia, a longer drive away. **How long do I need in Bardejov?** Plan half a day for the old town and another half day if you add the spa and the open-air museum.