Bojnice Castle: Visiting Slovakia's Fairytale Castle

How to get to Bojnice

By car, Bojnice is roughly 2 hours from Bratislava on motorways and main roads, and roughly 3 hours or more from Košice or the High Tatras. If you drive, check the vignette rules in driving in Slovakia before you set off.

Trains run to Prievidza, the nearby district town, and local buses continue to Bojnice. It is workable but longer than most day trips, so many visitors choose a transfer or a car.

What a castle visit includes

The castle is generally visited with a guide, and different tour routes are offered. Rooms include furnished halls, a chapel and the Pálffy collection of art and curiosities. A tour typically lasts around an hour, but check the current options and whether English tours run on your date.

The castle gardens and park are free to walk, and there are views over the town from the terraces. Bring a layer in the cooler months, since the stone interior can be chilly.

Events and seasons

Bojnice hosts a well known international festival of ghosts and spirits, usually in spring, with costumes, performances and night tours. In winter the castle is decorated for Christmas and the town has its own market. Dates change each year, so check the official calendar before planning around them.

Summer is the busiest season, and weekends fill up. For a quieter visit, go on a weekday morning or in the shoulder months.

Other things to do in Bojnice

• Bojnice Zoo, the oldest zoo in Slovakia, sits close to the castle.
• The thermal spa is a calm option after a day of walking.
• Walks through the castle park and along the town streets.
• Prievidza and the surrounding hills for light hiking.

Combining Bojnice with other sights

Bojnice fits nicely on a route that includes Banská Štiavnica and the central Slovakia mining towns. If you love castles in general, see castles in Slovakia for a wider list. For a long route, take a look at the Slovakia road trip plan.

Planning your day

A simple plan is to arrive in the morning, take a castle tour, then have lunch in the town and walk the park. If you have children, the zoo can fill a half day on its own, so decide in advance whether to see it. A thermal pool in the afternoon rounds off a relaxed day, though the spa needs a separate ticket and a swimsuit.

Tour times and languages change by season, so check the official schedule before you travel and arrive early on weekends. Restaurants near the castle can be busy in summer, so book a table if you have a set time. If you are staying overnight, Bojnice has many pensions and a few larger hotels, and Prievidza offers more choice at lower prices.