Best Castles in Slovakia, Ranked

The top castles to visit

1. Spiš Castle: a vast UNESCO listed ruin in the east, see Spiš Castle.
2. Bojnice Castle: a romantic castle with a guided interior and a park, see Bojnice Castle.
3. Orava Castle: a dramatic castle on a high rock in the north, often used as a film set.
4. Bratislava Castle: the white landmark above the Danube, see Bratislava Castle.
5. Devín Castle: a ruin at the meeting of the Danube and Morava rivers, see Devín Castle.
6. Trenčín Castle: a large hilltop castle in the west with views over the town.
7. Červený Kameň: a well preserved castle in the Little Carpathians near Bratislava.
8. Krásna Hôrka: a small, scenic castle in the east, known for its hilltop position.

Castles close to Bratislava

If you only have a short stay, Bratislava Castle and Devín Castle can both be reached by city transport, and Červený Kameň is a short drive away. Trenčín is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by train or car. See Bratislava for more on the capital itself.

Castles in the north and east

The north has Orava Castle and Strečno, which stands on a rock above the Váh river. The east has Spiš, Krásna Hôrka and the castle ruins of the Slovak Karst. A route that includes the High Tatras and Košice can include several of them.

Planning a castle route

Pick a region and keep driving days short. A good example is Bratislava, Trenčín, Bojnice, Orava and the High Tatras, which can be done in four to five days with a car. Add Spiš and Košice if you have a week or more, see the 7 day itinerary and the road trip guide.

If you rent, compare options in car rental in Slovakia first.

Tips for visiting castles

• Check opening times, since many castles close on Mondays or in winter.
• Wear shoes with grip, since ruins have uneven ground.
• Interior tours may be guided only, so ask about English tours.
• Buy tickets at the gate or check the official castle site.
• Some festivals bring crowds, so go on a weekday for quiet.

A short history of Slovak castles

Most Slovak castles date from the Middle Ages, when the area was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. They were built as border forts, royal residences and noble seats, and many were rebuilt or destroyed during wars with the Ottomans and during later uprisings. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a number of ruined castles were abandoned, while others were rebuilt as romantic residences, which is why Bojnice looks so different from Spiš.

Today the castles range from fully restored museums to open air ruins that you can walk through for a small fee or even for free. Reading a little of the history before you go makes the visits more interesting, and most museums offer an English leaflet or audio guide, though this varies by site.