Slovakia | The End of Our Backpacking Adventures?

Are you planning to visit Slovakia? Is it worth it? 

Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Last year, we ended our five-month backpacking adventure in beautiful Slovakia. But was it the end of backpacking? 

5th December 2021, a day we’ll never forget. We remember waking up with mixed emotions and Steff crying her eyes out. Sincerely, we didn’t want this adventure to end. Although with a heavy heart, we were delighted we made a dream happen with remarkable memories and new experiences.

Being spontaneous and not over-planning anything is one of the greatest advantages of backpacking. And that was something we got used to real quick. We couldn’t imagine ourselves going back home. But on a more positive note, we spent twelve amazing days wandering around snowy Slovakia!!

Crossing The Border 

Visit Slovakia and Hungary at once!

Have you ever been to two countries at the same time? Maybe you’re right to be confused now, but we’re sure some of you did.

We crossed the border over Mária Valéria Bridge, which is around 500 metres in length, joining Esztergom in Hungary and Štúrovo in Slovakia, across the Danube River. It was a great experience with so many feelings being in the same place in two different countries!  

You can walk this bridge in a few minutes, though we spent over an hour taking photos and watching the sunset over the Danube River.

Strolling Štúrovo Streets 

We arrived in Štúrovo to just empty streets! Hlavnà ulica, the main street in Štúrovo, seemed as if no one lived there and visiting at the end of November and beginning of December, we felt no Christmas spirit. Again, there was a high rise in COVID cases, and it was sad to see most of the local shops closed due to the pandemic.

However, we took advantage of the situation, as we had the streets all to ourselves. Another thing to mention is that from Štúrovo, one can see a different view of the Basilica of Esztergom in Hungary across the Danube River. 

TIP: You can walk back to Esztergom from Štúrovo over the same bridge in a few minutes.

During our stay in Štúrovo, temperatures dropped drastically. It was always between 2°C and -3°C, so we started hoping to see some snow as in our home country, we barely experience real Winter due to scorching temperatures.

The town of Štúrovo has more to offer than just the bridge and the view of the Basilica across the Danube River, so if you’re planning to visit Slovakia, Štúrovo is worth a day trip.

Bratislava

Our next and last stop was the capital of Slovakia, the incredible Bratislava. 

After days of waiting for some snow, finally, it happened! We couldn’t believe our eyes as we saw incredible white scenes in Bratislava, which we surely don’t see back home!

We spent hours hiking in Ovsištský Ostrov, appreciating that magical feeling of being in the snow. We started our backpacking adventure in Summer, and it was unbelievable for us to end it in a real Winter. Now, yes, we could feel that Christmas spirit!

Not to Miss in Bratislava

Old Town

Bratislava is one of the most exciting cities filled with extraordinary architecture. Old Town is one of the top attractions where you can see the Old Town Hall and wander around the streets with diverse styles.

The Blue Church

The famous blue church is the Church of St. Elizabeth. It’s a Hungarian-Secessionist Catholic church in the eastern part of the Old Town.

Bratislava Castle 

Bratislava Castle is the primary castle in the city. This castle is a huge rectangular building with four corner towers which stand on an isolated rocky hill of the Little Carpathians. You can appreciate the incredible views of the Danube River in the middle of Bratislava.

The Grassalkovich Palace

Another worth visiting place is the Grassalkovich Palace (The Presidential Palace). It’s the residence of the president of Slovakia, a great spot for taking nice shots. One can notice a large fountain in front of the Palace in an Earth shape, which symbolises freedom.

UFO Tower  

With a 20-minute walk from the Old Town, you’ll find yourself at the number one spot to get the prime city view from the UFO Tower. This tower is located near the main city centre, hovering over the UFO Bridge, aka Most SNP Bridge.

Where To Stay In Slovakia 

Whether you want to stay in the city or prefer the most serene rural escapes in Slovakia, you can find several accommodations in all areas of this country. 

You can easily check out availabilities for your chosen dates for discounted prices.

If you’re planning a vacation in a country with vibrant cities, stunning architecture, unique traditions, and huge mountains, especially if you’re up for adventures, you should visit Slovakia. It’s 100% worth a visit! It’s a perfect destination for your next trip.

We couldn’t have chosen a better country to end our backpacking adventure in the most incredible ways, as we created so many unique memories.

Nothing makes you happier than reaching a milestone and turning a dream into reality. We can say that this adventure has turned into one hell of an unforgettable life experience!

Although Slovakia was our last destination, we knew this wasn’t the end of our backpacking adventures. It was the beginning of many more exciting adventures around the world.

Can you guess what we’re up to next? Let us know in the comment section below. =)

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