Central Slovakia: castles and old mining towns

Route description

From Bratislava the R1 and then road 64 lead north-east to Bojnice, whose turreted castle looks like a set from a fairy tale. Bojnice is also a spa town, and the zoo next to the castle makes an easy stop with children.

Road 50 over the Handlová hills and then road 65 lead to Kremnica, where the mint has struck coins since the 14th century and the old town sits tight within its walls. From there it is a hilly half-hour south to Banská Štiavnica, a UNESCO town of steep lanes, burghers’ houses and artificial mining lakes built to power the mines.

Walk up to the Baroque calvary for the view, and swim in one of the tajchy lakes in summer. Then drive to Banská Bystrica, a lively regional capital with a sloping square and a castle quarter.

The last leg crosses the Low Tatras by the Donovaly pass to the Demänovská valley, where the Cave of Liberty is the best known of several show caves. End in Liptovský Mikuláš, by the Liptovská Mara reservoir, with the Tatras on the horizon; the pass roads are well kept but can be snowy from November to March.