Top 5 Fairytale Places to Trip in Slovakia

But don’t you also wanna step inside a real freakin’ castle?? (Heck yeah.) Most tourists stop at Bratislava, the capital and largest city. Little do they know that there’s a lot more to the “Land of Slavs” than meets the eye… A land of romance and natural beauty, but also of ghosts and deep magic. 

As a handy guide, we’ve listed our top 5 fairytale places to visit in Slovakia while on shrooms. (Just a modest dose of course! Please don’t travel during a full-on psychedelic trip. You can read all about safe dosage here.) Ready? Let’s explore Central Europe’s hidden treasure!

Súľov Rocks

Behold, in the Žilina region: one of Slovakia’s secret wonders! The Súľov Rocks are towers made of crags that can take on a myriad shapes. From gigantic people and animals, to ancient stoney “gates” reaching for the sky. Take the Gothic Gate, for example, which stands at 13 meters high. The view from its highest ridge will surely leave hikers breathless and wanting more. 

If you like hiking trails, then Súľov Rocks is a match for you. They cover such a vast area that it’s never crowded — not even during peak season. Perfect for tripping alone on shrooms in nature! As a bonus, flushes of rare orchids greet hikers on their way up. You may even catch a glimpse of the ruins of Castle Súľov. There’s also the Šútovský vodopád, which is a stunning waterfall, and the largest in the Mala Fatra range.

Legend has it that Juraj Janosik, a beloved character in Slovak folklore, lived in a town close by. Like Robin Hood, the soldier Janosik stole from the rich to give to the poor. One such tale has Janosik punishing a tyrant on a boulder for starving the locals. Today, that rock is called “Janosik’s Fist” — and Janosik himself is a symbol of rebellion for Slovaks and Poles alike. 

Domica Cave

Did you know that Slovakia is a spelunker’s paradise? Yep, with over 2,400 caves ripe for exploring. The most striking one is Domica Cave, which can be found right at the Slovak-Hungarian border. A cave so pristine, UNESCO protects it as a World Heritage Site. You can still take a boat tour underground to see it, though. The 25 km long cave system it belongs to is thousands of years old… dating way back to the Stone Age. Cavemen really used to live there, as you’ll see from tools made of rocks, relics, and elaborate rituals. Hmm, so did ancient Slovaks take psychedelics, too? Some theories point to yes!

For thousands of years, caves have been known for their potent magic — even more so if they run underground! Caves echo your secret wishes… bouncing on stalactites and stalagmites for the spirits to hear. Whether it’s true or just a fairytale, you gotta find out for yourself. The hour-long boat tour at Domica Cave costs 8 euros per person (and an extra 7 euros if you plan on taking pictures). A reasonable price for such a rare sight, if you ask us!

High Tatra Mountains

Did you enjoy hiking on the Súľov Rocks? If so, you’re gonna love the High Tatras Mountains. Known by locals as Vysoké Tatry, the High Tatras loom right at the Slovak-Polish border. These mountains are a treasure trove of rare animals, such as the gorgeous goat-antelope and the Tatra chamois. The peaks are snow-capped; so the air is crystal clear and super clean. 

Don’t forget to pack your thermal boots. The best time to visit the High Tatras is during the winter months, when the snow is thick enough to ski on. You can pick any of the 3 resort towns: Starý Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso, or Tatranská Lomnica. Not into skiing? There’s mountain lakes and waterfalls on the hiking trails, too. So if you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to the Swiss Alps (yet found it too costly), then the High Tatras is a great choice! 

Bojnice Castle

Talk about fairytales! A trip to the 12th century Bojnice Castle fulfils your fantasy fix and then some. Grab a picnic basket, folks, ‘cause this is it. Bojnice’s dreamy pastel colors are perfect for a romantic escape with your secret beau. Maybe a spur-of-the-moment proposal while you’re at it? ? There’s a grassy castle park, a zoo, and a moat! Even the castle park leads to the lush forest of the Strážov Mountains…So take a stroll, why don’t ya?

Slovaks argue that Bojnice Castle is the most beautiful in all of Central Europe. And you know what? They could be right! It’s plain to see why it attracts visitors year-round, when you check out the Romanesque flair. Gothic castles stir the imagination…and boy does Slovakia have ‘em! These forts have spun tales of romance and horror alike for centuries. 

As a matter of fact, Bojnice Castle hosts the International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits each year, drawing close to 200,000 visitors. 

According to an LA Times article, ghost sightings at Bojnice Castle are normal and “typically peak around midnight”. One castle guard hears a woman’s scream from the cellar every now and then: 

“Everybody’s frightened, but as time goes by you get used to it.”

Šašov Castle Ruins

By now you’ve realised that besides its natural wonders, Slovakia has many, many castles. It would take decades to explore each and every one of these fortresses fully… Lucky for you, dear psychonaut, we’ve saved the best for last. Not a castle per se, but the stately remains of one: the absolutely eerie ruins of Šašov Castle!

Smack-dab in the heart of Slovakia, Šašov Castle once guarded the busy trade road like a medieval tollbooth. Legend says that a wealthy baron had built Šašov Castle for his court jester — as a token for fending off a bear attack during a hunt. Grizzly! 

Years later, the castle shielded mining towns from invaders. But during the Rebellion in 1708, Šašov began to rot, and was soon cast aside by its rich tenants. What remains today are a few Castle walls: proof of a bygone friendship between a prince and a pauper. The ruins still stand above the river Hron, like a snapshot from Game of Thrones.  

Here’s the best part: no one ever bothers to visit this place! Yup, no flock of tourists to mess up your vibe. So go ahead. Surrender to the fantasy. Lie down in the shade, grab a pack of magic truffles, and get on with your journey…

Have you gone to any of these fairytale places? How did you enjoy your trip? Let us know in the comments below!