A B-Swing dance workshop during last year's edition of the Bratislava Vintage Picnic. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Slovakia's Mont Ventoux
Craving a cycling experience reminiscent of the legendary Tour de France climbs? Don’t miss the newly reconstructed forest road from the village of Šumiac to the Predné Sedlo saddle, just below the iconic Kráľova Hoľa peak in the Low Tatras. This more than six-kilometre stretch is only the first section of a route that will eventually reach the summit. Click here to learn more.
New beach at Liptovská Mara
If you're looking for something new to explore, head to the newly opened municipal beach at the Liptovská Mara reservoir near Liptovský Mikuláš in northern Slovakia. Stretching 700 metres, the beach offers a gently sloping entrance into the water, fine gravel underfoot, and a sandy area with a brand-new beach volleyball court. It’s the perfect place to unwind after hiking in the nearby Prosiecka and Kvačianska valleys.
A comedian’s guide to Košice
Slovakia's second-largest city, Košice, located in the eastern part of the country, is often overlooked by tourists—arguably to their own loss. The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene, fine dining, and rich history, as well as exciting nearby excursions. For insider tips, tune in to the latest Spectacular Slovakia podcast featuring Košice-native comedian Diana Renner.
The singing fountain in Košice. (source: TASR)
FESTIVALS
Traditions near the Tatra Mountains
Slovakia’s oldest and largest folk festival, Východná, returns this summer for its 70th edition. Running from July 3–6, the festival presents dozens of performances from local and international ensembles in a vibrant celebration of folk traditions. Visitors can also try their hand at traditional crafts, attend singing and dance workshops, and sample regional delicacies. Learn more here.
It's all fun, games, and music
This Saturday, the town of Vrbové in western Slovakia will host Vrbovské Vetry, a music festival known for its unique and quirky atmosphere. Where else can you enter a rocking horse race or race a car while not being inside? Alongside these eccentric contests, enjoy live performances by bands such as Chiki-liki-tu-a, Karpatské Chrbáty, Zlokot, and others.
A participant in the rocking horse race during the Vrbovské Vetry festival. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Live chess
Remember the wizard chess scene from the first Harry Potter movie? Something similar is happening this Saturday in the historic town of Banská Štiavnica. Two chess masters will play blindfolded, while costumed swordsmen act out their moves live on a giant board—leading to some unexpected and entertaining moments. Find out more here.
A vintage picnic
Fans of living history, don’t miss the Vintage Picnic this Sunday afternoon in Bratislava’s Janko Kráľ City Park. The event celebrates the first half of the 20th century with vintage concerts featuring the C. and k. Orchestra, Traditional & Revival Band, and Fats Jazz Band, as well as a fashion show, dance workshops, and more. Admission is free—just consider leaving your smartphone at home to better soak in the ambiance.
Back to Great Moravia
On July 5, Slovakia celebrates a national holiday honoring Saints Cyril and Methodius—two brothers from Thessaloniki who brought Christianity and literacy to Great Moravia in the 9th century. The town of Nitra, where the missionaries once lived, will host a three-day celebration (July 4–6) featuring period cuisine, craft markets, parades, historical reenactments, and an open day at Nitra Castle. Click here for the full programme.
Last chance to see dancing fireflies
The next few nights may be your final chance this year to witness fireflies lighting up the forests near Bratislava, as their mating season draws to a close. Their glow serves as a form of communication—each species "speaking" its own unique light language. Best seen about an hour after sunset, these magical displays are most common in forest-edge meadows near Kamzík hill, the Železná Studnička recreation area, and along Pekná Cesta street.
Outdoor cinemas are back
Watching a movie under the night sky has long been a popular summer tradition in Slovakia. This year is no different, with several open-air venues already screening films or set to begin soon. In Bratislava, screenings are held at Amfiteáter pri Štrkoveckom Jazere in Ružinov, the Rača amphitheatre, Nová Cvernovka, at the Kuchajda lake in Bratislava, and the Central shopping centre, among others. Other towns, including Trnava, Nitra, Levice, Martin, Prešov and Košice, are also taking part. Entry is usually free, but may vary by location—for example, there is an admission fee in Košice. Residents are advised to check their local authority websites for nearby events.
Outdoor cinema next to the Kuchajda lake in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT
A lavender field
Na snímke samozber levandule na levanduľovej farme pri obci Trnava pri Laborci v okrese Michalovce 29. júna 2025. FOTO TASR - Roman Hanc (source: TASR)
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
July 4: The concert of Fragile at Beckov Castle
July 4: An antique market in Košice
July 5-7: WineDay in Piešťany
July 5: The Víno a Levanduľa wine event in Pezinok
July 6-August 5: The Letné Shakespearovské Slávnosti theatrical festival in Bratislava
July 10-12: The Pohoda music festival in Trenčín
July 11: The Večer na Hradbách poetry and music event in Bratislava
July 14-17: The Trnavský Jazzyk festival in Trnava
July 19: The Piešťany Night City Run 2025 in Piešťany
July 19-20: Crocodile hunting event in Banská Belá
July 26: An antique market at the Červený Kameň castle
BEFORE YOU GO :
WHAT TO DO FOR NOTHING: Kickstart your day with a fresh-air workout and enjoy an evening of opera classics.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Soak up some jazz, unravel the secrets of traditional embroidery, and stretch out with yoga at Devín Castle.
WHAT TO LEARN: Despite medical progress, cardiac arrest mortality remains high. Now, Slovak scientists have opened up a path to new treatments for a specific type of the condition.
WHAT TO READ: My grandmother spoke in whispers. I thought she was a spy. Decades later, my search to decode her silence led me to Slovakia — and to the truth.
WHAT TO DISCOVER: For decades, the famous Modra majolica was on display on shelves or on walls. Now, a company based in the town near Bratislava has given it a new modern and minimalist twist.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great long weekend.
