Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It was the part of Czechoslovakia up-till its independence in 1992.  It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. Its capital, Bratislava located in the extreme southwest of the country along the Danube River. Bratislava is youngest metropolis of Europe.

• Official Name: the Slovak Republic
• Capital: Bratislava
• Population: 5.45M in 2021
• Currency: Euro
• Official Language: Slovak
• Visa Requirements: The Slovakia is a member of the European Union (EU) and Schengen area. Anyone can visit it with a valid Schengen visa.
• Best Time to Visit: late Spring(April-May) to early Autumn(September-October) is the best time to visit the Slovakia.

The Slovak Republic is among the safest countries in Europe, So, you can easily plan your visit there.  We will try to enlist the potential risks and possible types of petty crime you can watch out there. Here are a few minor hassles to be aware of.

Most reports of crime come from Old Town and involve petty theft (e.g. purse snatching, cell phone grabbing, pickpocketing), vehicle break-ins, or vandalism. Pickpockets are professional and are most active in the summer and during the holiday season. They prefer locations like shopping centers, markets, public transportation (in the vicinity of Old Town), areas near major hotels and tourist sites, and overnight trains to Prague and Warsaw.

When dining in restaurants, particularly at locations with outdoor seating in the warmer months, do not hang handbags or suit coats on the backs of chairs. Thieves can and will steal wallets and other valuables in the absence of caution.

The police emergency lines in Slovakia are 112 and 158 (Non-Emergency: 09610 11111). While competent and professional, police forces may suffer from a lack of personnel and fiscal resources, as well as equipment.

Roads are typically safe, though sometimes not well maintained. Four-lane highways exist in and around Bratislava; however, most roads outside of built-up areas have only two lanes.

A  Recent Report is beneficial before a visit to Slovakia

Transportation – The public transport network is very well developed. All big cities have a reliable and inexpensive tram and bus network.

You can use the train to travel inside the country. However, it is a slow and run-down means of transport and can be used if you have due time to see the Slovakian landscape. Slovakian Rail System.

Public transportation in Bratislava consists of buses, trolleybuses and trams operated by Dopravný podnik Bratislava (DPB). You can get your ticket by the vending machine, electronic wallet, and stores. Always validate your ticket in the machine onboard. You can plan your journey or take your MAP for a convenient journey. Slovak Lines is another public bus transport provider in Slovakia.

You can use the budget bus companies like Flixbus that can take you across the country for a cheap price.

Taxi companies and rideshare services generally provide reliable, safe, and economical services. Expect higher charges when hailing a cab from the street or a taxi stand. Radio-dispatched taxis are often more reliable and affordable.

Accommodation – A hostel dormitory bed starts around €10.

Budget hotels start at around €30 per night for a single room with basic amenities.

Other sites to plan and choose your accommodation might be Booking.com,  Air BnB(€15~30),  Agoda, or Hostelworld. However, when you’re looking for a hostel, do your research, read reviews to get a feel for the place. and book somewhere that suits you

Food and local Dishes – Like its closest neighbors, Slovak cuisine also relies heavily on a few staples like potatoes, cheese, and dairy products, wild mushrooms, and sauerkraut.

• Zemiakové Placy, pancakes made of potatoes.
• Langoš is essentially the Slovak take on pizza
• Pagáče, This Slovak biscuit/Bread is different than the popular type of bread in central Europe.
• Granadír, a common dish in Slovakia and Central Europe, A potato and pasta mix.
• Ryžový nákyp is a sweet rice cake, and one of Slovakia’s favorite desserts.
• Garlic Soup, A typical one and served into bread Bowl.