Backed by the Strážov Mountains, Bojnice is a historic spa town on the banks of the Nitra River in central Slovakia. It’s home to the largest zoo in the country and one of Slovakia’s most iconic castles, which hosts an international festival dedicated to ghosts and monsters.
Things to do in Bojnice
Bojnice’s most famous architectural landmark is the Castle of Spirits, which was originally established as a wooden fort as early as the 12th century. It has since been rebuilt in stone in a Romantic style, with its interior housing a museum of art and history. Admire the Bojnice Altar, crafted by a 14th-century Florentine master, then visit the stalactite-filled cave hidden beneath the castle.
Travelling with kids? Visit the Slovak National Zoological Garden, which was established in 1955 as the country’s first zoo. Today, it sprawls across 42 hectares in Bojnice’s north-west and is home to African elephants, bongo antelopes and Carpathian lynx. You can get up close to Hamlyn’s monkeys, flamingos and brown bears, as well as agile wallabies and African palm civets.
For sweeping views across the region and the Castle of Spirits, climb to the top of the Bojnice Lookout, which can be reached via a snaking wooden footbridge. Kids will love the slide that descends from the top, as well as the collection of colourful smurf houses that cluster alongside. Scattered throughout a coniferous forest nearby are a collection of life-like dinosaurs.
Getting around Bojnice
Bojnice is just over an hour’s drive from Banská Bystrica and two hours from Bratislava Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular buses connect to Bojnice and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.