Things to do in
Žilina

Žilina

Our most recommended things to do in Žilina

From Bratislava: Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

From Bratislava: Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

Embark on the ultimate Slovakia experience, a guided day trip from Bratislava that's perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone who loves exploring beautiful places. Begin with a convenient pickup from your accommodation and enjoy a comfortable, scenic drive as you start your adventure. Your journey begins at the historic Devin Castle in Bratislava, where you can explore ancient ruins and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area. Next, visit Cerveny Kamen Castle, known for its impressive architecture and rich history—an ideal stop for those who appreciate medieval stories and legends. Continue to Trencin Castle, a fortress offering breathtaking views and a deeper understanding of Slovakia’s past. From there, head to the enchanting Bojnice Castle, a favorite for families with its fairy-tale appearance and beautiful surroundings. The tour concludes with a visit to Čičmany, a village famous for its unique, hand-painted wooden houses and vibrant folk art, offering a glimpse into traditional Slovak culture. Throughout the day, enjoy tasty local snacks, and by the end of the tour, return to Bratislava with wonderful memories and a deeper connection to Slovakia's history and natural beauty. This trip is perfect for those looking for an easy-to-understand, enriching experience in a beautiful and culturally rich country.

From Vienna: Bratislava & Ultimate Slovakia Guided Day Trip

From Vienna: Bratislava & Ultimate Slovakia Guided Day Trip

Embark on the Ultimate Slovakia Experience, a guided day trip from Vienna, perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone who loves exploring beautiful places. Begin with a convenient pickup from your accommodation and enjoy a comfortable, scenic drive as you start your adventure. Your journey begins in Bratislava, where you’ll explore the charming Old Town with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. From there, head to Devin Castle, located just outside the city, where you can wander through ancient ruins and take in breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Next, visit Cerveny Kamen Castle, known for its impressive architecture and deep historical roots—an ideal stop for those who appreciate medieval stories and legends. Continue to Trencin Castle, a fortress that offers not only panoramic views but also a deeper understanding of Slovakia’s medieval past. Afterward, head to the enchanting Bojnice Castle, a favorite for families with its fairy-tale appearance and beautiful surroundings. The tour concludes with a visit to Čičmany, a village renowned for its unique, hand-painted wooden houses and vibrant folk art, offering a glimpse into traditional Slovak culture. Throughout the day, enjoy tasty local snacks, and by the end of the tour, return to Vienna with wonderful memories and a deeper connection to Slovakia's history and natural beauty. This trip is perfect for those looking for an easy-to-understand, enriching experience in a beautiful and culturally rich country.

Bratislava: Small Fatra Mountains Guided Hike

Bratislava: Small Fatra Mountains Guided Hike

Take in the views and the mountain air just a couple of hours outside of Bratislava on this guided hiking tour. Ride the cable car all the way up to Snilovske Peak and admire the natural scenery. Leave Bratislava's main train station early in the morning and arrive in Zilina (private transfer is available at extra cost). Meet your guide and drive to the beautiful Vratna Valley. Take a cable car from Chata Vratna to Snilovske peak at 1500m. From there, enjoy a moderately challenging hike to Chleb Peak at over 1600m, and descend to Poludnovy Grun, and then to the mountain chalet at Chata Pod Grunom. Taste some traditional "slivovica" plum brandy and horalky biscuits along the way. Take some free time to eat lunch or have some refreshments in the chalet (not included) before returning to the Vratna Valley. Transfer back to Zilina Station for your train ride back to Bratislava.

From Bratislava: Lesser Fatra Tour with Zilina

From Bratislava: Lesser Fatra Tour with Zilina

Start by taking the 07:55 AM train from Bratislava main train station to Zilina. Alternatively, you can be picked up from your address in Bratislava. On the route, learn of the history of Slovakia and the Lesser Fatra region from your guide. Arrive in Vratna Valley, ride a funicular up to Snilovske Peak (1524 m) and savor the magnificent views of the limestone and granite peaks, before descending down to Vratna Valley to the Vratna Mountain Pass. Visit the famous Slovakian village, Terchova, made famous thanks to folk traditions and Terchova Music from 2013 now part of UNESCO World Heritage. Enjoy a delicious two-course lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Parish Church of St. Cyril and Method and discover a wooden creche at the Church. Explore the city center of Zilina, the capital of North-West Slovakia. Discover Old Town, Passing along the Church of Holy Trinity and the Burian Tower. Continue to the uniquely squared Marianske Square, visit the Catholic House and Bank Palace Zilina. Stop at Rosenfeld Palace, a copy of Belvedere Palace in Vienna, before seeing the oldest building of Zilina – the church of St. Stephan from the 11th century. Transfer to Zilina train station and back to Bratislava. Meet your driver at Bratislava's main train station and travel back to your address in Bratislava.

From Bratislava: Bojnice, Banská Štiavnica, Čičmany

From Bratislava: Bojnice, Banská Štiavnica, Čičmany

Your trip full of experiences will start in the village of Čičmany. The painted houses are a unique rarity in Slovakia. The Čičmany pattern is original, which you will not find anywhere else in Slovakia. Then we move on to a romantic castle full of mysterious stories. Bojnice Castle is one of the oldest and most important monuments in Slovakia. It stands on a travertine hill above the town. The typical silhouette of the romantic idea of a medieval castle is accentuated by the steep roofs of the palace, chapel and towers. And we will end our day in Banská Štiavnica. The Italian city of love, Verona, has its own mythical story of Romeo and Juliet. Banská Štiavnica has a real story, a story of unfulfilled love - the story of Andrej Sládkovič and his ill-fated Marína, which the poet immortalised in 2,900 verses - the longest love poem in the world. You can stroll through the romantic streets, enjoy the view of the Calvary, and breaks to recharge your batteries are an important moment during your sightseeing. Tasting the local gastronomy, or at least having a coffee in a nice restaurant, is also one of the experiences that belong to Banská Štiavnica. Among the most famous and "insta-friendly" cafes are Divná pani, Stará škola and Ruin cafe. Apart from tasty coffee or cake, you will appreciate the original interior design and the personal atmosphere.

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What people are saying about Žilina

Overall rating

5
(3 reviews)

A great excursion destination, the transfer (tickets, train ride, pick-up) worked well and the one-way cable car ride was nice. We were lucky with the weather - amazing views and it was a great (if at times very demanding - 900 meters in altitude overcome, very steep descent of over 500 meters) hike. Our guide was nice, but could have been more attentive to us, as it was a private tour and that's what you'd expect for the price. Overall, we can really recommend this tour for people who are fit.

This trip was under-registered, so I chose the Budapest day trip instead. It was fabulous. Our group was just five people: one Aussie, two Scots with their little girl, and myself (American). We rode in a Mercedes Benz van which was very cushy and comfortable. Michal was our guide and he did a fabulous job. Five stars for him! He was so helpful and able to customize the tour to what we liked, with some added treats and surprises. It was a great way to spend a day, and I highly recommend Budapest!!!!

The trip was brilliant, made better by the experienced and knowledgeable tour guide