Compact and beautiful, Slovakia is often overshadowed by its larger, more famous neighbours.
However, if you spend time in this pocket sized nation, you will find it beautiful, unspoilt and relatively tourist free.
Pros:
English is widely spoken amongst the younger generation.
Slovakia is less expensive than many European countries and the crime rate is low.
It’s landlocked and a great base explore its neighbours: Austria (Vienna is only an hour from Bratislava); Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.
The intercity transport system is modern and efficient, including good international links.
The country has beautiful countryside and scenic lakes. The High Tatras Mountain region is especially good for lovers of the outdoors.
Slovakia is home to several UNESCO sites, some impressive medieval castles and Bratislava is a historically rich, gem of a capital city.
Cons:
Slovakia is a lot more conservative than its neighbours. It’s not diverse and may be less tolerant of LGBT travellers than most European countries.
There’s not a huge amount to see and do compared to other European destinations.
Bratislava is beautiful, clean and safe, but lacks the vibe and scale of other capitals in Europe.