Slovakia in December-February

After the last of the autumn leaves fall across heavily-forested Slovakia, cold descends and snow moves in. Winter is chilly here—about 30 degrees Fahrenheit on average—and very quiet, as few tourists visit during the winter months. In Bratislava, the holidays bring teeming Christmas markets to each of the city's central squares, where red-and-white stalls sell all manner of traditional Slovak cuisine and locally-made crafts. Even after the holidays end, central Bratislava's old pastel buildings, narrow streets, and orange-tile roofs are particularly charming as snowflakes fall.

Outside of Bratislava and the High Tatras, most of Slovakia's tourist sites close during the winter months.

Holidays & Events

• December 25: Christmas
• December 31-January 1: New Year's Eve is a massive party in central Bratislava, and a popular 10k the following day rings in the new year.
• January 6: The Feast of the Epiphany is an important holiday in Slovakia, and it marks the beginning of fašiangy, or Slovakian Carnival, which lasts until the beginning of Lent.

Must See

The High Tatras span the Slovakia-Poland border, and winter is a particularly beautiful time to visit these alpine peaks. Winter sports like cross-country and downhill skiing are popular at several mountain resorts, and winter hiking is also an option. During the holidays, Bratislava turns up the charm with cozy Christmas markets that rival the more commercial festivities in Western Europe.

Slovakia in March-May

Warming days herald the arrival of spring in Slovakia, from a high of around 43 degrees Fahrenheit in March, to highs in the 60s in May. Flowers bloom across the country and fruit trees, which line Slovak roads, send out heady blossoms. Bratislava's botanical garden opens in early April every year, and cafes and restaurants in the pedestrian center set up their patios and sidewalk seating areas in anticipation of long summer days.

With mild temperatures and fewer tourists than the summer months, this can be an ideal time to visit Slovakia.

Holidays & Events

• Easter celebrations in Slovakia bring old traditions to the forefront, including the practice of dousing young women with buckets of water to impart vitality and strength.
• Last week of April: Fjuzn is Bratislava's Festival of Minorities, featuring workshops, concerts, performances, and exhibits highlighting the cultures of the many minorities in Slovak society.
• May 1: International Worker's Day is similar to the American Labor Day. Some businesses close for the day.
• May 8: Victory in Europe (VE) Day is a national holiday in Slovakia, marking the surrender of Nazi Germany to Allied forces.

Slovakia in June-August

Summers in Slovakia are short and hot, with an average temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Occasional heat waves bring the mercury up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the lowlands, while the High Tatra mountains are more comfortable in the mid-70s. Frequent showers pass through Slovakia in July, the rainiest month of the year. Of course, summer is the busiest month for tourism in Slovakia.

Holidays & Events

• June: Bratislava's Junifest is Slovakia's answer to Oktoberfest—a celebration of beer that also features a variety of concerts.
• July 5: Slovaks commemorate their patron saints with a national holiday on Saints Cyril and Metodius Day.
• August 29: National Uprising Day recognizes the 1944 armed uprising against German occupation of Slovakia.

Must See

Summer is a popular time to visit Slovensky raj ("Slovak Paradise") National Park, a forested enclave of narrow gorges, caves, waterfalls, and meadows. The unique topography, with plenty of shade and rushing water, provides a break from the heat and plenty of opportunity for adventure.

Slovakia in September-November

With forests covering so much of Slovakia, fall colors sweep across the landscape in September and October. Temperatures cool a bit—dipping into the low 40s Fahrenheit by late November. Generally, the weather remains warm and stable, and since tourist traffic dies down after summer ends, this is an excellent time to visit. North of Bratislava, where vineyards stretch across low hills, autumn is the time for grape harvest and wine festivals. In the city, classical and jazz festivals bring music to well-established concert venues, and independent rock festivals enliven the streets.

Holidays & Events

• September 1: Slovak Constitution Day is the country's national holiday.
• November 17: Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day commemorates student protests against Nazi occupation and later Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, and is now celebrated in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Must See

Across Slovakia, stunning autumn foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for stately castles and charming cobblestone villages. Grapevines turn a burnished red-gold during the harvest as well. When the weather turns cold, Bratislava's cozy coffeehouses and hip underground bars are a welcome respite from wind and rain.