SK
Banská Štiavnica
A historic silver-mining town in an old volcano, with two castles, a Baroque calvary and mountain lakes
A historic silver-mining town in an old volcano, with two castles, a Baroque calvary and mountain lakes
The sloping main square has a large Baroque plague column, the Gothic St Catherine’s Church and museums in old mining houses.
Photo: Palickap, CC BY 4.0
A Romanesque church was turned into a fortress in the 16th century to defend the town against the Ottomans. It now houses museum exhibits.
Photo: Mickapr, CC BY-SA 4.0
This white Renaissance tower on a hill opposite the Old Castle was a lookout against Ottoman raids. It has an exhibition on that period and good views.
Photo: Daniel Skreno, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dozens of artificial lakes in the hills around town were built to supply water to the mines. Today lakes such as Počúvadlo are used for swimming and walks.
Swim in summer.
Photo: Jan Starec, CC BY-SA 3.0
Try bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep’s cheese) and kapustnica (sauerkraut soup).
The town has cafés and small restaurants in old houses.
Banská Štiavnica is about 160km from Bratislava, roughly 2.5–3 hours by road. By public transport, take a train to Zvolen and a bus from there, or a direct bus from Bratislava.
The old town is compact but very hilly.
Slovakia uses the euro (EUR).
Town, mines and lakes.
Explore Holy Trinity Square and both castles, then climb to the Calvary.
Go underground at the open-air mining museum, then walk to a tajch.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Slovakia is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Wear good shoes; the streets are steep.
The Baroque Calvary is on a hill outside town.
The Salamander festival is held each September.
Some small places take cash only.
Quick answers for planning time in Banská Štiavnica.
For its historic mining town and surrounding mining landscape, listed in 1993.
Artificial lakes built to power the mines, now used for swimming.
Yes, at the open-air mining museum.
By train to Zvolen and bus, or by direct bus from Bratislava.
May to September.
Planning a wider trip? Our Slovakia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.