Banska Stiavnica Travel Guide

  Banska Stiavnica Old Castle
by hungariangirl896
 
  • Banska Stiavnica Old Castle
      Banska Stiavnica Old Castle
    by hungariangirl896
  • Holy Trinity Square
      Holy Trinity Square
    by hungariangirl896
  • Holy Trinity Square
      Holy Trinity Square
    by hungariangirl896
  • Church of St. Catherine
      Church of St. Catherine
    by hungariangirl896
  • Church of St. Catherine
      Church of St. Catherine
    by hungariangirl896
 

Pro

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 A good place for exploring, walking, and sightseeing... 


Con

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 Not much of a nightlife 


In a nutshell

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 A charming and romantic place to get away... 

 

Explore Banska Stiavnica

Things to Do  

Church of St. Catherine

Church of St. Catherine, Banska Stiavnica

 hungariangirl896 Says:  The Church of St. Catherine, which dates from the 1400s, is a very imposing structure in the city center of Banska Stiavnica. It contains a breathtaking interior as well as the resting places of famous townspeople. This very massive, beautiful church is a must-see if you are... 

Holy Trinity Square

Holy Trinity Square, Banska Stiavnica

 hungariangirl896 Says:  Banska Stiavnica's Holy Trinity Square is located in the city center. This square dates from the 1500s and features the Church of St. Catherine and many old houses, which once belonged to wealthy miners. Later, the town's inhabitants added the beautiful column in the center... 

The Old Castle

The Old Castle, Banska Stiavnica

 hungariangirl896 Says:  Banska Stiavnica's Old Castle offers great views of the city. This building was used by the town to protect itself from the Turks in the middle ages. After making the walk up the hill and exploring the castle, you can find many good spots for taking pictures of the town and... 

the old `Slovak' church, Kostol Sv. Kataríny.

the old `Slovak' church, Kostol Sv. Kataríny., Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Normally closed, even in August. Only time it opens is for the Jazznica festival. Great venue to see trumpeters among the fifteenth century lecterns, with the heavy wooden pulpits nobody has spoken from for decades.. 

Summer Jazz Festival

Summer Jazz Festival, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Jazznica 2008 included Czech solo singer Eva Bittova and the Polish 4-piece jazz outfit `Soundcheck'. Entry 300 SKK on the night. 

Plague Column.

Plague Column., Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  A seventeenth-century Baroque statue commemorating the recovery of the town from a bad attack of plague. You can see similar statues in neighbouring towns such as Kremnica. 

Kalvaria

Kalvaria, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Kalvaria, a calvary, was constructed at the apogee of the town's fortunes 1748-51, but now - and in spite of two restoration projects - badly damaged and derelict. Includes 24 stations of the cross. Management consultants are sent by their company `Accenture' in Bratislava... 

the Forestry Academy

the Forestry Academy, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  In the 19th century, when ore extraction was no longer economically viable (and I think the central mining administration was moved to Banska Bystrica), a forestry academy was opened. A grand Hungarian building, still with Hungarian inscriptions. But apparently Magyarisation... 

Swim in the `tajchy'

Swim in the `tajchy', Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Lovely, clean water lakes originally designed in the 18th century to supply a constant stream of water to power the mining pumps (there are no flowing rivers of any size in the Stiavnicke vrchy). Samuel Mikoviny was the scientist/engineer to promote their use. Now they are... 

Climb Mount Sitno

Climb Mount Sitno, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  At 1009 metres, it's not a particularly great feat to climb Sitno. Probably the most direct ascent is from Pociuvadlo, from which it takes c. 45 minutes to go up. On the top is a renovated wooden visitor's chalet with observation floor. The top of Sitno is covered with wild... 

Palace at Svaty Anton

Palace at Svaty Anton, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Visit to a country palace, most famously occupied by the last King of Bulgaria Ferdinand of Coburg, who was exiled after siding with the losing Germans in the First World War. Sumptuous nineteenth century Biedermeier rooms with luxury furniture, Chinese silk wallpapers,... 

Hotels  

Hotel Grand Matej

 2 Reviews and 19 Opinions  Overall, our stay in this hotel was good. The location is in the city center and is within walking... 

Hotels  

Topky Hotel: On a nearby lake.

Topky Hotel: On a nearby lake., Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:   Situated on a beautiful nearby lake. Hotel has its own boats and shaded bay, great for swimming in the summer.Caters for tours of old-aged Austrians. Comfortable, but a bit cheesy.There is also an animal farm in the woods behind Topky. It features pigs, a goat, dogs (named... 

Hostel 6

Hostel 6, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Hostel 6 advertises itself as the cheapest place in town. But in fact, it's overpriced so nobody ever stays there as far as I could see. And the poor manager sits in his office surrounded by emptiness. 

Restaurants  

ERB Brewery: A Wonderful Surprise!

ERB Brewery: A Wonderful Surprise!, Banska Stiavnica

 hungariangirl896 Says:  This restaurant was such an excellent surprise!!! Before I traveled to Banska Stiavnica, I read guidebook after guidebook and I still had no idea that this place was here. I only discovered it after wandering down a side road to go explore. :) This is no ordinary brewery and... 

`U Boehma': classic Slovak cuisine

`U Boehma': classic Slovak cuisine, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Excellent quality, and well priced. Nice locale. Dont go for the tomato soup if you don't like sugar (which is added). I recommend the `halusky s brinzy' (gnocchi with goat's cheese and lard), costs 119 SKK (with 1/2 litre of beer and bread). 

What to Pack  

Bring comfy shoes!!
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hungariangirl896 118 reviews

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Make sure you bring very comfortable walking/tennis shoes, because all the streets are cobblestone and they can be hilly at times. It's really important if you choose to go sightseeing around the Old Castle.

Written Feb 3, 2013

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Backpacking
 Hiking and Walking

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Off The Beaten Path  

Ilija

Ilija, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  Lovely little hamlet in the fields under the forest, with a church, a river, pub and plentiful fruit trees. A simple heaven! 

Banska Bela

Banska Bela, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  6 km down the road from Banska Stiavnica (to the north) is Banska Bela, a small satellite village, situated close to the Ferdinand mining adit. But what an impressive church for such a small place! With a closed, wooden gallery leading up to the entrance. 

country walks

country walks, Banska Stiavnica

 halikowski Says:  We walked from Pociuvadlo jezero, up Mount Sitno, down to the hamlet of Ilija, across the fields to Svaty Anton, and up through the forest to Bansky Studenec. Problem getting back though: buses are very irregular. 

Antol

Antol, Banska Stiavnica

 Assenczo Says:  Antol is a village or rather an area of Greater Banska Stiavnica(2km off downtown), where the palace of Ferdinand Saxcobourg Gotta is located. For people with inclination towards history and especially comparative one it is a perfect place for a surprise. Not many in... 

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Map of Banska Stiavnica