For some, a visit to Slovakia means a trip to a simpler time, away from the crazed hustle of the city. It offers many magnificent landscapes where nature feels particularly tranquil and untouched, including the Tatra Mountains, Slovak Paradise National Park, Pieniny National Park (renowned for its forest trails, lush valleys, and waterfalls), and the Dunajec River Gorge, which spans the Polish border.

Slovakia also offers some stunning architectural treasures, including Spiš Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Orava Castle, and Trenčín Castle. In fact, Slovakia has the highest density of castles of any European country!

Remaining off the beaten track, Slovakia offers an incredibly authentic adventure, with spectacular and peaceful cycling in its dramatic landscapes, complimented by cultural hotspots and welcoming local hospitality in charming medieval towns like Banská Štiavnica, Levoča, and Košice.

Slovakia's capital – Bratislava – is a true gem of the Danube River, with many bike tours starting or ending in this splendid riverside city.

• What makes Slovakia a great destination for a bike tour?

  Slovakia is a spectacular destination for a bike tour, offering grand landscapes along the Danube River and in its incredible Tatra Mountains.

  Slovakia offers a well-maintained network of paved cycle routes and peaceful greenways, including the Danube Cycle Path (EuroVelo 6), which runs through Bratislava and southern Slovakia.

  Wine lovers can experience an indulgent cycle along the Váh River Trail, which connects many of Slovakia's western spa towns and vineyards. The Small Carpathian Wine Route just north of Bratislava also offers an immersive ride, with stops for local wine samplings in cozy cellars.

  Many bike tour routes also span neighboring countries, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria and Hungary, offering cyclists the chance to soak up several countries' cultures in one trip.

• When is the best time to take a bike tour in Slovakia?

  The best time to take a bike tour in Slovakia is May through to September, when the weather is warm, the countryside is vibrant, and national parks and mountain routes are open.

  For wine tasting tours, the autumn months (September–early October) bring the grape harvest season in Slovakia's many vineyards.

• Are Slovakia bike tours suitable for beginners?

  Slovakia's bike routes are highly suited to beginner cyclists, especially the Danube Cycle Path (EuroVelo 6), Váh River Trail, Bratislava, and the southern wine country.

  Slovakia's cycle networks offer peaceful leisure riding, with smooth, well-marked national cycle routes, greenways, and cross-border cycle paths into neighboring countries.