Zvolen: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Zvolen combines striking natural features, fortified history, spa tradition and regional specialities. The Náučný chodník Pustý hrad is a moderately difficult educational trail 6.4 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 271 metres and a stated walking time of three hours.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Zvolen can focus their accommodation search on this destination.

Nature

Turovský sopúch in Turová, in the Zvolen District, is designated as a protected natural monument. The exposed volcanic vent provides evidence of the volcanic activity of the Tertiary Kremnica stratovolcano. The Zolniansky lahar is also located in the Zvolen District, in Zolná, and is designated as a protected natural monument. A green-marked hiking trail towards Sliač runs along its boundary; the rock face is visible from this trail.

The Náučný chodník Pustý hrad has 20 information panels about natural and historical attractions in this part of the Zvolen Basin. In the municipal area of Budča, the Náučný chodník Boky runs through the Boky National Nature Reserve. The educational trail is 5.1 kilometres long, has 13 stations and an elevation gain of 299 metres; the walking time is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.

The Boky National Nature Reserve has been a Natura 2000 site of European importance since 2004. Čertova skala is also located there, an estimated 17-tonne andesite rock in the shape of a rock mushroom, connected to the conglomerate bedrock by a narrow neck. In the Slatina Valley, 552 species of higher plants have been recorded.

Arborétum Borová hora maintains collections of woody plants, roses, cacti and succulents. These collections are focused on the preservation and archiving of native and endangered species.

Culture and history

Pustý hrad covers 4.7 hectares and is one of the largest fortified complexes in Slovakia. The royal residential tower of Dolný Pustý hrad was a residence of Hungarian kings, particularly in the 13th century. Pustý hrad was also the seat of the župans of Zvolenská župa.

Zvolenský zámok was built between 1370 and 1382 as a Gothic hunting lodge modelled on Italian urban palaces for the Hungarian King Louis I the Great of the House of Anjou. The main palace houses exhibitions and storage facilities of the Slovak National Gallery, whose focus is a collection of European paintings from the 16th to the 19th century. The Lapidarium of Gothic Art displays architectural fragments and stone components from the castle and its 14th-century chapel. It also contains transferred wall paintings from the former parish church of Zvolen dating from the mid-15th century.

The Lesnícke a drevárske múzeum documents forestry and wood processing throughout Slovakia, as well as the regional history of the Zvolen region. The museum presents traditional woodworking techniques such as splitting, hewing, joinery, turning and carpentry. It is housed in burgher houses from the first half of the 16th century, which are national cultural monuments.

Spas and water

Kúpele Sliač combines healing water of a special composition with a spa park and several impressive spa buildings designated as national cultural monuments of Slovakia. Kúpele Kováčová uses healing thermal mineral water for sitz baths and full baths, hydromassages, pearl baths and exercises in the water.

Kúpele Sliač is also open to guests without overnight accommodation for the thermal bath, swimming pool, sauna, treatments and walks in the spa park. The Termálne kúpalisko Kúpele Sliač in the Zvolen District uses carbon-dioxide-rich spring water and has one pool for adults and a small round children's pool.

The Zvolen Information Centre organises guided city tours all year round, including outside the tourism season, with expert commentary in Slovak and English. Registration must be completed at least three days in advance.

Regional cuisine

As part of the traditional folk culture programme, an interactive event was held on 10 August 2024 at Remeselný dvor Očová, featuring weaving, embroidery, the preparation and tasting of Halušky with Urda and homemade dishes, the baking of sourdough bread and Posúch, and cheese-making.

The production of Bryndza in Zvolenská Slatina was established in 1797 by the Molecovci family. The Bryndziareň in Zvolenská Slatina claims to be the oldest Bryndza dairy still in operation in the world. During a visit to the Expozícia História Očovej, anyone can try Očovská Rožovka, a typical rye spirit.

Routes

In Zvolen, the Barborská cesta leads to the attractions of Pustý hrad and Zvolenský zámok. It is an approximately 190-kilometre route that can be completed on foot or by bicycle along marked hiking trails.

Other places in this selection: Zvolen, Pliesovce, Kováčová, Sielnica, Lukavica, Sása, Babiná, Bacúrov, Breziny, Budča, Bzovská Lehôtka, Dobrá Niva, Dubové, Hronská Breznica, Lieskovec, Očová, Ostrá Lúka, Podzámčok, Tŕnie, Veľká Lúka, Zvolenská Slatina, Sliač, Kráľová.

For the overview of the higher-level destination: Neusohl.