Bardejov between the Old Town, the Topľa Valley and Regetovka

Bardejov combines a protected historic town centre with museums, a distinct valley landscape and a variety of excursion destinations in the region. If you would like to combine culture and nature on your trip to Slovakia, you will find both medieval urban history and mountains, a castle ruin, winter sports and practical information for your visit here.

Historic Bardejov and its museums

A prominent focal point is the Church of St. Giles. The three-nave Gothic basilica has eleven late Gothic altars. Bardejov’s historic town centre was declared an urban heritage conservation area in 1950. More than half of the fortifications have been preserved and are well maintained. This makes it possible to understand the medieval urban structure not only through individual buildings, but also through its preserved defensive installations.

The exhibition “Slobodné kráľovské mesto Bardejov” is part of the town’s history. It traces Bardejov’s development from its first written mention in 1241 to the end of the 18th century. The exhibition “Príroda severovýchodného Slovenska a jej ochrana” focuses on a different subject. It covers the orographic units of Čergov, Ondavská vrchovina, Pieniny, Busov and Ľubovnianska vrchovina and includes more than 1,700 exhibits from the region’s natural environment. In this way, urban history stands alongside the geological and landscape areas of north-eastern Slovakia.

The Bardejovský jarmok is also part of the town’s public life and takes place annually. If you would like to plan your stay around this event, you should check the relevant current event information separately, as no dates are given here.

Topľa Valley, Čergov and Zborov Castle

Bardejov lies in the valley of the Topľa River, which is bordered by the Čergov, Busov and Ondavská vrchovina mountain ranges. The Topľa River drains Bardejov and its surroundings. Čergovský Minčol is also important for the regional context: at 1,157 metres, it is the highest point of the Čergov Mountains.

Zborov Castle, also known as Makovica, is a castle ruin above the municipality of Zborov in the Bardejov District. It was built in the 14th century to protect the trade route to Poland. Its name, its location above Zborov and its origins in connection with this trade route give the regional cultural area its own historical perspective, without equating the castle with the sights in the town centre.

Winter sports and an educational trail as other regional highlights

The Regetovka ski centre operates two ski lifts. The slopes are 1.04 km long in total and are fully equipped with artificial snowmaking. The ski centre also includes 5 km of cross-country ski trails. Downhill skiing and cross-country skiing are therefore documented as two separate winter sports activities. The Lesnícky náučný chodník Čierna mláka offers a nature-focused experience; it is a forestry educational trail with 18 thematic stations.

Visit planning and regional orientation

Outside the summer season, visits to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Hervartov should be arranged in advance. Organised groups can visit all exhibitions of the Šarišské múzeum Bardejov outside regular opening hours by prior arrangement. Bus route 5 to Bardejovské Kúpele runs via Mihaľov, Dlhý rad, Slovenská and Duklianska. The tourist information offices in Bardejov provide free promotional materials for the town.

For further regional orientation, you can find the pages on Malcov, Stebnícka Huta, Bartošovce, Fričkovce, Smilno, Regetovka, Bardejovské Kúpele, Bartfeld and Zborov.

For the overarching travel overview: Prešov.