Image: Orava Castle.
Highlights
– Orava Castle (Oravský hrad) is one of Slovakia’s most iconic and well preserved castles.
Time of Visit: July 2025
Duration of Visit: Two Nights
Description
Orava Castle (Oravský hrad) is one of Slovakia’s most iconic and majestic castles. It is located in the quaint village of Oravský Podzámok located in the northern part of the country. The castle is perched on a steep cliff above the Orava River. The castle poses as a striking monument when it comes into view while approaching the village.
Originally constructed in the 13th century on the site of an earlier wooden fortification, the castle was gradually expanded and rebuilt in Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Its dramatic position on a rocky promontory makes it visible from far away.
Today, Orava Castle is a popular tourist destination and a national cultural monument. The castle complex includes courtyards, towers, and historic rooms that house exhibits regarding the castle’s history, regional culture, and medieval life. These exhibits allow visitors to immerse themselves in centuries of Slovak history.
The castle is also famous for being a filming location of several movies. A section of the castle displays exhibits of those filmed movies. One of the prominent exhibits is the classic 1922 silent vampire movie – Nosferatu.
Visitors can explore the castle on their own or with guided tours. As you venture into the different castle rooms and courtyards, take the time to peer beyond the castle walls for breathtaking views of the surrounding Orava countryside.
Activities
The castle offers three kinds of self guided tours – A, B and A+B. A is the main tour and is expected to take around 60 minutes. The A tour covers the main castle and the exhibits about the castle’s history, the different castle rooms, art, archeological and natural science exhibits, towers, upper courtyards and the film exhibits. If we were going to pick between the two self guided tours, the A tour would be it.
Tour B goes through more exhibits about the castle and Slovak history and a few other interesting displays, including life size armours worn by knights and the unbelievable swords they had to wield. The tour ends at St. Michael’s chapel which is mesmerizing. Under the chapel is a crypt that contains the remains of some of the castle rulers.
Both tours will allow visitors to enter the main courtyard which is a great place to take photos.
How To Get There
You can either drive yourself or take a ZSSK train to Oravský Podzámok. ZSSK is Slovakia’s train system operator. They have fleets of modern electric trains and vintage locomotives.
Getting to Oravský Podzámok will require at least two train rides. The first train ride is to get to the village of Kraľovany. Kraľovany is a stop of modern ZSSK trains that runs between the two largest cities in Slovakia which are Bratislava (the capital city) and Košice (2nd largest city in Slovakia).
At Kraľovany, head over to the furthest track from the station using the underground passageway. A two car locomotive would normally be stationed at this last track. This locomotive will take you to Oravský Podzámok. Riding this locomotive is like riding back in time – natural air conditioning and bumpy.
Where To Stay
The Oravský Podzámok train station is East of the Orava River while the majority of the accommodations and restaurants are located West of the river to be close to the castle. It takes less than 10 minutes to walk from the train station to the castle. So if you want to be closest to restaurants and the castle, pick an accommodation West of the river.
We stayed at Penzion U duoch Levov which is a quiet accommodation East of the river. It has a nice unobstructed view of the castle. The two disadvantages are that it takes about 10-12 minutes to walk to the closest restaurant across the river and the rooms have no air conditioning. But it has a closer walk to the COOP grocery store.
How To Get Around
Oravský Podzámok is such a small village that you do not need a vehicle to get around. Walking is the primary method of getting around unless you have a car. There is no taxi service or rideshare. There is a bus station in front of the train station but we never saw it while we were there.
If you do have a car, you will have to pay to park near the castle unless your accommodation has a dedicated parking area.
Expected Expenses
See photo for castle entry fees. We have no information about the parking fee.
Summary
Orava Castle should be high on any traveler’s list when visiting Slovakia because of its breathtaking setting, rich history, and architectural beauty. Towering above the Orava River on a sheer cliff, the castle offers one of the most dramatic and photogenic views in the country. Its mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles reflects centuries of development, and exploring its courtyards, towers, and stone passages feels like stepping back in time.
Beyond its visual appeal, Orava Castle provides a deep cultural and historical experience. Guided tours lead visitors through furnished rooms, medieval armories, and museum exhibits that tell the story of the region and the noble families who once lived there.
The panoramic views from the upper terraces are a reward in themselves, especially in autumn when the surrounding forests blaze with color. Whether you’re interested in history, photography, or just experiencing one of Slovakia’s most impressive landmarks, Orava Castle is a must-visit destination.