Are you looking for scenic drives in Slovakia? The drive from Pieniny to Bardejov brings together mountain landscapes, quiet villages, and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the country. However, there’s no direct public transport between Pieniny and Bardejov, so renting a car in Slovakia is the easiest way to explore both destinations in one trip. Keep reading to explore northern Slovakia by car.
A road trip from Pieniny to Bardejov brings together Slovakia’s raw nature and centuries-old heritage in a way few routes can. Starting in Pieniny National Park, you’ll be surrounded by limestone cliffs, dense forests, and the flowing Dunajec River. This park is known for rafting tours and peaceful hiking trails.
As you drive south toward Bardejov, the countryside unfolds in rolling hills, wooden villages, and winding rural roads. This journey offers a closer look at Slovak life than more commercialized routes. Compared to the highway-heavy highway from Bratislava to the Tatras, this drive is slower, more local, and more personal. It also contrasts with the Košice to Spiš Castle trip, which centers around a single landmark.
Your trip ends in Bardejov, a UNESCO-listed town with Gothic buildings, colorful facades, and cobbled streets. The sites here reveal a well-preserved slice of medieval life.
Visitors from Malta need a valid Maltese driving license. EU licenses are accepted without an International Driving Permit. Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21, but some may ask for a minimum age of 25, depending on the car type. Credit cards are usually required for security deposits, and it’s best to book in advance, especially during summer or winter holidays.
Driving in Slovakia is safe and straightforward. Roads are in good condition, and signs are easy to follow. However, highways require a vignette (electronic toll pass), which is often included in rental fees; always double-check with the rental company. In winter, winter tires are mandatory, and the weather in mountain areas can change quickly. Finally, always keep headlights on at all times, as required by law, even during the day.
Pieniny National Park is a peaceful mountain region in northern Slovakia, known for its dramatic limestone cliffs and winding rivers. It’s the perfect place to start your trip if you enjoy wooden villages, forest trails, and quiet views away from crowds.
Pieniny National Park’s most iconic feature is the Dunajec River Gorge, a 9-kilometer stretch where the Dunajec River winds through limestone cliffs up to 300 meters high. The gorge forms part of the natural border between Poland and Slovakia and is considered one of Europe’s most picturesque river canyons.
Visitors can take part in traditional wooden raft rides, operated from April to October, starting in Sromowce Wyżne and ending in Krościenko or Szczawnica. Alternatively, kayaking and inflatable rafts are also available. Along the way, look for native bird species like black storks, grey herons, peregrine falcons, and rare limestone flora.
For sweeping views of the Pieniny range, Three Crowns Peak (Trzy Korony) is the park’s highest summit at 982 meters above sea level. The trail to the peak begins at Sromowce Niżne. It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to reach the summit, where a secure metal viewing platform offers panoramic views over the river, nearby towns, and the Tatra Mountains in the distance.
Szczawnica Lookout (Palnica or Bryjarka) is a shorter trail, around 1.5 hours round trip, accessible from the resort town of Szczawnica. It’s a good option for those looking for a lighter hike with views over the valley and a spa town. Both trails pass through mixed beech and spruce forests that are home to red deer, wild boar, and lynx.
Founded in 1330, Červený Kláštor is a Gothic monastery that once belonged to the Carthusian Order and later the Camaldolese monks. Its name, meaning "Red Monastery," comes from the red tiles on its roof. The site is in Slovakia, just across the river from the Polish border.
The monastery is now a museum with exhibits on Brother Cyprian, an 18th-century monk and herbalist who created one of the oldest herbariums in the region. You can see centuries-old medical tools, manuscripts, and monastic artifacts. The building is a preserved example of medieval Slovak religious architecture, with stone vaults and cloisters open for public tours.
The Lesnica Trail (Lesnícky chodník) follows the Dunajec River from Červený Kláštor to Lesnica, spanning about 7 kilometers one way. It’s an easy, mostly flat walk on a paved path, open to both walkers and cyclists. The trail can be completed in under 2 hours.
The route passes through a canyon corridor with Jurassic limestone walls, and interpretive signs provide information about the river’s hydrology, surrounding karst formations, and native wildlife. Expect to see European badgers, Eurasian jays, and butterflies like the scarce swallowtail. In spring and early summer, the trail is lined with wild garlic, orchids, and gentians.
Located in Szczawnica, the Pieniny Museum (Muzeum Pienińskie im. Józefa Szalaya) showcases the area’s geological evolution, folk heritage, and environmental features. Exhibits include fossils from the Mesozoic era, regional costumes, wooden farming tools, and reconstructions of highland homes.
One section focuses on the flora and fauna of the Carpathians, with taxidermy displays of brown bears, wolves, and golden eagles that still inhabit the region’s wilder zones. The museum also provides insights into the early 20th-century efforts to protect the area, which led to the founding of Pieniny National Park in 1932, making it the oldest national park in Poland.
The drive from Pieniny to Bardejov takes about 2 hours and covers 100 kilometers. The Route 543 and Route 77 run through the Prešov Region. Along the way, you'll pass through areas like the Ondavská Highlands, characterized by gentle ridges and deciduous oak and beech forests, with long valleys formed by the Ondava and Topľa Rivers.
One of the top stops along the drive is Stará Ľubovňa Castle, located on a forested hill above the town. The castle dates back to the 13th century and once guarded trade routes between Poland and Hungary. Today, visitors can tour its medieval towers, underground chambers, and exhibitions on noble families and military history.
Next to the castle is an open-air folk museum featuring wooden houses relocated from nearby villages. This skanzen includes a working blacksmith’s shop, a schoolhouse, a water-powered mill, and a Greek-Catholic wooden church from 1833. Seasonal demonstrations, such as bread baking or wool spinning, show how people once lived and worked. It’s a perfect mid-way break to stretch your legs, enjoy views of the Tatras, and explore authentic Slovak village life.
Along the drive, you’ll pass through Hniezdne, a small village known for its Nestville Park distillery. The park offers a comprehensive tour that includes a historical exposition of traditional folk crafts related to distilling, a modern alcohol refinery, and a tasting room featuring hand-carved artwork and whisky aging warehouses.
The village also features conventional wooden homes, a small church, and quiet streets lined with fruit trees. Further down the road is Bardejovská Nová Ves, a peaceful area filled with farmland and religious roadside shrines.
Bardejov is one of the most Gothic towns in Slovakia, known for its 14th-century layout and striking medieval architecture. The town feels like a step back in time with its UNESCO-listed square, Gothic basilica, old city walls, and merchant houses. Here are the best things to do in Bardejov:
Bardejov’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its symmetrical square, pastel buildings, and preserved medieval layout. This is the best place to start your visit if you enjoy walking through historic streets. In the town center, admire the architecture of the merchant houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. Snap photos of the unique facades, relax at a café with a view of the square, or join a walking tour to learn about the town’s trading history and Jewish heritage.
Step inside the Basilica of St. Egidius, one of the most important Gothic churches in Slovakia. It features 11 Gothic winged altars, stained glass windows, and a 76-meter tower you can climb for panoramic views. Afterward, tour the Old Town Hall, now home to part of the Šariš Museum. Then walk along the city walls and stop at bastions like the Horný bastion and Františkánska bašta. These walls once protected the town and now offer peaceful walking paths.
Located about 5 km from the town center, Bardejovské Kúpele is a quiet spa village famous for its healing mineral springs. Visit the Kolonáda, a colonnade where you can taste different types of mineral water, each with its health benefits. Enjoy a massage or sauna session at one of the spa hotels like Hotel Astoria or Hotel Ozón, or stroll through the Statue Park, which features sculptures of famous guests, including Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi). The village also has forest trails near Statue Park and behind Hotel Astoria, perfect for light hiking.
The Šariš Museum includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Inside, you’ll find collections of regional folk costumes, crafts, and religious art. Special exhibits cover archaeology, natural history, and wartime Bardejov. Outside, walk through the skanzen (open-air museum) featuring wooden houses, a school, and a 17th-century wooden church brought in from nearby Mikulášová. This area offers a hands-on look at traditional village life, and guided tours are available.
At the heart of the old town, Radničné Square invites you to slowly walk past colorful burgher houses, artisan shops, and sidewalk cafés. This is where locals gather and many events occur throughout the year. You can shop at gift shops for wood-carved souvenirs, embroidered textiles, and locally made jams. Depending on the season, you might catch a craft fair, food market, or Christmas festival in the square.
This road trip from Pieniny to Bardejov is perfect for Maltese travelers who enjoy scenic drives, cultural depth, and peaceful stops. You’re not just ticking off sights. You’re discovering stories hidden in castles, churches, and village streets. Rent a car with Finalrentals to make it easy to go at your own pace. Whether you're picking up your car at Bratislava Airport, Košice, Poprad, or in a city center, we offer flexible rental options that fit your travel schedule.
