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Banská Štiavnica – once the mining capital of the whole Habsburg Empire, today one of the favourite tourist destinations in Slovakia. The town is packed with historic monuments, churches and natural sights you will not find anywhere else in the world.
In a nutshell: Banská Štiavnica is a UNESCO-listed former mining town in central Slovakia, about 2 hours from Bratislava. Expect two castles, a real mining gallery, a Baroque Calvary and turquoise mining lakes in the hills around. Plan 2–3 days and come between late spring and September – ideally for the Salamander Days in early September.
If you want to buy Slovak gifts or useful Slovak products, you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
Here is a list of places worth visiting directly in Banská Štiavnica and in its surroundings:
| # | Place | Where | Time needed | Adult ticket | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Castle & New Castle | in town | 1 h each | from €8 / from €5 | map |
| 2 | Glanzenberg Mining Gallery | in town | 1.5 h | €9 | map |
| 3 | Marína – Bank of Love | in town | 1 h | temporarily closed | map |
| 4 | Slovak Mining Museum – Kammerhof | in town | 1.5–2 h | from €8 | map |
| 5 | Calvary | in town | 2–3 h | free | map |
| 6 | Mining lakes – Tajchy | around town | half a day | free | map |
| 7 | Sitno Hill & Sitno Castle | around town | 3 h | free | map |
| 8 | Paradajs Hill | around town | 2 h | free | map |
| 9 | Svätý Anton Manor House | around town | 2–3 h | €18–22 | map |
| 10 | Sklené Teplice thermal pool | around town | half a day | from €6 | map |
As mentioned at the beginning, the town was an important mining centre in the past. Today, the former mines and mining galleries are remarkable tourist attractions. Besides them, you can admire important historic buildings and museums dedicated to mining. If you are travelling to or through Slovakia, Banská Štiavnica should definitely be on your list.
Facts and History of Banská Štiavnica
| Region | Banská Bystrica Region, central Slovakia |
| Population | approx. 9,200 |
| Elevation | 621 m |
| First written mention | 1156 (terra banensium – the land of miners) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | since 1993 |
| Location on the map | Open in Mapy.com |
Banská Štiavnica lies amid the forests of the Štiavnické vrchy mountains and, together with the technical monuments in its surroundings, is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Extraction of precious metals in the area has a very long tradition – the region was first mentioned in a document from 1156 as terra banensium, the land of miners. Silver dominated among the mined metals, which earned Banská Štiavnica the nickname “the silver town”.
In the 18th century, Banská Štiavnica gradually became the largest mining centre of the Habsburg Monarchy. Between 1790 and 1863, the surrounding mountains yielded 490 tonnes of silver and 11 tonnes of gold. Mining education and science flourished too: in 1735 the oldest mining school in the Kingdom of Hungary was founded here, and in 1762 it was promoted to the Mining Academy – the first institution of its kind in the world. In 1807 a Forestry Institute was added, and the two later merged into one academy. Wealth and fame followed: in 1782, Banská Štiavnica was the third-largest town in the Kingdom of Hungary, with over 23,000 inhabitants.
The decline came at the end of the 19th century, when mining started to fall into decay, and the trend continued throughout the 20th century. Mining in Banská Štiavnica ended in 1993. Today, the town lives mainly from tourism thanks to its rich mining history. In March 2023, a large fire damaged several historic buildings on the main square. Thanks to donations, the town is back on its feet, although some reconstruction works are still ongoing.
Useful links:
- Official website of the town – banskastiavnica.sk
- Regional tourist organisation & information centre (Námestie sv. Trojice 1) – banskastiavnica.travel
- Official Slovak tourism portal – slovakia.travel
- Local public transport – banskastiavnica.org
Is Banská Štiavnica Worth Visiting and Is It Safe?
In one word – definitely. Banská Štiavnica and the whole region offer spectacular natural sights, technical wonders of the past and a mesmerising historic centre. The town is also a great starting point for trips into the surrounding mountains, ideal for any hiker. And if hiking is not your thing, you can go underground and explore the old mining galleries described below.
As for safety, Banská Štiavnica is a small, quiet town and, like the rest of Slovakia, a safe place to visit. Just watch your step – the streets of the old town are steep and cobbled, so comfortable shoes are a must. Wondering about costs? Read Is Slovakia expensive to visit?
Walk the highlights: All the main sights in the town are within walking distance of each other. This route links them in a logical order and ends at the Calvary – expect some steep climbs. The whole route is about 4.2 km and takes roughly 1.5 hours of walking, plus time for the visits. Open the walking route in Mapy.com
Route: New Castle → Old Castle → Bank of Love → Kammerhof (Slovak Mining Museum) → Glanzenberg → Calvary
TIP: Check out my list of recommended Slovak products. They are perfect as gifts, or you will use them during your visit to Slovakia (Amazon links)
- Slovakia Flag
- The book about Slovak History
- Slovak Travel Guide
- Slovakia Adventure Map (by National Geographic)
- T-shirt with Slovakia Flag
- Slovakia Shot Glass
- Legendary Horalky Biscuit (Original)
What to See and Do in Banská Štiavnica (Town)
Now that the basics and history are covered, let’s take a closer look at each place from the list above. At the start of each one, you will find a short overview of practical information.
1. Old Castle and New Castle
| Time needed | about 1 hour each, 2–3 hours for both |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission (adult) | Old Castle from €8, New Castle from €5; + €20 for a guided tour in English |
| Opening hours | Old Castle Wed–Sun 9:00–17:00, New Castle Tue–Sat 9:00–17:00 |
| Official website | Old Castle | New Castle |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com (Old Castle) | Open in Mapy.com (New Castle) |
The Old Castle stands above Holy Trinity Square and is one of the oldest monuments in Banská Štiavnica. Originally a church, it was rebuilt into a fortress during the Ottoman threat. Its dominant feature is the original Gothic tower with a gateway. The castle area also includes St. Michael’s Chapel, which has both an above-ground and an underground part. Inside you will find several permanent exhibitions – archaeology, the history of Banská Štiavnica, historic weapons and shooting, a lapidarium and more.
The New Castle is one of the most beautiful landmarks of the town. This white Renaissance fortress on Frauenberg Hill (also called the Ladies’ Hill) was built in the 16th century as part of the defences against the Turks. A special feature was its “alarm clock”, which kept the townspeople informed about the time – a trumpet sounded every quarter of an hour and a bell rang every hour. Today, the New Castle houses a museum presenting the history of the anti-Turkish wars in Slovakia.
Tip: Slovakia has more castles per capita than almost any other country – see our guide to castles in Slovakia.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| Now you know the official story – a white Renaissance fortress built in the 16th century to protect the town against the Turks. But I have to admit something: the New Castle looks so different from every other castle in Slovakia that for years I was convinced it must have been built by foreigners. Or maybe even by aliens? Who knows… |
2. Glanzenberg Mining Gallery
| Time needed | approx. 90 minutes |
| Physical difficulty | easy (but you walk underground, on uneven ground) |
| Suitable for | visitors aged 6+ |
| Admission (adult) | €9 |
| Tour times | Friday 13:00, Saturday 11:00 and 13:00 – max. 15 people per tour |
| Booking | reservation in advance is required |
| Official website | muzeumbs.sk |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
Glanzenberg is a hereditary mining gallery that was actively mined for centuries and has been fully preserved to this day. The oldest written mention of the gallery dates back to 1560, and it played an important role in the early days of gold and silver mining on the Špitaler vein below Glanzenberg hill. Today, 500 metres of the gallery are open to the public, reaching a depth of 32 metres at the Kaufhaus shaft, where the so-called Emperor’s Stairs carved into the rock lead even deeper.
The tour starts at the ticket office on Kammerhofská Street, about 80 metres below the gallery entrance. Before going underground, every visitor gets a coat, a helmet and a lamp.
Tip: Tours run only on Fridays and Saturdays and groups are small, so book online well in advance – especially in summer.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| I first went down into Glanzenberg as a little kid, and it was the first time I could really picture the miners from all those stories about Štiavnica’s silver and gold. The whole tour I was scanning the rock walls, hoping to spot a vein of gold that everyone else had missed. When I came back as an adult, it was just as fascinating – I wasn’t bored for a second. If you are travelling with children aged 6 or older, this is the place they will remember. |
3. Marína – Bank of Love
| Time needed | about 1 hour |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Status | temporarily closed – under reconstruction after the 2023 fire, reopening date not yet announced |
| Official website | visitlovebank.com |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
The poem Marína tells the story of the unfulfilled love of the poet Andrej Sládkovič for Marína Pischlová. Her birth house on Town Hall Square (Radničné námestie), right next to Holy Trinity Square, is home to a unique museum – the Bank of Love – dedicated to what is registered by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest love poem. Modern “talking pictures” technology draws visitors into the true story of this fateful love, and you can hear Sládkovič himself professing his love for Marína. One of the highlights is Sládkovič’s library with the original manuscript of the poem, more than 170 years old.
Good to know: The building was hit by the fire in March 2023. The underground vault of the Bank of Love survived, but the museum has been closed for reconstruction since then. Check the official website for the reopening date before your trip.
4. Slovak Mining Museum – Kammerhof
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission (adult) | from €8; + €20 for a guided tour in English |
| Opening hours | Tue–Sat 9:00–17:00 |
| Official website | muzeumbs.sk |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
The Slovak Mining Museum is the only museum of its kind in Slovakia. It was founded in 1964 by merging the Town Museum and the Dionýz Štúr State Mining Museum. It offers a comprehensive picture of mining and related industries, and it also documents the history of Banská Štiavnica and its surroundings. Its main seat is the historic Kammerhof building complex – the former seat of the Chamber Counts and the mining directorate. Here you will find the largest exhibition dedicated to mining in Slovakia.
Tip: Visit Kammerhof before going underground to Glanzenberg – the exhibition gives you the context that makes the mine tour much more interesting.
5. Calvary
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Physical difficulty | easy to moderate (uphill walk) |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free (the grounds are open all year); guided tours on request |
| Information centre | June–September usually daily, off-season mainly on weekends |
| Official website | kalvaria.org |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
The Banská Štiavnica Calvary is an unforgettable landscape monument. Built on a hill, it is visible from almost anywhere in town. It is a Baroque complex of three churches, chapels and a statue of the Virgin Mary, founded by the Jesuits and completed in 1751. For two centuries, the Calvary was a place of rich spiritual life, presenting the events of Christ’s Passion. After 1951 it gradually fell into decay, but following a long restoration it has been brought back to its former glory.
The Calvary also has two exhibitions – one on the history and present of the Calvary in the Lower Church, and another in the Old Castle. If you do not want to explore it on your own, you can book a short or long guided tour.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| The info box above says “easy to moderate”. Let me be honest: even as a young guy, I was out of breath by the time I reached the top. But once you turn around, you forget about it. The whole of Banská Štiavnica lies below you with Sitno rising behind it, and on the other side you look out towards the Kremnica Mountains. Take it slowly, stop at the chapels on the way up – the view at the top is your reward. |
Places to Visit Around Banská Štiavnica
6. Mining Lakes – Tajchy
| Time needed | half a day |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free |
| Official website | supervulkanstiavnica.sk |
The tajchy of the Štiavnica region are extremely popular with locals and visitors alike. Long ago, miners built an incredible water system of around sixty interconnected reservoirs that supplied energy for mining. The story of this enormous waterwork is as fascinating as the way the lakes blend into the surrounding nature.
Tajchy were the solution to “the first energy crisis” of mining and saved mining in the whole region. Water power replaced horses and people, who were no longer enough to drain the mines – before the tajchy were built, water had been pumped out by about 2,000 people and as many horses. In the 18th century, they formed probably the most advanced water management system in Europe, able to store about 7 million cubic metres of water. Twenty-four of them have survived. The most notable are:
Veľká Vodárenská
Just a 15-minute walk from the town centre, famous for its turquoise colour. Open in Mapy.com
Klinger
Also easily reachable on foot from Banská Štiavnica. It was built as a source of water for the pumping machines of the Ondrej and Žigmund shafts and rebuilt in the first third of the 19th century. Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has been a popular place for swimming and recreation. Open in Mapy.com
Vindšachta
On the outskirts of Štiavnické Bane, with a campsite and cabins for rent nearby. Open in Mapy.com
Počúvadlo
One of the most visited lakes in the area – the largest of the tajchy, with an area of about 12 hectares. It is a popular summer and winter resort with cabins and campsites. You can swim, go boating or ride pedal boats here, and in winter there are ski slopes nearby. Počúvadlo is also the most popular starting point for Sitno, the highest hill of the Štiavnické vrchy. Open in Mapy.com
Love lakes? See our list of the 13 most beautiful lakes in Slovakia.
| Lake | Distance from town | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Veľká Vodárenská | 15 min walk | short walk, photos |
| Klinger | walking distance | swimming |
| Vindšachta | Štiavnické Bane (approx. 7 km) | camping, swimming |
| Počúvadlo | approx. 12 km | swimming, boating, start of the Sitno hike |
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| A walk around the tajchy is lovely on its own – beautiful nature and plenty of places nearby to stop for a coffee or lunch. But the real magic is the story behind them. Most visitors just see a pretty lake. You, after reading this article, know better: around sixty interconnected reservoirs, water power that replaced some 2,000 people and as many horses, and the solution to the “first energy crisis” of mining. Tell that story to whoever you are with – in my experience, kids and adults alike are fascinated by it, and you will be the one who suddenly knows everything about Štiavnica. |
7. Sitno Hill and Sitno Castle
| Time needed | about 3 hours |
| Physical difficulty | easy to moderate |
| Suitable for | everyone with basic fitness |
| Admission | free |
| Elevation | 1,009 m – the highest peak of the Štiavnické vrchy |
| Best starting point | Počúvadlo lake (approx. 3 km of marked trail) |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
This volcanic mountain is a great trip not only for hiking enthusiasts but for everyone. The way to the top is not demanding – the easiest marked trail starts at Počúvadlo lake, and the whole trip does not take more than about 3 hours. Just below the summit, make sure to stop at the mysterious ruins of Sitno Castle and explore them from every side; you will also learn about the history of the place, including the times when the Turks besieged it. Sitno offers impressive views of the surrounding countryside, and even better ones from the wooden lookout tower at the top – on a clear day you can see as far as the Low Tatras and the Mátra mountains in Hungary.
8. Paradajs Hill
| Time needed | approx. 2 hours (geological nature trail, 3.9 km) |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission | free |
| Start | Radničné námestie in Banská Štiavnica / Červená studňa saddle |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
The geological nature trail is an open-air exhibition in the natural setting of Paradajs Hill, rising right above the town. Along the way, it introduces the geological structure and development of the Štiavnické vrchy, as well as the history of mining and geological research. The circular route goes from the town via the Červená studňa saddle to the top of Paradajs and back – and rewards you with some of the best views of Banská Štiavnica.
9. Svätý Anton Manor House
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission (adult) | Grand tour €22, Extended tour €18 |
| Distance from town | approx. 6 km |
| Official website | msa.sk |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
The manor house in Svätý Anton is a National Cultural Monument. It was built in 1744 by Andrej Koháry on the site of a medieval fortified castle and was rebuilt several times; later it belonged to the Coburg family. Today it serves as a museum. Interestingly, the manor is designed around the calendar: it has 4 entrances (seasons), 7 arcades (days of the week), 12 chimneys (months), 52 rooms (weeks) and 365 windows (days of the year).
On the first floor, original interiors from the Baroque period up to the second half of the 19th century are open to visitors, together with a hunting museum full of weapons and trophies. The highlight is the Golden Salon, with furniture that Maria Theresa gave as part of the wedding gift for her daughter Marie Antoinette.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| When I was a child, Svätý Anton was my favourite museum – I wanted to go back every single summer holiday. While the grown-ups admire the Golden Salon and count the 365 windows, a little boy heads straight for the hunting museum: rooms full of stuffed animals, old weapons and all kinds of historical tools. For me, it was paradise on earth. If you are travelling with kids, don’t skip it. |
10. Sklené Teplice Spa and Thermal Pool
| Time needed | half a day to a whole day |
| Physical difficulty | easy |
| Suitable for | everyone |
| Admission (adult) | thermal pool from €6; spa procedures priced separately |
| Season | summer only – June & September 12:00–18:00, July–August 9:00–18:00 |
| Official website | kupele-skleneteplice.sk |
| Map | Open in Mapy.com |
Sklené Teplice is a well-known spa village set in the rugged Štiavnické vrchy, where several thermal springs with temperatures from about 37 to 52 °C rise to the surface. Besides the spa itself, famous for its natural steam cave bath, there is a summer thermal swimming pool open to everyone. It has three pools, filled with mineral water known for its healing effects, especially on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems:
| Pool | Water temperature |
|---|---|
| Children’s pool | 32 °C |
| Swimming pool (25 m) | 26 °C |
| Sitting pool | 39 °C |
The pool area is surrounded by coniferous and deciduous trees that offer pleasant shade on hot summer days. Looking for more places like this? Check our list of the best Slovak thermal parks and hot springs.
| My Personal Experience |
|---|
| The thermal pool is great on a hot summer day, but for me the real reason to come to Sklené Teplice is the spa itself – my favourite one in Slovakia. Staying in the Goethe House, named after the famous German poet, is magical – you feel like a nobleman. And then there is Parenica, the steam cave bath with water at around 42 °C. It takes some courage to step in, but it is an experience you won’t forget. I recommend it to everyone – just check with your doctor first, as it is not suitable for children under 12 or for people with heart problems or high blood pressure. |
Best Time to Visit Banská Štiavnica and Events
Banská Štiavnica is worth a visit all year round, but every season offers something different:
| Season | What to expect | Events |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April–May) | Fewer visitors, green hills, pleasant weather for hiking to Sitno and Paradajs | – |
| Summer (June–August) | Peak season – swimming in the tajchy, the Sklené Teplice thermal pool is open, busy weekends | Jazznica – summer jazz festival |
| Autumn (September–October) | Colourful forests, comfortable temperatures | Salamander Days – the town’s biggest celebration, first half of September |
| Winter (November–March) | Quiet, often snowy streets; ski slopes nearby | Christmas markets throughout December |
Salamander Days (Salamandrové dni) are the highlight of the year. The festival culminates in a night-time procession through the town, led by a figure carrying a wooden salamander, followed by miners in historic uniforms and many costumed characters, all lit by candles and torches. The celebration is accompanied by a traditional market with crafts and live music.
Our tip: late May, June or September offer the best combination of good weather and fewer crowds. If you love Christmas atmosphere, see also our guide to the best Christmas markets in Slovakia.
How Many Days to Spend in Banská Štiavnica
Two to three days are enough to see the town and the highlights nearby. If you want to hike, swim in the tajchy and explore the whole Štiavnica region at a slower pace – in summer or in winter – plan for a week. The list above covers only the best of what Banská Štiavnica has to offer.
| Day | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Old Castle, Holy Trinity Square, Kammerhof, New Castle, evening walk to Veľká Vodárenská |
| Day 2 | Glanzenberg mine tour (Fri/Sat), Calvary, Paradajs nature trail |
| Day 3 | Počúvadlo and the hike to Sitno, afternoon at the Svätý Anton manor house or the Sklené Teplice thermal pool |
How to Get to Banská Štiavnica
Travelling by train and bus is more ecological and friendlier to the town itself. However, expect to change at least once – direct connections are rare, so getting to Štiavnica by public transport needs some planning. The Hron river valley is the main transport corridor: the R1 expressway and the Bratislava – Zvolen railway line run through it, and from several points along the valley you can head into the Štiavnické vrchy. By train, you usually change at Hronská Dúbrava to the local line to Banská Štiavnica.
| From | By car | By public transport |
|---|---|---|
| Bratislava | approx. 2 hours (R1 expressway) – route | train to Hronská Dúbrava, then local train or bus |
| Zvolen | approx. 40 minutes – route | direct bus or train via Hronská Dúbrava |
| Budapest | approx. 2.5 hours – route | train to Bratislava or Zvolen, then as above |
Flying in? The nearest international airports are Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest and Košice – more in our article about airports in Slovakia.
Plan your journey: cp.sk (all trains and buses in Slovakia) | ZSSK – Slovak railways
FAQ about Banská Štiavnica
Is Banská Štiavnica worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the best-preserved historic towns in Slovakia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with castles, a real mining gallery you can walk through and beautiful mining lakes and hills right around the town.
How many days do you need in Banská Štiavnica?
Two to three days are enough for the town and the main sights nearby. Plan a week if you want to hike and explore the whole Štiavnické vrchy region.
Can you visit a real mine in Banská Štiavnica?
Yes – the Glanzenberg Mining Gallery right in the town centre. Tours take about 90 minutes, run on Fridays and Saturdays and must be booked in advance.
Can you swim in the tajchy?
Yes, several of the mining lakes are popular for swimming in summer – especially Počúvadlo, Klinger and Vindšachta.
Is the Bank of Love open?
Not at the moment. The museum has been closed for reconstruction since the fire in March 2023 and the reopening date has not been announced yet.
How do I get to Banská Štiavnica from Bratislava?
By car it takes about 2 hours via the R1 expressway. By public transport, take the train towards Zvolen and change at Hronská Dúbrava.
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Photo credits
- Banská Štiavnica old town seen from the New Castle: Adrian Tync / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
- The New Castle: Jan Starec / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)
- Entrance to the Glanzenberg gallery: Ladislav Luppa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- Holy Trinity Square – the Bank of Love is just a few steps away: Juraj Kubica / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
- Kammerhof – Slovak Mining Museum: Ladislav Luppa / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- The Banská Štiavnica Calvary: Synalik / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- Počúvadlo, the largest of the tajchy: Daniel Skreno / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 (resized)
- Sitno hill: Michalsmr / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
- Banská Štiavnica seen from Paradajs: Palickap / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)
- Svätý Anton manor house: Branik P / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)
- Sklené Teplice spa: Ľuboš Repta / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
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