Žilina is a town in Central Slovakia with population of over 80,000, and the capital city of the Žilina administrative region.
Zilina is the fourth largest town in Slovakia. Kia Motors Company has a large plant in Zilina. In 2017, Kia Motors Slovakia manufactured 335,600 passenger vehicles for customers from over 80 countries. A lot of Kia employees from Korea have moved to Zilina, so you can find specialized Korean food sections in some larger supermarkets and some Korean restaurants.
Zilina is an important transport junction point linking south (Bratislava, Vienna) with north (Kraków, Warsaw) and east (Kosice, Ukraine) with west (Ostrava, Prague).
Take a stroll in the historic centre and admire the old churches.
- From steps in front of Farsky kostel (church up from Hlinkovo namestie square) you can see beautiful mountains around - Mala Fatra.
- Mariánske námestie. Once it was a market place, today lively central square of the town with arcades.
- Považská galéria umenia, Ul. Štefánikova č.2. Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00, Su 10:00-16:00. Regularly changing exhibitions in a variety of forms, sometimes modern, sometimes more traditional. Well worth a visit. €1 per exhibition, €3 for entire museum. Half price for students, pensioners and children.
- Holy Trinity Cathedral, Horný Val 1. Roman Catholic church from the 15th century, one of the town's most significant monuments.
- Budatín Castle, Topoľová 1. Beautiful 13th-century castle with a nice park on the confluence of two rivers. The castle is closed for reconstruction, but the park is open.
- Galéria plusminusnula, J. M. Hurbana 220/11 (next to Nova Synagoga. M-F 12:00-17:00. Exhibition space for contemporary art, with a new exhibition every month. Free.
Mariánske námestie. Once it was a market place, today lively central square of the town with arcades.
Považská galéria umenia, Ul. Štefánikova č.2. Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00, Su 10:00-16:00. Regularly changing exhibitions in a variety of forms, sometimes modern, sometimes more traditional. Well worth a visit. €1 per exhibition, €3 for entire museum. Half price for students, pensioners and children.
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Horný Val 1. Roman Catholic church from the 15th century, one of the town's most significant monuments.
Budatín Castle, Topoľová 1. Beautiful 13th-century castle with a nice park on the confluence of two rivers. The castle is closed for reconstruction, but the park is open.
Galéria plusminusnula, J. M. Hurbana 220/11 (next to Nova Synagoga. M-F 12:00-17:00. Exhibition space for contemporary art, with a new exhibition every month. Free.
- Zilina dam. Do running, walking, inline skating, cycling, beach volleyball
- Lesopark Žilina, Veľký diel (between quarters Solinky and Vlcince. Walking, running, barbecue, high-rope adventure park
- Stanica cultural node. In the building of old and still operating train station Zilina-Zariecie. Concerts, theater performances, films (often in English or with English subtitles), festivals, exhibitions, discussions, bar.
- Dom umenia Fatra, Jozefa Vuruma 139, +421 412451111. Weekly classical performances by the State Chamber Orchestra Žilina. Tickets at navstevnik.sk from €5.
Zilina dam. Do running, walking, inline skating, cycling, beach volleyball
Lesopark Žilina, Veľký diel (between quarters Solinky and Vlcince. Walking, running, barbecue, high-rope adventure park
Stanica cultural node. In the building of old and still operating train station Zilina-Zariecie. Concerts, theater performances, films (often in English or with English subtitles), festivals, exhibitions, discussions, bar.
Dom umenia Fatra, Jozefa Vuruma 139, +421 412451111. Weekly classical performances by the State Chamber Orchestra Žilina. Tickets at navstevnik.sk from €5.
- Dubeň Shopping Center, Vysokoškolákov 52. Large shopping mall south of the city centre offering wide range of stores.
- cheese - get local cheese from cheese shops, much better and fresher than from supermarkets, e.g. Syrmix on Narodna street or Kuzmanyho Street, shops close to market
- Fruit and vegetable market - during season good source of vegetable and fruits, sometime you can find here locals with only their things (not from big stores). Over corner of Kuzmanyho and Halkova street.
Dubeň Shopping Center, Vysokoškolákov 52. Large shopping mall south of the city centre offering wide range of stores.
cheese - get local cheese from cheese shops, much better and fresher than from supermarkets, e.g. Syrmix on Narodna street or Kuzmanyho Street, shops close to market
Fruit and vegetable market - during season good source of vegetable and fruits, sometime you can find here locals with only their things (not from big stores). Over corner of Kuzmanyho and Halkova street.
Cheap cheese typical for region:
- "bryndza" - soft cheese (great on fresh bread)
- "korbáčiky", "nite" - great snack
- "parenica"
- "oštiepok" - smoked sheep cheese, similar to Polish "oscypek"
Typical dishes:
- "kapustnica" - soup with sauerkraut and sausage
- "bryndzové halušky" - pasta dumplings with bryndza (soft sheep cheese)
- "strapačky" - pasta dumplings with sauer kraut
Every restaurant has non-smoking part (by law).
During lunch hours (12:00-14:00) most restaurants offer a 'denne menu' with a few set meal options for €3-5. Expect a typical Slovak plate; potatoes, cabbage and a slab of meat, or a plate of pasta with cheese. Always soup will be included, likely a chicken broth (vyvar) or garlic soup.
- Cosmo Asian Restaurant, Kuzmányho 100. 11:00-23:00 daily. Nice looking restaurant. They have daily menus all day for about €4 including soup.
- Slovenska koliba, Kuzmanyho. Typical Slovak looking building with typical Slovak dishes
- Trattoria Pepe, Jozefa Vuruma 5 (close to Marianske Namestie. Pork or chicken escalopes (wiener schnitzel), chicken and pasta dish, a meat and rice dish, served with potatoes and vegetable and a drink, all for a very reasonable €4. Pleasant little place.
- Na bráne, Bottova 10. M-Sa 08:30-23:00. Cheap restaurant with typical Slovak food. Very popular with locals for lunch and dinner, and arguably the cheapest Aperol Spritz in all of Slovakia. Only set meals, no á la carte dishes. Covered terrace in summer. Daily menu €4 including soup and Kofola.
Cosmo Asian Restaurant, Kuzmányho 100. 11:00-23:00 daily. Nice looking restaurant. They have daily menus all day for about €4 including soup.
Slovenska koliba, Kuzmanyho. Typical Slovak looking building with typical Slovak dishes
Trattoria Pepe, Jozefa Vuruma 5 (close to Marianske Namestie. Pork or chicken escalopes (wiener schnitzel), chicken and pasta dish, a meat and rice dish, served with potatoes and vegetable and a drink, all for a very reasonable €4. Pleasant little place.
Na bráne, Bottova 10. M-Sa 08:30-23:00. Cheap restaurant with typical Slovak food. Very popular with locals for lunch and dinner, and arguably the cheapest Aperol Spritz in all of Slovakia. Only set meals, no á la carte dishes. Covered terrace in summer. Daily menu €4 including soup and Kofola.
- Korzo, Mariánske námestie 13, +421904554455. Su-Th 08:00-22:00, F Sa 08:00-0:00. Modern, slightly upscale restaurant and terrace on the central square. Good food, excellent lemonades.
- Reštaurácia Vix, Sládkovičová 3 (in the corner of square "Marianske namestie", +421 41 562 6401. Every day 10:00-23:00. Stylish and modern. Video games, casino and billiard upstairs. €3-13.
- Voyage Voyage, Mariánske námestie 191/14. Up in the second of the square is very agreeable.
Korzo, Mariánske námestie 13, +421904554455. Su-Th 08:00-22:00, F Sa 08:00-0:00. Modern, slightly upscale restaurant and terrace on the central square. Good food, excellent lemonades.
Reštaurácia Vix, Sládkovičová 3 (in the corner of square "Marianske namestie", +421 41 562 6401. Every day 10:00-23:00. Stylish and modern. Video games, casino and billiard upstairs. €3-13.
Voyage Voyage, Mariánske námestie 191/14. Up in the second of the square is very agreeable.
- Manzo Steak & Burger, Antona Bernoláka 44, +421948855338. M Tu & Th 11:00-22:00, W 08:00-22:00, F 08:00-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00. Relatively new restaurant which is quickly gaining in popularity. Wide choice of steaks of different cuts and burgers, neatly served. They also have a few vegetarian options.
- Vulcano, Za plavárňou 8121/1. Daily menus for €5.5. Solid gelato around corner.
Manzo Steak & Burger, Antona Bernoláka 44, +421948855338. M Tu & Th 11:00-22:00, W 08:00-22:00, F 08:00-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00. Relatively new restaurant which is quickly gaining in popularity. Wide choice of steaks of different cuts and burgers, neatly served. They also have a few vegetarian options.
Vulcano, Za plavárňou 8121/1. Daily menus for €5.5. Solid gelato around corner.
There are many pubs, restaurants and tearooms around town. Beer is especially cheap at just over €1 per half litre.
There are a few pubs and bars on the main square. There is an Irish bar, aptly named 'Guinness' and also a disco style bar called Royales.
Typical Slovak (and Czech) soft drink is Kofola. Kind of coke drink, not so sweet.
- Trojka pub, Horný val 8/17. Good place to meet, drink and have something to eat. They have also English menu card.
- Beervana, Kuzmányho 104/8, +421 902696156. M-Th 16:00-00:00, F Sa 16:00-02:00. Twelve different beers on tap, changing regularly. Also other drinks, snack foods and pizza on the menu. A bit expensive by local standards but worth it for the assortment and ambiance. English speaking staff and menu. Good for groups.
- Na 7. schode, Antona Bernolaka 2. M-Sa 16:00-00:00, F until 01:00. Small sit-down pub with good atmosphere and music at a good level for conversations with friends or strangers. Very good specialty beers on offer. Cash only.
Trojka pub, Horný val 8/17. Good place to meet, drink and have something to eat. They have also English menu card.
Beervana, Kuzmányho 104/8, +421 902696156. M-Th 16:00-00:00, F Sa 16:00-02:00. Twelve different beers on tap, changing regularly. Also other drinks, snack foods and pizza on the menu. A bit expensive by local standards but worth it for the assortment and ambiance. English speaking staff and menu. Good for groups.
Na 7. schode, Antona Bernolaka 2. M-Sa 16:00-00:00, F until 01:00. Small sit-down pub with good atmosphere and music at a good level for conversations with friends or strangers. Very good specialty beers on offer. Cash only.
- Free open wifi on Námestie A. Hlinku (lower square) and Marianské námestie (upper square), as well as in the central shopping malls Aupark and Mirage.
- Amazing photogallery of everything in Zilina including photos of hotels, shops, parks, hills, quarters, transport, schools, churches, industries, health centers.
- Pošta Žilina 1, Sládkovičova 14 (opposite Nova Synagoga and Rosenfeld Palace, +421 415126210. M-F 07:00-19:00, Sa 08:00-12:00. Send letters and packages, SIM cards and credit, point of sale for ticketportal.sk
- Tourist Information Office, Námestie A. Hlinku 9 (freestanding kiosk, look for a big green info sign, +421 417233186. M-F 09:00-17:00, Jun-Sep also Sa Su 09:00-14:00. Run by enthusiastic staff that know everything about the city. They can tell you about all the events and current exhibitions.
Free open wifi on Námestie A. Hlinku (lower square) and Marianské námestie (upper square), as well as in the central shopping malls Aupark and Mirage.
Amazing photogallery of everything in Zilina including photos of hotels, shops, parks, hills, quarters, transport, schools, churches, industries, health centers.
Pošta Žilina 1, Sládkovičova 14 (opposite Nova Synagoga and Rosenfeld Palace, +421 415126210. M-F 07:00-19:00, Sa 08:00-12:00. Send letters and packages, SIM cards and credit, point of sale for ticketportal.sk
Tourist Information Office, Námestie A. Hlinku 9 (freestanding kiosk, look for a big green info sign, +421 417233186. M-F 09:00-17:00, Jun-Sep also Sa Su 09:00-14:00. Run by enthusiastic staff that know everything about the city. They can tell you about all the events and current exhibitions.
Like any central European town, be practical. The railway station is not the greatest place to "have" to stop over in for any length of time based on experience. Suggest avoid waiting room, and stay near kiosks. Otherwise, Zilina is fine. Enjoy!
There are many great places close to Zilina.
- Starhrad ruin (11 km) - on hill in the middle of forest with great view to river meander. Do a day trip: by train to Strecno, go to Strecno castle, cross river and go up to Starhrad and back.
- Strecno castle (11 km) - big castle just next road to Liptovský Mikuláš, paid entrance, open daily 09:00-18:00 (last entrance 17:15). By train or bus to Strecno village.
- Lietava ruin (10 km)- nice looking, on the way to Rajecke Teplice
- Sulov castle ruin (28 km) - on the top of rock in Sulovske skaly (Sulov rocks)
- Hricov ruin (13 km) - nice walk from village Hričovske Podhradie
Starhrad ruin (11 km) - on hill in the middle of forest with great view to river meander. Do a day trip: by train to Strecno, go to Strecno castle, cross river and go up to Starhrad and back.
Strecno castle (11 km) - big castle just next road to Liptovský Mikuláš, paid entrance, open daily 09:00-18:00 (last entrance 17:15). By train or bus to Strecno village.
Lietava ruin (10 km)- nice looking, on the way to [[Rajecke Teplice]]
Sulov castle ruin (28 km) - on the top of rock in Sulovske skaly (Sulov rocks)
Hricov ruin (13 km) - nice walk from village Hričovske Podhradie
- Malá Fatra - with centre in Vratna (start of hiking tracks, lift, ski resort) and Terchova (big wooden creche in church). Possible tours:
- Janosikove horne a dolne diery: start in Stefanova
- To Chleb and walk on the mountain edge
- Jánošíkove Diery: Buses leave in Žilina from the main bus station to Terchová. From Terchová you can then walk 2 km to the entry of Jánošíkove Diery.
- Sulov rocks (Sulovske skaly) - start from village Sulov-Hradna. You can do circle around and visit also Sulov castle ruin.
- Stranik - popular with paragliding, great view over Zilina, the river Vah and surrounding mountains. Take bus no. 27 to Zastranie to last stop.
[[Malá Fatra]] - with centre in Vratna (start of hiking tracks, lift, ski resort) and Terchova (big wooden creche in church). Possible tours:
- Janosikove horne a dolne diery: start in Stefanova
- To Chleb and walk on the mountain edge
- Jánošíkove Diery: Buses leave in Žilina from the main bus station to Terchová. From Terchová you can then walk 2 km to the entry of Jánošíkove Diery.
Sulov rocks (Sulovske skaly) - start from village Sulov-Hradna. You can do circle around and visit also Sulov castle ruin.
Stranik - popular with paragliding, great view over Zilina, the river Vah and surrounding mountains. Take bus no. 27 to Zastranie to last stop.