Bojnice, resort for the whole family

We had never heard of Bojnice before. While studying a map of Slovakia, we accidentally discovered this place and decided to stop here for a day. However, after checking the information a little deeper, we decided to stay for three nights. It turned out that Bojnice is a good family resort, children will love it.


Hotel

There are enough small hotels, there are also large spa hotels, but we, with a small child, stayed at Stream Apartment Bojnice (booking.com), 800 meters from the castle.

Bojnice Town

Thermal spa with springs of bicarbonate water. Geographically located far from the main roads and tourist routes, and therefore little known outside Slovakia. It is a suburb of the larger town of Prievidza, which has a railway station and a large shopping center 48.778471, 18.608006.

Bojnice has only one tourist street, though it's very nice, with many restaurants.




Bojnice castle (https://bojnicecastle.sk/en/)

The original castle was built here in 1113, at that time it was still wooden. Since 1646, it was owned by the ancient Hungarian noble family Pálfi. Representatives of this family rebuilt the castle several times, and it received its present appearance in 1910. The castle turned out to be similar to the French castles of the Loire valley, because its owner, Jan Pálfi, fell in love with a young French aristocrat and thus decided to lure her to Bojnice. Unfortunately, he died a bachelor, as the rebuilding of the castle took decades.












After 1945 the castle was confiscated in favor of the state. It is now a museum, though can only be visited with a guide.




There is a park around the castle, there are also restaurants and attractions for children.




Thermal pool Cajka (Seagull)

Outdoor pool overlooking the castle, consisting of several large and small pools. The kid loved it.

Zoo (https://zoobojnice.sk/)

The oldest zoo in Slovakia which was opened in 1955. Of interest is the freshly built elephant pavilion.














The Seagull in the Clouds Observation deck (https://www.facebook.com/CajkavoblakochBojnice)

Viewpoint on the mountain above the city. Paid parking here 48.781404, 18.562834, then 10 minutes on foot or by little train.














There is a large playground and a restaurant near the site.








Dinosaur Park

Dinono Dinosaur Park (48.782084, 18.564748) was under construction on the way to the observation deck in 2022.


Bojnice Lookout (48.780289, 18.566967)

We were able to get here in 2022, but as you can see on the map at https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/48.78078/18.56627, the dinosaur park has taken over the lookout, so whether you will be able to get there in the future is not clear.




Kúpelný Mlyn Restaurant (48.770627, 18.573603)

A good place, especially for families with children. There are large playgrounds and beautiful lakes near the restaurant. You can also go for a walk in the park of the thermal hotel (48.773344, 18.569355), there are some really nice places there.








Flying in a hot air balloon

We haven't flown, but it's possible.


Getting there: paid parking for the castle, pool and zoo 48.777881, 18.576444. The nearest railway station is Prievidza (4 km). From Bratislava you can also take the Slovak Lines bus.