Žilina region

Slovakia Žilinský kraj
Žilina region — photo 1 Žilina region — photo 2 Žilina region — photo 3 Žilina region — photo 4 Žilina region — photo 5 5

Photos: Demänovská Dolina (Pe3kZA, CC BY-SA 4.0); Zuberec (Teslaton, CC BY 4.0); Terchová (Jozef Kotulič, CC BY-SA 3.0); Liptovské Revúce (Pe3kZA, CC BY-SA 4.0); Ružomberok (Mineralysk, CC0)

Žilina region is an administrative region in northern Slovakia, with Žilina as its center. Historically, the area was part of Great Moravia and later the Kingdom of Hungary. The current borders were established in 1996. The region borders Prešov, Banská Bystrica, and Trenčín regions, as well as Poland and the Czech Republic.

The region is known for its mountainous landscape, belonging to the Western Carpathians. Notable ranges include the Lesser Fatra, Greater Fatra, Javorníky, Oravská Magura, Chočské vrchy, Low and Western Tatras. The highest peak is Bystrá (2,248 m) in the Western Tatras. The Váh river and its tributaries Turiec, Rajčanka, Belá, Orava, and Kysuca flow through the area.

The site features numerous objects in the Žilina region, with the most in Liptovský Mikuláš, Žilina, Ružomberok, Martin, and Čadca districts. Visitors can find popular trails such as the Tatra Magistrala, peaks like Baníkov, Bystrá, Chopok, and Ďumbier, and sights including Demänovská Cave of Liberty, Orava Castle, and Liptovská Mara. There are also farms, cheese dairies, breweries, thermal baths, and mountain huts for relaxation.

Getting there from Ukraine

From Uzhhorod ≈275 km, ≈3 h 35 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 motorway via Prešov, Poprad and Liptovský Mikuláš to Ružomberok (≈270 km, ≈3 h 25 min from the border). From Lviv it is faster through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to the Chyżne – Trstená border → R3 and I/59 via Dolný Kubín to Ružomberok: ≈482 km, ≈6 h 15 min (via Uzhok and Ubľa ≈500 km, ≈7 h 30 min). The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).

Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, OpenStreetMap, Karpaty.rocks data.

What's nearby

Towns, villages and districts

Liptovský Mikuláš DistrictLiptovský Mikuláš Districtokres Liptovský Mikuláš82 trails, 21 peaks, 17 sightsŽilina DistrictŽilina Districtokres Žilina96 trails, 6 peaks, 8 sightsRužomberok DistrictRužomberok Districtokres Ružomberok65 trails, 9 peaks, 6 sightsMartin DistrictMartin Districtokres Martin65 trails, 6 peaks, 5 sightsČadca DistrictČadca Districtokres Čadca66 trails, 4 peaks, 3 sightsTvrdošín DistrictTvrdošín Districtokres Tvrdošín30 trails, 8 peaks, 5 sightsDolný Kubín DistrictDolný Kubín Districtokres Dolný Kubín30 trails, 3 peaks, 4 sightsNámestovo DistrictNámestovo Districtokres Námestovo25 trails, 3 peaks, 1 sightTurčianske Teplice DistrictTurčianske Teplice Districtokres Turčianske Teplice17 trails, 1 peak, 1 craft place

Getting there from Ukraine

Border crossings

  • Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké — road, 24/7
  • Malyi Bereznyi – Ubľa — road, 24/7 For cars and buses; pedestrians not confirmed by the Ukrainian border service, lorries up to 3.5 t.
  • Mali Selmentsi – Veľké Slemence (pedestrian) — pedestrian, 09:00–21:00 Kyiv time Pedestrians and cyclists only; inconvenient for the Tatras without onward transport.
  • Chop – Čierna nad Tisou (rail) — rail, 24/7

By car

From Uzhhorod ≈275 km, ≈3 h 35 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 motorway via Prešov, Poprad and Liptovský Mikuláš to Ružomberok (≈270 km, ≈3 h 25 min from the border). From Lviv it is faster through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to the Chyżne – Trstená border → R3 and I/59 via Dolný Kubín to Ružomberok: ≈482 km, ≈6 h 15 min (via Uzhok and Ubľa ≈500 km, ≈7 h 30 min). The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).

Checked 23.10.2026; border crossing hours and timetables change — check before you travel.