Žilina

Žilina District · Žilina region · Slovakia
Žilina — photo 1 Žilina — photo 2 Žilina — photo 3 Žilina — photo 4 Žilina — photo 5 6

Photos: Sebastian Mierzwa, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); GiMa38, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Jakub CA, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mikaco, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); MilanS, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); János Korom Dr. >17 Million views from Wien, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Žilina is a city in north-western Slovakia, serving as the administrative centre of the Žilina region and Žilina District. Located on the Váh river at an elevation of 345 m, Žilina is surrounded by the Żywiec Beskids, Malá Fatra, Súľovské vrchy, Javorníky, and Kysucká vrchovina ranges. The city lies in a mountainous area with a humid continental climate, and is crossed by the Rosínka, Trnovka, and Všivák rivers.

The region was settled by Slavs in the 5th century, with the first Slavic fortified settlement dating to the 9th century. The first written mention of Žilina dates from 1297, and the city received town privileges in 1327. Žilina experienced fires, epidemics, and periods of decline and growth through the centuries. In the 19th century, it became an important industrial centre after the construction of railways and factories. In the 20th century, autonomy for Slovakia was declared here, and today Žilina is the fifth largest city in Slovakia and a university centre.

Žilina is known as a major industrial and transport hub, with a restored historical centre. Notable landmarks include Budatín Castle, Mariánske Square, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Burian Tower, the Town Hall, and Rosenfeld Palace. The city is surrounded by protected natural areas and mountain ranges, with hydroelectric dams on the Váh river nearby.

Visitors can explore over 40 hiking trails, such as Súľov, parking – Rajecké Teplice, Hotel Fatra, or ascend peaks like Straník, Stratenec, and Ľadonhora. Sights include Starý Hrad, Strečno Castle, and Budatín Castle with its wirework museum. Local craft can be experienced at the Brezany farm near Žilina, producing hand-made cheese strings, korbačíky, and bryndza. For relaxation, Spa Aphrodite thermal pools in Rajecké Teplice are available, and hikers can stay at the Pod Suchým hut.

Getting there from Ukraine

From Uzhhorod to Žilina is about 330 km, around 4 h 20 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 via Prešov, Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš and Ružomberok (about 17 km on I/18 between D1 sections) → Žilina. To Terchová about 314 km, 4 h 15 min: from the D1 onto I/70 and II/583. From Lviv through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to Chyżne – Trstená → R3, I/59 to Dolný Kubín → II/583 via Terchová to Žilina: to Terchová about 493 km (6 h 30 min), to Žilina about 518 km (7 h). Via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice, S1 and D3: about 533 km, 6 h 35 min. The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).

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

Trails nearby

All trails
Budatín – Krásno nad Kysucou, mestoHardMulti-dayMarkedBudatín Krásno nad Kysucou, mestoElevation profile337–912 m41.2 kmascent 1 330 m≈ 13 h walking1.3 km from the centreBudatín – Saddle under GrapaModerateOne-dayMarkedBudatín Saddle under GrapaElevation profile327–888 m17.2 kmascent 496 m≈ 5.5 h walking1.4 km from the centreŽilina, Strážov – Považská TepláHardMulti-dayMarkedŽilina, Strážov Považská TepláElevation profile289–765 m31.7 kmascent 1 869 m≈ 11.5 h walking2.2 km from the centreBánová – Lietava, majerEasyOne-dayMarkedBánová Lietava, majerElevation profile350–474 m5 kmascent 123 m≈ 1.5 h walking2.9 km from the centreTeplička nad Váhom – StraníkEasyOne-dayMarkedTeplička nad Váhom StraníkElevation profile342–769 m5 kmascent 427 m≈ 2 h walking3.9 km from the centreLietavská Lúčka – Súľov, parkingModerateOne-dayMarkedLietavská Lúčka Súľov, parkingElevation profile367–707 m15.9 kmascent 624 m≈ 5 h walking5.6 km from the centre

Peaks nearby

All peaks
StraníkPeakStraníkŽilinaaltitude 769 m6.6 km from the centreStraník is a summit 769 m high in the Kysuce Highlands of northern Slovakia, about 5 km east of Žilina.ĽadonhoraPeakĽadonhoraHorný Vadičovaltitude 999 m12 km from the centreĽadonhora is a forested 999 m summit in northern Slovakia and the second-highest peak of the Kysuce Highlands (Kysucká vrchovina).StratenecPeakStratenecKrasňanyaltitude 1 509 m17 km from the centreStratenec is a 1,509 m peak in the Lesser Fatra (Malá Fatra) in Slovakia. It stands on the main ridge of the Krivánska Fatra, about 8 km north of Vrútky and 9 km north...Chotárny kopecPeakChotárny kopecČadcaaltitude 906 m18 km from the centreChotárny kopec is a summit 906 m high in the north-eastern Javorníky, Slovakia, the second highest after Kazícka Kýčera in the Rakovská hornatina part of the range.Malý KriváňPeakMalý KriváňSučanyaltitude 1 668 m19 km from the centreMalý Kriváň (also Malý Fatranský Kriváň; Polish Mały Krywań) is a 1668 m summit and the second highest mountain of the whole Malá Fatra after Veľký Kriváň.Veľký KriváňPeakVeľký KriváňTuranyaltitude 1 708 m22 km from the centreVeľký Kriváň (Polish Wielki Krywań) is the highest peak of the Lesser Fatra (Malá Fatra) at 1,708 m. It stands on the main ridge of the Krivánska Fatra — the part of...

What to visit

All
Budatín Castle — Považie Museum and Tinkers' ExhibitionMuseumBudatín Castle — Považie Museum and Tinkers' ExhibitionŽilina1.5 km from the centreBudatín Castle (Budatínsky hrad, also Budatínsky zámok) stands in the Budatín district of Žilina, where the Kysuca flows into the Váh.Farma Brezany near Žilina: hand-stretched cheese and a distilleryCheese dairies & pasturesFarma Brezany near Žilina: hand-stretched cheese and a distilleryBrezany6 km from the centreBrezany is a village a few kilometres south of Žilina, on the edge of the Žilina basin and the foothills leading towards the Rajec valley and the Strážov Hills.Strečno CastleCastleStrečno CastleStrečno10 km from the centreThe castle guarding the gate of the Malá Fatra Strečno Castle (Hrad Strečno) stands on a 103 m limestone crag above the River Váh, 11 km from Žilina on the road to...Starý hrad (Old Castle)CastleStarý hrad (Old Castle)Nezbudská Lúčka12 km from the centreStarý hrad (Old Castle), known locally as Starhrad and in the past as Varín (Warna), is the ruin of a medieval castle on a granite crag on the right bank of the Váh,...The hole of Malá Fatra: Chleb, Snilovské sedlo and HromovéMountain meadowThe hole of Malá Fatra: Chleb, Snilovské sedlo and HromovéŠútovoaltitude 1 647 m23 km from the centreThe hole of Malá Fatra are the treeless grassy ridges in the highest, Kriváň part of the range (Krivánska Malá Fatra) in northern Slovakia, above the Vrátna valley and...Jánošík's Holes (Jánošíkove diery)NatureJánošík's Holes (Jánošíkove diery)Terchová24 km from the centreJánošíkove diery (Jánošík’s Holes), or simply Diery, is a system of narrow gorges and canyons in the Krivánska Malá Fatra near the village of Terchová, birthplace of...

Craft nearby

All craft places
Spa Aphrodite thermal pools, Rajecké TepliceWater parks & thermal poolsSpa Aphrodite thermal pools, Rajecké TepliceRajecké Teplice11 km from the centreHot mineral water rises here, and it feeds the Spa Aphrodite resort, whose thermal pools, saunas and Natural Spa zone are open not only to patients but to anyone with...Raková farm in Kysuce: bryndza, žinčica and cheese cakesCheese dairies & pasturesRaková farm in Kysuce: bryndza, žinčica and cheese cakesRaková24 km from the centreKysuce is a hilly region in north-western Slovakia, near the Polish and Czech borders, with scattered hillside hamlets (“kopanice”) and an old tradition of keeping...Salaš Orlové near Považská Bystrica: cheese, bryndza, žinčicaCheese dairies & pasturesSalaš Orlové near Považská Bystrica: cheese, bryndza, žinčicaPovažská Bystrica24 km from the centreOrlové is a part of the town of Považská Bystrica on the left bank of the Váh, at the foot of hills that rise into the Strážov Hills.Salaš Syrex in Zázrivá — Home of the Zázrivá Korbáčik CheeseCheese dairies & pasturesSalaš Syrex in Zázrivá — Home of the Zázrivá Korbáčik CheeseZázrivá27 km from the centreZázrivá is a scattered mountain village on the border of Orava and the Malá Fatra, famous throughout Slovakia for its korbáčiky: thin strings of steamed cheese braided...Nimnica: a mineral-water spa above the Nosice reservoirWater parks & thermal poolsNimnica: a mineral-water spa above the Nosice reservoirNimnica29 km from the centreNimnica is one of Slovakia's youngest spas, in the Váh valley between Púchov and Považská Bystrica. Its spa houses stand at about 300 m on a wooded spur of the...Salaš Pružina: 100% sheep’s bryndza in the Strážov HillsCheese dairies & pasturesSalaš Pružina: 100% sheep’s bryndza in the Strážov HillsPružina29 km from the centrePružina is a village in a picturesque valley of the Strážov Hills (Strážovské vrchy) west of Považská Bystrica.

Spas and thermal pools nearby

Spa Aphrodite thermal pools, Rajecké TepliceWater parks & thermal poolsSpa Aphrodite thermal pools, Rajecké TepliceRajecké Teplice11 km from the centreHot mineral water rises here, and it feeds the Spa Aphrodite resort, whose thermal pools, saunas and Natural Spa zone are open not only to patients but to anyone with...Nimnica: a mineral-water spa above the Nosice reservoirWater parks & thermal poolsNimnica: a mineral-water spa above the Nosice reservoirNimnica29 km from the centreNimnica is one of Slovakia's youngest spas, in the Váh valley between Púchov and Považská Bystrica. Its spa houses stand at about 300 m on a wooded spur of the...

Huts, shelters and springs nearby

363 mSpringHôrka SpringStrážov Mountains · SlovakiaNot verifiedOn a trailMarked as drinkable
550 mSpringSpring below Dubník (south-west slope)Strážov Mountains · SlovakiaNot verified150 m from a trail
451 mHutLovišky HutJavorníky · SlovakiaNot verifiedOpen fire inside (smoke hut)
488 mSpringSpring below Veľká skala (east slope), 488 mStrážov Mountains · SlovakiaNot verifiedOn a trail
400 mSpringSpring below OsičnáStrážov Mountains · SlovakiaNot verifiedOn a trailFlows all yearNot for drinking
674 mSpringSpring below KučerovkaŻywiec Beskids · SlovakiaNot verifiedOn a trail

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

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 to Žilina ≈330 km, ≈4 h 20 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 via Prešov, Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš and Ružomberok (≈17 km on I/18 between D1 sections) → Žilina. To Terchová ≈314 km, ≈4 h 15 min: from the D1 onto I/70 and II/583. From Lviv through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to Chyżne – Trstená → R3, I/59 to Dolný Kubín → II/583 via Terchová to Žilina: to Terchová ≈493 km (≈6 h 30 min), to Žilina ≈518 km (≈7 h). Via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice, S1 and D3: ≈533 km, ≈6 h 35 min. The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).

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

What's nearby