Frequently asked questions
Is the tour really in English?
Yes. Bojnice runs a limited number of English-language guided departures each day — typically late morning and early afternoon — alongside its Slovak ones. We reserve one of those English slots specifically for you, so your guide leads the tour in English. Because there are only a couple each day and around 45 places in each, they are the first to sell out in high season, which is exactly why booking ahead matters.
What does the tour include?
A guided walk through Bojnice Castle and its travertine cave: the richly decorated golden halls, the Pálffy family apartments, the castle chapel, the central courtyard and the natural cave that opens 26 metres beneath the fourth courtyard. It is the castle's standard full route, led by a guide.
Do I choose a date and time?
Yes. Entry to Bojnice is by timed guided departure, so you pick the date and we reserve you onto an English-language tour at a set time that day. Your time is shown on your ticket — simply arrive a little before it and meet your tour.
How and when do I get my ticket?
We send your ticket to your email once your booking is confirmed — a mobile ticket you show on your phone, with nothing to print. You'll also receive a short 5-minute audio history to enjoy before you go.
How long does the tour take?
The standard guided tour of the chambers and cave takes roughly an hour. Allow extra time to enjoy the courtyards, the castle park, the King Matthias lime tree and the views over the moat before or after your departure.
How do I get to Bojnice Castle?
Bojnice sits beside the town of Prievidza in central-western Slovakia, about two hours from Bratislava and a similar drive from Vienna. From Prievidza's train or bus station the castle is a short taxi, local bus or walk through the spa park. There is paid parking near the castle and the adjacent zoo.
Why is Bojnice called a fairy-tale castle?
Because Count Ján Pálffy rebuilt it between 1888 and 1910 as a romantic imitation of the Gothic châteaux of France's Loire valley, with pointed towers, turrets and a moat. The storybook silhouette, the golden interiors and the castle's famous ghost festival have made it Slovakia's best-loved castle and a favourite film location.
What is the cave beneath the castle?
A natural travertine cave, about 22 metres across and 6 metres high, that opens 26 metres below the castle's fourth courtyard. It was rediscovered in 1888 during Pálffy's reconstruction and is now part of the guided tour route — a striking natural counterpoint to the decorated halls above.
Is Bojnice Castle good for children?
Very. The turreted château looks straight out of a storybook, the cave and the ghost legends capture children's imaginations, and Bojnice Zoo — the oldest in Slovakia — sits right beside the castle park for an easy add-on. The guided tour involves stairs and the cave descent, so keep younger children close on the route.
Do I need my passport or ID?
The standard adult ticket is not personalised and needs no passport. Reduced tickets — for students, visitors aged 62 or over, and disability-card holders — may require you to show a valid ID or card at the gate to prove eligibility.
Is the castle open all year?
Yes, on a seasonal timetable. Tours run Tuesday to Sunday, with longer hours in the main season (roughly 09:00–17:00) and shorter hours in winter; the castle is usually closed on Mondays outside peak periods and reshapes its schedule around special events like the ghost festival. Confirm the timetable for your date.
What is the King Matthias lime tree?
A great linden in the castle grounds, said to be around 700 years old and among the oldest documented trees in Slovakia. Local tradition links it to King Matthias Corvinus, who is said to have dispensed justice beneath it. You can see it in the park by the castle.
Can I visit the Bojnice Zoo too?
Yes — the zoo is separately ticketed and sits right next to the castle park, making it an easy pairing, especially for families. Our ticket covers the castle-and-cave guided tour; the zoo is a lovely add-on if you have a half-day.
Can I change my mind after booking?
All bookings are final once confirmed; we only issue a refund in the rare event the operator cannot honour a validly issued ticket. If your plans shift, contact our team and we'll help where the operator's rules allow. See our terms for the full policy.
Are you the official Bojnice ticket office?
No. We're an independent concierge service for international visitors. We buy genuine tour tickets on your behalf from the castle's official ticketing, run by the Slovak National Museum, and secure you an English-language departure — our service fee is included in the price shown. You can always buy directly from the operator if you prefer.
What currency am I charged in?
The price you see is the price you pay — we show it in your local currency where we can and charge exactly that amount, with no surprise fees at checkout. Payment is by card on a secure page.