Located just 75km north of Košice (not far from the border between Slovakia and Poland), Bardejov might just walk away with the ‘Prettiest Main Square in Slovakia’ gong. We’re not sure if that is an actual gong, but we’re going to put it on the Bardejov shelf nonetheless. Its medieval town centre has barely changed over the years, making this the most authentic traditional Slovakian centre going, which gains it extra points in that previously mentioned imaginary competition.

The Basilica of St. Giles stands in the centre of the square, a serene landmark in an idyllic piece of urban architecture, a church that has stood here since the 14th century and is indelibly linked to the past and present of Bardejov. The winged altars of the church are particularly striking, although its greatest attribute may well be its unbeatable location.

Bardejov is one of those towns that seems worthy of the ‘fairytale’ qualifier, a quaint little city where everything seems to be in the right place in the right shade with the right atmosphere. The houses that line the main square cover a whole host of colours while retaining an undeniable uniform style, that sort of image that Instagram was created for.

Getting to Bardejov from Košice isn’t difficult, no matter your mode of transport. The towns are about an hour and a quarter away from each other by bus, with that rising to two hours if train is your preferred method of movement. The easiest way to get to Bardejov is to drive, a peaceful 50km journey through the beautiful Slovakian countryside.