Oravský Podzámok · Slovakia
A medieval fortress perched on a cliff, home to the Orava Museum and one of Slovakia’s most photographed castles.
Pick a date and time below.
Welcome to Orava Castle
Rising sheer from a 112-metre limestone crag above the Orava River, Oravský hrad has guarded this valley since the 13th century. Today its terraced courtyards and 150-plus rooms hold the Orava Museum — and one of the country’s best castle views.
Discover the castle
Eight centuries of sieges and rebuilding — three castles stacked up the cliff, over 150 rooms, and the Orava Museum inside.
Tours, seasonal opening hours, tickets and accessibility — everything you need before you arrive.
Choose a tour and reserve your date and time online in a couple of minutes.
The castle in every mood — morning mist, golden sunset and deep winter snow.
A lake, an open-air folk museum and the Roháče mountains — three easy day trips.
The castle on the map, with directions for your visit.
The “eagle’s nest”
The castle’s jagged profile climbing the rock has made it one of the most filmed and photographed landmarks in Slovakia. In 1922 it stood in for Count Orlok’s Transylvanian lair in F. W. Murnau’s silent horror masterpiece Nosferatu — and it has drawn film crews and photographers ever since.
What visitors say
One of the most beautiful castles I have ever seen. Perched high on a rock, the views over the Orava river are unforgettable and the guided tour was genuinely fascinating. Worth every one of the many steps!
A magical place with real history — you can feel it in every courtyard. Fun fact: the original Nosferatu was filmed here in 1922, and it absolutely looks the part. The night tour in summer was the highlight of our trip.
Absolutely stunning and well worth the trip to northern Slovakia. The museum inside is rich and varied, the staff were friendly, and the whole castle is beautifully kept. Wear good shoes — the climb is steep but the reward is incredible.
Make a day of it
One of Slovakia’s largest reservoirs, a short drive north of the castle. Come for boat trips, swimming and lakeside walks — and look for the church tower of the flooded Slanica village rising above the water.
An open-air folk museum (skanzen) beneath the Roháče peaks. Wander streets of original wooden houses, a working watermill and a Gothic church moved here log by log, recreating rural Orava life of centuries past.
The wild, less-crowded corner of the Tatras. Day-hike to glacial lakes and waterfalls through pine forest and alpine meadows, with some of Slovakia’s most dramatic mountain scenery as your reward.
Plan your visit
Secure your tour online and skip the queue. Opening hours and tours change with the season — check the current schedule before you set out.