Tourism and sports
Žilina offers many opportunities for tourists. Accomodation is provided by several hotels, motels and campings in the vicinity of the town. The city itself provides a lot of catering facilities of different types starting with fast-food through restaurants and canteens to the Chinese Restaurant. However, the most typical dish of the entire Region of Žilina is "bryndzové halušky" (pasta with soft sheep cheese) and dairy products made of sheep cheese: "korbáčiky", "parenica" and "oštiepok".
Pleasant are the walks through pedestrian zone that is one of the longest in Slovakia. It starts at the Railway Station by the Národná ulica (National Street), continues with the Square of Andrej Hlinka and Parish Steps to the Square of Virgin Mary, through Bottova St. to the Square of Ľudovít Štúr and Bernolákova St.
Some opportunities for tourism and sports have been already mentioned in the chapter Walks Through the Town. In northern part of the town, straight above the centre, you can see the Dubeň Hill (613 m a.s.l). Every year on 17 July, on the day when the sovereignity of the Slovak Republic was declared a celebration is held by the bonfire called The Bonfire of Sovereignty. On the top of the Straník Hill (769 m a.s.l.) are two ski tows, and it has the best conditions for paragliding in Slovakia with frequent competitions held in this place. In western part of the town is the Hill Veľké Hradisko (641 m a.s.l). Opportunities for cross-country skiing are also in the outskirts of the town.
In Budatín have their seat the Horse-Riders' Club Montana practising park cour, horsemanship courses, and horse riding school.
In the town quarter Bytčica under constraction is the construction of automotodrome.
Currently the most successful sports in Žilina are: volleyball (men ŠK Stavbár, women VK Slávia Žilina Universiy), basketball (men BK Váhostav Žilina, women BK Lokomotíva), football (City Sport Club), also women (ŠKF VIX), body building (Sportcentrum). Excellent results on world level achieve sportsmen of TJ Sokol Žilina on wild water (Jaroslav Slúčik and Vladimír Vala).
The town's environs
East from Žilina is the mountain range Malá Fatra (Lesser Fatra) proclaimed in 1988 the National Park, covering 22,630 ha. The National Park can boast of 900 species of plants, and rich assortment of animals: 3,000 species of avertebrates and 210 species of vertebrates, e.g. Brown Bear, Lynx, predator birds - Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon. The Lesser Fatra is divided by Strečno Passageway into two parts: northern part Krivánska Fatra (the Kriváň Fatra) with the highest peak - Veľký Kriváň (Greater Kriváň) 1,709 m a.s.l. The mountain as well as the whole ridge is easily accessible by a chair-lift from Vrátna Valley to Snilovské Saddle (1,500 m a.s.l.). Among the most impressive montains of Slovakia ranks Veľký Rozsutec (1,610 m a.s.l.). It consists of dolomites of Mesozoic ("Choč cover") which form the morphologically most rugged mountains.
Greater and Lesser Rozsutec
The starting point to Krivánska Fatra is a typical village Terchová which is 25 km from Žilina. The local church consecrated to St. Cyril and St. Methodeus treasures the wood carved Bethlehem. The village also boasts of the exhibition of Považské Museum, dedicated to Juraj Jánošík (1688-1713), the Slovak national hero. On a hill behind the village is a statue of Jánošík by Ján Kulich (1988). Terchová is the venue of Jánošík's Days, a folk festival with international participation organised annually in first days of August. The main programme takes place at the amphitheatre Pod Borami. In winter another attractive event found its home in Terchová: competition of sledge-pulling dogs of Nordic breeds. In the village several ensembles of folk music and dances (e.g. Mucha brothers) perform, and folk artists - wood carvers. The typical souvenir from Terchová is a wood carved hatchstick, wooden scoops and other wood carved items.
Passageway in Vrátna Valley
Behind Tiesňavy (The Narrow Passageway) a unique Vrátna Valley opens, with numerous opportunities for skiing and hiking. Tiesňavy with rock phenomena resembling a camel, a monk and a crocodile are attracting many tourists. To the most beautiful spots belong canyons with waterfalls - Horné, Dolné and Nové Diery (The Upper, Lower and New Holes) and Skalné mesto (The Rock Town) rock formations of bizarre shapes. Vrátna abounds with excellent skiing slopes for demanding skiers but also for beginners, well equipped with ski-tows - Chleb, Paseky, Poludňový Grúň etc. The area possesses 2 chair lifts and 19 ski-tows with the total capacity 6,000 persons/h. Picturesque is the village Štefanová bellow Veľký Rozsutec. Near the building where the chair-lift to Cheb starts is the Symbolic Cemetery with tablets bearing the names of the victims of these mountains. The motto of the cemetery reads:" Memory to the dead and warning to the alive".
On the way to Terchová you can find several intersting places. In Teplička nad Váhom, the village about 5 km from Žilina in the local Roman Catholic Church of St. Martin, rests a mummified body of Žofia Bosniaková once lady of Strečno Castle. Near Varín, the village 10 km from Žilina, are excellent opportunities for skiing (Pod Javorinou). Two kilometers behind Varín, at the village of Krasňany, installed is the natural-historical exhibition of Považské Museum - all exhibited items collected from the nearby national Park Lesser Fatra.
The southern part of Lesser Fatra - Lúčanská Fatra with the highest mountain Veľká Lúka (1,476 m a.s.l.) starts with hills and picturesque valleys already behind the nearby villages Višňové (skiing slopes, tows) and Turie. Excellent conditions for tourism and skiing are at Martinské Hole (Krížava). An easy access is from Martin (about 30 km from Žilina) by a chair lift.
By the side of the state road I/18, about 10 km from Žilina to Martin are the village Strečno and the Strečno Castle, founded in the 14th century. The castle was in 17th century destroyed by fire. After almost 15 years of reconstruction, in 1993 it became an attractive destination for the tourists. At the castle there is a permanent exhibition of Považské Museum. From the castle is an excellent view to the mountains of Lesser Fatra and to the Strečno passageway with tunnels and bridges. Over the Strečno village, on a hill called Zvonica (The Belfry) is a Memorial to French Querilla Fighters fallen in the Slovak National Uprising in 1944. Every year at the end of August a ceremony is held here - wreaths are laid in the presence of representatives of the state, surrounding villages, diplomatic court and delegations from France.
Over the village Stráňavy, on the mountain Polom, in the place called Javorina is a memorial to the soldiers fallen in the World War II. Every year at this place representatives of the state, the Army of the Slovak Republic, surrounding villages and diplomatic court commemorate the end of the war in 1945.
Attraction is also “kompa" - an old-style raft ferry connecting Strečno village with the opposite bank of River Váh, so that the tourists can continue either to Terchová or to the ruins of Starhrad Castle.
A very interesting place only 15 km from Žilina are the ruins of Lietava Castle, built in the 14th century. Judging by size it is in Slovakia second only to Spiš Castle. In early 18th century the castle was already derelict. The castle can be the starting point for the trips to Súľovské skaly (Súľov Rocks).
Interesting places are also in the basin of Rajčanka River. South of Žilina (about 15 km) is the spa town Rajecké Teplice.
Thermal springs 38°C warm hydro-carbonated, calcium-magnesium-containing curative water are employed for the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases of locomotor organs and neurologic disorders. In a beautiful setting located is an innovated artificial lake with fountains, and the thermal swimming pool Laura. The panorama of the spa town is complemented by Skalky (778 m a.s.l.). To the spa belongs also a secession mansion in the valley behind the village - Kunerad (5 km east from the spa). Further to the south, about 20 km from Žilina, is the town of Rajec with well known wood working enterprise Rezbár and with thermal swimming pool Veronika.
Artificial Lake at Rajecké Teplice
Next to Rajec is Rajecká Lesná - the village belonging to the most important centre of pilgrims in Slovakia. A unique piece of art here is the wood carved Slovak Bethlehem, in which beside biblical motives also the important places of Slovakia with the typical crafts for particular regions materialised in wood. In motion are tens of wooden figurines. The symbol of the city of Žilina - the towers of Parish Church - is placed in the very centre of the Bethlehem. It is 8 m long and 2 m high. It was carved by Master Jozef Pekara of Rajecké Teplice. All is financed from the voluntary contributions of believers.
Rajecká Lesná - the Slovak Bethlehem and Jozef Pekara, the wood carver
At the end of Rajecká Valley (about 40 km from Žilina), on the south border of the District of Žilina, is a picturesque village of Čičmany with characteristic painted ornaments on the wooden houses. Installed in Raden's House is an exhibition of Považské Museum. In the village there is a former mansion, now offering accommodation and restaurant services. Of high quality are also the skiing slopes with tows (Javorinka).
Čičmany (Raden's House)
Žilina Airport is situated 10 km west of Žilina, near Dolný Hričov. Here you can rent a look-out flight over Žilina and its outskirts. In the airport area every year the motorcycle competition with international participation is organised (Grand Prix of Slovakia, August-September), and the Regional Dog Show. A touristically attractive area near the airport, though already on the territory of Bytča District, are Súľovské skaly (Súľov Rocks) - about 20 km from Žilina, formed by Palaeogene rocks. The phenomenon has been protected by law since 1931, and proclaimed State Protected Area in 1973. Nearby is an extraordinary natural phenomenon The Hričov Rock Needle.
On the right bank of the River Váh is the District town Bytča known for its Renaissance Castle, and the Brewery producing Popper beer (the name of the family of the last owners of the castle). The brewery was found in 1604. In 1887 Bytča was born ThDr, Jozef Tiso, the first president of the Slovak Republic in the years 1939 - 1945 (died at 1947).