Experience in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, by Michal

What is it like to live in Banska Bystrica? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

While studies I lived in the city of Banská Bystrica and I enjoyed it quite a lot. It is a "students' city", so during the academic year there are students all over the city since there is a university.

I would recommend visiting it as there are many places to visit from cultural sites, hills (the city is surrounded by hills), clubs and pubs or hiking in nature.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Banska Bystrica?

Students like to visit clubs and pubs after school. There are more places available for students to visit and students like them such as Nautilus Pub - Stará Ponorka (Old Submarine), Klub 77 (Club 77) where concerts of various bands take place and there are more disco clubs - for example Ministry of Fun (believed to be the biggest disco club in Slovakia).

How much does it cost to live in Banska Bystrica?

There are different types of accommodation: one can stay at student dormitory (which is cheaper) or at a private apartment which might be more expensive than dormitory option. There should also be some hostels.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Banska Bystrica? Is there any advice you can give?

See the answer above.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There are diverse meals provided at restaurants, fast foods or buffets. As for me, I like meal consisting of meat and potatoes in general.

What places would you recommend visiting in Banska Bystrica?

1. Light hike on the hill of Urpín.

2. Calvary at the hill of Urpín.

3. Museum of the Slovak National Uprising.

4. Špania Dolina: a very nice and beautiful town close to Banska Bystrica.

5. Záhrada – Centrum nezávislej kultúry (Garden - Centre of independent culture): a place to go when you want to attend a cultural, musical or movie event.

6. Historic sights in the city: clock tower with a view, Thurzo's House (this is a museum), one of the top places to see is Town Castle Barbakan basically in the centre of the city.

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Some links you can visit are: bit. ly/1L66oiW and bit. ly/1N3LUb3.

Is it good to eat out in Banska Bystrica? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

My favourite spots are:

1. Olivo (restaurant with mainly Italian meals).
2. Bernardov dvor.
3. Magnoli Pizzeria.
4. Mašľa (loose translation is Ribbon): it is a fastfood, for me even better than McDonalds, really great and tasty baked meal products with breadstuff. A really good choice when having had a couple of beers when you get hungry in the night.

Is the nightlife good in Banska Bystrica? Where is good to go?

There are more places available for students to visit and students like them such as Nautilus Pub - Stará Ponorka (Old Submarine), Klub 77 (Club 77) where concerts of various bands take place and there are more disco clubs - for example Ministry of Fun (believed to be the biggest disco club in Slovakia) or Kapitol Pub.

What advice would you give future students heading to Banska Bystrica?

If you decide to visit the city, have a nice trip in the city, enjoy all the places I mentioned, but do visit places near Banska Bystrica as well - in this region there are many mining cities which are really beautiful to visit, so my advice is to take hiking boots, no matter if you are visiting in summer or winter.

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