Wondering whether budget glamping in Slovakia is worth a try?
Well, how about staying in an awesome geodome in the middle of a beautiful forest? And for a price so low, you will think there’s been a mistake when you see it?
Sounds too good to be true?
So we thought. That’s why we decided to go check it out ourselves.
We gave budget glamping in Slovakia a go and now we’ll tell you all about it.
Here’s your guide to staying in an epic geodome on a budget.
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read our Disclaimer.
Here’s a little bit about our journey, if you are new here! If you know us, feel free to skip this part.
After leaving our old life in Scotland in March 2022 (it rains too much there), we travelled full-time for almost 2 years. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Well, it was. If you think that carrying overpacked backpacks in 45°C heat around streets that aren’t even on Google Maps is fancy. And that’s just 1% of all the fun we had! 😆
During the 2 years we volunteered in Italy and Bulgaria (free travel while learning new skills, anyone?), explored other amazing European countries and backpacked Southeast Asia. Even our secret wedding was more of an expedition than a wedding. 😅
And, of course, we researched and planned everything ourselves, because you gotta keep the budget low, right? If you are like us, you’ve come to the right place, because we want to share all the useful tips and info with you!
Excited? Good. Let’s get into it so you can go on your own adventures too!
Why should you trust us?
We’re going to keep this post fluff-free, so you get only useful information.
Why should you trust us when it comes to budget glamping in Slovakia?
The short answer:
- We are a half-Slovak (half-Scottish) couple
- We have spent a lot of time in Slovakia – years and years actually – so we know a thing or two about the country😉
- We stayed in the geodome ourselves – so we can tell you exactly what it was like there
Disclaimer
This is not a sponsored post. We stayed at the geodome as part of our travels and paid for everything ourselves. The reason we wrote this post is what we said in the intro – this dome looks too good to be true, especially given the price, so we wanted to spread the word and reassure you, that it does, in fact, exist and is as cool as it looks.
If you have any questions about visiting Slovakia or the geodome, don’t hesitate to reach out – either in the comments on this post, via our contact form or you can just DM us on our Instagram.
3 reasons why you need to give budget glamping in Slovakia a go
Not sure why you should bother going all the way to Slovakia for some glamping?
We’ll tell you:
- Glamping is awesome. It’s one of those things that everyone should experience at least once in their life – how else will you find out whether you love it or hate it? (Although, chances are super low you’d hate it, especially if you pick an epic place, like this dome!)
- Slovakia is still very much an undiscovered country, so if you are looking for a holiday without crowds, that’s different from where all your friends go, this is the perfect place.
- While prices in Slovakia are rising (thanks, sucky government), many things are still much more affordable there, such as transport, restaurants, alcohol, and accommodation. This means you can stay in this incredible geodome on a budget!
Where is the glamping dome located?
You’ve seen a couple pics of how awesome the geodome looks.
Now let’s talk a bit about where in Slovakia the dome is located.
This will help you when planning not just how to get there, but also what else you can see along the way and, most importantly, where you can source your food and drink! Don’t worry, we know what truly matters! 😄
The good thing? Even though the dome is in the middle of a forest, there is still civilisation nearby.
You can see where in Slovakia it’s located on the map below:
These are the villages and towns that are closest to it:
Kanianka – this village is your last stop before you enter the forest and head towards the actual geodome. It’s a small village, but it does have restaurants, cafes, and even cake shops!
Bojnice – if you want to go one size bigger, Bojnice is your nearest town. Less than a 10 min drive from Kanianka, this is THE town where you can find all the cool attractions. We talk about that in this section of the post.
Prievidza – if you are looking for a big supermarket or big town services, head to Prievidza. It’s also a 10 min drive from Kanianka.
All in all, you will be in the middle of the forest, so you can get all the peace and quiet of nature, but if you need anything, civilisation and its services are just a short drive away.
A disclaimer here – you will need to get out of the forest first. Keep this in mind. We cover that in this section.
When can you stay at the geodome?
All year round!
Slovakia has 4 seasons, although in recent years the weather has been pretty wild. Summers can be extremely hot (35°C+) while winter doesn’t always mean snow – these days the country gets more rain.
We stayed at the geodome at the start of July, during the biggest heat – thankfully, it was much cooler in the forest.
If you are thinking more Last Christmas music video vibes, and the idea of chilling inside the dome with a good book, watching snow fall in the forest gets your heart racing, try visiting in January/February, when your chances of snowy weather are higher.
See how magical the dome looks in the snow below.
Key things to know about the geodome
Budget glamping in Slovakia is awesome. But it’s not a 5* experience.
Here are some things that you should know about the geodome before you decide to stay there:
- The dome is super new – you can see from their Instagram that it was only finished at the very end of 2023, so it’s all still shiny and nothing is damaged/shows no signs of wear and tear you usually get at accommodations.
- The dome has everything you need for a comfortable stay: electricity, running water, a beautiful bathroom, a big kitchen with all utensils and wifi.
- While there is running water in the dome, it’s not safe for drinking. You will find plenty of bottled water in the kitchen, though – it’s fully stocked for your stay, so you can drink or cook without issues. Note: tap water is fine for brushing teeth, we all used it and were fine.
- The dome is located 2km in a forest with not the best access path. This should be your consideration no. 1. We cover the access options here.
- The dome is self-catered. It’s also pretty far from shops and restaurants, so the key thing is to bring your own food. Again, the kitchen is great and has everything you need to make meals, including things like salt, pepper, oil and other condiments, but you do need to bring your own food for cooking.
- It’s family-friendly. There is a crib and toys for children as well as fun outdoor activities.
- Due to its location and unique shape, the property does not offer disabled access.
Check out the living room and the kitchen in the dome! So pretty!
Warning
The one thing that we weren’t aware of was how steep the stairs inside the dome are.
And it’s not just the fact that they are steep – they have a rope railing on one side and just a wall or ropes on the other. A fun combination! 😬
This is definitely something to consider if you have small children, are travelling with elderly people or are planning on drinking a lot of alcohol (in that case maybe just sleep on the sofa in the living room 😅).
The stairs lead to the bedroom area, but it’s all one open space – there is no door at the end of the stairs, just an opening and the area in front of them is pretty narrow.
We would recommend you check the photos properly and decide whether this design suits you and the members of your travel party.
The scary stairs opening – here you can see how narrow the space is
What can you do at the geodome?
If you are wondering what on earth you can do in the middle of a Slovak forest, here are your 4 options:
Option no. 1.
You can forget to bring food with you, and so have to hike to the village and back, to go shopping. Would not recommend. (We didn’t say all 4 options were decent ideas! 😝)
Option no. 2.
You can explore the area around the geodome. If you choose this option, make sure to check out our warning.
Option no. 3.
You can do a daytrip to nearby attractions. See this section for more info.
To be honest, while this is not a bad idea, we would suggest an alternative.
Why?
Because you have paid to stay in a super cool glamping dome! So you might as well go for option no. 4.
Do the day trips on the days prior to your stay in the geodome. Or after.
Option no. 4.
Chill at the geodome!
Come on, you have figured out how to do budget glamping in Slovakia, and you will actually not hang out at this awesome geodome?
That would be silly.
You should absolutely spend your day or two (or however long you book for) chilling in the dome.
Worried you might be bored?
Don’t be. There is plenty for you to do.
How to have fun at the geodome?
Here are the fun features that were available when we visited:
- Hammock – perfect for achieving zen mode while listening to birds.
- Trampoline – the netting on it was a bit damaged, so do watch your kids if they go on it.
- Tree swing – recommended exercise is getting into the swing and having someone spin it around to twist the rope as much as possible, before letting go. Not recommended after consuming food or alcohol if you are 25+. 😆
- Knotted rope swing – can be attempted by adults, but beware, you might think you are skilled, but, in reality, you might just end up embarrassing yourself. We might be speaking from experience.😅
- Treehouse – the treehouse was unfinished when we visited, but our 4yo friend still found it the most entertaining part of the geodome. If you have kids, this is likely to be a popular place to hang out.
- Fire pit & grill – there is a fire pit up on the terrace so you can roast marshmallows or sausages over the fire with a view – awesome. There is also a massive, modern grill. Make sure to speak to the owner prior to your stay if you are planning on using these. We were informed that we need to bring briquettes, but that everything else needed for grilling is at the dome. That being said, we only used the fire pit, not the massive grills.
- Hot tub – not a jacuzzi, as there are no bubbles, but there is a (relatively) deep hot tub on the terrace, next to the dome.
A few things to know about the tub: it’s an extra feature, so you have to book it in advance, and it costs €50 (2025 price). This way, it will be ready for you when you get there – with clean, hot water (the tub is covered to keep insects and dirt from getting in).
If you want to use it again, for example, the next day, you will have to heat it up yourself, using a wood stove located behind the tub. This takes a bit of skill, but it’s not that difficult to work out.
Another thing to be aware of, the tub is pretty deep, so do not let small children unattended in or around it and consider bringing small inflatables for them to keep them safe.
Hot tub time!
You can see the smoke from the wood stove heating up the tub up on the right side
Good to know
The geodome is still being upgraded. The owners are adding new features and making the whole area around the dome even more fun.
At the time of writing this post, the newest addition was the hammock floor – letting you chill up in the air, with views of the forest.
Let’s see what new features you’ll discover when you visit – do let us know then, we are so curious!
How can you get to the geodome?
This section has two parts.
First, we’ll tell you how you can get to this part of Slovakia.
Second, we’ll explain how you can get to the actual geodome, since it’s in the middle of a freaking forest, so this is something that you might have been wondering. 😅
1. How to get to the geodome area
By car
If you are coming by car, it shouldn’t be a problem. All depends on where you are coming from, but, for example, from Bratislava, it will take you just under 2.5 hrs to get there.
By public transport
Public transport is a more complicated option. We haven’t personally done this, despite what you might know about us! Even though we always take public transport everywhere we go, we stayed at the geodome with our friends who drove us there. Lucky us. (Thanks friends. ❤️)
How to get to the geodome using public transport
The best way to figure out how to get to the geodome by public transport?
Google Maps!
Select where you are coming from, your departure date and time, add the dome as your destination (for this you can just put down “Kanianka”, the start of the forest path to the dome) and see what you’ll get.
Smart tip: Use Google Maps for planning, but always double-check schedules and prices on the official transport websites. To find these, click “Details” and then scroll to “Tickets and information”. You can see this below.
This applies to all countries – you should always double-check Google Maps information on the official websites. In Slovakia, you can use this website to see the schedules of buses and trains.
Alternatively, there is a website specifically for information on trains, including info on how to buy tickets.
Here is an example of how to get to the dome from Bratislava:
- Get a train from Bratislava main train station to Trnava.
- Change in Trnava to a train going to Prievidza.
- Prievidza is the big town near the dome we told you about, so you are nearly there!
- Catch a bus from Prievidza to Kanianka, and in 15 mins you’ll be there! Then you’ll just have to choose how to get to the actual dome – remember, it’s in a forest!
Secret tip
If you are changing trains in Trnava, you might want to stay there for one night.
Why?
It’s a beautiful small town with medieval town walls, many churches, peaceful atmosphere and lots of cool events – including an unlimited wine tasting one!
You can trust us on this – we know Trnava well as that’s where Mirka is originally from!
If you want to know more about the town, here is a post about visiting it during Christmas. Do check it out even if you are coming at a different time of the year – we’ve included tips on how to get to Trnava from Bratislava there too!
2. How to get to the geodome through the forest
You have 3 options when it comes to getting to the dome through the forest (starting from the Kanianka village).
By car
You can park 2 cars at the actual geodome.
BUT.
You need a 4×4 to get through the forest path to the dome. Do not attempt it with a different kind of a car, unless you want to wreck it.
If in doubt, reach out to the owner with the model of your car to see if it would survive the journey.
By the owner’s car
The owner of the geodome offers a transfer in his own 4×4.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Obviously, you have to arrange this in advance. Agree on an arrival and departure time.
- You can park your own car in the village, Kanianka, for free. This is the location where you can park and where the owner will pick you up.
- It’s a bumpy ride. Like really bumpy. Take this into consideration when deciding whether this is doable for your travel party.
- The owner charges a fee of €15 for the transfer (2025 price).
Hardcore option
The third option is hiking through the forest to the geodome.
Well, it isn’t so much hiking as walking, but:
- It is a forest path
- It is uphill
- One part does have slippery, loose stones
- It’s 2km which in reality might feel a lot longer
Now, we’ve done the hike through the forest both ways – we had to get back to Kanianka to the car to go food shopping since we were dumb. You can read more about what happened here. 😅
The walk through the forest (there and back) was doable, even with a 4yo child, but it was the height of summer, which means that by the time we got back to the dome, we were ready to throw ourselves into the hot tub, without needing to heat it up (remember, summers in Slovakia can be 35°C+).
And that was us carrying just shopping, not all our luggage. Remember that.
Basically, we would not recommend this option for your actual arrival/departure, unless:
- You are carrying a backpack instead of a suitcase
- You packed light
- Weather isn’t against you (that means not the heat of the summer, snow in winter or torrential rain of autumn or spring)
- You are relatively fit
Privacy at the geodome
This might be considered one of the few cons of this awesome dome.
We keep saying it’s in the middle of a forest – and it is.
But if you are expecting complete privacy, we have to disappoint you.
There are big cottages in the area—you can see a couple from the geodome’s terrace as well if the trees are not covered in leaves.
Now, it doesn’t feel like you are in the middle of civilisation – far from it.
But it does mean that you can’t be sunbathing on the terrace naked. Or at least we wouldn’t recommend it! 😅
More on privacy
This might be obvious, but if this is your first time budget glamping in Slovakia or elsewhere, we’ll say it:
The geodome is one big dome. So it’s like a one big room.
Okay, there is the bathroom, but other than that, it’s all in the same space, so you will be sharing with whoever you take on this awesome glamping trip. Including sleeping in the same area (so make your decisions carefully and exclude any loud snores!).
What to do in the surrounding area
There is SO MUCH to do in Slovakia, and yet most visitors don’t venture past Bratislava, which is such a shame!
We have a whole post about the 19 unusual things you can do in the country – budget glamping is just one of the quirky activities!
Here are some ideas for what you can do in the area near the geodome:
Bojnice
This town is a must. It has many attractions, like a zoo, dinosaur park, 30m viewing tower or hot spring spa, but the best, must-visit place, is the gorgeous, Disney-like Bojnice Castle.
See it from the outside if you are on a super low budget, or pay for a tour if you want to spend a bit more money and time.
Either way, definitely check out the special events section on the official castle website – there are always cool things happening. For example, we visited the castle after hours, at night, with atmospheric music and lights – it was so magical. ✨
Castles, caves, hikes
Slovakia is known for these 3 things – there are 131 castles and castle ruins, more than 7,100 known caves and endless opportunities for beautiful hikes.
Best thing to do?
Open up Google Maps, select the area of the geodome (Kanianka) and see what you can spot around (look for signs indicating monuments, castles, sights etc.).
Alternatively, unzoom your map and click on the option of “things to do”. You can also search the area for whatever you want to see, such as castles or caves.
This is how we came across the Uhrovec castle – we were looking for something to see on our way back from the geodome. It’s a ruined castle that’s being reconstructed – we saw the conservationists working on it when we visited, which was so interesting. And entrance is free, of course!
Price
We keep talking about budget glamping in Slovakia, so we bet you are curious about the actual price, right?
When we visited in July 2024, the price was ridiculously low.
Checking it now, at the time of writing this post (May 2025), it’s still unbelievably low!
For example, 1 night, for 1 person, in June 2025 costs €217.
The best thing? The price is the same if you change it to 4 people!
This is exactly what we are talking about when we say you can go glamping in Slovakia on a budget.
Because €217/4 = €54.25 per person per night!
And even better: if you increase to 2 nights, the price doesn’t double.
It costs just €343.
Again: €343/4 = €85.75 per person per stay (2 nights), which makes it only €42.88 per person per night!
Now don’t tell us that’s not an absolute bargain!
Something to remember
When calculating your total price, remember to add the cost of the hot tub and the transfer, if you are planning to use both.
Just as a reminder, the hot tub is extra €50 and the transfer €15.
Where can I book a stay at the geodome?
We originally discovered this budget glamping in Slovakia option on Airbnb.
As you might know, we are all about saving money, though, and so we decided to book it directly to avoid paying Airbnb fees.
Here are your options for booking a stay in the geodome:
- Via this website – it’s an accommodation rental website in Slovakia
- You can contact the owner via email at geodombojnice@gmail.com
- You can also contact them via WhatsApp on +421 904 939 325 to make a booking
Obviously, the advantage of booking via the website is that you can check all the dates and play around with the number of nights to see how the price changes, so you can get the best deal. (Also you don’t have to talk to anyone, which is always a plus, especially if you are a millennial! 😆)
What to pack when budget glamping in Slovakia
Okay, so the key thing to remember when packing for your glamping trip is that the dome is in the middle of a forest.
Which means getting to the nearest shop is not the easiest task.
We are emphasising this again, because after overpacking on our full-time travels, we now travel with the mindset of “pack light and if needed, shops are nearby 99% of the time”.
Of course, this does not apply to nature trips, where you are far away from civilisation.
Like when budget glamping in Slovakia.
This is why we thought we’d give you some tips on things you should not forget when packing for your geodome stay.
Consider packing this when budget glamping in Slovakia
- Food and drink – We are repeating ourselves here, but you are in the middle of a forest. The nearest civilisation is a village. Which means not fantastic shopping opportunities. Shop for food and drink (drinks = alcohol, soft drinks, mineral water etc. Remember, still water is provided at the dome for free.) beforehand in Bojnice or Prievidza.
- Repellent – Slovakia has ticks. They love to hide in tall grass, but also in trees. It’s best to protect yourself with clothing (think tall socks, long trousers, baseball caps) and double-protect by using a repellent. Another nuisance is mosquitoes, which make their appearance when the weather gets warm. Again, protect with clothes and a repellent.
Our go-to repellent? Pyramid Trek – it’s sensitive, so suitable not only for those with sensitive skin, but also children over 2 years and pregnant women. It’s also DEET-free, but it actually works – a combination that is hard to find. And you can buy it easily on Amazon!
Alternatively, did you know you can get solid repellents too? These are usually super organic and non-toxic, but they don’t work for everyone. Solid cosmetics in general are a great travel hack. If you are not familiar with them, you have to read this – your life will change. - Swimwear – If you are planning on using the hot tub or sunning yourself on the terrace, don’t forget to bring swimwear. Remember, there are other cottages in the area, so walking around naked might not be the best idea. 😅
- Sunscreen – If visiting during warm months (from April/May to September), bring sunscreen. Slovakia gets HOT. Even in a forest.
- Layers – Surprisingly, even though in summer you might feel like you are visiting hell itself during the day, by evening, temperatures can drop in the forest. We visited in July and were happy we brought long trousers and hoodies (actually, Mirka, being forever cold, was wishing for more layers!).
- Games – When we stayed at the geodome, there were a couple of board games there, but you might wanna bring your own. Our favourite travel games are ones that are light and easily packable, like Fluxx card games (our favourite is Star Fluxx) or Dobble (they also have waterproof Dobble which sounds perfect for travelling, especially with kids!).
- Filter water bottle – If you remember, we mentioned that the water is not safe to drink in the geodome and that bottled water is provided instead. If you do want to help protect the environment, though, consider bringing your own filter bottle, which will make the tap water safe to drink.
Hot tip – don’t make this dumb mistake like we did
Okay, so we decided to go budget glamping in Slovakia during a bank holiday. Smart, right?
Not so much when you arrive ON the bank holiday.
And plan to buy all the food in the nearest town, just before heading to the geodome.
The problem?
In Slovakia, all shops, including big supermarkets, are closed on public holidays.
So we couldn’t buy anything.
We had to manage with what we had with us.
And then trek the 2km through the forest the next day, back to the car and go food shopping.
What a colossal waste of time that we could have spent chilling at the dome instead!
But you travel and you learn (or in our case, we travel and still make dumb mistakes 😅).
A silly mistake, but we’ve had worse walks to a supermarket 😄
Need to have for budget glamping in Slovakia
One more thing you should consider having when budget glamping in Slovakia? (Or anywhere else abroad, for that matter).
Good travel insurance.
When we went full-time travelling, we wanted to find a company that was REALLY good.
Cause when you are on the road for a year or two, you need to have someone you know you can rely on, who’s got your back.
So we did what we do best – we researched.
In the end, we looked at 23 different insurance providers.
It was painful. But it was worth it, because we actually found two companies whose insurance we are happy with.
If you are not sure who to go with, definitely check out SafetyWing or True Traveller. They are both great, both created by travellers for travellers, and both offer amazing value for money.
Warning about budget glamping in Slovakia
Apologies, but we do have to get even more serious for a moment.
There is something you need to be aware of, when visiting Slovakia, especially the forests and mountains.
The country is home to brown bears. 🐻
Including the area where the geodome is located.
Did you know that?
Now, we are not here to freak you out.
But we do believe in taking care of your own safety when travelling.
So we’ve got to tell you this: while attacks are rare, they do happen.
This is why you should:
- Make sure you (and everyone else travelling with you) are aware of this information
- Look up how you should behave in a forest where bears are present (bear sprays are not really a thing in Slovakia, just in case that’s your go-to solution. You can source them, but don’t expect to find them easily in shops)
- Stick to official paths when hiking
- Not hike alone
- Ensure you always let someone know about your hiking plans, if venturing into the mountains on your own. Speaking of, this is a great, simple trick that you should use to stay safer as you travel
- Read signage when entering the forest and national parks to see if it warns about bears in the area
If you are concerned about the bears and would like to check whether there have been any sightings (or attacks) before you set off budget glamping in Slovakia, there is a useful tool for this.
Check out this interactive map that shows reported bear sightings (black bear symbol) and attacks (red bear symbol). You can click on the bear symbol and then on the text which appears, if you want to read more about the incident.
Is budget glamping in Slovakia worth it?
Are you now sitting in your living room (or perhaps a bed) and wondering: is this dome worth a trip?
We’ll tell you our honest opinion. We always share our thoughts, reasonings and explanations behind what we say, so you can make up your own mind.
So, is this geodome worth it?
It depends.
Let us explain.
1. Is visiting Slovakia just to stay in this geodome for a few days worth it?
- Are you visiting from a faraway country?
If yes, then the answer is no, it’s not worth it.
There are accommodations which are absolutely epic and worth a long journey – even if you stay in them just for a couple of nights.
Like the aurora cabin we stayed in during our secret wedding trip. But there you can see the northern lights straight from your bed, so of course that’s worth it!
And while this geodome is beautiful, especially because it’s still brand new and undamaged by visitors, we would not say it’s worth a trip on its own, if you are coming from a faraway place, say the Americas or Asia.
- Are you visiting from a nearby country?
If you are considering budget glamping in Slovakia, for example, in this geodome, and you live somewhere in Europe where you are well-connected, then it absolutely is worth it.
It’s such a cool experience and you can save A LOT of money by holidaying in Slovakia, instead of, for example, Italy (that being said, Slovakia does not have a sea. Just lakes and such).
You have multiple options of airports (Bratislava, Poprad, Kosice, Vienna), and if you find a cheap flight, it’s totally worth a trip.
Alternatively, check out FlixBus – it offers connections all over Europe, and if you book in advance, you can get amazing deals. For example, we got FlixBus from Ljubljana to Bratislava for just €19! (Total price for both of us.)
2. Is seeing Slovakia AND budget glamping there worth a visit?
Do you want to visit Slovakia, and glamping is just one part of your holiday?
Go for it!
If you want an off-the-beaten-path, without crowds, still very authentic, slightly chaotic experience that you’ll never forget, it absolutely is worth a trip.
The key is to do more than just budget glamping in Slovakia.
Explore further – there is so much to see and do.
How does an unlimited wine event (for next to no money) sound to you?
Or dining in a UFO?
And how about digging for opal in the world’s oldest opal mine?
You can do all this and more in Slovakia. If you wanna know more, check out our post on the 19 wild things you can do there.
What do you think then? Will you give budget glamping in Slovakia a go?
