Time difference Slovakia

Slovakia is located in the GMT + 1 time zone; the time in Slovakia is the same as in France. The rhythm is different, however, as the country is on the eastern edge of the time zone: it gets light and dark very early, and local life adapts to this particularity. The changeover from summer to winter time and vice versa takes place on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.

Opening hours Slovakia

To see / To do Slovakia

Most stores are open Monday to Friday without interruption until 5pm in the provinces, and later in the capital. Some shops, including small local mini-markets, are open on Saturday mornings from 7am to 1pm. Generally speaking, shops open and close earlier than in France. You'll need to get used to this to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

For meals, lunchtime starts at 11 a.m. and service is often continuous, but restaurants close early: it's very hard to find restaurants open after 10 p.m., and it's even difficult to get service after 9 p.m.

Enjoying yourself Slovakia

Slovaks generally eat their meals earlier than in France. Lunch from 11am and dinner around 7pm, especially at weekends when they go out to the theatre or the opera. They then eat before going to the show, so that some restaurants are deserted from 8:30 pm. After the show, it's rather the Krčma that fills up, and the beer then flows. Restaurants often serve non-stop between 11:30 am and 9 pm and sometimes even earlier in the provinces and later in the capital

Take a break Slovakia

Cafés and tea rooms are generally open every day from 8 am to 10 pm. Bars open later, from 11am or even around 5pm for some exclusively nocturnal establishments. Most mainstream establishments close their doors around midnight, but many bars and nightclubs stay open until 3am and even until dawn for some. The beginning of the week is the preferred time for students who have short weeks of classes and who often go home on Thursdays to their parents. The nightlife comes to life at the weekend, with Friday being preferred to Saturday.

(To) please yourself Slovakia

Shops are generally open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and sometimes on Saturday mornings.

The big shopping centers break local habits and are open 7 days a week, from 8am to 10pm and sometimes even midnight.

Be sure to follow the public holiday calendar, as these are respected and all stores are closed. It's almost impossible to find a restaurant that's open. By law, a boss cannot force an employee to work on a public holiday. This means you have to get organized for shopping, especially at Christmas time: December 24, 25 and 26 are public holidays.

Get out Slovakia

Pubs generally open in the late morning (or afternoon for some) and stay open until 1am. Most small discos close at 3 or 4am, while some stay open until dawn.