Time difference Slovakia

Slovakia is located on the GMT + 1 time zone; it is the same time in Slovakia as in France. The rhythm is however shifted, the country being at the eastern limit of the time zone: it is day and night very early and the 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 shops are open from Monday to Friday without interruption until 5pm in the provinces and later in the capital. Some shops including small convenience stores are open on Saturday mornings from 7am to 1pm. Generally speaking, shops open and close earlier than in France. You have to get used to it so you don't get any unpleasant surprises.

For meals, the lunch period starts as early as 11am and service is often continuous, however restaurants close early: it is very difficult to find restaurants open after 10pm, and it is even difficult to be served after 9pm.

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

Be careful to follow the calendar of public holidays, as they are respected and all shops are closed. It is almost impossible to find an open restaurant. According to the law, a boss cannot force an employee to work on a public holiday. It is therefore necessary to get organized for the races, especially at Christmas time: December 24, 25 and 26 are public holidays

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

The shops are generally open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and sometimes on Saturday morning. The large modern shopping centres are open every day from 7am to 10pm and sometimes even midnight.

Get out Slovakia

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