SHOPPING
Souvenirs include pottery, porcelain, woodcarvings, hand-embroidered clothing and food items. There are a number of excellent shops specializing in glass and crystal, while various associations of regional artists and artisans run their own retail outlets (pay in local currency). Other special purchases include folk ceramics from all regions of the Slovak Republic and woodcarvings from the eastern and central parts of the Slovak Republic (Kyjatice, Michalovce and Spi¡sská Belá).
Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1200.
Currency Information:
Currency
Slovenská Koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov. Notes are in denominations of Sk5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of Sk10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 halierov. Further information can be found online (website: www.nbs.sk).
Currency exchange
Foreign currency (including travelers cheques) can be exchanged at bureaux de change, main hotels, all banks, road border crossings, as well as major travel agencies.
Credit & debit cards
Major credit cards (American Express, Diners Club, and MasterCard/Eurocard Visa) and debit cards (Eurocheque cards, Maestro and Visa Electron) may be used to withdraw cash from automatic dispensers and for payments in hotels, restaurants, shops and petrol stations. Credit cards can also be used to obtain currency. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travelers cheques
American Express, Thomas Cook and Visa travelers cheques are accepted in banks and at bureaux de change. Exchange rate charges are at least 1 per cent of the nominal cheque value. To avoid additional charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions
The import and export of local and foreign currency is permitted up to an amount equivalent of SK150,000, which must be declared.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Koruna against Sterling and the US Dollar:
Date |
May '04 |
Aug '04 |
Nov '04 |
Feb '05 |
£1.00= |
60.30 |
60.08 |
56.37 |
55.58 |
$1.00= |
33.76 |
32.61 |
30.42 |
29.43 |
Banking hours
Generally Mon-Fri 0800-1700.
|
Travel Tips