I started my journey on the train platform in Chrabrany, small village besaide. A spontaneous decision to visit Nitra: Exploring Slovakia by scooter was fueled more by guilt than curiosity. I have a cottage just a stone’s throw away, yet I’ve long overlooked this city beneath Zobor Hill. That is Slovakia.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Travel
A foldable scooter isn’t just a sustainable mode of transport—it’s also the perfect travel companion for a train ride. Small, lightweight, and non-intrusive, it doesn’t bother fellow passengers. Plus, combining train travel with a Kostka scooter adds a social element to the journey. Unfolding a scooter on a train inevitably raises a few eyebrows, sparking curiosity and pulling people away—if only briefly—from their phone screens.
Johny, my travel buddy, arrives in Nitra from Dunajská Streda via Arriva. We meet up at the bus station, ready to explore the city.
Nitra by Scooter
Fresh air, no engines, no emissions—this is what sustainable travel looks like. No hunting for parking spots, no traffic stress. Just the wind in our hair and the good feeling that our carbon footprint remains minimal.
On footbike around the Nitra River
Our first ride takes us along the Nitra River. Just past the bridge, we stop at Finish to enjoy our first spring Pilsner on a sunny terrace.
Between Agrokomplex and the Promenáda complex, newly paved pathways make for a smooth ride. Johny is thrilled—he’s testing the Kostka RACER PRO 28 for the first time, equipped with semi-slick tires. It glides effortlessly, though highly dependent on a perfectly smooth surface. I’m a little envious.
Most local bike paths are decently maintained, with only occasional detours onto roads. As we ride, we watch ducks, speeding cyclists, and weekend joggers. Some runners could probably match our speed, but they miss out on the adrenaline rush and the effortless glide of high-performance vacuum-sealed bearings.
The Nitra River feels like a small green artery running through the city. A few years ago, there was more concrete than water here, but now, the surroundings are slowly transforming into a recreational zone.
At the sports facilities, we have two route options:
- An 18 km bike path around the car factory, leading past the Dražovce steppe.
- A historical tour to Nitra Castle and the city center.
Naturally, we chose the second option.
Nitra Castle
An iconic silhouette on the horizon, Nitra Castle is a place where history, myths, and legends intertwine. It is the heart of Nitra, a national cultural monument, and the seat of the Nitra Diocese.
Centuries ago, Prince Pribina likely stood atop this hill, pondering whether horses and carts were really the future—or if he might have been better off with a scooter or a bicycle.
The castle is deeply connected to the Cyril and Methodius tradition. Their mission and language took root here, shining during the Great Moravian Empire. Even today, the site carries a spiritual atmosphere. If you listen closely to the silence, you might hear echoes of Old Slavonic—or just tourists mumbling in foreign languages as they wander the courtyards.
One of the oddest paradoxes of Slovak history is how Cyril and Methodius, along with King Svätopluk, are celebrated as national heroes. The former were brought by Rastislav, while Svätopluk later expelled them and enslaved their students. Strange how we often celebrate people who were at odds with each other.
So, the real question remains: “Who was the true Slovak hero?”
Those who brought literacy and culture, or the one who drove them out?
Regardless, don’t skip the cathedral. It’s one of the few churches with a transverse nave, a unique architectural feature. And from the castle terraces, you get a stunning panoramic view of the city, Calvary Hill, and Zobor.
Back to the City Center
Finally, I get my revenge. Downhill, over cobblestones, I hear Johny’s scooter scraping constantly. His low-riding racing model isn’t handling the uneven pavement well.
We pass the Jewish Synagogue, its mystical architecture a reminder of Nitra’s lost Jewish community. Then, we head toward the pedestrian zone—with its smooth paving, I could scoot here all day. We make a quick loop around the Andrej Bagar Theater, one of Slovakia’s most important theater stages, home to many legendary actors.
Some might think we’re performing a well-rehearsed show on our footbikes. The reality? We just really need to find a toilets.
The weather is perfect, so we settle in for a coffee and a caramel cream puff. Johny sustainably orders a second one.
A footbike has one major advantage—it eliminates parking struggles, meaning more time and money for dessert. And besides, Nitra tastes even better when you’re not burning a liter of gasoline.
Why Explore a City by footbike?
Because it’s small, efficient, and doesn’t clog traffic. Unlike electric scooters, it keeps you moving and doesn’t leave behind an abandoned, drained vehicle on the sidewalk.
With large inflatable wheels, it’s comfortable and much safer. Unlike a bicycle, there’s no awkward dismounting—just step off. And most importantly, it’s an eco-friendly and efficient way to get around.
Nitra: Exploring Slovakia by footbike is simply fantastic idea.
Nitra: Exploring Slovakia
The train won’t wait, and we leave Nitra feeling accomplished—another great day of exploration without the hassle of city traffic.
Maybe next time, we’ll tackle Zobor or Dražovce—but that’s a story for another day.
