Where: Šomoška Castle
County: Novohrad
Time/Duration: Set aside the whole day.

A pleasant start with a smile

My friends and I recently took a trip that was definitely worth it, and I’d like to recommend it to you as well—whether as a relaxing day out with friends or as a great idea for a family outing. We headed to Šomoška Castle, which lies right on the border with Hungary and is accessible via an educational trail leading from the village of Šiatorská Bukovinka.

Right from the start, we were treated to an exceptionally pleasant experience—the admission tickets and parking at Šimonova Tower were sold to us by a gentleman who was literally the highlight of the program right at the beginning of our trip. He was incredibly funny, friendly, and professional. He provided us with all the necessary information about the route, pointed out interesting spots, and at the end—clearly drawing on his wealth of experience—willingly took photos of us on all our cell phones. 😊 That kind of attitude just puts you in a good mood for the whole day.

An easy route with interesting stops

The trail itself was a very pleasant surprise. It’s short and easy, yet full of interesting sights that both children and adults will enjoy. The trail follows the green hiking trail marker, and along its approximately 1.6 to 1.8-kilometer length, there are as many as eight interesting stops.

We start at the area near Šimonova Tower, where there is convenient parking, a small playground, a snack bar, and a ticket office—the perfect starting point for everyone. From there, the trail leads along the picturesque Bukovian Stream, where children can play or explore nature, and continues on to historic ponds that once served as fish ponds. In the forested sections, you’ll find educational signs about the local flora and fauna, which drew us into the mysteries of the Cerová Highlands.

One of the biggest attractions is the Stone Sea, stretching right through the forest, and further on, the Stone Waterfall, formed by basalt columns that look as if someone had deliberately arranged them there. It’s a geological rarity that you won’t easily find anywhere else in our region. By the way, this area is part of the UNESCO Nograd–Novohrad Global Geopark, so there really is plenty to see here.

Of course, we continued on to the castle. Šomoška Castle is very “photogenic”; it offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and, on a clear day, even of the Hungarian castle of Salgó.

A great trip for families and friends alike

The hike up to the castle took us about 40 minutes at a leisurely pace. The climb is only slightly steep, safe, and even younger children can manage it without any trouble. The entire trip feels very pleasant and well-rounded—it’s not just an ordinary walk, but a true experience that combines nature, history, and fun. Everything is well-marked, the trail is well-maintained, and during During the season (April through October), it is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Admission, including parking, costs just a nominal 2 euros, which is more than fair for a trip like this.

A delicious lunch as the icing on the cake

At the end of our trip, we treated ourselves to a well-deserved lunch at the restaurant On the Terrace in Šiatorská Bukovinka, which we highly recommend. The food was truly excellent, the portions were generous, and the service was friendly—the perfect way to end a wonderful day.

If you’re looking for a place to relax, have new experiences, and spend quality time with family or friends, a trip to Šomoška Castle is a great choice. We enjoyed it to the fullest and will definitely be back—whether for the beauty of the basalt formations, the views, or the parking lot attendant who made our day right from the start.