Banská Bystrica - heart of the central Slovakia is located in the Zvolen basin, in the valley of river Hron between Kremnica Mountains, Staré Hory Mountains and Poľana mountain range. Banská Bystrica is known as a "city under the Urpín". Urpín with the height of 510 meters is a hill in Slovak Central Mountains in the subdivision of Zvolen basin. Urpín is located in the cadastral territory of the Banská Bystrica and is visible from many parts of the city. From the west it is surrounded by the Uhlisko neighborhood, in the north it connects with city centre and from the west it oversees Radvaň neighborhood. In the western part of the hill there is a Way of the Cross from the 17th century. Beneath the hillside of the Urpín flows the river Hron.

In the vicinity of the city you can also find interesting sites like Wooden Articular Church in Hronsek, Mansion in the Dolná Mičiná and Ľupča Castle. Important sacral relics are located in the towns of Čerín and Poníky. Mining history of the "copper" city is commemorated in the town of Špania dolina, which is also a jewel of Slovak vernacular architecture.