Poprad: accommodation for a skiing holiday between culture, nature and thermal water
Accommodation in Poprad
Poprad combines road and rail links with a diverse urban and natural landscape. The city is served by Poprad-Tatry International Airport. Poprad also has connections to the international E50 road and the Košice–Bratislava main railway line, with links to the Czech Republic and Ukraine.
File:Poprad River, Poprad, Slovakia 06.jpg
Photo: Michal Klajban via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Culture
A particularly important historical landmark is the Tomb of the Prince of Poprad. It is the tomb of a Germanic prince from the turn of the 4th and 5th centuries AD; in terms of the preservation of its wooden architecture and furnishings, it is unique in Europe. In the city centre stands the early Gothic Church of St. Egidius, dating from the 13th century. Its interior is adorned with an exceptional ensemble of medieval paintings. During guided tours, visitors can climb up to 26 metres and enjoy a panoramic view from the tower gallery.
Spišská Sobota is home to a uniquely preserved urban heritage reserve. Its square is lined with Renaissance and Gothic burgher houses. The Church of St. George dates from the mid-13th century and features a Gothic interior and an altar from the workshop of Master Paul of Leutschau. The branch of the Podtatranské Museum is located in a burgher house within the heritage reserve; this burgher house is a national cultural monument.
Scherfelov dom was established in 2008. A permanent exhibition presents the life, scientific work and extensive civic engagement of Viliam Scherfel. The house also serves as a gallery and hosts various exhibitions. Tatranská galéria likewise combines culture with architectural history: it was created by converting an old power station building, which is also an important technical monument. Chamber exhibitions and creative workshops are held there.
Nature
The Kvetnica educational trail presents the Slovak forest vegetation zones, the historic archaeological site of Zámčisko and the Hranovnícka dubina National Nature Reserve at nine stations. Kvetnica has several marked hiking trails and circular routes, as well as a Stations of the Cross trail leading to the Resurrection Chapel near the 941-metre-high summit of Krížová. From the educational trail, visitors can reach the 921-metre-high summit of Zámčisko and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape.
The educational trail’s circular route is 13.6 km long, starts in Kvetnica Forest Park and takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. In the northwestern part of Kvetnica, there is also a 21-hectare game reserve housing mouflon and wild boar.
Wellness
AquaCity Poprad has 13 indoor and outdoor pools with thermal water ranging from 28°C to 38°C, water slides and more than 350 water attractions. The wellness and spa area covers 1,600 m² and includes various saunas, inhalation treatments, whirlpools, a lovers’ bay and a snow cave.
Events
Popradské kultúrne leto has a tradition of more than 20 years and takes place annually. The 2024 edition featured Friday concerts and Saturday morning fairy tales for children.
Other local destinations: Zdiar, Sunava, Strba, Mengusovce, Vernár, Stola, Batizovce and Liptovská Teplicka.
For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Poprad.
