Caves Poprad

Caves attract many tourists. Their beauty and mystery, normally hidden from our sight, can take your breath away. Imagine a place where sunlight does not reach—a realm of mythical gnomes. A fairytale idea. We will take you to just such a place. And even something more. Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa is a crystal-clear kingdom frozen in eternal ice.

Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa is far from ordinary. Unique is its ice decoration as well as its location. Compared to other ice caves, the cave is situated at a lower altitude. Due to all these unique features, it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. And not just anything makes it onto this list.

You will find the cave near the village of Stratená in the cadastral area of the town of Dobšiná. It lies on the main route between Poprad and Rožňava in a beautiful environment near Slovenský raj. When you arrive in Stratená, you will certainly look forward to the tour. And indeed, there is much to look forward to. Expectation will be raised by an educational trail leading to the entrance of the cave. On the way, you will pass 5 information boards that will familiarize you with the nature of Slovenský raj, its gorges, as well as its plants and animals. In front of the cave, there are additional information panels full of engaging facts focused directly on Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa.

The cave did not always have the grand name known today; locals used to nickname it "ice hole" due to the cold spreading from it. The first explorers entered its depths in 1870, and just a year later it was opened to the public. It thus became one of the earliest opened caves in the world. Definitive electric lighting was installed in the cave in 1887. An interesting fact is that public ice skating was permitted here for a certain period.

The length of the route accessible to tourists is 515 meters of icy magnificence. A half-hour tour will show you the most precious, permanently glaciated parts of the cave, mainly Veľká sieň and Malá sieň. Prepare yourself for a considerable temperature shock; in the coldest parts of the cave, it can drop to -4 °C. So do not forget to bring warm clothing.

In the cave, you will admire not only floor ice, but also ice pillars and icefalls. Be assured that the ice in the cave has accumulated over centuries. The proof is its maximum thickness of more than 26 meters.

The surroundings of Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa are full of points of interest; the beautiful nature of Slovenský raj speaks for itself. Since this is one of the most sought-after tourist locations in Slovakia, you will have no shortage of pleasant accommodation. Pleasant small guesthouses with a family atmosphere predominate here, where you will feel right at home. The offer of chalets in the beautiful mountain environment is also varied, where you will be woken up by the chirping of birds. The environment of Dobšiná is enchanting, and rest assured that you will want to return here soon.

Underground worlds have fascinated people since time immemorial. Caves provided shelter, and today they are sought-after tourist attractions. If you are planning a holiday to Vysoké Tatry or to Zamagurie, pay close attention. You should not miss a visit to Belianska jaskyňa under any circumstances.

Belianska jaskyňa lies near the village of Tatranská Kotlina. You can reach it from Tatranská Lomnica or from Spišská Belá. It is located on the left side of the road in the Kobylí vrch massif. There are several caves in Vysoké Tatry, but Belianska jaskyňa is the only one open to the public. It features rich dripstone decoration and is well worth a tour. An educational trail leads up to it. In less than a kilometer, you will pass information boards that will familiarize you with environmental protection, flora, fauna, and the history of the cave itself.

The cave was discovered by gold prospectors as early as 1826, but it was subsequently forgotten. It was rediscovered in 1881 and opened to the public in 1884. An interesting fact is that electric lighting was introduced into the cave in 1896—just 12 years after the invention of the light bulb. Another curious fact was the attempt to transform the ordinary dripstone cave into an ice cave. The lower sections of the cave were supposed to be artificially iced over, but this damaged the decorations, so the plan was abandoned.

Let's move to the present. Inside the cave, 1,370 meters of underground beauty, a 125-meter vertical rise, and exactly 860 steps await you. Dress warmly before visiting the cave; the temperature inside hovers between 5 and 6 degrees Celsius, and you will be underground for over an hour. The cave is open year-round, with the exception of a few weeks in the winter months. It is also closed every Monday. It is necessary to check visiting hours in advance online, as they differ during the high season and off-season.

In the cave, you will be captivated by flowstone waterfalls, especially in Vysoký dóm and Vodopádový dóm. Hudobná sieň is also fascinating. Its name is fitting—thanks to its exceptional acoustics, musical concerts have been held here both in the past and present. If you think the underground world is lifeless, you are mistaken. In Belianska jaskyňa alone, there are up to 7 species of bats.

You can enjoy a visit to Belianska jaskyňa from several locations. Right next to the cave is Tatranská Kotlina. There you will find beautiful, stylish accommodation in guesthouses with typical High Tatras architecture. The same applies to cozy cottages suitable both for couples in love and groups of friends. You will also find plenty of guesthouses and private accommodations in nearby Ždiar. Belianska jaskyňa is proof that in Vysoké Tatry, it is not only towering peaks that deserve attention, but also the underground world. Discover Vysoké Tatry from beneath the surface.