What to do in High Tatras, Slovakia in case of bad weather
High Tatras are beautiful in any kind of weather. Also when there are showers, you can take just a raincoat and continue to the mountains. However, stronger rain, wind or storms can easily ruin your hiking programme. If you want to stay safe or enjoy cultural and historical part of High Tatras and its villages, you can visit several museums even in bad weather. Rainy days have never passed that quickly.
Starý Smokovec
Vila Flóra
Vila Flóra is the second oldest building in Starý Smokovec. This vila serves nowadays as a Tatra gallery, which has the main seat in Poprad. The exhibition hall serves for various exhibitions of photography, paintings and other artistic and craft products. One part is dedicated to the presentation of Tatra jewels. Moreover, one exhibition hall presents sport fame of High Tatras, there is photo-documentary and informational profiles of famous sport figures of High Tatras.
You can find more information about the current exhibition here.
Opening hours:
In the season (July – August):
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday closed
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10.00 AM – 5.00 PM
Out the season (September-June):
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday closed
Wednesday, Saturday 10.00 AM – 2.00 PM
Friday, Sunday 1.00 PM – 5.00 PM
The Tatra jewel exhibition could be seen every day except Monday from 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Tickets:
- Adults – 1.50€
- Seniors, children, students – 0.50€
- Bad weather will not ruin your day!
Vila Alica
Originally, this vila comes from 1889 and was newly reconstructed in 2009. Although it was called Malý Spiš (Small Spiš), its name changed to Alica after daughter of T. G. Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia.
It served as one of several spa houses and later for living. Since 2001 it has been a National cultural sight. Nowadays, there is library and seat of mountain guides where you can book a tour.
However, the most famous it is for it Museum of Tatra cinematography and photography. On the historic photos you can see the original historic village of Starý Smokovec which served as a spa centre in High Tatras.
Also you can admire its change up to these days. The oldest photos are from 1870. Except this exhibition you can see development of photography equipments from the end of the 19th century and profiles of famous figures.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
In the season (16th June – 15th September):
daily 10.30 AM – 7.00 PM
Out the season (16th September – 15th June):
daily 9.00 AM – 4.00 PM
Tickets:
- Adults – 2.00€
- Seniors, children, students – 1.20€
You will definitely forget bad weather outside when visiting this place!
Švajčiarsky dom – Swiss house
This Swiss house belongs among the oldest villas in High Tatras and dates back to 1856. Inside this beautiful house, villa you can find Museum of Sherpas. It focuses on mapping the active and also legendary sherpas in High Tatras – the ones who supply Tatra chalets.
They deserve great admiration. Except the exhibition you will enjoy great mountainous and friendly atmosphere in the Sherpa cafe. You can also have a look on the interesting and beautiful books by Martin Maličký about this lovely but difficult profession.
Moreover, you can book accommodation in this lovely villa.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
daily 10.00 AM – 8.00 PM
Tricklandia
Tricklandia is a perfect place for children to enjoy unique trick-art and visual and optical illusions. Moreover, due to paintings, you will see themes from Slovak folk legends and fairytales. There are 24 attractions with pictures, augmented reality, anti-gravitation rooms and mirror maze.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
daily 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM
However, you must make a reservation in advance.
Tickets:
- Adults – 9.00€
- Seniors, students – 8.00€
- Children – 6.00€
It is possible to buy a family ticket.
Tatranská Lomnica
Gallery of ÚĽUV
This gallery serves for presentation of authorial and collective exhibitions of contemporary crafts and folk artistic production. Moreover, you can buy various artistic and craft souvenirs inspired by Slovak folklore. These folklore products include e.g. hats, scarves, tableware or small statues.
ÚĽUV is an abbreviation for centre of folk artistic production. There are several galleries of this kind in various towns in Slovakia.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Friday 12.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Saturday 9.00 AM – 3.00 PM
Ski museum
This museum is devoted to history of winter sports in High Tatras. It presents its history and development up to these days on photos and various sport equipments. You will find information about history of skiing, ice skating, curling, climbing, sledging or bobsleigh.
Focus is on period from beginning of the Tatra villages (app. 1850) up to 1945. Moreover, you can watch a short film depicting atmosphere from the sport occasions in High Tatras from the 50s. The most interesting part is the workshop for wooden skies, ski poles or leather shoes.
Children will love fairytale atmosphere of Gertrude’s chalet which originally stood near the bobsleigh track. There is also a cafe where you can rest.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
daily 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Tickets:
- Adults – 3.00€
- Seniors – 2.00€
- Students, children – 1.50€
Museum of TANAP
This museum presents character of Tatra nature to the visitors. It shows needs of protection of nature and history of Tatra discoveries and explorations. The exhibitions are divided into four parts. The natural one depicts real stuffed animals including chamois, marmots, bears, deer and etc.
Then there is a nature-protective and historic one. The ethnographic part shows history and folklore of the first people living at foothills of High Tatras. Moreover, you can watch a documentary about High Tatras or buy various books, films, brochures and other souvenirs.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
May – September
daily 8.30 AM – 12.00 AM, 1.00 PM – 5.00 PM
October – April
daily 8.30 AM – 12.00 AM, 1.00 PM – 4.00 PM
Tickets:
- Adults – 2.50€
- Seniors, students, children – 1.50€
Belianska cave
This is the only cave open for public in High Tatras. Its karstic decoration includes stalagmites, lakes and several halls. There are also bats in the cave. It was discovered in the 18th century by gold-diggers and for public it has been opened since 1882.
Except tours, it is used also for reviving speleological visits. Tour in the cave takes 70 minutes and has length of 1370 m. The temperature in the cave is 5-6.00 °C. The cave is situated in Tatranská Kotlina and accessible after following 1 km long yellow-marked trail.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Sunday with entrances at 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00 AM, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00 PM
Tickets:
- Adults – 8.00€
- Seniors, students – 7.00€
- Children – 4.00€
Poprad
Woodrock climbing wall
Woodrock hall with the indoor climbing wall was established in 2016 to improve conditions for indoor climbing in Poprad. You can bring your own climbing equipment or borrow it there for reasonable prices. Come and enjoy perfect adrenaline afternoon.
You can find more information here.
Opening hours:
daily from 3.00 PM
Tickets:
It is necessary to register on your first visit. It is also possible to buy a season ticket.
- Adults – 4.00€
- Students, children – 3.50€
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