Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, is a charming city with an intriguing history, and the perfect place to start your Slovakian journey.
When you arrive you’ll get familiar with the programme for the next seven days. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is free to explore.
Meals included
None
Accommodation
Hotel Devin (or similar)
Today is free for you to explore Bratislava. Have a stroll through the narrow streets of the Old Town and a wander along the Danube with its many cafes and restaurants.
There are numerous fascinating historical buildings in Slovakia’s capital. Some of our favourites are Bratislava Castle, which houses the Museum of History and a 47-metre high tower with commanding city views, the old town hall and the 18th century Primate’s Palace, which has a beautiful pink and white façade and an amazing Hall of Mirrors (entrance fees for your own account).
We’ll provide you with a recommended walking route to follow so you can take-in all of Bratislava’s main sights – we wouldn’t want you to miss anything!
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Devin (or similar)
Today you head out of the city and into the heart of the Tatra Mountains. Travelling by train in Slovakia is a comfortable experience and, in a little over three and a half hours, you will arrive at Poprad Tatry, gateway to the mountains.
The High Tatras are an area of phenomenal natural beauty. The mountains are home to lakes, waterfalls, flowers, valleys, craggy peaks, ridges, and much more. All of this is the perfect habitat for mammals and birds, and over the next few days you’ll explore this beautiful area and its attractions.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning you take a cable car to Skalnate Pleso lake (1 751 m), one of the most popular destinations in the Tatras. Following one of the most popular walking trails in the Tatras, from here you´ll walk to two of the Tatras’ mountain huts and waterfalls. Mountain huts have been a part of the Tatras’ tapestry for years; they’re traditional, welcoming and often have a historic story to tell. They also offer tasty lunches!
Your hike will take you to Rainerova, the oldest hut in the mountains, dating back to 1863. Today, it is a small stone building serving drinks and snacks, and Zamkovskeho is a pretty wooden chalet offering a sheltered resting spot.
Cold Creek Waterfalls is also on you route today, and you can pause here and soak up the fresh mountain air. The waterfalls begin where the Great Cold Creek meets the Small Cold Creek and spill over rocks and boulders, and through pine forests. Walking trails run alongside the cascades, so you can admire the views.
From Hrebienok, you descend to Smokovec by funicular cable car and return back to your hotel.
Total walking
Distance: 15 km
Total ascent: 663 m
Total descent: 1 420 m
Max elevation: 2004 m
Min elevation: 1004 m
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Today’s trek starts with a tram journey to Strbske Pleso, Slovakia´s highest village with a beautiful lake of the same name. From here, follow a trail to the crystal-clear mountain lake of Popradske Pleso, one of the biggest in the Tatra range. Enjoy lunch on the terrace of the mountain hotel, and visit the symbolic cemetery which is dedicated to the victims of the Tatra mountains. In the afternoon, descend back to Strbske Pleso and return to Smokovec.
Total walking
Distance 11 km
Total ascent: 370 m
Total descent: 370 m
Max elevation: 1 534 m
Min elevation: 1 329 m
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning you’ll transfer to the charming region of Spiš, which is home to a number of remarkable UNESCO sites. The first one on the list will be the medieval town of Levoca. This authentic town with beautifully preserved city walls is the jewel of the Spiš region. In the heart of the town you´ll find the ancient square of Master Paul, the creator of the highest wooden altar in the world, whose beauty you can admire during your visit in the basilica of St James. You´ll also visit the town’s hall.
The next highlight on the list will be Spissky castle, the biggest castle site in Central-Eastern Europe. Your tour then continues with a hike to Spisske Podhradie, a little town beautifully nestled below the castle.
After lunch in Spisske Podhradie you’ll continue hiking to Spisska Kapitula, the main seat of the church administration in the region in the 12th century. Today’s hike ends with a walk across Spissky Jerusalem, which recalls ancient Jerusalem in on-to-one scale. It’s a magical end to this walking adventure with stunning views over the Spisska Capitula, Spissky castle and the Tatra mountains. You’ll then return to Smokovec.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning you take the train from Poprad back to Bratislava, where your tour ends.
Meals included
Breakfast