This northern Slovak town serves as a gateway to the High Tatras mountains. Visitors can ski in winter, hike in summer, and explore nearby traditional villages and scenic lakes.
Poprad, a town in northern Slovakia, sits at the foot of the High Tatras mountains. The city's historical center revolves around St. Egidius Square, where you'll see 18th and 19th-century buildings. Poprad has unique sites like the AquaCity water park and the Tatra Gallery housed in an old power plant. From here, you can easily access the High Tatras for outdoor activities or explore the town's urban charms.
Exploring Poprad's Historical Center
St. Egidius Square (Námestie svätého Egídia) forms the core of Poprad's historical center. Here, you'll see the Early-Gothic Roman Catholic Church of St. Egidius, built in the late 13th century. As you walk the surrounding streets, you'll encounter Baroque and Classicist buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. In summer, the square comes alive with events and festivals, adding a lively atmosphere to the historical setting.
Discovering Spišská Sobota
Visit the Spišská Sobota district, which became part of Poprad in 1945 and was designated a Town Monument Reserve in 1953. This area was once one of the wealthiest among the five Upper Spiš towns. In Spišská Sobota, you can see the Church of St. George, known for its five late-Gothic side altars and a main altar created in the workshop of Master Paul of Levoča. As you explore, you'll notice that the district's medieval urban layout and architecture have remained largely unchanged over the centuries.
High Tatras Access
Poprad serves as a primary entry point to the High Tatras mountain range, popular for hiking and skiing. From the city, you can take the Tatra Electric Railway, a narrow-gauge train system that links Poprad with various resorts in the High Tatras. This makes it convenient to plan day trips to places like Starý Smokovec or other Tatra communities. Poprad's location allows you to experience both urban life and mountain excursions.
Museums and Cultural Attractions
Learn about the region's history and culture at the Podtatranské Museum. The museum's exhibits cover various aspects of the Poprad area. For art enthusiasts, the Tatra Gallery, located in the city's old power plant, displays works by prominent Slovak and foreign artists and hosts contemporary art exhibitions. These institutions provide insight into the artistic and historical context of Poprad and the surrounding region.
Getting to and Around Poprad
Poprad has good transportation links to other parts of Slovakia and Europe. The Poprad-Tatry Airport, just outside the city, offers international flights, including regular service to London. If you're traveling within Slovakia, Poprad is about 330 kilometers from Bratislava by road. In the city, you'll find the Poprad-Tatry railway station useful for further travel. Poprad's compact size makes walking a good option for exploring, while public transportation and taxis are available for longer distances.
