Poprad is the gateway to the Slovakian High Tatras – a small city, but excellent as a base for hiking, or exploring the small country of Slovakia. Also, there’s definitely a fair few activities in Poprad itself!
At a glance…
- Days To Spend: 2-3, more if you want to do many hikes
- Get Around: Walk, or bus/Uber for long distances
- Get In and Out: By train or plane
- Pay: With Euros, most likely using a bank card
- Speak: Slovakian, Polish, or English
- See: The High Tatras, Spisska Sobota, AquaCity Poprad
- Should you go?: Yes, though hiking is a must!
General Impressions
Poprad is not a city most people know about. Indeed, I doubt many people outside of Poland and Slovakia have ever heard of it! Still, it is a great destination, especially for hiking. The High Tatras are absolutely stunning mountains, that don’t carry the high costs associated with other European mountains like the Alps.
Public Transport
Getting Around
Poprad is small and eminently walkable. You may stay somewhere further out, in which case, you’d probably want to use the buses, or an Uber (which I recommend, provided you can fill a car).
Getting In and Out
Poprad has a very small airport (the highest in Europe!) which has a few flights around Europe, which increase in frequency during Summer. It also has a train station, which has connections to Slovakia’s bigger cities, such as Kosice and Bratislava. Poprad is a major stop for the TEZ (Tatra Electric Railway), which connects the city to numerous trailheads and mountain resort towns. Use this to get to your hiking destination!
Food
Slovakian food carries many similarities to other Central European cuisines, with lots of meat, veg, and potato style dishes; stews and cheeses are popular too. There’s many influences from Hungarian cuisine, owing to Hungarian sovereignty over Slovakia for most of it’s history.
Money
Slovakia is in the Eurozone. Card payment is widespread, and can be used pretty much anywhere, though there cash payment is also quite popular. Do what you like, in short!
Language
Everyone will speak Slovakian of course. Many people in the tourism industry will also speak Polish (and, to a lesser extent, Hungarian). Young people will generally speak and understand English, so you should have no trouble finding your way around.
Time
Poprad itself is small, and most of it’s sites can be seen in a single day. However, the High Tatras nearby have many possible day hikes that can occupy your time well, and it’s worth spending a day at AquaCity Poprad, especially to soothe sore muscles after hiking.
Safety
Poprad is incredibly safe, and the biggest danger here would be your own stupidity when hiking. The High Tatras are tall: come prepared!
My Favourite Spots
The High Tatras
You cannot come to Poprad without exploring the magnificent High Tatras! The mountains are beautiful, and the trials are many (and easily accessible thanks to the TEZ). We attempted a hike to Rysy (the highest peak in Poland, shared with Slovakia), but had to turn back due to snow near the summit.
Spisska Sobota
Spisska Sobota is actually a second town that grew into Poprad over it’s history. It has an incredibly square, and a number of churches.
AquaCity Poprad
If your muscles are sore from climbing mountains, a visit to AquaCity is sure to make you feel better. From water slides to saunas, AquaCity is packed with water-based activities that are fun and relaxing.
Poprad Old Town
Though not as pretty as neighbouring Spisska Sobota, Poprad’s town centre is also pretty, and hosts a number of interesting churches, from the modern St Mary’s Cathedral, to St Egidius, with it’s medieval murals.
Conclusion
I was extremely happy with Poprad. The High Tatras are beauitful, and the town itself is pretty. I would definitely recommend anyone in the mood to hike to come to Poprad!
We May Roam 