Poprad from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, stores. Photos, videos, and reviews about Poprad.
The City of Poprad (Slovakia)
The small Slovak town of Poprad (Slovak: Poprad) is located in the north of the country, right at the foot of the High Tatras. Due to its location, it is often referred to as the “gateway to the Tatras.” While there aren’t many landmarks here, the town always attracts plenty of tourists—several ski resorts are nearby, and almost every traveler makes a stop here before heading into the mountains. The locals don’t mind—they’re used to people staying in their hotels for just 1–2 nights, but they still strive to make that time memorable. As a result, the town boasts numerous affordable cafes, restaurants, hotels, and apartments, as well as a decent selection of entertainment options.
How to Get to Poprad
The local Poprad-Tatry Airport receives only a few flights per week. Every other day, WizzAir flights arrive from London Luton, and during the ski season, flights from Warsaw and Riga are added.
BY THE WAY, Poprad-Tatry is the highest-altitude airport in Europe.
The easiest way to reach Poprad is by train from Prague or Bratislava.
Trains from Bratislava depart hourly to Poprad, with a ticket price of 19 EUR. A seat on a train from Prague costs from 13 EUR. Prices are as of July 2019.
Poprad is also accessible via the E50 highway, connecting it to the regional capital Prešov. The D1 highway links Žilina to Poprad.
History
The first written mention of Poprad dates back to 1256—it was then a typical German town. Due to debt in the early 13th century, it and several other Spiš settlements were ceded to Poland. The town spent about four centuries as part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1871, a significant event occurred: a railway was built to Poprad. This led to rapid development and population growth. The town flourished as part of Czechoslovakia and is now considered the wealthiest in the Prešov Region.
Accommodation in Poprad
Poprad offers a wide range of accommodation options for every budget. For example, a night at the Mountain View Hotel in the AquaCity entertainment complex costs 136 EUR, but this includes half-board. A good three-star hotel in the city center offers a standard double room with breakfast for 35 EUR. A night in a guesthouse averages around 25 EUR.
Hotels in Poprad
What to See
The main landmark of the town is St. Egidius Square, surrounded by 18th-century bourgeois buildings in Baroque and Classical styles. The dominant feature is the early Gothic Roman Catholic Church of St. Egidius from the 13th century. Four hundred years after its construction, a fire broke out in the church, destroying numerous chronicles and interior details. The church was fully restored only in 1998.
Visitors to Poprad should also visit the Podtatranské Museum. Its exhibits showcase the history and geography of this picturesque region, including archaeological finds, taxidermy animals, and household items of local residents.
Another museum, the Tatra Gallery, introduces visitors to works by local and foreign painters. The gallery is housed in a former steam power plant and also features contemporary art.
Although the mountains are Poprad’s main symbol, local artists began depicting them in their works only in the 19th century.
A major attraction for tourists from Slovakia and neighboring countries is the multifunctional AquaCity entertainment complex. It features a huge aquapark, numerous thermal pools fed by underground springs, hammams, children’s playgrounds, and spa facilities. AquaCity also includes hotels, a shopping center, and several restaurants. A full-day pass costs 22 EUR, with a reduced price of 19 EUR for children.
Weather
Poprad and the surrounding region have a typical moderate foothill climate, characterized by mild winters and warm summers. From June to August, temperatures range from +18 to +23 °C. Most precipitation occurs between June and September. The average temperature from December to March is 0 °C, but lower temperatures are not uncommon. Snowfall is regular in winter. Tourists love visiting Poprad year-round, as the High Tatras are beautiful in both winter and summer. However, the main influx occurs from December to March—the ski season.
Visit to Slovakia’s “Gateway to the Tatras”: Why Go to Poprad?
Poprad is more than just a transit point before conquering snow-capped peaks. It’s a town where the history of German settlers, Polish nobility, and Slovak culture has created a unique character felt everywhere—from the Baroque buildings on St. Egidius Square to the modern AquaCity complex. Although most tourists spend only a day or two here, Poprad offers a special experience—a chance to feel the atmosphere of a true foothill town, where ancient churches coexist with thermal pools, and traditional restaurants provide relaxation after an active day in the mountains. Perhaps it’s this ability to harmoniously blend historical heritage with modern entertainment that makes Poprad not just a “gateway,” but a full-fledged participant in the Tatra adventure.
