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- UNESCO
- Wooden Articular Church, listed 2008
- Church built
- 1688, entirely of wood
- Region
- Spiš, on the Poprad River
- Best for
- Half-day trip from the Tatras
The easiest way to reach Kežmarok is by car from Poprad or the Tatra resorts, and a rental car from Economybookings or a similar service lets you combine it with Levoča and Spiš Castle. Kežmarok is a town in the Spiš region on the Poprad River, close to the High Tatras.
Its best-known sight is the Wooden Articular Church, a Protestant church built in 1688 entirely of wood. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 as part of the wooden churches of the Slovak Carpathians. The town also has a castle, a basilica and Renaissance merchant houses.
Below are the ways to get there and what to see.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- The Wooden Articular Church was built in 1688 and is UNESCO listed.
- The town has a castle, a basilica and a Protestant New Church.
- Imre Thököly, born here in 1657, is buried in the town.
- Kežmarok is an easy half-day trip from the Tatras.
- Combine it with Levoča, Spiš Castle and Poprad.
Best ways to get to Kežmarok, ranked
-
Our top pick1
Rental car with Economybookings
Best overallBest for: Combining sights
Economybookings compares car rental offers. A car lets you combine Kežmarok with Levoča, Spiš Castle and the Tatras. Check deposit and insurance terms.
Compare cars on Economybookings Read our Economybookings review- Flexible
- Easy for Spiš
- Parking near the centre
- Check deposit
-
2
Private transfer with Kiwitaxi
Best for door-to-doorBest for: Arrivals with luggage
Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. A transfer from Poprad-Tatry airport saves changing buses. Book ahead.
Book a transfer on Kiwitaxi Read our Kiwitaxi review- Door to door
- Fixed price
- More costly than buses
- Book ahead
-
3
Train or bus from Poprad
CheapestBest for: Budget travellers
Public transport links Poprad and Kežmarok. Check the current timetable and where the station is relative to the old town.
Official website- Cheap
- No parking worries
- Fixed timetable
- Limited evening services
-
4
Intui transfer
Best for groupsBest for: Small groups
Intui is a transfer booking service. For small groups a shared car can be good value. Compare quotes.
Book on intui.travel Read our intui.travel review- Good for groups
- Fixed price
- Not the cheapest
Getting there
From the Tatra resorts and Poprad, Kežmarok is a short ride. Read Poprad airport to the High Tatras, car rental in Poprad and Tatranská Lomnica for the base towns. From the east, see Košice to the High Tatras.
The Wooden Articular Church
The Wooden Articular Church was built in 1688 entirely of wood and contains an organ from 1719 with wooden pipes. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. Visits may be limited by opening times and services, so check ahead. See wooden churches of Slovakia and UNESCO sites in Slovakia for the wider listing.
Castle, basilica and old town
Kežmarok Castle, the Basilica of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Protestant New Church are among the monuments, along with Renaissance merchant houses. A museum of old books is also in town. Walk the old town slowly and check opening days. Imre Thököly, a Hungarian noble leader born here in 1657, is buried in a mausoleum attached to the New Evangelical Church, next to the wooden articular church.
Combining with Spiš
Kežmarok sits close to Levoča and Spiš Castle. With a car you can reach the High Tatras, such as Štrbské Pleso, in the same day. For a longer plan see the 3-day High Tatras itinerary.
Practical tips
- Check opening days, since churches and museums can close on Mondays.
- Cobbled streets call for comfortable shoes.
- Cafes in the centre close early in the off season.
- The currency is the euro.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kežmarok known for?
The UNESCO-listed Wooden Articular Church, its castle and its old town.
When was the Wooden Articular Church built?
In 1688, entirely of wood. It became a UNESCO site in 2008.
How do I get to Kežmarok from the High Tatras?
By car, bus or train via Poprad. A car or transfer is the easiest.
Is Kežmarok worth a visit?
Yes, for the church and castle. It suits a half-day trip from the Tatras.
Can I combine Kežmarok with Levoča?
Yes. With a car, both can be seen in one day along with Spiš Castle.
Photo: Kežmarok · Marek Kvackaj · CC BY-SA 3.0
