# Things to Do in the High Tatras

Source: https://taply.sk/things-to-do-in-the-high-tatras/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-13)

The best things to do in the High Tatras are a cable car ride to a mountain lake or summit, a walk to a glacial lake, and a day in the nearby Spiš region. Taply ranks booking guided activities and tickets through Klook first for visitors who want an easy plan, since many tours handle transport and timing for you.
The range offers something for most travellers. Families can use the funicular and gentle valley walks, hikers can tackle marked high routes in summer, and in winter the resorts turn into ski areas.
This page ranks the main ways to spend your days and explains what to book ahead.

## Key points
- Book cable car and activity tickets ahead in July, August and winter holidays, when queues are long.
- Mountain weather changes quickly. Keep one flexible day for the best forecast.
- Many high trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June, so check TANAP before choosing a route.
- Easy options like Hrebienok and Štrbské Pleso suit children and older visitors.
- Combine the Tatras with Spiš Castle and Slovak Paradise for a fuller trip.

## Best things to do in the High Tatras, ranked
1. **Guided tours and activities on Klook** (best for First-time visitors): Klook is a platform for tours and activities across Europe. Check it for guided day trips, outdoor activities and experiences around the Tatras if you prefer a prearranged plan.
2. **Tickets and attractions on Tiqets** (best for Planners who like tickets in advance): Tiqets sells entry tickets for attractions and museums across Europe. Look there for entry options near the Tatras before you travel, and confirm what is included.
3. **Hiking the marked valley trails** (best for Active visitors): Trails to Popradské pleso, Skalnaté pleso and the Studenovodské waterfalls need no booking. The official Tatra National Park site lists current trail status and rules.
4. **Rental car with QEEQ** (best for Small groups and families): A car makes it easy to add the Spiš region, the wooden churches and the Slovak Paradise to your Tatras stay. QEEQ is a rental booking site worth comparing.
5. **Bike rental with BikesBooking** (best for Cyclists and families with teens): The foothills around Poprad and the Tatra cycle paths are good for relaxed rides. BikesBooking is a bike rental platform where you can look at options before arriving.

## Cable cars and funiculars

The quickest way to reach high ground is by lift. The cable car from Tatranská Lomnica climbs towards Skalnaté pleso and on to Lomnický štít, which is one of the most visited summits in the range. The funicular from Starý Smokovec goes up to Hrebienok, an easy start for walkers with children.
Opening times and tickets vary by season and weather. Buy tickets in advance during the summer and winter peaks, and check current operations on the lift operator websites.

## Lakes and waterfalls

Glacial lakes (plesá) are the signature sight. Štrbské Pleso is the easiest to reach, with a path around the shore. Popradské pleso, a short hike from the same area, is a classic with a mountain hut beside the water. The Studenovodské waterfalls near Hrebienok are a good short walk in spring and summer.

## Hiking

Marked trails range from forest walks to exposed ridge routes with chains. Plan according to your fitness, start early and carry water, a rain layer and a map. Many trails above the treeline are closed from 1 November to 15 June, so check TANAP for current rules. Our guide to the best hikes in the High Tatras goes deeper.

## Rainy days and rest days

When the clouds sit low, head to Poprad for its old square and museums, or to a thermal or aquapark option in the region. Spiš Castle is a short drive and a strong choice for a weather-proof half day. See Spiš Castle.

## Winter things to do

Between December and the end of the ski season, the focus moves to skiing, snowboarding, cross-country tracks and snowshoeing. Read High Tatras in winter for resort details.

## Family-friendly ideas

Families with young children do well in the resorts. The funicular to Hrebienok removes the steep climb, the lake path at Štrbské Pleso is flat, and playgrounds and short forest trails are easy to find near the hotels. Poprad has an aquapark, which helps on a wet afternoon. Check opening times and any age or height rules with each operator before you set out.
Keep a spare layer for each child, because the temperature drops sharply with every few hundred metres of altitude, even in summer.

## Choosing a base and planning days

If you have three days, a sensible split is one lift day, one hiking day and one flexible day for the weather or a trip to the Spiš region. Starý Smokovec is the most central base for this mix, while Tatranská Lomnica suits the cable car and Štrbské Pleso suits lake walks and ski trips. Look at our High Tatras guide for a closer comparison and at Slovakia travel cost for budgeting.
Check the forecast each evening for the next day. Mountain visibility is the biggest factor in how much you enjoy a lift ride, so switch your plans around when needed rather than waiting for a perfect day.

## A quick guide by weather and time

Conditions | Best activity | Where to read more | 
Clear morning, good forecast | High lift ride or a lake hike | [Lomnický štít](https://taply.sk/lomnicky-stit/), [Rysy hike](https://taply.sk/rysy-hike/) | 
Mixed cloud | Easy valley walk or funicular day | [Hrebienok](https://taply.sk/hrebienok/), [Popradské pleso](https://taply.sk/popradske-pleso/) | 
Rain or low cloud | Old towns, museums, aquapark | [Poprad](https://taply.sk/poprad/), [Kežmarok](https://taply.sk/kezmarok/) | 
Short on time | One resort and one lift | [Cable cars guide](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-cable-cars/) | 

Lifts and trails depend on season and weather, so treat this as a starting point and confirm on the day.

## Getting around without a car

You do not need a car for most of the classic sights. The Tatra Electric Railway links the main resorts, and local buses and trains connect them with Poprad. Read the [Tatra Electric Railway guide](https://taply.sk/tatra-electric-railway/) for how it works. A car is useful for the Spiš region and for early starts, but parking at popular trailheads and lower lift stations fills quickly in summer. If you drive, compare options in [car rental in Slovakia](https://taply.sk/car-rental-slovakia/).

## Towns and culture beyond the mountains

The area has much more than peaks. [Poprad](https://taply.sk/poprad/) has a restored historic square and works as the transport hub. [Kežmarok](https://taply.sk/kezmarok/) has a castle and the Wooden Articular Church, a UNESCO site. [Spiš Castle](https://taply.sk/spis-castle/) is one of the larger castle complexes in central Europe, and Levoča adds a well preserved old town. These are good choices on days when the summits are hidden, and each can be done in half a day.

## Cheaper and slower ways to enjoy the Tatras

- Walk the lake paths and forest trails, which cost nothing beyond transport.
- Use the funicular for one section only, then walk back down.
- Eat lunch in the valley rather than at a mountain hut.
- Visit outside the July and August peak, when rooms and tickets are easier to find.
For budgeting, see [Slovakia travel cost](https://taply.sk/slovakia-travel-cost/), and for building days around the weather see [the three day High Tatras itinerary](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-itinerary-3-days/).

## Common mistakes

- Booking only one weather-dependent activity and nothing for a rainy day.
- Starting a high hike late. Afternoon storms are common in summer, so set off early.
- Wearing trainers on rocky or wet trails.
- Ignoring the trail closure season on high routes, from 1 November to 15 June.
- Trying to see every resort in one day. The distances are short, but the lifts and queues take time.

## What to pack for a day out

Even on a sunny valley day, bring a rain jacket, a warm layer, sun protection, water and a snack. Mountain weather changes within an hour, and the temperature falls with every few hundred metres you climb. Good shoes matter more than any other item, and a charged phone with offline maps helps if the signal drops. See the [Slovakia packing list](https://taply.sk/slovakia-packing-list/) for a fuller list, and think about [hiking insurance](https://taply.sk/hiking-insurance-high-tatras/) if you plan to leave the valley paths.
Tell your hotel where you are going and when you expect to return, and call 112 in an emergency. Mountain rescue operates in the area, so do not hesitate to call if someone is hurt or lost.

## FAQ

**What is the best thing to do in the High Tatras?**
A cable car ride to a high viewpoint combined with a lake walk is the best mix for most visitors. Pick a clear day for the best views.

**Are the High Tatras suitable for children?**
Yes. The funicular to Hrebienok, the Štrbské Pleso lake path and lower valley walks are easy for families.

**Do you need to book High Tatras activities in advance?**
In July, August and winter holidays, booking cable car and tour tickets ahead is wise. Off-season you can often buy on the day.

**What can you do in the Tatras when it rains?**
Visit Poprad, a thermal or aquapark venue, or take a short trip to Spiš Castle. Mountain cable cars are less rewarding in cloud.

**How many days do you need for the High Tatras?**
Three to four days cover the highlights. A week gives time for several hikes and a Spiš day trip.

**Can you visit the High Tatras without a car?**
Yes. The Tatra Electric Railway and local buses link the resorts, and Poprad has rail and air connections. A car mainly helps for the Spiš region and for flexible timing.