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Day trips by car: Poland, Spiš and the Pieniny

From Ždiar, you can drive to the Polish border, Zakopane and the historic sights of Spiš. Distances and journey times are approximate, measured from the resort in normal traffic.

Morskie Oko in the morning, with Mnich and Rysy reflected in the water

Morskie Oko: parking and the 9 km walk to the lake

Morskie Oko lies on the Polish side of the Tatras. A paved road runs for around 9 km from the Palenica Białczańska car park to the lake; the walk usually takes two to two and a half hours. Check carriage transport options and current conditions with the Polish Tatra National Park, TPN.

Parking near Morskie Oko must be booked in advance through the official TPN system. Conditions and prices vary by date. Before travelling, check park admission requirements and parking availability too.

Krupówki pedestrian street in Zakopane

Zakopane · 44 minutes

Half a day gives you a taste of Poland’s winter capital: the Krupówki pedestrian street with its shops, restaurants and stalls selling oscypek cheese; the funicular to Gubałówka (8 minutes), with panoramic Tatra views; wooden villas in the Zakopane style; and the Wielka Krokiew ski-jumping complex. Paid car parks are available around the centre.

On the way back, you can stop at the thermal baths in Białka Tatrzańska or Bukowina. Check current opening hours, prices and visitor rules on each venue’s official website.

Prince Hohenlohe’s hunting lodge in Tatranská Javorina

Tatranská Javorina · 10 minutes

This small village on the road to Poland has two landmarks commissioned by the Prussian Prince Christian Kraft of Hohenlohe, then one of the world’s wealthiest people. His wooden hunting lodge, built in 1883–1885, is now a national cultural monument managed by the Office of the President. The wooden Church of St Anne, built in 1902–1903, reflects traditional folk architecture.

The lodge and church open to visitors according to their current schedules. A lodge tour takes around 15–25 minutes; admission fees and capacity may change. The green-marked trail from Javorina also leads through Zadné Meďodoly to Kopské sedlo.

Wooden Holy Trinity Articular Church in Kežmarok

Kežmarok · 30 minutes

The wooden Holy Trinity Articular Church was built in 1717 from yew and larch, without a single metal nail, in just 75 days. It has been UNESCO-listed since 2008. Nearby stand the New Evangelical Church and the lyceum, whose library is the largest school library in Central Europe. Slovak writers Hviezdoslav and Chalupka studied here. Above the town is a Renaissance castle of 15th-century origin, now housing a museum.

Opening days at the church and lyceum may vary. Groups of more than ten can arrange a visit with the parish office in advance. You can combine Kežmarok with the thermal pools at Vrbov, a ten-minute drive away.

Raftsman on a wooden raft on the Dunajec beneath Tri Koruny

The Pieniny Mountains and Dunajec rafting · 58 minutes

Traditional wooden rafts take you through the Dunajec Gorge beneath the cliffs of Tri Koruny and Sokolica. Trips start near Červený Kláštor, where you can also visit the Carthusian monastery and museum. Suitability for children depends on the operator and the weather.

Season dates, departure times, prices and return arrangements depend on the operator and the weather. Check these in advance on the rafting company’s official website.

Master Paul’s Square in Levoča, with the town hall and basilica

Levoča and Spiš Castle · around an hour

Levoča (51 minutes) is a walled medieval town whose historic centre is UNESCO-listed. St James’s Basilica houses the world’s tallest late-Gothic wooden altar: 18.62 m high, carved in limewood by Master Paul of Levoča between 1507 and 1517. Beside it stand the Renaissance town hall and the historic cage of shame, while arcaded townhouses line the square.

Spiš Castle (61 minutes, or 15 minutes from Levoča) is one of Europe’s largest castle complexes and has been UNESCO-listed since 1993. Opening hours and admission prices vary with the season; check the castle’s official website for current information. Below the castle lies Spišská Kapitula with its cathedral, also part of the UNESCO site.

Spiš Castle on its travertine crag

Planning your day

A day in Poland: choose Morskie Oko or Zakopane and allow extra time for the border area. A day in Spiš: combine Spiš Castle with Levoča or Kežmarok. A day in the Pieniny Mountains: plan rafting and a visit to Červený Kláštor around the current departure times. Back at the resort, unwind in the spa.

Check opening hours and prices on the operators’ websites. Journey times are approximate and assume normal traffic.

Aerial view of Resort Kamzík with the Belianske Tatras behind it

Book your stay directly with us

After a day of exploring, return to the comfort of Wellness Resort Kamzík***. Choose a stay with buffet breakfast or half board and enjoy spa access throughout your stay.

Spa access included · free parking · Belianske Tatras within easy reach

Check availabilityAll ideas for days out
Photos of places in the surrounding area are from Wikimedia Commons under free licences

The resort photos and aerial views of the village and Tatras are our own. Check the operators’ websites for opening hours and prices before setting out, as these vary by season.