Hotels in Starý Smokovec: Tatra Culture and Winter Experiences

Starý Smokovec combines historical traces, film and photography culture, and trails in the High Tatras with winter activities. Between the museum, educational trail, chapel, Stations of the Cross and mountain paths, a multifaceted picture of the town emerges through individual sites and their history.

Culture

The Museum of Tatra Cinematography and Photography in Starý Smokovec has a year-round exhibition documenting the life, atmosphere and changes of the High Tatras through photography and film. It also explores the work of film and photography personalities in the region since 1870. Another focus is the development of photographic technology since the end of the 19th century.

The history of mountain porters is also part of the area's cultural identity. Rainerova chata houses an exhibition on the history and present-day life of mountain porters. It also features a collection of old climbing equipment, old skis and numerous documentary photographs. The Mini-Sherpa Museum complements this subject with artefacts and stories about the importance of porters in the High Tatras.

Winter

In winter, the Jakubkova lúka ski area operates in the centre of Starý Smokovec. The ski slopes are marked blue, are considered particularly easy and are suitable for everyone. Another distinctive link to the mountain world is provided by the funicular from Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok: it reaches its destination in seven minutes, overcoming an elevation difference of 255 m.

Trails

The Smokovce History educational trail leads through Starý and Nový Smokovec. At seven stations, it provides information about the history of the Smokovce settlements; the educational trail is also accessible year-round. The Stations of the Cross in Starý Smokovec begins near the centre of the settlement and follows the path to Pekná vyhliadka.

Cyclists can also use a clearly described route to Hrebienok. Cycle route 2864 from Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok is approximately 2.8 km long and has around 270 metres of elevation gain. It runs on asphalt and is suitable for road bikes, trekking bikes and mountain bikes. Rainerova chata can also be reached from Starý Smokovec via Hrebienok.

History

Local mineral springs with acidic water provided an impetus for the development of Starý Smokovec. In 1793, Count Štefan Csáky of Iliačovce had the first log cabin built. The first masonry chapel in Starý Smokovec was built in 1836. These dates and structures mark the early stages in the development of the town.

When planning a stay in Starý Smokovec, travellers can take the town's various highlights into account when choosing a hotel. Culture, history, winter and trails represent different points of reference that can be weighed against their own ideas about the itinerary and budget. This keeps the choice of accommodation aligned with personal priorities without reducing the town to just one type of trip. Offers for Starý Smokovec can be viewed and compared directly.

More destination pages: Tatranska Lomnica, Tatranská Polianka, Tatranska Kotlina, Štrbské Pleso, Horný Smokovec.

To the overarching travel overview: Vysoké Tatry.