The oldest Tatra settlement is currently the administrative center of the High Tatras. Offices are located here, there is a center of the Tatra Mountain Service, hotels, rentals, travel agencies. The settlement is an important transport hub with a branch of the Tatra electric railway and a cable car to Hrebienok, from where there is a starting point for tours to the most visited valleys. The settlement has a commercial network, branches of some banks, exchange offices. You can enjoy the excellent water at the springs, thanks to which Starý Smokovec was actually created. The settlement under Slavkovský štít will provide visitors with versatile opportunities for recreation, relaxation, quality cuisine, and an excellent base for demanding tourism.
Railway to the Hrebienok
Hrebienok (1285m) is an attractive destination for visitors to the High Tatras. The oldest tourist center Starý Smokovec is a transport hub of the town of Vysoké Tatry. The settlement is a branch to Hrebienok - the starting point of many hiking trails. Take the cable car from Starý Smokovec to a height of 1,272 m above sea level. and experience the feeling that Queen Elizabeth of England had when visiting the High Tatras. Transport comfortably in 7 minutes and overcome an altitude difference of 255 m.n.m. Hrebienok is a tourist center of ascents to Veľká and Mala Studená dolina or Slavkovský štít. You can recharge your batteries after the hike in the Snack bar on Hrebienok. This popular place is located in the cable car building. The ideal meeting place for the whole family will be, so to speak, "at hand", whether getting on or off the cable car.
Bilíkova chata
While wandering around Starý Smokovec, you can relax in the alpine Bilíková cottage, which provides accommodation and refreshments in the restaurant. The cottage is located below Hrebienok in the surroundings of the Cold Valley on the southeastern slope of Slavkovský štít. It is named after the skier Pavel Bilík, who was captured by the Germans as a participant in the SNP near Starý Smokovec and executed in 1944.
Waterfalls Studeného potoka
Studený potok flows from Rainer's cottage to Bilík's cottage through a huge terrain break and creates beautiful cascades and cataracts. It consists of three waterfalls - Small, Hidden and Long Waterfall. The shortest way to get to the Studený potok waterfalls leads from Hrebienok, but marked trails also lead to them from Tatranská Lesná, Tatranská Lomnica and Starý Smokovec.
Tricklandia
In Starý Smokovec you will find an entertaining gallery of optical illusions - Tricklandia. There are 24 attractions. These look as if they really existed, but in reality they are two-dimensional drawings that will appeal to both children and adults. The tour of the gallery lasts a maximum of an hour, but do not forget to make a mandatory reservation.
Nice view
Starý Smokovec and its surroundings are also worth seeing from a bird's eye view. An approximately one-kilometer journey from Starý Smokovec leads to Pekná vyhlídka and it is an undemanding walk suitable for smaller children as well. Since 2015, Calvary has been completed at Pekná vyhlídka. 14 artists from Slovakia and Poland took part in the original stops of the Stations of the Cross.
Kostol Nepoškvrneného počatia Panny Márie
The church in Starý Smokovec was built in 1888 in the alpine style. With its unique architecture, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire High Tatras. At present, seasonal services are held there from May to October, but if you visit Starý Smokovec at another time, be sure to look at it from the outside.
Rainerova chata
The most popular route in the High Tatras leads to Rainer's cottage. You can get to it directly from Starý Smokovec via Hrebienok. An asphalt road suitable for prams and wheelchairs also leads to the cottage. Part of the journey from Hrebienok to Rainer's cottage was ceremoniously opened by the British Queen Elizabeth II. Today, the cottage serves as an information center with refreshments. There is also an exhibition of Tatra carriers and historic alpine equipment.
Modré pleso
The glittering jewels of the High Tatras are clearly enchanting glacial lakes. These not only complete the alpine atmosphere, but also soften it in a way. The highest lake in the High Tatras is called Blue Lake. It lies in Dolinka pod Sedielkom bordered by the majestic southern wall of the Little Ice Shield. It got its name due to its dark blue color. However, it is only apparent, as the lake is obscured by the surrounding rock walls. Hiking to the Blue Ball is only possible in the period from 16 June to 31 October. A green tourist sign leads to it, which connects Malá Studená dolina with Javorová. The route is quite challenging. The ascent from the ridge to Téry's cottage takes 3 hours and from Téry's cottage to the Blue Ball it takes another 45 minutes.
Five Spišských plies
As the name suggests, this is a set of five beautiful glacial lakes of various sizes. They are located at the end of Mala Studena dolina, not far from, probably the most famous, Tatra cottage - Téry's cottage. Each of them is unique and completes a unique alpine character. You may be wondering why these lakes are called "Spišské" when they are in fact Tatra. The name of these lakes is derived from the determination of their location in the territory of the historic Spišská župa. The surroundings of the lake are intertwined with hiking trails that connect Téry's cottage with Tatranská Javorina and Zbojnícka cottage. The starting point of Hrebienok, from there the route leads, around Zamkovský chata and continues through Malá Studená dolina. It then heads through Sedielko, from where you will have beautiful views of all the lakes. This route passes through one of the most challenging ascents in the Tatras - through Priečne sedlo You can continue towards the balls and Téry's cottage. The route leads through challenging alpine terrain and therefore suitable footwear and clothing are needed.
Slavkovský štít
Slavkovský štít is a Tatra classic. It rises to majestic heights in the main ridge of the High Tatras. It is one of the highest in this mountain range, and probably that is why it attracts a large number of tourists who want to conquer it. The wide, sprawling peak offers incredibly beautiful views of all corners of the world. From the heights you will be able to enjoy the rocky peaks of Slavkovská rázsocha to the west to Východná Vysoká, or by looking at the four-peaks of Hogwarts. The view down to the Little Cold Valley is also dramatic. The popular ascent route starts in Starý Smokovec along the blue mark (approx. 7 km) around the Five Springs. The starting point can also be the tourist resort Hrebienok (approx. 7 km), which is located on its slopes and is connected to Starý Smokovec by a cable car.
Summer tubing
Summer is a great time to loosen the reins. Let yourself be seduced by summer tubing. Don't you know what it is? It is one of the current very popular summer experiences. It's actually about running on an inflatable bike on a fun and fast track. You can try this wild ride over Starý Smokovec on Hrebienok. Summer tubing is designed for both children and adults. All you have to do is sit on the bike and let yourself be carried away by a hundred-meter-long and specially prepared toboggan without water. And if summer tubing is not enough for you or your children, the alpine nature on Hrebienok offers much more. Fans of adrenaline can also try riding down a groomed track on special scooters or mountain bikes.
Toboggan simulator
The beautiful alpine environment of Starý Smokovec offers not only amazing hiking trails, but also perfect places for fun and sports. As part of your visit to the High Tatras, you can try a sleigh ride on a tilted, artificial toboggan run approximately 100 meters long. This is the first and at the same time the only attraction of its kind in Slovakia, where you can try an adrenaline-free, but completely safe ride on a real racing sled. The simulator also includes a camera system and a timer. The ice track is artificially cooled and covered, thanks to which it can be operated even in adverse external conditions. It is used even in summer, when it is ridden on a sleigh.