Kežmarok

A historic Spiš town beneath the Tatras with a castle, Renaissance belfry and a UNESCO-listed wooden Evangelical Articular Church. Its compact centre and folk festivals reward a visit.

Things to do

• Kežmarok Castle — Explore the well-preserved medieval town castle with its museum of local history, chapel and burgher culture exhibits.
• Wooden Articular Church — Visit the UNESCO-listed 17th-century Evangelical Articular Church, built entirely without nails and famed for its painted wooden interior and organ.
• New Evangelical Church — Admire the striking red-and-green Neo-Byzantine church next to the wooden one, housing the mausoleum of Imre Thököly.
• Renaissance Belfry — See the ornate free-standing bell tower with sgraffito decoration beside the Basilica of the Holy Cross.
• Basilica of the Holy Cross — Step inside this Gothic church to view its late-Gothic winged altars and vaulted interior.
• Stroll the historic centre — Wander the compact main square lined with colorful Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses.
• European Folk Crafts Festival — If visiting in July, join the EĽRO festival with craftsmen, folk music and traditional food filling the old town.

Food to try

• Bryndzové halušky — Slovakia's national dish of soft potato dumplings with sheep's cheese and bacon, widely served in local restaurants.
• Spišské pirohy — Regional filled dumplings stuffed with potato, cheese or cabbage, typical of the Spiš area.
• Kapustnica — A hearty sauerkraut soup with smoked sausage and mushrooms, especially popular in the colder months.
• Sheep's cheese and žinčica — Try fresh bryndza and the warm whey drink žinčica from Tatra mountain sheep farms nearby.
• Tatratea — Sample this potent regional herbal liqueur produced in the Tatra region, sold in varying strengths.

Local customs & good to know

• Reserve wooden church visits — The Articular Church is entered via timed guided tours, so check opening hours and buy a combined ticket at the ticket office.
• Reformation heritage — Kežmarok was a strong center of Protestantism, reflected in its Evangelical churches and lyceum library of rare books.
• Base for the Tatras — The town sits close to the High Tatras and makes a quieter, cheaper base for mountain excursions than Poprad or Štrbské Pleso.
• Time your trip for EĽRO — The early-July folk crafts festival is the town's biggest event, so book accommodation well in advance.

Nearby

• Belianska Cave — 13 km
• Levoča — 17 km
• High Tatras — 22 km
• Slovak Paradise National Park — 23 km