Subterranean treasures

Few countries are blessed with such a large volume of diverse underground karst formations as Slovakia. There are over 7 500 known caves, twenty of which can be visited.

They include the most significant and most precious, the UNESCO listed caves of the Slovenský kras (Slovak Karst) and Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa (Dobšina Ice Cave).

Of special value is the Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa (Ochtiná AragoniteCave), the only cave of its kind in Europe. Its subterranean chambers are adorned with crystals of aragonite, formed in some places into the shape of fragile corals and snow white shrublets.

In Domica we fi nd the largest known cave of the Slovak Karst, where you can experience a trip on little boats down the River Styx.

List of accessible caves in Slovakia.pdf

  • Belianska jaskyňa cave

    The Belianska jaskyňa cave is the only one accessible to public in the Tatras and situated in the slope of the Belianske Tatry Mts. above the commune Tatranská Kotlina.  It is among the first caves Europe in which electric light was installed.
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  • Bojnická hradná jaskyňa cave

    The visit to the Bojnice Castle includes that of a natural cave located in the tufaceous accumulation on which the castle is built. The diameter of the cave is 22 m and its height is 6 m. It is located 26-m below the level of the fourth courtyard with a water well.
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  • Bystrianska jaskyňa cave

    On the southern end of the village Bystrá below the southern slope of the Low Tatras is the entrance to the Bystrianska jaskyňa cave, which consists of two: the Stará and Nová jaskyňa caves with a total length of more than 3,000 metres.
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  • Demänovská jaskyňa Slobody cave

    Demänovská jaskyňa slobody is part of the huge underground karst system in the valley Demänovská dolina below the Nízke Tatry Mts. It boasts a unique drip stone ornamentation, which makes it one of the most beautiful caves of Europe.
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  • Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa cave

    On the right side of the valley Demänovská dolina below the northern slopes of the mountains Nízke Tatry is another cave open to public - Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa.
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  • Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa cave

    In the south-western edge of the Slovenský raj Mts. is the Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa cave, one of the largest ice caves in Europe. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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  • Domica cave

    This cave also referred to as the “Pride of the Region Gemer“, lies in the south-western part of the Slovenský kras karst on the Silická planina plateau. As a special experience the Domica cave offers to its visitors an attractive boat trip on its underground river. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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  • Driny cave

    The Driny cave is the only cave open to public in the south-west of Slovakia. It is situated in the Malé Karpaty Mts. near the Smolenický zámok Castle.
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  • Gombasecká jaskyňa cave

    The cave is famous for extra thin sinter “curls”. It is situated in the western foothills of the Silická planina plateau in the Slovenský kras karst. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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  • Harmanecká jaskyňa cave

    The Harmanecká jaskyňa cave is situated in the Veľká Fatra Mts. The cave is known for occurrence of rare white soft sinter, tall pagodas and sinter lakes.
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  • Jaskyňa mŕtvych netopierov cave

    Jaskyňa mŕtvych netopierov (Cave of Dead Bats) in the mountains Nízke Tatry acquired its name following the finds of a great amount of bat bones about 6000 years old. Speleological (cave) guides are available for demanding visitors. Strong draught characterizes this cave and the temperature seldom rises over several degrees of Celsius above zero.
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  • Jasovská jaskyňa cave

    The Jasovská jaskyňa cave is situated on the eastern edge of the Slovenský kras karst. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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  • Krásnohorská jaskyňa cave

    Near the village Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka, in the northern edge of the Silická planina plateau in the Slovenský kras karst, is the entrance to the Krásnohorská jaskyňa cave. The cave boasts the tallest stalagmite in the moderate climate zone. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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  • Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa cave

    Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa situated in the mountains Revúcka vrchovina in central Slovakia is a world rarity and unique natural phenomenon. It is interesting for variety and abundance of aragonite filling and a rare development of underground space. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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  • Silická ľadnica

    The abyss of Silická ľadnica is located to the south-west of the village of Silica on the plateau of Silická planina (National Park of Slovak Karst, 22 km far from the town of Rožňava). Due to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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  • Važecká jaskyňa cave

    The Važecká jaskyňa cave, which is located on the southern edge of the village of Važec, is the most visited natural landmark of the upper Liptov region. The cave is counted among the best-known paleontological sites as far as discoveries of bones of the cave bear are concerned.
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  • Zlá diera cave

    The only accessible cave in the north-east of Slovakia is the cave Zlá Diera (Bad Hole) near the village Lipovce. Speleological (cave) guides are available for demanding visitors.
    The basic route takes about 40 minutes. It is not demanding and suitable for children. Solid shoes and warm clothes are recommended (the temperature in the cave moves around 7 degrees of Celsius).
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