Distance from Björnson's Cabin: 7 km.
Our notable
caves, landmarks, and museums.
Liptov is a region full of natural beauty, history, and unique places worth discovering. During your stay at the Björnson Mountain Hotel, you can plan a trip to fascinating caves, explore historical landmarks, or visit museums that showcase Liptov’s rich culture and traditions. Whether you’re looking for fun activities for the whole family, want to learn about the region’s history, or admire the beauty hidden underground, Liptov offers plenty of options for excursions in any weather.
- Caves
- Sights
- Museums
Caves
Demänovská Cave of Freedom
The most visited cave in the Demänovské Caves system. It enchants visitors with its rich sinter formations, the mysterious underground stream of the Demänovka River, small lakes, and typical river-shaped passages and ceiling channels. Visitors can choose between the traditional tour—1,150 m, 913 steps, duration: approx. 60 min.—or the exclusive tour—2,150 m, 1,118 steps, duration: approx. 100 min.
Demänovská Ice Cave
It is located in the northern part of the Demänovské Caves. Ice formations occur in the lower parts of the cave, particularly in Kmeťov Dóm. These include floor ice, ice pillars, stalactites, and stalagmites. The cave is notable for its cave fauna and rich history. The tour route is 650 m long and takes approximately 45 minutes.
Stanišovská Cave
It is one of the oldest known caves in the Liptov region and in Slovakia. It is the most important winter roost for bats in the Jánska Valley.
Važecká Cave
Known for its rare cave fauna and the discovery of cave bear bones.
Belianska Cave
In addition to its bizarre rock formations, it is known for its abundant calcite deposits. The cave was first opened to the public in 1882. Currently, over 1,000 meters of the cave are open to visitors.
Sights
Vrbické Pleso
Vrbické pleso is a glacial lake and the largest natural lake in the Low Tatras. It lies at an elevation of 1,113 meters above sea level. It has an area of 0.69 hectares, a maximum depth of 8 meters, a length of 115 meters, and a width of 62 meters. From the hotel, you can reach it by heading opposite the entrance to the Grand Hotel and continuing along the Demänovská Valley nature trail. Follow the easy, yellow-marked hiking trail around the lake. At the lake, you can relax on the benches in the quiet of the forest and enjoy the views of the surrounding ridges of the Low Tatras.
Koloman Sokol Center, Liptovský Mikuláš
The gallery houses the largest collection of works by Koloman Sokol, a native of Liptovský Mikuláš. The exhibition is complemented by documentary materials, the artist’s correspondence, artifacts, and photographs.
Synagogue in Liptovský Mikuláš
The synagogue is the most monumental Classicist building in the city and ranks among the largest in Slovakia. The museum housed within it showcases the history of the once-thriving Jewish community of Mikuláš and features various art projects. It is open to the public during the summer season in July and August.
Wooden Articular Church – Holy Cross
The wooden Evangelical church is one of the largest wooden structures in Central Europe. The church is the last—and undoubtedly the most significant—artistic expression of Slovak wooden church architecture. The interior features a Baroque altar, a pulpit, a stone baptismal font, paintings depicting biblical scenes, and an organ. The church has a capacity of 6,000 people.
The Village of Vlkolínec
The best-preserved folk architecture reserve in Slovakia. This entirely wooden village has been a folk architecture reserve since 1977 and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage List in December 1993. It is a living open-air museum of Slovak peasant housing in the Lower Liptov region.
Orava Castle
One of the most beautiful castles in Slovakia towers atop a steep limestone cliff 112 meters above the Orava River. The first written records of the castle date back to the 13th century, and it is considered one of the most significant examples of castle architecture in Slovakia. It offers visitors historical, ethnographic, and natural history exhibits.
Spiš Castle
In terms of area, it is considered one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe. This national cultural monument documents the development of architecture in our country from the 12th to the 18th century.
The City of Levoča
Since 2009, the city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most significant and unique landmark is St. James’s Cathedral with its 11 Gothic and Renaissance winged altars, including the world’s tallest wooden Gothic altar (18.6 m). The historic center is surrounded by an imposing 2.5-km-long fortification system.
Museums
Čierny Orol Museum, Liptovský Mikuláš
The building is a national cultural monument. In the past, it served as the center of cultural life in the town of Liptovský Mikuláš. Today, the building houses a unique exhibition titled “From the History of Hunting and Fishing in the Liptov Region.”
P.m. Bohúň Gallery, Liptovský Mikuláš
It is the third-oldest gallery in Slovakia, and its collection comprises approximately 5,000 works of art. It features several permanent exhibitions: Old Master Art—from the Gothic to the Baroque periods; 19th–20th-century Slovak visual art; and Slovak visual art from the second half of the 20th century.
Janko Kráľ Museum, Liptovský Mikuláš
Through historical artifacts, photographs, and archival documents, the exhibition highlights significant events and figures, as well as the rich economic, national, cultural, and sporting traditions of Liptovský Mikuláš. The “Mikulášska mučiareň” exhibition details the life story of Slovakia’s most famous outlaw, Juraj Jánošík (1688–1713), and the cruel manner of his execution.
The Liptov Village Museum in Pribylina
It is a reflection of a medieval settlement with the privileges and rights of a small town. In addition to wooden residential and farm buildings, which exemplify the typical features of folk architecture among the peasantry and artisan classes, there are also two rare medieval stone structures. Together, all these structures form a unique composition of the historical and cultural environment of ancient Liptov.
Archaeological Open-Air Museum – Liptovská Mara
A site featuring reconstructed models of residential, fortification, and religious structures from the Late Iron Age and the Early Roman period; one of the best-known and most important sites of the Púchov culture in Slovakia. The archaeological museum also includes the original tower of the medieval Church of the Virgin Mary, whose history dates back to the 12th century, as well as the foundations and fortifications of a medieval castle on the summit of Havránok.