31/08/2026
What to see in Spiš over a weekend
25/07/2026
When did you last stand on a terrace with a coffee and see nothing in front of you but a valley? No plans, no meetings, no rush. Just you, the smell of timber, and the beautiful landscape of the Spiš region - gorges, a castle, Gothic art, and old lanes straight out of a magazine.
Slovakia has plenty of beautiful places; you just need to know where to look. If you think you have already seen everything in Spiš, we have a few quiet tips for you.
Spiš is a land of castles, gorges, and sleepy little towns. And from Chalet Martuška you have all of it within reach. No moving from hotel to hotel, no packing your bags each morning. You set off on an adventure and come back in the evening to the silence of the valley, the warmth of the fireplace, and a sauna that is yours alone. This is the kind of weekend you come home from truly rested, not worn out.
Morning at the castle, afternoon in the gorges, evening by the fire. And the valley yours the whole time.
Where you'll find us: the Spiš region
Spiš is one of the historically richest regions of Slovakia. It lies in the northeast, between the High Tatras and Slovak Paradise, and its heart is the area around Levoča. Saxon settlers and wealthy royal towns once ruled here, leaving behind stone squares, churches, and one of the largest castles in Central Europe. You will find several UNESCO-listed monuments, the wild nature of the gorges, and quiet valleys the crowds never reach. Chalet Martuška stands right in the middle of it all, in the peaceful Levoča Valley, with the whole region on your doorstep.
1. Stop - Levoča
You don't even have to have breakfast at the cabin. Take the bikes and reach Levoča in 6 km along a paved cycle path. The historic centre is on the UNESCO list, and you won't know where to look first.
The heart of the town is one of the finest medieval squares in Slovakia. Don't miss the Basilica of St. James, home to the tallest wooden Gothic altar in the world by Master Paul of Levoča, standing over eighteen metres high.
When to go: year-round; mornings are quietest.
Duration: 2 to 4 hours.
Who for: everyone, an easy stroll with no effort.
Watch out: there is sometimes a timed entry to the Gothic altar, so come early. The square's paving is uneven in places, so good shoes help.
2. Stop - Spiš Castle
Just 21 km from the cabin stands one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe, a unique example of a medieval royal castle. The grounds fall into four larger sections. You'll walk the courtyards, climb the tower for views across all of Spiš, and see medieval life - and a period torture chamber - in the exhibition. It is loveliest in the late afternoon, when the tour coaches leave and the old walls glow gold.
On the way, it is worth stopping in Spiš Chapter (Spišská Kapitula), a tiny fortified ecclesiastical town, and a little further on in Žehra, whose modest church hides rare medieval frescoes. Few people realise they form a single UNESCO listing with the castle. And the finest view of the castle is not from below, but from the travertine hill of Dreveník opposite.
When to go: early morning or late afternoon.
Duration: 2 to 3 hours.
Who for: anyone who loves history and sweeping views.
Watch out: little shade and uneven ground - bring water and sturdy shoes. Access isn't barrier-free and there is a short steep path.
The castle is undergoing major restoration, so check access and opening hours before you go.
3. Stop - Spišský salaš (and a small surprise on the way)
A good trip needs good food. Stop at the popular Spišský salaš for genuine Slovak specialities - Spiš pierogi, halušky, goulash from the cauldron, or homemade bean soup - so you have the energy for one more stop.
On the way back, just past Spišské Podhradie, a small curiosity awaits: Sivá Brada. A mineral spring bubbles up from a travertine mound with a chapel, and you won't find a place like it anywhere else in Slovakia. Stop for a few minutes, then move on.
4. Stop - Mariánska hora
Before you head back to the valley, treat yourself to the last view of the day. Above Levoča rises Mariánska hora (Marian Hill), the largest pilgrimage site in Slovakia. But you can come outside the pilgrimage too, when the hill is almost empty and yours alone. From the terrace by the neo-Gothic basilica you'll see all of Levoča, Spiš, and, on a clear day, the Tatras. Come just before dusk - the light is different then, and the roofs of the town below turn orange. This is exactly how a day in Spiš should end.
And then just back to the Levoča Valley. Sauna, crackling fire, silence. Day one behind you, and you never rushed once.
When to go: year-round; loveliest just before dusk, when Levoča's roofs turn orange below you. Avoid the first weekend of July, when crowds of pilgrims stream here for the main pilgrimage.
Duration: about an hour, or more with the walk up from Levoča.
Who for: everyone, even for a short quiet stop with a view; you can drive up with small children too.
Watch out: outside services the basilica is usually closed, but the terrace view is there any time; during the pilgrimage the hill is full and parking limited.
A full-day trip - Slovak Paradise
If you're in the mood for a real taste of nature, Slovak Paradise is thirty kilometres from the cabin. Narrow gorges with ladders and footbridges, rushing waterfalls, and unforgettable viewpoints await. For a first visit the Hornád Gorge is ideal and fairly easy, or the short climb to the Tomášovský výhľad viewpoint, where the whole valley opens beneath your feet. The fitter can take the ascending Suchá Belá gorge, one-way and full of ladders.
For families with children - Tomášovský výhľad
If you're going with children or want a big reward for little effort, head for the Tomášovský výhľad. A short forest walk brings you to a rock terrace high above the Hornád canyon, one of the most photographed views in the park. No ladders, no stress - just a view that will weaken your knees (in the good way).
For easygoing walkers - Kláštorisko
Anyone who wants to walk more without the adrenaline should climb to Kláštorisko, the ruins of a Carthusian monastery in the middle of the forest. The path is calm, a snack bar with a view waits at the top, and you get the feeling you've found a place the town can't see.
For the active - the Suchá Belá gorge (or quieter Piecky)
And for those who want to test themselves, there are gorges with ladders and walkways. The best known is Suchá Belá, but for the same beauty without the crowds, choose Piecky. The gorges are one-way and uphill, so set off early and wear proper shoes. Not for pushchairs or the littlest ones, but for the fit it's an experience to remember all year.
Whichever you choose, you deserve a reward on the way back. In one of the huts near Čingov or Hrabušice they'll serve you real bryndza halušky with bacon, sheep's-whey žinčica, and fresh trout. Exactly what tastes best after a day in the mountains.
When to go: early morning, ideally outside weekend peaks.
Duration: half a day to a full day.
Who for: the active and families with older children.
Watch out: the gorges are slippery after rain - sturdy shoes and respect the one-way routes.
Cycling in Spiš
The bikes are right at the cabin - two trekking and two electric - so you set off straight from the yard. The most popular and easiest route runs along the cycle path from the Levoča Valley all the way to Levoča. It follows a firm surface, mostly in shade, and even children manage it.
Stronger cyclists join the loop through the Levoča Valley, around twenty-seven kilometres, or pick from nearly three hundred kilometres of marked trails across Spiš.
You can now bike all the way up to Mariánska Hora from the Levoča Valley without having to go out onto the main road. The region has just completed over six kilometers of a new bike trail here, connecting our valley with Slovakia's largest pilgrimage site. It winds through the forest on a natural surface through Kúty; along the way, you can take a break under a new shelter, and at the top, you'll be rewarded with a view of the entire town of Levoča. It's a bit of a climb, so grab an e-bike and let it do the pedaling for you.
When to go: dry weather, morning or late afternoon.
Duration: from an hour to half a day.
Who for: families on the easy path, the active on longer loops.
Watch out: charge the e-bikes well before a longer route.
More places worth the return
Spiš and its surroundings can't be exhausted in a weekend. A few places worth coming back for:
The wooden church in Kežmarok - a Lutheran articular church on the UNESCO list, built entirely of wood and almost without a single metal nail. Kežmarok Castle stands close by. Under an hour from the cabin, and a completely different world.
The castle and open-air museum in Stará Ľubovňa - in northern Spiš, a medieval castle on a hill and, just below it, an open-air museum where a village from a century ago comes to life. The children run wild, you rest.
The Zoo in Spišská Nová Ves - the largest zoo in Slovakia and a sure bet for a day with children. Animals, playgrounds, and enough space that no one has to hurry.
The Renaissance manor in Markušovce - just past Spišská Nová Ves, an elegant manor with the Rococo summer house Dardanely in its garden, today a museum of historic keyboard instruments. A Spiš gem few people even know.
The thermal baths in Vrbov - when your legs give out after a gorge, warm water does the rest. The thermal pools near Kežmarok are made for resting after a day in the mountains, and the children won't want to leave.
The Levoča Hills straight from the cabin - no need to travel anywhere. Get on the bikes and forest tracks take you from the valley up into the hills. Silence and the scent of the forest start right at the door.
Via ferrata Kyseľ - for the bold. One of the longest secured routes in Slovakia runs right through a gorge of Slovak Paradise. Adrenaline with anchor points, and a story you'll be telling for a while.
Coffee and lunch on Master Paul's Square - and if nothing else, just sit down. Levoča's historic square is full of cafés and restaurants in old burgher houses. Good coffee, a slice of cake, and the feeling you're in no hurry at all.
Castles, gorges, cycle paths, and quiet mornings on the terrace. All of it from one place - a timber cabin that is entirely yours during your stay. Sauna warmed, fire ready, and the valley just as you left it. Nothing to catch, nowhere to rush; just pick your dates.
Because the best part of a holiday is undisturbed rest.
Chalet Martuška is a whole wooden cabin rented to a single group at a time - no reception, no neighbours through the wall. A sauna, a fireplace, bikes at the door, and the whole valley to yourselves. Levoča is 6 km away, the High Tatras a 45-minute drive, and four UNESCO sites are day trips you come home from each evening.
A whole log cabin with a sauna starts at 32 euros per person per night; the minimum stay is three nights. When you book directly with us, you get the best price and the entire place to yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What's worth seeing in Spiš over a weekend?
In two days you'll catch the best of it: Levoča (UNESCO-listed, with Master Paul's altar), Spiš Castle, Mariánska hora, and Slovak Paradise. Nearby there are another dozen places from Kežmarok to Spišská Nová Ves.
How many days do you need for Spiš?
You'll cover the basics over a weekend - history on day one, nature on day two. The area can't be exhausted in two days, which is why it's worth coming back.
When is the best time for trips around Spiš?
Spring to autumn is loveliest. In summer set off early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and the crowds. Autumn is gorgeous in colour and calm, but the gorges of Slovak Paradise are slippery after the first frosts and rain, so always check conditions.
What's worth seeing in Levoča?
Levoča is just six kilometres from the cabin and you can even cycle there. In a few hours you'll take in the historic square, the Basilica of St. James with the tallest wooden Gothic altar in the world, and a coffee in one of the cafés. If you fancy it, walk up Mariánska hora for the view over the valley.
Is Slovak Paradise suitable for families with children?
Yes. A short walk with no ladders leads to the Tomášovský výhľad. Easier gorges like the Hornád Gorge are manageable for smaller hikers too, rewarded with waterfalls, ladders, and a memory to keep. Just bring sturdy shoes and enough time. Gorges like Suchá Belá or Piecky are harder and not for pushchairs or the littlest ones.
How far are Spiš Castle and Slovak Paradise from the cabin?
From the Levoča Valley it's 6 km to Levoča, 21 km to Spiš Castle, and 30 km to Slovak Paradise. You can do everything as day trips from one place.
Is Spiš Castle open?
The castle is undergoing extensive, multi-year restoration, so check access and opening hours in advance.
Where is the best place to stay in Spiš?
Right in the Levoča Valley, with every trip within reach - for example in the whole Chalet Martuška cabin for 11 guests, which you rent just for your own group.
What is there to do in Spiš when it rains?
Even a rainy day has an answer. Head to the thermal water park in Vrbov, see the interior of Spiš Castle and the Basilica in Levoča, or simply stay at the cabin. A sauna, the fire, and a book turn rain into a pleasant day.
