Cave

Q: When is Dobšiná Ice Cave open?

The cave is open from 15 May to 15 September and closed on Mondays. From 15 to 31 May and from 1 to 15 September tours start at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00; from 1 June to 31 August every hour from 9:00 to 16:00. The cave is closed off-season.

Q: How much does admission to Dobšiná Ice Cave cost?

Adults €14, students and seniors over 60 €13, children aged 4–15 and disabled visitors over 15 €7, disabled children aged 4–15 €0.10, children under 4 free. Photography is free of charge. A tour runs with at least 4 visitors.

Q: Is Dobšiná Ice Cave a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. In November 2000 the World Heritage Committee inscribed it on the UNESCO list as part of the site “Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst”. With 110,100 m³ of ice it is the largest ice cave in Slovakia.

Visitor information

Everything you need to know before your visit

Opening hours

Season

15 May – 15 September

Closed on Mondays (open on public holidays)

15 – 31 May
1 – 15 September

Tours: 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00

1 June – 31 August

Tours: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00

Closed off-season (16 Sep – 14 May). The Slovak Caves Administration has not yet published the 2027 season dates.

Tickets go on sale about 15 minutes before each tour. Tours cannot be booked; a tour runs with at least 4 visitors. Capacity per tour is limited — at busy times you may not get the next slot (first come, first served); extra tours are added between the regular times when demand is high.

Admission

Adults €14
Students, seniors over 60 €13
Children 4–15, disabled visitors over 15 €7
Disabled children 4–15 €0.10
Children under 4 free
Photography free

Extra tour outside the regular times: €50 surcharge on top of admission.

Cards are accepted, but bring cash in case the terminal is down. Culture vouchers and payment by invoice are not possible.

Groups and schools: no group or family discounts; one group leader per 20 people and one teacher per 10 children (+1 per each further 15 or part thereof) pay €0.10. School groups are admitted as they arrive, outside the regular times if a tour is full.

Source: Slovak Caves Administration price list

Important information

The ice-filled parts stay below freezing all year (average −3.9 to −0.2 °C) — wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes.
The tour takes about 30 minutes; the show route is 515 m long.
A nature trail leads from the car park to the entrance: 1 km, 130 m climb, about 25 minutes.
No dogs or other animals; bags max. 50 × 35 × 25 cm.
Photos are allowed without tripod or flash, only where the guide permits. Do not photograph the bats close up — even without flash your presence disturbs them.
Tours are in Slovak. Ask at the ticket office in advance for commentary in English, German, Hungarian, Polish or Russian — provided where staffing and group size allow.
Rest for a moment after the climb before entering — the altitude gain and the temperature drop strain the body. With children under 6, consider whether they will cope: sounds carry strongly in the cave and crying disturbs other visitors.
Accessibility: the cave has stairs and is not suitable for wheelchair users. The nearby Stratená Canyon is the first wheelchair-accessible nature trail in Slovakia.

Source: visitor rules (PDF, Slovak) and FAQ of the Slovak Caves Administration

Emergency numbers

18 300 Mountain Rescue Service (HZS)

In the mountains, in Slovak Paradise and on hiking trails, call the Mountain Rescue Service.

Welcome to the Ice Kingdom

A natural wonder in the heart of the Slovak Paradise National Park

Dobšiná Ice Cave is one of the most significant ice caves in the world. Since 2000, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst”.

It is located in the heart of the Slovak Paradise National Park, one of the most beautiful regions of Slovakia, surrounded by mountains filled with hiking trails, gorges, and viewpoints offering stunning panoramas.

Live Webcams

Live views of the Slovak Paradise and surrounding area

Kláštorisko

Slovak Paradise National Park

Dedinky – Palcmanská Maša

View of Palcmanská Maša lake

Mlynky – Ski Gugel

Children’s ski lift (seasonal camera: December – March)

Ski Telgárt – Trestník

Trestník slope, view of Telgárt

Photo gallery

Views of the ice kingdom and its surroundings

Ice cone

Columns and stalagmites

The Well

Ice wall

Ice columns

Near the cave

The nature trail from the settlement to the cave, with a railing

Trail to the cave

Mining history trail

Cave photographs via Wikimedia Commons: Juloml, dariusz woźniak (CC BY-SA 3.0), Margoz (CC BY-SA 4.0), JoJan (CC BY 3.0); modified (cropped, resized). Photographs of the surroundings: Brand Force s.r.o.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common visitor questions

When is Dobšiná Ice Cave open?

The cave is open from 15 May to 15 September and closed on Mondays. From 15 to 31 May and from 1 to 15 September tours start at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00; from 1 June to 31 August every hour from 9:00 to 16:00. The cave is closed off-season.

How much does admission to Dobšiná Ice Cave cost?

Adults €14, students and seniors over 60 €13, children aged 4–15 and disabled visitors over 15 €7, disabled children aged 4–15 €0.10, children under 4 free. Photography is free of charge. A tour runs with at least 4 visitors.

What is the temperature inside the cave and what should I wear?

The ice-filled parts stay below freezing all year (average −3.9 to −0.2 °C). Bring a jacket, warm clothes and sturdy shoes. The tour takes about 30 minutes along a 515 m route.

How do I get to Dobšiná Ice Cave?

The cave lies off road I/67 between Dobšiná and Poprad, above the Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa settlement (Stratená municipality). The settlement has a paid car park, a railway stop and a bus stop. A nature trail (1 km, 130 m climb) leads from the car park to the entrance in about 25 minutes. GPS of the entrance: 48.8680° N, 20.3043° E. Timetables are in the Getting there section.

Can I bring a dog or luggage into the cave?

No. Dogs and other animals are not allowed, and bags may be at most 50 × 35 × 25 cm.

Can I book a tour?

Regular tours cannot be booked — tickets go on sale about 15 minutes before each tour. Cards are accepted, but bring some cash just in case.

Is Dobšiná Ice Cave a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. In November 2000 the World Heritage Committee inscribed it on the UNESCO list as part of the site “Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst”. With 110,100 m³ of ice it is the largest ice cave in Slovakia.

How much time should I allow for the visit?

About 1.5 hours: the climb from the car park takes about 25 minutes, tickets go on sale about 15 minutes before the tour, the tour itself lasts about 30 minutes and the walk down 15–20 minutes. At peak times (July, August, weekends) expect to wait for the next tour — capacity is limited.

Are tours available in other languages, and what about groups?

Tours are in Slovak. Ask at the ticket office in advance for commentary in English, German, Hungarian, Polish or Russian — it is provided where staffing and group size allow. There are no group or family discounts; one group leader per 20 people and one teacher per 10 children pay €0.10. School groups are admitted as they arrive, outside the regular times if a tour is full.

Contact

Official tour information is provided by the cave administration

Slovak Caves Administration

Dobšiná Ice Cave
049 71 Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa, Slovakia

Tel.: +421 58 788 14 70

E-mail: dobslj@ssj.sk

www.ssj.sk

Official information about tours and groups

Portal operator

Brand Force s.r.o.

info@brandforce.sk

www.brandforce.sk

Unofficial information portal. We welcome corrections and suggestions.

Advertising & partnership

Brand Force s.r.o.

E-mail: info@brandforce.sk

For partnership and promotion inquiries on the portal