Bardejov/Svidník - Swimming pools and wellness are open, tourist trains are running, the renovated lookout towers provide magnificent views, the weather is just right, visitors are coming. The north-east of Slovakia has all the prerequisites for a successful summer tourist season. The region of Bardejov, Bardejov Spa, Svidník and their surroundings has all the attributes of a complex tourist destination.
Hop on the train
Tourist train Dráčik runs on the circular route Bardejov - Bardejovské Kúpele. It runs from 7 July on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Adults pay € 8.5 per ticket, children, disabled and pensioners € 6. The train runs 7 times a day and so far it is assumed that the operation will last until the end of the summer," informs the representative of the operator Martin Demský.
Tickets are all-day, passengers can get on and off at any stop. The HOP On-HOP Off system means that passengers can hop on and off the buses at any stop, take a break, take a closer look at important sites, or have a meal or a bath and continue whenever they like. Children will receive a Legendarium competition stamp for riding the Draco train.
The Dukeláčik train also stands in Kapišová
The tourist one is already in operation Dukeláčik train in Svidník daily from Wednesday to Sunday, until the end of the holidays. The route is Svidník - Death Valley, frequency 3 times a day, duration of the ride is about 1.5 hours and has 5 stops (Aquaruthenia aquapark, Pedestrian zone-Hotel Rubín, TIC Svidník, Death Valley and Kapišová). As part of its timetable, the train is also scheduled to visit the Valley of Death, where it is possible to get off. The train ride is accompanied by an audio guide and folk music by the Makovica ensemble from Svidník.
The fare is valid for the whole day, adults pay round trip 5 €, children up to 6 years, disabled and pensioners 3 €. It is possible to get on and off at stops along the route within one price. Children will receive a Legendarium competition stamp for their ride on the Dukeláček train.
Bardejov Spa and Polish Krynica connected by regular bus connection
Since this summer, a new cross-border suburban bus line has been operating on the route Bardejovské Kúpele - Bardejov - Krynica. It is a pilot project to promote cross-border transport and tourism. The link is financed by the Prešov Self-Governing Region. The bus runs twice a day in each direction. The connections are set up to allow Polish tourists to make a day trip to Slovakia. Slovak visitors in Poland can also use the same service. The service will be daily throughout the year, i.e. attractive not only for tourists and spa guests, but also for ordinary travellers. Departures from Bardejov Spa are at 8.03 a.m. and 4.03 p.m. In the opposite direction, departures from the station in Krynica are at 9.17 a.m. and 5.17 p.m. The journey takes approximately one hour.
Observation towers
Viewpoints, observation towers and lookout towers are popular tourist destinations. The most famous viewpoint of the region is Observation tower at Dukla, 49 m tall. It is located on the place where in October 1944 the commander of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps in the USSR, Brigadier General Ludvík Svoboda, had one of the command observation posts during the fighting for the Dukla Pass. In the lobby of the tower you can see several exhibitions from the findings of weapons, ammunition, equipment of the Red Army, the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps in the USSR and the German Wehrmacht. From the Lookout Tower you can see a wide area of the Dukla Pass and the surrounding area.
The tower was reopened at the end of June 2023 after a comprehensive restoration. Visitors can already look forward to a new exhibition in the interior of the upper observation dome during the summer.
At Bardejov Spa in 2017 renewed wooden lookout tower Kamenná hora. At the end of 2021, they also put into operation in the city Svidník (above the former ski lift) Viewpoint with shelter. The unique view from the tower shows the panorama of the city of Svidník from the Soviet Army Memorial to the forest complex of the Axis.
Slovak unique is lookout tower in Kružlová. The tower provides magnificent views of the surroundings, you can see almost the whole Death Valley, the surrounding villages, part of Svidník and, in case of favourable weather, the High Tatras. Entrance is free all year round. The lookout tower has an unusual shape of a military hub.
Lookout towers near the Žobrák hill
Near the Žobrák hill, in the Čergov Mountains, at an altitude of 893 m, there are two wooden observation towers. The towers also include tourist shelters (each can sleep about 5 people). The lookout towers offer beautiful views, including a view of the main ridge of the Čergov.
Attractions are accessible
Nowhere in Slovakia are there as many memorials and memorial sites for both World Wars as in the vicinity of Dukla and Svidník. There are 55 pieces of heavy combat equipment deployed in the area of the Natural History Museum as well as around the road to Svidnik. They are especially suitable for family trips with children, here they can feel tanks, cannons, planes and military equipment. Central exposition of the Military History Museum located in Svidník on Bardejovská Street has been reopened since 3 October. The Death Valley is open all year round.
In Bardejov (UNESCO) visitors can admire the Town Hall Square with beautiful Gothic town houses, the Basilica of St. Egidius Minor, the former Town Hall - the first Renaissance building in Slovakia, which houses the Šariš Museum. The jewels include Jewish Suburbia - Old synagogue in Bardejov. They also attract wooden churches.
10 July 2023, Source: the OOCR "Šariš" - Bardejov
