Dobšiná Ice Cave
Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa, Slovakia
One of Europe’s largest ice caves, with frozen halls that stay below zero all year and are part of a UNESCO site. Bring a warm layer even in August.
The Dobšiná Ice Cave (Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa) lies near the mining town of Dobšiná in Rožňava District in eastern Slovakia, close to the southern edge of Slovak Paradise. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst. The mining engineer Jenő Ruffinyi discovered it on 15 June 1870 with Gustáv Lang and Andrej Mega. The cave opened to visitors a year later.
The amount of ice is impressive: depending on the source, the ice volume is estimated at 110,000 to 125,000 cubic metres, and the layer is up to 25 or 26.5 metres thick. The cave lies at about 950 metres, fairly low for an ice cave; cold air sinks in through an opening beneath the hill Duča, and the temperature stays around freezing (minimum about minus 3.8 °C). The tour follows a path of about 515 metres, other sources say 475 metres.
Tours leave every hour and are usually in Slovak only; English is offered only if enough visitors turn up and you give advance notice. The meeting point is a half-hour walk from the car park, so arrive in good time. The season is given as May to September, which you should check beforehand. Warm clothing is worthwhile even in high summer.
- Nearest town
- Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa, Slovakia
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 48.8720, 20.2960
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–August. Cold, short days in November–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Slovakia: Vignette needed for motorways. Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- DedinkyCampsite7 km from Dobšiná Ice CaveTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowers
- Autocamping PodlesokCampsite12 km from Dobšiná Ice CaveTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping municipalCampsite14 km from Dobšiná Ice Cave · 30 pitches
- Autocamp ČINGOVMotorhome stopover17 km from Dobšiná Ice CaveMotorhomes
- Areál JelšinkaCampsite24 km from Dobšiná Ice CaveTentsDogs allowed
- Chatová osada BetliarCampsite24 km from Dobšiná Ice CaveTentsCaravans
All campsites in Slovakia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Dobšiná Ice Cave?
Dobšiná Ice Cave is in Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa, Slovakia, at GPS 48.8720, 20.2960. It is about 13 km from Hrabušice.
Can you camp near Dobšiná Ice Cave?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Dedinky, about 7 km away; within 25 km there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Dobšiná Ice Cave?
Dobšiná Ice Cave is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Slovak Paradise and the Gemer karst.
What is there to see near Dobšiná Ice Cave?
Places worth a stop nearby: Suchá Belá Gorge (12 km), Betliar Manor (24 km), Levoča Old Town (27 km) and Kežmarok Castle (31 km).
When is the best time to visit Dobšiná Ice Cave?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually June–August. Cold, short days in November–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)