Oravice thermal pools

The Oravice thermal pools (Termálne kúpalisko Oravice) are the municipal thermal baths in the mountain settlement of Oravice at the foot of the Western Tatras. They belong to the town of Tvrdošín and are run by its company TERMALŠPORT TS. The pools sit right next door to the big Meander resort, but they are a separate place — simpler, quieter and much cheaper. People come here not for slides but to sit in hot mineral water under the open sky and look at the mountains.

According to the town, Oravice is the only place in the Orava region with natural geothermal water. For bathing it is diluted with water from a second geothermal borehole and from natural springs. The water is of the sulphate-calcium-magnesium type with a high iron content; the town describes it as one of Slovakia’s important thermal waters, beneficial above all for disorders of the musculoskeletal system, the urinary tract and the kidneys. The temperature in the two open-air pools ranges from 34 to 38 °C, so you can bathe all year round, even in frost, when steam swirls over the water.

What to see and do

• Two open-air thermal pools with water at 34–38 °C — the main reason to come.
• Views: the pools lie among forests, and from the warm water you can admire the mountain peaks.
• Massages and treatments: in the bathhouse a private company offers peat baths, whirlpool and underwater massage, classic massage, lava-stone massage, electrotherapy and peat wraps, as well as manicure and pedicure. Services are available while the pools are open.
• A bite to eat: the complex has a snack restaurant with about forty seats and a terrace, open daily while the pools operate.
• Combine with skiing or a walk: skiing on the neighbouring slope or a valley walk by day, warm water in the evening.

Practical information

Getting there. Oravice lies at about 790 m. According to the town of Tvrdošín, it is only 14 km from the border town of Trstená; the road runs via Vitanová, and from the other side from Zuberec. From Zakopane, roughly 15 km away as the crow flies, you drive via Chochołów and Suchá Hora. Your own car is the most convenient option.

Opening hours (as of October 2026): daily 11:00–20:00; the baths are open all year.

Tickets (prices from 25 December 2025, as of October 2026): day admission €10, children aged 6–15 €5, children under 6 free. Residents of Tvrdošín pay reduced prices. Cash only — bring euros.

Good to know. This is a classic open-air bath without fun attractions, so small children who want slides will be happier at Meander next door. The town points out that the pools lie in a cold mountain climate zone, so in winter bring a hat and warm slippers for the walk to the water. Pool phone: +421 43 539 4440.

Nearby

Next door is the Meander thermal water park with a wave pool and slides; on the Polish side of the border are the Chochołów Thermal Baths. From Oravice it is a short trip to the Roháče waterfalls, the Museum of the Orava Village and the Gothic wooden Church of All Saints in Tvrdošín.

Official website: tvrdosin.sk

Photos: tvrdosin.sk; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.