Jánska Valley: Stanišovská Cave, Thermal Springs and Liptovský Ján

What the Jánska valley and Liptovský Ján are

The Jánska valley (Jánska dolina) is a valley about 15 km long on the north side of the Low Tatras. It runs from north to south and is one of the longest and most visited valleys in this part of the mountains. It starts at the village of Liptovský Ján, which lies a little south-east of Liptovský Mikuláš.

For a day out you will find three things here: a cave you explore by head torch, thermal water in the village and an unusually large number of manor houses and mansions in one place. It works as a trip in summer and in winter, because the cave is open all year. From the cabin it is about 25 minutes by car via Liptovský Mikuláš, so you can fit the trip into a single afternoon.

The Stanišovská Cave: tours and admission

The Stanišovská Cave lies 2 to 3 km beyond the village in the northern part of the Jánska valley, within the Low Tatras National Park. It is the only cave in Liptov that is open every day all year round.

• Tours: every hour on the hour from 10:00 to 16:00.
• Route: 410 m, the tour takes about 50 to 60 minutes.
• Light: the cave has no lighting. Before the tour everyone is given a head torch and lights their own way.
• Clothing: you do not need special clothing or footwear. Bring a warm layer and sturdy shoes.
• Bats: seven species of bat live in the cave. Together with the neighbouring Little Stanišovská Cave (Malá Stanišovská jaskyňa), it is the most important bat wintering site in the Jánska valley.

Admission according to the operator’s 2024 price list: adults €7, students €5, seniors and disability card (ZŤP) holders €5, children aged 6 to 15 €4, children under 6 free. As of 1 October 2026 we had not found a newer price list, so check prices on the Podzemné atrakcie Liptov website before you go. All prices are in euros.

If you want large, lit caves full of dripstones, take a look at our guide to the Demänovská caves.

Bathing in thermal water in Liptovský Ján

Liptovský Ján is known for its healing springs. There are two options:

• The Kaďa thermal spring: a natural spring with well-kept surroundings and free entry. The recommended time in the water is about 20 minutes, and for a better effect the treatment is repeated over several days.
• The Termal raj thermal pool: a summer pool in the grounds of the Sorea Máj hotel. The pools are filled with water from the Rudolf spring, and it is usually open in summer, typically from the beginning of July to the end of August. Check the opening date and prices for the next season directly with the hotel.

Kaďa is a good stop after a hike or after the cave. Bring swimwear and a towel.

Hiking through the Jánska valley to the cave

If you do not want to drive to the cave, walk. Visit Liptov describes a route from the village to the cave and back:

• 7 km (3.5 km one way),
• on a tarmac road with a gentle climb,
• about 3 hours for the whole trip.

Part of the route is the Gateway to the Jánska Valley nature trail (Brána do Jánskej doliny). At seven stops you can read about the plants and animals of the valley, its earliest settlement and the mining that once took place here.

The valley continues further south, right up below the main ridge of the Low Tatras. For longer hikes, always take a hiking map and check the weather.

Manor houses and mansions in Liptovský Ján

Liptovský Ján is a village of manor houses. It has 23 manor houses and mansions (kaštiele and kúrie), and most of them are national cultural monuments.

The village was founded in the middle of the 13th century. For several centuries it was the seat of the large noble Svätojánsky family (Szentiványi), who began building their mansions and manor houses here in the 15th century. The village belonged to them until serfdom was abolished in 1848. It takes its name from the patron saint of the 13th-century church of St John the Baptist.

The best way to see them is on a walk through the village. They originally stood in large orchards and gardens.

Where to park, and with children

There is a free car park at the Stanišovská Cave, and from there a path leads uphill to the entrance, about 10 minutes. Tours start exactly on the hour, so be at the car park at least a quarter of an hour before your tour so you do not have to rush up the hill. If you are walking from the village, leave your car at the start of the valley in Liptovský Ján.

With children, we recommend this order:

1. The cave.
2. A walk through the village past the manor houses.
3. Finally Kaďa.

Allow half a day for the whole programme. Children under 6 get into the cave for free.

What to combine it with

Liptovský Ján is right next to Liptovský Mikuláš, so you can combine it with a walk around the town. If you are looking for more warm water, we have compared Tatralandia and Bešeňová. And on days when it rains, the cave is a good plan; you will find more ideas in our guide to Liptov on a rainy day. From our log cabin by Liptovská Mara you are in the Jánska valley in about 25 minutes.