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Summer, sun and water – the perfect trio for a successful holiday. Summer holidays by the water in Slovakia are gaining popularity because they offer everything: relaxation, closeness to nature and a touch of adventure. It is interesting that more and more Slovaks (and not only them) are choosing to spend their holidays in Slovakia instead of traveling abroad.
There are many reasons: beautiful countryside at your fingertips, no travel worries, saving money and rediscovering your own garden at the same time. In the Liptov region, you can enjoy refreshing swimming in clear lakes in the summer, paddleboarding on the calm surface of Liptovská Mara and blissful relaxation in a mountain wellness center. And all this in one place - the Demänová resort combines these attractions and creates the perfect holiday mix. Discover how Slovakia can enchant you in the summer and why so many locals choose this place for their vacation.
A holiday by the water doesn't have to mean the Baltic Sea or Croatia - Slovakia can also enchant with beaches and water attractions. Slovakia is known for its mountains and also boasts numerous lakes, reservoirs and rivers, which turn into local resorts in the summer. Why are Slovaks increasingly choosing to holiday in the country?
Research shows that up to 33% of residents plan to spend their holidays in their homeland, enjoying the charm of local nature and sports activities. This trend has intensified especially in recent years, as the beauty of local places and the freedom to travel without borders are appreciated. Liptov is at the forefront here - the region rich in lakes, thermal baths and mountain streams attracts those who want to combine sunny relaxation by the water with outdoor activities.
When choosing a summer vacation in Slovakia - Liptov, you choose variety. One day you can lie on the grass by the lake, the next day you can walk among the mountain peaks. Nature is at your fingertips - clear lakes surrounded by peaks, forests full of the scent of pine needles and meadows stretching to the horizon.
Moreover, the region offers a wide range of adventures: from calm (fishing, coastal walks) to extreme (jet skis, wakeboarding, rafting). Relaxation, nature and adventure are seamlessly combined here - you can spend one day lazing around, the next will provide you with an adrenaline experience. This is what makes a water holiday in Liptov so special.
The center of Liptov's water attractions is Liptovská Mara - the largest Slovak reservoir, picturesquely situated in a valley between the Tatras and the Choč Hills. It was formed in the 1970s by flooding 13 villages (the most valuable monuments were moved to the open-air museum in Pribylina). Today, Mara is a real holiday paradise: in the summer, crowds of people yearning for water and sun relax here.
What does Liptovská Mara offer? First of all, clean, inviting water - in summer the water temperature reaches a pleasant 20 °C and above. There are several well-maintained beaches on the shores of the lake (e.g. in Liptovský Trnovec), where you can spread out a blanket, rent a deck chair and let the children play in the sand. These beaches also offer facilities such as snack bars, toilets and changing rooms.
But Mara is not just for lounging – there are plenty of water attractions. For active guests, there is a rental of kayaks, pedal boats, sailboats and motorboats. You can try water skiing, have fun on an inflatable banana boat pulled by a motorboat or even fly on a flyboard (a board lifted by the current of the water). The biggest hit in recent years, however, is stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) – a relaxed form of surfing while standing with a paddle.
In addition to sports, Mara also offers attractions aimed at tourists. Every day during the season, a sightseeing boat leaves the port, taking passengers on a sightseeing cruise. From the deck, you can admire breathtaking panoramas: to the north, the Western Tatras rise, to the south, the Low Tatras, and to the west, the Veľká Fatra and the majestic Choč Peak frame the horizon. This cruise is a great opportunity to see Liptov from a different perspective and take beautiful photos. Children will enjoy the act of sailing itself – it's like a sea adventure, only on the calm waters of the lake.
Among the various water sports that Liptovská Mara offers, paddleboarding deserves special attention. Why? Because it is simple, enjoyable and accessible to practically everyone – regardless of age or physical fitness. All you need is a large, stable board, one paddle in your hands and a little balance. Stand on the board and paddle at your own pace, exploring the corners of the lake that you would otherwise not be able to reach from the shore.
There are several SUP board rentals in Mara, including those at the Maladinovo resort and MaraCamping. Maladinovo even boasts its own small beach and launch ramp. Upon arrival, you’ll be given a board, life jacket and paddle, and in a few minutes, an instructor will explain the basics: how to stand on the board, how to balance and how to turn. You’ll be ready to go in no time. To be safe, you can start by kneeling on the board – it’s easier – and when you feel confident, stand up and continue standing.
The conditions on Liptovská Mara are ideal for paddleboarding – especially in the morning and evening, when the water is calm as a mirror. You can then enjoy a meditative cruise in silence, with only the gentle sound of the paddle and the singing of birds from the shore for company. Midday can be windier, which adds a bit of excitement (the waves make it difficult to stay on the board – there is a lot of laughter when someone falls into the water). SUP is also great for group activities: races or SUP yoga, which are yoga exercises on boards (this is already a master level, as it requires considerable body stabilization!).
Many people say that paddleboarding is their favorite form of active relaxation – it combines outdoor exercise with the soothing effects of water. The effort is minimal and at the same time the muscles of the whole body are exercised (especially the core – abdominal muscles and back). After an hour of paddling you feel pleasantly tired and… hungry. Fortunately, there are snack stands right by the beaches where you can grab a bite to eat and get back on the water, or jump into the lake to refresh yourself.
Active relaxation right from the beach – that’s the best way to sum up paddleboarding on the Mara River. No logistics required: you get up from your blanket, rent a board and that’s it – you’re in the middle of the lake, watching the world go by. It’s also a great attraction for families – kids usually sit in the front of the board, a parent paddles behind them and young explorers have fun “traveling by boat”. Honestly, you won’t understand the SUP phenomenon until you try it. And once you do – who knows, you might join the ranks of enthusiasts who spend every summer with a paddle in their hands!
Speaking of combining water, mountains and relaxation, we can't help but mention the Demänová resort. This resort proves that a waterside vacation can be spent... far from the sea, but surrounded by mountains. What makes it unique for a summer vacation?
First of all, its location. The resort is located in the Demänovská Valley, from where it is only a 10-minute drive (less than 10 km) to Liptovská Mara. This means that a stay in Demänová puts the mountain trails of the Low Tatras and the beaches by the lake at your fingertips. You can climb to the top in the morning and spend the afternoon by the water - few places offer such luxury.
And if you don't feel like going anywhere, the resort itself offers a whole water fun and relaxation zone. On hot days, you can find solace in Aqua FUN a park with pools and slides for children (and adults too!). While the kids splash around in the water or try aquazorbing, you can relax on a sun lounger with a view of the mountains – a small private beach in the heart of the resort. Plus, right next to the restaurant there is a small pond with fish – you can dip your toes, sit on the pier and feel close to nature without leaving the resort.
The Demänová resort also stands out for its wellness approach. The combination of water, warmth and silence – wellness in the summer really makes sense. Many people associate saunas and hot tubs with winter, but imagine: you are returning from a day trip (maybe cycling around Liptovská Mara?), your muscles are tired, the sun has taken its toll… What could be better than an evening in the wellness zone?
In Demänová, you have several types of saunas at your disposal (Finnish, steam, infrared), an outdoor hot tub with a view of the stars and a tepidarium for relaxation. From 17:00 PM, the wellness area is open only for adults – peace, quiet and complete relaxation. A sauna ritual after a day spent by the water will help you warm up thoroughly (yes, it's nice even in summer!), calm your body and mind. And then you can immerse yourself in a cold bath or take an ice shower – it will get your blood circulation going! This way you combine the benefits of water and heat: refreshing baths during the day and warming saunas in the evening. This balance will guarantee you a wonderful rest.
Let's now take a closer look at the topic of summer wellness, because it is worth breaking the stereotype that saunas are only a winter sport. In the summer, our bodies also appreciate such procedures, maybe even more! After a day spent in the sun, wind and sometimes in crowds on the beach, an evening stay in the sauna zone acts like medicine. The heat of the sauna helps relax muscles, accelerates regeneration (important if, for example, we actively swam or played sports) and cleanses the skin of creams, salts and other residues from the day. Then a moment in the jacuzzi - hydromassage massages tired back and legs, bubbles enhance the fun and the view of the sunset over the mountains from the warm water - priceless.
And peace. In the evenings at the Demänovská resort, the children are usually at the mini disco or sleeping, so the wellness area provides peace. It is a moment when you really breathe, spend time together (or as a couple) and experience holiday zen. In today's hectic times, such a moment of peace is worth its weight in gold. Many people only realize how stressed they were during their vacation - it is worth consciously sweating out that stress in the sauna and washing it off under a cold shower. Masseurs also work at Demänová - you can book a classic or Ayurvedic massage, which is fantastic even in summer (it relaxes, improves blood circulation in the legs after hiking and gives you energy for the next days).
What makes a vacation last? It's usually a combination of many successful elements: beautiful surroundings, good fun, no stress, and lots of smiles. Demänová Resort and the Liptov region have all the ingredients to provide you with just such a vacation.
Everything in one place means you save time and energy that you can spend on enjoying yourself. You don't waste hours commuting to the beach – because the beach is practically right under your nose (if not the lakeside beach, then the poolside beach). You don't have to worry about where to eat – the restaurants are right next door and serve delicious food (and made with local ingredients, so you discover new tastes). The kids don't ask every five minutes "what should I do now?" – because there are more attractions than time in a day.
You can spend a week or two at Demänová Resort and do something different every day – and still feel “at home”. This convenient base is invaluable, especially for families with young children. Stress-free means happier parents, which translates into happier children.
🎆 New Year's Eve 2025 is approaching!