The site of Liptovský Mikuláš’s future public beach. (source: Facebook - Mesto Liptovský Mikuláš)
On the shores of Liptovská Mara, one of Slovakia’s largest reservoirs, a long-missed escape is taking shape. While two public beaches exist elsewhere on the lake, Liptovský Mikuláš has never had one of its own – until now. The town has begun work on a long-awaited waterfront, offering locals and visitors a rare stretch of open shoreline with free access to the water.
The 5,000-square-metre beach is taking shape on the lake’s eastern bank, between a gravel pit and an old main road. The first phase – clearing overgrown shrubs and reshaping the shoreline – is already underway. If all goes to plan, the beach will be ready by summer, just in time to mark 50 years since Liptovská Mara was created.
“We are creating a beautifully landscaped waterfront stretching 700 metres [in the Palúdzka area], where people can relax,” said Mayor Ján Blcháč.
Beyond sunbathing and swimming, the town is planning additional facilities. A volleyball court, dry toilets, and changing cabins are in the works, along with a refreshment stand. Parking, a recurring issue at Liptovská Mara’s existing beaches in Liptovský Trnovec and Liptovská Sielnica, is also being addressed.
New parking spaces are planned near the gravel pit, but with the beach a kilometre from the main road, the town is considering a shuttle service to prevent congestion.
Every spring, Liptovská Mara is partially drained, revealing land that spends most of the year submerged. Locals and visitors take the opportunity to explore these rarely seen shores, a fleeting glimpse into the lake’s hidden landscape.
But in recent weeks, concerns have surfaced in the media: with dry conditions persisting, the water level might remain unusually low – long after spring will have passed.
The water level of Liptovská Mara is currently exceptionally low (video):
