Balcarka, near Ostrov u Macochy, is widely regarded as the cave with the richest and most colourful stalactite decoration in the entire Moravian Karst — its ceilings are adorned with thousands of straws and rod-like stalactites, and the highlight of the tour is the almost 70-metre-long Great (Foch) Dome, the second-largest accessible space in the region. The tour lasts around 60 minutes, covers 720 metres and involves 330 steps. Admission is 220 Kč (adults) (approx. €8.80 — this is a rough guide only, exchange rates fluctuate) / 180 Kč (concessions) / 110 Kč (children), family tickets 620–720 Kč. Photography is allowed only without flash, tripod or selfie stick.
QUICK LINKS 💎 Why Balcarka is special · 🏛️ Discovery and history · 💰 Admission and route · ❓ FAQ
If you’ve already seen Punkva Cave (Punkevní jeskyně) with its underground boat trip and the spacious Kateřinská Cave, Balcarka offers something different — less about scale, more about the beauty of detail. It’s the cave that photographers and stalactite enthusiasts often rank first in the whole region.
Why Balcarka is special
Balcarka boasts what is perhaps the richest, most varied and most colourful stalactite decoration in the Moravian Karst. The flat ceilings of its corridors are studded with countless long straws and rod- and carrot-shaped stalactites, and the highlight of the tour is the so-called Gallery, with its particularly dense and abundant decoration.
The cave forms a labyrinth of passages and fissures spread across three levels, linked by tall chambers. The Great Dome, almost 70 metres long, is the second-largest accessible underground space in the whole Moravian Karst — surpassed only by the Main Dome in Kateřinská Cave.
Balcarka is also of archaeological interest: around 15,000 years ago, during the Magdalenian period, a group of reindeer and horse hunters lived here, leaving behind hearths, flint tools and spearheads carved from reindeer antlers.
Discovery and history
The cave was discovered in 1923 by workers who noticed a draught coming from a rock fissure on the eastern side of Balcarova skála (Balcar’s Rock). On 16 June 1923, the first richly decorated chamber was uncovered and named Popeluška (Cinderella). Further sections were gradually explored by residents of Ostrov under the leadership of MP Josef Šamalík, and in 1936 the individually discovered passages were connected into a single system. The cave was opened to the public on Easter Sunday in 1925.
Admission and route
The show-cave route covers 720 metres (out of a total of 1,150 m of known passages), takes around 60 minutes and includes 330 steps — worth bearing in mind if you’re travelling with small children or have difficulty with stairs. The cave maintains a year-round temperature of 7–8°C and almost 99% humidity.
| Admission | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | 220 Kč (approx. €8.80) |
| Concessions (seniors 65+, students up to 26) | 180 Kč (approx. €7.20) |
| Children (3–15 years) | 110 Kč (approx. €4.40) |
| Family (2 adults + 2/3 children) | 620/720 Kč (approx. €24.80/€28.80) |
Parking right by the cave’s ticket office is free. Balcarka pairs nicely with a visit to the Macocha Abyss, which is just a short distance away.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Balcarka unique compared with the other caves in the karst? The richness and colourfulness of its stalactite decoration — it’s considered the most lavishly decorated cave in the entire Moravian Karst.
How long does the tour take and how demanding is it? Around 60 minutes, with 330 steps along the route, so expect it to be a bit more strenuous than the walk through Kateřinská Cave.
Is photography allowed inside the cave? Yes, but only without flash, tripod or selfie stick. The cave’s official website and the 2026 price list no longer mention a photography surcharge.
Is Balcarka a good addition to another cave on the same day? Yes — it combines well with a visit to the Macocha Abyss or another nearby cave around Ostrov u Macochy.
Part of the series A Week in the Moravian Karst: a complete 7-day itinerary. Sources: Cave Administration of the Czech Republic – Balcarka Cave, characteristics, official Moravian Karst price list 2026 (PDF), Kudy z nudy. Prices verified as of 1.9.2026 according to the official price list of the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic — we recommend checking the current status on caves.cz before your visit.
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