Polish Tourist Attractions

Below is a list of what I consider worthwhile, interesting Polish tourist attractions that are worth visiting to add to your experience of Poland. I have included links to English pages that will provide further information.

Krynica and Beskidy Mountains

Krynica is a very nice spa town located 140Km southeast of Krakow, with many Polish people going for health Spa's and to drink the waters. There are several springs of differing flavors of water, none of them particularly palatable, most are free but a couple charge a minimal amount.

There are also many hotels in the town as the Polish medical system often sent people for rehabilitation in the mountains; most hotels were built as health resorts to cope with this large influx of people. Nowadays many people go privately to the sanatorium for massage, swimming pool and other therapies. Please don't get confused with Krynica Zdroj, it is another Spa town in the southwest of Poland.

View of the Pump Room

Inside the Main Pump Room

Krynica Gorska is well known Polish health spa and popular all-year-round holiday resort. In winter skiing is an extra healthy option, during summer Gora Parkowa in Krynica is perfect place for mountain bikes and their fans.

However, most important in Krynica are its local mineral springs. The health resort history dates back to1850. The mineral springs differ in their content and are used to treat wide range of health problems including stomach and intestine ulcers, diabetes, pancreas and liver problems and other gastric conditions. Apart from krenotherphy (therapy by drinking mineral water) spas offer baths in mineral springs. Local attractions: Main Pump Room - Pijalnia Wod - drink real, fresh mineral water as it comes from the spring, the main building in the center of the town, located by the promenade, offers many different kinds of waters, which chemical composition is given by the site.

Nikifor Museum - the best-known Polish naive painter, who lived in Krynica between 1895 and 1968. Gora Parkowa - the Park Mountain - you can walk to the top or take a short trip on the Funicular. From the top station there is a beautiful view over Krynica. Jaworzynka - the top of the mountain provides significantly better view, as the Jaworzynka is 1114 m high. You can take Cable Car trip.

The information above is taken from the Polish Culture Website.

It is a very nice place to spend a day or overnight, regular tours are available running from Krakow, which takes around two and a half hours.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

In Wieliczka village, 15 Km from Krakow, is one of the most impressive Polish tourist attractions I have ever seen, the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This place has been mining salt for over 700 years and still produces table salt today. It is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, and well justified. From the Cathedral cut out of the salt, to the lowest restaurant in Europe its several hours of appreciating the history of the people who mined salt when it had a high value valuable. Surprisingly the Wieliczka Salt mine is one of the most interesting Polish tourist attractions.

The lowest Chapel in the World, Carved out of Salt. Weddings, Concerts and other events are held in the hall.

One of the many salt carvings 'The Last Supper'

Wieliczka Salt Mine the Official Web Site

Zakopane

Zakopane is the premier winter sports resort of Poland located in the Tatra Mountains. it is a lively energetic place with all the facilities of a modern ski resort at much reduced cost compared to other European Ski destinations. More on the Winter Sports aspect here

In summer, it is much quieter and is an ideal place to spend a couple of days relaxing, or walking in the mountains. The hotels are very reasonable and the locals very friendly. Everything is open for the summer open-air activities. You can ride horses, mountain climb, paragliding or just sit outside in one of the cafe's watching others exert themselves. I really like Zakopane in the summer the breathtaking scenery is so relaxing. The other attraction is the Mountain Culture, which is very rich and revered by all Poles. It doesn't matter wherever you are in Poland, the mountains and their folk music are held as the most romantic and atmospheric in Poland.

I can thoroughly recommend Zakopane for a relaxing, or tiring couple of days, depending on your likes. Certainly one of the best Polish tourist attractions.

Tatra Mountains Summer

Traditional Mountain Home

Further information about Zakopane in summer.

Auschwitz Birkenau

This name is know by everyone and is partly a Polish tourist attraction, although more of a memorial but a visit is very interesting if not without pain. More information.