Krynica Zdrój attractions - 16 most interesting ideas
Krynica-Zdrój, called the pearl of mountain spas, is an extremely interesting and beautiful town, with an undeniable climate and charm. It is located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, near Muszyna and Tylicz, in the Sądecki Beskids. Today, Krynica is the largest and most popular resort in the Krynicko-Popradzkie Health Resorts complex. This place is eagerly visited by tourists and patients, not only from Poland but also from abroad.
For years, Krynica Zdrój has been famous for its winter attractions and attracts many lovers of white madness, but now the offer for summer tourists and patients has also improved significantly, which can be used by entire families.
Experiences in Krynica
Krynica is a dream destination for both summer and winter holidays, there are few places in Poland that offer so many attractions for children and adults, which makes it a mecca for family tourism, also active! New investments make the place more and more friendly not only for residents, but also for newcomers from all over Poland.
Discover the best attractions of Krynica Zdrój! First, I present a list of these places, and below I describe them in more detail. And if you want to find an even more detailed description, click on the linked (blue) title of the experience, which takes you to a detailed description. Below is a map with the exact location of each experience.
1. Observation tower in Krynica
Throughout the year, Krynica attracts tourists with a new observation tower in Słotwiny, which was built in 2019 with a chairlift. It is the first observation tower in Poland with a treetop path! The facility quickly gained great popularity among tourists, and in 2020 it won the prestigious architectural competition and was named "Construction of the Year"!
The observation tower in Krynica is a wonderful family attraction, the height of the tower itself is 49.5 meters, and the path winds along the length of 1030 meters. The entire structure is wooden andis accessible to families with prams and people with disabilities, because it does not contain a single step, and also offers various curiosities, such as installations and information boards that make the journey more pleasant and activate children. You can slide down a metal slide from above.
2. Jaworzyna Krynicka
In winter, the Gondola Railway to Jaworzyna Krynicka leads the way in the entire area of Krynica Zdrój, where skiers reign at that time, although in summer it is an extremely beautiful place, which thanks to the gondola is available to almost everyone, even for families with small children. In this way, you can enjoy the magnificent mountain views without getting tired of the arduous climb to the top. Interestingly, you can take your bike with you by gondola and use one of several bicycle routes on the slopes of Jaworzyna Krynicka.
In addition, there are other attractions waiting at the top, such as Krynicka Koliba or Gospoda, where you can have a tasty meal or a beer. The view of the mountains from the terrace in Koliba with a pint of beer tastes delicious! And who likes to not only sit in the mountains, cantry a walk along the red and blue trail (through Runek) toBacówka nad Wierchomla, I recommend it, it's a magical place!
3. The promenade in Krynica
The pedestrian street is Nowotarskiego Street and Dietla Boulevard - a beautiful road excluded from car traffic, where historic wooden villas, water pump rooms were set up, including the Mieczysław Pump Room in the Old Spa House, souvenir stalls, restaurants and numerous attractions. The modern Main Water Pump Room suits me the least. This place is the spa character of the city and is the heart of the whole city.
The best thing about it, however, is that it has an undeniable charm and they will be in Krynica, you have a real desire to walk here every day of your stay, completely different than it is in Zakopane, where commercial and crowded Krupówki scare away. Krynica's promenade is a much friendlier and less crowded place, delighting with colorful buildings, where each building or small house is a separate, beautiful history and unique appearance. And there is another great thing on Krynica's promenade - craft ice cream, usually sold next to the fountain in a specific retro-style vehicle, also by vendors in retro costumes🙂 And the taste of these colorful balls? A fairy tale, you will not only buy a child with them.
4. Parkowa Mountain in Krynica
Parkowa Mountain is a peak with a height of 742 m above sea level, which is one of the most interesting attractions of Krynica Zdrój. The slopes of Parkowa Mountain are excellent walking areas, but there is also a convenient cycling route. Interestingly, it rises in the very center of the city, so you descend straight from the top onto the famous Krynica promenade. In the summer, an all-terrain railway takes tourists to the top of the Parkowa Mountain - the oldest railway of this type in Poland, from 1937, and attractions for children and adults await at the top.
5. Bicycle routes
In 2020, great cycling routes were created in Krynica Zdrój, attracting amateurs of two wheels, there are 8 routes and they are named after Krynica springs: Kryniczanka, Zuber, Słotwinka, Tadeusz, Mieczysław, Jan, Józef and Karol. In total, they are 125 km long. They all start on the promenade of Krynica, just below the Tourist Information, these are mountain bike routes, and electric cars are also available at local rental companies.
6. Nikifor Museum
The Nikifor Krynicki Museum is located in the historic villa "Romanówka" from 1850. It is easy to recognize it on the promenade, because it is painted in a beautiful turquoise color. In Romanówka you will find the largest collection of Nikifor's works in Poland, and because Epifaniusz Drowniak, because he was actually a local painter of the 20th century, was born in Krynica. Nikifor named himself, and Krynicki was initially a nickname, and over time a court-recognized surname.
Nikifor was the son of a Lemko beggar, deaf-mute, so he inherited a congenital hearing and pronunciation defect from her. During his life, considered a freak, he loved to paint and did it constantly, mainly on the Krynica promenade, and so he eventually gained fame at Warsaw and European exhibitions.
7. Museum of Toys in Krynica
The Krynica Toy Museum "Bajka" is an interesting museum not only for children, but perhaps more effective for adults. Since 2010, in Krynica, everyone can make a sentimental journey into their childhood, into the world of toys that each of us played in the past. Historical, regional and more modern toys are presented here. Sono matter how old you are, you will find something here that will remind you of your youth and bring a smile to your face.
The museum is not very large, but you can spend quite long, pleasant moments there watching soldiers, teddy bears, decorated, old dolls, Barbie dolls in fashionable outfits, comics, LEGO models and many, many more.
8. Hiking trails in Krynica and the surrounding area
Throughout the year, there are hiking trails leading through the picturesque corners of Krynica and the surrounding mountains of the Sądecki Beskids. You can climb Radziejowa - the highest peak of the Beskid Sądecki, enter Jaworzyna Krynicka on foot or follow the observation tower towards Bacówka nad Wierchomłą.
9. Krynica Water Pump Rooms
The historic water pump rooms are scattered by the Krynica promenade, where you can buy healing waters: Jan, Zuber and Słotwinka, the pump rooms in Krynica are Pijalnia Jana, Pijalnia Słotwinka (the oldest spa building in Krynica-Zdrój from 1806), Pijalnia Główna (a modern facility on a European scale) and Pijalnia Mieczysław (Old Spa House)
10. The turn to the Park Mountain in Krynica
The railway to Góra Parkowa is located at Nowotarskiego Street, from the pedestrian street you can walk to the lower station of the cable car, which takes tourists to the top of Góra Parkowa, you can ride it even with small children in deep strollers, you can choose from the up and down option and the cheaper up or down option.
11. Poprad Rafting
When resting in Krynica Zdrój or its immediate vicinity, it is worth trying the Poprad pontoon rafting. It's a very picturesque and interesting river, and the rafting itself is great fun, especially when you're with a larger crew. Pontoon rafting is very safe, you can start it in Muszyna, overlooking the ruins of the castle. There are several companies organizing rafting, the company we checked is Czysta Frajda from Krynica (tel. 509-998-812).
12. Museum of Mountain Tourism
The museum is located at the PTTK Hostel in Jaworzyna Krynicka, slightly below the summit. You can learn about the history of tourism in the Beskid Sądecki, it is a climatic and not very often visited place
13. Trail of the Lemko Churches
In the Krynica municipality, a trail connecting the historic religious buildings of the Lemkos who once lived in these areas was led. The route: Krynica-Zdrój - Berest - Piorunka - Czyrna - Mochnaczka - Tylicz - Muszynka, in Krynica Słotwiny stands the former Church of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the 19th century, which is now the parish church of the Heart of Jesus.
14. Słotwiny and Słotwiński Park
Slotwiny has long been an attractive place for skiers, but since the lookout tower in Krynica stood here, it is attractive to everyone! Nearby there is the Słotwiński Park located along Piłsudskiego Street. This park was nicely renovated in 2019.
Here you will find a tiny mineral water pump room "Słotwinka" in the form of a wooden rotunda on poles. Today, it is the oldest spa building in Krynica, from 1806, open to everyone. Next to it, on a hill, a charming pavilion housing the "Koncertowa" restaurant got lost. Along with the renovated Słotwiński Park, a graduation tower with brine from Bochnia was made available here.
15. Salt Cave in Krynica
Not far from the famous Krynica Ice Rink, you can visit the recently fashionable attraction - the Salt Cave. It is a healthy pleasure for those who like to relax without moving. Dry vents of brine support the treatment of many diseases, including allergies, upper respiratory diseases or skin problems. Relaxing with calm music in a dark room illuminated only by the gentle light of salt lamps is a cool idea for a slow travel activity.
16. Krynica mock-up
A curiosity of Krynica, located near the promenade, in the Dukieta Park, is the Krynica Model from 1862. It was made by Mr. Leszek Walczyk. The model will allow you to imagine what the spa looked like about 150 years ago, and in addition you will listen to interesting stories about the history of Krynica, which can also be admired in old photographs.
Map of Krynica with attractions
To make it easier for you to plan and explore Krynica Zdrój, we have marked on the map the best attractions of this city.
History of the resort as a health resort
Krynica existed before 1547, but its development came after the healing values of mineral springs were discovered in the 17th century. It all started with the "Little House" from 1794, which later housed bathing establishments. The greatest flourishing of the Krynica spa took place in the second half of the 19th century thanks to Józef Dietl. At that time, the following were created: Old Mineral Baths, Old Mud Baths, Spa House, wooden Main Pump Room with a promenade (today's Słotwinka Pump Room), numerous guest houses and a larch theatre.
Many famous Poles stayed in the Krynica health resort: Matejko, Grottger, Sienkiewicz, Reymont, Tuwim, Gałczyński or Kiepura, with which today's "Aria and Songs" festivals are associated. At that time, Krynica also became a winter sports center, where the European Luge Championships and the Ice Hockey World Championships were held. Today, there is an ice arena with an ice rink, for example for playing hockey.
Accommodation in Krynica Zdrój
Krynica offers a very wide range of accommodation at very different prices and standards, so everyone will find a convenient accommodation for themselves. While we were in Krynica, we slept in the Arena Słotwiny Pension, where a comfortable room with its own bathroom, TV and kettle was waiting for us.
The guest house also offers a restaurant with a delicious pizzeria, a large free car park for guests of the guest house and rooms for equipment for skiers, because in winter it is a dream accommodation under the lift itself. You can see your reservation details here. If your requirements go higher, and you like Spa, the luxurious Dr Irena Eris Hotel Spa Krynica Zdrój is located near the gondola railway to Jaworzyna Krynicka. You can book it here.
Where to eat in Krynica?
Krynica Zdrój is a well-known resort, so there is no shortage of restaurants here. You can use a popular spot on the promenade or in a more secluded place. On the side of Krynica there is a very atmospheric Tavern Cichy Kącik (Sądecka Street), where we tasted several specialties.
In a nice, ethnic scenery, you will taste Polish flavors in a modern way. And if you like to eat in the mountain scenery, overlooking the peaks, the Krynicka Koliba on Jaworzyna Krynicka is worth recommending. A gondola railway will take you almost to the inn itself, so there is a place for practically everyone. On the promenade, however, I definitely recommend craft ice cream, served from a special retro vehicle, in many flavors and colors, taste - heaven in the mouth 🙂
Is it worth going to this resort?
And how, Krynica is a unique place that, in my opinion, surpasses the famous Szczawnica with its beauty, not to mention Zakopane. You will feel the mountain climate, you will certainly be delighted by the wooden, historic buildings, ethnic accents, and above all, the peace that you can only dream of in other mountain resorts. Not only will you relax here, but you can take advantage of many activities - bicycles, rafting, skiing and, of course, mountain hiking.
Visiting Krynica Zdrój is easy and pleasant, everything is at your fingertips, because the resort is quite small and where you do not leave a piece of the center, you will soon enter the forest 🙂 From rare attractions there is a gondola railway to Jaworzyna and a lookout tower in Słotwiny, both attractions are available even with small children, which is why Krynica is the mecca of family tourism! It is definitely worth visiting it and planning an even longer holiday stay here.
