Limanowa attractions. What is worth seeing in the Limanowa district?

• Limanowa lies in a valley at the foot of the peaks of the Beskid Wyspowy
• The city is famous for the Basilica of MN Bolesna
• In the center, there is an attractive City Park with many attractions, such as a water playground, an outdoor gym, barbecue gazebos or a bicycle path
• The area around Limanowa is a paradise for cyclists, we recommend Velo Limanowski with a length of 40 km or the route around Mogielica with a length of 21 km
• The surrounding peaks offer views of the Tatras - Modyn with an observation tower and Mogielica with an observation tower
• The Słopnicka Pass also allows you to look at the Tatras and is accessible by car!

Limanowa and its surroundings are very beautiful and attractive areas, located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The village itself lies in a valley at the foot of Łysa Góra (785 m above sea level), in the beautiful mountains called the Island Beskids. This range borders the Gorce Mountains from the south, and the Dunajec River from the east. Limanowa has a long history, it received city rights in 1565, and even earlier St. Valentine became its patron. Wonderful location and plenty of tourist attractions encourage you to relax in this area, surrounded by mountains and incredibly spectacular landscape.

Attractions of Limanowa and its surroundings. What is worth seeing in the city and in the Limanowa district?

Peaks with observation towers, bicycle routes, recreational ponds and beautiful historic churches with interesting decor and polychrome are the main attractions of the area. The old, valuable buildings are a testimony to tradition and a rich treasure trove of knowledge about the region's past. But it is mainly the magnificent nature, beautiful landscape and kilometers of trails that attract tourists here. Limanowa and its surroundings are also a paradise for lovers of two wheels. Check out the best attractions in Limanowa and the surrounding area!

Sanctuary in Limanowa

The dominant building is the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows in Limanowa. It is the sanctuary and monument of the centenary of the Constitution of May 3. The monumentality of the temple is added by a tall, 60-meter tower. In the richly decorated interior of the church, the revered Gothic figure of Piet from the fourteenth century, called Our Lady of Limanowa, deserves special attention.
Address: Jana Pawła II 1

Market Square in Limanowa

It is a showcase of a city where the lives of its inhabitants have been concentrated for centuries. Unfortunately, due to wars and cataclysms, the former market square has not been preserved, but only its historic urban layout with a network of streets. But it is nicely revitalized, with fountains, benches and greenery. You will see the original building, the so-called "buzodrom", which houses the District Tourist Information Center.

Museum of Limanowa Land Mars Manor

On Marek Street, there are historic buildings of the Limanowa brewery, and just behind them there is the charming Manor House of Mars. It is currently where the Regional Museum of the Limanowa Region is located, which offers 5 permanent exhibitions telling about the history of these lands. Around the building there is a former manor park, which today is the Municipal Park.
Address: ul. Józefa Marka 13

Limanowa City Park

Along the Jabłoniecki Stream, there are many attractions in the Park, pumptrack, fitness gyms, a picnic clearing with sensory gazebos and a dog park. A wooden footbridge, an amphitheater over the backwaters, a terrace with hammocks and barbecue gazebos were also built. There is also a playground, a water playground and a beach volleyball court. The heart of the park is a bicycle path with a length of 1300 m, in the form of a loop. A swimming pool is recommended next door. The park is currently one of the most interesting attractions in Limanowa.
Address: ul. Spacerowa

Millennium Cross at Miejska Góra in Limanowa

Another interesting walking spot in Limanowa is Miejska Góra. You can reach it by leaving the market square on Kilinskiego Street. A mighty millennium cross stands atop it. It commemorates the transition into the 21st century. Its height with a concrete base is as high as 37 meters, which is twice as high as the cross on Giewont. Standing at its feet, you will see a beautiful panorama of the city, the Beskids, the Pieniny Mountains and the Tatras!
Address: ul. Leśna

Mogielica with an observation tower in the Island Beskids

Mogielica, 1170 m above sea level, is the highest peak of B. Wyspowy. It belongs to the Crown of the Polish Mountains. At the top there is an observation tower that offers a wonderful panorama of the Beskids, Pieniny and the Tatra Mountains. The view is spectacular. We have already stood on top of it twice, in winter and summer.

In winter, we followed the green trail to Mogielica from the Rydza Śmigły pass (Chyszówki). This is the most popular route to this peak, it is not too difficult. The ascent to the summit takes about 1h 40 minutes. The total is about 3 hours and 10 km. In the summer, we rode a bicycle from the Wyrębiska car park (6 km). We had to bring bicycles to the Stumorgowa Glade, considered the most beautiful in the Beskids, where we clamped them and walked to the last, steepest part of the tower. Both the tower and the clearing itself allow you to admire breathtaking views.

Our summer route on the map: bike + hiking to the top

Cycling route around Mogielica

The route around Mount Mogielica is 21 km long. It is not only a cycling route, but also a walking route, Nordic walking and a cross-country skiing route in winter. From the Velo Limanowski route, which I write about below, from the Szczawa - Kamienica section, you can get by bike to Mogielica, but it requires a lot of effort, because this section is very steep. 
It is best to drive to the free Wyrębiska Zalesie forest car park. There are beautiful views here, and 200 meters away you can rent bicycles from Mr. Piotrek (tel. 600-070-948). We did not plan to travel the entire route, because it was quite a lot of trouble, but above all because we wanted to climb the Glade of Stumorgowa and Mogielica.

You will find the exit to the Glade on the 6th km of the route. It is these first 6 km that are considered the easiest, recommended for the family route. You can go further around and finish the loop, or go back to the start, or go out with your bikes to the clearing (too steep for us to ride). There are wonderful views on the Glade. Here we fastened our bikes and walked to the top.

The entire route on the map:

Modyń - Mountain of Lovers in B. Wyspowy

Modyń is the Mountain of Lovers with views of the Tatras! At a height of 1029 m above sea level, it is quite tightly forested. Fortunately, in 2021, there was an observation tower over 27 meters high. From the platform, you can admire Mogielica, Gorce, Babia Góra in the distance, and the Tatras rise behind Lubań. In the evening, it is a perfect place for sunset.
We approached Modyn on the black trail from Wierzyka. Here you will find a convenient, free car park and an installation with hearts. The route from the car park to the summit is 2 km. Time: The hike to the tower takes about 45 minutes.

Velo Limanowski Bicycle Route

In 2021, over 40 km of cycling and walking trails were created in the Limanowa district. It is an attractive and comfortable route that allows you to admire the beauty of the area. We set off on the Velo Limanowski cycling route in Kamienica, from the manor park to Szczawa. This is the flattest section of it. Initially, we drove an exceptionally charming fragment along the Kamienica River, then we had to go to the main road, but a separate, safe lane was prepared for cyclists here. This is how we got to Szczawa, as the name suggests, famous for its medicinal waters. They are not delicious, oh no, but beneficial for the body, they treat, among others, stress, which is probably useful to everyone these days.

Open-air museum in Jędrzejkówka in Laskowa

Tiny, private, off the beaten path. It might seem that nothing will surprise you, and yet it is endearing. Climatic, full of colorful flowers, with a funny guide, Bernese at your feet. And there's usually homemade cake on site. The open-air museum in Jędrzejówka is a family initiative. We like, value and support them! Warm-hearted hosts have created a beautiful place where we felt at home. Our son gave us a tour of the wooden, historic buildings, telling us interesting stories. There were many of them, but one in particular will stick in my memory.
About a cottage with 1 living room, in which 13 people lived. The parents had the most comfort, although they slept practically on a single bed. The grandparents on the so-called stove, at least had warmth. The children were the worst off. They slept on the "sofa bed" and ate from the common family bowl always at the end. And when hunger was bad, the youngest children were pushed between the boards to the granaries to steal some grain. The saying Galician poverty did not come from nowhere.
Address: Laskowa  360

Recreational ponds in Laskowa

A little to the south of the town centre, near the Łososina River, there is a nicely landscaped recreational pond, inviting you for walks. The promenade along the water and the bridges above the surface are beautiful incentives to spend romantic moments here. The more so because a charming bench with the inscription Fall in love with Laskowa stood on the main pier.

Słopnicka Pass

The Słopnicka Pass lies in the heart of B. Wyspowy, at an altitude of about 750 m above sea level. At the foot of the Cichoń peak (926 m above sea level). This is the road from Słopnice to Zalesie. The place is easily accessible, you will park for free on the side of the road and in a few moments you will see an incredibly beautiful mountain landscape. With Modynia and Mogielica in the foreground. I encourage you to go a little higher up to Cichoń itself, from where the panorama of the Tatra Mountains captivates you. It's a lovely and romantic place for a date at sunset. There is no commercial here, there are no people, and the magnificent view melts the heart.

Monastery in Szczyrzyc

The monastery in Szczyrzyc is a true legend among Polish abbeys. Already in 1234, the Cistercians in the Podtatrze founded the first monastery in Ludźmierz, but the infertile soil and robbers who made their lives difficult made them move to Szczyrzyc after nine years. This is how they continue to this day, which is unique. Only this abbey and the Mogile have been operating continuously since their founding. The rest were confiscated during the partitions. The monastery can be visited at certain times. You will then enter the church, the interiors of which can usually only be viewed from behind bars. You can also visit a small museum consisting of two rooms. An exhibition of sacred monuments and military artefacts from around the world awaits here.
Address: Szczyrzyc 1

Devils Stone and hermitage in Krzesławice

About 3 km from the monastery, a huge sandstone boulder called Devil's Stone rises above the ground. Its dimensions are impressive: 55 m long, 12 m wide and 17-25 m high. Slightly perversely, in the 19th century Devils Stone became a hermitage for some monks of the monastery. The first hermit reportedly placed it in a gap between the rocks. Others have already built a house and a chapel. The last hermit reportedly slept in a coffin. We have already met this theme in other hermitages. It is such a peculiar and very literal Memento mori. He also raised bees and goats, lived in harmony with nature and people. He was considered a kind man. Interestingly, every day he went down to the monastery in Szczyrzyc to have dinner there and be at Mass. Now we know he wasn't close. He died in 1992, and later another monk lived in the hermitage periodically until 1997.

Spad Waterfall in Szczawa

The picturesque Spad waterfall is a natural creation adorning the Gorce Tenement House River. You will find it a few kilometers behind the center of Szczawa, in the Koszarka housing estate, at the point where the river reaches road No. 968. It is 590 m above sea level, and the waterfall itself is 2.2 m high. It may not be spectacular, but the picture is very nice and the waterfall is powerful. Due to the mass of water it carries, it is one of the largest in the entire Beskids.

Water pump room in Szczawa

Szczawy are beneficial waters, so in the village with this name they should be and are. There is also a charming water pump room and graduation tower in the centre of the village. And the waters have been known for a long time, because Jan Długosz wrote about them for the first time in the 15th century. Medicinal waters are not tasty, but beneficial for our health and nerves. You can buy cheap Szczawa I and II, Dziedzilla and Hanna waters here

Wooden church in the Great Casino

The historic church of St. Mary Magdalene was built in the 17th century, and a tower was added in the next century. The decor of the temple, which lies on the Małopolska Wooden Architecture Trail, is beautiful.
Address: Kasina Wielka 534

Bike Park in Casino Wielka

This Bike Park is the largest bicycle park in Poland. It is located on the premises of the popular Kasina Ski ski station. This is a real downhill mecca. There are 9 cycling routes with a total length of 17 km. The most difficult is the black route, where the jumps force you to fly up to 25 meters!
Address: Kasina Wielka 672

Gorce National Park Centre

And did you know that B. Wyspowy is next to the beautiful Gorce? In Poręba Wielka, in the picturesque courtyard park,
educational center of the Gorce National Park. You will visit a beautifully arranged route with an audio guide, thanks to which you will listen to really interesting stories about the creatures living here. The exhibitions are not very extensive, but interesting. Be sure to stroll around the park around the ponds, with a graduation tower and an amphitheater. And if you have the time and desire, the blue trail will take you to Turbacz, the highest peak of the Gorce. That's about 11 km.

Map of Limanowa County attractions

Here's a useful map of Limanowa and its surroundings. It will definitely help you plan your stay in this beautiful area.

Our video

I invite you to our film from the Limanowa district with Mogielica in the lead role.

Where to eat in the area?

After the hardships comes the time to rest, so it was after the bicycles at Mogielica, when at the end of the day we visited the historic manor park in Kamienica, and in it the delicious Parkova Restaurant. In these historic spaces next to the manor, tradition mixes with the present, and Polish flavors with inspirations from abroad. We tasted delicious duck with unusual gratin potatoes and homemade pancakes with stew. As usual, we divided the dishes, and this time even by half. I love potatoes, so apart from cakes, I really wanted to taste these gratin potatoes. I really liked this, apparently, one of the most famous casseroles in the world, which comes from France. In fact, it is very simple, it is slices of potato interspersed with cream.

In addition, we ate tasty desserts and drank the most delicious watermelon lemonade I have ever drank. Łukasz ate the chocolate fondant, and I ate the Lemon Curd tart, which is a tart with lemon cream in the arms of the flamed Italian meringue.

The history associated with this property is also interesting. Because its owner, a certain Marshal, was famous for charity. And it's safe to say that it saved his life. During the peasant robbery, the peasants from nearby Ochotnica wanted to fuck him with a saw, but the local peasants from Kamienica defended him against this cruel death. According to the saying, good comes back!

Accommodation in and around Limanowa

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Rent a car

Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.

What's worth seeing in the area?

If you are looking for more ideas for interesting places to visit, we have it for you some options in the area. There are several attractions within a radius of 100 kilometers, that are worth adding to your travel plan.

• Wieliczka Salt Mine, distance: 40.4  km
• Kazimierz in Kraków, distance: 51.4  km
• Market Square in Krakow, distance: 52.6  km
• Ojców National Park, distance: 69.1  km
• Krakowskie valleys, distance: 71.2  km
• Pieskowa Skała Castle, distance: 75.4  km
• Castle in Żywiec, distance: 87.8  km
• Rabsztyn Castle, distance: 88.7  km
• Błędowska Desert, distance: 94.5  km
• Gródek Park in Jaworzno, distance: 97.9  km