Vistula attractions. What is worth seeing in the Vistula and where to go in the mountains?

The Vistula is a pearl of the Silesian Beskidslying in the Silesian Voivodeship, in the valley of the Vistula River, at the level of 431 m above sea level, at the foot of Barania Góra (1220 m above sea level), where the queen of Polish rivers originates. It is a very attractive and versatile place, both for summer and winter holidays. There is no shortage of attractions here, and among them there are also great places for children. Even routes in the vicinity of the mountains will be adapted for families with small children in strollers, e.g. the asphalted White Vistula Valley or the easy asphalted route from Szarcula Pass to Stecówka. 

The Vistula is surrounded to the west by the Czantoria range(995 m above sea level), Stożka (978 m above sea level) and the Kubalonka Pass (761 m above sea level), and to the east by Równica, the Three Vistula Mounds and the Salmopolska Pass (934 m above sea level). The trails allow you to enjoy the charm and wonderful panoramas of the mountains, and on the trails we will relax in hostels, e.g. in the Soszów Shelter or in the 100-year-old Shelter on Stożek. The close vicinity of attractive tourist destinations such as summer Ustroń or winter Szczyrk raises the values of the Vistula as a great starting point. Check out our guide to the Vistula River, where you will get to know not only the best attractions of the city, but also delicious restaurants and accommodation!

Experiences in the Vistula River

The Vistula River undoubtedly has its charm, both in summer and winter teeming with life, so if you like bustle, hit the center, and if you like peace, choose secluded corners in the Vistula River, because there are many of them. Wisła is a favorite holiday destination for Silesians, due to its wide range of accommodation, beautiful surroundings, interesting hiking trails to the surrounding peaks and ski infrastructure. 

Discover the best attractions of the Vistula! If you are interested in an even more detailed description of a specific Vistula experience, click on the blue, linked name of the experience. Below you will also find them marked on the map.

Biała Wisełka Valley 

A picturesque valley available even for families with small children in strollers, on a walk you are accompanied all the time by the White Vistula valley, with numerous small cascades. At the end of the valley, you need to see the largest Rodło Cascades, 5 meters high. Further, the trail, which is no longer accessible to wheelchairs, leads to Barania Góra. There is a large paid but inexpensive car park on site (it is operated by the Guard, which also offers tasty homemade dinners on site). I love this place, although I recommend it except for warm weekends, because since it is an easy place for wheelchairs, it can be crowded and noisy. We visited this place in summer and winter and I must admit that in winter I liked it even more, although in summer the river also creates very charming cascading performances. In winter, however, it is magically, calm and only from time to time you pass by a horse sleigh ride 🙂 The blue trail on the asphalt road runs for 2.6 km, after which it becomes an off-road trail and after what 400 meters are the Rodła Cascades.
Address: Biała Wisełka Valley, Biała Wisełka Street, Wisła Czarne

Barania Góra

Barania Góra (1220 m above sea level) is the highest peak of the Vistula River, but also the most magical mountain in the Silesian Beskids. You won't get here with a lift, you won't get there with asphalt, even no short trail leads here. You have to march for at least 2 hours to stand at the top, which in exchange for effort pleases us with wonderful landscapes. Already from the ground they are wonderful, and in addition there is a 15-meter observation tower that gives a 360-degree panorama. It's all about you and the mountains! And a few other tourists, because Barania is often visited, you can feel the spirit of the mountains here. From the tower you will see the peaks of three countries - Polish, Slovak and Czech. Skrzyczne and Babia Góra stand out in the foreground, in the distance you can see the Tatra Mountains, the Slovak Mala Fatra, and in perfect weather the Czech Jeseníky Mountains. A 40-minute walk below the summit there is a shelter at Przysłopie. The most scenic peak on Barania is the green one from Malinowska Skała, but we followed the blue one through the Valley of the White Vistula. It allows you to see under the peak a rock similar to the one on Malinowska Skala. Below is a map with a route to Barania along the blue trail from the Czarne Vistula.

Czerniańskie Lake in the Czarnem Vistula

In the Czarnem Vistula, near the Biała Wisełka Valley, it is worth driving up or walking to Lake Czerniańskie with a dam. It is a very charming place, beautiful in summer, magical in winter and fabulously colorful in autumn. There is a small car park on site. I really like this part of the Vistula, where there are not as many tourists as in the center, you can see the mountains around, and yet it is still easy and pleasant, especially when traveling with a child. The dam is available for trolleys. You can see the President's Castle from here.
Address: Czerniańskie Lake, Czarne Street, Czarne Vistula

Waterfall in the Black Vistula

In front of Lake Czerniańskie, almost by the road, there is an 8-meter high waterfall, creating a picturesque view. This most famous waterfall in the area is called the Vistula Niagara. It falls down with a big bang, and the surrounding concrete walls make it possible to see it from different perspectives. Next to it, there is a large, free car park and a large hotel. In summer, there are a lot of people here. Even 10 years ago it was more wild here, today commerce is squeezing in more and more, but it is still a charming corner of the Vistula, especially outside warm weekends.
Address: Waterfall, Czarne Street, Czarne Vistula

The Castle of the President of the Republic of Poland and the Upper Castle in Wisła Czarnem

As you can see, it is necessary to visit this part of the Vistula, because it is full of attractions. The castle of President Ignacy Mościcki from 1930 is located behind Lake Czerniańskie, the architecture of this building is interesting, although actually there are two castles here - the so-called Castle and the Upper Castle.
Address: Zameczek, ul. Zameczek, Wisła Czarne

Bench on Krzakoska Skala

Krzakoska Rock lying at an altitude of 730 m above sea level is also called the Kobylej Rock. This large rock with a height of about 10 meters is one of the largest creations of this type in the Silesian Beskids. It is located by the blue trail leading from the Dziechcinka Vistula to the summit of the Great Cone. From the top of the rock there are beautiful views of the Vistula River and the Czantoria and Równica ranges. In 2020, a bench of love stood on the Krzakoska Rock, and now this place is even more willingly visited by tourists.

Bench of thinners

In Cieńków Niżny, next to the Cieńków Ranch, there is a Vistula bench with a bear motif. It is so beautifully located that everyone wants to sit on it. And it's so easy that you can drive up to it by car, to the parking lot near the Ranch. In addition, there is a cable car and a yellow trail from the Czarne Vistula. It is a beautiful base for a walk along the yellow trail to Cieńków Pstrzedni and further to other peaks. Sheep, horses and cows often graze here. The place is extremely charming and romantic.

Grand Cone

The Great Cone has a height of 978 m above sea level, it is a popular peak both in summer and winter, in the Czantoria Range, on the border between Poland and the Czech Republic. Its name comes from the characteristic, conical shape, thanks to which it seems much higher than it actually is. There are many trails, including the red Main Beskid Trail. Under the peak stands a 100-year-old hostel - the oldest Polish hostel in the Silesian Beskids. It offers a rich buffet and wonderful views. And a short distance away, there is the Cone Ski Resort with a lift. You will get here quite quickly by the green or blue trail from Wisła Głębce.

Carpenter

Cieślar (920 m above sea level) is a very scenic peak that rises between Wielki Soszow and Mały Konżek. You will get to know the peak after a vast clearing with a wonderful landscape of the Beskid peaks and the Tatras in the distance. Here you will find a board with a photo and a description of the surrounding hills. You will sit here on the Wisła bench, one of several set on the surrounding peaks. It is beautiful in itself, and it also offers a picturesque landscape.

The Polish-Czech state border runs through the peak of Cieślar. Along it, there are marked hiking trails: Polish red and Czech blue. The mountain rises above the Czech Nydek. By clicking on the blue link Carpenter above, you will find the route and a map of our loop of about 12 km.

Soszów Wielki

Soszów Wielki (886 m above sea level) is an interesting peak that offers a cable car, a ski station and one of the oldest shelters in this range. In addition, there is a Vistula bench.

Soszów rises between the peaks of Cieślar in the south and Mały Soszów in the north. Above the Vistula and the Czech Nydek, as the state border between Poland and the Czech Republic runs along the ridge. The Main Beskid Trail also leads here. By clicking on the blue Soszów Wielki link above, you will find the route and a map of our loop of about 12 km.

Malinowska Skała

Malinowska Skała (1152 m above sea level) is a very scenic and popular peak among tourists in this part of the Beskids. It rises in the main ridge of Barania Góra, about 6 km from Szczyrk. The outcropped rock at the top has become a symbol of the band. You will see Skrzyczne and other nearby peaks from here.

The fastest way to reach Malinowska Skała is via the red tourist trail from the Salmopolska Pass. This route to the top is 4 km long. You can beat it by the signs in 1.5 hours, even faster in summer.  By clicking on the blue Malinowska Skała link above, you will find the route and a map of our expedition.

Czupel

Czupel with a height of 882 meters above sea level is a very interesting, albeit inconspicuous, mountain peak. Do not confuse it with another Czupla - the highest elevation of the Little Beskids.

Czupel "śląski" or Wiślański, because it lies entirely within this city, is an extensive massif located in the Barania Góra Range. It is part of the Western Beskids. On the sharp top, there is a bench with a beautiful mountain landscape.

Three Wisła Mounds

Three Wisła Mounds (810 m above sea level) is a peak in the Równica range. The name of the mountain comes from its location at the junction of the borders of three towns: Ustroń, Wisła and Brenna. In the initial period of settlement development in these areas, each settlement marked its borders with cuts on the bark of trees or mounds made of stones. Here, at the top, there are three boulders - boundary stones with the aisles of these towns. 

The adjective "Wiślańskie" was added to distinguish the mountain from other peaks with this name (e.g. Three Mounds at the junction of the borders of Brenna, Szczyrk and Wapienica or Three Mounds in the Żywiec Beskids). At the top there is Telesforówka, a buffet with a beautiful view and a red hump.

Easy and beautiful route from Szarcula Pass to Stecówka

The route is pleasant and the one-way walk takes about an hour. It starts behind the Czarne Vistula, you have to drive by the President's Chateau and stop in the parking lot at the Szarcula Pass. Here we leave the car and go on foot to Stecówka in Istebna. The road runs on asphalt, where traffic takes place only for residents, so you can drive even a stroller with a small child. An alternative is the red Main Beskid Route running next to it, which is also similar to the time of crossing the route. On the asphalt road, at the beginning of the route, you can meet a lookout tower with a panorama of Lake Czerniańskie and the Beskid peaks. A wooden church and a backyard are waiting at Stecówka.

Vistula promenade and market

In the center of the Vistula, there is a promenade full of tourists with highlander pubs, fast food and stalls, as well as the Market Square with handicraft stalls, a fountain and a Spa House. In the middle of this building there is a Tourist Information and a sculpture of Adam Małysz made of white chocolate. This is not my favorite part of the Vistula, usually crowded, a little kitschy, especially on the promenade. I prefer to either walk to the river or run to other parts of the Vistula, more mountainous.
Address: Rynek - Bogumiła Hoffa Square, pedestrian street - ul. 1 Maja

Kopczyński Amphitheatre and Park in Wisła

In the revitalized Kopczyński Park in the center of the Vistula, there is a modernized Amphitheatre, where a lot of interesting outdoor events take place in the summer, and even further, walking paths lead to the Vistula River, to the Lunar Boulevard, to the Avenue of Applications and Legends or to the Historic Adventure Park.
Address: Amphitheatre, access through the market

The Bear Trail in the Vistula

Surely you have seen stone bears in the Kopczyńskigo Park in the center of the Vistula, behind the Evangelical church. They made the bear the official mascot of the Vistula River, and in 2018 even the Bear Trail was created. More and more places in the Vistula are decorated with figurines of stone bears, and all of them are made of local Godul sandstone, very durable, mined in the municipality of Brenna. Each bear refers to the place where it stood. Where will you meet the Vistula bears? 

• Bears in Kopczyński Parks
• Bear at the promenade, ul. 1 Maja
• Bear at the Transfer Centre, ul. 1 Maja 69
• Bear at Mount Blanc Chocolate and Coffee Drinking Room, ul. 1 Maja 66c
• The Bear at the Hut of Olympian Jasio and Helenka, 33 Bursche Street
• Bear at the upper Skolnity station, Kolejowa Street
• Bear at the Moto Park Pod Pyramidą, ul. Kamienna 19
• Bear at Jonidle, Wyzwolenia Street
• Bear at the waterfall "Wiślańska Niagara", ul. Czarne

Centre for Environmental Education in Wisła

The Environmental Education Center is a  nicely revitalized educational and recreational space, created in the Jonidło sports center, less than 3 km from the center of the Vistula. You come here on a footbridge over a pond, cross the suspension bridge over the Vistula River and learn some interesting facts about nature. A very friendly place for walking, also with a stroller.
Address: Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej, Ośrodek Jonidło, ul. Wyzwolenia

Hunting Castle of the Habsburgs

One of the most interesting architectural attractions in the Vistula River is the Habsburg Hunting Castle from the 19th century, also more rightly called the Palace. Today, it stands in the center of the Vistula River, constituting its ornament and at the same time an enclave of old Vistula construction. This does not mean, however, that the Habsburgs hunted in this place, in the center of the town. This is not the original place of construction. The palace once stood on the Przysłop glade, among the forests of the Silesian Beskids, and was built in 1898 for Archduke Frederick Habsburg. He hosted crowned heads here, with whom he loved to shoot capercaillies. Among others, the German emperor Wilhelm II of Hohenzollern stayed here. The Habsburgs used the palace until World War I, and in 1986 this hunting palace was moved to the center of the Vistula, where the PTTK branch is located. The facility is open all year round. Today, the beautiful palace lies on the Wooden Architecture Route of the Silesian Voivodeship.
Address: Habsburg Castle, Lipowa 4

Beskid Museum in Wisła

The Beskid Museum is located in the center of the Vistula River, in the historic building of a former inn from 1794. In the Tavern, believers arriving for services from distant places and children attending an evangelical school found shelter. Today, the Museum presents the culture and traditions of Silesian highlanders. You will see a permanent exhibition about the history of the region, with the decor of a traditional highlander's chamber and antique home furnishings. Temporary exhibitions are also presented here - mainly with sculpture and paintings by local artists.
Address: A. Podżorski Beskid Museum, 1 Steller Street

Kocyana Cottage in the Vistula

The wooden Kocyana Cottage dates back to 1930 and was moved from the Czarne Vistula, from the Borowina housing estate to Nowa Osada, where it was reconstructed. The Jan Kocyan Chamber of Creative Work has been operating here since 1987. The cottage consists of two chambers connected by a passing hallway. In the larger room, there was an exhibition of sculptures by Jan Kocyan and old dishes - iron pots, butter moulds or wooden spoons. In the hall you will see old coopers', pedestrians' and carpenters' tools, while in the second room the contemporary works of folk art of the Silesian Beskids are presented. 
Address: Chata Kocyana, ul. Bajcary 6, Wisła, Nowa Osada

Skolnity Ski&Bike Park

A year-round, modern cycling, skiing and recreational center in the very center of the Vistula, located near the ski jumps of the Center. It is located just 70 meters from the Transfer Centre and is called the "Roof of the Vistula" because of the breathtaking panorama of the city from above. The complex was built in 2015 on the slope of Mount Skolnity (762 m above sea level), and the upper lift station with a 4-person sofa is located at an altitude of 660 m above sea level. The location on the northern slope means that there is no shortage of snow here and it lasts a long time. The aforementioned chairlift is 800 meters long, and in addition there are 2 ski slopes of varying difficulty (1100 meters and 980 meters) and a belt lift for children (70 meters). The routes are illuminated and snow-covered. A training link with a belt hoist has been prepared at the upper railway station. There is also a ski rental and ski school on site. In addition, all year round at the upper station, there are one-way cycling routes with a total length of about 9 km and varying degrees of difficulty (the lift carries bicycles). At the top, there is also a year-round farm with alpacas and a donkey, an alley of sculptures and a playground.
Address: Skolnity, Kolejowa Street

Cone Ski Resort

There is a ski resort with a year-round chairlift and various ski slopes and a snowpark next to the hostel in Stośek Wielki, above the Labajowa Vistula. There is a ski school and equipment rental on site.
Address: ON Stożek, ul. Zjazdowa 11

Soszów Ski Station

Wisła Jawornik, ul. Cieślarów 30 - Soszów station offers 5 ski lifts, including 1 4-person chairlift (815 m) and 4 orchard lifts, 6 snow-covered and illuminated trails. There is a ski school.

Cieńków Ski Station

Wisła Malinka, ul. Malinka 8 - Cieńków station offers 3 ski lifts, including 1 4-person chairlift (1000 m) and 2 plate ski lifts. Beautiful ski, snow, groomed and illuminated trails were created next to the lifts. There is a ski kindergarten (belt lift, route and carousel), SnowPark, ski schools and equipment rentals.

Nowa Osada Ski Station

ul. Partyzantów 24 - Nowa Osada station offers a 4-person chairlift and a saucer lift, 4 snow-covered, illuminated and groomed trails. Pneumatic Cushion for Freestyle is available. There are ski schools and equipment rentals.

Skiing in the Vistula

There are many chair, plough and saucer ski lifts in the Vistula. The slopes are adapted to organize ski and snowboard championships, winter competitions and competitions for beginners and advanced athletes. Some slopes are artificially snowed and illuminated. For professionals, ski jumps will become important - in Wisła-Malinka and Centrum as well as perfectly prepared cross-country ski trails in Kubalonka. Winter sleigh rides in horse-drawn carriages are also a great attraction, e.g. in the picturesque Biała Wisełka Valley. The ski resorts are currently headed by Skolnity in the Centre, Ośrodek Cieńków, Klepki in Wisła Malinka or ON Stożek.

Where to eat and sleep in the Vistula

The Vistula River is a very popular Beskid town, which is why there are many places offering accommodation in various standards, from guest rooms, through holiday resorts to the new, huge, 5-star Hotel Crystal Mountain, which recently overlooks the Vistula River. We can recommend you two 3-star hotels where prices will not kill you, you will sleep very comfortably with additional attractions, and you will eat very tasty. 

The first one is the Premium Hotel in Vistula Kopydło, which is great for family stays. Like many such facilities, it offers a paid spa area, as well as a free recreation area with jacuzzi, saunas and a salt cave. A cool way to regenerate after mountain hardships. But what captivated us the most here is the restaurant recommended by the "Yellow Guide" Gault & Millau. It's great, you can taste, for example, steaks from American or Argentinian beef, but I was delighted with duck breast and hand glued hooves and warming pumpkin cream. Also beet carpaccio - a revelation. In addition, delicious wine and incredibly tasty cheesecake, which at first glance resembles ice cream more than cheesecake. The classic-style room had everything you need to relax, plus mineral water and a kettle with a set of coffees and teas. In the morning, of course, we greeted the day with a delicious breakfast. I love hotel breakfasts, very rich and giving energy to the early afternoon hours. 

The second hotel is Hotel Pod Jedlami-a large, former holiday resort for Silesians, now nicely revitalized. It rises above the center of the Vistula, on the slope of Jarzębatea mountain, next to the tourist trail to Trzy Kopce Wiślańskie (Three Vistula Mounds). The interiors are decorated in a modern style, and in addition in the room we were captivated by the view from the balcony - to the Vistula, the beautifully lit Skolnity or Czantoria resort in the evening. A real treat is the hotel restaurant Jedli in Wisła. It serves traditional Polish dishes, including those eaten in the Vistula at the beginning of the 20th century. We were happy to taste these specialties - koniakowski cheese, filling sour rye soup with potatoes like foam, delicious doves with groats and torn duck and melting long roasted ribs. The restaurant is not very expensive, and you can get here in 15 minutes from the Vistula promenade. The hotel offers billiards and ping pong, as well as treatments and hydrotherapy tubs for a fee. In the standard room, everything was in the best order, there was also a kettle with a set of coffees and teas, mineral water, and a fridge. 

In the city, you have to visit the iconic Confectionery at Janeczka, which has recently offered chocolate figures. While in Cieńków Niżny, it is worth visiting Rancz Cieńków with good food and a beautiful view.