Things to see and do Carpathians

Located north of the Rynek, this permanent exhibition shows the works by Zdzisław Beksinski, a contemporary painter, native of Rite, truly worthy of attention. It is the largest collection in the world of works by Beksiński.

This tourist information center is ideal for finding all the tourist information you need for your stay, as well as information on the activities on offer in the area. Brochures and maps are available from the office. And there are plenty of them, both in summer and winter, given the superb natural setting in which the Carpathian town lies. In short, a must when you arrive in Krynica-Zdrój!

You can take the funicular to the top of Góra Parkowa (741 m), from where you have a superb view of the whole region, including the Beskid Mountains and the Tatras. It is possible to walk back down to the town. At the top, there are cafés with terraces, also at high prices. Of course, don't forget to bring your wool, sunglasses and sun cream, in summer as well as in winter!

Built in 1325, this Gothic castle faces Czorsztyn Castle. The interiors are of little interest, but from the upper terrace there's a superb view of the Pieniny National Park, the man-made lake and its dam, and the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle. At the entrance to Niedzica Castle, a sign warns of the danger of ghosts... This medieval castle was used as a set for the filming of The Witcher series.

The offices of the tourist office, recently relocated to the corner of the railway/road station, are a mandatory stop for anyone who wants to visit the Tatra Park without getting into trouble. Although very touristy, the city is above all oriented towards the locals and nothing is indicated: neither the buses, nor the entrances of the different hikes, nor their duration, their difference in altitude, etc. In short, to get information about Zakopane, maps and advice, go here.

This ethnographic park, or skansen, is a superb reconstruction of a rural village divided into four sections, each dedicated to the architecture and ethnic groups that inhabit the region. There's an ^18th-century wooden Orthodox church, farmhouses, a manor house and examples of gypsy encampments. Folklore events are held regularly during the summer months. Also worth seeing is the reconstruction of an Eastern Galician village (same opening hours, 16 zl).

This magnificent wooden villa built by Stanisław Witkiewicz in 1894, in the Zakopane style, is today an art gallery. It traces a very interesting period in the history of Polish art through the work of artists who, between 1880 and 1939, lived in Zakopane. Linked to the artistic current of Młoda Polska, Zakopane became the "Athens of Poland", the place of free exchange of ideas and reflections around the country's independence.

One of the best examples of church architecture in southern Poland, where Roman Catholic architecture meets the Slavic Orthodox church, richly decorated inside. The church's mural painting is priceless: a 15th century Gothic-Renaissance polychrome in 33 colors with 77 different designs, including Persian and Chinese. The church is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Small, all made of pine wood, charming, its interior decoration is typical of the mountain churches of the Tatras. Some services are still held here. Just behind the church is an incredible cemetery (Cmentarz na Pęksowym Brzysku), filled with wooden sculptures, all masterpieces. In particular, it has a number of seated Christs, in the manner of Rodin's Thinker, a recurring motif in Polish folk art and the result of a legend, unique in the Christian world. Among the tombs, that of Stanisław Witkiewicz. Not to be missed!

At the bottom of Krupówki Street, after the crossroads with Kościeliska Street, you'll find Zakopane's big market. Honey, fruit juices and jams, wooden objects, woollen sweaters, mittens and hats, and above all the famous oscypek sheep's cheese. Another market worth visiting is in Nowy Targ, some 20 km north of Zakopane. Twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, since 1487, merchants have gathered on Targowy Square, east of the Rynek, to sell the region's specialities at more than reasonable prices.

It is a very pleasant trip to make, either on foot or by cable car, from the center of Zakopane. Once on the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Zakopane and the Tatras, and of the Beskids and the Podhale region. In the vicinity of the cable car station, there is a park for tree climbing, a myriad of small restaurants and very kitschy souvenir stands, as well as beautiful farms typical of the region. To go back down to the city, the most courageous can take a kind of slide, near the cable car, of 700 m!

A proud native of Krynica, Nikifor (1893-1968) is considered the greatest Polish naive painter. In this museum, located in the artist's former studio, there is a large collection of his paintings, as well as numerous temporary exhibitions dedicated to other contemporary Polish painters. As you will quickly see during the exhibition, the painter Nikifor was famous for his striking self-portraits and landscapes.

The architectural gem that was the Dworek Gościnny at the time of its creation in 1884 is shining again. Destroyed in a fire in 1962, the Thermaleo Group rebuilt it on its original foundation. The exterior is a work of respect for the quality of the architecture and craftsmanship of yesteryear, rebuilt from the memories of the locals: there were no photos that existed of the interior.

To know: in the evening, the Jazz Bar at Dworek Gościnny is an unusual place to listen to live music and enjoy a good whiskey.

Web site in English. The information is a bit short, but on the spot things are organized easily thanks to the professionalism of the team in place.

It dates back to the th century.

The Mount Magura National Park, located in the town of Bieszczady National Park, is a natural site protecting the central part of the Beskid Lowlands. The park offers a landscape typical of the region, with mountains with rounded, wooded peaks, river and stream valleys, as well as picturesque waterfalls and meandering reaches of the Wisłoka River. The mountain slopes are covered with beech, fir and mixed spruce and fir forests. The park's wildlife includes rare species such as the brown bear, wolf, wildcat, lynx, eagle and great horned owl. The park is also home to many protected plant species.

Built in the 18th century, this baroque tower offers a beautiful view of the city. It houses the Museum of Bells and Pipes (Muzeum Dzwonów i Fajek), which, on seven floors, presents two types of traditional crafts, still active in Przemyśl: bells and pipes. The bell collection covers the 17th-20th centuries and includes the old Town Hall bell from 1740. The oldest pipes date back to the 17th century.

Already quite remote and difficult to reach without cars, if you have arrived at the park office, you know what you are doing! Of course, there is additional information about the Tatra Park as well as about hiking and accommodation possibilities. The staff is English speaking and there are brochures in English. A recommended stop but not a substitute for the more accessible tourist office in town.

This agency organizes hikes, horse-drawn carriage tours, sleigh rides, rafting and ski lessons. The owner, Barbara, speaks perfect English and is a mine of precious information! The agency has an excellent website in English with a lot of practical information about Zakopane and the different activities you can do in summer and in winter. They also have a very complete list of accommodation options in Zakopane. We advise you to contact them well in advance and then take advantage of their program.

This beautiful castle, which successfully combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of architecture, is a former residence of the Kmita and Lubomirski families of the high nobility of Lesser Poland. Today it is a harmonious blend of military and residential architecture. The natural wooded and hilly scenery contributes to the castle's enchanting silhouette. The castle houses an exhibition dedicated to its history.