Travel Guide Szczawnica

Surrounded by forests on the mountainside, this water town, which guards the Pieniny massif, is situated at an altitude of about 500 meters and enjoys a very pleasant microclimate, which explains the establishment of a spa. The spa activity was developed by Count Adam Stadnicki who, at the beginning of the 20th century, created an "inhalatorium" to treat respiratory ailments. Following the nationalization of his estate in 1948, his descendants went into exile all over the world. Today, his French great-grandchildren, Christophe, Nicolas and Elena Mankowski, have taken over the old family business, with the creation of the Thermaleo company (www.thermaleo.pl). The Mankowski family is turning Szczawnica into a high level tourist and spa destination. One can choose this quiet little town as a stopover on a hike in the region, including the Pieniny National Park (Pieniński Park Narodowy) and to visit the castles of Niedzica and Czorsztyn. Szczawinica and its region attract a large number of tourists, especially for the descent of the Dunajec; it is easy to find accommodation and restaurants, but beware of the peak season (July-August). Szczawnica is the starting point for several bicycle and hiking trails that cross the Pieniny Park and climb to its highest point, Mount Wysoka (1,100m), or to the Trzy Korony.