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Things to do in Szczawnica

Our most recommended things to do in Szczawnica

From Kraków: Dunajec River Rafting with Hotel Pickup

1. From Kraków: Dunajec River Rafting with Hotel Pickup

Raft down the Dunajec on traditional raftsman boats to explore the Pieniny National Park from a unique perspective. Enhance your experience by upgrading to options that include a visit to Niedzica Castle or the Palenica cable car for stunning views of the Pieniny Mountains. Get picked up from hotel and travel and drive for 2 hours on an air-conditioned car to the Pieniny National Park. Begin your rafting adventure in the raftsman harbor in Sromowce and set sail on a river journey lasting about 2.25 hours.  See the diverse wildlife along the river route, which runs along a neutral border band between Poland and Slovakia. Look up to admire the highest peak of the Pieniny mountains. After your river journey, your driver pick will be waiting for you, and, if you desire, you will have the opportunity to visit this charming town of Szczawnica and try the local cuisine.

From Krakow: Dunajec River Rafting with Thermal Baths option

2. From Krakow: Dunajec River Rafting with Thermal Baths option

Start your trip directly from your accommodation. Then, travel from Krakow to discover the natural beauty of Pieniny National Park, located in the south of Poland, near the Slovak border. Enjoy the trip around the picturesque area of Pieniny surrounded by the mountains and thick forests. Learn more about well-preserved ecosystems composed of rare species of flora and fauna. Check out the greatest tourist attraction the National Park has to offer and go rafting on The Dunajec River Gorge. This activity has been organized since the early 19th century. During the two-and-a-half hours, you will be able to observe impressive limestone rocks and mountain peaks. Being on the small wooden raft do not forget to take great pictures of the river which meanders through the valley. At the end of the rafting reach the charming resort town of Szczawnica, 20 kilometers downstream.  If you select an option of the tour extension, make your way to Białka Tatrzańska, a famous ski resort where the complex of thermal baths is located. Dip into the geothermal water, at a perfect temperature of 34-38 degrees celsius. Reduce stress in many pools, among other the external ones overlooking the Tatra Mountains. Do not skip the sauna zone and strengthen your immunity in the salt grotto and Russian banya. The tour ends with the drop-off at your hotel.

From Krakow: Dunajec River Full-Day River Rafting Tour

3. From Krakow: Dunajec River Full-Day River Rafting Tour

Raft down the Dunajec River through the Pieniny Gorge and along the Polish-Slovak border, and experience one of the greatest tourist attractions in Poland. Following a hotel pick-up and transfer from Krakow, stop en route to Dunajec at Debno, and visit a unique and charming wooden church that dates back to the 16th century. Continue to the Dunajec River to enjoy a rafting expedition on traditional wooden rafts. Glide gently below the towering cliffs, and marvel at the limestone rock formations of the gorge, enhanced by the picturesque mountain scenery and surrounding national forest. Animated river guides will bring the pristine and wild environment to life as you set off from the raft wharf at Sromowce Nizne. Cruise for approximately 15 kilometers to Szczawnica, enjoying about 2-3 hours on the boat, depending on the water level of the river. While aboard the raft, enjoy excellent views of the high summits of Trzy Korony and Mt. Sokolica for a truly unforgettable experience.

Dunajec River Gorge and Zakopane: Full-Day Trip from Krakow

4. Dunajec River Gorge and Zakopane: Full-Day Trip from Krakow

Travel from Krakow to the Dunajec River Gorge and Tatra Mountains, the most picturesque tourist attractions in southern Poland, on a 12-hour excursion. Marvel at the beauty of the gorge, featured on UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in Poland. Wooden raft trips have been offered since the early 19th century, when customers were guests of the nearby Niedzica and Czorsztyn castles. Your raft trip begins in the village of Sromowce Wyżne-Kąty and ends in the resort town of Szczawnica, 18 kilometers downstream. Enjoy a restaurant lunch at your own expense after rafting. Continue to Zakopane to ride a rail car to admire the Tatra Mountains from the peak of Gubalowka.

Dunajec River Gorge Rafting and Tree Top Walk from Krakow

5. Dunajec River Gorge Rafting and Tree Top Walk from Krakow

Travel from Krakow to the Dunajec River Gorge and Tatra Mountains, the most picturesque tourist attractions in southern Poland, on a 12-hour excursion. Marvel at the beauty of the gorge, featured on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in Poland. Wooden raft trips have been offered since the early 19th century, when customers were guests of the nearby Niedzica and Czorsztyn castles. Your raft trip begins in the village of Sromowce Wyżne-Kąty and ends in the resort town of Szczawnica, 18 kilometers downstream. Enjoy a restaurant lunch to refuel after rafting. Continue on to Bachledova Valley in Slovakia to walk the 1234-meter-long Bachledka Treetop Trail, situated up to 24 meters above the ground and with a 32-meter high observation tower in the heart of majestic forests of the Pieniny National Park. Discover the unique nature of the Belianske Tatras to learn about many animals and plants that can be found only in a few places of the world.

From Krakow: Dunajec River Rafting

6. From Krakow: Dunajec River Rafting

Going rafting down the Dunajec river is one of the most beloved and classic tourist attractions in all of Poland. The tour begins from the center of Krakow, or from your place of accommodation in the city. After about 2 hours, you will reach the boating center, where you will board a traditional wooden watercraft, operated by a river guide in customary regional dress. This stunningly scenic water route will gently take you 15 kilometers downstream, underneath legendary mountain peaks and alongside thick woodlands and winding nature paths. You may even spot some curious local wildlife along the way! After the exhilarating ride, there is a break for lunch in the pretty little resort town of Szczawnica. On the way back to Krakow, you will visit a cherished fifteenth century church that’s inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Located in Dębno Podhalańskie, it’s dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, and is part of the Wooden Architecture Trail around Krakow. This important and distinct church is one of the trail’s highlights. The entire day will last 8-9 hours in total.

From Krakow: Dunajec River Rafting Flexible Private Tour

7. From Krakow: Dunajec River Rafting Flexible Private Tour

Explore one of the region's greatest attractions and one of the most beautiful breakthroughs on the continent. The picturesque route snaking between mountains and rocks is 15 kilometers long, with 36 meters of river fall. Discover this magnificent area in 2 to 3 hours. Take a trip to the Dunajec with private transport. Depart in the morning at a fixed time. Arrive at the beginning of the rafting route, which is about 2 hours from Krakow. Join experienced and qualified rafters for your experience. Raft on wooden, traditional rafts for up to 11 adults. Your driver will be waiting at the end of the route. After your rafting experience, depending on your wishes, enjoy a dinner and free time in the spa at the mountain town of Szczawnica, or a visit to the medieval castle in Niedzica.

From Krakow: Dunajec River Cruise On Wooden Raft

8. From Krakow: Dunajec River Cruise On Wooden Raft

Relax and see some of Poland's most famous panoramas as you cruise down the Dunajec River Gorge on a 2- to 3-hour cruise aboard a wooden raft. Depart from Krakow and drive to Sromowce Wyżne wharf, where your 18-km Dunajec river cruise begins, to enjoy a rafting expedition on traditional wooden rafts. Glide gently beneath towering cliffs, and marvel at the limestone rock formations of the gorge. From your comfortable seat, experienced river guides point out the abundant wildlife and historic significance of the area along the way. Enjoy unforgettable views of the Niedzica and Czorsztyn castles, which have welcomed guests arriving by wooden rafts since the early 19th century. End your trip in the picturesque town of Szczawnica for a relaxed lunch before heading back to Krakow.

From Krakow: Dunajec River Gorge Rafting Trip

9. From Krakow: Dunajec River Gorge Rafting Trip

Float leisurely along the Dunajec River in an authentic wooden punt, surrounded by mighty limestone cliffs and towering green vegetation. Admire some of the most amazing scenery in the Polish highlands. Choose to start at the meeting point or with pickup at your hotel or address in Krakow. Begin your rafting adventure at Sromowce Wyżne and end 18 km later in Szczawnica, a charming small town with a cozy atmosphere. Feel safe rafting alongside highly experienced guides that will ensure you have a smooth ride and will keep you informed about the sights you see as well as the history of the trips, which go back to the 1840s. Voyage down the winding Dunajec and take in breathtaking views of mighty limestone cliffs plunging into the water as well as stunning native vegetation, both protected by the second oldest international national park in the world. Spot local wildlife during your relaxing drift, including some rare bird species like the memorable black stork.

Other Sightseeing Options in Szczawnica

Want to discover all there is to do in Szczawnica? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Szczawnica

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 90 reviews

We booked at the last minute, but Paul made every effort to accommodate us the next day. We were picked up on time by the driver: Tony. A very friendly man who did everything to make us wish. The boat trip was a unique experience. You were pushed by two men in traditional clothing and they told you everything about the nature reserve. It's not nearly as touristy as Zakopane. Really very nice! Tip; bring cash if you want a drink at the starting point. Unfortunately, you can't pin.

Fantastic trip with Mr. Paweł. Very professionally organized. Mr. Paweł picked us up at the address and drove us to the place after finishing. Everything was well organized. They would not have to worry about anything. On the way we learned interesting things about Krakow. Very nice day spent We highly recommend this trip. You can have a great time rafting, admire the views and then relax in the thermal pools. A great trip.

Amazing tour with an amazing driver. We were the only ones who booked the tour on Monday. Our driver Thomas showed us around and stopped as long as we wanted at every location. The rafting was definitely the highlight of this trip. I would recommend to put on something warm if you're going to do this tour in October.

Really good trip on the river, so nice. The guide did not speak much English, but a really good local experience. The guide who picked us up was incredibly good, knew a lot about the things we saw, spoke perfect English and drove safely and well.

Amazing experience, our driver Pavel really went above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic time in a beautiful part of Poland.