TOP 17 best attractions in Karpacz
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What to see in Karpacz on holiday?

TOP 17 best attractions!


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Holidays in the Karkonosze Mountains are an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Are you wondering what to see in Karpacz on holiday? We present our summary TOP 17 the best attractionsthat you will surely like. Regardless of whether you are planning a longer holiday or a weekend getaway - our guide will help you make the most of your time spent in this picturesque area. We invite you to read!

Contents:

Holidays in Karpacz? Learn about the history of the city!

Karpacz, located in the picturesque Karkonosze Mountains, is one of the most frequently visited tourist centers in southwestern Poland. Its rich history dates back to the 14th century, when the first settlements were established here, such as Wilcza Poręba, Budniki and Bierutowice. In the 19th century, tourism and winter sports developed here, and before World War II, Karpacz was already a famous resort with railways, bobsleigh tracks and a ski jump.

Today's Karpacz received city rights in 1960. Despite the passage of time, the town still delights with the intimate atmosphere of a mountain resort.

TOP 17 best attractions in Karpacz

Karpacz attracts tourists not only with its wonderful monuments, but also with its rich gastronomic, accommodation and entertainment offer. Here are the best attractions in Karpacz that are worth seeing on holiday:

1. Wang Church

Wang Temple, also known as the Mountain Church of Our Savior, is a unique wooden temple built at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries in Norway. This valuable monument of Viking architecture was built of pine logs in the town of Vang (on Lake Vang). The temple was transported to Poland in the 19th century, and in 1842 it was moved to Karpacz so that it could serve the local evangelicals.

The church is considered the oldest wooden temple in Poland. The facility delights with its architecture and picturesque location against the background of the Karkonosze Mountains. Inside there is a richly decorated altar and historic sculptures depicting, among others, lions, dragons and Viking faces.

There are also mysterious Scandinavian signs carved in the church - runes. Among the Scandinavian nations, it functioned as a peasant and decorative writing. The temple is located on the slope of Czarna Góra (885 m above sea level) - halfway from lower Karpacz to Śnieżka.

Admission prices:

  • Normal ticket – PLN 13.00
  • Reduced ticket (children and students) – PLN 7.00
  • Taking photos and making videos – PLN 5.00
  • Admission only to the church square (adults and children) – PLN 2.00.

Opening hours: 

  • During the summer season: (15/04 - 31/10), every day from 9.00 to 18.00
  • During the winter season: (November 1 - April 14), every day from 9.00 to 17.00.

On Sundays and most holidays, services are held at 10:00. Visiting the church is then possible after 11.30.

The fee for visiting the Wang Church can be paid by VISA, MASTERCARD or cash at the cash desk on the day of the visit.

Mgła unosząca się nad ulicami Karpacza
Tablice informacyjne na szlakach w Karpaczu

Kościół Wang w Karpaczu
Wang Church in Karpacz

2. Samotnia Shelter

The PTTK Samotnia shelter is one of the oldest mountain shelters in Poland. The facility is located in the Karkonosze National Park, at an altitude of 1,195 m above sea level (above the Mały Staw). Samotnia was created thanks to the expansion of one of the old mountain shepherd's huts, of which there were once about two and a half thousand in the entire Karkonosze Mountains. Today's building has a characteristic wooden facade and stylish interiors in a rustic atmosphere. One of the hallmarks of Samotnia is a wooden turret with a bell - it is used to announce an alarm in the mountains. 

The shelter delights with its picturesque location, peace and unique architecture. The facility offers the possibility of full board, organization of special events and accommodation in tourist standard. Access to Samotnia from Karpacz - along the yellow and blue trails.

Accommodation prices: The cost of accommodation in a shelter is approximately PLN 100 per person - depending on the room standard. In this matter, it is best to contact the facility directly.

Opening hours: The shelter is open all year round.

3. Academic thatch

Strzecha Akademicka is the second largest shelter in the Polish Karkonosze Mountains. Located in the Złotówka clearing - a forestless mountain meadow, at an altitude of 1,258 m above sea level. The shelter is located at the main junction of summer and winter trails, as well as the T-bar lift and the "Złotówka" ski slope. The name "Strzecha Akademicka" was given in the first years after World War II, when the facility was owned by students of Krakow universities. The shelter offers comfortable accommodation and meals, and is an excellent base for trips to Śnieżka and other peaks of the Karkonosze Mountains.

Accommodation prices: Prices range from PLN 80 to PLN 130 per person. In this matter, it is best to contact the facility directly.

Opening hours: The shelter is open all year round.

4. Silesian House

Dom Śląski is another mountain shelter located at the foot of Śnieżka (1,400 m above sea level), right next to the Czech-Polish border. The wonderful location at the junction of the main tourist routes makes it an ideal starting point for hikers and skiers. The building is two-story, renovated and offers a higher standard. It is the perfect place to admire sunrises and sunsets and enjoy regional delicacies.

Accommodation prices: Accommodation costs range from PLN 50 to PLN 100 per person. In this matter, it is best to contact the facility directly.

Opening hours: The shelter is open all year round.

Szczęśliwy człowiek stoi na szczycie góry

Dom Śląski zimą
The Silesian House in its winter version

5. Settlement Budniki

Budniki is a former settlement located on the northern slopes of Kowarski Grzbiet (900 m above sea level), which was created during the Thirty Years' War. At that time, the fleeing population took refuge high in the mountains from military operations. Their temporary shelters over time transformed into a settlement that consisted of 11-13 buildings. The inhabitants of Budniki made their living mainly from cattle breeding and cheese making. Poaching and smuggling of snuff and tobacco were also involved, which is commemorated by the so-called "The Tobacco Path". In the post-war years, a student recreation center called "Bratnia Pomoc" was run in Budniki.

Budniki is famous for being immersed in the shadow of the surrounding mountains for 113 days a year. The former inhabitants solemnly celebrated saying goodbye to the sun (November 26) and welcoming it (February 15). After 1950, when the search for uranium ore began there, the settlement was abandoned and disappeared from the map. To this day, this place attracts tourists with its mysterious history and picturesque location.

Admission prices: Free

6. Rock Table - Viewpoint

Skalny Stół is an amazing rock formation that is the highest peak of Kowarski Grzbiet in the Karkonosze Mountains. It offers wonderful views of the eastern Karkonosze Mountains, the Jelenia Góra Valley, the Kaczawskie Mountains and the Rudawy Janowickie Mountains. Rock Table, rising to 1,281 m above sea level, is known for its flat ridge and specific stones that resemble stone benches. The peak is located in the area of the Karkonosze National Park and the Czech Karkonosze National Park. This is a popular viewpoint, perfect for photography enthusiasts and tourists who want to admire the panorama of the mountains.

Two tourist trails pass through Skalny Stół:

  • The trail from the Owl Pass to the Okraj Pass - blue
  • Trail to Kowary through Budniki - yellow.

Admission prices: Free

7. Dam on the Łomnica River

The dam on Łomnica is not only a key element of the flood protection infrastructure in Karpacz, but also a popular tourist attraction. The dam on the Łomnica River was built in 1910-1915 from granite blocks. Its creation was a response to serious flood problems that affected the region after an intense downpour in 1897. Thanks to the dam that regulates the flow of the Łomnica waters, it was possible to protect the nearby infrastructure from further damage caused by the river.

Today, the dam is not only a symbol of engineering achievements, but also a great place for family walks along the picturesque river valley. 

Admission prices: Free

8. Śnieżka - Queen of the Karkonosze Mountains

Climbing Śnieżka is a must-see during every visit to Karpacz. It is the highest peak of the Karkonosze and Sudetes (1603 m above sea level). It is distinguished not only by its impressive height, but also by its unique geological features. It is made mainly of granite and hard hornfels, and its slopes are covered with characteristic rock rubble. This place is famous for its harsh weather conditions: 

  • Low temperatures
  • Violent winds
  • Heavy rainfall
  • Blizzards. 

Additionally, for over 300 days a year, Śnieżka is shrouded in fog, which adds to the mystery of this place.

When the weather is favorable, the Śnieżka peak offers spectacular views, stretching up to 200 km. For centuries, it has been a place attracting curious travelers and tourists. In the 18th century, Śnieżka became one of the most visited peaks in Europe. The uniqueness of this place is also emphasized by the Chapel of St. Wawrzyńca, which was consecrated and put into use by the faithful on August 10, 1681. This date is considered a holiday of guides and mountain people. Every year on this occasion, a holy mass is celebrated there, which attracts crowds of tourists.

The symbol of Śnieżka is the Meteorological Observatory - one of two High Mountain Observatories in Poland. Its hallmark is the so-called "flying saucers". Systematic meteorological observations have been carried out here since 1880. Currently, the facility is not open to visitors and the restaurant at the top remains closed. Despite this, Śnieżka is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Karpacz.

Admission prices: There is a way to the top free of charge, but fees apply for using the cable cars.

Wysokogórskie obserwatorium meteorologiczne na Śnieżce
Wjazd do Karpacza i widok na ośnieżony szczyt Śnieżki

Widok z Obserwatorium na Śnieżce
Śnieżka - view from the High Mountain Meteorological Observatory

9. Toy Museum

The Municipal Toy Museum, founded in 1995, is an exhibition created from the private collection of Henryk Tomaszewski. He was a famous mime and creator of the Wrocław Mime Theater. This place is a real treasure trove of toy history. The exhibits delight with their diversity and careful workmanship. The collection covers over 200 years of toy making.

The collections include exhibits from all over the world, e.g. from Japan, Australia, Mexico and many others. In the museum you can see, for example, 18th-century nativity figures and delicate porcelain dolls from the 19th century.

The Toy Museum is located in the restored building of the former railway station in Karpacz. An additional attraction has been prepared for visitors in the form of the Railway Tradition Hall. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, workshops for families with children and thematic events. Additionally, the facility is adapted for disabled people. It is an ideal place for families with children and for people interested in history and culture. 

Admission prices: 

  • Normal ticket – PLN 20
  • Reduced ticket – PLN 10
  • Children up to 6 years old – free of charge.

Opening hours:

  • Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 – 16:30
  • Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:30

Museum closed to visitors: every Monday and January 1, January 6, Easter Sunday, Corpus Christi, November 1, November 11, December 25.

10. Gravity Point

Gravity is a common phenomenon, but in Karpacz there is a place where its laws do not seem to apply. On the section of Strazacka Street, between the Piecuch hotel and the bridge over Łomnica, an unusual phenomenon can be observed. Objects left in this place, such as a bottle, a can or even a car with the engine turned off, seem to roll uphill! Although the road appears to slope gently towards Łomnica, vehicles are reversing in the opposite direction. Research has shown that there is an anomaly zone in this place, where gravity is 4% weaker. It is a fascinating and mysterious place for lovers of puzzles and optical phenomena.

Admission prices: Free

11. “Orlinek” Ski Jump - Viewpoint

The Orlinek ski jump in Karpacz has a rich history dating back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1912, the first wooden structure was built here. After World War II, a new ski jumping hill was built under the supervision of Stanisław Marusarz, without formal plans or technical documentation. In the 1970s, the wooden structure was replaced with a steel one, and in 1979 the ski jumping hill was opened. Stanisław Marusarz. In 2000, Orlinek underwent another modernization before the Junior World Championships. 

Today, the ski jump serves as a viewing point, offering tourists unforgettable views of the picturesque Karkonosze Mountains. An interesting fact is that the hill record is held by Adam Małysz, who reached an impressive distance of 94.5 meters during the Polish Senior Ski Jumping Championships in 2004.

Admission prices: Free

12. Raven Rocks - Viewpoint

Krucze Skały are impressive granite gneiss rock formations up to 25 meters high. They are located in the Płomnica valley, on the slopes of Krucza Kopa. They are famous for large clusters of pegmatites with crystals of valuable minerals such as corundum, sapphires and tourmalines. Legend has it that already in the Middle Ages gold prospectors were drilling tunnels here, which is commemorated by a large stone lying at the foot of the rocks. The most beautiful specimens from this region can be admired in the Geological Museum in Wrocław. 

Today, Krucze Skały is a popular climbing center with several dozen routes of varying difficulty and an excellent viewpoint of the Karkonosze Mountains. It is an ideal place for people looking for active relaxation in the bosom of nature.

Admission prices: Free

Poranek w Karpaczu - wschód Słońca

Widok na Karkonosze z Kruczych Skał
Krucze Skały viewpoint

13. The Mill of Love

IN Karpacz Górny, at 53 Karkonoska Street, there is an extraordinary place - "Młynek Miłości". Folk legend says that the mill had magical powers - its wheel not only ground grain into flour, but also made people fall in love. Modernized according to Janusz Motylski's concept - the Mill of Love - thanks to its romantic history, it still attracts crowds of tourists to this day. This is a place that allows you to feel the magic of the Karkonosze Mountains and immerse yourself in local legends.

Admission prices: Free

14. Museum of Sports and Tourism

The Museum of Sports and Tourism was founded in 1974 and is located in a historic half-timbered building at 2 Kopernika Street. This place offers a rich exhibition divided into three sections: 

  • Origin and development of tourism
  • The history of winter sports
  • Nature conservation.

You can see unique exhibits here, such as old sedan chairs and sleighs, the oldest pieces of skis and bobsleighs, and sports trophies. The section devoted to the Mountain Volunteer Rescue Service deserves special attention. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions. It is a fascinating place for lovers of mountain sports and the history of the region.

Admission prices: 

  • A regular ticket costs PLN 15
  • Reduced ticket PLN 10
  • Large Family Card - PLN 25

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Museum closed to visitors: every Monday.

15. Wild Waterfall

The Wild Waterfall in Łomnica is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Karpacz. It is located near the lower station of the cable car to Kopa. This picturesque attraction of Karpacz was created by damming the waters of the Łomnica River. This river is known for its rapid decline in water, which has led to numerous floods in the past.

The dam, today known as Dziki Wodospad, was built in 1910-1915. It turned out to be extremely effective, as confirmed by the flood of the millennium in 1997. Today it is an ideal place for walks and relaxation in the bosom of nature. Dziki Wodospad delights with its charm at any time of the year, so it is worth seeing it during your stay in Karpacz.

Admission prices: Free

Wild Waterfall in Karpacz

16. Kolorowa Recreation and Sports Center

Kolorowa Recreation and Sports Center in Karpacz is a sports complex offering many attractions, including a toboggan run, a rope park and many others. This is a fantastic attraction for anyone looking for exciting experiences all year round. The toboggan chute in Karpacz is one of the longest in Poland and is characterized by a full 360-degree twist. 

Each track is carefully marked, lit and meets the highest safety standards. It is an ideal place for active recreation for the whole family during your stay in Karpacz.

Trip prices: 

  • 1 ride - PLN 20
  • 2 rides – PLN 30
  • 5 rides – PLN 65
  • 10 rides – PLN 110
  • 50 rides – PLN 450

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00-20:00.

17. Information Center of the Karkonosze National Park

The Information Center of the Karkonosze National Park is a must-see on the map for every tourist. Here you can visit a fascinating geological and geomorphological exhibition, visit the Karkonosze Herb Garden and see the well-equipped Laboratoryant's House. The following deserve special attention:

  • 3D panoramas
  • Geological map of the eastern Karkonosze Mountains - made of stone mosaic
  • Touch model of the Eastern Karkonosze Mountains 
  • An impressive collection of minerals.

The center is located in one of the few preserved houses with typical Karkonosze architecture. It is a place full of history and information about fauna and flora - perfect for learning more about the region. In addition to educational exhibitions and interactive presentations, you can also obtain information about tourist trails. 

Admission prices: Free

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

What to see in Karpacz on holiday? Summary.

Karpacz is a charming town located in the heart of the Karkonosze Mountains, which has been delighting with its unique charm for many years. The rich offer of attractions includes picturesque mountain views, unique monuments and various forms of active recreation for children and adults. Regardless of preferences and age, everyone will find something for themselves here. This is what makes your holiday in Karpacz an unforgettable experience!


Author: Eliza Tomaka



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