Let’s venture to our northern neighbours. Poland is an attractive and diverse country known for its hospitality. Just across the border in the northern part of the Krkonoše Mountains (from Prague, it takes about 2 hours by car), you’ll find Aquapark Karpacz, which certainly confirms this. Polish wellness is closer than you might think at first glance.
Karpacz is a small spa town in the south of Poland, whose municipal area reaches the peak of Sněžka (Śnieżka) Mountain. It’s no wonder that crowds of tourists stream to Sněžka directly from the car parks of this historic town. However, we are visiting the spas of Karpacz, Poland with entirely different intentions.
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Healing Water at Aquapark Karpacz
The first mentions of healing water in Karpacz date back to 1580. At that time, miners were extracting ore here, which was likely the reason for the discovery of the medicinal springs. However, the effects of the local water were not known for a long time.
Even today, Karpacz spas, Poland are not used as traditional curative health resorts. Up to 200,000 tourists a year flock here for water fun seasoned with a stay in mineral water. They combine a relaxing stay with a climb to the highest peak of the Krkonoše Mountains and walks in the surrounding area.
Karpacz became a popular relaxing resort in the past. Personalities such as the German Romantic writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe, the Czech prose writer Alois Jirásek, and the British Home Secretary and Prime Minister Winston Churchill found peace of mind here.
Where is Karpacz located?
Two Aquaparks in One Town
At first glance, the town of Karpacz may not impress with its size, but upon closer inspection, we discover that it offers more than we would expect from a town of five thousand inhabitants. The town is home to two large aquaparks that provide fun, relaxation, and accommodation for the whole family.
The first is called Aquapark Tropikana and is part of the Gołębiewski hotel. Non-hotel guests can also access its facilities. On the other side of the town lies the Sandra SPA Karpacz complex, which is also characterized by its hospitality and offers over 1000 m² of water surface area.
Aquapark Park Wodny Tropikana, Karpacz
In the aquapark belonging to the Gołębiewski hotel, you’ll find everything you can imagine. Long slides, a water paradise, great food, but also relaxation in saunas or during massages. Let’s take a closer look at this swimming complex in Karpacz.
Pools and Water Slides
The heart of the aquapark is a swimming pool with five lanes. This is where the first morning guests head. The empty pool provides enough space for both recreational and sport swimming and for boosting a healthy spirit, for example, before climbing nearby Sněžka.
In addition to the swimming pool, the Aquapark Tropikana area also features a wave recreational pool with a depth of up to 1.6 metres and several water slides. A hydro-massage pool is also a major attraction, and for the youngest, the complex has a children’s paddling pool with warm water and a sandbox.
The pool area at Aquapark Tropikana is divided into an indoor and outdoor section. Interiors operate year-round. During the summer season, other attractions open to visitors:
- Water cascade
- Sunny terrace with sunbeds
- Outdoor pool
- Children’s paddling pool
- Beach volleyball court
The Karpacz swimming complex also includes a relaxation section. Visitors can unwind in five types of hot tubs, a dry sauna with the scent of Alpine herbs, and they also have the unique opportunity to inhale brine originating from the Cieszyn region of Zabłocie.
Admission Price List
Both hotel guests and regular visitors can access the wellness area and aquapark. However, admission is not discounted for hotel guests, and the price list is the same for both groups.
| Price | Duration of Stay |
|---|
| Adult (14+) – 70 Zloty (approx. 16 EUR) | 1.5 hours |
| Children under 14 – 35 Zloty (approx. 8 EUR) | 1.5 hours |
| Children under 3 – Free | – |
| Each started half hour – 20 Zloty (approx. 5 EUR) | – |
The price list for Aquapark Tropikana and the Karpacz swimming complex unfortunately does not include student discounts or other discounted packages. The only advantage compared to other Karpacz swimming options is a free loaned towel upon entry to the premises.
Groups and schools have a slight advantage. The aquapark allows free entry for one supervisor. One supervisor is allowed per ten children. Children under 14 years are also entitled to an additional discount upon presentation of a document proving their age.
Opening Hours
Aquapark Tropikana is a classic hotel aquapark that adheres to established traditions. Its opening hours are therefore not as extensive as other Karpacz swimming facilities. Opening hours are divided into summer and winter seasons, with the change happening at the end of August.
Summer Season
Monday to Sunday9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Winter Season
Monday to Friday11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday to Sunday9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Regarding opening hours on public holidays, the Tropikana hotel and aquapark are sparse on information. If you are planning a visit on these days, verify the opening hours directly at the Gołębiewski hotel reception.
Guest Reviews and Experiences
According to reviews, Aquapark Tropikana is among the best that Karpacz and its swimming facilities have to offer. The hotel is more suitable for families with older children, but you will find peace and adequate facilities there.
A big plus for accommodated guests is the animation programs. During these, your children will be entertained, and adults will also find something for themselves. Everything is crowned by the local restaurant, which will take care of your taste buds.
Aquapark and Hotel Sandra SPA, Karpacz
The second popular aquapark in Karpacz is located on the opposite side of the city. Within the area of the Hotel Sandra SPA resort, you will find over 1000 square metres of water surface, wellness, massages, and there are also attractive amenities for children.
Pools and Water Slides
The pool complex at Sandra Aquapark will immediately impress you with its size. The area includes a water jungle, and visitors looking for adrenaline will find 4 slides, from mild to the steepest ones.
Athletes can stretch their muscles in the swimming pool with four lanes and then have the option of cooling down in the cold water pool. Visitors also enjoy the wave pool, which entertains both children and adults.
The Karpacz swimming complex and Sandra SPA also include an outdoor area. This features an outdoor pool with several hot tubs. Some wellness and whirlpool baths are open all year round.
It is the hot tubs that local clients praise the most. Themed baths include relaxation in a herbal bath, a peat bath, or an algae bath. The salt bath is also popular, which, like Aquapark Tropikana, uses brine from the region around Polish Cieszyn.
Admission Price List
A stay at Sandra SPA Aquapark will be slightly cheaper, and the admission is also accommodating with regard to families with children and discounted entry.
| Price | Duration of Stay | |
| Adults | 65 Zloty (approx. 15 EUR) | 1.5 hours |
| Children 3 to 14 years | 35 Zloty (approx. 8 EUR) | 1.5 hours |
| Children under 3 years | Free | |
| Family Ticket – 2 adults + 3 children under 14 years | 180 Zloty (approx. 42 EUR) | 1.5 hours |
| Groups over 20 people | 55 Zloty per person (approx. 13 EUR) | 1.5 hours |
| All-day admission | 80 Zloty (approx. 18 EUR) |
Admission and the price list are the cheapest for groups over twenty people. However, a reservation is required to apply this. Before your arrival, verify capacity by phone at the Sandra SPA Aquapark reception.
A special price list also applies to the hot tub baths. In this case, you will find two types of admission:
- 30 Zloty for 1 hour
- 45 Zloty for 2 hours
Before paying in cash, don’t forget to exchange your your currency to Polish zlotys. The exchange rate is approximately 5 crowns for 1 Zloty, and you can exchange banknotes at the reception or withdraw them from ATMs throughout the city of Karpacz.
Opening Hours
Aquapark Sandra SPA is open year-round. However, always check availability at the reception during Polish public holidays. Poles adhere quite strictly, especially to church holidays, and often close even the largest resorts.
Sandra SPA Aquapark opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Guest Reviews and Experiences
The hotel and spa Karpacz at Sandra SPA are more suitable for families with younger children. This is reflected in the activity and sometimes excessive noise. However, the experiences of spa and hotel visitors say that children thoroughly enjoy their stay.
Some customer reviews complain about insufficient cleaning. Although the hotel restaurant offers breakfast and dinner included in the price, both are served buffet-style, so be prepared for a scramble for popular delicacies.
Places to stay near the Karpacz Lido
If you plan to visit the aquapark for more than one day, we recommend using one of the two mentioned hotels. Both resorts are suitable for families with children, and inside their premises, you will find extensive aquaparks with entertainment options.
- Hotel Gołębiewski – Aquapark Tropikana
- Resort Hotel Sandra SPA – Aquapark Sandra
If the offer of both Karpacz hotels hasn’t appealed to you, other accommodation options are available:
- Sudecki Resort
- Pension Karkonoski SPA
- Lawendowy Dworek
- Tremonti Ski & Bike Resort – highly rated
- Malachit Medical Spa Hotel – with its own wellness
- Hotel Nowa Ski
Accommodation in the town of Karpacz is not only spread across hotels but also a network of small AirBnb rentals. If you are planning just a short stop and don’t mind less spacious accommodation, try this method too.
Aquapark Karpacz – A Paradise for Hiking and Relaxation
5,000 residents live in this small town on the Czech-Polish border. However, over 200,000 tourists a year visit, heading here for hiking combined with a relaxing stay in one of the local spas.
Visitors come to the town mainly because of its location at the foot of the highest mountain in the Czech Republic, Sněžka. The elevation gain within the town itself is 400 metres, which just proves its mountainous character. A hiking trail leads directly from the town to the highest mountain in Bohemia.
The town centre is completely closed to car traffic and consists of one large pedestrian zone. Thanks to this, there is divine peace and fresh air. The fresh mountain atmosphere is underlined by historic architecture and the Wang Church, which Poles moved here from Norway in the 19th century.
What to Do Around Karpacz?
The Lido in Karpacz is not the only tourist spot on the town’s map. Besides the mentioned church, the town hall is also worth seeing. If you visit here at noon, don’t be startled. Every noon, a trumpet sounds from the Kowary Town Hall, announcing twelve o’clock.
While you are walking through the town, visit the preserved historic railway station and the Orlinek ski jumping hill. Also dedicate your time to the symbolic cemetery of mountain victims and the Museum of Sport and Tourism. From natural monuments, definitely do not miss the rapids and waterfalls of the Łomniczka River.
Karpacz Spa, Poland – Relaxation at the Foot of the Mountains
The journey from Prague to Polish Karpacz takes about two hours. Thanks to its location, it is one of the closest foreign spas. As soon as you cross the border and visit the city, you will find yourself in a completely different world.
The town of Karpacz will embrace you with its hospitality and offer many of its attractions, among which the Karpacz Lido and Spa takes priority. A visit to this historic mountain town is worthwhile, even if it only lasts two nights.
Photo Gallery
Photo source: www.golebiewski.pl/cz/ | www.sandra.karpacz.pl
