Poland is a vast country, mostly flat, but rich in beautiful nature and charming cities. Its northern coast on the Baltic Sea has long been a destination for Czech tourists. Although the Baltic is considered a “second-class” destination compared to the Mediterranean, it certainly has something to offer. But are thermal baths among Poland’s attractions?
It’s probably not the first country that comes to mind when we think of this type of pastime. But you might be even more surprised by how many nice and interesting baths can be found. In today’s article, we have therefore decided to show you that you don’t have to go only to the obligatory Hungary or Slovakia for thermal springs and spa relaxation. If you want to choose a more original direction, we have prepared a selection of the best thermal baths in Poland for you.
The advantage may certainly be the fact that Polish destinations – especially those close to the Czech border – can be very close to many of our people, especially from Silesia, northern Moravia or northern Bohemia. It is also pleasing that in Poland, even Czech visitors who are less proficient in foreign languages will find their way around better thanks to a significantly smaller language barrier than the one that separates us from Hungary, for example. Other travelers may be attracted by the prospect of better affordability compared to Western countries, such as Germany or Austria. And what is most important… many Polish spas can surprise and even astound with the beauty of their surroundings.
Poland is definitely one of the destinations worth considering – even when it comes to thermal spas, of which there are over forty in this country. However, we have selected only nine of the best or closest.
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1. Termy Gorący Potok
Termy Gorący Potok is located about 20 km from the Slovak and 85 km from the nearest Czech border. So it is not the closest spa, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful – and perhaps not only in Poland itself. This place offers a truly breathtaking and enchanting atmosphere. The intricate pools (by the way, without chemical treatment) are surrounded by beautiful stylish log cabins made of natural wood in a rough, rustic finish.
Many attractions are similarly designed, such as various shelters, a bridge over an artificial river. There are also fountains and waterfalls and other great things. This style was not chosen by chance, the spa is really in close contact with the surrounding nature and fits perfectly into it or merges with it. They also offer a number of water slides, a large children’s castle with slides and “monkey tracks” and a larger rope course, a climbing wall or an inflatable paradise.
Older visitors may be excited about several really well-designed and imaginative bars and restaurants. And this is far from a complete list of attractions and interesting things that await you here.
Thermal water is rich in sulfur, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, sodium or potassium. It helps with skin diseases and hair loss, supports hormonal balance, and perhaps even helps in the fight against obesity, but people also come here to be treated for cardiovascular problems, stress and nervous problems or even Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. You can visit the sauna including a salt tower, try the mud bath and indulge in a whole range of other treatments. The spa is a great destination for families with children, but also for adults looking for relaxation.
There are 21 swimming pools with water temperatures of 30-38 degrees.
- Accommodation: Gorący Potok Apartamenty offer unlimited access to the thermal baths during your stay.
2. Chocholowskie Termy
The Chocholowskie Termy spa is located about 10 km from the notorious Polish town of Zakopane, which was once a paradise for Slovak and Czech tourists. Zakopane is a very beautiful mountain town that is still worth a visit today. In winter, skiers and lovers of other winter sports will find great entertainment here. In summer, fans of hiking or relaxation in the bosom of mountain nature. Thermal baths can be just the icing on the cake. But a really meaty one.
Chocholowskie Termy is the largest Polish thermal bath. This vast complex, which offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountain landscape, offers 3,000 m2 of water surface. There are 30 swimming pools in total. There are eight jacuzzis alone. There is a huge water slide and slides, a fascinating panoramic pool terrace, a large sauna center and other attractions and options.
The Poles have once again shown that when they want to, they can perfectly combine the spa with the natural environment and infuse it with a wonderful atmosphere. The services also work perfectly and you will enjoy excellent food. Perhaps the only flaw in the beauty is the fact that the spa is often quite full. However, if you choose a less busy period, we are sure that you will be delighted. The full-day entrance fee for adults is quite pleasant 95 PLN (approx. 500 CZK) and you can also take advantage of very advantageous family packages.
- Discounted admission: All-day entrance to the thermal baths with a discount (from 729 CZK) | Entrance to the thermal baths, pool world and saunas (from 929 CZK)
- Accommodation: The spa itself does not operate any accommodation, so you will have to look around in the surrounding apartments.
3. Tropikana Water Park, Karpacz
The Tropikana Water Park is located in the huge Gołębiewski Hotel in Karpacz at the foot of the Czech Snęžka. It is about 3 km to the city center and 1.5 km to the popular landmark of Karpacz – Wang Temple. The swimming pool area includes: a 25 m long, 13 m wide and 0.9 m-2.2 m deep 5-lane sports pool, a recreational pool with waves, a pool with water and air hydromassage, a children’s pool with warm water and a sandbox, a river pool, a year-round pool with hydromassage, in the summer there is a sandbox for children and a huge outdoor pool.
In addition, eight huge whirlpools with a water temperature of 36-37°C are available for guests: 3 mud, 1 with magnesium-calcium, 1 alkaline, 2 with sea water and 1 aromatic. There are also steam and dry saunas (alpine, eucalyptus or mountain pine). Very interesting attractions are also the salt cave, ice cave and salt tower.
Although this is not a typical spa, we must mention this famous aquapark in the ranking also because of its proximity to the Czech border.
- Accommodation: If you want unlimited access to the aquapark, stay directly at the Gołębiewski Karpacz Hotel.
4. Cieplickie Terme (Therme Warmbrunn)
Cieplickie Terme is another spa located in the immediate vicinity of the Czech border. As the crow flies, it is less than 10 km, and the journey from Prague is about 160 km. The spa is located near the town of Jelenia Gora at the northern foot of the Polish Giant Mountains. It is a very attractive area for tourists. Jelenia Gora is a beautiful, historic town and its natural surroundings, especially towards the south, are even more picturesque.
The spa itself is located in the heart of a green forest park and is very nicely decorated. You will find outdoor and indoor pools. A sports pool, pools with attractions, thermal pools. There is a wild river, geysers, water swings and massage benches. The spa area includes hot tubs, several types of saunas, a tepidarium, a snow cave and an ice fountain and other interesting features.
With a water surface of approximately 1200 m2, it is not the largest spa, nor would we call it the best equipped. Nevertheless, it is a nice spa in a great location, which also pleases with quite reasonable prices. All-day entry to the pools and the spa area costs PLN 93 for an adult.
5. Terma Bania, Białka Tatrzańska
The paradise of slides in the Polish Tatra Mountains, about 90 km as the crow flies from the Czech border, will be a great place especially for children and playful adults. The area is quite large and really packed with attractions.
It is also located in a beautiful place, closely connected and “harmonized” with the surrounding nature. The Poles are simply excellent at this. The grassy, wavy roof of the main building speaks for itself, which forms a kind of artificial hill merging with the surrounding, real ones.
The space is divided into a “fun zone” interwoven with toboggans, rows of slides, water cannons, waterfalls, geysers, a wild river and other outdoor and indoor attractions. The other side of the spa is a relaxation zone, an oasis of peace with beautiful views, thermal pools, jacuzzis, loungers, a bar and other options.
The water temperature ranges between 34 and 38°C. You can also look forward to a large sauna center with a Finnish, Russian, mountain or steam sauna and salt caves and a swimming pool. You can also enjoy a number of spa treatments. These are the Terma Bania bath and aquapark.
- Accommodation: The spa includes the excellent Hotel Bania Thermal & Ski – during your stay you will have unlimited access to the spa.
6. Termy Szaflary
These thermal baths are interesting if only because they are located de facto across the street from another spa in this ranking, Gorący Potok. We could probably describe them as more popular and interesting. But Szaflary also definitely has something to offer. And if you are already staying there, you can try both complexes and then compare them for yourself.
Szaflary is not a very large spa. However, it boasts a water slide and four pools – indoor and outdoor. The total water area is 970 m2. The spa also has a sauna center with a Finnish or infrared sauna. You can enjoy aromatherapy, herbal baths and other treatments.
- Accommodation: The spa includes a great hotel Termy Szaflary – as part of your stay you will have unlimited access to the spa. You will also get unlimited access to the spa as part of your accommodation in Apartamenty Termy Szaflary.
7. Termy Bukowina
The relatively popular Bukowina thermal spa is located in a very popular area of the Polish Tatras, less than 10 km east of the city center of Zakopane. Once again, we must praise the truly wonderful location and environment. The spa lies between the hills, overlooking endless forests with majestic mountain peaks in the background. A great place not only for a trip to swim, but also for a vacation combined with relaxation and/or hiking.
In total, you will find 20 different pools filled with optimally mineralized thermal water. You will also find 3 water slides, 8 different saunas, and the possibility of using the offer of facial and body treatments in the Wellness BUKOVINA and a zone full of attractions for children and teenagers.
The spa uses water from a 2.4 km deep thermal well, which is rich in sodium, calcium, chlorine, potassium, sulfur, magnesium and chromium. The water in the pools reaches temperatures from 30 to 38°C. The complex includes indoor and outdoor pools.
- Accommodation: The spa includes the excellent BUKOVINA hotel – during your stay you will have unlimited access to the spa.
8. Meander Thermal&Ski Resort
This interesting complex, which combines a thermal spa with a ski resort, is technically located in Slovakia, in the immediate vicinity of the Polish border. It is a great place for an active and relaxing holiday. In winter, you can enjoy skiing here and then warm up your muscles in the spa, in summer you can go on numerous trips and go hiking.
The spa offers, for example, a pool with sea waves, a sports pool, a children’s pool, relaxation pools, a water slide, jacuzzis and other attractions. The water in the pools is up to 38°C. The water is rich in calcium, manganese, iron, sulphates and other minerals.
- Accommodation: The spa includes the excellent Meander Thermal&Ski Resort hotel – during your stay you will have unlimited access to the spa.
9. Termy Warmińskie
Termy Warmińskie is the first thermal centre located in the north of Poland, in Lidzbark Warmiński. The facility uniquely combines the high standard of hotel services with a rich SPA offer. It is an ideal place to rest and relax both for those who actively play sports and for those who want to take a break from everyday stress. The entire complex is divided into 2 parts: sports and recreational.
The sports part has a swimming pool of the required size, a multi-purpose pool and, depending on the season, the possibility of swimming in a natural river. This part also has many attractions for children.
In the recreational part, visitors can use a vital pool with water beds, a waterfall and massage jets, a therapeutic salt pool, a hyperthermal pool and a year-round outdoor pool. The area also has an outdoor activities center with extensive green areas. Guests can climb a climbing wall, visit a rope park or use a sports field. However, they can also relax by the lake, which attracts swimming in summer.
10. Kudowa Zdrój
Most of the spas in our ranking were more like very modern and stylish complexes. However, Kudowa Zdrój is a spa town in the most traditional sense of the word. In the city, which has a population of just over 9 thousand and is practically on the border with the Czech Republic, you will find a beautiful and large spa park with a large pond, colonnades, gazebos and children’s playgrounds.
The city offers many accommodation options, and is also located in the vicinity of the Stolowe Mountains National Park, which offers truly breathtaking natural scenery. For example, the famous Wandering Rocks. Nearby is also the ossuary known as the Chapel of Skulls. The city and its surroundings therefore offer more than enough opportunities for spa relaxation, as well as trips, hiking and exploring interesting places.
The Natural Therapy Center in Kudowa Zdrój is located in the center of the spa park. More than 50 types of medical procedures are performed here, such as: mud wraps, fango, mineral, salt, mud and gas baths with CO2, slimming treatments and various types of massages. Treatment includes diseases of the digestive tract, orthopedic and traumatic, endocrinological, obesity, diseases of the hematopoietic system, cardiovascular system and rheumatology.
Tips for popular wellness and SPA hotels:
- Hotel Kudowa Manufaktura Relaksu – its own wellness center with a swimming pool and the possibility of ordering various procedures.
- Hotel Adam & Spa – the hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi and also the possibility of ordering many SPA procedures.
- Hotel Verde Montana Wellness & Spa – in the city center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools for adults and children, massages and SPA procedures.
Map of thermal baths in Poland
Our tip: Best wellness hotels in Poland
