Szczawnica

Szczawnica is a spa town in southern Poland, located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Nowy Targ County, and it serves as the seat of Gmina Szczawnica. The town lies in the Pieniny Mountains along the Czarny Dunajec river, near the Slovak border. It is renowned for its therapeutic mineral waters, climate therapy, and a range of sanatoriums, making it a popular health resort.

As a gateway to the Pieniny National Park, Szczawnica offers access to outdoor activities such as hiking in the surrounding mountains, including routes toward the Three Crowns (Trzy Korony) massif, and rafting on the Dunajec River. In winter, the area provides opportunities for skiing and other alpine recreation. The town’s architectural heritage features spa villas and a traditional mountain resort atmosphere.

History and development: The region has a long settlement history, but Szczawnica developed as a spa resort in the 19th century during the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire as part of Galicia. After Poland regained independence, the town continued to grow as a tourist and wellness destination, retaining its character as a seasonal resort through the 20th century and into the present.

Demographics and administration: The town has several thousand residents, typically listed around 3,500 to 4,000 people. It administratively forms the seat of Gmina Szczawnica within Nowy Targ County.

Transport and access: Szczawnica is accessible by road and is connected to regional centers by bus services, with rail access available via nearby towns. The locality remains a popular base for both relaxation and outdoor recreation in the Polish mountains.