Visit the Beskid Wooden Toy Centre in Stryszawa
It is a unique place on the cultural map of Małopolska. For over 20 years, the Beskid Wooden Toy Centre has been cultivating and demonstrating the traditions of the Żywiec-Susz toy centre. There, you can learn about the history of the creation of the famous wooden toys, visit the Toymaker's House, where the secrets of this unusual workshop are revealed, and take a stroll through the Wooden Folk Toy Park, which is quite an attraction, and not just for the little ones. It's an outstanding and deeply fascinating place big people as well as the little ones! If you like unusual, somewhat offbeat places, this is your plan for your next weekend trip!
Drop by the Museum of Phonography in Niepołomice
It is the only such museum in Poland and you can't miss it! The history of phonography is presented here in several exhibition rooms, and the oldest exhibit is over a hundred years old! For music fans a special listening room has been prepared, where you can choose from 2,000 vinyls, fire up the listening booth and drift off into a world of sound and magic. This museum is incredibly engaging and the guides accompanying the tour are passionate. You simply have to come here! After your visit to the Museum of Phonography, you can look for the Niepołomice murals or take a walk in the Niepołomice Primeval Forest and look for the king of this forest world – the bison.
Follow the Trail of the Olkusz Gwareks
Olkusz is the cradle of Polish silver and lead mining, so we are not at all surprised that it is in this town that friendly gnomes prowl, Gwareks. The sculptures of hooded figures, which are the work of the well-known sculptor Jan Siuta, are scattered in various parts of the city, each telling the story of Olkusz. Exploring the city's nooks and crannies while following the footsteps of these charming creatures is great fun, full of puzzles and curiosities! Once you have discovered all the quarries (we'll give you a hint: there are 18 of them), we recommend you take the exciting Underground Olkusz tour, have a cup of coffee or two (and a bite to eat) in one of the cafés in the old town that are renowned for their enchanting atmosphere and visit the nearby Gothic castle ruins in Rabsztyn.
Go for health and beauty in the Beskid Mountains!
Małopolska is home to thermal waters. Most facilities with hot springs are located in the Podhale region. Still, if you would like to relax a bit closer to Kraków, you can head to the Gorce Mountains, specifically to Poręba Wielka. The Gorce Thermal Baths are a treasure in the heart of the Beskidy Zachodnie. The water drawn from the local borehole is brine and reaches a temperature of 42.1 degrees C. The wealth of minerals and elements is a salve for the body and balm for the soul. At the Gorce Thermal Baths, you'll find more than just a thermal pool. Explore the salt grotto, unwind in the whirlpools (including outdoor ones), detoxify in the sauna, and indulge in therapeutic and relaxation massages at the wellness centre. Coming here is the perfect idea for a weekend of lazing around!
Check out how the Vistula flows!
Because if it's flowing -- and we assure you, it always is! -- we can opt for a truly unusual way to get to know the capital of Małopolska: by hopping on a kayak! The canoe route through Kraków is scenic in its most perfect! While on the water, you can admire the Zwierzyniecki Bridge, the Wawel Castle and the Norbertine Monastery, or take the route upstream to enjoy the panorama of Bielany and the Wolski Forest. The more skilled can paddle all the way to Tyniec! Getting to know Kraków from such a perspective is a great plan for a sunny weekend in the city. We have May Day ahead of us, then the summer holidays and quite a lot of sunshine, so be ready for such an adventure!