This medieval town in southern Poland has a Gothic town hall, Baroque churches, and a cobblestone market square. Near the Dunajec River, it serves as a base for Pieniny Mountains hiking.
Nowy Sącz lies in southern Poland's Lesser Poland region, where the Dunajec and Kamienica rivers meet. Walk through Europe's largest medieval market squares, climb to the 14th-century castle ruins, or spend an afternoon among centuries-old wooden cottages and workshops at the Sądecki Ethnographic Park. When you're ready to leave the city, hiking trails lead into the Beskid Sądecki mountains, just minutes from the center.
Exploring the Market Square
At 125 meters wide, Nowy Sącz's medieval Market Square ranks among Poland's largest. The 19th-century Town Hall dominates the center, while merchants' houses from the 16th and 17th centuries line the edges. Look up to spot ornate stone portals and decorated window frames on the buildings' facades. Walking the narrow side streets, you'll discover medieval courtyards and passages hidden behind the main square.
The Royal Castle
Climb the hill above the rivers to find the castle ruins, built during King Casimir the Great's reign in the 1300s. While much of the fortress lies in ruins, the Blacksmith Tower still stands, along with sections of the defensive walls. The castle grounds give you views across the Sądecka Valley and the mountain ranges beyond.
Traditional Architecture at Sądecki Park
At the Sądecki Ethnographic Park, more than 60 wooden buildings from the region's past create an authentic village atmosphere. Walk through farmhouses, peek into craftsmen's workshops, step inside wooden churches, and visit a reconstructed Roma settlement. Each building contains period-accurate furniture, tools, and household items from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Mountain Activities
The Beskid Sądecki mountains begin just south of the city, reaching their highest point at Mount Radziejowa (1,262 meters). Marked paths range from easy valley walks to challenging mountain trails. In winter, ski resorts operate within 30 kilometers of the city. You can also visit the mountain spa towns of Krynica-Zdrój and Piwniczna-Zdrój, where natural mineral springs feed local spas and drinking fountains.
Local Food Scene
Apple orchards surround Nowy Sącz, with many processing plants in the Biegonice district producing juice and cider. The city's ice cream makers maintain small batch production methods dating back generations. Try different flavors by following the "Ice Cream Trail," which connects several family-run ice cream shops in the old town.
Day Trips
Take a 15-kilometer drive north to Lake Rożnów for swimming and kayaking. The lake's shoreline includes several beaches with rental equipment. Or travel 9 kilometers to Stary Sącz, where streets still follow their original 13th-century layout. The town's Franciscan monastery, founded in 1280, remains an active religious center with daily services open to visitors.
