Viewpoints

Viewpoints in Lesser Poland: over 30 towers, mounds and meadows, from the Kościuszko Mound to the tower in Krynica-Zdrój, 49.5 m tall.

This page is for people who want to see the region from above: for a short walk with a panorama, an evening with a view of the city or a full-day trip into the Beskids. All places carry the beautiful views, solo and for couples tags, so they suit a trip alone and a date. In Kraków these are mostly mounds, in the mountains observation towers, and beside them meadows with a panorama of the Tatras.

Which observation tower in Lesser Poland is the tallest?

The tallest is the tower in Krynica-Zdrój, on the summit of the Słotwiny Arena ski station (896 m above sea level). It is 49.5 metres high, built of black locust wood, and a path rises gradually among the tree crowns to reach it.

Among the other towers, those that stand out are the Rotmistrz Witold Pilecki tower in Chełmek at 36 metres, the tower on Łysula in the Low Beskids at 32 metres with a platform at 28 metres, and three towers of 30 metres: on Lubań, on Magurki and Szpilówka Iwkowa. The tower on Kamionna in the Beskid Wyspowy is 29 metres and is the tallest in that part of the Beskids. For higher ground and a full hike see mountains in Lesser Poland, and for the area around the tower see things to do in Krynica-Zdrój.

Which towers give a view of the Tatras?

The Tatras can be seen from a few towers and from meadows on the ridges, but only in good weather. The whole Tatra range is within the panorama from the tower on Magurki in the Gorce, the Western Tatras are visible from the tower on Mosorny Groń in Zawoja, and from the tower on Brzanka on the Ciężkowice Foothills they can be seen in favourable conditions.

In the Beskid Sądecki choose the tower on Radziejowa, on the highest mountain of that range (1,266.5 m above sea level), with a platform at 17.1 metres. Views of the Tatras and the Pieniny are given by Hala Przehyba, a meadow on the ridge of the Radziejowa Range beside a PTTK hut. In the Beskid Wyspowy plan the tower on Mogielica, the highest elevation of that range (1,170.2 m above sea level), and in Rabka-Zdrój Polana Surówki with a view over the Rabka Basin, the Gorce and the Tatras. The Tatras themselves are covered on things to do in the Tatras.

Where in Kraków can you climb a mound?

Kraków has four viewpoints and they are worth taking one by one: two large mounds, the youngest mound and a terrace on Wawel. All lie within the city and you can reach them from the centre in anything from a few minutes to an hour.

The Kościuszko Mound in the Zwierzyniec district is an artificial hill on St Bronisława Hill, raised as a monument to Tadeusz Kościuszko. From the top you see Kraków with Wawel and the surrounding area. The Krakus Mound in Podgórze stands on Lasota Hill (271 m above sea level), is 16 metres high from its base and shows the city centre. The smallest is the John Paul II Mound in Dębniki, 7 m high, raised in 1997. On Wawel, on the roof of the Small Bastion, there is a viewing terrace right next to the royal palace and the Senatorska tower. Other Kraków places with a view are collected under beautiful views in Kraków.

What towers are in the Beskid Wyspowy and the foothills?

The Beskid Wyspowy and the foothills have smaller towers, but much easier to reach, as many stand low and the approach takes a few dozen minutes. They are good half-day targets and suit a trip with children.

The Beskid Wyspowy has the tower on Kamionna (801 m), the tower on Skiełek (749 m) and the tower on Modyń (1,029 m), opened in 2021 on a summit that previously had no views. On the Ciężkowice Foothills you will find the tower on Brzanka, 23 metres high, and in Moszczenica near Gorlice the Wiatrówka tower. The Rożnów Foothills have the tower in Bruśnik, and the Wiśnicz Foothills the tower in Jadowniki with a telescope and a board describing the panorama. In Tarnów County stands the tower in Dąbrówka Szczepanowska on Golgota Hill. In the Low Beskids check the tower on Ferdel and the tower on Łysula. In Rabka-Zdrój, on the Góra Królewska hill, stands the tower on Polczakówka, and in the Drwinia commune a tower in a recreation park near the Niepołomice Forest.

Where to go for views in the Gorce and the Beskid Sądecki?

The Gorce and the Beskid Sądecki are the best choice for a full-day trip with a view, as the towers stand here on ridges above a thousand metres. Plan an early start and bring a warm layer, because it can be colder at the top than in the valley.

The Gorce have the tower on Gorc, completed in 2015, the tower on Magurki by the edge of Gorce National Park and the tower on Lubań. The Beskid Sądecki has Radziejowa, the tower on Koziarz above Tylmanowa and the spiral-shaped Ślimak platform on Dzielnica hill in Wola Krogulecka. On Mosorny Groń in Zawoja stands a tower by the upper cable car station, from which in good weather you can see Babia Góra and the Western Tatras. In Stryszawa there is a steel tower just below the summit of Surzynówka. The trails leading to these towers are covered by trails in Lesser Poland and mountain huts in Lesser Poland.

Which mounds and meadows mean more than the view?

Some mounds are places of remembrance of people, not sightseeing stops, so they are visited quietly. The General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski Mound in Pierzchów commemorates the founder of the Polish Legions, and the Bzowski Mound in Będkowice is also the grave of two members of the Bzowski family. The small Kościuszko Mound in Olkusz, with a cross on top, is a different thing from the much larger one in Kraków.

There are also a few places of another kind. The mound in Liplas is a barrow about two metres high of unexplained origin. In Kamień, by a reservoir, an ornithological trail with four observation points has been set up. The tower in Chełmek bears the name of Captain Pilecki and commemorates his escape from the German camp of Auschwitz. On Malnik near Muszyna choose the observation tower, because the ridge here is grassy and open. On Hajdówka in Jordanów stands a tower lit up at night, fully enclosed, and in Stryszawa a tower by a hotel open to everyone.

Frequently asked questions

How many viewpoints are there in Lesser Poland?

We list over 30 places: observation towers, mounds, meadows, a terrace on Wawel and a platform in Wola Krogulecka. Four are in Kraków, the others in the mountains, the foothills and smaller towns.

Which tower in Lesser Poland is the tallest?

The tower in Krynica-Zdrój on the summit of the Słotwiny Arena ski station, at 49.5 metres. After it come the towers in Chełmek (36 m) and on Łysula (32 m).

Where can you see the Tatras from in Lesser Poland?

In good weather the Tatras can be seen from, among others, the tower on Magurki in the Gorce, the tower on Mosorny Groń in Zawoja, Hala Przehyba and Polana Surówki.

Where are the viewing mounds in Kraków?

There are three: the Kościuszko Mound on St Bronisława Hill, the Krakus Mound in Podgórze and the John Paul II Mound in Dębniki. The terrace on the Small Bastion on Wawel adds another view.

Do you need a ticket to enter the towers?

All places carry the free tag, but access rules may differ, for example the tower in Stryszawa stands on a hotel complex. Check the conditions with the manager of the tower before you travel.