Pieniny (Dunajec Gorge), Poland

Pieniny Dunajec Gorge

Limestone cliffs along a river gorge on the Slovak border.

  • May–Oct
  • Best by car
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
Wieliczka Salt MinePoland · Hidden townWieliczka Salt Mine69 kmKrakówPoland · CityKraków81 kmOjców National ParkPoland · Nature spotOjców National Park99 kmBieszczady MountainsPoland · Nature spotBieszczady Mountains148 kmBanská ŠtiavnicaSlovakia · Hidden townBanská Štiavnica158 kmSandomierzPoland · Hidden townSandomierz166 kmEgerHungary · Hidden townEger169 kmDanube Bend (Visegrád)Hungary · Nature spotDanube Bend (Visegrád)213 km

Things to do

2 days in Pieniny

Day 1

  1. MorningFloat down the Dunajec Gorge on a wooden raft, steered by highlanders in traditional dress.
  2. AfternoonHike up Trzy Korony, the Three Crowns, for the view over the river's bends.
  3. EveningStay in the spa town of Szczawnica.

Day 2

Visit Niedzica Castle on the lake, or cycle the path along the gorge into Slovakia.

What to eat

Oscypek, smoked sheep's cheese, grilled with cranberry jam.

Local tips

Make the most of Pieniny

Beat the crowds

Summer weekends are busy with rafts. Weekdays are calmer.

Best photo spot

The Dunajec river bends from the Trzy Korony peak.

Getting there

Buses run from Kraków and Zakopane. Easiest by car.

Don't miss nearby

The castles of Niedzica and Czorsztyn.

Good to know

Traditional wooden rafts float down the gorge, steered by boatmen in folk costume. A cycle path runs along the river on the Slovak side.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Pieniny

Our most hidden places around Pieniny: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Pieniny to take with you.

41 km away
46 km away
54 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Pieniny

Getting there

  • Poprad-Tatry Airport (TAT)45 km away
  • Kraków Airport (KRK)90 km away
  • Kraków80 km away

A car is the easiest way to get here and to see the area around it. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeMay–Oct
TypeNature spot
Good forNature
Getting thereBest by car
Stay1 night
CountryPoland

Questions

Pieniny: good to know

Is Pieniny worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature. Limestone cliffs along a river gorge on the Slovak border.

How many days do you need in Pieniny?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Pieniny?

The best time to visit is May to Oct. Summer weekends are busy with rafts. Weekdays are calmer.

How do you get to Pieniny?

The nearest airport is Poprad-Tatry Airport (TAT), about 45 km away. Buses run from Kraków and Zakopane. Easiest by car.

What is there to see near Pieniny?

Nearby hidden places include Wieliczka Salt Mine (69 km), Kraków (81 km) and Ojców National Park (99 km).

More hidden places in Poland (26)