What to see in Karpacz and the surroundings – A Subjective Guide

Once again, the scenario proves true that spontaneous trips are the best. Practically overnight, we decided to take a short weekend trip to Karpacz. I had never been to the Karkonosze Mountains, and for a long time, I had marked a few places to visit in the area. So here are a few recommendations for you.

Accommodation

After quite a big dilemma about which place to choose for our stay, we finally decided on the Green Mountain Hotel & Apartments. And it was a perfect choice.

We stayed in apartments located on the outskirts, right by the forest, so it was peaceful and quiet. The breakfast and the pool with a spa area were nearby in the hotel section. The surroundings and the complex itself left a very good impression on us. In fact, we didn’t have to leave the hotel area, as everything needed for a short getaway was available: a café, a restaurant, both indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor playground, and an indoor playroom for children in case of rain, with access to mountain trails all around.

The rooms in the apartments looked great and had everything we needed. We had quite a nice view—see for yourself. Since we didn’t stay in the hotel, we felt a bit more privacy.

I’d like to pause for a moment to talk about the breakfast, because it was outstanding (!). I’ve never had anything that good anywhere else. The selection was huge, and there were even several vegetarian options. I’m used to gravitating towards eggs and cheeses, as those are usually the only vegetarian options. I was really surprised by the vegan pâté, baked tofu with broccoli, and several other dishes. It was a pleasant shock that instantly put a big smile on my face.

I highly recommend this hotel, especially for families with children, as there are many attractions for little ones.

Places to See in the Area

I mentioned that we could have stayed within the hotel complex, but of course, we ventured out to a few places.

Siruwia Japanese Gardens

The road leading to the Siruwia Japanese Gardens in Przesieka is very well marked, but don’t be surprised when, at some point, you turn onto a gravel road into the forest. The route runs right next to a cliff, but don’t worry, it’s one-way, so you won’t encounter anyone coming the other way. In the heart of the beautiful Karkonosze nature, an extraordinary place has been created with a completely different atmosphere. Once you pass through the entrance, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into Japan.

Despite the rather expensive entry fee (50 PLN per person), I think it’s a place worth visiting. I recommend planning to spend more time there and truly immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the place. Take a walk along the paths, admire the oriental plants, sit by the waterfall with a good book, have a coffee at the café, try matcha-flavored ice cream, visit the Japanese doll exhibition, or join a guided tour to the Samurai Museum.

We were very lucky because we happened to visit during the blooming of the rhododendrons, of which there are about 3,000! However, my personal favorite in the contest for the most beautiful plant was the giant gunnera, which looks like it was taken straight out of Jurassic Park.

This place is created with passion and is constantly evolving. The owners have traveled to Japan many times to gather inspiration and learn how to bring the uniqueness of that country to Poland. Various workshops related to East Asian culture are organized within the garden, which I recommend taking part in to immerse yourself even more in the atmosphere.

Podgórna Waterfall

There’s another place worth visiting in Przesieka, the 10-meter-high Podgórna Waterfall. It is the third-largest waterfall in the Polish part of the Karkonosze Mountains. The trail leading to it is a beautiful, shaded path along which you can hear the murmur of the stream flowing beside it. I wouldn’t recommend going there with a stroller, as the path has many tree trunks and it’s quite difficult to push it. We ended up leaving ours halfway.

There is a picturesque little bridge on-site from which you can view the waterfall in all its glory, as well as benches with tables for resting. It is the least-visited waterfall, so we didn’t encounter any crowds, which was an added bonus. I love places like this! As you can see in the pictures, 2.5-year-old Zuzia liked it too 😉

Wang Temple

The next place is definitely much more popular, I would even say it’s one of the most visited spots that tourists head to in the Karkonosze Mountains – of course, I’m talking about the Wang Temple. Finding a parking spot in the middle of the day was almost impossible, so I recommend going there early in the morning.

v

In addition to the medieval wooden church, there are a few dining spots here (unfortunately, nothing worth recommending), as well as an entrance to the Karkonosze National Park and its trails. Since we were already tired and entering with a stroller was quite a challenge, we’re saving this attraction for our next visit. The beautiful views of the mountain peaks are a real treat for the eyes.

Food

We ate at two places that were pleasant for both the eyes and the taste buds. The Good & One restaurant initially tempted us with its veggie burger, though in the end, we chose something else. The pierogi ruskie and spaghetti Aglio Olio were delicious. The menu also had a few other vegetarian options, which was a big plus. The interiors were very cozy, thanks to the wood and brick, and the colorful neon signs caught the eye. We came there for dinner, and while sitting on the terrace, we could see a bit of the sunset over the mountains. Do you know any restaurants in the Karkonosze Mountains where you can enjoy a view of the mountains? Luckily, the restaurant is a bit further from the promenade, which unfortunately doesn’t fit into my aesthetic framework and, in my opinion, is quite tacky. It’s a real shame, because it totally has potential that I hope will be used someday.

Good & One

ul. Obrońców Pokoju 1

Karpacz

www.good-and-one.pl

Another place is Szum i Rosa, which attracted us with great reviews. As it turned out, we were glad we went there. The pizza was excellent, and there was also a veggie option for Zuzia in the form of beautifully presented pancakes with fruit. I chose fried cheese with cherry-rhubarb chutney. The décor was in my style, and the service was very friendly—what more could you ask for? It was a shame, though, that the upstairs room and terrace were closed due to reservations.

Szum i Rosa

ul. Strażacka 2b

Karpacz

www.szumirosa.pl

A nice touch at every place we visited was the gesture towards children waiting for their food (and their parents, of course). Zuzia was given crayons and a coloring book, which made the waiting time more enjoyable and kept her busy.

Would you add anything else to the guide? We will definitely return to the Karkonosze Mountains, so we’d love to hear your recommendations.