Things To Do
in Kudowa-Zdrój
Kudowa-Zdrój is a small, historic spa town in southwestern Poland near the Czech border, known for its mineral springs and leafy Park Zdrojowy. The town is the gateway to the unique Table Mountains (Góry Stołowe) and is close to striking rock formations like Błędne Skały and Szczeliniec Wielki. You’ll find a mix of 19th-century spa architecture, relaxed wellness facilities, and a handful of museums and monuments including the nearby Chapel of Skulls in Czermna.
Kudowa is compact, easy to explore on foot, and makes a great base for hiking, cycling and short cross-border trips into the Czech Republic.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive in Kudowa-Zdrój and check into your accommodation. Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at a local café, enjoying fresh pastries and coffee. Take a stroll through the charming streets to soak in the local architecture and atmosphere.
Visit the beautiful Spa Park, where you can admire the landscaped gardens and the historic pump room. Enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment or take a dip in the warm mineral waters. Consider visiting the nearby mineral springs to taste the healing waters offered by the town.
Dine at a traditional Polish restaurant, where you can savor local dishes made from regional ingredients. After dinner, participate in a guided night walk through the town, discovering its history and engaging stories. End your night with a relaxing drink at a cozy pub.
Start your day with breakfast at your hotel before heading to Table Mountains National Park. Enjoy a guided hike through scenic trails, reveling in the breathtaking natural landscapes. Take photos of unique rock formations and quaint nature spots along the way.
Have lunch at a picnic spot within the park, surrounded by lush greenery and fresh air. Continue exploring the trails, visiting astounding viewpoints such as the Szczeliniec Wielki. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature and encounter native wildlife.
Return to Kudowa-Zdrój and unwind with a soak in the thermal baths. Explore a different dining option, such as a local pizzeria or a steakhouse. Join a cultural event, such as a folk music evening, to enjoy the regional music and dance.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $7-12 |
| ☕Coffee (café) | $2-3 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (0.5L) | $2-4 |
| 🚕Taxi start / short ride | $3-8 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $50-100 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Beautiful and unique rock formations nearby (Błędne Skały, Szczeliniec Wielki).
- Calm spa-town atmosphere with good wellness facilities and parks.
- Compact, walkable town center and easy access to hiking and cycling.
- Limited nightlife and fewer dining options compared with larger cities.
- Some attractions and services are seasonal; winter weather can restrict access.
- Smaller medical and specialist services require travel to larger towns.
- "Dzień dobry" - Good morning / Hello
- "Dziękuję" - Thank you
- "Proszę" - Please / You're welcome
- "Gdzie jest…?" - Where is…?
- "Ile to kosztuje?" - How much does it cost?
- "Poproszę rachunek" - The bill, please
- "Przepraszam" - Excuse me / Sorry
- "Bez mięsa, proszę" - Without meat, please
Places to Visit in Kudowa-Zdrój
Visit one of these nice places.
Well-kept spa park with pavilions, fountains and mature trees—good for architectural and portrait photography at golden hour.
Atmospheric and unique interior with human skulls and bones—photography may be restricted inside but the exterior and surroundings make strong images.
A dramatic sandstone labyrinth with narrow corridors and sculpted rocks—excellent for abstract and landscape shots, especially in soft light.
Panoramic overlooks across the Table Mountains and Kłodzko Valley—ideal for sunrise or late-afternoon vistas.
Cross-border vantage points offer rolling hills, pastoral scenes and mountain silhouettes—good for wide-angle landscape photography.
Food in Kudowa-Zdrój
Kudowa-Zdrój Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Dumplings filled with potato and cheese, meat, or seasonal fruits—found in most restaurants and home-style eateries in town.
Must-Try!
Sour rye soup (żurek) or beet soup (barszcz) served with sausage or egg—traditional, warming and widely available.
Slow-roasted or grilled pork neck served with potatoes and cabbage; typical in regional inns and taverns.
Freshwater trout from local rivers, often grilled with butter and herbs—look for it at countryside guesthouses and mountain lodges.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small stalls and seasonal markets in town sell local cheeses, honey, smoked meats and pastries—best on weekends; try fresh bread, local jams and cheeses.
Simple street kiosks and cafés offer pastries (pączki, kremówki), coffee and quick sandwiches—good for on-the-go between hikes.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Use basic polite phrases (Dzień dobry, Dziękuję) and shake hands in formal situations; people tend to be reserved and polite—face-to-face greetings matter in small towns.
Kudowa is a spa town—keep noise low in park areas and around spa hotels, especially in the evening; dress modestly in treatment facilities.
You may encounter Czech visitors; be respectful of multilingual signage and local cross-border traditions—avoid political debate about borders or history unless familiar with locals.
Safety
Tipping in Kudowa-Zdrój
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping of around 10% in restaurants is customary for good service; rounding up taxi fares and leaving small change for café service is common. Poland’s currency is the złoty (PLN); cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and many shops, but small kiosks, rural inns and markets may prefer cash—ATMs and currency exchange are available in town.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Warmer days and blossoming parks make spring pleasant for walks and lower-crowd hiking; some higher trails may still be wet or muddy—bring layers and waterproof footwear.
Warm, often sunny weather ideal for hiking, cycling and outdoor dining; expect more visitors on weekends and book accommodation in advance for peak months (July–August).
Crisp air and excellent fall colors on the Table Mountains make this a beautiful time for photography and fewer crowds; nights can be chilly—pack a warm layer.
Cold, snowy conditions transform the area into a winter landscape; some trails may be icy or closed and road conditions can be affected—chains or winter tires recommended for self-drive.
Kudowa-Zdrój at Night
Hiking in Kudowa-Zdrój
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A short to moderate walk exploring a maze of dramatic sandstone formations—family friendly but with narrow passages.
The highest peak of the Table Mountains with stair-access viewpoints offering sweeping panoramas; a more strenuous but rewarding hike.
Network of marked trails across plateaus and through forests connecting rock formations, lookout points and mountain huts.
A spectacular cross-border destination of towering sandstone pillars and lakes—accessible by car in about an hour and popular for extended hikes and photography.
Gentler valley trails and cycling routes linking spa towns, historic villages and viewpoints—good for relaxed day hikes and cultural walks.
Airports
How to reach Kudowa-Zdrój by plane.
Main nearest international airport (~110–130 km); frequent domestic and European flights. Good rail and bus connections to Kłodzko and onward local buses or car hire to Kudowa-Zdrój.
Larger international hub (~170–200 km by road); viable if combining Czech visits. Road or train connections available but expect a longer transfer time.
Regional airports (Katowice ~150–170 km) that sometimes offer budget flights; transfers require car or multiple train/bus changes but can be convenient depending on flight options.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Predominantly ethnic Poles, many involved in tourism, spa services and agriculture; the town also has an older demographic typical of spa towns with retirees.
Frequent visitors from the Czech Republic and occasional German and other European tourists, especially for hiking and day trips.
Families, hikers and wellness visitors who come seasonally for treatments, nature and cultural sites.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Due to the Table Mountains, hiking and trail running are very popular year-round, with routes for all fitness levels.
Nearby slopes and small ski centers offer downhill and cross-country options in winter; many visitors enjoy sledding and snowshoeing.
Football is widely followed and played at amateur and youth levels across the region.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Kudowa-Zdrój.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are common (pierogi with cheese/potato, vegetable soups, salads); larger restaurants and hotels can accommodate, but small rural inns may have limited choices—learn key phrases (see below) and ask for bez mięsa (without meat).
Vegan and gluten-free options are available in bigger cafes and hotels, but less common in traditional taverns—bring snacks for hikes and check labels; carry a translation card for strict requirements.
Restaurants generally understand common allergies if you explain them clearly in Polish or English; pharmacies in town can provide emergency antihistamines if needed.