Nestled in the Karkonosze Mountains, Karpacz is a charming spa town and ski resort in south-west Poland, just a stone’s throw from the border with the Czech Republic. It’s a popular base for hiking, biking and skiing in Karkonosze National Park and boasts family-friendly attractions and amusement parks.
Things to do in Karpacz
Perched on a hill overlooking Karpacz is the 12th-century Wang Church, which was brought from Norway by King Frederick William IV of Prussia and re-erected here in 1842. Named after the Norwegian town in which it was built, this single-nave stave church is one of Karpacz's most photogenic sights and is actively in use by the Evangelical-Augsburg Church.
Ride the cable car or follow the hiking trail that leads to the 1,603-metre-high peak of Sniezka, which is the most prominent summit in the Silesian Ridge of the Karkonosze Mountains. In addition to offering incredible views, Sniezka is home to a disc-shaped observatory and a restaurant, as well as a photogenic wooden chapel dedicated to St. Lawrence.
For something completely different, head to Western City, an amusement park styled on the American Wild West. Wander between the saloon and sheriff’s office, test your skills on the arcade games and learn to throw a lasso. A highlight of visiting Western City is experiencing one of its action-packed shows such as thrilling staged bank robberies.
Getting around Karpacz
Wrocław Nicolaus Copernicus Airport is just under two hours’ drive from Karpacz and has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses travel between Karpacz and the Jelenia Gora railway station, from where trains connect to Wrocław. The centre of Karpacz is compact enough to explore on foot and cable cars connect to the surrounding ski slopes.