All photos: Rental & practical
Every photograph of the guide in one place, the strongest first: choose a part above the photos, and open any of them full screen.
01 · Book your apartment
Twelve homes on the slope, eight ready now and four still in the making, each named after a bird of the Beskidy.
The DipperApartment 1.1Ground level
The Golden EagleApartment 1.2Top level
The Hazel GrouseComing soonApartment 2.1Ground level
The Lesser Spotted EagleApartment 2.2Top level
The Black GrouseComing soonApartment 3.1Ground level
The White StorkApartment 3.2Top level
The Honey BuzzardApartment 4.1Ground level
The Peregrine FalconApartment 4.2Top level
The NutcrackerComing soonApartment 5.1Ground level
The KingfisherComing soonApartment 5.2Top level
The BullfinchApartment 6.1Ground level
The Black StorkApartment 6.2Top level
03 · Ski
Six easy steps, from the first lift to the sauna.
04 · Hiking
Eight easy steps, from the first question to the last light.
WinterSpringSummerAutumnSzczyrk’s two mountainsThe frog and the phoenixA feature · Skrzyczne and Klimczok
The trailsColours, distances, plans
The art of photographyLight, fog and viewpoints
Wildlife, watched with respectDeer, foxes and our birds
Huts & food on the waySoup at the top
The winter photographerA winter morning, in five chapters
The landscape park386 km² of protected mountains, from your door
Paragliding over the BeskidyTandem flights and schools
05 · Biking
Seven easy steps, from the first question to the last descent.
06 · Horse riding
Riding in the Beskidy, then five stables within an hour, the nearest first.
07 · Lake Żywiec
Eight easy steps, from the first look to a day on the water.
From aboveFrom Góra ŻarFrom the hillsAt golden hourBoat rental at the Zarzecze marinaSail Lake Żywiec, about 20 min from ChikApart.A feature · the Halny sailing club
Rent on the waterKayak, SUP, pedal boat, boat
Beaches & swimmingSwim at your own risk
Sailing & windsurfingSchools, marinas, the wind
Boat cruisesTwo ships from the Tresna dam
Around the lakeŻywiec, the brewery, Góra Żar, the dams
WinterRinks, never the lake ice
08 · Szczyrk
Nine easy steps: the town, the places near it, then the practical things.
Near SzczyrkA few minutes away
The centre & the Żylica walkThe square, the river, the main street
Churches & the SanctuaryGórka, St James’, Sts Peter and Paul
The Skalite ski jumpsThree hills, a stage, a museum
Events & marketsFestivals, jumps, fairs
For familiesParks, ropes, playgrounds
The aqua park at Mercure SzczyrkPools, slides and saunas, five minutes away
The rope parkThree routes in the trees, in the centre
10 · Utilities & Rental
Eight easy steps, from what you need to who to call.
02 · Book a tour
Your own Vito, the 3 Plans for your comfort, the days out, then booking.
A day, a destination, a driver — with your own VitoBy the day, for the week, or yours to drive
3 Plans for your comfortEssential · Prestige · Signature
KrakówThe royal city
Zakopane & the TatrasCable cars, lakes, thermal pools
Auschwitz-BirkenauMemorial and Museum · Oświęcim
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel FactoryKraków
EnergylandiaThe great theme park
Further favouritesPszczyna, Ojców and shooting
09 · Restaurants
Five easy steps, from what you feel like to a table tonight.