A picturesque little village in Poland is known for its well-preserved wooden architecture, rich cultural heritage, and proximity to natural attractions. Chochołów is a beautiful town located in southern Poland, near the border with Slovakia.
Situated within the Tatra Mountains region, Chochołów is famous for its traditional wooden houses, many of which date back to the 19th century.
These houses are unique because they have been meticulously maintained, with the wooden exteriors often washed and scrubbed, giving the village a distinctive, uniform appearance – that is still very charming to the few who visit.
The town is sometimes referred to as a “living museum” due to its perfectly preserved architecture.
It has a rich cultural history, with its residents traditionally known as highlanders, or “Górale.” The Górale have a unique culture, language, and traditions that are still evident in Chochołów today.
The town was also the site of the 1846 Chochołów Uprising, an important event in the region’s history against Austrian rule.
To learn more about the local history, visitors can explore the Chochołów Uprising Museum, which is housed in one of the historic wooden cottages. The museum offers insights into the village’s history and the 1846 uprising.
Chochołów’s location near the Tatra Mountains makes it an excellent base for exploring natural attractions.
The nearby Tatra National Park offers stunning hiking trails, mountain views, and outdoor activities. In winter, the area is popular for skiing and snowboarding.
Just outside the town, you will find the Chochołowskie Termy, one of the largest thermal bath complexes in Poland.
The baths are fed by natural hot springs and offer a range of relaxation and wellness facilities, including pools, saunas, and spa treatments.
Chochołów’s close proximity to the Slovakia border makes it easy for visitors to explore attractions on both sides of the border.
You can easily take day trips to Slovakian destinations like the High Tatras or the town of Zakopane, which is just a short drive away.
One traveller wrote on TripAdvisor: “We really enjoyed it. On a weekday in May, it wasn’t overcrowded. It’s fairly new so the facilities aren’t tired at all. I like the wristband thing where you can charge food and drink to that while you are there and pay when you leave.
“There is a shop selling swimwear, flip flops, etc if you don’t have them with you and we were pleasantly surprised, as the stuff is OK and not overpriced. We went on a Chocholow Ticket and transferred from Krakow with Cracow Top Tours and that worked well. Our driver Maciek was a good guy and managed the pick-ups and drop-offs very well.”
A second traveller said: “My friends and I went to the thermal baths and we don’t regret it. Great pools and super warm water. Lots of attractions. We were there in the morning and there wasn’t much traffic.”