Zakopane — Travelrags

The GuardianOct 9, 2026

‘A candelit spa, followed by an ice-cold plunge and a nightcap’: readers’ favourite European wellbeing breaks

From a historic bathhouse in Sweden to forest bathing in Croatia, readers share their favourite places to relax and recharge • Tell us about a small European ski resort – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher Tucked away off a pretty shopping street in a beautiful art nouveau building is one of Stockholm’s oldest spas, Centralbadet where a day ticket costs from £23. As winter darkness descen…

18 things in this story

Terma BaniaHotelPool and spa centre in Zakopane ski resort.
Elsewhere
Gamla StanTrain stationStockholm, SwedenOld town seen from Fotografiska restaurant.
CentralbadetHotelStockholm, SwedenStockholm's oldest spa in an art nouveau building.
Fotografiska restaurantRestaurantStockholm, SwedenRestaurant with views of Gamla Stan and Lake Mälaren.
Lake MälarenSightStockholm, SwedenLake seen from Fotografiska restaurant.
Cley and Salthouse marshesSightCley-next-the-sea, United KingdomBirdwatching spot in Norfolk with two bird hides.
Hello Outdoors shepherd’s hut saunaPlaceLymington, United KingdomSauna with window overlooking Lymington Sea Water Baths.
Lymington Sea Water BathsSightLymington, United KingdomHistoric sea water baths in Hampshire.
BankyaNeighborhoodSofia, BulgariaOutskirts of Sofia with natural mineral springs.
Central Mineral Bath BankyaHotelSofia, BulgariaOpulent bathhouse owned by Sofia municipality.
Lochside Sauna at West Coast WellnessPlaceEvanachan, United KingdomPeaceful sauna on the shore of Loch Fyne.
Loch FyneSightEvanachan, United KingdomLoch where Lochside Sauna is located.
Inver restaurantRestaurantEvanachan, United KingdomRestaurant near Lochside Sauna.
Pool Bridge FarmSightYork, United KingdomSite with four lakes for wild swimming and sauna.
Wheldrake Ings nature reserveNature reserveYork, United KingdomWildlife destination for waterfowl in North Yorkshire.
Park mit Allen SinnenSightFreiburg, GermanyPark of all senses with barefoot sensory trail.
Sliabh Liag SaunaPlaceTeelin, IrelandWood-fired sauna on Teelin pier in Donegal.
Sliabh Liag sea cliffsSightTeelin, IrelandSea cliffs towering 601 metres above the sea.

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BBC TravelAug 9

Poland's Tatras: The affordable alternative to the Alps

Breathtaking alpine scenery and budget prices make this overlooked Polish escape an alternative to Europe's overcrowded mountain regions.

12 things in this story

Morskie OkoSightGlacial lake surrounded by snowcapped mountains
Tatra National ParkSightPark bordering Zakopane with trails, lakes, and waterfalls
RysyGuest housePyramid-shaped peak, highest summit in Poland
Villa BirdhouseHotelPremium chalet with sauna, terrace, and barbecue
Placki ZiemniaczaneRestaurantEatery serving "solid potato" and "liquid potato"
Karczma ZapiecekRestaurantTraditional Polish Highlander restaurant
GiewontTrailMountain hike requiring chains for summit section
KuźniceSightTrailhead for hikes into the Tatras
Dolina StrążyskaSightValley with a 400m walk to Wodospad Siklawica
Wodospad SiklawicaSightSecond-highest waterfall in the Polish Tatras
Chochołowskie TermySightLargest thermal bath complex in Poland
Krupówki StreetNeighborhood

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The GuardianJul 22

‘Humans are designed to connect outdoors’: community hiking in Slovakia’s High Tatras

A walking holiday with a group of strangers to the highest range in the Carpathians promises adventure, stunning views and camaraderie We are giddy as we reach the summit, breathless with exertion and a guileless, childlike joy. In every direction the jagged peaks of Slovakia’s High Tatras stretch out into the distance, nubs on a colossal spine, glittering lakes embedded like shards of glass fa…

10 things in this story

Tatrzański park narodowySightPolish national park established in 1954
Elsewhere
Kôprovský štítSightHigh Tatras, SlovakiaSummit reached after eight hours and 23km of hiking
Vysoké TatrySightHigh Tatras, SlovakiaMountain range where the hike took place
Tatra EscapesPlaceHigh Tatras, SlovakiaSlovakian tour operator partnered with hiked.up
bryndzové haluškyRestaurantSlovak Paradise, SlovakiaThis meal consists of halušky and bryndza, optionally sprinkled with cooked bits of smoked pork fat or bacon, and…
Štrba turistikaTrailHigh Tatras, SlovakiaTrail followed by the group on the second morning
Tatranský národný parkSightHigh Tatras, SlovakiaSlovakian national park established in 1949
Zlatý BažantRestaurantHigh Tatras, SlovakiaRefreshing beer enjoyed at a mountain refuge
Ranč Podlesok RelaxHotelHigh Tatras, SlovakiaRANČ Podlesok Relax je rodinný projekt, ktorý vznikol z lásky k Slovenskému raju, prírode a poctivej pohostinnosti.
hiked.upPlaceLondon, United Kingdom

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The GuardianJun 26

Incredible panoramas, wildflower meadows and the odd wild horse: readers’ favourite walks in Europe

From cliffside views of Lake Garda to post-hike saunas in Sweden, you share your most memorable walking trips • Tell us about a cooler European coast – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher If you have a head for heights, then you can “walk with the gods” on the Sentiero degli Dei . It’s cut into the vertiginous hillside high above the Amalfi coast, offering heavenly views all the way to Cap…

22 things in this story

Five Lakes hikeTrailMost beautiful hike in Poland, passes five glittering lakes.
Palenica BiałczańskaSightParking lot where the Five Lakes hike begins.
Dolinie Pięciu Stawów hutRestaurantStop here to enjoy a hearty żurek soup.
Morskie OkoSightMost storied lake in Poland, glittering far below.
ŻywiecRestaurantA lager to enjoy at the lakeside hut.
Elsewhere
TravelmarPlaceAmalfi Coast, ItalyOffers combined bus and ferry ticket to walk start.
Sentiero degli DeiTrailAgerola, ItalyCut into hillside high above Amalfi coast, offers heavenly views.
BomeranoNeighborhoodAgerola, ItalyLovely hamlet where the walk starts.
Ushguli to Mestia routeTrailMestia, GeorgiaPasses dramatic mountain landscapes, ancient towers, glacial pools.
Transcaucasian TrailTrailMestia, GeorgiaRoute passes through dramatic and beautiful mountain landscapes.
Kungsleden TrailTrailAbisko, SwedenWalked a section in Swedish Lapland, Arctic Circle.
Wildschönau valleyNeighborhoodWildschönau, AustriaOffers amazing hiking options accessible for the whole family.
NiederauSightWildschönau, AustriaTel.
JoelspitzeSightWildschönau, AustriaClimb offers 360-degree panoramas and gentian flowers.
Ruta del CaresTrailPoncebos, SpainIncredible hike through a canyon with tunnels.
Picos de EuropaSightPoncebos, SpainThe range is situated in the Autonomous Communities of Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and León.
CaínNeighborhoodPoncebos, SpainIdyllic hamlet reached after canyon tunnels.
EllbachseeblickViewpointBaiersbronn, GermanyStunning viewpoint on the hike.
Sankenbach waterfallSightBaiersbronn, GermanyWaterfall on the hike.
Konus cardPlaceFreudenstadt, GermanyIncludes public transport if staying in participating locations.
MännlichenSightWengen, SwitzerlandCable car up to the Panoramaweg trail.
AuffacSightWildschönau, Austria

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