Szczawnica is 7,6 thousand citizens spa city near Slovakia, placed on 8789 hectares of land from which almost 1/3 are beautiful forests that influence the climate of the city. Due to the special microclimate and mineral waters the city specialized in the treatment of airway, alimentary canals, urinary tracts and motion organs illnesses. The spa has its own treatment base, among others in Natural Medicine and Inhalation Centre provided with unique pneumatic chambers for treating pulmonary illnesses and brine chambers for treating bronchial asthma.

            Szczawnica puts great emphasis on the development of both individual and organized sport, tourism and recreation. The city is a great tourist base providing an accommodation for almost a dozen or so tourists on a one – off basis. The accommodation is of different standard: from luxury apartments in sanatoriums, boarding houses and hotels to private houses, hostels and camping places.

            Szczawnica, as almost every place in the Małopolska region offers a lot of opportunities of active leisure. The woods – covered mountains create a great place for walking. Many mountain routes lead to the highest peaks of the Pieniny Mountains and to nature reserves: Homole Gorge, Wysokie Skałki Reserve and to one of the most beautiful reserves with a lot of rocks and waterfalls – to White Water Reserve. The routes are adjusted to the condition of an average tourist. In the centre of Szczawnica there is a cableway to the peak of Palenica from where you can enjoy a wide panorama of the Tatras, The Pieniny Mountains, Beskid Sądecki and the entire Szczawnica. On the nearby Szafranówka there is 700 meters long, summer drainpipe which is an attraction for both adults and children. For the tourists who prefer faster ways of sightseeing there are horse and bike routes on different levels of difficulty. You can rent a bike in many places in Szczawnica and the horse you can rent near the PTTK centre. Water sports lovers can check their skills and hire a kayak for slalom canoeing along the Dunajec rafting route. Enthusiasts of observing the countryside from the birds' eye view can climb the Durbaszka hostel where you can also take a course in paragliding. In the rushing streams and mountain rivers all fishing lovers will find places they will never forget. Dunajec with its flows is the biggest and the most popular fly – fish fishing ground in Poland, and also such fish as stream trout and grayling have their place here.

            Stay in Szczawnica can also be a great chance to get to know The Pieniny National Park, its unique animals and plants, to visit the Czorsztyn and Niedzica castles, to cruise along the Czorsztyn Lake or down the Dunajec river. A very popular attraction of this region is still the 20 km long raft along the Dunajec river.

            Szczawnica is also attractive in winter. With the first snowfall it changes into winter sport centre. In the city centre, in Jaworki and Durbaszka there are ski slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers. The good news for the advanced skiers is that in Szczawnica, on  Palenica,  there is a ski slope with the FIS certification of approval where alpine ski contests are held. There is also another ski run 1800 meters long called Palenica 2. For snowboard lovers there is a half pipe run on the top of Palenica, which attracts more and more tourists every year. In Szczawnica you can easily rent skis or snowboard. On the ski slopes there are also many ski instructors who can teach you the art of skiing. In Szczawnica there are many walking, cycling and mountain routes crossing the Slovakian boarder, for example with the nearest Slovakian village – Lesnica. Modern, 6 km long route between Szczawnica and Lesnica was build with the cooperation with the EU and is one of the biggest attractions in both communes. The route goes from the lower station of Palenica, on the left bank of Grajcarek stream and then, through the Pieniny route to Lesnica. Along the route there are parking places for bicycles, benches and information signs showing the biodiversity of the Pieniny mountains.

            The highlanders folklore is still alive in Szczawnica. It is present in the highlanders' dialect, in the regional costumes worn by the rafters, hackney cab drivers and native citizens of Szczawnica for special festivals, and in the products of regional craftsmen. In Szczawnica there are many regional music and dance groups and also The Pieniny Branch of The Podhale Citizens Union. The biggest regional festival introducing local traditions of highlanders and shepherds is Lato Pienińskie (Pieniny Summer) organized by the local Community Centre in July.

             In The Pieniny Museum there is a permanent ethnographic - historic exhibition showing the culture of the Pieniny highlanders and the spa tradition of Szczawnica. All year round in a pump room Magdalena you can see exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and embroidery of local artists.

            In Jaworki, few kilometres from the centre of Szczawnica there is a haven for artists a place called Muzyczna Owczarnia. In Muzyczna Owczarnia are organized blues, rock, jazz, and country concerts of Polish and foreign musicians. Extraordinary interiors and unique atmosphere of the place make people meet there every weekend and enjoy the good music. Beautiful mountain countryside and the rich 19^th century architecture of Szczawnica attracts more and more tourists every year.