Lodzkie region for you
The Lodzkie region is a treasure trove of tourist attractions worth seeing and visiting. What the region is like is best described by Joanna Skrzydlewska, Marshal of the Lodzkie Region, during the conference “Cooperation — Innovation — Sustainable Tourism”, organised by the Polish Tourist Organisation in Łódź in cooperation with the Regional Tourist Organisation of the Lodzkie Region. “The Lodzkie region has a lot to offer, both to tourists coming to us from other regions of Poland and to us, its inhabitants. We have beautiful palaces and castles with a unique atmosphere, canoe trails and cycle routes, cities proud of their history and charming lagoons and beaches. The Lodzkie region truly delights!”. Thanks to the financial support that the Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region has been providing to municipalities and other entities for many years, tourism in the region is developing rapidly. Signposts and stopping points for cyclists are being set up along the routes. Infrastructure along rivers is developing dynamically — piers and rest areas are being built.
Active leisure is most often associated with cycling, and for enthusiasts of two-wheelers, there are more than 100 marked cycling routes, including 9 supra-regional and regional routes marked out by the Lodzkie Region. Supra-regional routes — Lodz North–South and East–West Magistrala routes delight with the richness of the landscape, as well as architectural monuments, and the Old Town in Piotrków Trybunalski, the Romanesque Church of St. Giles in Inowłódz, the Regional Museum in Bełchatów or the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Gidle are just some of them. Other supra-regional trails include the Amber Trail, consisting of two sections Nadbzurzański and Nadwarciański, and the Grunwaldzki Trail, which was marked to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald. On the W Centrum Polski (In the Centre of Poland) regional trail, you can visit, among others: The Miasto Tkaczy (City of Weavers) in Zgierz, the monument in Piątek marking the Geometric Centre of Poland, and the Museum-Castle in Oporów.
Tourists can relax by enjoying the therapeutic geothermal water at the Uniejów Thermal Baths on the Hot Springs Bike Trail. While in the vicinity, it is worth visiting the Zagroda Młynarska museum and accomodation complex or taking advantage of the beneficial iodine in the brine graduation tower. The Poddębice Thermal Baths also use natural geothermal water. As many as seven outdoor and indoor swimming pools await tourists there. The town is also famous for its Pump Room, which is located in a former Evangelical church in the spa park. While already in the poddębicki district, you can spend a day at the Borysewo Zoo. This is an excellent attraction, especially for families with children. In addition, 100 animal species, a mini zoo, the fairytale “Figlarnia” in the spherical tents and an extensive gastronomic sphere will make your stay pleasant for hours. In 2017 the complex was awarded the Polish Tourist Organisation’s Gold Certificate for “Best Tourist Product”.
The waterways of our region guarantee not only fun and unforgettable experiences, but also rest and relaxation close to nature. It is worth starting your kayaking adventure on the Pilica. The river, surrounded with landscape parks — Przedborski, Sulejowski and Spalski — meanders picturesquely among vast meadows, forests and marshes. The most suitable route for family kayaking trips is from Tomaszów Mazowiecki, which leads to Inowłódz through the meanders of the Spalski forest. Travelling these 19 km takes about 3.5 hours and does not cause any major difficulties even for the youngest. The most beautiful part of the trail is from Inowłódz and Zakościel to Mysiakowiec. The Warta River does not require much experience either, and while going along its bed, you may admire charming islands and oxbow lakes. The most interesting part of the trail is the one from Działoszyn to Przywóz. The route is 28 km long and leads through beautiful areas of Załęczański Meander of the Warta River. This adventure usually takes 5–6 hours. Ideal for more experienced kayakists, due to its wild character, is the Rawka. It has an unregulated bed and its banks are abundantly covered with lush vegetation. It presents itself best in the section of the Bolimowski Landscape Park, and the entire length of the river is protected as a nature reserve. Water sports enthusiasts should head for the Sulejowski Reservoir, located between Sulejów and Smardzewice, and Jeziorsko — a dam reservoir on the Warta River.
A great idea for recreation close to nature is hiking in landscape parks, of which there are seven in our region. Despite being located in the centre of Poland, the lodzkie region has its own “mountain”. In the Przedborski Landscape Park, there is a natural hill — Fajna Ryba (347 m above sea level), which is the highest peak of the Przedborsko-Małogoski Range. Załęczański Landscape Park, on the other hand, lies partly within the Silesian region, covering the eastern part of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. It thus plays an important role as the last northern link of the Jurassic landscape park system. The youngest, the Lodz Hills Landscape Park, was established in 1996 to protect the varied post-glacial relief. The fauna and flora of the other parks is equally varied and remarkable.
In 2023, Konarzewo saw the creation of the “Energosfera” Innovative Educational and Business Tourism Centre, which is one of Poland’s most modern sites for stargazing and space observation. The centre’s facilities are arranged to resemble the Milky Way. The greatest attraction is the astronomical observatory, where there is a telescope for observing the planets, craters on the Moon and photographing the stars. Visitors have an educational lounge and 10 air-conditioned glamping domes at their disposal. In addition, there is a relaxation area in the form of a mini beach with seaside sand and a studio with a sensory deprivation chamber for complete isolation from external stimuli. The centre also offers interesting workshops in, among other things, optics, celestial mechanics and astrophotography.
The Saxon Palace in Kutno, built by order of Frederick Augustus III, is the most valuable and oldest monument of European significance in the city. In 2023, won an award in a competition entitled “Modernisation of the Year & Construction of the 21st Century”, where it took third place overall and first place in the historic structures category. Today, it is the home of a modern museum. Its uniqueness is evidenced by the fact that it is the only secular monument preserved, from the times of the Polish-Saxon Union. In addition, the building is a combination of wooden architecture with features of a palace residence, combined with the function of a postal inn, built in the style of the so-called Dresden Baroque, which makes it unique in the country. The museum complex was awarded the title “Tourist Discovery of the Year 2024” in the competition for the “Best Tourist Product of the Lodzkie Region”.
The mosaic of tourist assets of the Lodzkie region is magnificently complemented by castles, both those that have been preserved in all their splendour and those whose ruins are picturesquely incorporated into the landscape. Within the present boundaries of the region, over the centuries, there have been approx. 30 of such buildings. We particularly recommend visiting the Gothic royal castle in Łęczyca, built on the initiative of Casimir the Great, where the Łęczyca Land Museum is now located. Among the exhibitions, there is a rich display showing the history of the castle, the Łęczyca land and the local folklore. It is here that you can admire the largest collection of sculptures in Poland depicting the devil Boruta — the legendary ruler of the castle. Every year at the end of August, the castle courtyard “comes alive”, becoming the setting for one of the largest knightly tournaments in the country. While in the vicinity of Łęczyca, you should visit the open-air ethnographic museum “Łęczycka Zagroda Chłopska” (“Łęczyca Farmstead”) in Kwiatkówek, which, together with the fortified settlement in Tuma, was awarded a distinction in the competition for the “Best Tourist Product — Polish Tourist Organisation Certificate”. Both sites are valuable links between the Middle Ages and modern times.
Our region boasts an exceptionally colourful folklore. Folklore ensembles and singing bands are thriving here. You can also admire the still-alive traditions of weaving, embroidery and paper-cutting. Łowicz is famous for its paper cut-outs, which can be seen in the local museum. In Lipce Reymontowskie, tourists like to attend a traditional village wedding from the 19th century, described by Władysław Reymont. It is also worth visiting Spycimierz during Corpus Christi when the villagers lay carpets of flowers. In 2021, this 200-year-old tradition was added to the UNESCO world list. Spała hosts the famous Presidential Harvest Festival, and the Antiques and Folk Handicraft Fair is held between April and October.
Let’s meet on the tourist trails of our region!
If you want to become a true explorer and seasoned traveller, traversing vast forests on foot, by bicycle or even on horseback, paddling down rivers in a kayak, sailing across water reservoirs or simply driving your car along a marked trail, then you must visit the Lodzkie region. You will embark on a real adventure in the lap of nature, discovering the richness of our region’s landscapes and tourist attractions. The Lodzkie region is full of architectural gems that not only please the eye but also have a fascinating history. So don’t spend too much time thinking about where to go for a holiday or a weekend, drop everything and come to the Lodzkie region!
Dear tourist, don’t spend the warm summer days inside four walls, get out of the house and relax! And it is a well-known fact that nothing is as relaxing as spending time outdoors and surrounded by greenery. A great choice would be a trip to Załęczański and Przedborski Landscape Parks, which, thanks to their network of picturesque hiking trails and varied terrain, are perfect for hiking. Let yourself be enchanted by the scenery straight out of “The Lord of the Rings” in the Lodz Hills Landscape Park, and while marching with Nordic walking poles admire with bated breath two-hundred-year-old oaks, hornbeams and pines, or let yourself be enchanted by the azure water of the Blue Springs — a reserve that is part of the Sulejowski Landscape Park. Want to wander along forest paths among ponds without leaving the city? Be sure to visit the “green lungs of Lodz”, i.e. Łagiewnicki Forest.
If you are a lucky owner of a bicycle, you should definitely use it to explore the Lodzkie region. For two-wheeler enthusiasts, there is a real treat waiting! We have over a hundred safe and well-marked bicycle routes, including two main East–West and North–South routes. The routes of the Lodzkie region lead to its extremely interesting corners, and you can choose the one that interests you most. For history lovers, we recommend the Amber Trail leading through almost the entire region along routes known since ancient times, the Grunwaldzki Trail marked to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald, and the Trail of the Tsars’ Hunting Grounds, named after the Russian tsars who liked hunting near Spała. Weary travellers can rest and relax, taking advantage of the therapeutic properties of the geothermal water at the Uniejów Thermal Baths on the Hot Springs Bike Trail. You can also choose between the following trails: Old Manor Houses, In Reymont’s Footsteps, Miraculous Paintings, In the Kingdom of the Devil Boruta and many others, which are waiting for you and your bike, so don’t hesitate and come.
And when it gets really hot and the temperature this summer starts to bother you, jump into a kayak, because we guarantee that in the Lodzkie region you will have your hands full... paddling! For kayaking enthusiasts, we recommend rafting down the Pilica River, meandering charmingly among vast meadows, forests or marshes, where it forms numerous islands and bends. Be sure to make a stop between Sulejów and Smardzewice, where there is the Sulejów Reservoir, which offers a whole range of water sports possibilities. Did you enjoy kayaking on the Pilica River and fancy more? Then it is worth going... down the Warta River! This river is often chosen by tourists for their first kayaking adventure because of its beautiful views and easy waterway. Once you have feasted your eyes on the magnificent landscapes of the Pilica and Warta rivers, let’s continue on the Bzura, whose fauna and flora will captivate many a tourist. It attracts both experienced kayakists and beginners. The Bzura is not devoid of weirs and rapids, and at some sections portages or a faster current requiring greater caution await. However, you will find the true spirit of adventure when paddling the Rawka, which, due to its wild character, is a demanding river, ideal for more experienced paddlers.
You can also explore the Lodzkie region with your feet in the stirrups, thanks to the Lodz Horse Trail, the longest in Europe at over 2,000 km. You can choose between two loops, a smaller one around Lodz and a larger one that runs around the region and has numerous connections. All enthusiasts of horseback rides will enjoy admiring skilled riders at the regular horsemanship competitions held in Bogusławice, Walewice or Galewice. Take advantage of more than 200 equestrian centres and set off for the Lodzkie region on horseback!
As a tourist, you surely know that to fully appreciate the value of a place, you have to see it with your own eyes, so visit our region and see it for yourself!
If you still have no idea how to spend your time on a hot summer day, we have the perfect option for you.
Do you prefer short kayak trips with the family or a longer adventure with friends? The Pilica River is recommended to all kayaking enthusiasts in both cases. This eighth-largest river in Poland boasts extremely high tourist value. Surrounded with three landscape parks — Przedborski, Sulejowski and Spalski — it meanders charmingly among the adjacent vast meadows, forests or marshes, creating numerous picturesque islands and bends. Be sure to make a stop at the level of Tomaszów Mazowiecki to see a real pearl of nature, the Niebieskie Źródła (Blue Springs) nature reserve. Between Sulejów and
Smardzewice is the Sulejów Reservoir, which offers a wide range of water sport possibilities. And when you get tired of paddling, you can stop off at one of the many thriving tourist farms and take advantage of both accommodation and
food with elements of regional cuisine. Our Pilica River is a delightful river and is sure to captivate anyone who decides to paddle down it. Have you enjoyed kayaking on the Pilica River and want more? Then it is worth going... down the Warta River! You can be sure that kayaking on the Warta does not require much experience and can be a great idea for a pleasant relaxation in the countryside. Get ready for a wonderful aesthetic discovery of the landscapes of the Załęczański Meander of the Warta River stretching west from Działoszyn. This section is described as the most beautiful
and most varied in terms of nature compared to the entire length of the river and poses no difficulties for kayakists. As you paddle along the river, you can admire picturesque islands, meanders and oxbow lakes, there are many forests, escarpments and ravines on the banks, and there are many karst phenomena in the area, such as caves, monadnocks and karst springs. The entire area is protected within the Załęcze Landscape Park. Beautiful views and an easy waterway make the Warta a river that tourists often choose for their first kayaking adventure. If you have already feasted your eyes on the magnificent views from the Pilica and Warta rivers, let’s continue, because the Bzura is ahead! The picturesquely meandering Bzura is one of the most important Polish rivers, both in terms of landscape and nature. It is called the “wild Bzura” and attracts primarily kayakists, both experienced ones and “beginners”. It is a typical lowland river with a rather gentle current, but it is not without weirs and rapids, and in some sections there are portages or a faster current requiring more caution and attention. The rich fauna and flora will captivate many a tourist. Finally, we have a treat for you connected with the River Rawka. The bed of this more than 90 km long river, flowing through the eastern part of the Lodzkie region, is unregulated and its banks are abundantly covered with lush vegetation. The Rawka is particularly majestic between Skierniewice and Bolimów, where it is included in the Bolimów Landscape Park, while along its entire length, it is protected as a nature reserve. Of course, the Rawka and its natural values are best explored from the perspective of a kayak. The tourist base here is well developed, so you will have no problem renting kayaks even in the
peak summer season. Remember, however, that the Rawka, due to its wild character, is a demanding river, just ideal for more experienced kayakists. When paddling the Rawka, you will find the true spirit of adventure! Fallen tree trunks require numerous portages and the rapid current may capsize your kayak. But the satisfaction after the trip is guaranteed.
Get out of the house and have a great time in nature! You won't regret it; unforgettable memories and a good mood are included in the package, because the rivers of the Lodzkie region are perfect for kayaking!
An autumn walk in the Lodzkie region
The Lodzkie region has many beauty spots. If you are planning a holiday or a weekend, be sure that you will not only have rest but also feast your eyes while travelling around the Lodzkie region.
If the autumn weather is inhospitable — the ideal place to spend your free time is the thermal springs in Uniejów, which draw thermal water through three boreholes from a depth of 2 km. Their beneficial effects on health and beauty have been confirmed by scientific research, and they are particularly appreciated by people suffering from rheumatism, degenerative disc disease, neuralgia and ENT diseases. Due to its properties, the water is called hyperthermal and mineral water. In the vicinity of the Thermal Baths, there is Zagroda Młynarska (Młynarska Homestead), which is a museum and accommodation complex with historical buildings such as windmills — post mills, a cottage from Skotniki or a copy of a barn from Besiekiery with an exhibition of horse carriages and old tools. In the vicinity of this complex, in an area of extensive meadows, there is a brine graduation tower, completing Uniejów’s infrastructure with a new spa treatment facility. Residents, tourists and patients can inhale the beneficial iodine in the facility’s surroundings, the concentration of which is eight times higher than that in the Baltic Sea. The project area has been arranged to facilitate leisure and recreational activities for visitors. There are promenades, a circular pedestrian path and a pump room building with catering services. A characteristic tourist attraction of Uniejów is the Castle of the Archbishops of Gniezno dating back to the first half of the 14th century, heated with geothermal water. Accommodation can be booked there and there is a choice of three flats in each in medieval and eclectic decor.
Natural geothermal water is also used by the Termy Poddębice Water Treatment Centre located near Uniejów. It consists of seven outdoor and indoor swimming pools with a total water surface area of approx. 23,000 m².
Tourists thirsty for knowledge should visit “Giganty Mocy” (“Giants of Power”) — a multimedia exhibition in Bełchatów, consisting of 11 rooms, arranged according to two conceptual lines. “Linia Roku” (“Line of the Year”) is the part devoted to the process of lignite formation, while “Linia Dnia” (“Line of the Day”) presents the technology of coal mining and electricity production. Educational workshops for children and young people on scientific fields such as geology, geography, palaeontology and biology have also been included in the permanent exhibition programme. After such an injection of knowledge, it is essential to see the largest opencast mine in Poland — the Bełchatów Lignite Mine. It is one of the few man-made structures that can be seen from space. The vantage points in Kleszczów and Żłobnica offer an unforgettable view of the opencast mine and power plant. While in the area, it is also worth seeing the highest hill in central Poland — Góra Kamieńska (Kamieńsk Hill, 395 m above sea level), created as a result of a comprehensive reclamation of post-mining areas. Two-wheeler enthusiasts can choose from as many as four cycling routes of varying difficulty, running along the edge of the external dump, covered with lush vegetation. Kamieńsk Hill has the longest and best-prepared ski run in Poland, as well as the following facilities: a sledding track, a chairlift, a ski equipment rental and a climbing wall.
Spała is a small village located on the Pilica River in the former Pilica Forest, now the Spalski Landscape Park. This tranquil holiday settlement is perfect for resting in nature, which was appreciated centuries ago by Polish kings, Russian tsars and the presidents of interwar Poland. It is also worth visiting monuments of very interesting architecture, the most popular of which are: a Polish-style wooden church from 1923, a brick water tower from the beginning of the 20th century and a reinforced concrete bridge over the Pilica River. The symbol of Spała is a life-sized cast-iron statue of a bison — a favourite climbing spot for children. The heart of the settlement is an English-style park with many exotic tree specimens. However, Spała is primarily known for its Central Sports Centre — the Olympic Preparation Centre. It is a professional and comprehensive training and accommodation base, which serves the Polish and foreign national teams of several dozen sports disciplines. The facilities are also available for individual guests.
Our proposed way of spending free time is in line with the trends of a modern contemporary tourist who seeks to relax actively and enjoy an unforgettable experience, which will offer them further beautiful memories, this time from Lodz. Meet us there!
Nature and adventure — the Lodzkie region invites you to a kayak trip and more...
The water routes of the Lodzkie region are a guarantee of great fun, plenty of emotions and unforgettable experiences, and at the same time, rest and relaxation close to nature. Thanks to grants from the Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region, you can enjoy the extensive associated infrastructure, and investments made by local authorities serve the development of water tourism in our region.
Pilica
It’s a good idea to start your kayaking adventure in the Lodzkie region on the Pilica River. The river, surrounded with landscape parks — Przedborski, Sulejowski and Spalski — meanders picturesquely among vast meadows, forests and marshes. For family kayaking trips, we recommend the 19 km route from
Tomaszów Mazowiecki, which leads through the meanders of the Spalski forest to Inowłódz. It takes about 3.5 hours and does not cause any major difficulties. The most beautiful part of the trail is the one from Inowłódz and Zakościel to Mysiakowiec. This part of the Pilica is characterised by a high density of islands and islets, with as many as 30 on the 11 km route. Kayaking tourism is facilitated by a well-developed accompanying infrastructure. Taking this into account, the Pilica Valley is definitely tourist-friendly. Many rest areas have been created along the route, including in Spała, Inowłódz, Kozłowiec
and Mysiakowiec. Arbors with benches and tables have been set up at boat landings, as well as racks for storing kayaks. In addition, in Spała and Inowłódz tourists can use new sanitary facilities. Investments to support kayaking tourism were also made in Łęgi
and Grotowice. For those interested, information boards with a description of the middle Pilica river basin area were set up in Skotniki, Szarbsk and Ostrów.
Warta river
If you have enjoyed kayaking on the Pilica river, it is now time to take a trip down the Warta. The river does not require much experience and can be a great idea for a pleasant relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As you float down the river, you can admire picturesque islands, meanders and oxbow lakes. There are many forests, escarpments and ravines on the shore, and the area is full of karst phenomena, such as caves, monadnocks and karst springs. The most interesting part of the trail is the one from Działoszyn to Przywóz. The route leads through the beautiful landscape of the Załęczański Meander of the Warta River, providing tourists with an extraordinary aesthetic experience. This section of the trail is 28 km of beautiful adventure, for which you will need about 5–6 hours, and with the newly developed stopping places at Lisowice and Bobrowniki, covering individual sections can be spread over the whole day. Experienced paddlers are welcome to join longer trips with overnight stays, of which there are many places in the river area. A curiosity is the newly built holiday cottages made available to kayakists right at the launching point in Osjaków.
Bzura
After Pilica and Warta, we continue our trip. This time on the Bzura. It is a typical lowland river with a rather gentle current, but it is not without weirs and rapids, and in some sections there are portages or a faster current requiring more caution and attention. The rich fauna and flora attracts more and more nature and kayaking tourism enthusiasts. This has contributed to the development of the local infrastructure. The river is well signposted, and so-called floating jetties have been built in Walewice, Strugienice, Klewkowo and Kompin.
Rawka
Finally, we get to a real gem, the Rawka. Its bed is unregulated and its banks are abundantly covered with lush vegetation. It presents itself best at the section of the Bolimów Landscape Park. The entire length of the river is a nature reserve, so before kayaking, remember to obtain a permit from the Regional Director of Environmental Protection by submitting an appropriate application. However, this is not a problem and the procedure takes a relatively short time. The tourist base here is well-developed but it is still worth thinking about booking kayaks in advance, especially in the summer season when the traffic is really heavy. The Rawka, due to its wild character, is a demanding river, ideal for more experienced paddlers. Fallen tree trunks necessitate numerous portages and the rapid current may even capsize the kayak. The Rawka is definitely one of the more extreme rivers, where you need to make use of your physical fitness and technical skills.
On the rivers of the Lodzkie region, a packraft will work just as well as a traditional kayak. This ultralight inflatable kayak is used for the increasingly fashionable packrafting and bikerafting and combines river rafting with trekking or cycling tourism. These are new forms of active tourism that will make it possible for you to explore the wildest and most inaccessible places in our region, using and combining the most beautiful tourist routes in the Lodzkie region.
Maluszyn–Sulejów, or bikerafting with the Pilica River in the lead role
For brave, active tourists who want to try their hand at bikerafting, we have the perfect duo. It is, as mentioned earlier, a water route along the Pilica river using the “Nad Pilicę” cycle trail. The entire route of the cycle trail is approx. 200 km and connects the capital of the Lodzkie region with Piotrków Trybunalski and the areas of the Luciąż and middle Pilica valleys. Following the marked route, you will have the opportunity to admire numerous natural and scenic assets. Along its entire length, in the immediate vicinity of the trail, you will find historical buildings, shrines to the Virgin Mary, nature reserves, conical hillforts and the remains of quarries. We recommend that you start your bikerafting adventure from the perspective of a kayak using the approx. 85 km long section of the water route from Maluszyn to Sulejów. On the other hand, parallel to the river, on its left bank, there is the “Nad Pilicę” cycle trail, which enables you to change from packraft to bicycle at any time. The section of the cycle trail between Maluszyn and Sulejów is ..... km long and, among others, leads through Przedbórz, Bąkowa Góra and Majkowice, where you can admire pearls of defensive architecture.
Our proposed way of spending free time is in line with the trends of a modern contemporary tourist who above all wants to relax close to nature and at the same time enjoy an unforgettable experience, which will offer them further beautiful memories, this time from the Lodzkie region.
Let's collect memories together... — Lodzkie Region
