Zakrzówek is a flooded limestone quarry about 4 km southwest of Krakow's Old Town, where turquoise water sits below white cliffs up to 30 metres high. Since 2023 it has been an official city park with a supervised summer bathing area, and on a hot day it is the closest thing Krakow has to a beach.
What it is
Limestone was quarried here for decades; Karol Wojtyła, later Pope John Paul II, worked at the quarry as a labourer during the German occupation. When extraction ended in the early 1990s, the pit filled with groundwater, creating a deep, startlingly clear lake that locals swam in unofficially for years. The city redeveloped the site as Park Zakrzówek, opened in 2023, adding paths, viewing platforms and a regulated bathing zone built on floating pontoons. The crags around it, the Twardowski Rocks, take their name from the Krakow legend of the sorcerer Pan Twardowski.
What to see and do
- The summer bathing area: pontoon pools set into the lake, staffed by lifeguards in season. Capacity is limited on hot days, so check the current rules and hours before you go.
- Cliff-top viewpoints: platforms and paths around the rim look straight down on the turquoise water. This is the photo everyone comes for, and it costs nothing.
- Walking trails: the park and the Twardowski Rocks are laced with paths through greenery and old quarry terrain, good for an hour's wander away from the centre.
- Rock climbing: the limestone walls hold bolted routes and have been a training ground for Krakow climbers for years. For experienced climbers with their own gear.
Practical information
The park is open to walkers year-round and entry is free. Swimming is allowed only in the supervised bathing area during the summer season; entering the water anywhere else is prohibited and genuinely dangerous, since the lake is deep and cold even in August and the rock walls drop straight in. Facilities are limited compared with a commercial pool, so bring water and sun protection. Season dates and bathing rules are set by the city and can change, so check current information before a special trip.
Getting there
Take tram 8 to the Norymberska stop, then walk about 10 minutes to the park entrances. By bike, follow the Vistula boulevards southwest and cut inland through Dębniki. From the Old Town the trip takes around half an hour door to door.
Tips
On hot summer weekends arrive early, because the bathing zone can fill to capacity before midday. The viewpoints are at their best in strong midday and afternoon sun, when the water shows its most vivid turquoise. If you want a green half-day, pair Zakrzówek with a climb up Krakus Mound on the other side of the river for the best natural panorama of the city. For where a swim day fits into a longer itinerary, see our Krakow guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Zakrzówek?
Yes, but only in the supervised bathing area during the summer season. Swimming anywhere else in the lake is banned and dangerous. Check the city's current rules for dates and hours.
Is Zakrzówek free to visit?
The park, trails and viewpoints are free year-round. Check the current arrangements for the bathing area before you visit, as rules and capacity limits change from season to season.
How do I get to Zakrzówek from the Old Town?
Tram 8 to Norymberska and a 10-minute walk is the simplest route. Cycling along the river and through Dębniki is a pleasant alternative in summer.
Why is the water so blue?
The lake fills a limestone quarry, and the pale rock and mineral-rich water give it a turquoise colour that is especially vivid in bright sunlight.
Can you jump from the cliffs?
No. Cliff jumping is prohibited and has caused serious accidents in the past. Enjoy the cliffs from the viewpoints and swim only in the supervised zone.
Other places worth seeing
Ready to explore?
Book a tour, hop on an electric cart, or arrange a private transfer.