Żywiec – Lake, Grojec and the city’s history

Castle Park and Grojec: Garden Landscapes and Mountain Trails

The castle park covers more than 26 hectares and provides a place for residents and tourists to relax and enjoy their free time. Its design as an English landscape garden sets it apart from the trails on Grojec: here, the focus is on a landscaped park, while there, several hiking trails and an educational trail cross a mountain between the Soła and Koszarawa rivers. Grojec lies in the buffer zone of the Żywiec Landscape Park and is included in the Natura 2000 protection plan for the Żywiec Beskids.

When planning your day on Grojec, you can take the trail distances into account: the yellow Rynek–Grojec–Browar mountain trail is 5.6 kilometres long. There is also the 12-kilometre blue urban Szlak Właścicieli Miasta Żywca and the 5.5-kilometre yellow urban Szlak Papieża Jana Pawła II. The three routes therefore range from 5.5 to 12 kilometres.

Water at Lake Żywieckie

Lake Żywieckie was created in 1966 as an artificial reservoir on the Soła and lies north of Żywiec. It invites visitors to enjoy water sports. An educational trail opened in 2018 also runs along its shore. It is more than six kilometres long and is intended for pedestrians and cyclists. The route is another option for anyone who wants to spend time by the lake on foot or by bike.

Żywiec also has cycle paths, bathing areas and a swimming pool. These facilities add to the different ways to incorporate exercise and water into your stay. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a trip focused on outdoor activities, you can consider which of these experiences matter to you when planning your trip—from water sports on the lake to cycling or swimming in the city.

Museums, Brewing History and City Trails

The Żywiec Brewery Museum opened in 2006 in the brewery’s former ageing cellars. Its exhibitions cover the history of the brewery and Żywiec beer from 1856 to the present day. Visitors can sample the beer after visiting the museum. The City Museum has been housed in the Old Castle, also known as the Komorowski Castle, since January 2005. The castle is Żywiec’s oldest non-religious masonry building. Together, the two museums offer different perspectives on the history of the city and its brewery.

An urban walking trail also explores the region’s history: the Żywiecki Szlak Oręża Polskiego was created, marked and described in late 2023. It passes the Museum of Armed Operations of the Żywiecczyzna Region. The Amfiteatr Pod Grojcem offers a different perspective on the city. It is designed for large cultural events, including Tydzień Kultury Beskidzkiej, major entertainment concerts and other large-scale cultural events; its audience seating accommodates 3,000 people.

Animals and a Historical View of Żywiec

At the Stajnia Miejska and Mini Zoo, visitors can see farm animals and free-roaming animals, including Hucul horses, fallow deer, wild boar, llamas and kangaroos. Horse riding is available in the paddock, and visitors can also watch a cow being milked. For families looking for wildlife encounters and an engaging experience of everyday life with animals, these are specific reasons to visit Żywiec.

The Kościół p.w. Świętego Krzyża in the old district of Rudza tells another part of the city’s history. It was built at the end of the 14th century and was probably founded by miners recruited by the House of Thurzo. The church is predominantly Gothic and was later remodelled in the Baroque style. Żywiec brings together a variety of themes: the history of buildings and brewing, landscaped parkland, mountain trails and activities on the water. Which of these you want to shape your stay may also influence your choice of holiday apartment.

Other places

Kocierz Moszczanicki, Bierna, Korbielow, Miedzybrodzie Bialskie, Ujsoly, Nieledwia, Rycerka Górna, Milowka, Tresna, Żabnica, Radziechowy, Czernichów, Żywiec, Złatna, Zwardoń, Lipowa, Bystra, Miedzybrodzie Zywieckie, Lodygowice, Świnna, Krzyżowa, Pietrzykowice, Mutne, Soblówka, Kamesznica, Jeleśnia, Węgierska Górka, Gilowice, Pewel Ślemieńska, Przyłęków, Cisiec, Glinka, Sól, Okrajnik, Koszarawa, Sopotnia Wielka, Łękawica, Ślemień and Wieprz.

For the broader travel overview: Silesia.