Terma Bania (Białka Tatrzańska)

About 20 kilometres down the Białka valley, usually a 25-30 minute drive. It makes a convenient afternoon outing, for instance after a day of skiing or cycling by Lake Czorsztyn.

The complex has a dozen or so pool basins - fifteen exactly - both indoor and outdoor, filled with geothermal water at 34-38°C. There are also slides totalling more than 300 metres, including the winding Anaconda and the super-fast Turbo.

The water comes from a borehole about 2,500 metres deep, drilled on the site of the complex itself. At the source it reaches about 78°C (some sources give 72°C) and only after shedding some heat is it fed into the recreational pools.

Yes - the water temperature in the recreational basins stays within 34-38°C regardless of the season, so a swim in the outdoor pools with a view of the Tatras is comfortable in winter too.

Yes, the relaxation zone with its sauna complex covers over 1,000 m² and houses nearly every popular sauna variant, including dry, steam and infrared saunas, plus a salt inhalation wall. It makes a natural end to a day of activity on the snow or on a bike.

Yes - the water at Terma Bania is mineral-rich and contains, among other things, sulphides, silica, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron, retained despite being cooled before filling the pools. This makes the thermal baths not just a warmer pool, but a genuinely relaxing attraction.

The idea for the complex was born in 2006, and the project itself was carried out between 2009 and 2011, partly with EU funding. It is one of the geothermal recreational-and-therapeutic investments in Podhale, using the region's rich underground hot-water deposits.

Yes - fifteen basins with varying functions, including the Anaconda and Turbo slides, make the complex appealing to both children and adults looking to relax in the sauna zone. It is a handy complement to your resort stay, which already has its own seasonal pool, while Terma Bania runs all year, making it a good option on days with poor weather too.

It works best as an afternoon or evening stop after a day of activity - skiing in winter or cycling by Lake Czorsztyn in summer - since the distance from the resort is only about 20 km. Current ticket prices and opening hours are best checked with the complex operator before your visit, as they can change seasonally.