Termy Szaflary / Chochołowskie / Gorący Potok
The thermal baths in Szaflary are the resort's nearest stop for hot water straight from the earth - about 30 km from Niedzica, just past Nowy Targ, right by the main Zakopane road. The flagship facility is Gorący Potok, the only thermal baths in Podhale with natural, sulphurous geothermal water that is not chemically treated - you bathe in what nature provides, at a temperature of 32 to 40°C. Nearby, Termy Szaflary also operates (thermal water at about 30-38°C), and a dozen or so kilometres further, in Chochołów, await the largest thermal baths in Podhale, Termy Chochołowskie. It makes a good idea for a warming evening after a day on a bike or on the slopes.
About this place
The thermal baths in Szaflary are the resort's nearest stop for hot water straight from the earth - about 30 km from Niedzica, just past Nowy Targ, right by the main Zakopane road. The flagship facility is Gorący Potok, the only thermal baths in Podhale with natural, sulphurous geothermal water that is not chemically treated - you bathe in what nature provides, at a temperature of 32 to 40°C. Nearby, Termy Szaflary also operates (thermal water at about 30-38°C), and a dozen or so kilometres further, in Chochołów, await the largest thermal baths in Podhale, Termy Chochołowskie. It makes a good idea for a warming evening after a day on a bike or on the slopes.
More large thermal complexes nearby - about 30 km away.
Where it comes from
The whole region sits atop one of the warmest geothermal water reservoirs in Poland. The history of Podhale geothermal energy began with the Bańska IG-1 borehole in Bańska Niżna, completed in 1981 at a depth of about 2.7 km, which yielded water above 80°C - it was this borehole that launched the use of geothermal heat to warm homes in Szaflary, Biały Dunajec, Poronin and Zakopane. In the same locality, between 2023 and 2024, the record-breaking Bańska PGP-4 borehole was drilled, reaching 6,103 m and advertised as the deepest geothermal borehole in the world; the planned depth of 7 km could not be reached due to technical difficulties, but it confirmed water at about 120°C at the 5 km level. It is these hot, deep deposits that the local thermal baths draw on.
Good to know
- Gorący Potok bills itself as the only natural thermal baths in Podhale - sulphurous geothermal water flows into the basins straight from deep underground and is not chemically treated (no typical pool chlorine), so it retains its therapeutic properties.
- The water at Gorący Potok has a strong sulphur smell - not a flaw, but proof of its natural, mineral character; the pools maintain a temperature of 32-40°C, making an outdoor bath comfortable even in winter.
- Nearby, in Bańska Niżna, the Bańska PGP-4 borehole was drilled to a depth of 6,103 m, advertised as the deepest geothermal borehole in the world - tangible proof of how hot the deposits lying beneath this area are.
- Podhale geothermal energy is not just about pools: heat from local boreholes warms homes in Szaflary, Biały Dunajec, Poronin and Zakopane, forming one of the largest geothermal installations in Poland.
- Szaflary itself has two separate complexes with similar names - Termy Gorący Potok and Termy Szaflary - while the largest in Podhale, Termy Chochołowskie (about 4,500 m² of water surface, 52 basins), lies in neighbouring Chochołów.
Frequently asked questions - Termy Szaflary / Chochołowskie / Gorący Potok
Short, concrete answers for anyone planning a visit.
How far are the thermal baths in Szaflary from the resort in Niedzica?
About 30 km. The drive goes through Nowy Targ toward the Zakopane road (DK47) - Szaflary lies just past Nowy Targ, so the trip from the resort usually takes about half an hour. A good idea for a warming evening after a day on a bike or on the slopes.
What sets Gorący Potok apart from other thermal pools in Podhale?
Gorący Potok is the only thermal baths in Podhale with natural, sulphurous geothermal water that is not chemically treated (no typical pool chlorine) - you bathe in water straight from deep underground, with its mineral properties and characteristic sulphur smell intact.
What is the water temperature at the thermal baths in Szaflary?
At Gorący Potok the water ranges from 32 to 40°C depending on the basin, while at the neighbouring Termy Szaflary it is about 30-38°C. This makes bathing outdoors pleasant even on frosty winter days.
How many pools are available at Gorący Potok?
Gorący Potok has a dozen or so pool basins of varying character and temperature, along with water attractions and a separate children's zone. For comparison, the largest in the region, Termy Chochołowskie in Chochołów, has about 4,500 m² of water surface and 52 basins.
What are the opening hours and admission prices at the thermal baths in Szaflary?
Termy Szaflary is usually open daily from 9:00 to 22:00, and Gorący Potok operates all week - both facilities, however, change their hours and ticket prices seasonally, so exact details are best checked before your trip on the official website of the given facility (the resort's own information does not specify thermal-bath admission prices).
Gorący Potok, Termy Szaflary or Termy Chochołowskie - which thermal baths should you choose?
Szaflary itself has two separate complexes with similar names: Gorący Potok (the only natural sulphurous water in Podhale, a dozen or so basins) and Termy Szaflary (thermal water at about 30-38°C). A dozen or so kilometres further, in Chochołów, the largest in Podhale, Termy Chochołowskie (about 4,500 m² of water surface, 52 basins), operates - a good choice if you want the most water attractions and slides.
Is it worth going to the thermal baths in Szaflary for just one evening, or should you plan a whole day?
The thermal baths in Szaflary (about 30 km from the resort) work great as a warming evening trip after an active day on an e-bike along the Velo Czorsztyn route or on the slopes - the drive takes about half an hour, and the pools are open until late evening. Those planning a full day of relaxation can combine the visit with a drive through Nowy Targ and also stop at the larger Termy Chochołowskie in the same area.
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Attraction descriptions are based on information from local operators, maps, official websites and the resort team's many years of experience in the Pieniny. Distances and travel times are approximate values measured from Niedzica. Always check current opening hours and tickets directly with the source.
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