It is the biggest spa town in Poland often called the Pearl of Polish Spas; and a popular tourist and winter sports destination situated in the heart of the Beskids mountain range.

[2] In 1856, the town began rapidly developing into a health resort largely thanks to the activities of Józef Dietl, a Jagiellonian University professor considered the "father of Polish balneology".

In the interbellum period the town attracted such individuals as Ludwik Solski, Helena Modjeska, Władysław Reymont, Julian Tuwim, K.I.

[1] Due to its convenient location, infrastructure and rail connections with major cities in Europe, Krynica-Zdrój (Zdrój means mineral spring in Polish) was the location of winter sports tournaments during the interwar period, including the 1931 World Ice Hockey Championships and the 1935 FIL European Luge Championships.

Nearby Beskid Sądecki mountains are also a perfect setting for recreational cross-country skiing in winter and hiking as well as mountain-biking in summer.