Located in a beautiful setting not far from Warsaw, the town has an interesting collection of villas dating back to the interwar period, along with newly built modern family homes and mansions.

Due to the town being served by this light railway line, it is easily accessed from central Warsaw.

On 1 September 1939, the first day of World War II, bombs fell on Podkowa Leśna that the Luftwaffe had intended for Warsaw.

It is historically has attracted residents from the arts, culture and politics and is increasingly popular with wealthy professionals and business people.

Just beyond the edge of the forest to the North West is a modern shopping centre called "Galeria Podkowa".