Zakrzówek may not be the easiest word to pronounce but it is one of the most beautiful places to visit.

For starters, there’s its deep blue lake, 50 hectares of extraordinarily refreshing water and multiple pools of varying depths for splashing, swimming and diving.

These include machinery, vehicles, and a granite plaque commemorating Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II, who worked at the quarry during World War II.

Zakrzówek in retrospect
Starting its life as a limestone quarry in the early 20th century to serve Kraków's construction needs, after quarrying activities ceased in the 1990s, Zakrzówek was intentionally flooded in 1992 to form today’s picturesque artificial lake.
Now split into two basins, from the time it was flooded Zakrzówek had a swimming ban, a law honored more in the breach than the observance. However, the ban was lifted on June 1, 2023, in anticipation of the opening of its outdoor public swimming pools at the reservoir later that month.

And for good reason. Despite its beauty and tranquility, Zakrzówek sometimes gives in to a darker reality.
In June 2024, a man jumped off one of the cliffs and disappeared.
Despite hours of searching by emergency services, his body was never found. But that didn’t stop people from trying to take a dip.
Still better than most
For despite the dangers, a more likely risk is getting a splinter from the wooden panels at the swimming pools.
Beyond the lake, the surrounding area offers lush, forested trails that wind through Kraków’s natural landscape.
The park surrounding the lake is crisscrossed with narrow, winding paths that lead through dense forests, making it ideal for walks or hikes. Just a short distance from the lake, about a 10-minute walk, lies Krakow’s largest cave — the Twardowski Cave.
So, difficult to pronounce? Yes! Easy to get to? Yes! Worth it? Absolutely! With its stunning cliffs, mysterious waters, and peaceful forest trails, Zakrzówek remains one of Kraków’s most unique destinations.