Surrounded by mountains and lying at the crossing of international transport routes leading through the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Southern Europe, Bielsko-Biała is not only the regional capital, but also an important tourist centre. Tourists set out from Bielsko-Biała, at the foot of Szyndzielnia, into the Beskid Mountains and surrounding areas.

The River Biała, which divides Bielsko and Biała, is also the border between Cieszyn Silesia and Małopolska. Another, western border of both Cieszyn and Poland is the River Olza. It divides the town of Cieszyn into two – Polish and Czech Cieszyn. The largest road border crossing in Southern Poland lies over the River Olza. Tourists like to stop in Cieszyn to admire monuments e.g. the legendary Well of Three Brothers, the old town tenement houses or the Romanesque rotunda picture of which adorns the 20 złoty banknote.

Bielsko-Biała's northern neighbour is Czechowice-Dziedzice, a buoyant centre of industry and active cultural focal point. A substantial area of this region is greens – forests and water reservoirs. Species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in Poland, live in "Rotuz" peat reserve. The "Sokoły" nursery ponds are the only place in Poland where the night heron builds its nest. In Czechowice's Palatial Park one can admire the beautiful hardbeam avenue and an interesting composition of small-leaved limes cut into candelabra.

Proudly rising above the land of Cieszyn, the Silesian Beskid region is not only known for the beauty of its mountainous landscapes, stretching from the summits of Barania Góra, Czantoria, Stożek or Skrzyczne, but also for its health resorts. Such resorts in Wisła, Ustroń and Jaworze offer specialist rehabilitation and treatment of many illnesses.

Cieszyn Silesia is also rich in folk culture. Each year in August, in Wisła's amphitheatre and on stages in several towns of Beskid, one can admire the diversity of mountain folklore at the annual Beskid Culture Week, in which groups from Poland and abroad take part. The works of Beskid craftsmen e.g. delicate Koniaków lace are known around the world as well.

A major attraction bringing tourists to the Beskid region is the sports recreation on offer. As well as many tourist trails, the mountains also have the country's largest system of ski lifts and cable cars serving ski runs in Szczyrk, Ustroń and Wisła. Korbielów or Zwardoń are becoming further major ski resorts and the new border pass with Slovakia facilitates tourism, sport and recreation on both sides of the border.

Żywiec, situated in the Żywiec Valley, is famous for its beer named after the town. The brand of the beverage was created by the Habsburgs, whose classicistic palace together with Renaissance castle can be admired in the beautiful municipal park.

The water reservoir of the pumped-storage
power station on Żar Mountain

In the vicinity of the town the man-made Lake Żywieckie, together with the second reservoir Lake Międzybrodzkie, provide excellent water sport facilities: sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and water-skiing. Żar Mountain attracts gliding, hang-gliding and paragliding enthusiasts. From here they start an airborne tour over picturesque, panoramic views of mountains and valleys. There is also a famous gliding school on Żar, whereas the mountain itself conceals an electric pumped-storage power station within.

To the east of Bielsko-Biała are the Małopolska towns through which runs the ages-old road to Cracow. One of these towns, Wadowice, is the birthplace of the most eminent figure at the turn of the millennium – Karol Wojtyła, Pope John Paul II. Pilgrims like to visit places of the Pope's childhood and youth as well as the monumental basilica of Wadowice. Nearby Kalwaria Zebrzydowska has a wonderful Bernardine Monastery with its famous Way of the Cross and the extermination camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau, reminding us of Nazi crimes against humanity, are a short drive away.

In the areas of Sucha Beskidzka and Zawoja you can experience the atmosphere of mountain expeditions and the beauty of nature. Here rises the highest peak of the Western Beskid mountains – Babia Góra (1725 metres above sea level) overgrown with alpine vegetation rarely found below 2000 m above sea level.

The Market Square in Wadowice