Rytr Castle – what to know before visiting the ruins?

Rytro Castle ruins draw many tourists each year. Before you go, check how to get to the castle, where to stay overnight, and what to take on your trip.

How to get to the castle and what to pack.

Rytro Castle sits on a hill right of Poprad Valley, at 463 m above sea level. Start at the end of Barania Droga Road in Rytrо, with free parking. The climb to the summit takes 20–30 minutes, is well signposted, but can be steep and stony.

Before you set off, it’s worth bringing:

• comfortable shoes with a thicker sole— the path can be
• water, especially in summer;
• pack weather-appropriate clothes; it’s windier at the top.
• a charged phone with offline maps;
• a camera or smartphone—the valley panorama is photo-worthy.

Great for families too, but watch your step near the walls. From our hotel to Rytro Castle: by car in 8 minutes, by bike in about 20 minutes. For a full-day walk, on foot from the hotel you’ll reach the ruins in about an hour.

History and architecture of Rytro Castle

The first written mention is 17 April 1312, about collecting customs duties. In the 15th century it belonged to the starosts of Sącz; later it became part of the royal domain.

Today you can still see a cylindrical tower from the original building (outside diameter 9.5 m), about 10 m high. There are also sections of surrounding walls and remains of a residential building.

The complex includes the main castle on a five-sided plan and a northern-side outbuilding. The courtyard was enclosed on three sides by walls and on the fourth by a residential building.

But Rytro is more than the castle: in the area you’ll find hiking and cycling routes in the Sądecki Beskid, Poprad rafting trips, and in winter an open ski slope with a chairlift right by the hotel. Drive from Nowy Sącz takes about 30 minutes by car.

A trip to Rytro Castle—what do you get if you book a stay with us?

FAQ—most frequently asked questions