As one of the largest towns in the area, Sanok boasts an open-air museum and a regional museum located in the old castle. The open-air museum, the largest and most interesting of its kind in the country, consists of several dozen wooden buildings displaying the way of life of Lemkos, Bojek, Dolinian and Pogorzan ethnic groups that have lived here at one time or other. While the museum owns a collection of Carpathian icons, the most extensive and precious assembly of religious paintings is housed in Sanok castle. Besides icons, the museum presents paintings by Zdzislaw Beksinski; one of Poland’s most esteemed contemporary artists.

Lesko is especially worth seeing for its Mannerist defensive synagogue, which bears the inscription in Hebrew: “What great fear this place evokes, for it is the house of God”. One of Poland’s oldest Jewish graveyards is also located in the town, on a hill shaded with ancient trees. There are superbly sculpted tombs here, some of which date from as early as the 16th century.

There are 59 small wooden Orthodox churches to be found in the Bieszczady, in such towns as Smolnik, Rownia, Michniowiec, Hoszow and Bystre. Famous for their unique architecture, the Orthodox churches have now become an integral part of the region’s landscape and culture. At present, the majority of them are owned by Roman Catholics, only six by Orthodox church and three by Greek Catholics.

In a timber cloister of the Holy Family of Nazareth one can visit a room dedicated to the memory of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, who was interned here by the communist authorities in the years 1955-1956.

Laced with trails, the Bieszczady Mountains are a haven for hikers, partly because they have the appearance of being deserted. Crossing the measureless meadows known as poloniny, you will find the remains of old villages and lonely huts bound to please any romantic soul. The highest summit of the Bieszczady chain is Tarnica (1346 m). Also Mt. Krzemieniec (1221), situated on the Polish-Slovak-Ukrainian border, and nearby Wielka Rawka (1307) provides beautiful views of the range.

Of all mountainous national parks in the country, the Bieszczady National Park is the only one boasting a number of horse riding trails. Horse-studs are situated in Ustrzyki Gorne, Komancza, Cisna, Czarna, Smolnik, Wetlina, Zubracze, Lutowiska and several other villages.

Water sports enthusiasts will find much to do in Bieszczady. Lake Solina provides ample room for sailing and canoeing and you can also enjoy a boat ride aboard the “White Navy”. The most popular locations are Polanczyk and Myczkowce. Another wet attraction is floating down the river San on traditional wooden rafts.

In the Bieszczady, mountain bikers are free to use all slope paths and country roads with the exception of the high mountain hiking trails. Skilled cyclists will appreciate a two-day excursion along the valley of the river San from Berezka to Terka (ca. 40 km) through Nasiczne-Zatwarnica.

The area’s mild and very often treeless slopes make for great cross-country skiing. Amateurs are recommended to try one of the following places: Solina, Ustrzyki Dolne, Ustrzyki Gorne, Polanczyk or Wetlina.

Take a ride on a 100-year-old narrow-gauge railway, connecting Wola Michowa with Majdan. This is a great tourist attraction for it provides scenic views of the landscape. Keep an eye out for delightful timber Orthodox churches – you will see a lot of them on the way.

Though the Bieszczady are quite low and mild, they offer the opportunity to practise skiing, especially for beginners and mid-experienced skiers. The most popular winter centres are: Arlamow, Ustrzyki Gorne, Ustrzyki Dolne, Cisna, Komancza, and Kalnica.

The best conditions to practise these fascinating sports can be found on Bezmiechowa Gorna (in the Slonne Mountains area, a few kilometres from Lesko) and Weremien (near Lesko).

The extremely beautiful and old city of Lviv is situated only some 65 km from the Polish border. It is easiest to get there from Przemysl (Medyka border crossing), the nearest large town (some 60 km north of Bieszczady).