The idea of landscape potentials account for an interesting approach to the study of natural determinants for spatial planning process. It was used to evaluate balneological potential of three health resorts in Polish Carpathians: Krynica-Zdrój, Rabka-Zdrój and Szczawnica. Apart from the healing properties of waters also bioclimatic characteristics, forest and relief features as well as overall environmental quality was taken into consideration. Additionally, the level of use of this natural potential was analyzed. Consequently, Krynica-Zdrój appeared to have the highest potential of the health resort treatment and at the same time it is the most developed health resort from the visitors' point of view.