Szydłów is located in Lesser Polish Upland, between the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and the Połaniec Plain. The village lies within borders of Chmielnik-Szydłów Protected Landscape Area. The distance to Kielce is 40 kilometers, to Staszów 12 kilometers. Due to numerous plum orchards, the village is called Plum Capital of Poland. Every year, the Plum Festival takes place here. The village is crossed by two regional roads—765th and 756th; furthermore, Szydłów is a stop along Lesser Polish Way.