The aim of the paper was to present different functions of rural tourism and agrotourism as well as their effects on the socio-economic progress in Płaska commune including its multifunctionality being a basis of sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. It was found that the tourism development on peripheral areas enables their socio-economic progress and creating new functions delivering more incomes for farmers and rural inhabitants. The tourism development affects also positively agricultural land use which is needed for maintenance of ecological balance, landscape protection and continuing cultural tradition needed for regional identity of the inhabitants. Finally, it was detected that tourism function was an important component of sustainable development of Płaska commune.