The best places in the Warsaw area to admire autumn leaves and fall foliage

The queen of Warsaw parks – the Łazienki Garden – does not disappoint in autumn

The huge park surrounding the summer residence of the last Polish king. A must-see on your Warsaw bucket list, every season of the year. The photos speak for themselves! Our tips in English on visiting the Łazienki Garden.

A huge landscape park in Wilanów

The Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów in Warsaw is a baroque summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski and his wife, Queen Maria Kazimiera. Not everyone knows that the area next to the Wilanów Palace is 45 hectares! You will find there not only modeled palace gardens in the baroque style, but also a river and a huge landscape park. Our tips in English on visiting the Wilanów Palace Garden.

October – the last chance this year to visit the garden located on the roof of the Warsaw University library

The Garden is located on the roof of a new building of the University of Warsaw Library (in Powiśle) and is one of the largest roof gardens in Europe. From the top, you will have a wonderful view of Warsaw, including the Vistula river and the Palace of Culture and Science. The library Garden has two parts: the upper garden on the roof and the lower garden where you will find the ponds, the fountain, and the granite sculptures. The Lower Garden is open all year, and the Roof Garden is open from April 1 until the end of October. Our tips in English on visiting the Roof Garden of the Warsaw University Library.

Kampinos Forest near Warsaw: 350 km of hiking trails

The Kampinos Forest (Puszcza Kampinoska) is located right next to the northwestern border of Warsaw. Most of its area is protected within the Kampinoski National Park (Kampinoski Park Narodowy). This is very unique on a global scale – the national park borders on the capital of the state! 

Visitors can enjoy here 350 km of hiking trails, a 200 km long bicycle trail, horse trails, 10 educational paths, 19 parking lots, and 12 rest areas located on the edge of the park. Our tips in English on visiting the Kampinos Forest near Warsaw.

Maple leaves in fall foliage colors in one of the biggest botanical gardens in Poland, 100 km from Warsaw

Looking for a weekend trip idea and the best photo spots in Poland? You will find them in one of the biggest (over 50 hectares) botanical gardens in Poland – the Arboretum Forest Educational Center in Rogów near Łódź. The Arboretum in Rogów has one of the most valuable plant collections in Europe. It’s “a forest park”, located in the thinned-out area of the forest.  Our tips in English on visiting the Arboretum in Rogów.

Photo source: www.arboretum.sggw.pl

Foreign languages libraries in Warsaw – an interactive map by districts

In every district of Warsaw, there are libraries that are available to everyone (including foreigners), free for everyone. Just come, sign up and borrow books! Many of Warsaw’s libraries offer books not only in Polish but also in other languages – books for both adults and children. For example, the biggest library in Warsaw offering books in different foreign languages (located in Praga, Meissnera 5 Street, Facebook page, website in Polish and English) has over 50,000 books, audiobooks, and films, including books for children and teenagers. Most of their collection is in English but there are also books in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian. 

How to check where libraries are located and which library in Warsaw provides books in foreign languages? There is an easy way to do that! An interactive map of Warsaw has been developed, by clicking on your district you can check the addresses of libraries that borrow books in foreign languages.

Click here to explore the interactive map of foreign languages libraries in Warsaw (by districts, a map available in Polish, English, Russian).

Things to do indoors in Warsaw for rainy and cold days

Cosmos Discovery – Space Exhibition (only until the end of October)
Location: Muzeum Nowa Praga, Jagiellońska 82A Street (Praga), Location on Google map. Open every day 9 am – 8 pm. Tickets to be purchased onsite or online. Children up to 6 free entrance. The exhibition shows the development of space flights from the first historical attempts up to today’s missions. It features 200+ original objects from the United States, Russia, and Poland. The Exhibition’s Museum website in Polish. Facebook event in Polish. The Exhibition runs from September 15 until October 31, 2021. There are 2 versions of the audio guide: one intended mainly for adult visitors and high school students. The second version is simplified and fun in the form of a boy-astronaut conversation, this version is suitable for children under the age of 14. Both versions of the audio guide are also available in English.

The NBA Exhibition (from October 8) – an interactive exhibition presenting the culture, history and lifestyle associated with the NBA
Location: Centrum Praskie Koneser, Plac Konesera (Praga). Online tickets. The bespoke touring exhibition will provide fans of all ages with multiple touch points to interact with the NBA. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in customized activations including VR experiences, an opportunity to have a photo taken with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, play the latest NBA2K22 game and much more. The exhibition also includes a 50+ pieces display of rare and autographed items of NBA merchandise from players past and present. More in English. Facebook event in Polish.

Roller skating and rollerblading indoor hall – ‘Wrotkarnia’
Location: Wrotkarnia, Połczyńska 115 Street (Bemowo). 12 pm – 8 pm. Entrance fee + equipment rental 20 PLN Monday-Friday, 25 PLN weekend. Entrance fee Monday-Friday 15 PLN , weekend 20 PLN. Facebook page. Website. Children under 5 are not allowed in Wrotkarnia. You can bring your own roller skates or rent on site.

Swimming in “Wodny Park Warszawianka” – indoor water park in Mokotów
Location: Wodny Park Warszawianka, Dominika Merliniego 4 Street, 02-511 Warszawa (location on Google map). 4 km from the city center (in the Mokotów district). The recreational part of the Water Park includes a recreational and swimming pool with a maximum depth of 1.40 m, a paddling pool for children with an elephant-shaped slide, an artificial river, pipe-shaped slides (45 and 72 meters long) with separate landing pads, an open slide inside the swimming pool hall (15 meters long), outdoor year-round heated pool, connected to the main pool hall. The sports part of the Water Park includes 50-meter “Olympic” swimming pool with 10 lanes. Website in English. Facebook page.

Ice skating in October? Yes! On the “Torwar” indoor ice rink 
Location: Torwar, Łazienkowska 6A Street (city center). The 2021/2022 season began on September 23. Opening hours: Tuesday 8 pm – 9.30 pm, Thursday 8 pm – 9.30 pm, Saturday 6.30 pm – 8 pm, Sunday 11 am – 12.30 pm (including a separated area for kids) and 6.30 pm – 8 pm. During each slot, there is a rental and a sharpening room available. Website, info about tickets, online tickets, and Facebook page. 

Eating out in one of Warsaw indoor food halls
Are you going out for lunch with a group of friends or family, but everyone wants something different? Sounds familiar? Food halls will settle restaurant selection fights. They offer a wide variety of ethnic cuisines and local restaurant concepts. A great solution for breakfast, lunch or dinner in a group – everyone orders from a different restaurant and eats at a common table. Click here to read our post featuring food halls in Warsaw (Elektrownia Powiśle, Hala Gwardii, Hala Koszyki, Browary Warszawskie – Warsaw Breweries).

Copernicus Science Center 
Location: Centrum Nauki Kopernik, Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20 Street (Powiśle). The largest science center in Poland. A great idea to spend time indoors for both children and adults. When planning your visit, remember that 2-3 hours at the Copernicus Center is a minimum! You can visit the Copernicus Center also with little kids – there is the Buzzz! gallery – a separated playing area dedicated to children up to 5. Our tips in English on visiting the Center.

Planetarium in the Copernicus Science Center
Location: the Planetarium building next to Copernicus Science Center, Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20 Street (Powiśle), online tickets. The Planetarium screens films for adults and kids at a different age – some for 3+ audience, and some shows for teenagers (2D and 3D screenings). Most of the screenings can also be viewed in the English audio version with headphones (and some in Russian). Admission to the Planetarium only for children over 3 years old. Click here to read our tips on visiting the Planetarium.

Indoor mini zoo/petting zoo  
Location: Mini Zoo, Kolorowa 19/156 Street, poziom/level -1 (Ursus), Monday – Friday 11 am – 7 pm, Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm. At the Mini Zoo, you can feed and stroke the animals. The visits take place in the company of a Mini ZOO employee who will show and teach how to deal with animals. The Mini Zoo is located in the indoor heated room; tickets available for purchase on-site, no reservation is required. Facebook page. Website in Polish.

Museums to visit with teenagers who love Instagram
There are three museums (or rather selfie exhibitions?) in Warsaw that every teenager (and adult) who has an Instagram account will love.Be Happy Museum – Selfie Point. Location: Atrium Reduta shopping center, al. Jerozolimskie 148 Street (Ochota), online tickets. Dozens of scenes to take photos and rooms with the illusion (e.g. a pool with Marshmallow foams, a banana swing, magical unicorns). More in English about the Museum. Selfie Museum Warsaw. Location: Grzybowska 80/82 Street (city center). To book a slot/visit call +48 537 106 459. Facebook, Instagram. The Museum “World of Illusion”. Location: Świat Iluzji, Rynek Starego Miasta 21 (the Old Town Market Square), online tickets. More in English about the Museum.

Visit Foreign Languages Library
Location: Meissnera 5 Street (Praga). It’s the biggest library in Warsaw offering books in different foreign languages. It has over 50,000 books, audiobooks, and films, including books for children and teenagers. Most of their collection is in English but there are also books in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, and Croatian. Facebook page in Polish & English. Website in Polish and English. Click here to explore the interactive map of foreign languages libraries in Warsaw (by districts, a map available in Polish, English, Russian).

A new permanent exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum “African Expeditions, Asian Ways”
Location: Państwowe Muzeum Etnograficzne, Kredytowa 1 Street (city center). Free entrance on Thursdays.  Opening hours:  Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 am – 5 pm, Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm, Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm. The new permanent exhibition is the culmination of a project aimed at modernizing the historic building of the Museum. The exhibition presents the cultural heritage of Africa and Asia gathered in the Museum’s collection. The stories tell about the past, about how these continents were seen through the collections of the Museum created in the 19th and 20th centuries. 1,300 objects are displayed on the museum’s two floors. More in English about the Exhibition. Click here to read our tips in English about visiting the Museum.

The exhibition of live spiders and scorpions
Location: the Palace of Culture and Science, pl. Defilad 1, entrance from Marszałkowska Street, open every day, 10 am – 7 pm, online tickets: regular 22 PLN, reduced 18 PLN, family 2+2 60 PLN, children up to 4 free entrance. Each weekend (every hour on the hour), the visitors can hold a spider (the most gentle tarantula) in their hand and take close photographs with the assist of an exhibition employee. More in Polish about the Exhibition.

Going to the movies – children’s movie in ENGLISH, without Polish subtitles
Location: Cinema City, Sadyba Best Mall, Powsińska 31 Street (Sadyba/Mokotów), 5 pm. The screenings in English, without subtitles. To purchase your tickets please contact Brian Mason at brianmason79@gmail.com or 668 519 462 (adult 35 PLN,  child 25 PLN). ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ (October 1), ‘Rons Gone Wrong’ (October 15), ‘Encanto’ (December 3).

A visit to the museum – a good idea to escape the rain and cold
Too cold to stay outside? Another rainy day? It’s time to visit the museum! Explore the city with our list of museums and galleries in Warsaw. Click here to read our post about museums and galleries in Warsaw – there’s one to suit every interest and many of them are free to visit. The list includes for example – The Museum for Children, Warsaw Railway Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Warsaw, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, Chopin Museum in Warsaw, Museum of Life under Communism.

Events in Warsaw in October 2021

“Raya and the Last Dragon” –  children’s movie in ENGLISH, without Polish subtitles
October 1. Location: Cinema City, Sadyba Best Mall, Powsińska 31 Street (Sadyba/Mokotów), 5 pm. The screening in English, without subtitles. To purchase your tickets please contact Brian Mason at brianmason79@gmail.com or 668 519 462 (adult 35 PLN,  child 25 PLN). The next screenings in English: ‘Raya’ (October 1), ‘Rons Gone Wrong’ (October 15), ‘Encanto’ (December 3).

Weekend Horse Racing at Tor Służewiec Racetrack 
October 2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31. Location: Tor Wyścigów Konnych Służewiec, Puławska 266 Street (Ursynów), online tickets (children up to 5 free entrance). The Służewiec Horse Racetrack is not only a horse race but also an important monument in Warsaw – the track was opened in June 1939, at that time it was the most modern and largest horse racing track in Europe. Of course, you don’t have to play sports betting if you don’t want to. It’s fun to watch the horses (sometimes you can even get up close), the children can play on the playground, you can eat something, and the race area itself is a huge green space! It is also worth paying attention to the kilometer-long wall separating the area of the Racing Track from Puławska Street, which has become a street gallery of Polish graffiti artists. Horse racing in Warsaw takes place almost every weekend, from May to mid-November. Race weekend calendar. How to get there? The easiest way to get there is by car, through the main gate at Puławska Street, where there is a large parking lot. You can also take tram no. 4 or 10 to the terminus. Website in English.

Street Food Festival in Bemowo – end of season & Holi – Festival of Colors
October 1-3. Location: Park Górczewska, Friday 3 pm – 89 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm, free entrance. Holi – Festival of Colors: 2 pm – 6 pm.Facebook event in Polish – street food. Facebook event in Polish – Holi.

Charity Garage Sale At British Primary School of Wilanow
October 2.Location: British Primary School of Wilanow, Hlonda 12 Street (Wilanów), 10 am – 12 pm. Proceeds from stall hire at the event go to Smile Warsaw – a multi-national volunteer community which comes together every Sunday to provide food, clothes and haircuts for the poor and homeless of Warsaw. Facebook event in English.

Fair of craft brands creating ceramics, jewelery, furniture, accessories, clothes, stationery – “Niech Żyje Rzemiosło!”
October 2.Location: Elektrownia Powiśle shopping mall, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle), 11 am – 7 pm. Facebook event in Polish.

“Fireman Sam” (Strażak Sam) – theater for children
October 2.Location: Scena Relax, Złota 8 Street (city center), 3 performances: 10 am, 12.30 pm, 3 pm. Duration: 65 minutes (no breaks). Online tickets. Facebook event in Polish.

Avant Art Festival
Until October 2.Different locations in Warsaw. International Festival of experimental and avant-garde music, performance, and experimental electronics. More info in English, including the detailed agenda. Facebook event in Polish.

Runmageddon – mud run & obstacle course race for adults and kids
October 2-3.Location: Promenada Zegrze, ul. Spacerowa 35, 05-126 Białobrzegi. Adults, 3 age groups for children and family run. More in Polish. Facebook event in Polish.

The 18th Chopin International Piano Competition
October 2-23. Location: Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, First prize-winner’s concert  – Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera. The Competition is held every five years and was initiated in 1927. One of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. Online tickets. Click here to read more in English, including the detailed agenda of concerts.

Warsaw Gallery Weekend 
Until October 3.An annual festival (exhibitions and special events) of contemporary art, put together by private galleries in Warsaw, free entrance to 31 galleries in Warsaw. Facebook event in Polish and English. The list of galleries and the program in English.

Warsaw off ART – international independent modern art festival
Until October 3. Three locations in Warsaw: Elektrownia Powiśle, Hala Gwardii, Art in House. Facebook event in Polish. The program in English.

Several streets closed to car traffic: “Run Warsaw/Biegnij Warszawo” – running competition in the center of Warsaw
October 3. Several streets in the city center will be closed for car traffic (the area around Łazienki Park), 10 am – 3 pm. Website of the event, including a map.

Greenville – fair of plants and natural products
October 3. Location: Elektrownia Powiśle shopping mall, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle), 11 am – 6 pm, free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

Opening of The NBA Exhibition – an interactive exhibition presenting the culture, history and lifestyle associated with the NBA
From October 8.Location: Centrum Praskie Koneser, Plac Konesera (Praga). Online tickets. The bespoke touring exhibition will provide fans of all ages with multiple touch points to interact with the NBA. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in customized activations including VR experiences, an opportunity to have a photo taken with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, play the latest NBA2K22 game and much more. The exhibition also includes a 50+ pieces display of rare and autographed items of NBA merchandise from players past and present. More in English. Facebook event in Polish.

“Oh!Baby” Fair – products for mums-to-be and children
October 8-9. Location: Świat Dziecka store, Okęcie Park shopping center, Aleja Krakowska 61 Street, 10 am – 8 pm, free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

Weekend with Japan – fair of Japanese cuisine and products, cultural events
October 8-10. Location: Hala Gwardii, Plac Żelaznej Bramy 1 (city center), free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

37th International Warsaw Film Festival (Warszawski Festiwal Filmowy)
October 8-17.Location: Kinoteka movie theater (located in the Palace of Culture and Science) and Multikino Złote Tarasy movie theater (located in Złote Tarasy shopping center). The biggest international film festival in Poland. All films will be screened with Polish and English subtitles. More in English, including the detailed agenda.

“The Royal Garden of Light” – the opening of the illuminations festival in the Wilanów Palace Garden
October 9. Location: Wilanów Garden, Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street. Click here to read Kids in the City tips in English about the illuminations festival (opening hours, tickets, parking lots etc.). The outdoor Exhibition runs until February 27, 2022.

Fair of slow fashion, accessories, products for children, design
October 9-10. Location: Elektrownia Powiśle shopping center, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle), free entrance, Saturday 10 am – 9 pm, Sunday 11 am – 7 pm. Facebook event in Polish.

Fair of houseplants
October 9-10.Location: Centrum Praskie Koneser, Plac Konesera (Praga), Saturday 8 am – 8 pm, Sunday 8 am – 6 pm, free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

“Wege Festiwal” – fair of vegan food, products, cosmetics, accessories 
October 10. Location: the Palace of Culture and Science, plac Defilad 1, 12 pm – 7 pm, online tickets. Facebook event in Polish.

“Eko-piękno” – fair of natural cosmetics
October 10. Location: the Palace of Culture and Science, plac Defilad 1, 12 pm – 7 pm, children up to 12 free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

Festival and fair of chocolate and coffee
October 10. Location: the Palace of Culture and Science, plac Defilad 1, 12 pm – 7 pm. Facebook event in Polish.

Rewear Market – Glamour and H&M – second-hand clothes and accessories fair
October 10.Location: Elektrownia Powiśle shopping mall, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle), 12 pm – 5 pm. Facebook event in Polish.

Railway Modeling Fair (Giełda Modeli Kolejowych)
October 10.Location: Warsaw Railway Museum(Stacja Muzeum), Towarowa 3 Street (Wola), 10 am – 2 pm (the Museum is open 10 am – 6 pm). A chance to buy model railways and trains and meet railway modeling enthusiasts. During the event reduced tickets for everyone (7 PLN, children up to 7 free entrance). The Museum website in English. Facebook event in Polish.

Sunday Yoga in Łazienki Royal Garden
October 10 & 24. Location: Łazienki Royal Garden, 10 am, click here to check the meeting point (the area next to the Palace on the Isle). Families with children are welcome. There is no need to sign up. Facebook event in Polish and English.

“Ron’s Gone Wrong” –  children’s movie in ENGLISH, without Polish subtitles
October 15. Location: Cinema City, Sadyba Best Mall, Powsińska 31 Street (Sadyba/Mokotów), 5 pm. The screening in English, without subtitles. To purchase your tickets please contact Brian Mason at brianmason79@gmail.com or 668 519 462 (adult 35 PLN,  child 25 PLN). The next screening in English: ‘Encanto’ (December 3).

Food truck festival in Wilanów
October 15-17. Location: PlażaWilanów, the area between Aleja Wilanowska Street and Przyczółkowa Street, free entrance. Friday 2 pm – 9 pm, Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm. Facebook event in Polish.

‘Trends 4 Kids’ – Fair of fashion and accessories for mums and children
October 16. Location: Elektrownia Powiśle shopping center, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle), 10 am – 9 pm, free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

International Cat Show
October 16-17. Location: Ptak Warsaw Expo in Nadarzyn, Al. Katowicka 62 Street, 05-830 Wolica 114D. Facebook event in Polish.

‘Glam Vintage’ – fashion fair  
October 16-17. Location: Hala Koszyki, Koszykowa 63 Street (city center), 11 am – 7 pm, free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

Exhibition and fair of exotic animals and plants  
October 17. Location: Sports Center at Siennicka 40 Street (Praga), 10 am – 4 pm, regular tickets 17 PLN, family (2+2) tickets 50 PLN, children up to 6 free (online tickets). Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, snails, insects, spiders, ants, fish, and plants from all over the world. Facebook event in Polish.

Jazz Jamboree – one of the oldest jazz festivals in Europe
October 21-24. Location: Klub Stodoła, Batorego 10 Street (Mokotów). Click here to read more in Polish.

Vintage Shopping Day – Fair of clothes, accessories, jewelry, design, vinyls, books
October 23-24. Location: Elektrownia Powiśle shopping center, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle), 10 am – 8 pm, free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

Interior of 4 historic train wagons open to visitors  
October 24. Location: Warsaw Railway Museum (Stacja Muzeum), Towarowa 3 Street (Wola), 10 am – 6 pm. Entry to the wagons is included in the admission ticket (children up to 7 free entrance). The Museum website in English. Facebook event in Polish.

The opening of outdoor light display “Garden of Lights – Peter Pan” 
October 29. Location: Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2 Street, 02-973 Powsin. Attractions include trees decorated with half a million colored LED lights, 30 light installations, multimedia attractions (e.g. a Christmas tree made of 30,000 LED lights), laser shows with sound, video-mappings, photo-points. Click here to read our tips in English on visiting the Powsin Garden. Facebook event in Polish. Facebook page. Website in Polish.

“Music Market” – Fair of vinyl records, music literature, accessories, musical equipment
October 30-31. Location: Elektrownia Powiśle shopping center, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle), Saturday 11 am – 8 pm, Sunday 11 am – 6 pm, free entrance. Facebook event in Polish.

Weather in Poland in October

The weather in Poland in October differs each year and is difficult to predict – one day you can enjoy sunny weather and the other it’s cold and rainy (there are no frosts that can occur in Poland in November). The average temperature in October in Poland is 9°C / 48°F (just like in April). The average rainfall level in Poland in October is 46 mm (lower than in September).

The Polish name for October – październik (quite a tongue twister, isn’t it?) comes from the word paździerze meaning the dry stalks of flax.

In October, days in Poland get noticeably shorter and in this transition month, you can be surprised how early the sun goes down in the evening. The length of the day goes from 11 hours 35 min. on October 1 to 9 hours 39 min. on October 31. Sunrise in Warsaw on October 1 will be at 6.37 am, sunset at 6.13 pm. Sunrise in Warsaw on October 31 will be at 6.30 am, sunset at 4.08 pm.

October gives us the last chance to admire fall foliage in Poland or collect with kids chestnuts and acorns. In late October, the leaves wither and fall of the trees. Do not delay – use every day with nice weather for walks, to delight in the last days of ‘Golden Polish Autumn’, and to charge your body batteries before winter.

Read more about the weather, changes in nature, seasonal fruits and vegetables in Poland in autumn.

Dates to remember in Poland in October 2021

October is one of the few months in Poland with no public/bank holidays.

Sunday Trade Ban
In October 2021, there is no shopping Sunday in Poland. The next shopping Sunday is on December 12 and December 19. Click here to read our post about shopping Sundays in Poland in 2021. Read our post with the list of online stores in Poland delivering groceries to home.

Teachers’ Day in Poland (Dzień Nauczyciela)
In Polish schools, there are no regular classes on this day. Students give teachers flowers and/or other gifts. Usually, there is the inauguration event for first-grade students (called in Polish ślubowanie) and older kids either do not go to school or have some fun activities.

Time change (zmiana czasu)
On Sunday night, October 31, at 03:00 am clocks are turned backward one hour to 02:00 am. The European Union lawmakers decided to end the twice-a-year (March and October) custom of time changes throughout the European Union, leaving member states the freedom to decide their standard time. The national governments have yet to take a stance – the coronavirus pandemic has pushed the issue of changing the time into the background. Click here to find out more in our post about the time changes in Poland.

Halloween
Halloween celebrations are relatively new in Poland. A few years ago, it was almost impossible to buy a pumpkin this time of year in Poland! Now pumpkin carving and pumpkin decorations are more and more popular at Polish schools and homes. In bars and restaurants in Poland, there are themed Halloween parties for adults and costume parties for kids at schools. More and more children in Poland dress up in costumes for Halloween and travel from house to house playing trick or treat (in Polish: cukierek albo psikus).

Our weekly newsletter in English: What’s on in Warsaw for Kids and Families

We’d like to invite you to subscribe to our weekly newsletters in English “What’s on in Warsaw for Kids & Families”.

Once a week (on Thursdays) you will receive an email called What’s on in Warsaw for Kids & Families / Family life in Warsaw. The newsletter covers things to do in Warsaw with children and all kinds of family matters – information, tips, resources in English.

The email includes family-friendly events in Warsaw, ideas for how to spend time with your family in Warsaw, our posts (eg. One day trips from Warsaw, What’s on in Warsaw, Outdoor activities in Warsaw, Outdoor swimming pools in Warsaw, Museums to visit with kids in Warsaw, Summer camps in Warsaw, Weekend getaways in Poland, Where to organize a birthday party in Warsaw), and tips on navigating your family life in Poland (eg. current covid regulations in Poland, 500+ child benefit, information about time change in Poland, shopping Sundays, bank holidays, streets in Warsaw closed because of the marathon, open days at Warsaw kindergartens and schools, etc.).

Subscribe to our newsletters to receive each Thursday an email in English dedicated to parents who want to enjoy Warsaw with their family:

Ideas for day trips from Warsaw in October

“Park of Poland – Suntago” – the largest indoor water park in Europe, 60 km out of Warsaw

The largest indoor water park in Europe, including 18 pools with a total surface of 3500 square meters (a tropical pool, a thermal pool, a giant wave pool). Attractions for kids include 30 slides with a total length of 3,5 km, a paddling pool, a heated water playground, the adventure river, playgrounds.

• Location: Park of Poland – Suntago, Nowy Świat 1 Street, 96-300 Wręcza (location on Google map). 60 km southwest of Warsaw.
• Online tickets. Website in English. Facebook page.

Click here to read our post featuring water parks in Poland.

The Park and Museum in the birthplace of Frederic Chopin in Żelazowa Wola, 55 km from Warsaw

Whether you love classical music and Frederic Chopin’s compositions or not, the Żelazowa Wola village is the must on your “to visit list” in Poland (it’s just 55 km from Warsaw). And it is because of the most beautiful park that surrounds the birthplace and the Museum of Frederic Chopin. In Poland, there are for sure bigger parks, but the one in Żelazowa Wola seems just perfect. The park was developed in 1932-1939 and renovated for the 2010 Chopin Year Celebrations (200th birth anniversary). It has new paths, benches, bridges (the Utrata river flows through the park), ponds, pergolas – everything very elegant and modern, but modern in a good way – that brings comfort and is visually unobtrusive. Also, this is not a regular park – everywhere you can hear Chopin’s music, played quietly from BOSE speakers hidden all over the park in bushes, grass or ivy.

A place to have a walk and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of city life – Konstancin town, 20 km from Warsaw

Konstancin-Jeziorna (Konstancin for short) is a town located 20 km south of the center of Warsaw, on the Jeziorka river. It is the only health resort / spa town in the immediate vicinity of Warsaw – Konstancin has a distinctive microclimate associated with the surrounding pine forests and natural deposits of healing waters.

The central place of Konstancin is the Park Zdrojowy, nicely renovated and revitalized in 2012. The park is friendly to children in prams, there are two playgrounds (for younger and older children). You will find there lots of alleys, paths, benches, a wooden footbridge with viewpoints leading through the pool. The park is worth visiting also outside the weekend, during the week it is extremely calm and pleasant there.

The graduation tower (Tężnia Solankowa, also known asa thorn house) is a unique place located in the park. It is an open-air ‘inhalatorium’ – a huge natural inhaler. It’s a wooden structure, covered with blackthorn branches that were originally used in the production of salt. 

Click here to find out more about one-day trips from Warsaw in our post. 20+ destinations to explore in the Warsaw area (how to get there, opening hours, tickets info, photos).