Ideas for easy weekend getaways in Poland – from city breaks to nature escapes

The town of Zamość in south-eastern Poland – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Zamość is a town in south-eastern Poland (Zamość’s location on Google Maps), famous for its unique and well-preserved 16th-century architecture of the Old Town, called the “pearl of the Renaissance”, inscribed on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Zamość escaped the vast destruction suffered by many other Polish towns during the Second World War – the Old City of Zamość today exhibits a high degree of authenticity as an example of a 16th-century town designed and built in accordance with Italian Renaissance theories on the creation of “ideal” cities.

Selected attractions of Zamość for a day trip or a weekend visit include the famous Great Market Square with a magnificent Town Hall, the fortress, underground fortifications tourist route, and a zoo for those who seek a break from history and monuments.

Our post on visiting the town of Zamość covers:

• How to get to Zamość by train, by car.
• Main attractions in Zamość.
• Things to do in Zamość with children.

Click here to read our post on visiting the town of Zamość.

The city of Łódź in central Poland – difficult to pronounce, easy to visit

The city of Łódź is the third-largest city in Poland (after Warsaw and Kraków). It is an interesting and fun destination for a weekend visit for families. The city is located in the center of Poland and is well-connected with the rest of the country. Łódź’s location on Google map.

Our post about visiting Łódź covers main tourist attractions as well as things to do in Łódź with children: The Zoo in Łódź and its new part – ‘Orientarium’; “Aquapark Fala” – water park in the city of Łódź; Science and Technology Center, playing/learning space for children aged 3-10, planetarium; “Mandoria” – the biggest year-round indoor theme park in Poland, 16 km from Łódź.

Our tips about visiting the city of Łódź, including how to get there by train, car, plain, tips on visiting the sights:

UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Poland: Historic Silver Mine & underground tourist routes

An interesting and fun idea for a weekend break in Poland – UNESCO World Heritage Site with underground tourist routes. You can visit Historic Silver Mine and take a boat cruise through an underground tunnel. Both attractions are located in the town of Tarnowskie Góry, in the south of Poland. Tarnowskie Góry’s location on Google map.

Our tips about visiting the Historic Silver Mine & underground routes in the town of Tarnowskie Góry, including how to get there by train, car, plain, tips on visiting the sights:

Photo source: Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Ziemi Tarnogórskiej, Agnieszka Draus, Sławek Klyczka, Grzegorz Rudnicki, Piotr Korab

The Malbork Castle – one of the biggest castles in the world

The Castle is located in the town of Malbork – in northern Poland, in the Pomeranian Province, picturesquely situated on the Nogat river. Malbork’s location on Google map.

Malbork Castle is one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe, called by many the biggest castle in the world. Built in several stages, starting in the 13th century, thoroughly restored after the Second World War, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress picturesquely situated on the river consists of three castles. Very interesting tour for all kinds of tourists, not only history fans, for both adults and kids.

Our tips about visiting the Castle in Malbork, including how to get there by train, car, plain, tips on visiting the Castle, other attractions in Malbork:

The town of Kazimierz Dolny – architecture, rich history, long walking and cycling routes

The town of Kazimierz Dolny is located in eastern Poland, in Lublin Voivodeship, on the Eastern bank of the Vistula river. Location on Google map.

What attracts a million tourists a year to the town of Kazimierz Dolny? Architecture, rich history, long walking and cycling routes.

Kazimierz Dolny is a small town on the Vistula River. Its history dates back to the 11th century. The entire area of the town is within the Kazimierz Landscape Park. The landscape is dominated by the Vistula River which is the most picturesque and unique in the vicinity of Kazimierz Dolny (hence the second informal name of the town – Kazimierz nad Wisłą – Kazimierz on the Vistula River).

Don’t miss it in Kazimierz Dolny:  the rooster-shaped pastry

Do not leave Kazimierz Dolny until you buy the pastry called KOGUT – the rooster-shaped semi-sweet bread – the symbol of Kazimierz Dolny.

Our tips about visiting the town of Kazimierz Dolny, including how to get there; top attractions that both children and adults will enjoy:

The city of Gdańsk – over 1000 years of tradition, one of the largest ports on the Baltic Sea, amber, architectural gems, beaches

The city of Gdańsk is located in northern Poland, on the Baltic Sea (the Gulf of Gdańsk). Gdańsk’s location on Google map. Gdańsk, together with two other cities – Gdynia and Sopot form the Tri-City (Trójmiasto) – a metropolitan area.

Gdańsk is one of the oldest cities in Poland but also the most beautiful and interesting – numerous monuments, rich history, Baltic beaches.

A walk along cobblestone streets among colorful tenement houses. A visit to one of the many interesting modern museums. In summer, swimming and sunbathing on the Gdańsk beach, in winter, a walk along the sea.

Gdańsk witnessed events that had an impact not only on the history of Poland but also the history of the world. It is this city that is considered to be the symbolic place of the outbreak of World War II, and this is also where Solidarity was founded.

Don’t miss it in Gdańsk: AMBER

Gdańsk is the Polish capital of amber – jewelery and amber items have been produced here for centuries. Baltic amber was formed over 40 million years ago.

The Amber Museum in Gdańsk houses one of the largest amber collections in the world. Over 1,000 exhibits – from lumps with inclusions from 40 million years ago, an amber forest, an amber room to contemporary artists’ projects. The visitor will also learn how amber is formed, extracted, and how it has been worked over the ages. From July 2021, the Museum is located in the new seat – the Great Mill in the Old Town (the largest mill of medieval Europe, built around 1350, and one of the most valuable historic buildings in Gdańsk).

Our tips about visiting the city of Gdańsk, including how to get to Gdańsk by train, by car, by plane; top attractions that both children and adults will enjoy:

The Białowieża Forest – bison, ancient forests, hiking and biking trails

Białowieża [bʲawɔˈvʲɛʐa] is a large village located in eastern Poland, in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, close to the border with Belarus.

The Białowieża Primeval Forest (Puszcza Białowieska) was created without human intervention and is the only natural place in Poland entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

It is a unique place on a European and global scale – most of Europe’s natural forests have been cleared in the last few hundred years. Their place was taken by crops, meadows, pastures, villages, cities. The Białowieża Primeval Forest is exceptional in Europe. It is here that for thousands of years uninterrupted natural processes have been taking place. As a result, this forest is characterized by an extraordinary abundance of fauna and flora.

There are plenty of hiking and biking trails.

Don’t miss it in Białowieża: BISON

The Białowieża Forest is known worldwide for the European bison – the largest land mammal in Europe. Since it’s difficult to see a bison in the protected area of the Białowieża National Park, close to Białowieża village there is Bison Show Reserve (a kind of a zoo) where you will have a chance to see European bison. There is also the possibility of observing bison living in the wild – you must book a trip with a licensed guide.

Our tips about visiting the Białowieża Forest, including how to get there; how to book a guide:

The city of Toruń – one of the oldest cities in Poland, famous for Nicolaus Copernicus and gingerbread cookies

Toruń is a medieval city picturesquely located on the banks of the Vistula River, known in Poland for two things: the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and… gingerbread.

The city of Toruń (pronunciation: ˈtɔ.ruɲ) is one of the oldest cities in Poland (established in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights), and unlike many other cities in Poland, it avoided substantial destruction during the Second World War. Most of the important architectural monuments are originals, not reconstructions. Toruń is a city full of Gothic art and architecture (in Poland, only Kraków is “more Gothic”). The medieval part of Toruń is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

What we love about Toruń is that every major tourist attraction is within walking distance (even for children!).

Don’t miss it in the city of Toruń: GINGERBREAD

Toruń is a “gingerbread city”. You will find a store with gingerbread cookies (produced in a factory established in 1760, the factory is called… ”Kopernik”) on every corner of the Old Town. The history of gingerbread in Toruń goes back to medieval times. The ingredients were simple and organic;) Flower, honey, and spices – ginger, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Sounds like a healthy snack! Now the list of ingredients is longer, however, it’s still quite good compared to other packaged sweets.

In Toruń, you will find two museums of gingerbread that offer gingerbread baking workshops. You can learn about rituals connected with baking gingerbread, mix ingredients, smell the spices, prepare the dough, decorate it. Both museums offer tours and workshops in English. It’s recommended to book the tour in advance and buy tickets online since both places are very popular among tourists.

Our tips about visiting the city of Toruń, including how to get there; top attractions that both children and adults will enjoy:

The town of Zakopane and Polish Tatra Mountains – rich in hiking trails suitable for families with children (including toddlers), seniors and all those who love nature

The town of Zakopane is in the heart of the Polish Tatra Mountains, serving as a starting point for hiking trails for amateurs as well as experienced hikers.

The Polish Tatras are covered by the Tatra National Park – one of 23 national parks in Poland – offering 275 km of marked hiking trails of varying difficulty: from very easy to extremely demanding and equipped with devices like chains, buckles, and ladders. You will find in the Tatra Mountains many well-marked trails of easy to moderate difficulty – perfect for beginners, usually half-day to one-day tours.

Don’t miss it in Zakopane: OSCYPEK cheese

Our tips about hiking in the Polish Tatra Mountains, including when is the best time to visit Zakopane; top 3 hikes for beginners and families with children – stroller-accessible trails:

The city of Poznań – where centuries-old tradition meets a modern vibe

The city of Poznań (pronunciation: poz-nan) is the 5th largest city in Poland by population (after Warsaw, Kraków, Łódź, and Wrocław), and the capital of Wielkopolskie Województwo (province). The Warta river flows beautifully through the city (the second longest river lying entirely in Poland, after the Vistula).

One of the oldest Polish cities, it was the cultural and political center when Poland was created in the 10th century. Gniezno (a city located 50 km east of Poznań) was the first capital city of Poland. Poznań is full of monuments, at the same time it’s a very modern, innovative, and… green city (30% of green areas). Try delicious Poznań pastry (rogal), visit 2 zoos, take a photo with the fighting billy goats, learn about the origins of Polish history.

Don’t miss it in the city of Poznań: ROGAL (St. Martin’s Croissant)

Our tips about visiting the city of Poznań, including how to get to Poznań by train, by car, by plane; top attractions that both children and adults will enjoy:

The city of Wrocław – from Gothic architecture to picturesque bridges, the only oceanarium in the world dedicated to Africa’s water wildlife, over 300 figures of… dwarfs scattered around the city

Wrocław is located in southwest Poland. Wrocław is the fourth largest city in Poland (after Warsaw, Kraków, and Łódź), a vibrant student city, attracting many international businesses and thousands of tourists from Poland and abroad.

Although the name of the city is difficult to pronounce for foreigners (‘vrotz-wav‘), Wrocław is a city open to tourists and offers many great attractions. From Gothic architecture to picturesque bridges, comforting gardens located in the heart of the city, the only oceanarium in the world dedicated to Africa’s water wildlife and over 300 small bronze figures of… dwarfs scattered around the city. Wrocław offers plenty of things to do on a rainy day, indoor attractions to escape the cold or the heat so you can enjoy the city at any time of the year.

Don’t miss it in the city of Wrocław: DWARFS

Wrocław’s dwarfs are small bronze figures (each no more than a foot tall) scattered around the city. When you look closer you will notice they are very imaginative and each gnome refers to a particular part of the city or history. Next to Wrocław Philharmonic House, you will find the whole orchestra of gnomes, next to the bank – a gnome withdrawing money from ATM. You may find a doctor with a stethoscope, a gnome concierge, a hairdresser, an excavator operator.

You can imagine it’s so much fun for kids to walk around the city discovering new statues of dwarves. In the Wrocław tourist information office and in most of the souvenir shops you can buy a dwarf map of Wrocław, available also in English.

Our tips about visiting the city of Wrocław, including how to get to Wrocław by train, by car, by plane; top attractions that both children and adults will enjoy:

Amusement parks and aquaparks in Poland – fun for adults and children

Water parks and amusement parks are an ultimate fun for many families. They offer action-packed family day or weekend out. Most of the amusement parks featured in our post are outdoor (an option for a good weather day). Water parks, on the other hand, are the perfect way to escape the heat or hide from the rain! They are good for every season of the year (well, in Poland, at least their indoor part…;).

The city of Kraków – the former capital of Poland and seat of Polish kings, rich in history, culture, nature, and tourist attractions

Kraków (in English Krakow or Cracow) is a city located in southern Poland on the Vistula River – the second-largest city in Poland (after Warsaw) in terms of population and area.

The former capital of Poland and seat of Polish kings. On one hand, it’s small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed here. On the other hand, it is so rich in history, culture, nature, and tourist attractions that you want to stay here longer or come back again!

The uniqueness of Krakow has been recognized by UNESCO that placed the Historic Centre of Krakow on its list of World Heritage Sites: “The 13th-century merchants’ town has Europe’s largest market square and numerous historical houses, palaces and churches with their magnificent interiors”. 

Don’t miss it in the city of Kraków: OBWARZANEK (a bagel)

If you need a quick snack – you will find carts selling a traditional Krakow snack on the market square or in one of the streets of the old town – a bagel (in Polish: obwarzanek). It’s a braided ring-shaped bread sprinkled with salt, poppy or sesame seeds. Kraków bagels!⁠

Our tips about visiting the city of Kraków, including how to get to Kraków by train, by car, by plane; top attractions that both children and adults will enjoy:

Skiing in Poland: small local ski slopes and the most popular ski resorts in Poland

When the temperature drops below zero, you can start planning your ski adventure in Poland. And the best part is that you don’t need to drive for hours south of Poland, to the mountains! You can enjoy many ski slopes all over Poland, including big cities.

What will you find in our post? Information about local small ski resorts within a relatively short distance from the biggest cities in Poland. They are perfect for children and adults who want to learn skiing or if you want to have a weekend ski break in Poland. The post covers also some of the most popular ski resorts in Poland for those who plan their winter holidays in Poland or are looking for more advanced ski runs.

Note: Most of the listed slopes are artificially snowed, however, it requires the temperature below zero. Please check Facebook or website of selected destinations to check if they are open in a given time.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletters in English to explore Poland and to learn about Poland! Once a month you will receive a Newsletter: ‘Explore Poland with Kids‘. You will find there family-friendly destinations in Poland – beautiful places in Poland worth visiting with children – from city break destinations to hiking in the mountains (lots of practical tips!); things you can’t miss in Poland in a given month; dates to remember, holidays, observances in Poland in a given month so you can mark your calendars accordingly.

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