Poland in May: tips for making the most of your spring in Poland
- Jump to houseboats and other hotel inspiration in Poland for a holiday with a difference
- Jump to places to visit in Mazury, a region famous for its lakes
- Jump to exploring Warsaw in spring: things to do in Warsaw in the springtime
- Jump to ideas for outdoor activities and things to do outside in Poland
- Jump to the weather in Poland in May
- Jump to things you can’t miss in Poland in May
- Jump to Sunday trade ban in Poland in May 2025
- Jump to public holidays & dates to remember in Poland in May 2025
Houseboats and other hotel inspiration in Poland for a holiday with a difference
Houseboats in different parts of Poland – accommodation for all those who love water! Our new post Houseboat and water house vacation rentals in Poland presents exciting options for exploring various parts of Poland, staying on the water – in “houses on the water” – houseboats and floating homes.
Find hotel inspiration for your next break in Poland in one of our posts:
- Castle hotels in Poland (stay in a castle or a palace in stunning locations across Poland)
- Unusual and unique hotels & accommodation in Poland (staying in a railroad wagon or underground, houseboats, spending the night in a tipi tent next to the fire, and other ideas)
- Glamping in Poland (glamping sites throughout Poland, from mountains to lakes, from Mongolian yurts to transparent bubble tents)
- Treehouse stays in Poland (a peaceful getaway in Poland for outdoors-loving travelers)
- Houseboat and water house vacation rentals in Poland (accommodation for all those who love water)
- Best family-friendly hotels in Poland (child-friendly hotels in Poland where children are positively welcomed, and parents can relax)
Places to visit in Mazury
Masuria (Mazury in Polish), a region famous for its lakes, is located in north-eastern Poland, in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship/Province, whose capital is the city of Olsztyn. The Province has two parts: Warmia and Mazury. Informally, everything (including Warmia and Olsztyn) that is in north-eastern Poland and has lakes is labeled Masuria.
Masuria is poetically called the Land of a Thousand Lakes (meanwhile, there are 2600 lakes!) and the Green Lungs of Poland (the cleanest region of the country).
It is a region beloved by families with children who spend their holidays by the lake, by people who like to enjoy their time in nature, and by tourists who prefer active holidays – cycling, canoeing, hiking.
Our post Places to visit in Mazury includes:
- How to get to Mazury.
- When is the best time to visit Mazury.
- Places to visit in Mazury (e.g., the biggest lake in Poland, the city with 15 lakes, a river with a 100 km long kayaking route, and something for those interested in the history of the Second World War).
Click here to read our post on visiting the region of Mazury.
Exploring Warsaw in spring: things to do in Warsaw in the springtime
This is for those who plan to visit Warsaw in the springtime or live in Warsaw and would like to explore it. Spring is a favorite time of the year for many Warsaw residents. It’s also a great time to visit the capital – it’s warm but not too hot, and nature wonderfully comes to life with greenery and colors. You can feel the vibrant energy of the city at every step!
Our post Spring in Warsaw includes:
- Warsaw in bloom: the best places in the Warsaw area to admire colorful blossoms
- Ideas for a spring day trip from Warsaw
- Ideas for things to do in Warsaw in spring – outdoor & indoor
- Warsaw city bikes
- Rope courses in Warsaw
- Vistula River cruises, boat trips & kayaking in the Warsaw area
- Food halls, outdoor street food markets in Warsaw
Click here to read our post on things to do in Warsaw in the springtime.
Ideas for outdoor activities and things to do outside in Poland
The weather in Poland is warmer by the day; it’s time to enjoy the outdoors! Meet your friends outside, take your workout outside, explore the best photo spots, hike, ride a bike, or walk.
Below you will find our posts recommending outdoor destinations in Poland where you can get your fill of fresh air:
- LAKES. Poland is rich in lakes, most of which are located in the northern part of the country. The lakes are a beautiful part of the Polish landscape – picturesque postcards of the Polish countryside with a lake in the background. Our post features five picturesque lakes to check out: to admire, swim, sail, camp, kayak, and bike along. Our post about places to visit in Mazury – a region in Poland, famous for its lakes. Our post about the City of Olsztyn, which has 15 lakes within its city limits.
- BALTIC BEACHES. Our post features the Polish Baltic coast & seaside resorts in Poland: beach towns and Baltic seaside resorts in Poland – the perfect destination for those looking for wide sandy beaches. Our post about visiting Hel Peninsula – one of the most picturesque destinations in Poland.
- HIGH ROPES COURSES. High ropes centers are not only for seasoned thrill-seekers or those looking to conquer a fear of heights. They are fun and a great shared adventure for a family or friends’ day out. Our guide highlights the top high ropes courses in Poland. We have selected beautiful places in Poland worth visiting for the weekend and longer, and the rope parks in their area will add a lot of fun and adventure to your trips! Our post featuring the biggest and most interesting rope courses in Poland.
- NATIONAL PARKS. National parks in Poland contain many of the most treasured landscapes, from the majestic mountain ranges to the beaches, ancient forests, and lush green valleys. Some of Poland’s national parks are close to big cities, so you can go there without staying overnight, for a day trip. Our post features nine national parks in Poland: by the Baltic Sea, the Kampinos Forest near Warsaw, the Białowieża National Park in eastern Poland, famous for bison, and six mountain national parks located mainly in southern Poland.
- ZOOS. Like worldwide, zoos are one of Poland’s most popular family-friendly attractions, a great day out for the whole family or a date. One of their main advantages is that most zoos in Poland are open daily, including public holidays. Our post features Poland’s seven most popular zoos: from the largest to the oldest and most fascinating.
- OUTDOOR WATER PARKS. Aquaparks are great fun for adults and children in good and bad weather. Our post features 17 water parks in Poland – most offer outdoor pools, which is also worth taking advantage of in warm spring and summer.
- AMUSEMENT & THEME PARKS. Perfect for an action-packed family day out, offering fun attractions for all ages. Our post features 17 amusement and theme parks in Poland.
- DINOSAUR THEME PARKS. Visiting a dinosaur park is entertaining and educational, and all this is outdoors! Our post features the biggest dinosaur parks in Poland.
- BOTANICAL GARDENS. The best places to visit in Poland to admire nature’s blooming beauty! Poland has many wonderful parks; botanical gardens are nature’s largest and most diverse oases. Our post features nine botanical gardens in Poland: in Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, Gołubie (50 km from Gdańsk), Mikołów (the Katowice area), Rogów (near Łódź), Warsaw, and Powsin (near Warsaw).
- MOUNTAINS. Mountains in Poland are, next to the Baltic Sea and lakes, one of the biggest attractions for tourists who value contact with nature. Those who like mountain hiking can choose among various trails in Poland, including trails suitable for families with children, seniors, and all those who love nature. Our post features the main mountain ranges and several smaller mountain ranges within them: breathtaking scenery, towering peaks, dense forests, and postcard-perfect views. Our post featuring the most beautiful trails in the Polish Tatra Mountains and the Zakopane area for children, seniors, and all who love nature. Our post about visiting the town of Zakopane in the heart of the Tatra Mountains.
Weather in Poland in May
May in Poland is usually warm and reasonably dry. Sunny weather can even turn hot. The average monthly temperature in May in Poland is 13,7°C / 56,7°F, and the average monthly rainfall level is 62,1 mm.
The month’s name (maj) comes from the Latin name Maius. May and March are the only months whose Polish names derive from Latin. Polish names of the remaining months have Slavic roots.
Read more about the weather and changes in nature in Poland in spring.
Things you can’t miss in Poland in May
Try the first fresh seasonal Polish vegetables
After months of winter root vegetables and frozen or canned veggies, spring in Poland welcomes us with the first fresh local treasures. In Polish, they have a special name – ‘nowalijki’ – meaning bringing something new. Don’t miss them! Some vegetables come and go quickly, so make the most of them while they last.
Soup is the queen of Polish cuisine – so Poles use the first fresh vegetables to prepare soups: sorrel soup, botwina beetroot soup, and chłodnik – a cold beet soup.
Sorrel (szczaw) – green leaves triumphantly announcing the end of winter in Poland
Sorrel is a leafy, edible green plant (similar to spinach) with a characteristic acid, lemony flavor. In Poland, it can be found in grassland or a woodland edge; it’s also cultivated as a garden herb. Sorrel is in season in Poland from late spring until mid-summer (usually May–June). As sorrel is incredibly sour, it shouldn’t be eaten in large quantities. You can use it fresh in salads. But of course, Polish cuisine is all about soups, so… voila – the traditional way in Poland is to cook a sorrel soup (zupa szczawiowa)!
Botwina beetroot – young beet leaves, stems, and roots uprooted in early spring. They make a delicious soup with the graceful name botwinka. Young beet leaves are also used to add to salads and vegetable cocktails. Because of its richness in many vitamins and minerals, botwina beetroot is recommended as part of a vegetarian diet. When you notice the botwina beetroot at the market stall, there is no doubt that spring has come to Poland for good!
Botwinka is the queen of spring soups in Poland. You can use the botwinka soup as a base to prepare another delicious Polish soup of the spring and summer seasons – chłodnik. It’s a cold (chłodnik meaning ‘chilled’) beet soup served with hard-boiled eggs.
Other springtime vegetables you must try while they are in season in Poland include kohlrabi/cabbage turnip (kalarepa or kalarepka), rhubarb (rabarbar), cress (rzeżucha), and asparagus (szparagi).
Go out of town a bit, and you will be surprised by blooming fruit gardens
Poland in May turns into an orchard full of blooming fruit trees. It’s the time when fruit trees are in full bloom. Wonderful sakura cherries receive special admiration in Japan. In Poland, pear, apple, cherry, and plum trees bloom in the spring. Apple trees, however, dominate in Poland, with their white, slightly pinkish flowers. May also means the start of a busy season for bees!
Enjoy the lilac in Poland – it blooms only for 2 weeks in late April/May!
Lilac (bez) is a queen among spring flowers that bloom in May in Poland. In Poland, the most common are purple and white lilacs. It smells incredible, but unfortunately, it is very fragile and withers quickly in the home vase. Lilac came to Poland from Turkey through the Balkan Peninsula. For years, it has been an essential part of Polish rural gardens. Blooming usually lasts only up to two weeks, so hurry to admire the lilac in May!
A walk among the blooming chestnut trees
You can’t miss the pinkish-white cone-shaped flowers of chestnuts (kasztan / kasztanowiec) that have become a symbol of high-school final exams in Poland (in Polish: matura) in May.
In Poland, chestnuts grow mainly in parks and along roads. It is a giant tree – in Poland, the largest chestnut trees reach about 30 m in height and about 600 cm in circumference of trunk. The oldest chestnut in Poland grows in the Wielkopolskie Province and is over 200 years old!
Read more about the weather and changes in nature in Poland in spring.
Sunday trade ban in Poland in May 2025
In May 2025, all Sundays in Poland are trade ban Sundays. The next shopping Sunday in Poland is June 29, 2025. Click here to read our post about shopping Sundays in Poland. Read our post with the list of online stores in Poland delivering groceries to your home.
Public holidays & dates to remember in Poland in May 2025
- May 1
Labor Day
A public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers are closed. Only some smaller local convenience stores can be open. Stores at gas stations are open every day, 7/24. Usually, in Warsaw and other major cities in Poland, there are political marches to promote workers’ rights.
- May 2
Flag Day
A regular working day in Poland. It’s a relatively new holiday in Poland (introduced in 2004). You can notice Polish flags in private windows and balconies, and displayed in public institutions’ buildings.
- May 3
Constitution Day
A public holiday in Poland. The May 3rd Constitution was passed in 1791 and is claimed to be the first written constitution in Europe and the second in the world (after the American one). Usually, Constitution Day is celebrated with speeches, military parades, and picnics.
- May 18
Presidential election in Poland
The voting will take place between 7 am and 9 pm. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, a second round will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Presidents in Poland serve a five-year term and can be re-elected once.
- May 26
Mother’s Day
It is a day when you call your mum, send her a card, flowers, or other gifts. Father’s Day in Poland is celebrated on June 23.
Click here to read our post about public holidays and dates to remember in Poland in spring.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters in English to explore Poland and learn about it! 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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