With the arrival of May and the much-anticipated Majówka long weekend, it's time to consider how you will spend your spring break and take a look at the best weekend getaways in Poland!
Combining the Polish public holidays on May 1st (Labour Day) and May 3rd (Constitution Day), everyone around Poland has Majówka, the May long weekend, heavily circled on the calendar. The historical meaning of Labour and Constitiution Days are important - there's no doubt about that - but most Poles can't wait to take advantage of their days-off and embrace spring with a well-deserved city break. Some will travel abroad, but many will stay domestic and take on one of Poland’s many diverse landscapes.
The weather in Poland in early May is typically mild, with average temperatures ranging from 12°C to 20°C, though occasional showers and cooler nights can influence travel plans. This variability encourages a mix of outdoor adventures—such as hiking in the Tatra Mountains and the Bieszczady region, kayaking and cycling in Greater Poland and the Masurian Lakes—as well as city breaks in smaller centres like Tarnów, Kalisz, and Przemyśl, where museums and cosy cafés offer shelter from unpredictable spring weather.
Wałbrzych
Just 70km from Wrocław is the rarely visited, sleepy little town of Wałbrzych, a former bustling coal mining centre spread out over a few foothills of the Sudety Mountains. It’s an unlikely place to make international news, and yet it’s been in the spotlight on and off since August 2015, as one of the biggest stories to grip Poland in recent times unfolded here - the search for a mysterious Nazi gold train, rumoured to have been buried in an underground tunnel with tonnes upon tonnes of stolen treasure transported from Breslau (Wrocław) as WWII drew to a close.
Zegrze Reservoir
The Cape Cod or Jersey Shore of the greater Warsaw metropolitan area, Zegrze Reservoir is the place to be in the spring and summer months. Located a gorgeous 3-hour ferry ride (yes, really!) up the river from Warsaw, the reservoir offers kayaking, fishing, biking, hiking, and – importantly for those scorching summer months – swimming at a pristine beach. The sprawling reservoir is flanked by several small towns, which all have adorable little restaurants, small hotels, and businesses that rent out water equipment all spring and summer long. Plus, plenty of winding paths that connect the towns and surrounding nature spots provide lots of bird-watching, hiking and pier-lounging opportunities. Though the ferry is one of the best ways to get there, (who can resist a leisurely boat ride from the city up the river, with food and drinks along the way), you can also drive or take a bus up. This spot is perfect for families and ideal for a quick day or two-day getaway. But think ahead: it’s popular in the warmer months and those little hotels fill up!
The Land of a Hundred Lakes
Whilst Warmia-Masuria in the north-west of Poland often hogs the title of being the country's 'lake region', people often forget that Greater Poland in the country's central-west also has its own decent splash of lakes too, and they're just as stunning, if not more graceful and easier to get to! The Land of 100 Lakes (Kraina 100 Jezior) refers to the area between the localities of Sieraków, Międzychód and Kwilcz, around 75km to the north-west of Poznań, where these great bodies of water create a mesmerising illusion with the sky's reflection. Massively underrated and totally worth a weekend away!
Zamość
Often called the "Pearl of the Renaissance," Zamość is surprisingly unknown despite its old town's UNESCO World Heritage Site status and a small-but-decent collection of cultural venues and sights to keep you occupied on a city break. Located 90 km south-east of Lublin, close to the border with Ukraine, this stunning Renaissance centre is a surprise change from the overall rustic feel of Eastern Poland. If you have young children in tow, consider a visit to ZOO Zamość!
Hel Peninsula
Contrary to how it may sound in English, Hel is one of the most stunning locations in Poland, with hundreds of kilometres of sandy coastline (if the weather is warm enough, you may consider taking a dip!), forest areas, quaint little Kashubian fishing villages, and plenty of sightseeing and water-bound activities to choose from.
BONUS: Stay in the City!
As long as that city is Wrocław, which offers an incredible Majówka festival every year with 3 days of outdoor rock concerts featuring over 40 artists from May 1-3. There’s even a guitar world record event where guitar players gather in the Market Square on May 1 and try to set a world record of the most people playing the same song on guitar at the same time! For music and fun and a city experience, Wrocław is the spot to be.
Comments