Summer holidays – Part II
Summer holidays 2024 in Poland will be an amazing time! The wealth of attractions that await you in every region will make for a very busy itinerary. Are you looking for an active holiday, want to immerse yourself in history and culture, or maybe you prefer lazy days on the beach?
Check out our suggestions for holiday hits!
The proposals for the next eight places were arranged in alphabetical order according to the name of the voivodships. The first eight can be found in the article: “Summer holidays – Part I”.
Podlaskie: Augustów Health Resort
What attracts visitors to Podlasie? Why, it is not only the wild nature of Białowieża Forest and the famous bison. Augustów is the summer capital of the region, pulling tourists like a magnet. Beautifully situated among the dense expanse of the Augustów Forest and lakes, the town was already known for its appeal as a health resort at the beginning of the 20th century. Such a location guarantees an ideal holiday. So what can you expect in Augustów? For one, you can get to know the region from… the water. This is made possible by one of the most important monuments of water technology in Poland – the Augustów Canal. Built in the 19th century, it connects the Vistula basin with that of the Niemen River. The canal offers many attractions, such as boat and kayaking trips. Whether you feel like active leisure or just lazing around, you can do it at the lakes: Necko, Białe and Sajno. The choices include sailing, windsurfing, as well as pedal boats and motorboats to rent. The area around Augustów is also a truly immense and incredible nature. You will discover it by traversing the Augustów Forest on numerous hiking and cycling trails. Let’s not forget the famous Rospuda Valley either. Augustów is also a health resort known for the medicinal properties of mudbaths and mineral waters. Numerous sanatoriums and spas offer relaxation and healing treatments that will help you regain strength and improve your well-being.
Podkarpackie: Wańkowa Ski
Not only gently rolling hills, endless hiking trails and stunning views await tourists in Podkarpacie. Since last summer, one of the attractions that guarantees unforgettable experiences and a large dose of adrenaline is the Wańkowa Ski zipline. Located in Wańkowa in the Olszanica commune, it is the longest zipline in Poland and one of the longest ones in Europe with 1,350 m. There are two downhill ropes to choose from – you can ride sitting or lying down. The latter option allows you to reach a dizzying speed of up to 120 km/h. It’s a little slower and calmer when you ride sitting down, thanks to which you can admire the surroundings from a height of 48 m. Nearby there is also another one-of-a-kind tourist attraction, namely Bieszczadzkie Drezyny Rowerowe, or Bieszczady Bicycle Draisines, the winner of the Gold Certificate of the Polish Tourism Organisation in 2023. Although you will not reach dizzying speeds, you can get plenty of satisfaction from travelling on railway tracks with a machine powered by the strength of your own muscles, while discovering the Bieszczady Mountains from a completely different perspective. The tour can start in the village of Uherce Mineralne or, alternatively, in Ustrzyki Dolne. The 47 km long route you will cover in leg-powered draisines, leads through the most picturesque landscapes of the region. Another must-see in Uherce Mineralne is Bieszczady School of Crafts, where you can actively participate in workshops of dying professions. In a school building from the early the 20th century, you can make a clay pot yourself, learn how to write according to the rules of pre-war calligraphy, or bake proziaki bread in a traditional oven.
Pomorskie: Łeba and the moving dunes in the Słowiński National Park
For holidays in this region of Poland, we recommend Łeba and its immediate surroundings. This resort has much more to offer than just seaside attractions. When staying in Łeba, you’ll have to see the Słowiński National Park and the moving dunes it is famous for. Unsurprisingly, it is called the “Polish Sahara” and it attracts crowds of tourists every year. And every year, the view that awaits them changes – because the sand can move a few or even a dozen metres. Rising to 42 m above sea level, the highest of the dunes is the Łącka Dune, from the top of which there is an amazing view of the desert landscape. The Słowiński National Park itself has a lot to offer, too. It is home to coastal lakes: Łebsko, the third largest in Poland, and Gardno, both highly valuable in terms of nature. Among the dense vegetation there is also a Flooded Forest and numerous peat bogs. In the heart of the park, between Łeba and Rowy, 1,000 m away from the sea stands the Czołpino Lighthouse. It was built in the second half of the 19th century and rises at a height of 25 m. While in the area, you can see the nearby Czołpińska Dune, the Museum of the Słowiński National Park and the Museum of Slovinic Countryside in Kluki. While in Łeba, it is also worth seeing the Stilo Lighthouse, one of two metal lighthouses on the Polish coast. Standing on a pine -covered dune, the lighthouse is still in operation, and at the same time it is also accessible to tourists. Of course, Łeba also has beautiful beaches where you can enjoy the pleasures of summer as well as water sports. Children will certainly also want to visit the “Łeba Park” Family Amusement Park, where dinosaurs, a trampoline park and a haunted castle are among the thrills that await them.
Śląskie: On a bike and on a kayak
Summer holidays in Silesia is a great idea for those who like to spend their time actively. The region offers a lot of attractions for enthusiasts of bikes and kayaks. Picturesque trails, rich nature and various routes mean everyone will find something to enjoy. So what can cyclists expect? The Cycle Trail of The Eagles’ Nests – one of the most beautiful trails in Poland, running through the Kraków-Częstochowa Jurassic Upland. It goes through charming areas, past medieval castles and limestone inliers. As they pedal, cyclists can admire castles in Olsztyn, Mirów, Bobolice and Ogrodzieniec. They can enjoy the Rudzkie Forests and over 35 km of bike paths. Nature surrounds you also along the Liswarta Bike Trail, which goes through forests and meadows, offering a 108 km long route in the north-western part of the region. Another interesting idea is the Iron Bike Trail, which follows old railway lines. For fans of MTB thrills, check out the Enduro Trails, among others in Bielsko-Biała, Szczyrk or Wisła.
Summer Silesia can also be enjoyed in kayaks as there are interesting trails on many rivers. One of them is the Liswarta, which flows through green valleys, among pine forests and meadows, offering many natural obstacles and bends. You can also try your hand at the third longest river in Poland, the Warta. The Silesian section is 42 km long and goes from Częstochowa to the border of the voivodeship. In terms of landscape, the most interesting stretch is the Mirów Gorge, with the beautiful Mirów Rocks and the Rock of Love. Lovers of wild nature will surely like the Oder between Chałupki and Zabełków, just off the Czech border. Finally, let’s not forget the Pilica, the longest left tributary of the Vistula, ideal for kayakers. It flows through a variety of terrain, from open spaces to forested areas, and the protected “Natura 2000” Upper Pilica Valley area.
Świętokrzyskie: Park of Legends in Nowa Słupia
The Park of Legends in Nowa Słupia is one of the latest attractions of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. It opened its doors to tourists last year and is already enjoying great interest. The Polish Tourism Organisation recognised it with a Best Tourism Product Certificate for 2023. The region is without any doubt permeated with magic. The ancient Świętokrzyskie Mountains hide many secrets, passed down from generation to generation in legends and tales. The people of these mountains know them, and sometimes they even write them down for posterity. The Park of Legends decided to gather them in one place, describe and show them to preserve for the future this priceless, intangible cultural heritage of the region. So why visit the park? Because it opens the door to a mysterious world, in which you can meet, among others, witches from Łysa Góra. Why yes, they used to hold their sabbaths there. Other local legends hidden in the middle of a special educational path involve magic, devils, redeemed robbers, noble knights and… saints. It is a world in which good always wins over evil, and evil witches turn out to be good, beautiful enchantresses. One could show all this lore in a museum display case, but the Park of Legends in Nowa Słupia had a different idea. In order to make the experience of these extraordinary stories as complete as possible, the most modern technologies were used. Thus you can fly on a broomstick, thanks to a flight simulator in VR technology. Surrender to the magic of the place!
Warmińsko-mazurskie: Olsztynek
It is not only the Great Masurian Lakes that are an attraction of this region. There are many cities and towns that are worth visiting, especially in the summer. One of them is Olsztynek. This charming town, located on the edge of the Napiwodzko-Ramucka Forest, is an ideal place for a holiday, offering proximity to wildlife, picturesque landscapes and rich history. Relaxation amidst nature, combined with learning about the area and its attractions, is provided by 4 themed trails: the Copernicus Trail, The First World War’s Eastern Front Trail, the Grunwald Loop Trail and the Niborski Gościniec Trail. You can ride on these marked cycling routes making almost 150 km, all the while stopping to see the attractions along the way. While in Olsztynek, you cannot miss the open-air Museum of Folk Architecture – Ethnographic Park, where dozens of examples of traditional regional architecture and technology are gathered on an area of 94 hectares. You can also learn about are livestock breeding and cultivating herbal plants. Near the open-air museum there is a small glassworks making artistic glass, unique on the European scale. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that nowadays almost no such plants producing glassware without the use of machines are found, and that is how the one in Olsztynek operates.
Wielkopolskie: The Great Waterway Loop of Wielkopolska
In Wielkopolska, for a summer holiday we recommend the Great Waterway Loop of Wielkopolska. It is a real paradise for fans of active leisure on the water. It is the longest marked water tourism trail in Poland, with its length of 688 km, and offers a unique journey through the picturesque landscapes of Wielkopolska. It connects the Warta and Noteć Rivers, lakes from Gopło to Ślesińskie and Mikorzyńskie, and the Ślesiński and Górnonotecki canals. All this creates an uninterrupted loop, ideal for both kayakers and those in motorboats. Numerous marinas and access points allow you to easily adjust the length of the route to your individual needs, regardless of whether you are planning a few weeks cruise or just a day trip. This route not only connects the waterways of Poland, but also Europe. A section of the Great Waterway Loop of Wielkopolska is part of the E70 International Waterway, which goes from Antwerp to Klaipeda. Through the Bydgoszcz Canal you can reach Gdańsk or Warsaw via the Vistula and through the Oder-Havel Canal you can get to Berlin, Dresden or Hamburg. This is a unique opportunity to explore European waterways in an unhindered way. The Great Waterway Loop of Wielkopolska is also a great way to discover the charms of Wielkopolska and neighbouring regions, such as Kujawy and the northern part of Lubuskie Voivodeship. Along the route there are historic towns, dazzling palaces and centuries-old monasteries. Nature lovers will also be pleased as the trail passes through six landscape parks and the edgeof the Wielkopolski National Park. Warta Landscape Park and Noteć Valley are fantastic places for bird watching, as well as encounters with otters and beavers. For those who are looking for peace and quiet, we recommend the Warta cruise along the Notecka Forest – the largest pine forest in Poland, which stretches along the river for about 100 km.
Zachodniopomorskie: Świnoujście Health Resort
There is only one city in Poland which is located on 44 islands and islets. It is Świnoujście, whose inhabitants mostly live in the left-bank part of the city on the island of Usedom. Until last year, to get to most of the attractions of Świnoujście you had to cross the Świna River by ferry. It was an attraction, to be sure, but during the season tourists had to wait a lot in a long queue to get to the city. Now the rest of Poland and Świnoujście are connected by the tunnel under the Świna River, which was completed last year. This definitely increased the number of people who want to visit the resort. The city itself has long been recognised as a pearl of the Polish coast, which combines spa, tourist and cultural values. One of the most important health resorts in Poland, it became one thanks to its natural medicinal resources, such as brine, mud and iodine-rich air. However, what attracts to Świnoujście the most in summer are the beaches: stretching for kilometres, they gently descend into the sea, creating shallow bathing areas. After the pleasures of sunbathing, take a stroll on the Seaside Promenade, one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Świnoujście. Żeromskiego Street, which stretches along the beach, offers many attractions, including historic inns, sanatoriums, cafes, restaurants and souvenir stands. On the other hand, the Promenade on the Świna is an excellent place to admire the harbour with all the passenger and commercial ships that enter it. The city’s most recognisable landmark is Stawa Młyny, a distinctive beacon in the shape of a windmill. Situated at the end of the Western Breakwater, the beacon is not only an important landmark for sailors, but also a popular destination for walks and taking photos. Another characteristic point of Świnoujście is the lighthouse, the tallest on the Polish coast. Nearly 65 m tall, it was built in the middle of the 19th century of characteristic yellow brick. It is worth climbing to its top to enjoy a wonderful view of the city, the sea and the surrounding islands. There are also several well-preserved 18th century fortifications: Western Fort, Angel’s Fort, and Gerhard’s Fort. These buildings are an opportunity to learn about the history of Prussian defensive architecture with numerous exhibits related to the military.
