Where to Go for a Long Weekend in Poland? 20 Best Places

Where to go for a long weekend? For many of us, the mountains are an obvious choice. But which ones? Poland’s mountain ranges are very diverse, and even peaks of a similar height can offer very different hiking conditions.

Which region should you choose for a weekend in the mountains? Choose accommodation in a town that makes a good base for several hiking trails while also giving you easy access to local attractions and specialities. Here are some suggestions.

The Bieszczady Mountains

The Bieszczady Mountains are best known for their mountain pastures – vast, open ridges rising above beech forests. In the Polish part of the range, Tarnica is the highest peak. The trails through the Polonina Wetlinska and Polonina Carynska are among the most popular. You can stay close to these trails in Wetlina or Ustrzyki Gorne.

The Sudetes

In the Sudetes, mountain hikes can be combined with visits to castles and underground trails. For an active weekend, the Stolowe Mountains, with Szczeliniec Wielki and the Bledne Skaly rock labyrinth, are well worth exploring.

The Tatra Mountains

Zakopane is the obvious choice for a weekend in the Tatras. It attracts visitors with its extensive network of hiking trails, as well as plenty of other ways to spend your time, from museums and Podhale architecture to regional cuisine.

It is one of the most popular destinations for a long weekend in Poland, so during August, the May bank holiday, public holidays and the summer holidays, you should expect large crowds. However, it is possible to avoid the busiest trails. Compare accommodation options in places such as Witow and Chochołow, and during the busiest periods, consider less-frequented routes such as the Lejowa Valley and the nearby section of the Sciezka nad Reglami trail.

The Karkonosze Mountains

The Karkonosze are part of the Sudetes. They captivate visitors with their granite rock formations, waterfalls and numerous viewpoints overlooking deep glacial cirques.

Karpacz is the most convenient base for trips to Sniezka and Maly Staw. Szklarska Poreba is a better choice if you’re planning to climb Szrenica, visit the Sniezne Kotly or see Kamienczyk Waterfall.

The Silesian Beskids

The highest peak in the Silesian Beskids is Skrzyczne. You can hike to the summit or take the cable car from Szczyrk. It’s also worth staying in Wisla, where trails lead to Barania Gora, or in Ustron, which is a good starting point for hikes to Czantoria and Rownica.

It goes without saying that if we’re heading to the seaside for a swim in the Baltic Sea, we want the water to be warm. However, we’d encourage you to visit a seaside town, such as one of those listed below, at least once during the autumn and winter months. The atmosphere is completely different at this time of year.

Where to go for a long November weekend? There are several seaside towns in Poland where you certainly won’t be bored.

Swinoujscie

From Swinoujscie, you can walk along the beach to Germany, with the sea always in sight. Ahlbeck is the closest resort. Further on, the promenade leads towards Heringsdorf and Bansin, passing historic buildings from the era of the former imperial resorts.

Miedzyzdroje

The town has two distinct sides – the touristy one around the pier and the Avenue of Stars, and the quieter side in the forests of Wolin National Park.

If you’re heading to Miedzyzdroje after the summer season, pack your walking boots instead of your beach gear. In autumn, it’s well worth taking a walk to Kawcza Gora.

Gdansk

The most interesting part of Gdansk lies between the old harbour on the Motlawa River and the shipyard area. The Crane and the historic granaries are reminders of the city’s mercantile past, while the industrial halls, now home to bars and concert venues, show how the former shipyard area is changing.

Kolobrzeg

Look for accommodation in Kolobrzeg if you’re looking to relax over a long weekend. Plan a spa break and choose one of the treatments using local brine or therapeutic mud. Enjoy the peaceful spa atmosphere during your short break.

Grzybowo

Grzybowo lies right next to Kolobrzeg, but instead of a town promenade, it has a wide beach separated from the built-up area by a strip of dunes and woodland. Out of season, it’s well worth coming here for long walks along the beach.

Here are a few suggestions for lake lovers looking for somewhere to spend a long weekend in Masuria.

Gizycko

In Gizycko, sailing life centres around the harbours on Lake Niegocin and the Luczanski Canal. As well as the marinas, it’s worth visiting Boyen Fortress – a vast 19th-century star-shaped fortification hidden among the lakes.

Mikolajki

Along the waterfront in Mikolajki, restaurants and cafés sit alongside marinas full of yachts. From the town, you can set sail onto Lake Sniardwy and see Masuria from the perspective of Poland’s largest lake.

Mragowo

Mragowo is closely associated with country music, and its most famous stage stands right on the shores of Lake Czos. Outside festival periods, you can devote more time to exploring the surrounding area, for example by cycling around Lake Juno.

Elk

Elk is the most populous town in Masuria. Its centre lies right on the shore of Lake Elckie. The lakeside restaurants and long promenade give it a holiday atmosphere, but the town doesn’t become deserted once the season is over.

Wegorzewo

Wegorzewo will appeal to those interested in Masuria beyond its sailing marinas. At the Museum of Folk Culture and the nearby ethnographic park, you can learn about the traditional crafts and customs of the region’s inhabitants and see how rural homes were traditionally furnished.

We also have a few suggestions for those who, rather than spending their free time in the great outdoors, prefer exploring cities and discovering their most interesting attractions and historic sites.

Each of these cities has its own character. Here’s a brief look at why it’s worth spending a long weekend in each of them.

Wroclaw

Wroclaw is known as the city of a hundred bridges and gnomes, whose figurines can be found throughout the city, often representing local trades, institutions and events. Residents relax on the islands and boulevards, while riverside cafés offer views of the university and the towers of Ostrow Tumski.

Katowice

Katowice holds a strong position on Poland’s music scene. Visitors come to the city for concerts at NOSPR and major festivals and events at Spodek. Its mining heritage is evident in the brick-built Nikiszowiec district and the buildings of the former mine, where the Culture Zone has been established.

Lublin

Lublin has a cosy Old Town, but thanks to its students and festivals, it is far from being a sleepy city of historic monuments. In the narrow streets, you’ll find small cafés and bars, while local bakeries sell cebularze – flatbreads topped with onion and poppy seeds that originated in Jewish cuisine.

Torun

Torun is famous for its gingerbread and Copernicus. The medieval centre is compact, and its skyline, with its distinctive brick towers, is best viewed from the opposite bank of the Vistula.

Cracow

Cracow’s historic sites hardly need any introduction. It is worth noting, however, that the capital of Malopolska also appeals to those who fancy a night out after sightseeing – whether at the theatre, a jazz club or one of the restaurants in Kazimierz.