Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship winter holidays 2026 - when are they and what's worth seeing? | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Warmian-Masurian winter holidays 2026 fall in the first national period: 19 January to 1 February
• Olsztyn Glowny station is served by direct trains from Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw
• Aquapark Pluski near Olsztyn offers water attractions including slides and pools in winter
• Lidzbark Warminski Bishop's Castle is open Tuesday to Sunday throughout the year
• Olsztyn Planetarium runs shows and exhibitions suitable for children and adults
• From Olsztyn, POLREGIO regional trains connect to Ilawa and surrounding lake district towns

In 2026, pupils from the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship will be able to enjoy their winter holidays in the first holiday period, from 19 January to 1 February. This date makes it possible to plan holidays in the second half of January - then the weather conditions should be favourable for both outdoor activities and visiting local attractions.

The best way to go on holidays in Warmia and Mazury is by train - it is a comfortable, ecological and stress-free way of travelling, which allows you to fully enjoy the views outside your window. By train, you can reach the most interesting cities in the voivodeship - Olsztyn and Iława.

What is more, thanks to the PolishTrains platform, you can easily book your train ticket, choosing the most convenient route and time. Travel with your loved ones in comfort, discovering the charms of Poland from the very first minute of your trip!

What is worth seeing in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship? Read on for our guide and you will learn about the region's most important attractions.

A winter break in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship is an excellent opportunity to discover the unique beauty of the region, which acquires additional charm in winter. Picturesque lakes surrounded by forest create scenery straight out of a winter postcard - especially when there is snow. The region offers numerous attractions for lovers of physical activity and for those who prefer quieter forms of leisure.

In winter, Warmia and Masuria also offers a wealth of events and places that allow you to combine relaxation with education and fun. It is worth including visits to historical castles, walks in scenic parks, participation in art workshops or discovering local specialities in atmospheric restaurants in your itinerary.

Wondering whether you will have an interesting time with your children during the winter holidays in Warmia and Mazury? You can go to the Olsztyn Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory, located at 38 Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego Avenue in Olsztyn, 2 km from the main railway station. The following attractions await visitors on site.

• the Copernicus Experimentarium,

• night sky shows

• educational screenings,

• physical and astronomical demonstrations,

• exhibition on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Planetarium and much more.

Entrance tickets for the various attractions vary in price, and the good news is that a carer always pays just PLN 1 for their ticket.

Looking for other ideas for your holidays? Warminsko-Mazurskie in 2026 is a real paradise for active children!

One of the attractive places for holidays in Warmińsko-Mazurskie in 2026 is Aquasfera, which is a swimming pool, swimming pool and sauna complex at 69B Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego Avenue (near the Planetarium). The facility is open Monday to Friday from 6am to 9.30pm, and at weekends from 10am to 9.30pm.

Younger children will certainly enjoy a visit to the three-level Pluski aquapark near Olsztyn. Getting there is economical and convenient - just get off the train at Stawiguda station and change to a bus to Pluski village. The Aquapark welcomes visitors from Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 21:00 and at weekends from 10:00 to 21:00.

In Olsztyn, it is also possible to go ice-skating, e.g. at the ice rink of the Ukiel Recreation and Sports Centre at Kapitańska Street 23. The facility is open daily from 9:00-21:00 (with a technical break from 14:00-15:00). Ticket prices start at around PLN 20, skates can also be hired on site for an additional fee.

Are you ready for more? Here are three other attractions to consider during the winter holidays in Warmia and Mazury!

The Bishop's Castle in Lidzbark Warmiński is a true gem of Gothic architecture, which looks even more fabulous in winter. Located about 50 km from Olsztyn, the building was once the seat of the bishops of Warmia and played an important role in the history of the region. Today, its walls house the Museum of Warmia, with exhibitions on the history, art and culture of Warmia.

During the winter holidays in Warmia and Masuria, it is worth choosing a guided tour of the castle, whose stories will draw you into the world of medieval mysteries.

The building is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00 (on Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 to 19:00). A normal ticket costs PLN 38, a reduced ticket costs PLN 25. For a family ticket of 2+2, 2+3 or 1+3 you will pay 105 zlotys and for a ticket of 2+1 or 1+2 - 85 zlotys.

How to get to the castle? The best way to get to the castle is by train to Olsztyn - from here to Lidzbark Warmiński it is about 50 km, and the route can be covered in less than an hour using the numerous buses and busses which run between the two towns. You can also choose another train connection - to Dobre Miasto, from where buses also depart for Lidzbark Warmiński (in this case the journey takes about half an hour). Travelling by car with your family? If you are passing through Olsztyn, take the DK51 road, which will lead you as far as Zamkowa Street, where the Bishop's Castle is located.

The picturesque surroundings of the castle are also worth noting - the town of Lidzbark Warmiński is full of charming streets and cafes where you can relax with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine, for example. If you plan to travel by train, you can take the route to Dobre Miasto, for example, and from there take the bus. Winter holidays 2026? Warminsko-Mazurskie is the best possible destination!

If the winter weather in Olsztyn is not conducive to outdoor play, don't worry - the holidays can be spent in places that offer plenty of activities for the little ones even in the colder weather. The city has many spaces where children can play, learn and be active in a warm, friendly environment.

One example is Warmiolandia Miasto Dzieci (Warmiolandia City of Children) - a playroom located at 117 Warszawska Street, with numerous attractions for toddlers , including slides, trampolines, mini go-carts, a climbing wall and educational houses. It is available daily: during the week from 12:00 to 20:00, and at weekends from 10:00 to 20:00.

Equally well-equipped is the Adventure Factory playroom at 16 Dolna Street, open weekdays from 13:00 to 20:00 and weekends from 10:00 to 20:00).

Also consider attending ceramic sessions for children and carers, organised by the Ceramic Artistic Studio at 85 Niepodległości St. Just before you arrive, check out the current schedule on the establishment's website and sign up for family activities!

During the 2026 winter holidays, the Warmia and Mazury region also remembers about families whose parents cannot take a holiday. Half-schools are then the ideal solution. The academy Efektywna Nauka, for example, invites children to various themed activities every year; the meetings are divided into age groups. If you want to know more, be sure to visit the organiser's website, where you can find out about the programme of the half-schools and how to enrol.

As you can see, there are many ways to spend your time in the region. If you are in the process of collecting ideas for such a winter holiday, these places should definitely be on your "attractions for children Olsztyn holidays" list.

When the holidays in the Warmian-Masurian region start in earnest, don't forget to be active outdoors. Especially if there are nature lovers in your family, the Iława Lake District Landscape Park is a must-visit place during the winter holidays! The numerous hiking trails here allow you to fully enjoy contact with nature, away from the hustle and bustle of cities and everyday chores.

The area is also worth visiting charming towns such as Iława, where you can sample local delicacies and stay the night. After an eventful day in the scenic park, a visit to a cosy restaurant serving regional dishes will be a great culmination.

If you are planning a train journey to the Iława Lake District Landscape Park with your family, choose Iława Główna as your destination station. From there you have less than 5 km - you can walk it as part of a sightseeing tour. By car, the distance can be covered in a few minutes by taking the DW521 route.

You already know when the Warmian-Masurian holidays start, what about the other provinces? In 2026, the holidays have been divided differently than before, into three dates. This division is intended to ensure an even distribution of tourist traffic and allow winter attractions to be enjoyed without excessive crowds.

The dates for the 2026 holidays are as follows:

Between 19 January and 1 February, children in the Mazowieckie, Pomorskie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie and, of course, Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeships will have a holiday.

In the second period, from 2 to 15 February, holidays are offered to pupils from the following provinces: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Łódzkie, Zachodniopomorskie, Małopolskie and Opolskie.

In the last period from 16 February to 1 March, holidays take place in the following voivodeships: Podkarpackie, Lubelskie, Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie and Śląskie.

If you are planning this year's holidays, Warmia-Mazury is a destination definitely worth considering. A visit to this picturesque province will abound in numerous attractions, providing unforgettable experiences for the whole family. Between 19 January and 1 February, you can discover the beauty of the Land of a Thousand Lakes, visit the Gothic castle in Lidzbark Warmiński, and go hiking in the Iława Lake District Landscape Park. The region impresses with its winter weather, providing many leisure activities - from ice-skating or cross-country skiing to relaxing in the local spas. It is worth taking advantage of train travel, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also allows you to enjoy the charm of snowy landscapes from the very first minute of departure!

Is it worth spending your winter holidays in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship?

Yes! Holidays in Warmia-Mazury Region give you the opportunity to discover the history and traditions of the region, as well as the beauty of the local nature. If you are planning to spend the whole of your holidays here, we recommend starting your sightseeing from Olsztyn, where you can visit all the highlights, museums and sites in 2-3 days. If you stay longer, you won't be bored either - additional attractions such as an ice rink, aquapark or workshops and educational activities for children will make for a pleasant winter holiday. Be sure to also reserve a few days to enjoy the surroundings, admiring the local nature in the Iława Lake District Landscape Park and other regions full of picturesque lakes and landscapes. Such first excursions are also a chance to sample local produce and products in small manufactures and restaurants in smaller towns.

What modes of transport are best for winter travel in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship?

When travelling in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, we recommend trains; they are a comfortable and safe means of transport, especially if the road conditions are unfavourable and you want to spend time with your children on the journey. For example, you can get from Olsztyn to Ilawa with POLREGIO.

What's more, even if you live in more remote parts of Poland, you can also reach the Warmian-Masurian region for your holidays by rail. There are regular trains to Olsztyn from, for example, Białystok, Gdynia, Poznań, Szczecin, Warsaw and Wrocław. These routes are operated by PKP Intercity.

Is it worth booking tickets and accommodation for holidays in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in advance?

Be sure to make your reservations in advance! A while before the holidays, many options may no longer be available. In this case, it is advisable to plan everything at least a month in advance, as many people go on similar trips during the holidays. On the PolishTrains website, you can buy train tickets as early as 30 days before the planned departure of the train. This is when there is usually the largest choice of seats and the greatest chance of tickets at a promotional price**(Promobilet offer** - valid for selected connections).

The same is true for accommodation; holiday offers can be found on various services even several months in advance. As a rule, hotels in the best locations sell out long before the winter holidays, so don't delay in booking, especially if you are travelling with young children and, for example, care about being close to the city centre.