Where to go for a May Day holiday in Poland | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Trains run on 1, 2 and 3 May according to holiday or weekend timetables across Poland
• Carriers often add extra services and carriages over the May long weekend due to high demand
• Wroclaw's Market Square and Ostrow Tumski are iconic May weekend destinations reachable by train
• The May long weekend combines two public holidays on 1 May and 3 May with a bridge day on 2 May
• Travelling by train avoids motorway congestion and city-centre parking problems during the holiday
• Check museum and attraction opening hours in advance as some venues close on public holidays

The long weekend in May is the ideal time to go on a day trip or a longer one. As most people have the day off at this time, it is worth choosing an alternative to travelling by car to avoid traffic jams and searching for a parking space. The train is ideal for this - it reaches all major Polish cities, and the May weekend is a great time for a city-break.

However, remember to check the opening hours of museums and attractions before planning your trip, as some may be closed or visiting hours may be changed. Which cities are particularly worth visiting?

The capital of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship is vibrant all year round. It is an excellent option for long walks and active leisure. What is worth visiting in Wrocław over the May weekend?

TheMarket Square and Ostrów Tumski are iconic places in Wrocław that bear witness to the city's centuries-long history. In both the Market Square and Ostrów Tumski, the oldest part of the city, you will see preserved medieval architecture.

The Botanical Garden of Wrocław University and the Japanese Garden - a proposal not only for a romantic stroll, but also an outing for the whole family who love admiring nature.

Museums - Wrocław is home to many cultural institutions. The National Museum, the Museum of Architecture and the Museum of Pharmacy are especially worth a visit.

The Zwierzyniecka harbour - in good weather, you can rent canoes or pedal boats and get some fresh air while enjoying active recreation with amazing views.

Thematic walks - Wrocław has several themed trails. You can set off along the route of dwarves, murals and bridges.

Trains to Wrocław run all year round from the biggest cities in Poland. You will find direct connections from Warsaw, Cracow, Poznań and Gdańsk, but also closer destinations such as Jelenia Góra, Kędzierzyn-Koźle and Opole. Wrocław Główny railway station is close to the centre, so once you arrive you can quickly get to the market square and around the main attractions.

Zakopane, located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, is a small town that is popular all year round - and not just with mountain hikers. Between the wars, Zakopane was a meeting place for Poland's artistic bohemians and a popular health resort. So if you want to follow in their footsteps, we suggest a visit to Zakopane:

Willa Koliba - is the seat of the Zakopane Style Museum. Visitors can learn about the history of the first concept of the national style, which was developed both in theory and practice. Its creator was Stanisław Witkiewicz, and Koliba was the first building erected in this style.

Willa Oksza - the art gallery housed there presents works by, among others, Witkacy, Rafał Malczewski, Zofia Stryjeńska and Leon Wyczółkowski. In addition to the permanent exhibition, interesting temporary exhibitions are also prepared, and the portraits in the Witkacy room are changed every three months.

Willa Atma - the biographical museum of Karol Szymanowski. The famous Polish artist composed many of his most important works here and hosted representatives of the artistic elite of the time. Visitors can learn about Szymanowski's history and see the memorabilia and numerous awards he received during his lifetime.

Cemetery of Merit on Pęksowy Brzysek - a historic cemetery that is the resting place of many celebrities associated with Zakopane. Among them are the graves of Kornel Makuszyński, Stanisław Marusarz or the legendary storyteller and Tatra guide, Jan Krzeptowski "Sabała". There are also symbolic graves of people closely connected with the town: Witkacy and Himalayan mountaineer Maciej Berbeka.

Fans of active leisure will also find something for themselves in Zakopane. You can go for walks in the valleys and alpine forests, take a cable car to Kasprowy Wierch and Gubałówka or visit the ski jump on Wielka Krokiew.

The railway station in Zakopane has undergone extensive modernisation and has been accessible to travellers again since 2023. You can easily reach Poland's winter capital by train from various corners of the country, and from 2025 by the EIP Pendolino train from Gdynia Główna via Warsaw and Cracow. Due to the high interest in this destination over the May weekend, it is worth buying train tickets in advance, for example on the PolishTrains portal. You will receive your ticket by SMS or email without having to print it out.

Cracow is a city with centuries of history, which can be explored in many different ways. During the long weekend in early May, take advantage of the good weather and spend time outdoors.

Takea walk in the Old Town - from the Central Station along Planty and Florianska Streets to the Market Square. At the Market Square you can visit St. Mary's Church, St. Adalbert's Church and the Cloth Hall, then walk along Grodzka Street towards the Wawel Castle. From there, you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of Cracow on the Vistula River and visit the exhibitions at the castle or continue to the Kazimierz district for a walk.

By bike to Tyniec - a suggestion to see Cracow from a different perspective can be a bike trip along the Vistula boulevards up to the medieval Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec.

Cracow Mounds Trail - there are as many as five mounds in Cracow, but the most recognizable are Kościuszko Mound, which is additionally decorated with red and white flags on the occasion of the Flag Day falling on 2 May, and Krakus Mound, located near the Cracow Podgórze railway station. Near the Zoological Garden in Wolski Forest, which is also worth a visit, is another mound, that of Józef Piłsudski.

The Botanical Garden - ideal for a spring stroll, enchants with the natural beauty of blooming flowers. The garden is open on May Day, during which there are often additional attractions, such as an open-air cinema.

You won't be bored in bad weather either. Among the many attractions of Cracow, there are some that can be visited in case of rain or low temperatures. You can get to Cracow by train from all over Poland. Kraków Główny railway station is one of the country's most important transport hubs, with over 600 trains a day.

A weekend trip in May to Gdańsk is the perfect recipe for a city-break. The city combines modernity with history, industrial character with extraordinary nature. What is a must-see during a visit to Gdańsk in May?

The Main Town - historic townhouses, the Long Market and the famous Neptune's Fountain. This is a great idea for a stroll on foot. Wandering through the historic streets, it is worth stopping by Artus Court and entering St. Mary's Basilica.

The European Solidarity Centre - a modern museum on the site of the former Gdańsk shipyard - presents the history of the 1980s, Solidarity and the strikes. Visitors can also visit the office of Lech Wałęsa.

Boat trips - due to the city's convenient location, there is a wide range of cruises on offer, for example to Westerplatte, but also cruises on the Motlawa River in traditional galleys, or a water tram to Hel with the soothing sound of the waves.

Gdańsk has excellent rail connections to Warsaw and Cracow - most of the EIP Pendolino line runs on this route, but not only. The journey from Warsaw by this train takes just 2.5 hours. The timetable to Gdańsk is filled with direct IC and TLK trains from all over the country, as well as regional trains from closer destinations.

Toruń is a city that is famous for Nicolaus Copernicus and gingerbread. So if you are looking for a unique place to spend May by train, it is worth including it in your plans. What to see in Toruń?

The Old Town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is full of charming houses and interesting museums such as the Museum of Toruń Gingerbread or the Nicolaus Copernicus House, and the ruins of a Teutonic castle. Heading from Toruń Główny railway station, you need to cross the bridge over the Vistula River. On the way, it is worth stopping at the viewing platform, from where you can see the panorama of the city on the other bank of the river.

Bulwar Filadelfijski - after sightseeing in the Old Town, you can extend your trip with a walk along Bulwar Filadelfijski and the promenade on the Vistula below. The hustle and bustle of the city doesn't reach there, so you can recharge your batteries a bit during an open-air walk.

Planetarium - this is an ideal option for those travelling with children, especially in bad weather. On May Day, you can count on special sky shows.

Around 150 passenger trains a day pass through Toruń Główny station. Closer to the old town, there is another station, Toruń Miasto. The train timetable to Toruń is filled with connections from all over the country. For example, you can get the IC Kazimierz train from Zakopane via Cracow and Łódź.

City-breaks are one way to spend May Day. A long May weekend in the countryside could be another. Can such places be reached by train? It turns out that yes. Many smaller towns and cities can be the perfect base for trips to the mountains, canoeing, cycling or long walks in the natural environment.

To the mountains by train - the best places to go in May, which you can reach by train

There are many ideal places to spend May in the Polish mountains. Some of them can also be reached by train. Soon, there will be even more of them, when the Piekiełko-Szczyrzyc-Tymbark/Mszana Dolna line is built and travellers will gain rail access to the Beskid Wyspowy trails.

Szklarska Poręba

One of the suggested destinations for the long May weekend is Szklarska Poręba. The town, located on the border of the Karkonosze and the Jizera Mountains, has three railway stations:

Szklarska Poreba Dolna - close to the black trail to Zbójeckich Skały and the yellow trail to Diamentowy Widok, as well as the thematic Walloon Trail.

Szklarska P orebaŚrednia - close to Kępa and Kamienna Górka and attractions such as the Wobbling Stone, Golden View and the Garden of the Mountain Spirit.

Szklarska Poręba Górna - station in the heart of the town, close to accommodation, hotels, public facilities and trails.

There are three direct long-distance trains to Szklarska Poręba from Warsaw.

IC Karkonosze - daily services via, among others, Łódź, Sieradz, Kalisz, Wrocław, Wałbrzych and Jelenia Góra. With tickets from 98 PLN.

IC Orzeszkowa- daily courses through, among others, Częstochowa, Opole, Wrocław, Wałbrzych and Jelenia Góra. With tickets from 102 PLN.

IC Sniezka - weekend courses through, among others, Częstochowa, Opole, Wrocław, Wałbrzych and Jelenia Góra with tickets from 102 zł.

Krynica-Zdrój

Krynica-Zdrój is a town in the Beskid Sądecki region. There you can admire the mountain scenery, but also taste the famous healing waters: Zubr, Kryniczanka, Jan, Józef, Słotwinka, Mieczysław and Tadeusz. Krynica is a frequent destination for visitors, but it is also an ideal destination for a long May weekend. What to see in Krynica?

Góra Parkowa (Park Mountain ) - you can set off on the yellow trail near the railway station or take the path next to the Sunny Spring, visit the Gardens of the Elements on the way and then only ascend the aforementioned trail. Another option is to take the railway from the centre of Krynica.

Jaworzyna Krynicka - there is a red trail near the station, which you can use to walk to Jaworzyna Krynicka via the Black Brook. Alternatively, you can take the green trail from the centre of Krynica. In Czarny Potok, there is a gondola railway station, which you can use if you do not have the strength for mountain hiking.

Pump houses - Krynica stands with its healing mineral waters. The most popular is the modernist Central Water Pump Room, but you can also visit the Mieczyslaw Pump Room in the Old Spa House, the Jan and Joseph Pump Rooms at the foot of the Parkowa Mountain and the Słotwinka in the Słotwiński Park.

There are three direct long-distance trains from Kraków to Krynica-Zdrój: TLK Karpaty, IC Malinowski and TLK Malopolska. On the way, the trains stop, among others, in Tarnów, Nowy Sącz, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Łomnica-Zdrój, Żegiestów-Zdrój and Muszyna. Tickets can be purchased from as little as 31 PLN.

May weekend at the lake

During the May weekend, the weather is usually already favourable and the tourist season is slowly starting. It is a good idea to have an active holiday among the lakes in the open air, and you can also go to these by train.

Giżycko

The undisputed leader when it comes to the number of lakes in Poland is Masuria. It is a popular location for sailors, but also for canoe enthusiasts. Giżycko, located between lakes Kisajno and Niegocin, is the perfect location for both activities. Giżycko also has excellent cycling routes and bicycle rental facilities. You can also go canoeing on the Krutynia River.

There are direct long-distance trains to Giżycko from:

Białystok - IC Rybak and TLK Biebrza with tickets from 53 PLN.

Kraków - IC Nida via e.g. Kielce, Radom, Warsaw and Białystok with fares from 104 zł.

Szczecin - IC Rybak via e.g. Stargard, Tricity and Olsztyn with fares from 105 zł.

Wrocław - IC Słowacki via e.g. Kalisz, Łódź, Warsaw and Białystok from 109 PLN.

Gdynia - TLK Biebrza via, inter alia, Tricity and Olsztyn starting from 82 PLN.

By the sea among nature

If you want to visit the Polish coast during May, a good idea would be to choose the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Our suggested destination is Międzyzdroje and a visit to the Wolin National Park. This is an ideal idea for nature lovers. There you can:

• see the European bison show enclosure and the Turquoise Lake - you can get there on foot or on a bike trip. The trails in and around the Park are well maintained and the cycling infrastructure is of a high standard.
• Take a walk along the wide beaches and admire the breathtaking views at vantage points accompanied by sea waves, e.g. Gosań.

There are direct trains to Międzyzdroje from:

Chelm - IC Usedom 440 Ursa via, among others, Lublin, Warsaw, Łódź, Kalisz, Poznań and Szczecin. Tickets from 120 PLN.

Zakopane - IC Podhalanin via e.g. Nowy Targ, Kraków, Częstochowa, Łódź, Kutno, Poznań and Szczecin from 121 PLN.

Wrocław - IC Chełmoński 132 Saxonia via inter alia Głogów, Zielona Góra and Szczecin from 72 zł.

Suwałki - IC Podlasiak via inter alia Białystok, Warsaw, Kutno, Poznań and Szczecin from 120 zł.

Przemyśl - IC Wyczółkowski 134 Via Regia via e.g. Rzeszów, Tarnów, Kraków, Katowice, Opole, Wrocław, Zielona Góra and Szczecin from 121 zł.

There are also numerous rail connections to nearby Świnoujście.

Poland is a country full of tourist attractions that can be seen at any time of the year. We encourage you to spend your May holidays in Poland, as there is plenty to choose from! You can buy your train ticket online in the PolishTrains application.

• You will receive it by e-mail or SMS in electronic form without having to print it out.
• You do not need to register anywhere.
• You can use the support of the Customer Service Office, which is open 7 days a week from 7 am to 11 pm.

Remember to check the current timetable and buy your tickets in advance before setting off on your dream May holiday in Poland. If you plan to take larger luggage or a bicycle, check whether this is possible.