May 2021 in Warsaw: ideas and tips for making the most of your spring in Warsaw
Please note that due to weather conditions or the high water level in the Vistula river, some cruises can be temporarily suspended. It’s recommended to check the Facebook page of a cruise provider before heading out. Free ferries across the Vistula river Cruises on the Vistula river Ferry across the Vistula river near Konstancin (transport of people, bicycles, cars) Gondola, rental of canoes and wooden boats in Park of the King Jan III’s Palace in Wilanów (Wilanowskie Lake) Taxi Wisła – the Vistula river cruises on a traditional wooden boat Kayak rental in Park Skaryszewski (from May 15) Kayak and canoe rental – kayaking trips along the Vistula River Kayak rental – kayaking trips along the Vistula River Kayak rental – kayaking trips along the Świder River
Are you looking for an idea of how to spend an interesting weekend in Warsaw outdoors? One of the ideas for spring and summer is Saturday or Sunday spent among beautiful nature, horses and jockeys. The Służewiec Horse Racetrack is not only a horse race but also an important monument in Warsaw – the track was opened in June 1939, at that time it was the most modern and largest horse racing track in Europe.
The Ujazdowski Park (city center) The Ujazdowski Park is one of the most valuable monuments of garden art in Warsaw (designed and opened in 1896). It is located in the heart of Warsaw, just 600 meters from Łazienki Park. It is smaller than Łazienki Park and not so crowded on weekends. There is a large, modern playground in the park (very popular among families, so if you want to avoid the crowds, visit the playground early in the morning or outside the weekend). Until recently, part of the playground was closed for the winter period. Roof Garden of the Warsaw University Library The Garden of the Warsaw University Library has two parts: the lower garden (open all year round) and the upper garden on the roof which was opened after the winter break on April 1 (it will be open to visitors until the end of October). In the lower garden, you will find small ponds, a fountain, granite sculptures. Feel free to have a picnic on the grass – it is allowed there:) The garden on the roof of a new building of the University of Warsaw Library is one of the largest roof gardens in Europe. From the top, you will have a wonderful view of Warsaw, including the Vistula river and the Palace of Culture and Science.
Alpine Coaster in Ochota A new streetfood outdoor market – OFF Brzeska (open from May 7) Horse Racing at Służewiec Racetrack – open to spectators, 25% of seats available (from May 15) Archeological picnic at the medieval castle in Czersk Gondola, rental of canoes and wooden boats in Park of the King Jan III’s Palace in Wilanów (Wilanowskie Lake) The Park of the King Jan III’s Palace in Wilanów The Foreign Languages Library – the biggest library in Warsaw offering books in foreign languages The Viewing Platform of the Palace of Culture and Science Sunday Yoga in Łazienki Royal Garden The “Breakfast Market” in Żoliborz / Targ Śniadaniowy – an outdoor shopping & street food The “Breakfast Market” in Mokotów / Targ Śniadaniowy – an outdoor shopping & street food Mini zoo/petting zoo Warsaw Zoo The Park at the birthplace of Frederic Chopin in Żelazowa Wola Educational park in the Wkra river valley in Pomiechówek Romantic Garden in Arkadia and Garden in Nieborów The graduation tower (tężnia) in the park in Konstancin town Re-opening after a winter season of the Upper Garden of the Royal Castle Visit one of 3 botanical gardens in Warsaw and its vicinity:
The Kampinos Forest near Warsaw – 350 km of hiking trails The Kampinos Forest (Puszcza Kampinoska) is located right next to the northwestern border of Warsaw. Most of its area is protected within the Kampinoski National Park (Kampinoski Park Narodowy). This is very unique on a global scale – the national park borders on the capital of the state! Visitors can enjoy here 350 km of hiking trails, a 200 km long bicycle trail, horse trails, 10 educational paths, 19 parking lots, and 12 rest areas located on the edge of the park. How to get to the Kampinos Forest? Read more in our post on the website, including a detailed description of selected hiking trails (e.g. starting point, where to leave a car) and our tips: National parks in Poland: Kampinos Forest near Warsaw. Nature reserves on the Vistula River (Wyspy Świderskie and Wyspy Zawadowskie), south of Warsaw These are nature reserves located south of Warsaw (from the Wilanów district to the town of Konstancin on one side of the Vistula and from the Wawer district to the towns of Józefów and Otwock on the other side of the Vistula). They include islands, shoals, sandbanks, and the waters of the Vistula River. It is a nesting and feeding place for rare bird species and a refuge for water-related animals. Usually, a very large area to walk and play with kids – depends on the water level. When the water level in the Vistula is low, the beach grows large. In the afternoons and evenings, the inhabitants of Warsaw visit this area because of the beautiful sunsets. Photographers are drawn to the vast panorama of Warsaw’s skyscrapers.
The Warsaw Office has developed a new free brochure in English “Warsaw Your Place”. It’s dedicated mainly to people who are thinking of moving to Warsaw and investors who are considering running their business there. Cost of living, moving around the city, education, shopping, free time, fun facts about Warsaw, etc. Click here to download the brochure (PDF).
Changes in the regulations on electric scooters in Poland from May 19, 2021 Extension of the paid parking zone in Warsaw by 2 districts (Żoliborz and Ochota) & changes in parking subscription from September 6, 2021 Also, from September 6, 2021, there will be a change in parking subscriptions for people living in the paid parking zone. Only people who settle PIT tax in Warsaw are to be able to obtain a subscription entitling them to free parking. There will also be a new extended option for the parking subscription. Currently, subscription holders can park for free in a small area close to their place of residence. This subscription, costing PLN 30 per year, includes several (maximum 8) parking meters located no more than 150 m from the house. The new option of the parking subscription will entitle you to a free parking space in a much larger area, covering the entire estate or a significant part of the district (e.g. the entire Rakowiec or Powiśle). These areas will include several dozen streets and from several hundred to 1.5 thousand parking spaces. Thanks to this new subscription, you will be able to get an ID allowing you to park in additional places reserved only for residents. The cost of the new subscription will be PLN 600 per year. Residents will also be able to stay with the previous subscription, which will continue to be issued on the current terms. The changes will enter into force on September 6, 2021. It will be possible to apply for new subscriptions in August. Photo source: Zarząd Dróg Miejskich
Does this sometimes happen at your home: leftovers from lunch? you bought too much fruit and you know you won’t have time to eat it? cans gathering dust at the back of your cupboard? Would you rather share your food and leftovers instead of throwing them away? Foodsharing point (jadłodzielnia in Polish) is a place where you can leave food for others if you are unable to consume it. There you can also help yourself with what other people have left behind. Each point has its volunteers who manage them. The goal is to reduce everyday food waste. Foodsharing points are used by indigent people, but not only. Anyone can take any leftover food, no matter how wealthy they are. May in Poland is usually warm and reasonably dry. Sunny weather can even turn hot. The average monthly temperature in May in Poland is 13,7°C / 56,7°F, and the average monthly rainfall level is 62,1 mm. The name of the month (maj) comes from the Latin name Maius. May and March are the only months whose Polish names derive from Latin. Polish names of the remaining months have Slavic roots. Lilac (bez) is a queen among spring flowers that bloom in May in Poland. In Poland, the most common are purple and white lilacs. It smells awesome but unfortunately, it is very fragile and withers quickly in the home vase. Lilac came to Poland from Turkey through the Balkan Peninsula. For years, an essential part of Polish rural gardens. Blooming usually lasts only up to two weeks so hurry to admire lilac! Poland in May turns into an orchard full of blooming fruit trees. It’s the time when fruit trees are in fool bloom. Wonderful sakura cherries receive special admiration in Japan, they are the symbol of Japan. In Poland, in the spring, pear, apple, cherry, plum trees bloom. Apple trees, however, dominate in Poland, with their white, slightly pinkish flowers. May also means the start of a busy season for bees! You can’t miss pinkish-white cone-shaped flowers of chestnuts (kasztan) that have become a symbol of high-school final exams in Poland that take place in May (this year exceptionally in June). Read more about the weather and changes in nature in Poland in spring. In May 2021, all Sundays are trade ban Sundays. The next shopping Sunday in Poland is June 27, 2021. Click here to read our post about shopping Sundays in Poland in 2021. Read our post with the list of online stores in Warsaw and other cities in Poland delivering groceries to home. Labor Day Flag Day Constitution Day Whit Sunday / Pentecost / Zielone Świątki Mother’s Day From May 1 From May 4 From May 8 From May 15 From May 17 From May 21 From May 28 (previously announced – from May 29) From May 31 Find out more in our posts to stay up to date: Subscribe to the Kids in the City’s weekly newsletter in English. The newsletter called What’s on in Warsaw for Kids & Families / Family life in Warsaw during the pandemic is emailed every Thursday and covers things to do in Warsaw with children and all kinds of family matters – information, tips, resources in English.
Vistula river cruises & kayaking in the Warsaw area
Starting from May 1 until September 26, 2021, there are 3 free ferries: Cypel Czerniakowski – Saska Kępa, Most Poniatowskiego – Stadion Narodowy, Podzamcze-Fontanny – ZOO. From May 1 to June 30, ferries run on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (additionally on weekdays on June 1 and 4). From July 1 to August 31, ferries run daily, and in September only at weekends. More in English (including a map, timetable).
Daylight and evening one-hour / 9 km cruises on the boats (glass-covered main deck and sun deck). The lower deck is completely built-up (with huge windows) and safe for little children. Regular ticket: 49 PLN, reduced ticket for children up to 15: 24 PLN (daily cruise), evening cruise – 45 PLN (online tickets). Start and finish at the Vistula Boulevard, close to the Old Town (location on the map). In May and June, sightseeing cruises are organised on weekends and in selected days during the week (depending on weather and relevant demand). You can also arrange a private cruise. Website in English. Facebook page.
Prom Gassy-Karczew connects the municipality of Konstancin-Jeziorna and the municipality of Karczew (the route on Google map). On weekdays the ferry operates from 6 am to 8 pm, on Saturdays – from 8 am to 8 pm, on Sundays and holidays – 9 am – 8 pm. The cost is 3 PLN per person (children up to 7 free). Additionally, bicycle – 2 PLN, motorcycle – 5 PLN, car – 9 PLN. Cash only. Website in Polish. Facebook page. The ferry has been operating since April 29.
Location: the park of Wilanów Palace, Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street (first you need to buy an entrance ticket to the park). Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm. The rental is located next to Pompownia building in the park – a pumping station at the Jezioro Wilanowskie Lake. There are available life vests, wooden boats (for 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children; 30 min – 40 PLN, 1 hour 60 PLN, 2 hours 100 PLN) and kayaks (for 2 adults with an additional child seat; 30 min – 20 PLN, 1 hour – 30 PLN, 2 hours – 50 PLN). Gondola rides every hour. You can pay with a card. Facebook page.
“Taxi Wisła” offers (from May till October) one-hour cruises, crossings to the other side of the Vistula, and further trips. To order/book Taxi Wisła call them (+48 605143904) or send a message on Facebook. There is always a set of life vests on board, you don’t need to have your own. Website in Polish.
Location: Park Skaryszewski, Aleja Zieleniecka 2 Street (Praga). The Skaryszewski Park -one of the largest parks in Warsaw – is located in Praga district. You will find there a Kamionkowskie Lake which used to be a part of Vistula river (today’s area of Skaryszewski Park and Saska Kępa used to be an island, and then a peninsula). The Lake is located within the Skaryszewski Park, swimming in the lake not allowed. Kayak rentals are available at the restaurant on the lakeside called “Przystań”. Life jackets for kids are available. Website in Polish. Facebook page. Our tips in English about the Skaryszewski Park.
Various routes are available – different in terms of the length of the trip (from 1,5-hour trip to weekend trips). The most popular 1,5-hour trip (10 km) along the Vistula river starts at Plaża Romantyczna (“Romantyczna Beach”) in Wawer and finishes in the area of Saska Kępa (location on the map). 2-person kayak: 90 PLN. Life vests are available for adults and children. Website in Polish. Facebook page.
Various routes are available – different in terms of the length of the trip. The most popular 2-hour trip (11 km) along the Vistula river (“Wawer-Śromieście”) starts near Plaża Romantyczna (“Romantyczna Beach”), Rychnowska Street and finishes in the area of Saska Kępa, Wał Miedzeszyński 399 Street (locations on the maps). 2-person kayak: 90 PLN, 1-person kayak 65 PLN. Life vests are available for adults and children. Online schedule and booking. Website in English. Facebook page.
Świder is a picturesque winding river near Warsaw, it flows into the Vistula River on the border of Józefów and Otwock. Various routes are available – different in terms of the length of the trip (from 2-hour trip to weekend trips). 2-person kayak: 80 PLN. Life vests are available for adults and children. Kayak rental is called “Przystań Emów”, contact them to book a kayak: + 48 607 582 757, przystan@emow.pl. Website in Polish. Facebook page.What to do in Warsaw in the open air on the weekend: Horse Racing at Tor Służewiec Racetrack
Of course, you don’t have to play sports betting if you don’t want to. It’s fun to watch the horses (sometimes you can even get up close), the children can play on the playground, you can eat something, and the race area itself is a huge green space!
It is also worth paying attention to the kilometer-long wall separating the area of the Racing Track from Puławska Street, which has become a street gallery of Polish graffiti artists.
Discover Warsaw in bloom
Ideas for things to do in Warsaw in May (what’s open)
Location: Górka Szczęśliwicka, Park Szczęśliwicki, Drawska 22 Street (Ochota). In the center of the Szczęśliwicki Park in Ochota, there is the highest hill in Warsaw, a 152 m slope called Górka Szczęśliwicka. Since April 24, 2021 on Górka Szczęśliwicka, you can use “Alpine Coaster” (gravity slide / zjeżdżalnia grawitacyjna / kolejka górska). Opening hours Monday – Friday: 1 pm – 8 pm. Opening hours Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm. Limit of people: 25 people at the same time. Price for 1 ride for 1 person: 8 PLN (info about tickets). (Website and Facebook page in Polish.
Location: OFF Brzeska, Bazar Różyckiego, Brzeska 25 Street (Praga), free entrance, Friday 5 pm – 1 am, Saturday 5 pm – 2 am, Sunday 1 pm – 8 pm. During the week it is a bazaar where you can buy vegetables, fruit, etc., and from Friday to Sunday – food trucks, music, events. “OFF Brzeska” operates in the Bazar Różyckiego – the iconic marketplace of Warsaw’s Praga, opened in 1874. Facebook page.
Location: Tor Wyścigów Konnych Służewiec, Puławska 266 Street, online tickets (children up to 5 free entrance). Saturday: gates opening 2 pm, the start of the first race: 3.30 pm, Sunday gates opening 1 pm, the start of the first race: 2.30 pm. Website in English. Facebook event in Polish.
Every weekend in May, June, July, August. Location: Czersk Castle (Zamek w Czersku), Plac Tysiąclecia 1, 05-530 Czersk (south of Warsaw, 40 km from the center of Warsaw), 11 am – 5 pm (the castle opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm), regular tickets 10 PLN, reduced tickets 5 PLN. Everyday life in various historical periods – presentation of old crafts, martial arts, cuisine. Our tips in English on visiting the Czersk Castle.
Location: the park of Wilanów Palace, Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street (first you need to buy an entrance ticket to the park). Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm. The rental is located next to Pompownia building in the park – a pumping station at the Jezioro Wilanowskie Lake. There are available life vests, wooden boats (for 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children; 30 min – 40 PLN, 1 hour 60 PLN, 2 hours 100 PLN) and kayaks (for 2 adults with an additional child seat; 30 min – 20 PLN, 1 hour – 30 PLN, 2 hours – 50 PLN). Gondola rides every hour. You can pay with a card. Facebook page.
Location: Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street (Wilanów). The park is a part of the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace – a baroque summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski and his wife, Queen Maria Kazimiera (the museum building is closed). It’s a vast park (45 hectares!) with gardens of different styles (Baroque, English landscape garden, rose garden, Anglo-Chinese garden) as well as Wilanowskie Lake, and lots of beautiful nature. The park’s opening hours in May: 9 am – 9 pm (last entry 8.30 pm). The park is open every day. Regular ticket 7 PLN, reduced ticket 4 PLN (children up to 7 years old – free entrance), tickets for children from the European Union – 1 PLN. The ticket area starts in the courtyard (it used to be free). On Thursdays free admission based on tickets to be collected at the ticket office and ticket machines. It’s recommended to buy tickets online. More about the park and beautiful photos in our post.
Location: Meissnera 5 Street (Praga). The Library is reopened from April 26, 2021. All are welcome! Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1 pm – 7 pm; Tuesday, Thursday 10 am – 4 pm. It’s the biggest library in Warsaw offering books in different foreign languages. It has over 50,000 books, audiobooks, and films, including books for children and teenagers. Most of their collection is in English but there are also books in German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Ukrainian, and Croatian. Facebook page in Polish & English. Website in Polish and English.
Location: Plac Defilad 1 (city center). The platform is located on the 30th floor (114 m high) of the Palace of Culture and Science. Opening hours, every day: 10 am – 8 pm. Online tickets. Our tips about visiting the platform.
Location: Łazienki Royal Garden, 10 am – 11.30 am, click here to check the meeting point (the area next to the Palace on the Isle). Families with children are welcome. Registration: yoga@dorotakobos.com (limit of 25 participants). Facebook event in Polish and English. Next event – May 9, 16, 30.
Every Saturday. Location: al. Wojska Polskiego 1 Street (Żoliborz), 9 am – 4 pm, free entrance. Street food, bread, pastries, cheese, sausages, vegan delicatessen, vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish. Facebook event in Polish. Next event – May 8.
Every Sunday. Location: Skwer Grupy AK “Granat”, corner of Puławska and Woronicza Street (Mokotów), 10 am – 5 pm, free entrance. Street food, bread, pastries, cheese, sausages, vegan delicatessen, vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish. Facebook event in Polish. Next event – May 9.
Location: Mini Zoo, Kolorowa 19/156 Street, poziom/level -1 (Ursus), Monday – Friday 11 am – 7 pm, Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm. At the Mini Zoo, you can feed and stroke the animals. The visits take place in the company of a Mini ZOO employee who will show and teach how to deal with animals. The Mini Zoo is located in the indoor heated room; tickets available for purchase on-site, no reservation is required. Facebook page. Website in Polish.
Location: Ratuszowa 1/3 Street (Praga). Opening hours in May, Monday-Friday: 9 am – 6 pm; weekends and holidays: 9 am – 7 pm. Last admission one hour before the Zoo closes. Online tickets. The Zoo is open every day, including all public holidays! Two entrances/exits are open: from Ratuszowa Street and from the Gdański Bridge. Website in English.
Location: Chopin Museum and Park, 96-503 Sochaczew, Żelazowa Wola 15 (60 km from Warsaw). Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm. Free entrance on Wednesday, online tickets. Click here to read our tips in English about visiting the Park.
Location: Park Dolina Wkry, Nasielska 1 Street, Pomiechówek (40 km from Warsaw). Open on Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm. Attractions reopened in April include nature trail, the observation deck, playground, a treetop route. The park includes almost 10 hectares of land with educational routes. More in English about visiting the educational park in Pomiechówek.
Location: the parks are located 80 km from Warsaw. Park in Nieborów’s location on Google map and Park in Arkadia’s location on Google map. Open every day 10 am – 6 pm. Online tickets (to both parks: regular 28 PLN, reduced 16 PLN, children up to 7 free entrance; reduced tickets for students: 2 PLN. An English-style romantic garden (established in 1778) in the village of Arkadia is one of the few sentimental and romantic gardens in Europe that survived in a slightly changed form. The baroque palace in Nieborów is surrounded by a French-style garden. More in English about visiting the parks.
Location: Park Zdrojowy, Henryka Sienkiewicza Street, Konstancin-Jeziorna (The Park Zdrojowy‘s location on Google map. The Graduation Tower’s location on Google map). The tower’s opening hours: 9 am – 7 pm (every day). The graduation tower (Tężnia Solankowa, also known as a thorn house) is an open-air ‘inhalatorium’ – a huge natural inhaler. It’s a wooden structure, covered with blackthorn branches that were originally used in the production of salt. To enter the tower area you need to buy a ticket (a regular ticket 12 PLN, a reduced ticket 7 PLN, a family ticket 2+2 30 PLN, children up to 3 free entrance). More in English about visiting Konstancin.
Location: the Garden is located at the back of the Castle. You can enter the lower garden from Wisłostrada Street / the Vistula Boulevard side. During the winter and spring season, only The Lower Garden is available. The Upper Garden is open from May 1. Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm. Free entrance. More about the Gardens of the Royal Castle in our post.
Day trips from Warsaw
Click here to find out more about one-day trips from Warsaw in our post. 10+ spots to explore in the Warsaw area (how to get there, opening hours, tickets info, photos).
“Warsaw Your Place” – a brochure dedicated to people who are thinking of moving to Warsaw
News from Warsaw: new regulations for electric scooters in Poland; extension of the paid parking zone by 2 districts & changes in parking subscription
Foodsharing in Warsaw: places in Warsaw where you can leave food for others and help yourself with what other people have left
Weather in Poland in May
In Poland, chestnuts grow mainly in parks and along roads. It is a huge tree – in Poland, the largest chestnut trees reach about 30 m in height and about 600 cm in the circumference of the trunk. The oldest chestnut in Poland grows in the Wielkopolskie Province and is over 200 years old!Sunday trade ban in Poland in May 2021
Public holidays & dates to remember in Poland in May 2021
A bank/public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers are closed. Only some smaller local convenience stores can be open. Stores at gas stations are open every day, 24 h. Usually, in Warsaw and other major cities in Poland, there are political marches to promote workers’ rights.
A regular working day (Sunday in 2021). It’s a relatively new holiday in Poland (introduced in 2004). You can notice Polish flags in some private windows and balconies as well as displayed in public institutions buildings.
A bank/public holiday in Poland. The May 3rd Constitution was passed in 1791 and is claimed to be the first written constitution in Europe and the second one in the world (after the American one). Usually, Constitution Day is celebrated with speeches, military parades, picnics, however, this year due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Poland, some events can be prohibited.
A public/bank holiday in Poland (always on Sunday anyway). The Day of Descent of the Holy Spirit – Zielone Świątki (Green Holidays). In Poland, some people decorate their homes with branches with green leaves.
It is a day when you call your mum, send her a card, flowers or other gifts. Father’s Day in Poland is celebrated on June 23.Current covid restrictions & regulations in Poland