Winter holidays in the city – winter attractions worth taking advantage of

How can you plan an interesting city break? What can you do to spend this time in an engaging way? Below, we present a few attractions in selected Polish cities worth taking advantage of during the winter. You don’t have to go to the mountains to have a great break – see what you can do in Kielce, Wroclaw, or Krakow to experience the magic of this special time. Winter break in the city doesn’t have to be boring!

How to spend a nice holiday?

Above all, be active! Whether you choose skiing, visiting an art gallery, or enrolling your child in creative activities at a local community center or library, it’s worth spending this time in a different way than your everyday life. Depending on your child’s preferences, these can include sports, art, or sightseeing. Winter break is, of course, much shorter than the summer season, but it’s not worth spending it in front of the TV or computer. So what to do in winter?

What can you do during winter break?

It’s best to choose activities that aren’t available at other times. These attractions primarily include winter sports and places attractive for their winter weather. If you decide to spend your holidays in the city, ice rinks are among them. In every slightly larger town, you’ll find a rink worth checking out. You can usually rent skates and helmets in any size, so don’t worry if you don’t have your own equipment. For the little ones, there are also special skating training device for children like penguins or polar bears, making it easier for them to take their first steps on the ice. Some rinks are open until March, so if not during the holidays, it’s worth visiting even later. In addition to recreational skating, such places often organize skating schools – training for children, individual lessons with an instructor – or winter skating holidays. When it comes to organized holidays, you can also choose other unusual sports, such as squash or horseback riding. For example, in Wroclaw, there are summer camps for children and teenagers at a sports center specializing in squash, badminton, and ping-pong, or equestrian holidays at Partynice, the local horse racetrack. If you decide to spend your winter break in Wroclaw, it’s also worth visiting

Zieleniec – Lower Silesian ski center

If you would like to come to Wroclaw for the holidays and are looking for comfortable accommodation, we recommend comfortable rooms and apartments at Qubus Hotel Wroclaw.

Skiing in the city?

Yes. Although skiing is undoubtedly associated with the mountains, it can also be enjoyed in urban settings. Besides the perhaps most famous Malta in Poznań, you can also enjoy skiing in other cities in Poland – Warszawa, Sopot, Katowice, Krakow, and Kielce. Some slopes are artificially snowed, others depend on weather conditions.

Kielce offers a wide range of options for skiers – you’ll find ski slopes, an ice rink, and a ski school all in one place. It’s a great base for residents of Warszawa, Sopot, Lodz, or Radom. Due to Kielce’s location in the Swietokrzyskie Mountains, the climate here is somewhat harsher, which means that the weather conditions are more likely to be favorable for skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts. One such place is the stadium in Kielce – it also features a children’s slope, where kids can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. But it’s not the only such place in the city. You can also indulge in winter sports at the Telegraf resort, where you’ll also find a ski slope and an ice rink. This place is suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. It also hosts sports and recreational competitions. Some unusual events include “slides on anything” and costume descents

Planning a trip to Kielce for the holidays? Check out our accommodation options at Qubus Hotel Kielce.

What to do in the city during winter? Winter attractions in Poland

If you’re planning a winter vacation in the city with your family, why not your own? There are many places in the country worth visiting during this time; Polish cities can be enchanting in winter! Below you’ll find some of our suggestions for winter activities and winter attractions in Poland.

Winter attractions in Poland – Gdansk

In Gdansk, we recommend a full-size ice rink, supposedly a bit out of this world due to its unusual design – resembling a balloon. Interestingly, there’s also a curling rink.

While in the Tricity area, it’s definitely worth taking a walk by the sea. Winter beach time not only means more iodine in the air – it’s also worth seeing the coast in a different winter atmosphere, as well as enjoying the fewer tourists. Winter boat cruises are an interesting option. In Pomerania, sleigh rides are also organized if there’s snow. There are also ski slopes near Gdansk – you can find them in Sopot or Lysa Gora.

Winter attractions in Poland – Krakow

Krakow is also one of the Polish cities where you won’t be bored in winter. You’ll find not only an ice rink here, but also a skating rink! The ice rink in Jordan Park—though not the only one in Krakow—stands out for its dual-rink design, one designed for children, making it even safer. The location of the facility is also attractive—situated among trees, there’s a café nearby, and the rink itself is beautifully lit in the evenings. All this creates a unique atmosphere. Winter in the city can be magical!

Another special attraction in Krakow during this time is the opportunity to see beautiful nativity scenes – referring not only to Christian tradition but also to key local monuments – part of the Krakow Nativity Scene Competition, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exhibition remains open long after the holidays and is very popular.

If you decide to spend your city break in Krakow, it’s worth escaping to Zakopane for at least a day during your stay. Although it’s crowded in winter, there’s a reason for that! Just 100 km from Krakow, you’ll find mountain trails in beautiful winter glory, the popular Krupówki Street, home to many local delicacies, including oscypek cheese and mulled wine. You can also visit the Wielka Krokiew ski jump, which you can reach by cable car.

Winter attractions in Poland – Katowice

Katowice’s most popular winter attraction in Poland is its 350-meter-long toboggan run, which is artificially snowed, making it accessible year-round. Active recreation enthusiasts will certainly appreciate Silesian Park, which offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities in winter. It features cross-country skiing trails, an extensive network of walking paths, and a popular toboggan hill, perfect for families with children. Silesian Park is also home to some of Katowice’s most important tourist attractions, including the Silesian Zoo and the Silesian Planetarium, making it an excellent choice for a winter break in the city.

The city also thrives in winter with a vibrant cultural scene, regularly hosting concerts, festivals, and temporary exhibitions that attract both residents and tourists. Many of the most important events take place at the iconic “Spodek” arena in Katowice. When planning a visit, it’s worth checking the Katowice cultural events calendar to ensure you don’t miss the most interesting attractions.

Winter attractions in Poland – Gliwice

Gliwice is a perfect example of how winter break in the city can be full of attractions and active recreation. Instead of being bored and stuck at home, residents and tourists can enjoy numerous winter attractions, among which the municipal ice rink on Akademicka Street holds a special place. This popular winter recreation spot attracts children, teenagers, and adults alike, offering great fun and physical activity during the winter holiday.

A good idea for winter activities in Gliwice is a visit to the Municipal Palm House. Exotic plants and a warm indoor climate provide a pleasant change from the winter weather outside and are a perfect option for families with children. Those who prefer sightseeing can visit the Gliwice Radio Station – one of the most recognizable landmarks in the region, which takes on a special charm in winter.

Winter attractions in Poland – Bielsko-Biala

Bielsko-Biala is a good destination for those who want to spend their winter holidays in the city but still have the mountains at their fingertips. Situated at the foot of the Beskid Mountains, the city offers plenty of opportunities for both lovers of urban attractions and those who enjoy hitting the slopes in winter. The proximity of Szyndzielnia and Debowiec makes it easy to go skiing or snowboarding spontaneously, without planning a long trip.

There are also plenty of options for those who prefer more leisurely activities. In winter, the municipal ice rink operates, and the cable car ride up Szyndzielnia is an attraction in itself, even for those not planning to ski. During the school holidays, community centers and municipal institutions organize additional activities and workshops for children, making it easier for the little ones to plan their time.

Bielsko-Biala is also a great place for winter walks. The atmospheric Old Town, Stracenskie Boulevards, and the area around Sulkowski Castle encourage getting outside even on colder days. This offer is particularly attractive for families looking for a balance between active holidays and peaceful relaxation.

Winter attractions in Poland – Zory

Zory is a great place for winter holiday destination, especially for families with children. One of the biggest attractions is Cegielnia Park – perfect for winter walks, snow games, and outdoor recreation. The city also boasts an ice rink, which is incredibly popular with children during the holidays. A unique spot in Żory is the interactive Fire Museum. It’s not only educational but also highly engaging, especially for children and teenagers.

Whether you choose Gdansk, Krakow, Katowice, Wroclaw, or Kielce, you’ll find Qubus Hotel in each of these cities. We also offer accommodations in other Polish cities. We invite you to explore our offerings.

The city in winter – illuminations worth seeing

Among winter attractions in Poland, gardens of lights have recently been gaining popularity. Although not snow-related, they are a typical winter attraction. You can admire the illuminations in Wroclaw – at the Zoo, the Botanical Garden, and at Topacz Castle; in Krakow – in Lem Park; and in Warszawa – at the Royal Garden of Light in Wilanow and the Botanical Garden. You can also find unique light displays between Katowice and Krakow – in the town of Zator. The local amusement park boasts 5 million lights, making it perhaps the largest winter attraction of its kind in Poland. There are also winter attractions like ice skating, but we recommend something less popular – a downhill slide on tires. The highest-altitude garden of lights is located on Gubalowka Mountain. Regardless of your chosen location, this type of place is worth visiting, regardless of age.