6 beaches near Krakow: Where to go for sun, sand, and surf

Krakow is a lovely place to visit, and there are lots of reasons that you might want to stay in the city itself for the lion's share of your trip. However, if you want to take a day and enjoy some fun in the sun, you can pick from these sandy beaches that are close to the city. Many people are not aware that there are sandy beach locations right by Krakow and therefore miss out on this fun experience during their stay.

Before you choose between the swimming pools and beach areas listed in this guide, you will need to consider what you plan to do about your luggage. There's nothing worse than dragging a suitcase with you to the beach. Visit a Krakow luggage storage before you head out so that you'll have the peace of mind that you need to have fun on the beach. There is nothing like playing beach volleyball or splashing around in a swimming pool without worries about your personal items.

Bagry Lagoon

This very fun manmade swimming area is a popular place and easy to access from central Krakow. The lagoon is located in Podgórze Płaszów, which is a short distance from central Krakow. Here you will find everything from a bathing area to places to have fun sailing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. There is something for everyone to enjoy here, and this family-friendly beach area and water sports location are a ton of fun.

Bagry Lagoon travel distance from Krakow

You can drive to Bagry Lagoon in ten minutes, or you can hop on the train at Krakow Glowny Train Station and arrive in about 20 minutes. There is also a bus line that will take you to the lagoon if you are more conveniently located near a bus terminal during your trip.

Activity recommendations

There are lifeguards here during the summer season, which means that those who worry about their kids in the water will feel much better about spending time here. Hammocks and picnic tables are located right on the water, and you can rent water sports equipment or chairs and umbrellas.

You should consider bringing your own food and drinks, but there are some amenities nearby if you need to hydrate or get some food. Play at the beach volleyball court or rent pedal boats, or go water skiing for some added adventure. You can also get a few paddleboards and head out with friends or family to try your hand at navigating the water while also challenging your balance. There is so much to do here that you can easily spend all day at Bagry Lagoon.

Zakrzówek

This location was once a gravel pit where many accidents occurred, and so the city decided to reclaim the area and make it safe and beautiful. Today, there are five swimming pools here to enjoy, as well as lots of lovely places to sit in the sun and watch the world go by. Amenities are everywhere here since you are still within the city limits, and the entry fee to access the pools is reasonable.

This is a great place for families since there are so many things to do and see here, as well as toilets and changing areas on hand.

Zakrzówek travel distance from Krakow

This bathing area is about ten minutes by car from Old Town Krakow or about 20 minutes away by train.

Activity recommendations

The swimming pools here are of various depths, which makes it easy for anyone who visits the complex to find the right one for their needs. The entry fee to use the pools is not unreasonable, and there are many lovely places to sit on a bench and watch people playing in the water if you are not interested in swimming. Food trucks are clustered near the pools, and you can rent chairs and umbrellas as well.

If you love hiking or the outdoors in general, head over to the surrounding cliffs and woods and make the most of the trails near the swimming areas. There are many kinds of activities to do here, and no wrong way to spend a day at this former rock quarry. Since this area has been so recently repurposed, the crowds are often more sparse than at other bathing locations in this guide. Make sure that you don't miss out on this quiet beach area if you don't like to have to deal with crowds at the more popular beaches near Krakow.

Przystań Brzegi

Hang out in some sun loungers here or enjoy great beaches with soft sand. Kids can have a great time swimming, and there are lifeguards on duty during the good weather months. The swimming lagoons here are varying depths, which makes them perfect for groups with kids to come and spend the day having fun in the sun.

Przystań Brzegi travel distance from Krakow

This lagoon location is about an hour away by train, but you can be here in about 20 minutes by car.

Activity recommendations

This beach lagoon area has a really fun party vibe, and kids can play on the water slide or the water playground that is located on-site. You'll have access to a sunbathing spot or walk along the lagoon, taking in the beauty of the scenery and the lovely weather.

This is one of the best beach locations for those who want to spend a day doing active things since there are so many fun structures that offer kids and adults the chance to dive into the water or engage in water sports. The wide array of activities that can be enjoyed here makes this location special, and this might be the deciding factor for the choice to hang out here on your beach day.

Kryspinów Lagoon

​​Kryspinów Lagoon offers access to more than one beach, so there are lots of great options here if you are not sure how you want to spend your day in the sand or the water. From volleyball courts to beach locations perfect for lounging in the sun, there is something for everyone here. There is a lot more room to spread out here, which can be nice for those who don't enjoy crowded beaches full of people playing in the water or getting a tan.

​​Kryspinów Lagoon travel distance from Krakow

This lagoon location is about a half hour away by car or 40 minutes away by train.

Activity recommendations

There are some more developed beaches along this lagoon that provide access to rentals of umbrellas and chairs and which also are located near a couple of traditional karczmas, or Polish taverns. These are the most popular beaches in this area, but people who love peace and quiet can head over to the less developed areas of the shore to pick the right spot for a snooze in the sun or to read a book. There is a small fee to use the beaches and lagoons here, but the cost is not prohibitive.

If you are adventurous, you might enjoy trying your hand at flyboarding here or try wakeboarding if you plan in advance. Other beaches in this list will not offer so many varied things to do, which might make this the perfect beach spot for your vacation plans.

Kraków Water Park

While the water park is not actually a beach, it is still a really fun place to spend a day getting some sun and playing in the water. This park can get pretty busy during the height of summer, so plan to arrive here early in the day if you want to beat the crowds and get some chairs or a table. There are lots of water slides and fun activities, and people of all ages can have a blast visiting the park.

Kraków Water Park travel distance from Krakow

The water park is ten minutes away from the city center by car or about 20 minutes away using public transportation.

Activity recommendations

This very nice, upscale water park offers playground locations and water slides for kids of all ages, and there are also hot tubs and massage fountains for adults. This is one of the nicest places to get some sun while playing in the pool in the city. If you are visiting during the peak of the hot weather season (summer), you will want to be sure that you get here early enough in the day to find a place to sit and hang out.

Kids will love that they can play without interference from their parents here, and parents will appreciate all the effort that has gone into making the park comfortable for adults - not just kids.

Nowa Huta Reservoir

Nowa Huta Reservoir was built in the 1950s and has recently been heavily restored and remodeled. This is now one of the nicest places to head for access to a beach and for some fun playing in the water. Many people kayak or fish here, but you can also swim or simply hit up the beach for some peace and quiet while working on your tan. This beach area is also very close to the city center, which makes it a good option for those who want to spend just part of a day on a beach.

Nowa Huta Reservoir travel distance from Krakow

The train ride to the reservoir is two hours, but you can be here in about half an hour by car.

Activity recommendations

Kids will love that there are ice cream trucks and snack shacks here clustered near the water, and parents can rent sun loungers and umbrellas so that they can stay cool while their kids go swimming or run around on the sand. If you love kayaking, you can rent kayaks here as well. Those who enjoy fishing might also be able to get a guide to take them fishing around the edge of the reservoir.

This is a really pretty and mellow place to spend a day in the sun, and anyone can find exactly what they are looking for here. Whether you are traveling with adults or you have kids in tow, everyone will have a good time at this recently restored reservoir location.

If you are not a fan of kayaking but still want to head out onto the lake, make sure to consider renting a paddleboat. These fun little watercraft can be the perfect opportunity for those who want to spend time out on the water without having to learn a new skill and without needing to get wet. You can also start your float down the Dlubnia River from the reservoir, an activity that locals love to do on a hot summer day.

Conclusion

Beaches are always a great thing to do when you're visiting Krakow on a budget. Aside from cair and umbrella rentals and the cost to get there, these beaches are relatively low-cost, especially if you're spending a whole day by the water.

If the beaches near the city aren't what you're looking for, consider heading out on a weekend trip from Krakow to see even more of the beautiful waterside towns nearby. There are many ways that you can plan a trip to this part of the world, and although Krakow is about as far from the Baltic Sea as you can get in Poland, you don't have to go without a refreshing dip during the summer.