6 beaches near Warsaw: Where to go for sun, sand, and surf
Warsaw is full of history and beauty. You probably have a long list of things that you are planning to do when you visit, from seeing museums to heading to cultural locations around the city. However, you can also take a day and head to one of the urban beaches that offer you access to a day of fun in the sun while you are in Warsaw. It can be quite warm in Warsaw during the summer, making a beach day a really good idea for those who are ready for a break from the heat.
If you are thinking about heading to the beach while you are in Warsaw, you need to be sure that you are not taking your bags with you on the trip. We can keep your bags in secure storage while you have fun at the various urban beaches in Warsaw. Being able to head to the beach without worries about your personal items can make your day of fun in the sun that much better.
Żoliborz Beach
This charming beach area is just by the Warsaw Citadel, and it can actually be accessed by riding a bike from the center of the city as well. This is a family-friendly beach area that offers playgrounds, soft sand, and swimming. You will also be close to amenities like dining and places to get something to drink when you visit this location.
Many people are eager to get off the plane at Warsaw Airport and head right to this lovely beach space near the heart of the city. There is so much to love about this beach, and like many of the beaches that have been revitalized since the postwar period, it is enjoying increasing popularity.
Żoliborz Beach travel distance from Warsaw
You can take a bus or a car, and you will get to this beach area in about forty minutes. Being able to ride the train to most of the beaches in the Warsaw area is a key perk for those who love the beach but don't want to rent a car just to get to it.
Activity recommendations
There are places to pick up chairs to lounge in here, or you and your kids can play on the playground that is right by the beach. You can also go canoeing here or barbecue if you feel adventurous and want to make your own meal while you visit. This is a lovely old town beach area that offers a lot of charm and many comforts for your visit.
One of the unique features of this beach area is that it is right by the music club La Playa. Many people come here in the warmer months to enjoy live music, drinks, and snacks. The club is closed until the good weather arrives each year, so you may not be able to visit unless your timing is correct for your trip.
Poniatówka Beach
This beach is located right by the historic Prince Józef Poniatowski Bridge, and it is one of the most popular beaches in Warsaw. There are lots of places to cook a meal, you can lounge on the sandy beach, or you might want to head here to sit or walk on the wooden terrace area. This beach is really mellow and lovely, but it can get busy in the summer months.
Old Town is really close to this beach, and you can also get to the zoo quite easily from here. You should have no trouble filling up a day with activities in this beach area as there are many things to do in Old Town if you are ready for a break from the sun.
Poniatówka Beach travel distance from Warsaw
You can drive or ride the train from Warsaw Train Station to get to Poniatówka Beach in about 15 minutes.
Activity recommendations
If you love swimming or you want to paddleboard or kayak, this is the beach for you! This beach area got a facelift in 2010, and there are many places to sit in loungers on the sand or to swing in hammocks that have a great view of the water. Its location by the PGE National Stadium makes it a big hit with those who have plans in the area later in the day. You can enjoy all kinds of fun activities here, and it is easy to spend an entire day playing in the sun here.
Białołęka Beach
Another one of the best family-friendly beaches in Warsaw, you can come here for access to all the right amenities. This beach is right by the Vistula River in Warsaw's northeastern district of Białołęka. Another nearby famous landmark is the Maria Skłodowska-Curie bridge. This is one of the older and more familiar beaches for locals in Warsaw, and there can be crowds here during the peak of summer. Make sure to think about arriving early if you are wanting to carve out a location for you and your family right by the water.
Białołęka Beach travel distance from Warsaw
Ride the train for an hour to get here or take a car and arrive in about thirty minutes.
Activity recommendations
There are cooking areas, benches and deck chairs to enjoy, and places to play in canoes right by the beach. Many people rent bikes to get here and then enjoy a day of lounging in the sun, playing in the water, or canoeing around in the water.
There is also a volleyball court here if you love to play this game when you head to the beach. There are no lifeguards on duty here, so be aware of this if you are playing in the water. If you want to enjoy something really unique in the area, you can also rent a bike and ride along the Wał Wiślany before heading down to the beach to lounge in the sun.
There are lots of places to enjoy shopping in this part of Warsaw as well, and a new mall has been built near the beach that draws in a lot of business. If you want to combine retail therapy with sunbathing, you can easily do so when you visit this beach spot for the day.
Rusałka Beach
Located close to the Warsaw Zoo, this beach functions as a great place for barbecuing, enjoying outdoor activities, or sunbathing. There are many places to eat near the water here, and you can also wander off the beach in the evening to head to the local hot spots to enjoy some nightlife. There is dancing and many more exciting nighttime adventures to enjoy near this beach area.
Rusałka Beach travel distance from Warsaw
This beach is about four hours from Warsaw by car or train.
Activity recommendations
This beach is not big, and you could choose to pay to enter the larger area that requires an entry fee if you want access to more sand. The nearby little pub offers drinks and snacks, as well as the chance to sit down and eat a meal right by the shore. You will have to pay for parking nearby, but it's not a huge fee and might be worth it so you can use your car to explore the area around the beach during your visit.
There is a lot to do at night here, so consider playing on the beach during the day and then cleaning up and enjoying the nightlife later on. Since the zoo is close, this is often referred to as Zoo Beach, so you could also choose to visit the zoo.
Saska Beach
This beach spot near the Łazienkowski Bridge is a lovely place that used to be part of an island all to itself. Today it is included in the Saska Kępa district of Warsaw. You can ride the ferry to get here, or you could even walk over, depending on where you have chosen to stay for your trip. There is a lot to do here in this part of the city as well, so you can have fun at the beach and then head into town to shop or dine.
Saska Beach travel distance from Warsaw
You can walk here if you are staying in the area, or you can drive for about 15 minutes to get here. The train will drop you off in about a half hour.
Activity recommendations
You can rent badminton rackets, enjoy sun loungers, or kayak here at this beach location. The night tram line makes it possible to stay in the area until late in the day to watch the sun going down. This beach is also right by the Kora Swimming Pool if you want to take advantage of both the pool and the beach while you visit this part of Warsaw.
There are beach volleyball courts and football courts here, and also a little local bar that serves food and drinks to visitors to the beach. This is one of the most peaceful and beautiful beach areas near Warsaw, and it is a must-visit for many people when they are in the area.
Clothing Optional Warsaw Beach
If you love sunbathing in the nude, this little beach area is perfect for you. There is some construction in the area right now as a new bridge is being built, but you will be welcome to enjoy the beach in any way that you choose. This sandy beach is lovely, but there are not many amenities to enjoy in the area. Plan to bring your own snacks and drinks for your sunbathing here.
Clothing Optional Warsaw Beach travel distance from Warsaw
It takes about half an hour to get to this fun local nudist beach.
Activity recommendations
Even if you are not into bathing in the nude, this beach is so pretty, and the sand is so soft that you might want to visit anyway. There are not many shops or dining options in the area, so be sure to bring a picnic lunch and some beverages with you. You should also bring your own towels since you won't be able to rent these items here.
This is one of the more unique and special little beaches near the city and is worth a visit if you love soft sand and catching some rays.
Conclusion
Traveling can be expensive, and you might be trying to keep to a budget in Warsaw. If that's the case, these beaches make excellent budget-friendly destinations. For those with a few extra days in their trip itinerary that are not currently filled with activities, there are various really cool weekend getaways from Warsaw that you might want to check out.
Warsaw is not the first place that people think of heading to enjoy beach time, but there are so many really lovely beaches near the city that you can easily carve out a day to add this kind of experience to your trip. If the weather is really hot, it can be nice to get away from the sweltering parts of the city and cool down in the water or play in the sand.
There is a lot to do and see in this part of the world, but there is nothing wrong with taking some time out to enjoy modern functional beaches, swimming pools, or places like Zoo Beach. Warsaw offers all kinds of experiences to visitors, and you should be sure to try them all.
