I think, as the temperature starts to rise and summer vibes kick in, you might be looking for some places with beaches to cool down around Krakow. So, let me say, this guide is just what you need! I can tell you about Krakow’s alluring beaches and bathing areas, nestled within a 30 km radius, a mere hour’s drive from the city. It’s quite surprising how many hideouts you can find in Małopolska, like Zakrzówek, the talk of the town, and many others.
Bagry Wielkie near Kraków – Beach and Swimming Pool
Just 5 km from Krakow’s bustling center, you’ll find the Bagry Wielkie beach and swimming pool. Entry is free during the summer, with the main northern part of the beach open for fun. There’s still construction going on in the east, but worry not, as the second beach is also accessible since August 13, 2020.
Getting to This Beach From Kraków
To reach this sandy paradise, take a tram or a bus to the Mały Płaszów stop:
- Tram Routes and Tram Number:
- 11: Czerwone Maki – Mały Płaszów
- 20: Cichy Kącik – Mały Płaszów
- Bus Routes:
- 123: Mistrzejowice – Mały Płaszów
- 125: Rydygier’s Hospital – Złocień
- 127: Powstańców Wielkopolskich – Płaszów Szkoła (I suggest getting off at the Motyla stop)
- 158: Powstańców Wielkopolskich – Podwierzbie
- 185: Ofiar Dąbia – Mały Płaszów
- 221: Niepołomice Station – Płaszów Mały
If you want to learn more about buses and trams in Krakow, I suggest you read this article too.
↳ Make sure to read my guide to the most amazing places to stay in Kraków:
How to Find Best Place to Stay in Krakow Old Town – Your Guide
What to Know Before Taking a Dip
The beach flies a white flag when it’s safe to swim. A red flag, or no flag at all, means bathing is off-limits due to weather conditions.
Let’s talk about having fun on the water! From 10 to 18, you can rent 4-person pedal boats, kayaks, or SUPs (stand-up paddleboards). If you’re into sports, they’ve got you covered with 2 beach volleyball courts and equipment rental. Don’t forget about their 50 beach loungers for rent and to quench your thirst or sate your hunger, a bar and a food truck are there for you.
Brzegi – Lakeside Beach 10 km from Krakow
Let me say, if you’re craving a quick escape from the city, Przystań Brzegi is a goodl place. Tucked in the eastern corner of the recreational facility, on reservoir No. 1, this bathing area, measuring a vast 100×40 m, is cordoned off by buoys. Complete with a sandy beach, it’s open from June to September, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The maximum water depth in the swimming zone is about 1.6 m, and for non-swimmers, it’s around 0.8 m.
- You can visit the official website of that place by clicking here
Getting There
If you’re driving, you head out of Krakow from the Grzegórzeckiego roundabout, towards the tram terminus „Kraków Mały Płaszów„, along Kuklińskiego street, and then Śliwiaka straight under the motorway. Parking at the beach is paid (10 PLN). If you prefer public transport, bus lines 163 and 264 will take you there, dropping you off at the Brzegi Użytek Ekologiczny (Nż) stop, a mere 11-minute walk from the beach.
- Here are more pictures ang google location: Google Maps
Pricing and Activities in 2023
Entry is priced at 15 PLN (20 PLN on Sundays and holidays), with reduced prices at 13 PLN (18 PLN). A family ticket costs 12 PLN (15 PLN), and tickets after 6 p.m. are 8 PLN (5 PLN for reduced). If you’re bringing along kids under 3, they get in free! The cost for parking is 10 PLN (7 PLN after 6 p.m.).
While you’re there, you need to know that besides swimming, you can rent kayaks (15 PLN), pedal boats (25 PLN), and a boat. There’s also a fun water obstacle course for the kiddos and a beach volleyball net. For food and drinks, there are two spots – one fast foid joint near the entrance, and a restaurant floating in tank No. 2.
- If you like swimming, then you should definitely read more about these thermal pools in tougher mountains.
The Kryspinów Lagoon – 12 km from Krakow
The Kryspinów Lagoon, also known as „Zalew Na Piaski” part of Budzyńska, is a former sand and gravel mining site. It’s now a bathing area of 100×30 m with an adjacent sandy beach. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in July-August, it can accommodate up to 500 people at once.
Finding Your Way To Kryspinów From Kraków
The Lagoon is nestled between the towns of Budzyń and Cholerzyn in the Liszki municipality, right on Krakow’s western edge. It is worth mentioning that driving there on hot days might be a challenge due to traffic jams.
- Here is the Google Maps location.
But there are other ways to get there:
- By agglomeration bus lines:
- Line 209: Salwator Kraków – Morawica
- Line 229: Salwator Kraków – Kamień
- Line 239: Salwator Kraków – Jeziorzany Pętla
- By SUPER BUS from Krakow MDA to Kryspinów
- By bike along the Tyniec Route. Switch sides of the Vistula by the footbridge near the motorway, head towards Piekary and from there, it’s an asphalt path straight to Kryspinów. A shorter (though busier) option is to cycle along Królowej Jadwigi and Olszanicka streets.
Entry Fees in 2023
Tickets are priced at 15 PLN for reduced (7-15 years), 20 PLN for normal, and 35 PLN for a family pass. If you’re driving, it’s 25 PLN for car entry. Admission is free for kids under 6 years old. For unlimited access to the northern part of the resort, you can grab the summer pass for 150 PLN. After 5 p.m., you can enter with a reduced ticket.
Zabierzów Bocheński Beach
If you fancy a bit of an adventure, then Beaver Backwaters in Zabierzów Bocheński is worth the drive. It’s located in the eastern part of the Niepołomice commune, snuggled right next to the Niepołomice Forest. Being there, you need to know, they charge a small entrance fee of just 10 PLN for anyone over 6 years old. But I can tell you, for what awaits, it’s a steal.
- Here is the Google Maps Location
You’ve got a lifeguarded swimming pool with a sandy beach, a beach volleyball court, and a playground for both children and adults.
For your convenience, they have:
- Sun loungers and umbrella rentals
- Road bikes for hire
- An impressive park for Street Workout, „Orangery Parchment – Crossfit 72D Park”
When the heat gets intense, there’s a bar right on the beach to keep you hydrated and happy.
But Beaver Backwaters is not only about swimming and volleyball. It’s also an angler’s paradise. Here you’ll find:
- A 4 ha „sport” pond
- A massive 17 ha „large” pond
Zakrzówek Beach Near Kraków – The Limestone Quarry
Now, let me say, if you’re into geological wonders, Zakrzówek should be on your list. This limestone quarry, made up of two tanks connected by a 25m wide isthmus, is something to behold. It’s also home to the rock walls known as Twardowski’s Rocks.
And here’s the good news – they’ve recently opened a new water reservoir with beaches and swimming pools. They’ve even got a system in place to count people entering, keeping it to a comfortable thousand folks at a time.
- Here are more pictures and Google Maps Location.
Access to the bathing area is available through two points:
- Main gates at the entrance building to the swimming pools – here you’ll find handy facilities like showers, toilets, and changing rooms.
- Service tents positioned at the entrances – here you’ll get a wristband that grants you entry to the pool. Service personnel will be present at the bathing area to verify wristbands. When you exit, they’ll remove your band, making room for the next visitor if the area is full.
Zakrzówek Pools and Beaches
Let me say, the crowning glory of Zakrzówek is its five diverse floating swimming pools. Sizes vary and the depths differ too, making each one unique. On the horizon, there’s even a plan for a sixth pool – designed just for our furry friends, the dogs.
If you want to get the lay of the land, here’s a quick run-through:
- The 40 cm deep pool is a safe haven for non-swimmers. Additionally, it features a separate kiddie pool outlined by white buoys.
- The 80 cm deep pool, still in the non-swimmer zone.
- The 120 cm deep pool, continues the trend for non-swimmers.
- At 350 cm, we’ve got two pools for those who’ve mastered the strokes and can swim comfortably.
I think it’s worth noting, the water around the docking areas isn’t just a paddle’s dip away. Averaging at about 20 meters, it is deep. Being there, you need to know, it’s only safe to swim within the designated areas during the allotted times. Any other time, well, it’s a swim at your own risk scenario.
The pools aren’t simply static structures. They are ingeniously designed to float on the water using air supports, anchored to the quarry walls. Lining the pools are wooden docks, about 8 meters wide, ideal for basking in the sun. I can tell, the rocky landscape of Zakrzówek could easily pass for a piece of the Croatian coast.
What More does Zakrzówek Offer?
Don’t let Zakrzówek fool you, it’s not just about swimming. I know, you’ll find cross-country skiing trails, rollerblading and cycling paths, and even gyms. All these features have been carefully curated in consultation with experts from the Academy of Physical Education.
There’s even more! An already functional building equipped with locker rooms, showers, and a café is at your disposal. And guess what’s on the horizon? A viewing deck is in the works, offering the perfect spot for some Instagram-worthy snaps. I am convinced, the planned Water Sports Center will be a game-changer, providing resources for professional athletes to train and excel.
You want to know if it’s crowded before you go? I think you’ll appreciate this. They’ve installed an online camera that provides a live view of the pool. In a few days, they’ll put up a mast in view of the camera, and if the place is full, they’ll hoist a black flag. Now, that’s what I call a handy feature!
References:
- https://kryspinow.com.pl/cennik/
- https://www.muratorplus.pl/inwestycje/inwestycje-publiczne/zakrzowek-czyli-polska-chorwacja-jest-limit-wejsc-na-kapielisko-i-kamera-na-zywo-aa-q2WC-4X7G-4Nxj.html
- https://www.turysta.org/kapielisko-zakrzowek-w-krakowie-informacje-praktyczne/
