Top Swimming Spots in Kraków for Summer Fun

It’s summertime. The relentless sun is baking the narrow streets of Kraków’s Old Town, where the heat seems to radiate from the very buildings. You’ve done what you can to stay cool: consumed epic quantities of ice cream, haunted various museums to keep out of the sunlight, and hidden out in your hotel room. None of it seems to do the trick.

However, before you consider taking a leap into the Vistula River (not a great idea, which is why you won’t see Cracovians doing it), we’ll let you in on a secret: landlocked Kraków has several beaches and other excellent places to cool down. Here’s where the locals go to beat the heat.

Bagry Lagoon: Kraków’s Most Popular Place to Swim

Get an early start and head to this manmade reservoir located in Podgórze Płaszów, about 5 km southeast from central Kraków – arguably the city’s most popular and best swimming destination within easy reach.

Families tend to gather at the developed recreation area, with adults unpacking snacks and enjoying the picnic tables or swaying in the hammocks while the kids run around the playground. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-June to mid-August, ensuring safety for all swimmers.

If you’re a water sports enthusiast, you’ll find sailboats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats for rent from June until late September at the two marinas. You can also participate in occasional sailing races. For those seeking solitude, paths around the reservoir lead to wild, undeveloped beaches.

Kryspinów Lagoon: A Beach Haven

Just beyond Kraków’s western city boundary, south of the airport, Kryspinów is another local favorite, featuring a nominal entry fee that guarantees a fun day in the sun. With ample space compared to Bagry, this large reservoir is accessible by regular bus from central Kraków.

Families cluster at the recreation area beside the more developed of the four spacious beaches, which are conveniently close to playgrounds, a ropes course, and two traditional karczmas (Polish taverns) providing refreshments.

Adrenaline seekers can dive into wakeboarding, where you can learn the basics at a proper wakepark located on one of the beaches. And if wakeboarding isn’t thrilling enough, flyboarding might just do the trick as you soar above the lake propelled by jets of water.

Przystań Brzegi: A Weekend Party Spot

On the eastern outskirts of the city, approximately 12 km away from Old Town, this appealing long sandy beach between two reservoirs is yet another excellent Kraków bathing spot. If you’re seeking a quiet swim and sunbathing, weekdays are ideal. On weekends, the atmosphere shifts to a beach party vibe.

Kids can enjoy water obstacle courses and inflatable slides, while adults engage in spirited games of volleyball and tug-of-war, or rent kayaks and rowboats for some fun on the water.

Kraków Water Park: Fun for All Ages

If sand and sun are not deal breakers, then Kraków’s enormous indoor aqua park, located north of Old Town, is an ideal cooldown spot for water babies of all ages.

Smart locals frequent this spot on weekday mornings to avoid long lines during the weekends. A day pass allows you to enjoy a variety of water attractions, including swings, climbing walls, and a pirate-themed play area. Parents can relax at the poolside café or take advantage of hot tubs, saunas, and massage fountains.

Nova Huta Reservoir: A Summer Hot Spot

When the socialist-realist workers’ paradise of Nowa Huta was built in the northwest of the city in the 1950s, this reservoir and surrounding parkland provided a much-needed recreation area for workers and their families. Although it fell into neglect during the ’90s, it has since been revamped and on hot summer days, the artificial beach buzzes with families enjoying the fun atmosphere.

Food trucks and ice cream stands enhance the summer vibe, and for those less inclined to swim in the reservoir, there’s a nearby sports complex with two swimming pools.

Forum Przestrzenie: A Hip Riverside Hangout

Offering big beach vibes without the need for actual sand, this spacious, graffiti-adorned riverside café/bar has emerged as one of Kraków’s trendiest summer spots. Situated alongside the historic Forum Hotel, the views of the Vistula River provide a lovely setting, ideal for lounging in beach chairs with a cold craft beer in hand.

Zakrzowek Quarry: A Developing Recreational Area

Surrounded by tall limestone cliffs and dense pine forest, Zakrzowek Quarry has long attracted locals for swimming and cliff diving. While currently off-limits for swimming due to redevelopment into a public recreational area, it remains accessible for hiking along the scenic limestone bluffs. Views of Wawel Castle from the quarry rim reward those who venture out.

Termy Krakówskie Forum: Sauna and Cooling Pool

Located on the grounds of the Forum Hotel, this sauna complex offers the opportunity to cool down while enjoying views of Wawel Royal Castle. Visitors can utilize the outdoor pool and douse themselves with buckets of ice water after a hot sauna or Turkish bath experience.

Plac Szczepanski: Water Jets for a Refreshing Break

Not a beach, but certainly a refreshing option, Plac Szczepanski is perfect for those wandering Old Town in the heat. Centered around a fountain, children and adults alike can find relief from the sweltering sun by playing in the erupting water jets.