The May Day long weekend (majówka) is less than a month away! If you haven’t made plans yet, now is the last moment to organise your trip. Is it still worth looking for trips abroad? Or is it better to look at May weekend offers in Poland? Check out our suggestions!
2023 – this year’s May Day weekend will be really long!
This year you can safely extend your May Day break, and even start it in April!
That’s possible because 28 April (Friday) can be your last day at work. Then comes the weekend, so you gain two days off, and the new week opens with 1 May, a public holiday, followed by 3 May, which is also a public holiday and falls on a Wednesday.
This means all you really need to do is submit a leave request for Tuesday 2 May, Thursday 4 May and Friday 5 May. Those 3 days of leave will stretch your May Day break to 9 days! All that’s left is to browse cheap flights for the long weekend and find somewhere to relax.
May Day weekend – which destinations are the most popular?
Holidaymakers who decide to stay in Poland for the May long weekend gladly head for the Polish coast or the mountains.
The most popular destinations in the north of the country are the Tri-City (Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia), Kołobrzeg, Mielno and Hel with the whole peninsula, which offer tourists plenty of attractions – and, if the weather is good, some beach time too.
Fans of mountain trails most often head to Zakopane, Szklarska Poręba, Karpacz, Kudowa-Zdrój and Szczawnica for the long May weekend.
Poles who don’t want to take leave over the long May weekend often opt for a city break and visit the larger cities in Poland or abroad. In Poland, popular choices include Wrocław, Poznań, Kraków, Warsaw and Łódź.
Those who want to leave Poland and visit the bigger European cities head to Prague, Berlin, Budapest, Vienna or Bratislava, among others.
As every year, many people will go abroad. This year that’s made all the easier by the option of extending the May weekend with 3 days of leave. What are the most popular destinations for a May Day trip abroad? Poles most readily choose warm countries: Italy, Cyprus, Portugal and Greece. Malta, Spain and Egypt are also popular.
A May Day weekend surrounded by nature
The best break from the hustle and bustle of the city is a rest in the heart of nature. And in Poland there’s no shortage of places to go!
The Białowieża Forest for the May weekend
How about a trip to the Białowieża Forest? You can admire the tree canopy there, but that’s not all! You may also come across a bison and enjoy the scent of wild garlic and moss. Beautiful landscapes, clean air and silence are what many an overworked soul dreams of, right?
A May Day destination – Błędne Skały
Another attractive destination for lovers of wonderful views and Polish nature is Błędne Skały (the Errant Rocks). Here you’ll find genuine rock labyrinths, which you can even admire in “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”. Błędne Skały is around 22 hectares of walking trail, made all the more interesting by tight squeezes between the rocks that take some contortion to get through. Of course, those aren’t the only reasons to visit the area – right next door are the Karkonosze Mountains, which will appeal to all mountain fans.
The Polish coast invites you for the May weekend
The first trips to the Polish seaside start right after the new year begins, so a May Day weekend in these parts is an even better idea. Especially as the weather may be so good that you’ll catch a bit of a tan.
Kołobrzeg or Międzyzdroje?
When planning a May Day trip to the Polish coast, consider the larger resorts such as Kołobrzeg or Międzyzdroje, where, apart from a sandy beach, fried fish and of course the sound of the waves, you’ll find plenty of other attractions.
The Tri-City is a great May Day choice
A trip to the Tri-City is also a good idea – if you go to Gdańsk, you can easily visit Sopot and Gdynia too, and be sure to stop by Westerplatte. The Tri-City also has plenty for those hungry for nightlife – restaurants and clubs await.
Wrocław for the May weekend
Wrocław is a beautiful city where you can go sightseeing but also have a great time. If you’re looking for a fun place for a trip with friends, consider heading this way. In Wrocław you can spend the day hunting for the city’s famous dwarfs, visiting the zoo or Wyspa Słodowa island, and at night take on the pubs and clubs that are known throughout Poland. Wrocław is a city that’s great for partying – but not only that!
What’s more, this year a three-day music festival will be taking place there over the May weekend, with performances by Morcheeba and Dire Straits, among others!
The May weekend in Europe
If you’re planning a few days in Europe for the May weekend, it’s best to look south, specifically to Cyprus, Greece, the Balearics or the Canary Islands. The Mediterranean and Aegean invite everyone longing for a swim and a rest on a sandy beach. You needn’t worry about the weather – at this time of year it’s around 20–23 degrees Celsius there.
Southern Europe also means Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries, plus Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Each of these islands has something special to offer – coves, clear blue water, secluded beaches and magnificent scenery. Your May Day weekend is sure to be a success here!
A May Day weekend in Turkey and Egypt
At this time of year both countries are full of sunshine and summer temperatures. Holiday packages offer truly luxurious hotels with a pool and loads of attractions for the little ones. Of course, all-inclusive isn’t the only thing tempting people to these parts. The Turkish Riviera and its magical resorts – Antalya, Alanya, Side and Belek – are very popular destinations for Polish tourists. No wonder: their beauty stays in the memory for a long time!
Egypt welcomes you to its resorts on the Red Sea coast. Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh are places where you can relax on the beach, dive on the coral reef and catch a bit of a tan before the season.
A May Day weekend in mysterious Romania
Romania is a country of enormous contrasts that is still untouched by mass tourism. It can delight you with its charm and deliver unexpected experiences. Here you’ll find beautiful old towns, mountain resorts and a wonderful Black Sea coast.
If you’re heading this way, you simply must see Transylvania – the home of vampires, after all! In the town of Brașov, on a mountain pass, the impressive 14th-century Bran Castle awaits you, where, legend has it, Dracula once lived.
Slovenia and Croatia are perfect for a May trip
The distance between Slovenia and Croatia is so small that you can plan a trip to both for your May weekend. The beautiful Croatian islands are sure to win your hearts. Remember, though, that they’re not the only good reason to visit this wonderful country. The magnificent Plitvice Lakes National Park awaits you with 16 turquoise terraced lakes connected by 72 waterfalls. All of this surrounded by impressive beeches, firs and spruces! Sounds like the perfect rest in the heart of nature. In Croatia, it’s also worth discovering the historic sights of Zadar.
Slovenia is an unusual choice for a May Day trip, so if you’re not looking for a place besieged by tourists, it’s the one for you. The country is stunning! It’s worth going to see the Dalmatian coast, historic Ljubljana and the seaside resorts.
The May weekend in your own city – what to do?
If you’re not going anywhere this May Day weekend and are staying in your home area, that’s no problem! You can have a great time in your own city too and organise plenty of activities.
The May Day classic is, of course, an outdoor barbecue. Ideally you’d hold it in your own garden, but if that’s not possible, you can always ask friends who have an allotment or plan something of your own outdoors. In line with the regulations, of course!
If you’re craving activity over the long May weekend, we encourage you to dust off your bikes and set out to conquer new trails. You can also plan hikes with the whole family. In every big Polish city you’ll find an interesting trail that lets you discover new areas or explore the nearby forests and parks. And you can learn how to get your bike ready on our blog – take a look!
You can also spend the May weekend on culture: go to the theatre, the cinema or a museum. Setting up your own home cinema is also a great idea if everything in your city is closed. Pick some interesting films you haven’t had time to watch yet and plan a marathon.
May Day food tourism
There are bound to be interesting restaurants and cafés in your area that you don’t usually visit for lack of time, other commitments or simply the right occasion. The May weekend is a great moment to catch up! Go for a walk with the whole family, followed by a good lunch and dessert.
The May weekend – time to rest
You can spend the May weekend away from your city, on a trip abroad or simply enjoying the charms of where you live. What matters is setting this time aside for rest and recharging your batteries so you can make it to your summer holiday. If you’re planning a car journey with your pet, be sure to check out our article on transporting a dog safely in the car.
