Family holidays are a time we look forward to all year round - a chance to escape the everyday and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. It's a great opportunity for children to explore the world and for adults to recharge their batteries. And how to make this holiday even more memorable? The answer is simple: a campervan trip!
The convenience of travelling with a campervan is unbeatable: your home is always with you, you don't have to bother with hotel bookings or looking for places to eat - you are completely free and independent. But why choose Poland? This neighbouring country boasts diverse nature, rich history and wonderful cultural attractions. On a children's holiday you can visit a wide range of children's attractions, museums, theme parks and other interesting places that will ensure your holiday is unforgettable.
Imagine a morning when you're awake in the middle of the woods, you hear the birds chirping, and instead of rushing to get ready, you're able to have a cup of coffee by the camper door. The plan for the day is completely in your hands, and whether you want to explore cultural heritage, enjoy nature or just spend the day with the kids playing by a stream - anything is possible!
In this route, we will share our recommendations of the best places to visit in Poland on a campervan holiday for children. Get ready for a fun trip and unique experiences that only a campervan can offer!
1 Poland - the start of your journey
Recommended number of days: 1
Start your journey by heading towards Poland. First stop - Copernicus Science Museum. It is a veritable treasure trove of knowledge.
There is something new for every visitor, whatever their age. At the Copernicus Science Centre, you can visit exhibitions where many of the "exhibits" can be touched and, in the truest sense of the word, tested for yourself. You can also attend performances by the Robot Theatre and the High Voltage Theatre, or take part in science experiments. There are also mini-workshops in the Centre's laboratories and breathtaking experiences in one of the most modern planetariums in Poland. Take a break from all the excitement at the centre's Wiem Canteen, the Blue Sky Café or the Lounge. The Science Shop offers interesting "scientific" souvenirs, and from the garden on top of the Copernicus Science Centre you can admire the panorama of the Vistula River, the boulevards, the Old Town and the skyscrapers in the city centre. Interesting not only for children but also for parents.
We recommend spending a full day at the Copernicus Science Museum, and you can find a campervan site in the grounds of the museum.
2 Sightseeing Warsaw
Recommended number of days: 1
Next, we continue our tour of Warsaw and its Old Town.
As in most other cities, Warsaw's Old Town is perhaps the most attractive place for tourists. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the red-brick walled Old Town was almost entirely rebuilt after World War II. The Market Square was once the city's most important square and the centre of social life. Around the square, wealthy citizens and merchants developed. The Market Square is home to the Warsaw History Museum, which tells the story of the city.
After a stroll around the Old Town, we recommend a visit to the Castle of the Kings.When Warsaw became the capital of Poland at the end of the 16th century, the castle was home to the Polish kings until 1795.The castle was not only a royal residence. It was also the seat of the Polish Parliament. During the Second World War, the Royal Palace was destroyed and later rebuilt. The magnificent Royal Castle is now a museum, including authentic furniture and paintings.
We continue our journey to another part of Poland.
3 Auschwitz concentration camp
Recommended number of days: up to 1 day
Auschwitz concentration camp was the largest concentration and extermination camp in Nazi Germany, operating in Nazi-occupied Poland from 1940 to 1945. The camp was named after the German name of the nearby Polish town of Auschwitz. Birkenau was a small village nearby, largely destroyed by the Germans.
A museum in a former death camp, with a shocking exhibition that testifies to the complete loss of humanity. You will see former barracks, watchtowers and extermination chambers that remind you of the tragedy of thousands of people. There are also personal belongings of former prisoners, as well as striped clothes, utensils and artworks created by the prisoners, reflecting their impoverished and inhumane life.
For accommodation, we recommend the sites around Auschwitz - there are several, so you're sure to find one that suits you.
We're moving on, we're going for fun!
4 Amusement Park - Energylandia
Recommended number of days: 1
Opened in 2014, Poland's largest amusement park has three main areas: the Bajkolandia (for the little ones), the Family and the Extreme. The smallest visitors will have a blast on the park's many merry-go-rounds, trains and other attractions. In the Viking Village in the Family Zone, you can learn about Viking life and try out a real Viking ship. Take a trip down the crazy river in the Jungle Adventure, ride the Dragon and Boomerang trains and take part in an interactive monster attack. Relax in the Swiss Village, where you'll learn about Swiss traditions and taste Swiss cuisine. The Extreme Zone has rides for the more adventurous - the Mayan Train takes you 33 metres up, the Formula 1 Train takes you at 100 km/h and the Water Train takes you 60 metres up AND 110 km/h. The park has rides for a refreshing splash on a hot summer's day, and a water park if you're in need of water fun.
We dedicate a full day to entertainment and you can find a place to stay at Energylandia campsite
5 Poland's diamond - Krakow and the Aviation Museum
Recommended number of days: 1
We start the day with a drive to Krakow, but on the way we highly recommend a visit to the largest aviation museum in Poland. It is located on the site of one of Europe's oldest airports, the former Kraków-Rakowice-Czyżyny Airport. It houses more than 150 aircraft, gliders and helicopters. There is also a large collection of engines. Some of the exhibits are the only ones in the world.
We continue our journey to Poland's diamond - Krakow, often called the City of Kings and Churches. The city was Poland's capital from the 11th to the 16th centuries, with Wawel Hill towering over the old town, once home to Poland's kings, and around 40 churches throughout the city. The country's oldest university, founded in Kraków in 1364, is named after Jogaila, who was crowned King of Poland in Kraków.
In Krakow, we recommend visiting the Old Town, Wawel Hill, the Market Square and Hall, the Barbican and the Kazimierz Quarter. For those who like museums, be sure to visit the Czartoriski Museum.
For accommodation, we recommend choosing a dedicated car park in Krakow.
6 Velička salt mine
Recommended number of days: 1
The old salt mine in Wieliczka, near Krakow, has an interesting exhibition about the daily life of salt miners and the underground world. It is a 2.5 km-long excursion route through tunnels located 64-135 m underground. One of the most interesting parts of the mine is the underground chapel, where all the details are carved from salt. The total length of the salt mine labyrinth, which is spread over 9 levels, is about 300 km.
You will descend down wooden steps to a depth of 135 m and, accompanied by a local guide, you will walk through large corridors to the halls where salt extraction mechanisms, salt sculptures and the famous Kinga Church are exhibited, where you will see paintings carved from salt, an altar made of salt, and lamps.
As you will be continuing your journey in another part of Poland, we recommend you choose an overnight stay in Osiedle Nowe, as there are special parking areas around the area. If you can't make it, choose to spend the night near Wieliczka.
7 End of trip - Zakopane
Recommended number of days: 1-2
We continue our journey and head towards the Zakponė part of the town. First we visit one of Zakopane's thermal pools, Termy Gorący Potok (Szaflary, 17 km from Zakopane). There are 21 small outdoor thermal pools between 34 and 40°C. There is a children's area, as well as three slides for adults or teenagers. We can promise you that not only children will enjoy it, but also parents.
After visiting the thermal pools, we head to Polana Szymoszkowa, the town where the mountain fun begins. From here you can decide where you want to go, whether it's to the mountains, the geysers or hiking with the kids.
After the mountains, full of impressions, we start our journey back towards Lithuania.
* daily rental price is based on 7 people travelling in a Family Plus campervan and renting for 4-7 nights.
