Poland (Part 1)
As I competed in the ESF European Masters Individual Squash Championships 2025 in Breslau (Wroclaw), we took the opportunity to take a Womo tour of south Poland. Due to time limitations we didn't visit Northern Poland or the Baltic, but we'll be back!
Places visited:
- Wroclaw (Breslau) Elsbeths birthplace and host of the 2025 Squash European Masters
- Krakow: 2nd largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland
- Warsaw: Capital & Largest city in Poland
- Posnan (Posen)
Breslau (Wroclaw)
We spent 5 nights / 4 days on the parking lot next to the Hasta La Vista Squash club, roughly 2km from the city centre, reachable by foot, bike or bolt (€5-€10, depending on traffic)
Breslau & Squash EM at Hasta La Vista
Osiek
Molo Resort & Camping
After 6 nights without facilities, we decided to spend 2 nights on a campsite resort with electricity, showers and restaurant, on the way from Breslau to Krakow.
Krakow
officially the Royal Capital City of Kraków is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city has a population of 804,237 (2023). We stayed at 17 Biskupia, an uneven parking lot 2 minutes walk from the old town, reasonably priced (€19/24hrs) and quiet at noght.
We walked roughly north to south, through the old town, past the Wawel Royal Castle and though the old Jewish quarter (Kazimierz), before catching a tram back to where we'd parked the Womo. We enjoyed a typical Polish meal: pierogi (ravioli) with a variety of fillings and stuffed Cabbage, washed down with dark beer: just what we needed after a hot day sightseeing!
Suchedniow
We spent 2 nights at a peaceful campsite (Camping 140) halfway between Krakow and Warsaw. There was a nice restaurant and a little beach,: Josie hada swim and enjoyed running around, unleashed, as the campsite was almost empty.
Warsaw
Warsaw is a big, busy, bustling capital city. We parked on a park&ride at the end of the metro (Mlociny), but took a tram into town. We parked right next to the tram terminal, which was conveniant but very loud. We got off the tram at the central train station, then took a bus to the old town, wandered through the old town and the new town, before walking down the steps to the river and catching a bus back to the p&r. In the evening we wandered round the huge Mlociny Galerie shopping centre, eating at the food court.
Poznan (Posen)
Much more laid-back than Warsaw, Poznan is a lively university town, with historic centre. We parked at the far end of Lake Malta, in a small parking lot in the woods, which we though would be peaceful: we didn't realise that it was a party location for the local youngsters! On the second night it was even louder, as there was a large open-air concert right next to the lake!
Poland (Part 2)
On the "to-do" lis for next time:
- Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Lublin
- Torun: best preserved medieval town in Poland.
- Marienburg: biggest castle in the world
- Danzig: large historical port
- Baltic Coast:- see below
On the way to Breslau, we visited the Bastei in the Sächsische Schwiez: (500km from Baldham, 300km from Breslau.
Baltic Coast
From Danzig, heading West to the German border (~450KM, 7:30:
- Danzig
- Hel Pininsula
- Leba
- Jaroslawiec
- Mielmo
- ...
- Swinoujscie
From Swinoujscie to Baldham is about 870km, 9 hours drive.
Places on the To-Do list...
Meandering from south west, eastwards then northwards, then heading along the baltic coast westwards.
Wroclaw (Breslau)
Wrocław (previously called Breslau), a city on the Oder River in western Poland, was Elsbeth's birthplace. It’s known for its Market Square, lined with elegant townhouses and featuring a modern fountain. Also on the square is the Gothic Old Town Hall, with its large astronomical clock. Nearby is the Panorama of Racławice, a painting depicting the 1794 battle for independence.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
Auschwitz, or Oświęcim, was a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II and the Holocaust.
Krakow
Kraków,[a][b] officially the Royal Capital City of Kraków,[c] is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland.[11] Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city has a population of 804,237 (2023)
Warsaw
Warsaw, officially the Capital City of Warsaw, is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland.
Lublin
Lublin is the ninth-largest city in Poland and the second-largest city of historical Lesser Poland. It is the capital and the centre of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 336,339. Lublin is the largest Polish city east of the Vistula River, located 153 km southeast of Warsaw.
Toruń
Toruń is a city on the Vistula River in north-central Poland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its population was 196,935 as of December 2021. Previously, it was the capital of the Toruń Voivodeship and the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Malbork (Marienburg
Malbork is a town in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. It is the seat of Malbork County and has a population of 36,709 people as of 2024. The town is located on the Nogat river, in the historical region of Pomerelia. Malborg castle is the largest castle in the world and is a Unesco world heritage site.
Danzig / Gdansk
Gdańsk (Danzig in German) is a port city on the Baltic coast of Poland. At the center of its Main Town, reconstructed after WWII, are the colorful facades of Long Market, now home to shops and restaurants. Nearby is Neptune Fountain, a 17th-century symbol of the city topped by a bronze statue of the sea god.
Baltic Coast
Poland's Baltic coast is a stunning 500km stretch of coastline along the Baltic Sea, known for its wide sandy beaches, charming seaside resorts, and diverse natural landscapes.
Campsites
Some campsites en-route (note: Breslau compsites are on the Squash EM page)
Camping-215, Katowice
Camping 215 is next to a lake, close to the motorway with 150 pisches and restaurants near by.
€30/night.
Camping Adam, Krakow
Located in Kraków is situated on the banks of the Vistula River, just 3 km from the Main Market Square, it is an ideal starting point for all those who wish to visit the Royal City of Kraków. The city centre can be reached in a few minutes using public transportation.
95PLN /night ~ €24
Restaurant Lawendowy,
Lublin
Camping area in the restaurant Lawendowy Dworek, wooded park with an electric current. Other services are available inside the restaurant. It is located 2.7 km from the city center, accessible by public transport or by bike around the cycle path. friendly owner speaks English.
Price of services: Inclusive
Parking cost: 150 pln for 1 van, 1 adult, 2 children
Number of places: 5
Camping Warszawa, Warsaw
Der Campingplatz befindet sich am Stadtrand von Warschau in einem ruhigen Viertel in der Nähe der Ringstraße S2, die Lage bietet sehr gute Kommunikationsmöglichkeiten mit dem Stadtzentrum.
140 Zl ~ €45 incl. electricity&showers
Tramp Camping, Toruń
Tramp campsite is located near the entrance to the bridge over the Vistula river from Łódź and Poznań directions, nearby the Main Railway Station and one kilometre from the Old Town.
135 zloty for 1 motorhome, 2 people + electricity.
An alternative is at the marina/boat club: it's small, but closer to the centre and cheaper (50 pln): 1 Księdza Jerzego Popiełuszki
Camping NR197, Malbork
Camping NR197 - 1 ☆ 1 km from the center / castle of Malbork. Comfort, isolated from the noise of the city, and railway line at 2400 m. Suitable for large motorhomes.
27€/night 2 adults+2 children incl showers/electricity
Number of places: 15
Camping NR197, Malbork
Camping NR197 - 1 ☆ 1 km from the center / castle of Malbork. Comfort, isolated from the noise of the city, and railway line at 2400 m. Suitable for large motorhomes.
27€/night 2 adults+2 children incl showers/electricity
Number of places: 15
Camping Stogi, Gdansk
Camping "STOGI" 218! Small city campsite ideal for sightseeing in Gdansk. Quietly located in a pine forest. The wide and beautiful sandy beach is about 200m away. You can get to the city by bus and tram, the station is right next door. Everything you would expect from a campsite, very clean and friendly operators. Also suitable for large mobile homes, but the mobile homes are packed closely together, but that's fine for a city campsite.
Price: 40 € / night/2 people
Number of places: 50
Camping Polaris, Hel Peninsula
Very big place, you will always fit in, while the others are full. Bathrooms clean, but you have to pay showers. Popular among young people, partying hard, but we stayed with two little children and our was not too loud. Area messy and unorganised. Terrible mess close to the main road, the closer the coast, the better. One bar, one shop with clothes and souvenirs. For shopping you rather visit neighboring Solar. Not the top one, but we came back, as we needed two days only without booking.
Minimum 4 days in holiday season.
85 pln per day for small campervan
Number of places 100