Is the seaside too far? Is the Masurian Lake District out of your way? Luckily, Silesia can offer places where you can lie on a sandy beach and cool down in the water on a sunny day. Learn about our favorite lakes, ponds, and beaches near Katowice, ideal for a weekend or simply a hot afternoon.

Hubertus swimming area, Mysłowice

Hubertus is actually a group of several ponds between the cities of Katowice, Sosnowiec, and Mysłowice. In the last place, Mysłowice, there is a body of water called Hubertus 3 – and a swimming beach. 

The entire area is a park and recreational space. The shoreline is 100 meters long. You’ll find a sandy beach with a pier and a dedicated swimming spot for kids. Nearby, there’s also a special barbecue and/or bonfire site and walking paths, so visitors can do more than sunbathing itself.

The official swimming season is between June 1st and September 30th. Despite its short distance from the city the place is green and very pleasant.

• Address: ul. Szabelnia, Mysłowice
• Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm, the swimming area is guarded until 5:45 pm 
• Entrance: adults – 7 PLN, children and teenagers under 18 – free
• Access from Katowice: less than 12 km from the center so we recommend taking tram line 15 to the Szopienice Stawiki stop and then a 15-minute walk along the pond

Park Słupna, Mysłowice

Park Słupna is another swim area in Mysłowice where you’ll find a sandy beach. It’s situated at the pond of the same name and after a renovation in 2019 the residents of Silesia can enjoy this place in the summertime.

It offers a pier, slides, and attractions for children, all under the watchful eye of lifeguards. Enthusiasts of more active recreation will find something for themselves as well. Besides sunbathing and swimming you can rent a kayak, pedal boats, and team sport equipment. There’s also a Beach Bar where you can refresh yourself with ice cream and gofry [Belgian waffles] or have a cool drink.

The complex is located in a very green and secluded area.

• Address: ul. Stadionowa, Mysłowice
• Opening hours: 10 am – 8:30 pm, weekends: 9 am – 8:30 pm
• Entrance: free all season
• Access from Katowice: less than 15 km it’s fastest to go by car, but public transport will also take you there: take bus line M101 from Plac Wolności. in Katowice.

Stawiki swimming area, Sosnowiec

The Stawiki pond in Sosnowiec is popular mainly due to its Wake Zone complex described here. Even though the place is sporty, amateurs of less active recreation will be satisfied as well.

At the pond you’ll find a 100-meter sandy beach, sunbed rentals, a recreation zone, and a playground for kids. There’s also the Przystań na Stawikach marina bar serving nice food and organising classes and dance workshops in the summer. You’ll also find Aquator – a huge water obstacle course attractive for children and grown-ups alike. What’s important though is the course is closely watched by lifeguards.

The complex offers many different other activities throughout the summer. Visitors can enjoy various events, which you can follow on the Facebook fan page.

• Address: ul. Sobieskiego, Sosnowiec
• Opening hours: 10 am– 5 pm
• Entrance: 10 PLN / day, children for free; sunbeds 15PLN per day
• Access: only 10 km from Katowice center we recommend taking ram line 15 to Sosnowiec Brynica stop and a short walk.

Zalew Sosina, Jaworzno

“Sosina” Holiday and Recreation Center is situated in Jaworzno on the western bank of the Sosina water reservoir with a total area of 50 ha.

Around the body of water there’s a car-free cycling and walking path. You’ll also find volleyball and basketball courts, a playground, and a gym. There are many cycling routes in the area.

Before this season the swimming spot was renovated: the reservoir’s bottom was cleared, the beach tidied up, and further improvements were made regarding facilities.

You can even rent a bungalow or put up a tent on the campground and stay longer than an afternoon. And it’s worth every minute – the place is really beautiful!

• Address: ul. Bukowska, Jaworzno
• Opening hours: 24/7, lifeguards are there between 8 am and 6 pm
• Entrance: free; when there’s more traffic, possible parking fee
• Access: The 30-kilometer distance from Katowice is about a 40-minute drive. By public transport it’s best to take a train or bus to Dworzec PKP Jaworzno-Szczakowa railway station and change for the bus to Szczakowo-Bukowska.

Czechowice swimming area, Gliwice

This time we’re going west of Katowice to Gliwice.

The swimming area at Czechowickie lake, situated a few kilometres from the city center, is among one of the favorite summer destinations for local residents. 

Here you’ll find a sandy beach with lifeguards and a dedicated swimming spot for children. The shoreline is almost 145 m long.

The Czechowice Recreation Center offers team sport fields, water equipment rental, food places, camp sites, and a barbecue spot. You can also rent a bungalow. The swim season is long lasting until the beginning of September.

• Address: ul. Ziemięcicka, Gliwice
• Opening hours: the swimming area with lifeguards is open 10 am – 8 pm (in August till 6 pm)
• Entrance: children – free, persons over 16 – 3 PLN, parking spot: 5 PLN for car
• Access: less than 40 km from Katowice it’s easier to reach by car (about 35 minutes); public transport: take a Koleje Śląskie train to Gliwice, then a bus to the Czechowice Skrzyżowanie stop.,and then it’s a short walk.

Słoneczna Plaża swimming area, Niewiesze

The Pławniowice lake enjoys a lot of popularity among the residents of our metropolitan area. And little wonder, as it’s a truly beautiful place worth a visit!

It offers sailboat rentals, walking/baking trials, and fishing areas. Around the lake there are many recreational areas, but the best place is Niewiesze on the northern bank of the lake.

Here on Słoneczna Plaża [Sunny Beach], the swim season lasts from June 26th to the end of August. There’s a swimming area with lifeguards and a dedicated space for children, playing fields, and a barbecue spot.

• Address: ul. Plażowa, Niewiesze
• Opening hours: swimming area with lifeguards is open from 10 am till 6 pm 
• Entrance: children under 16 – free, adults – 6 PLN, parking spot: 10 PLN / car
• Access: the distance from Katowice is about 50 km so we recommend taking a car

Short-term swimming spots, Katowice

We’re back in Katowice and here’s some good news for all those spending their summer in the city. You can take a plunge in Katowice as well!

Admittedly, the facilities of the short-term swimming spots aren’t as developed as at the surrounding swimming areas, but the possibility of going to the beach without leaving the city can be tempting to many.

To the enjoyment of its residents Katowice has arranged three places of this kind this year. In July it’ll be the northern beach at Staw 4 [Pond no. 4] of the Dolina Trzech Stawów area. In August, in turn, the spot will be organised on the southern beach of the same pond.

The third place is the Morawa pond in Szopienice – it’ll be legally available for swimming between the 17th of July and the 15th of August. Why these dates? According to regulations, short-term swimming spots mustn’t operate longer than 30 days. What’s important: is that the Katowice Center for Sport and Recreation announced that the swimming areas will have lifeguards.

• Address: ul. Lotnisko (Pond no. 4) and ul. Morawa (Morawa Pond)
• Opening hours: swimming area with lifeguards is open from 10 am till 6 pm
• Entrance: free
• Access: it’s best to reach Dolina Trzech Stawów by bike (only 15 minutes from the city center) or take a 40-minute walk; you’ll get to Morawa pond by tram lines 15 and 20, Szopienice Kościół stop

Whichever place you choose, stay safe. Use only designated areas and get in the water when lifeguards are around. Don’t forget about some extra sunscreen.

Enjoy your sunny summer and rest. See you by the water!