Weekend tourism – wherever there is water
Weekend tourism – the recipe for a successful micro-vacation!
Wherever there’s water, you can relax and enjoy active leisure! Dive into this personal guide by the editor-in-chief of AQUA SPEED Magazine, featuring some of the best destinations, and find similar spots in your area!
Relaxation and recreation?
Projects like Lisowice, Międzyrzeckie Jeziorka, the Strzeszynek city swimming area, Wyspa Wisła, Kopalnia Wrocław – Summer Zone, or Przystań Grupy Wodnej are just a few examples of the initiatives popping up like mushrooms after rain. These spots are designed with both locals and weekend tourists in mind!
Water Within Reach
Facilities and destinations designed for weekend tourism are usually located within or near towns and cities. They cater primarily to locals but also attract visitors from further afield – I’m a perfect example!
The Strzeszynek city swimming area is just a 30-minute bike ride from the center of Poznań. Here, you can enjoy active leisure by the lake while also participating in events like the open water swimming competitions I joined last summer, held as part of the renowned Grand Prix Wielkopolski series.
In the heart of Elbląg, you’ll find the Przystań, managed by Grupa Wodna. It’s a spot where you can rent water sports equipment, soak in the charm of the Elbląg River, and even get a good workout paddling a kayak or pedaling a water bike. My trip to Elbląg was motivated by the AQUA SPEED Open Water Series swimming competition held there!
In recent years, open water training and winter swimming events have also drawn me to places like Międzyrzeckie Jeziorka, Wyspa Wisła, and Kopalnia Wrocław.
These attractions are typical of weekend tourism, inviting residents from nearby cities, towns, and villages within about an hour’s drive to come and explore.
An Attractive Destination.... Projekt Lisowice
I discovered Projekt Lisowice during cycling training sessions. I’ve also visited this spot in winter for cold water swimming and winter plunges. I decided to include it on my list because it perfectly meets the criteria for weekend tourism, offering a river swimming area on the Mroga River, a waterslide, kayak and paddleboat rentals, outdoor pools, and even wakeboarding!
Essential Gear and Accessories
When planning a weekend getaway by the water, it’s crucial to pack accessories for recreation and gear for safe water fun. Inflatable rings, arm floaties, dive toys, and balls for children can all fit into a sports bag, a convenient backpack, or bike panniers. Of course, don’t forget swimsuits and towels!
For those prioritizing safety and comfort on the beach, we recommend water shoes for swimming and water sports – lightweight, quick-drying, and space-saving. Open water swimming enthusiasts should consider bringing an inflatable safety buoy, which doubles as a storage bag for essentials like documents, a phone, keys, water shoes, and even lightweight clothing.
Arriving Safely
Weekend tourism destinations are usually well-connected to nearby towns and cities. If you choose to travel by car, I recommend coordinating with friends to carpool. This approach makes the trip more economical and eco-friendly, regardless of the distance.
For locals, public transportation or suburban rail services can be an excellent option. These modes of transport are particularly beneficial for seniors, children, or students, as they often come with attractive discounts tailored to these groups.
It’s also worth checking whether such destinations can be reached by bike, providing an extra boost of health and well-being – a choice I highly recommend!
Can residents of small towns and villages expect more locations for active recreation and weekend relaxation by the water? Are municipalities willing to invest in the development of weekend tourism? And does it benefit everyone?
I decided to discuss these questions with Mateusz Karwowski, Director of the Investment and Economic Development Department at the Koluszki Town Hall.
Projekt Lisowice – who is this destination for? Residents of Koluszki, Łódź, and surrounding areas? Or perhaps tourists from farther afield?
Mateusz Karwowski: Projekt Lisowice is a comprehensive initiative aimed at changing the perception of Koluszki as a non-attractive tourist destination. This project, consistently implemented since 2016, is designed for residents of Koluszki as well as the entire Łódź metropolitan area. Over the past few years, we’ve observed significant interest in so-called weekend tourism – trips to locations about an hour away from home. For Lisowice and Koluszki, this means access to a potential audience of several million people!
From the very beginning, we’ve seen immense interest from the residents of Łódź. Lisowice has become a favorite meeting place for residents of Łódź East and Brzeziny counties. The offerings cater to people of all ages – from children to seniors.
We organize regular events (concerts, cold water plunges, a color festival, senior picnics, outdoor cinema, and much more). One evening, Maryla Rodowicz and Lady Pank perform in concert; the next day, there are activities for children; a few days later, tai chi classes for seniors are held. Most events at this location are free and open to everyone.
What attractions are available, and how should you prepare to enjoy them?
A visit to Lisowice doesn’t require extensive preparation.
Free attractions: Swimming area on the Mroga River + beach, Anakonda waterslide, Cycling paths, Wooden piers and a viewing terrace, Historic park, Bonfire site, Wi-Fi across the entire site, Playground, Outdoor gym, Campsite, Beach volleyball courts, Fishing reservoir (requires a PZW fishing card).
Available for a small fee: Kayak and paddleboat rentals, Public bike rentals, Outdoor swimming pools, Ropes course + zipline, Wakeboarding, Restaurant and seasonal food stands.
Is the Lisowice offer available year-round, or only during the summer season?
Most attractions are available year-round. Only some weather-dependent activities (such as pools and wakeboarding) operate exclusively during the summer season. We strive to maintain the site's appeal throughout the year – in winter, the beach is used for cold water swimming (morsowanie).
What economic and social impact does such an investment bring to the municipality and local community?
Lisowice has created dozens of jobs in the tourism industry, which previously did not exist in Koluszki. Among visitors to Lisowice, we distribute a free booklet titled "Koluszki for the Weekend" to encourage them to explore the area more thoroughly, visit nearby attractions, and—let’s be honest—spend money in our community. For several years now, Koluszki has been attracting tourists, something previously unheard of.
In Lisowice itself, we are developing local spatial development plans that will, in the future, allow for the establishment of hotels and recreational facilities. Even now, we are seeing significant interest from businesses in this sector.
Residents strongly identify with Lisowice. The project has sparked a sense of local pride and patriotism. People are proud that Lisowice is part of our municipality.
In Koluszki, nearly 500 new apartments are being built. Developers mention Lisowice in their promotional materials. We can sense that Lisowice is a magnet that neighboring municipalities simply don’t have.
Interviewed by: Maciej Mazerant / Editor-in-Chief of AQUA SPEED Magazine
Photo: Courtesy of Koluszki Town Hall
This material was published in the fourth issue of AQUA SPEED Magazine.
