May is the first warm and extended weekend of the year. Perhaps that's why we eagerly plan activities or relaxation for this period. Where to go for the May weekend? And why is Wisła a proposal worth considering?
In 2023, the long May weekend starts on Saturday, April 30th. This means it can last for a minimum of 4 days. However, if you take 3 days off, your long May weekend can extend up to 9 days! It's worth considering this possibility and planning a longer trip to the Silesian Beskids.
Preparations for the trip should start with choosing a destination. If you like mountain atmospheres, lush greenery, and the scent of spruce trees, the choice is clear. The Silesian Beskids are one of the most interesting tourist regions in Poland. They have an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails, many historical sites, and a rich range of accommodation options. And all of this without being as crowded with tourists as, for example, the Tatra Mountains. In the Silesian Beskids, Wisła, Szczyrk, and Ustroń have the most significant tourist potential.
When planning a May weekend in the mountains, the travel time to the destination is also essential. You can easily reach Wisła via expressways without getting stuck in traffic. From Warsaw, it's about 380 kilometers (over 4 hours on the road), from Wrocław – about 250 km (3 hours on the road), and from Katowice – only 90 km (a little over an hour's drive).
You should also not forget about the newly reopened railway connections to Wisła.
Hotel for the May Weekend in Wisła
So, if you choose Wisła, you can expect a picturesque town on the western side, surrounded by the Great Czantoria and Stożek Mountains to the west and Równica and the Barania Góra range to the east. As much as 70% of Wisła is covered by forests, mainly spruce. So, you won't have to search for long to find a trail or path through the middle of the forest.
The Wisła Malinka area, located in one of the most extensive valleys in the town, is very popular. This is where you'll find the Adam Małysz Ski Jump, the Cieńków and Klepki ski resorts, and the Vestina Hotel.
Wisła Malinka is about 5 kilometers away from the town center, so tourists coming here can count on peace and quiet.
When arriving at our hotel, it's a good idea to choose a room with a higher standard and a view of the mountains. In cozy yet elegant rooms, you can relax after an active day on the trails. We have a restaurant and a cozy spa area in the hotel. Every morning, our kitchen serves delicious and nutritious breakfasts to our guests. And if you opt for an additional half-board package, you can be sure you won't go to bed hungry.
In the spa area, you can relax in a dry sauna, a salt cave, and a jacuzzi. You can also take advantage of massages and other available treatments.
The youngest of our guests will surely enjoy the play corner and ping pong tables.
Additionally, in the "May 2023 in the Mountains with Half-Board (HB)" package, we offer animations for children and cinema for both children and adults. And considering that the May weekend is synonymous with grilling, at the cottage right next to the hotel, guests can try grilled dishes.
Wisła Malinka – Attractions and Trails Nearby
When coming to Wisła for the May weekend, you can, of course, plan longer walks and go to Barania Góra, a peak at an altitude of 1215 meters above sea level, or Skrzyczne, which is 1257 meters above sea level.
If you are in the town center, you can take a walk to Trzy Kopce Wiślańskie, which is only 810 meters above sea level.
There are also plenty of attractions for hikers and cyclists in the vicinity of Malinka. On foot from our hotel, you can go to Czerniańskie Lake, which is about 3 kilometers away. It's also worth taking a hike along the trail through Cieńków – the views are beautiful, and you can visit the ski jump as well.
Close to the Vestina Hotel, you'll also find the Wyrchmalinki waterfall, which measures several meters. Until 1945, there was a mill there. The one-way trip will take about 45 minutes.
A bit further away, so it's a good idea to take a car, is the Malinowska Cave at an altitude of 1080 meters above sea level. It's over 230 meters long and nearly 20 meters deep. It used to serve as a hiding place and a place for Hussite religious gatherings. Since 2019, it has been open to the public after a safe descent system was installed.
A very peaceful walking route, suitable even for families with strollers, leads through the Barania Góra educational trail. The asphalt road in the middle of a dense forest along the Czarna Wisełka stream guarantees wonderful visual and auditory experiences. When driving from our hotel towards this trail, be sure to stop along the way at Mała Zatoka in Wisła. And don't forget to bring your camera.
Zameczek, the Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła
A place frequently visited by our guests during the May weekend is the Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła, commonly called Zameczek. It was built in 1929-1930 on the site of a burned-down hunting lodge of the Habsburgs. It was designed in the avant-garde style by Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz in cooperation with Andrzej Pronaszko and Włodzimierz Padlewski. The first president to visit the residence was Ignacy Mościcki. Later, due to historical circumstances, the residence was not inhabited by the president. It became so again in 2005 during the presidency of Aleksander Kwaśniewski. The Zameczek Residence of the President of the Republic of Poland in Wisła includes the castle, a wooden chapel from 1909, and the Lower Castle with the Gajówka.
The facility is, of course, open to the public. Driving from the hotel to the residence takes about 7 minutes.
May in Wisła – Events Organized by the City
The Municipal Office in Wisła and cultural centers organize May events and attractions for residents and tourists every year. So when you come to Wisła, you should check the event calendar in advance. Every year during the May weekend, events such as concerts of mountain bands, stories, performances, sports events, family festivals, and workshops are organized in the town center. The Center for Environmental Education in Wisła, the Wisła Center for Culture, and the A. Podżorski Beskids Museum also host interesting events.
So you can spend the May weekend not only on trails or on a bike but also by participating in exciting workshops that will introduce you to the beauty of the Silesian Beskids and Wiślański folklore.