Legionowo is not only a dynamically developing city in the Warsaw metropolitan area, but also an excellent starting point for exploring Masovia. Within a radius of just a few dozen kilometers, you'll find picturesque lakes, historic fortresses, nature reserves, and atmospheric residences. With a rental car from MobiCars, you can freely explore the region at your leisure, avoiding crowds and tailoring the route to your own pace.
Just a fifteen-minute drive from Legionowo, you'll find one of the most popular recreation spots in central Poland – Zegrze Reservoir. Created in the 1960s, this artificial reservoir has become a true center of recreational life for residents of Warsaw, the Mazovia region, and tourists from all over Poland for decades.
Surrounded by forests, marinas, beaches, and charming towns, Zegrze Reservoir encourages relaxation in all forms – active and blissful. It's the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without having to plan a long journey.
In summer, the water's surface shimmers with sails – numerous regattas, sailing courses, and yacht trips take place here. Kayak, pedal boat, and motorboat rentals are available at numerous locations in Zegrze, Nieporęt, Rynia, and Białobrzegi. Furthermore, many marinas also offer windsurfing and wakeboarding classes – a great opportunity to try something new.
The beaches on Zegrze attract crowds during the season – the most popular are those in Nieporęt and Serock, where you'll find not only clean sand and lifeguarded swimming areas, but also beach bars, loungers, live music, and relaxation areas. Families with children can enjoy playgrounds, inflatables, and water slides, while active guests can enjoy beach volleyball courts and bike trails around the lake.
Food lovers won't be disappointed either. Zegrze Reservoir boasts many atmospheric restaurants and taverns serving fresh fish – zander, pike, and whitefish, often straight from the smokehouse. In the evenings, you can sit overlooking the sunset and listen to the murmur of the water, sipping a cool drink, or savoring local cuisine.
In the summer, the reservoir is teeming with life. Outdoor concerts, DJ events, summer cinema, and even food festivals and craft fairs are held here. On weekends, it's worth arriving early – popular spots can fill up quickly. During the week, however, a blissful tranquility prevails, perfect for those seeking peace, meditation, or solitary walks along the water's edge.
In autumn and spring, the reservoir attracts walkers, runners, and cyclists. It's also a paradise for ornithologists – during migration, numerous species of waterbirds can be observed here, and the morning mists over the water create a dreamlike atmosphere for photography.
Zegrzyński Reservoir is not just a tourist attraction – it's a way of life. For many residents of the region, it's a permanent fixture on the map of weekend trips, vacation plans, and spontaneous after-work outings. All you need is a few hours off and a desire to connect with nature – and the rest takes care of itself.
Northwest of Legionowo, at the confluence of two mighty rivers – the Vistula and the Narew – stands one of the most extraordinary sites in the entire Masovia region: the Modlin Fortress. This massive military complex impresses not only with its scale but also with its turbulent history – from the Napoleonic era, through the Partitions, to World War II.
Napoleon Bonaparte himself initiated the construction of the fortress in 1806, recognizing Modlin's strategic location. The fortress was expanded several times by the Russians in the 19th century, and during the interwar period, it served as one of the most important garrisons of the Second Polish Republic. Its massive walls, bastions, gates, and courtyards stretch for over 2 km, making it one of the largest structures of its kind in Europe.
Walking around the fortress, you can encounter numerous casemates, watchtowers, powder magazines, and caponiers, as well as descend into kilometers of underground tunnels. For many visitors, the greatest attraction is the observation deck from the Napoleonic Redoubt – it offers an incredible panorama of the Narew and Vistula valleys, a breathtaking sight at any time of year.
This is not only a place for history buffs – the Modlin Fortress also offers numerous cultural and reenactment events. In the summer, outdoor concerts, culinary festivals, and family picnics are held here, and local guides often lead themed walks in the footsteps of the insurgents and Napoleon's troops. Visiting this place is a true journey back in time – you can feel the spirit of bygone eras, but also simply relax surrounded by monumental architecture and nature.
A little further, right next to the entrance gate to the fortress, lies the Modlin Granary – often referred to as the "Polish Hogwarts." This 19th-century building, once a military warehouse, now attracts photographers, artists, and lovers of industrial architecture. Its neo-Gothic details and monumental structure are truly impressive, especially during the golden hour.
Warsaw-Modlin Airport is located nearby, and serves budget airlines and is often a starting point for trips around Europe. If you're planning a longer trip, you can combine a visit to the fortress with a flight, or vice versa – upon arrival in Modlin, stop here for a short walk before continuing your journey.
The entire Modlin area is a surprisingly rich area – not only historically but also naturally. It's worth setting aside at least a few hours for this trip – ideally with a good camera, comfortable shoes, and a willingness to discover places that connect the past with the present in a unique way.
If you're dreaming of a moment of tranquility away from the noise and bustle of the city, but don't want to travel far, the Bukowiec Jabłonowski Nature Reserve is the perfect destination. Located just a few kilometers from Legionowo, on the border of Jabłonna and Chotomów, this small but exceptionally charming stretch of forest captivates with its natural beauty and biodiversity.
This is one of the oldest protected areas in the Warsaw area, encompassing an area of oak-hornbeam and beech forests growing on a glacial hill. Established in 1936, the reserve is one of the oldest in the region. Its goal was, and still is, to protect the precious beech forest and rare species of forest floor.
While walking along the forest paths, you'll encounter mighty beeches, ancient oaks, and pines, creating a unique microclimate. In spring, the area blooms with a carpet of anemones and hepaticas, and in autumn, it dazzles with a palette of gold and red leaves. The quiet paths are conducive to contemplation, and if you're lucky, you might hear a black woodpecker or see the roe deer and foxes that frequent these areas.
Bukowiec is also a place where educational activities are conducted – students from local schools often visit the reserve as part of nature classes. However, even without a guide, a visit here is a true lesson in communion with nature.
The reserve has no tourist infrastructure – you won't find benches, marked trails, or fire pits here. And this is precisely its strength. This wild, somewhat forgotten place offers a sense of communion with unspoiled nature. It's worth bringing comfortable shoes, a thermos of tea, and letting yourself be absorbed by the silence offered by this unique part of Mazovia.
Just a 10-minute rental car ride from the center of Legionowo is Jabłonna Palace – an incredibly charming 18th-century residence that once belonged to Prince-Bishop Michał Poniatowski, brother of the last king of Poland. The building is surrounded by a classic, symmetrical French garden and a vast English-style landscaped park.
This is the perfect place if you want to combine a stroll with a bit of history and art – the complex houses a gallery, organizes chamber concerts, and the historic building houses a restaurant serving Polish cuisine and a café. In the summer, the park is bustling with activity, hosting picnics, exhibitions, and open-air painting sessions.
With your own car from MobiCars, you can easily visit Jabłonna without the stress and crowds – a great option for a morning or afternoon in elegant surroundings.
Although it's about an hour's drive from Legionowo, Czersk Castle is an attraction not to be missed when planning a trip by rental car. This Gothic fortress was built in the 14th century and was one of the most important residences of the Dukes of Masovia. Today, three towers, walls, and an inner courtyard remain, and the fortress itself serves as a stage for historical events, battle reenactments, jousting tournaments, and concerts.
From the observation deck of one of the towers, there are impressive views of the Vistula River Valley and the surrounding apple orchards – especially in spring and autumn, this creates a unique atmosphere. Inside, you'll find exhibitions and interactive attractions for children.
A trip from Legionowo to Czersk by car is a great option for a Sunday outing with family or your significant other – especially since the area is full of atmospheric restaurants serving Masovian cuisine.
Although less well-known than Kampinos or Zegrze, Nadarzyński Landscape Park is a perfect day trip from Legionowo. Here, you'll find forest paths, peat bogs, and meadows, creating a mosaic of landscapes perfect for walking, meditation, and nature photography. In spring, the park teems with birdlife, and in summer, it offers shade and peace—without the crowds you'll encounter at more popular recreational spots.
The park features several educational nature trails, and during the spring and summer seasons, workshops and themed walks led by foresters and naturalists are held.
Just outside Legionowo lies the vast Legionowo Forest – a place where residents recharge after work and spend active weekends. Narrow paths among pine and oak trees encourage running, Nordic walking, and cycling. In winter, it's also a perfect area for cross-country skiing.
The paths are well-maintained, and the forest air makes even a short walk rejuvenating. It's a perfect alternative to crowded parks – especially if you're looking for a moment of peace after work or an active start to the day.
Just 20 minutes from Legionowo lies Serock – a town with a unique atmosphere, captivating with its blend of history and nature. Here, you can take a cruise on the Narew River, stroll along the boulevards, or visit local restaurants serving fresh fish with river views.
This is a great addition to a trip to Zegrze Reservoir – more intimate, peaceful, and perfect for a romantic evening or a family dinner.
Legionowo is the perfect base for weekend trips around Masovia. With a MobiCars rental car, you can see lakes, palaces, fortresses, and nature reserves in a single day – without rushing, without restrictions, and with complete freedom of travel.
