Outdoor Sports and Water Activities

Lake Malta serves as a world-class venue for international rowing and canoeing regattas, having hosted the 2009 World Rowing Championships and ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in 1990, 2001, and 2010. Professional athletes train on the two-kilometer regatta course throughout spring and summer, and spectators can watch races for free from the grandstands near the finish line. It's one of the few places in Europe where you can watch elite-level rowing without buying a ticket.

Renting a colorful pedalo or a small rowing boat is a popular way to see the lake from the water. Rental shops near the western bank charge roughly 30 PLN for an hour, and families often choose the swan-shaped boats to keep children entertained. Life jackets are always included, and staff will point out the marked-off zone that keeps rental boats clear of the regatta lanes.

A paved path stretches 5.6 kilometers around the lake's entire perimeter, flat and step-free, easy for strollers and wheelchairs. Walking the full loop takes 60 to 90 minutes; cyclists finish in well under 30. Beyond the main loop, Poznań's wider path network fans out along the Cybina and Warta rivers into road-cycling, gravel, and running routes, so a short lakeside stroll can turn into a half-day ride. Cafés and rest benches sit at intervals around the shore for anyone who'd rather stop for coffee than finish the full circuit.

The path is busiest on warm Saturday and Sunday afternoons, when joggers, rollerbladers, and school groups compete for space. Arriving before 9:00 or visiting on a weekday gets the same views with far less foot traffic. Malta Ski, on the southern shore, adds a different activity: an artificial slope open through winter for skiing and snowboarding, plus a warm-weather toboggan run and mini-golf area that keep the hill busy without snow. A single alpine-coaster ride costs about 12 PLN for an adult.

Family Fun with Maltanka and the New Zoo

The Maltanka narrow-gauge railway is a beloved tradition for families visiting the Poznan area. This small train runs along the lake's northern shore, connecting the area near Rondo Śródka with Termy Maltańskie and the New Zoo at Zwierzyniec station. The 2026 season runs roughly from late April to late September, with tickets priced at 18 PLN standard, 12 PLN reduced, and 48 PLN for a family ticket covering up to five people.

The New Zoo is one of the largest and most modern animal parks in Poland. Animals live in massive forest enclosures that mimic their natural habitats across the globe. You should prepare for a lot of walking, as the site covers over 100 hectares of land. Electric mini-trains operate inside the zoo to help visitors reach the furthest exhibits without wearing themselves out first.

Adult tickets for the zoo cost around 45 PLN on busy weekends, and children and students can enter for a reduced price with a valid ID. Plan to spend at least four hours here to see the tigers, bears, and elephants properly. The zoo entrance is a great place to start your Poznan attractions journey, since it sits at the far end of the Maltanka line.

The Maltanka station near the lake entrance gets crowded on Sunday mornings. Buying tickets online or arriving twenty minutes early secures a good seat in the open-air carriages, which give kids a great view of the passing trees and water — often the highlight of the trip for younger travelers.

Relaxing at Termy Maltańskie Water Park

Termy Maltańskie is the largest indoor water park in Poland and sits on the northern shore. It features a wide variety of pools, including professional sports lanes and fun leisure areas, plus water slides that range from gentle to very fast. The facility uses natural geothermal water drawn from deep underground for its thermal pools.

As of 2026, a one-hour ticket costs about 46 PLN (37 PLN reduced), and a three-hour ticket, the most common choice for a slide-and-pool afternoon, typically runs 60 to 85 PLN per person. An unlimited day pass is around 109 PLN, which pays off if you're combining pools, slides, and the sauna world in one visit. Check the official website for family bundles that can save you money on group entries.

The World of Saunas provides a quiet escape for adults looking to unwind after a long day. It includes over a dozen different types of saunas and professional steam rooms. Please note that the sauna area is a textile-free zone according to traditional Central European custom. Many visitors visit this park after exploring the nearby Brama Poznania history center.

Booking your entry time in advance is recommended for winter weekends, when the facility reaches capacity quickly on rainy or snowy days. Lockers are provided, but bring your own swimming cap and towel — both required and sold on-site at a markup if you forget. The on-site restaurant is an easy way to refuel between swimming sessions.

Lake Malta vs. Lake Rusałka: Picking the Right Poznań Lake

Most first-time visitors only hear about one Poznań lake, but the city actually has two. Rusałka, a reservoir on the western edge of the city, rarely makes it into guides because it has none of Malta's ticketed attractions — no zoo, no ski slope, no water park — but that's exactly why locals go there instead.

The practical difference comes down to swimming. Lake Malta's main basin is reserved for the regatta course and rowing traffic, so open swimming is restricted to a single supervised beach on the southern shore during summer. Rusałka, by contrast, has a proper sand beach with shallower, calmer water set up for casual swimming and picnicking rather than competitive sport, and it stays noticeably quieter on a typical weekend.

If your day already includes the zoo, the Maltanka train, or Termy Maltańskie, stay at Malta — it's the better-connected, more organized option. If you just want a quiet swim and a walk away from ticketed attractions, Rusałka is worth the extra trip, even with a longer commute and thinner transit links than Malta's direct tram.

Practical Logistics and Local Nuances

Reaching Lake Malta from the city center is very easy using the local tram network. Take tram lines 6 or 8 from the main train station toward the Rondo Śródka stop; most trams on this route are low-floor, with dedicated space for wheelchairs, strollers, and bikes. The walk from the tram stop to the water takes less than five minutes on flat ground. Public transit is much faster than driving when major events are happening at the lake.

Parking near the lake can be quite difficult and expensive on warm summer weekends. Most street parking requires a small fee that you must pay at the automated kiosks. Consider leaving your car near Citadel Park and taking a short tram ride instead. This strategy saves you from the frustration of searching for a spot in crowded lots.

One easy mistake, beyond searching for the wrong "Lake Malta" online (this one is in Poznań, not the country), is visiting without checking seasonal dates. The Maltanka train and many outdoor kiosks close completely in winter, though the walking path and thermal baths run all year. The mood shifts from a busy festival vibe in July to a quiet retreat by November — both versions are worth seeing.

For a great meal, visit the restaurants located on the southern side of the water. You will find options ranging from casual pizza places to more formal dining establishments. Prices here run slightly higher than in the city center due to the lake views. It is a perfect place to relax after seeing the Fara Church Poznan or other historical sites.