You planned Kamieńczyk Waterfall and Szrenica peak, but it has been pouring since morning? On a mountain holiday that is normal – the weather in the Karkonosze (Giant Mountains) can change within an hour, and a rainy day with kids can feel very long, even in the most comfortable mountain accommodation.
The good news: what to do in Szklarska Poręba when it rains is a question the town has plenty of answers to. Szklarska Poręba has lived from glass and minerals since the 14th century, so indoors you will find glassworks, museums and legends of the Walloons.
In this guide you will find tried-and-tested indoor attractions for families with children, museums for adults, places for a warm lunch and dessert, and a ready-made plan for a rainy day.
In short: When it rains in Szklarska Poręba, the best options are: Julia Crystal Glassworks with Krystalium in Piechowice (glassmaking workshops for kids, open daily), Leśna Huta with glass-blowing demonstrations, the Mineralogical Museum at 20 Kilińskiego Street, the Karkonosze Ecological Education Centre, the LEGO brick model exhibition and the Esplanada Family Amusement Park, open all year round. For lunch, head to 1 Maja Street – the town’s main restaurant street.
Last updated: September 2026. Check opening hours on the attractions’ websites before you go – outside the season some of them open for shorter hours.
Table of contents
- A mountain holiday with kids – indoor attractions in Szklarska Poręba
- Museums in Szklarska Poręba – minerals, glass and Walloon legends
- Where to eat in Szklarska Poręba when it rains?
- A rainy-day plan – a weekend stay in Szklarska Poręba step by step
- FAQ
- Summary
- Holiday apartments in Szklarska Poręba
A mountain holiday with kids – indoor attractions in Szklarska Poręba
With children, the places that work best are the ones where they can make something with their own hands – not just look. Here are our picks for a rainy day.
Julia Glassworks and Krystalium in Piechowice – glass workshops
This is one of the few working crystal glassworks in Poland, about 15 minutes by car from the centre of Szklarska Poręba. On a guided tour you see glassmakers blowing and shaping hot glass – kids usually cannot take their eyes off the furnace.
- Krystalium – an interactive centre where, at hands-on stations, you can try being a glassmaker or glass decorator.
- Workshops for kids – a mini glassworks, glass painting and engraving, adapted to the participants’ age.
- Open daily, including weekends and holidays; on-site café and a large free car park.
Address: ul. Żymierskiego 73, Piechowice. Tour times and prices: hutajulia.com.
Leśna Huta – glass-blowing demonstrations in the centre
A small family-run glassworks at ul. Kołłątaja 2, founded in 1989 by master glassmaker Henryk Łubkowski. Colourful vases and glass ornaments are made right in front of visitors – a short, impressive demonstration, ideal for younger children.
Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00–14:00 and 14:30–18:00 (lesnahuta.pl). On Sundays and Mondays, plan something else.
LEGO brick model exhibition
An interactive exhibition of buildings made of bricks is a sure thing for LEGO fans of any age. You will find it in the centre, near Esplanada park and the Trollandia rope park, so it is easy to combine with lunch on 1 Maja Street.
Esplanada Family Amusement Park
The park at ul. Pstrowskiego 5a in the town centre is open all year round. Before you go, check which attractions are available indoors that day.
Karkonosze Ecological Education Centre
Run by Karkonosze National Park, this is a way to see “the mountains without wet shoes”. Kids learn about Karkonosze animals and nature that they will see on the trail on a sunny day. Current opening hours: kpnmab.pl.
Dinopark – for light drizzle
Dinopark is mostly an outdoor attraction, but it has covered areas, including a 6D cinema. It works well in passing showers – with rain jackets, plan 2–3 hours.
For a really wet evening
- Escape room – puzzles to solve together for families with older children.
- Bowling and indoor play areas – there are several places in town where kids can burn off energy indoors.
- Cinema – a classic for a rainy afternoon.
- Hotel pool or spa – some hotels sell entry to non-residents; call ahead and ask about hours for children.
Museums in Szklarska Poręba – minerals, glass and Walloon legends
Szklarska Poręba grew up on glass and treasure hunting. The first glassworks operated here as early as the 14th century, and in the Middle Ages the Walloons arrived – precious-stone seekers from what is now Belgium and France. A rainy day is a good moment to discover this history.
Mineralogical Museum – a meteorite and dinosaurs
At ul. Kilińskiego 20 you will find one of the largest private mineral collections in Poland. See fossils, the Gibeon meteorite and exhibits from the world of dinosaurs – a great addition to a visit to Dinopark. If you are staying at RentPlanet Apartments on Kilińskiego Street, the museum is on the same street.
JUNA Earth Museum – Walloon Watchtower
A museum dedicated to ore prospectors from the time of the Walloons and to unique minerals. Great for kids who love stories about treasure and mysterious signs carved in rocks.
Old Walloon Hut
A stone hut on the site of a former 16th-century forest settlement, full of display cases with colourful stones. The visit takes the form of a story about the Walloons, their secret books and rituals – more theatre than a classic museum.
Carl and Gerhart Hauptmann House
A choice for adults and older children. The museum shows the life and work of the Hauptmann brothers, including Nobel laureate Gerhart, and the artistic history of the town. It is about 900 m from Szklarska Poręba Średnia station.
If you want to go further: Karpacz
About 40 minutes by car is Karpacz, with its Toy Museum and the interactive Karkonosze Mysteries (Karkonoskie Tajemnice) exhibition about the Spirit of the Mountains. A good option if it rains several days in a row.
| Attraction | For whom | Time needed | Indoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Glassworks + Krystalium | families, kids 4+ | 2–3 h with workshops | yes |
| Leśna Huta | families, younger kids | approx. 1 h | yes |
| Mineralogical Museum | families, dinosaur fans | 1–1.5 h | yes |
| Old Walloon Hut | families, adults | approx. 1 h | yes |
| Karkonosze Ecological Education Centre | families | approx. 1 h | yes |
| LEGO exhibition | kids and brick fans | approx. 1 h | yes |
| Dinopark | families | 2–3 h | partly |
Visit times are approximate.
Where to eat in Szklarska Poręba when it rains?
Rain is the perfect excuse for a long lunch and dessert. Most restaurants are on 1 Maja Street – the town’s main promenade. In high season and on rainy weekends it is better to book a table, because everyone has the same idea.
For a family lunch
- Pierogarnia Bożena (ul. Jedności Narodowej 18) – hand-made pierogi (Polish dumplings) and a homely atmosphere. Pierogi are usually a safe choice for picky eaters.
- Alfredo (ul. 1 Maja 15) – café, restaurant and pizzeria in one. Polish and Italian cuisine, with tiramisu or raspberry cheesecake for dessert.
- Gościniec Pod Lipą – traditional Polish cuisine and a separate kids’ menu.
- Młyn Łukasza (ul. 1 Maja 16) – another address on the main street when Alfredo is full.
For cake and hot chocolate
- Julia Café & Restaurant at Hotel Kryształ – cakes and tortes from its own patisserie and desserts with ice cream made on site. The menu also has vegan and vegetarian dishes.
- The café at Julia Glassworks – a handy stop after the glass workshops, without moving the car.
What to try?
- Trout – a classic on menus in the Karkonosze and Jizera Mountains, often from local fish farms.
- Pierogi with blueberries – in summer.
- Warming soups – żurek (sour rye soup) or tomato soup in a mountain hut is a ritual after a wet walk.
Dinner in your apartment – why mountain accommodation with a kitchen wins in the rain
Not everyone feels like going out on a rainy evening. RentPlanet apartments in Szklarska Poręba have fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, so you can cook something together with the kids – or order pizza and have a board-game night.
A rainy-day plan – a weekend stay in Szklarska Poręba step by step
A ready-made plan for a family with kids – no boredom and no soaked shoes.
- 9:30 – breakfast in the apartment, no rush. Check the rain radar – it sometimes clears up in the afternoon.
- 10:30 – Julia Glassworks in Piechowice: guided tour and workshops at Krystalium. Afterwards, coffee and cake on site.
- 14:00 – lunch on 1 Maja Street in Szklarska Poręba.
- 15:30 – Mineralogical Museum or Leśna Huta (Tue–Sat), and for brick fans, the LEGO exhibition.
- 17:30 – back to the apartment: hot tea, board games, cooking together.
Practical tips for rain in the mountains
- Don’t give up on nature completely. A short walk to Szklarka Waterfall in light rain can be beautiful – just wear shoes with a good grip.
- Skip the high trails. Wet rocks on the way to Szrenica are slippery, and there are no views in the fog. Check the notices from Karkonosze National Park.
- Check opening hours. Outside the season, many attractions open for shorter hours or on selected days only.
- Bring a spare set of clothes for the kids – in the car or in a backpack.
- Book ahead for workshops and restaurant tables at weekends.
FAQ
What to do in Szklarska Poręba when it rains? Choose indoor attractions: Julia Glassworks with Krystalium in Piechowice, Leśna Huta, the Mineralogical Museum, the Old Walloon Hut or the Karkonosze Ecological Education Centre. In the evening, an escape room, bowling or the cinema work well.
What indoor attractions are there for kids in Szklarska Poręba? The best for kids are the glass workshops at Julia Glassworks (mini glassworks, glass painting), the demonstrations at Leśna Huta, the LEGO brick model exhibition and the Mineralogical Museum with its dinosaur exhibits. Esplanada park is open all year round.
Is Dinopark in Szklarska Poręba open in the rain? Dinopark is mostly outdoors, but it has covered areas, including a 6D cinema. It works in light rain; in a downpour, choose a museum or a glassworks instead.
Where to eat in Szklarska Poręba with kids? Most restaurants are on 1 Maja Street. Good choices with kids are Pierogarnia Bożena, Alfredo (pizza and Polish cuisine) and Gościniec Pod Lipą with its kids’ menu.
Where to stay in Szklarska Poręba with a family? For a family trip, mountain apartments with a kitchen and a separate bedroom work best. RentPlanet has holiday apartments in Szklarska Poręba on Górna, Schroniskowa and Kilińskiego Streets, among others, with parking and remote check-in.
How to find cheap weekend accommodation in Szklarska Poręba? The cheapest dates are outside the summer holidays and winter school breaks – that is when it is easier to find affordable mountain accommodation and a wider choice of apartments. It is worth booking directly and comparing several locations in town.
Summary – rain in Szklarska Poręba doesn’t have to ruin your holiday
- For kids: Julia Glassworks with workshops, Leśna Huta, the LEGO exhibition, Esplanada park.
- For adults: the Mineralogical Museum, the Old Walloon Hut, the Hauptmann House.
- For lunch: 1 Maja Street, pierogi, trout and home-made cake.
- For the evening: an escape room, bowling or board games in the apartment.
In the rain, Szklarska Poręba shows its other face – a town of glass, minerals and legends. It is one of the best choices when you are looking for accommodation in Lower Silesia for any weather.
Holiday apartments in Szklarska Poręba – mountain accommodation with parking
Looking for mountain accommodation for any weather? RentPlanet apartments in Szklarska Poręba come with fully equipped kitchens, cosy living rooms for rainy evenings and free parking. Outside the season you will also find affordable stays in Lower Silesia with us. Check availability and book an apartment in Szklarska Poręba.
Read also: No idea for a gift for your child? Choose a trip together and Zakopane – why choose mountain accommodation?
