The phenomenon of second homes is increasingly discussed in the literature on rural development. Previous studies indicate both its negative and positive aspects for rural development. The authors decided to investigate this phenomenon through interviews conducted with permanent residents of the popular tourist commune of Czernichów (Silesian Voivodeship), where the number of second homes is constantly growing. The main objective of the work was to present the phenomenon of second homes in the opinion of the community of the Czernichów commune. Based on the literature on the subject, positive and negative effects of the development of second homes were identified in the functional, spatial and social context, which were verified in a survey of residents' opinions. The vast majority of respondents positively assessed the phenomenon of second homes and its impact on the functioning of the village. There were also a few negative opinions, which confirmed the ambiguous impact of second homes on the development of rural areas. Nevertheless, second homes in the Czernichów commune gained clear acceptance from residents.