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Discover poland’s 16 amazing regions.

This is a region with many valued historical sites, castles and palaces as well as attractions for fans of industrial tourism (it is home to Poland’s first capital city, Gniezno). The province also has plenty of valuable natural areas including two national parks (Wielkopolska National Park and part of Drawa National Park), which hold great potential for active tourism such as the Great Wielkopolska Loop. The region’s capital is Poznań, Poland’s most important trade-fair centre.

A picturesque region with remarkable rivers and lakes, the least urbanised part of Poland; idyllic landscapes, charming localities, health resorts, and four national parks (Białowieża, Biebrza, Narew and Wigry) welcome tourists; the region includes the UNESCO-listed Białowieża Forest; Podlaskie province, with hospitable Białystok as its capital, has many multicultural attractions…

A region very popular among tourists for the Great Masurian Lakes, summer resorts and health spas, visitors will discover many charming towns lying amidst beautiful forests and bodies of water.

As a destination, this province is great for health resorts and spas on the Baltic Sea as well as many interesting historical sites. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, two national parks (Słowiński and Tuchola Forest) also cultural and historical ones, starting with the region’s capital of Gdańsk.

A coastal region offering lots of great adventures and home to many seaside resorts and famous health spas, the province has attractive natural areas including two national parks (Wolin and Drawa).  Zachodniopomorskie province is a region with lots of attractions for every tourist.

Filled with attractions for the active and history-loving tourist, with traces of Chopin’s life and work, this is the largest province and home to Poland’s capital city – Warsaw, whose Old Town is a UNESCO-listed heritage site. To the south of the capital lies a health resort, and to the north-west Kampinos National Park, not to mention the surrounding localities explored via the winding roads of Mazovia…

Filled with ancient Slavic sites, famous health resorts and natural attractions, the province also includes a gem of Gothic architecture – Toruń – whose historical centre, with the 14th-century Town Hall, tenements and fragments of castle walls, is a UNESCO-listed heritage site.

A region with an ever-growing number of tourist attractions, both natural and manmade, not to mention Poland’s only thermal spa in Uniejów and a skiing facility in the heart of Poland: Kamieńsk Hill on the slope of the Bełchatów mine. The geometric centre of Poland lies in Łódzkie province, in the village of Piątek, and the province capital is the multicultural and modern city of Łódź.

Poland’s most densely forested province, rich in natural attractions including a national park (Warta Mouth), historic buildings (e.g. Łagów Castle) and former military sites (the Międzyrzecz Fortification Region), as well as a UNESCO-listed site: Park Mużakowski. The province has two capitals: Zielona Góra and Gorzów Wielkopolski.

Home to a variety of architectural marvels (including Książ, Poland third largest castle) Lower Silesia also boasts mountains, two national parks (Karkonosze and Sowie Mountains), many mountain resorts and the greatest number of health spas in Poland. Dig a little deeper and you’ll also find two UNESCO-listed sites (the Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica, and the Centennial Hall in Wrocław), as well as the bustling regional capital, Wrocław.

Poland’s smallest province, but one that is rich in culture and full of treasures for tourists. There’s something for everyone here – whether you’re looking to sightsee or are craving some relaxation. The region boasts beautiful lakes and rivers, famous castles and palaces, fascinating natural, historical and even prehistoric sites; the capital of Opolskie province is the “singing” city of Opole…

Śląśkie (Silesia) is a province rich in mineral and natural resources and is one of the most important industrial regions of Poland. Silesia’s largest city and historical capital is Wrocław, and the major metropolitan area is the Upper Silesian metro area with Katowice at its center. The multiethnic heritage of the region delivers deep and enriching cultural exploration of local history, tradition, and customs.

The Małopolska Province is where one finds some of Poland’s most visited sites. This most varied region stretches from the snowy peaks of the Tatra Mountains to the rugged limestone cliffs of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, and the scenic, low lying Vistula River Valley.

This is a charming province, home to the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and Świętokrzyski National Park. The region is all about hermit and monastic traditions, age-old legends and dinosaurs combined with picturesque towns, multiple historical sites and famous health resorts. The regional capital is Kielce.

Podkarpackie is one of the greenest regions of Poland. There are pristine meadows and beautiful forests. Over one third of the region’s area, including remnants of the ancient Carpathian primeval Forest, is protected. Mighty wisents, lynxes, wildcats, and a number of rare bird species such as the golden eagle, are just a few of many species you can meet while hiking in the area.

Beautifully situated between the rivers Vistula and Bug, at the junction of Eastern and Western culture, Lubelskie has an alluring exoticism. Offering a rich natural environment with two national parks (Roztocze and Polesie) as well as historical sites including the UNESCO-listed Old Town in Zamość, the region tempts visitors with boats trips along the Vistula in Kazimierz, hiking in the Vistula glacial valley, treatments at health resorts and historic architecture in the province capital – Lublin.

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• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1.1 Early history
• 4.1.2 Partitions and regaining independence
• 4.1.3 World War II
• 4.1.4 Communism (People's Republic of Poland)
• 4.1.5 Contemporary Poland (Third Republic of Poland)
• 4.2 Holidays
• 4.3 Tourist information
• 6.1 Entry requirements
• 6.2 By plane
• 6.3 By train
• 6.6 By boat
• 7.1 By plane
• 7.2.1 Train types
• 7.2.2 Tickets
• 7.5 By taxi
• 7.6 By bicycle
• 7.7 By thumb
• 8.2 Natural attractions
• 8.3 Castles & other rural monuments
• 8.4 Countryside
• 12.1.1 Money exchange
• 12.1.2 ATMs
• 12.1.3 Credit cards
• 12.1.4 Cheques
• 12.2 Tipping
• 12.3 Exports
• 12.4 Shopping
• 13.1 Traditional local food
• 13.2 Milk bars
• 14.5 Cocktails
• 14.6 Tea and coffee
• 14.8 Prices
• 15.1 Prices
• 15.2 Hotels
• 15.3 Hostels
• 15.4 Agritourism farms
• 16.2 Security on trains
• 16.3 Violence
• 16.4 Racism
• 16.6 Driving conditions
• 16.7 Strip clubs
• 17 Stay healthy
• 18.1 Etiquette
• 18.2.1 Politics
• 18.2.2 National issues
• 18.2.3 Religion
• 18.2.4 LGBT travellers
• 18.3 Miscellaneous
• 19.1 Mobile phones
• 19.2 Polish telephone numbers
• 19.3 International calls
• 19.4 Internet
• 20.1 Digits
• 20.2 Toilets

Poland ( Polish : Polska ) has a rich and eventful history, and a strong basis for its bourgeoning tourism industry. As one of Europe's most underrated countries, it offers a fair share of countryside, vibrant urbanity, pristine beauty and a culture in connection to its thousand-year history.

Its heritage is reflected in its architecture, museums, galleries and monuments. Its landscape is varied, and extends from the Baltic Sea coast in the north to the Tatra Mountains in the south. In between, lush primeval forests are home to fascinating species of animals including bisons in Białowieża ; beautiful lakes and rivers for various water-sports, the best known of which are in Warmińsko-Mazurskie ; rolling hills; flat plains; and deserts. Among Poland's cities you can find the perfectly preserved Gothic old town of Toruń , Hanseatic heritage in Gdańsk and evidence of the 19th-century industrial boom in Łódź .

Creative and enterprising, Poles continually come up with various ideas for events and festivals, and new buildings and institutions spring up almost before your eyes, so that every time you come back, you are bound to discover something new.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

• 52.229875 21.011654 1 Warsaw ( Warszawa ) — capital of Poland, and one of the EU's thriving new business centres; the old town, nearly completely destroyed during World War II, has been rebuilt in a style inspired by classicist paintings of Canaletto.
• 54.351991 18.646354 2 Gdańsk — the former German city of Danzig is one of the old, beautiful European cities, rebuilt after World War II. It is a great departure point to the many sea resorts along the Baltic coast.
• 50.264443 19.023717 3 Katowice — central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolis, both an important commercial hub and a centre of culture.
• 50.061734 19.937302 4 Kraków — the "cultural capital" of Poland and its historical capital in the Middle Ages; its centre is filled with old churches, monuments, the largest European medieval market-place - and now with trendy pubs and art galleries. Its city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• 51.247795 22.567639 5 Lublin — the biggest city in Eastern Poland, it has a well-preserved old town with typical Polish architecture, along with unusual Renaissance elements.
• 51.759008 19.455704 6 Łódź — once renowned for its textile industries, the "Polish Manchester" has the longest walking street in Europe, Piotrkowska Street, full of picturesque 19th-century architecture.
• 52.406244 16.925646 7 Poznań — the merchant city, considered to be the birthplace of the Polish nation and church (along with Gniezno ); presents a mixture of architecture from all epoques .
• 53.427715 14.552327 8 Szczecin — the most important city of Pomerania with an enormous harbour, monuments, old parks and museums.
• 51.110113 17.033416 9 Wrocław — an old Silesian city with great history; built on 12 islands, it has more bridges than any other European town except Venice, Amsterdam and Hamburg.

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 50.035833 19.178333 1 Auschwitz-Birkenau — An infamous complex of German Nazi extermination and slave labour camps that became the centre of the Holocaust of Jews during World War II. UNESCO World Heritage Site .
• 52.752128 23.879128 2 Białowieża National Park — a huge area of ancient woodland straddling the border with Belarus . UNESCO World Heritage Site .
• 49.866667 19.683333 4 Kalwaria Zebrzydowska — monastery in the Beskids from 1600 with Mannerist architecture and a Stations of the Cross complex. UNESCO World Heritage Site .
• 50.766667 15.65 5 Karkonosze National Park — national park in the Sudety around the Śnieżka Mountain with beautiful waterfalls.
• 54.033333 19.05 6 Malbork — home to the Malbork Castle, the beautiful huge Gothic castle made of brick and the largest one in Europe. UNESCO World Heritage Site .
• 54.703333 17.306944 7 Słowiński National Park — national park next to the Baltic Sea with the biggest dunes in Europe.
• 49.983039 20.055731 8 Wieliczka Salt Mine — the oldest still existing enterprise worldwide, this salt mine has been exploited continuously since the 13th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• 52.266667 16.783333 9 Wielkopolski National Park — national park in Greater Poland protecting the wildlife of the Wielkopolskie Lakes.

Understand [ edit ]

Poland is located at the very centre of Europe with an area of 322,575 km².

Poland's western regions, including large parts of Lower Silesia , Lubuskie and Zachodniopomorskie , were parts of neighbouring Germany at different periods of time. The natural border of mountain ridges separating Poland from its southern neighbours, the Czech Republic and Slovakia , did not stop the cultural influence (and periodic warring). In the Middle Ages, Poland was part of a powerful Commonwealth with Lithuania that governed much of today's Belarus and Ukraine . The cultural evidence of it can be found closer to the present-day borders. Lastly, the entire eastern half of Poland used to be controlled by the Russian Empire, and there was a strong Soviet influence during the communist era, leaving behind many traces in both culture and built heritage.

Poland has a very homogeneous society in terms of ethnicity, language and religion. The historical Republics of Poland, whose boundaries were very different from those of today, were very multi-cultural, and, for a period, Poland was known as Europe's most religiously tolerant. Poland held Europe's largest Jewish population, which was all but wiped out by the Holocaust of World War II then after the war the survivors were persecuted by the anti-Semitic communist government into leaving the country.

Despite losing a third of its population, including a disproportionally large part of its elites, in World War II, and suffering many economic setbacks as a Soviet satellite state afterwards, Poland in many ways flourished culturally in the 20th century. Paving the way for its fellow Eastern bloc states, Poland had a painful transition to democracy and capitalism in the late 1980s and 90s. In the 21st century, Poland joined the European Union and has enjoyed continuous economic growth unlike any other EU country. This has allowed it to markedly improve its infrastructure and had a profound effect on its society.

History [ edit ]

Early history [ edit ]

The first cities in today's Poland, Kalisz and Elbląg on the Amber Trail to the Baltic Sea, were mentioned by Roman writers in the first century AD, but the first Polish settlement in Biskupin dates even further back to the 7th century BC.

Poland was united as a country in the first half of the 10th century, and adopted Catholicism as the state religion in 966 AD. The first capital was the city of Gniezno , but a century later the capital was moved to Kraków , where it remained for half a millennium.

Poland experienced its golden age from 14th to 16th century, under the reign of King Casimir the Great, and the Jagiellonian Dynasty, whose rule extended from the Baltic to the Black and Adriatic seas. In the 16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the largest country in Europe; the country attracted many immigrants, including Germans, Jews, Armenians and Dutch, because of the freedom of confession guaranteed by the state and the atmosphere of religious tolerance, which was exceptional in Europe at the time of the Holy Inquisition.

Under the rule of the Vasa Dynasty, the capital was moved to Warsaw in 1596. During the 17th and the 18th centuries, the nobility increasingly asserted its independence from the monarchy; combined with several exhausting wars, this greatly weakened the Commonwealth. Responding to the need for reform, Poland passed a constitution in 1791 that was a key reform among many progressive but belated attempts to strengthen the country during the second half of the 18th century.

Partitions and regaining independence [ edit ]

With the country in political disarray, various sections of Poland were occupied by its neighbors — Russia , Prussia (later Germany ) and Austria — in three coordinated "partitions" of 1772 and 1793, and 1795. After the last partition and a failed uprising, Poland ceased to exist as a country for 123 years.

However, this long period of foreign domination was met with fierce resistance. During the Napoleonic Wars , a semi-autonomous Duchy of Warsaw arose, before being erased from the map again in 1813. Further uprisings ensued, such as the 29 November uprising of 1830-1831 (mainly in Russian Poland), the 1848 Revolution (mostly in Austrian and Prussian Poland), and 22 January 1863. Throughout the occupation, Poles retained their sense of national identity, and kept fighting the subjugation of the three occupying powers.

Poland returned to the map of Europe with the end of World War I , regaining its independence on November 11, 1918. In 1920–21, the newly-reborn country got into territorial disputes with Czechoslovakia and, especially, the antagonistic and newly communist Soviet Russia with which it fought a war. This was further complicated by a hostile Weimar Germany to the west, which strongly resented the annexation of portions of its eastern Prussian territories, and the detachment of German-speaking Danzig (contemporary Gdańsk ) as a free city.

World War II [ edit ]

World War II in Europe began with a coordinated attack on Poland's borders by the Soviet Union from the east and Nazi Germany from the west and north. Only a few days prior to the start of the war, the Soviet Union and Germany had signed a secret pact of non-aggression, which called for the re-division of the central and eastern European nations. Germany attacked Poland on 1 September 1939 and the Soviet Union attacked Poland on 17 September 1939, effectively starting the fourth partition. These harmonised invasions caused the re-established Polish Republic to cease to exist. Hitler used the issue of Danzig ( Gdańsk ) as a pretext to invade Poland, much as he used the "Sudetenland Question" to conquer Czechoslovakia.

Many of World War II's most infamous war crimes were committed by the Nazis and Soviets on Polish territory, with the former committing the majority of them. Polish civilians opposed to either side's rule were ruthlessly rounded up, tortured, and executed. Nazi Germany established concentration and extermination camps on Polish soil, where many millions of Europeans — including about 90% of Poland's long-standing Jewish population and thousands of local Romanies (Gypsies) — were murdered; of these Auschwitz is the most infamous. The Nazis murdered about three million Polish Jews and about the same number of Polish non-Jews — not only people who actively opposed the Nazi occupation, but also people more or less randomly rounded up. Part of the Nazis' strategy was to attempt to annihilate all Polish intelligentsia and potential future leadership, the better to absorb Poland into Germany, so thousands of Polish Catholic priests and intellectuals were summarily murdered. For their part, the Soviets rounded up and executed the cream of the crop of Polish leadership in the part of Poland they occupied in the Katyń Massacre of 1940. About 22,000 Polish military and political leaders, business owners, and intelligentsia were murdered in the massacre, approved by the Soviet Politburo, including by Joseph Stalin and Lavrentiy Beria. The Soviets also murdered about 150,000 ordinary Poles and deported another 1,700,000 to Siberia between 1939 and 1941.

World War II shattered and battered the country — Poland lost nearly 30% of its population, nearly all of its important cities were destroyed, lost control of significant poritions of its territory, and was left impoverished and bankrupt.

Following the war, Poland found itself compelled to assume the role of a Soviet satellite nation due to the Yalta and Potsdam agreements forged between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. These historical junctures continue to be perceived by a significant number of Poles as a profound act of treachery carried out by the Allies.

The inhabitants native to the former Polish regions in the east, which were subsequently annexed by the Soviet Union, were forcibly expelled, making way for the displaced German populations from the western and northern regions of the country. This forced displacement resulted in the uprooting of over 10 million individuals and served to impede the process of reconciliation between Poland and Germany. For a comprehensive understanding of the broader context, one can refer to the dynamics of Cold War Europe .

Communism (People's Republic of Poland) [ edit ]

After World War II, Poland was forced to become a socialist republic. Between 1945 and 1953, pro-Stalinist leaders conducted periodic purges. In particular, members of the Polish Home Army and other partisan organizations that had opposed both Soviet and German domination of Poland were executed in large numbers. There were also pogroms after the war; the most notorious was the 1946 Kielce pogrom, which was allegedly incited by Joseph Stalin's NKVD secret police, though based on the traditional Christian blood libel against Jews and with very weak condemnation, at best, from Polish cardinals. The result of the pogroms and subsequent antisemitic policies of the communist government was that most Jewish survivors of Nazi persecution emigrated, effectively ending centuries of strong Jewish presence in the cultural and ethnic fabric of Poland.

After the bloody Stalinist era of 1945–1953, Poland was comparatively tolerant and progressive in comparison to other Eastern Bloc countries. But strong economic growth in the post-war period alternated with serious recessions in 1956, 1970, and 1976 which resulted in labour turmoil over dramatic inflation and shortages of goods. Ask older Poles to tell you about the impoverished Poland of the Communist era and you'll often hear stories of empty store shelves where sometimes the only thing available for purchase was vinegar. You'll hear stories about back room deals to get meat or bread, such as people trading things at the post office just to get ham for a special dinner, or religious services held secretly in basements.

A brief reprieve from this history occurred in 1978. The then-archbishop of Kraków, Karol Wojtyła, was elected as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name John Paul II. This had a profound impact on Poland's largely Catholic population, and to this day John Paul II is widely revered in the country.

In 1980, the anti-communist trade union, "Solidarity" (Polish: Solidarność ), became the major driving force in a strong opposition movement, organizing labor strikes, and demanding freedom of the press and democratic representation. The communist government responded by imposing martial law from 1981 to 1983. During this period, the country again suffered from widespread poverty, thousands of people were detained, phone calls were monitored by the government, independent organizations not aligned with the Communists were deemed illegal and members were arrested, access to roads was restricted, the borders were sealed, ordinary industries were placed under military management, and workers who failed to follow orders faced the threat of a military court.

Solidarity was the most famous of various organizations which were criminalized, and its members faced the possibility of losing their jobs and imprisonment. However, the heavy-handed repression and resulting economic disaster greatly weakened the role of the Communist Party. Solidarity was eventually legalized again, and shortly thereafter led the country to its first free elections in 1989, in which the communist government was finally removed from power. This inspired a succession of peaceful anti-communist revolutions throughout the Warsaw Pact bloc.

Contemporary Poland (Third Republic of Poland) [ edit ]

Nowadays, Poland is a democratic country with a stable and robust economy. It has been a member of NATO since 1999 and the European Union since 2004. The country's stability has been underscored by the fact that the tragic deaths of the President and a large number of political, business and civic leaders in a plane crash did not have an appreciable negative effect on the Polish currency or economic prospects. Poland has also joined the borderless Europe agreement (Schengen), with an open border to Germany, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and is on track to adopt the Euro currency in a few years time. Poland's dream of rejoining Europe as an independent nation at peace and in mutual respect with its neighbors has finally been achieved. However rural Poland and the smaller towns have been in decline since the 1990s due to migrants leaving the countryside looking for better jobs in the main cities like Warsaw or Krakow.

Holidays [ edit ]

On public holidays, which including many Catholic holidays and important anniversaries, most service and retail outlets, other companies, museums, galleries, other attractions and public administration units, close entirely. Plan ahead for shopping, services or official business.

Places to eat, gas stations and pharmacies generally remain open. Some small and almost all Żabka neighbourhood convenience stores stay open, but many may have shortened opening hours. In smaller towns and villages, the local gas station can be your only resort.

Most means of public transport will run according to their Sunday schedule on public holidays, usually meaning less frequent operations. Some connections, e.g. peak bus lines, do not operate on such days entirely ("Sunday service").

If a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many Poles take a day off on the Monday preceding or Friday following to have a long weekend, so many companies and public administration units close on those days as well. Roads and trains may become congested on the days long weekends start or end. In tourist destinations, prices may rise and accommodation may be booked out long in advance. On the other hand, large cities often become relatively deserted.

Catholic religious holidays are widely celebrated in Poland and many provide colourful and interesting festivities and include local traditions. Most of the population, especially in smaller towns and villages, will go to church on those days and participate in them. For Christmas and Easter, it is customary to join one's family for celebratory meals and gatherings that often bring together family members from far away, so many Poles will travel to their home towns or families out of their place of residence. Having celebratory dinners in restaurants is very rare, although many hotels and restaurants would offer Christmas and Easter meals.

• New Year's Day ( Nowy Rok ) - 1 January is a public holiday, with celebrations taking place around midnight.
• Epiphany ( Święto Trzech Króli or Objawienie Pańskie ) - 6 January - is the first day of the carnival period. In many Polish cities, merry parades are organised to commemorate the biblical Wise Men.
• Easter ( Wielkanoc or Niedziela Wielkanocna ) is scheduled according to the moon calendar, usually in March or April. Like Christmas, it is primarily a meaningful Christian holiday. On the Saturday before Easter, churches offer special services in anticipation of the holiday, including blessing of food; children bring baskets of painted eggs and candy to be blessed. On Easter Sunday, practicing Catholics go to the morning mass, followed by a celebratory breakfast made of foods blessed the day before. On Easter Sunday, shops, malls, and restaurants are commonly closed.
• Lany Poniedziałek , or Śmigus Dyngus , is a public holiday on the Monday after Easter , and also a holiday. It's the day of an old tradition with pagan roots: groups of kids and teens wander around, looking to soak each other with water. Often groups of boys will try to catch groups of girls, and vice versa; but innocent passers-by are not exempt from the game, and are expected to play along. Water guns and water balloons are common, but children, especially outdoors and in the countryside, use buckets and have no mercy on passers-by. (Drivers - this means keep your windows wound up or you're likely to get soaked.)
• Labour Day ( Święto Pracy ) - 1 May is a public holiday as well. Politically inspired parades and rallies are often organized, especially in larger cities, and it is best to avoid them as opposing political factions often collide and police will usually close off the area where parades and rallies are held. Combined with May 3 (see below), this holiday provides for a surefire long weekend in most years and will see many Poles enjoy a holiday outside of their hometowns.
• Constitution Day ( Święto Konstytucji Trzeciego Maja ) - 3 May , celebrated in remembrance of the Constitution of 3 May 1791. The document was a highly progressive attempt at political reform, and it was Europe's first constitution (and world's second, after the US). Following the partitions, the original constitution became a highly poignant symbol of national identity and ideals.
• Pentecost ( Zesłanie Ducha Świętego or Zielone Świątki ) - movable feast, celebrated 7 weeks after Easter , which is always on a Sunday . It is a relatively low-key religious holiday. Since this is a Sunday, it may make little difference in some cases, but in case of establishments normally open on Sundays you may find them closed on that day. The second day (Monday) is not a public holiday and not widely celebrated in Poland.
• The Feast of Corpus Christi ( Boże Ciało ) is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, or sixty days after Easter . It is celebrated across the country; in smaller locations virtually the whole village or town becomes involved in a procession, and all traffic is stopped as the procession weaves its way through the streets.
• Assumption ( Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Marii Panny ) coinciding with Day of the Polish Military ( Święto Wojska Polskiego ) - 15 August , commemorating the victory of the Polish Army over the invading Soviet (Red) Army in the Battle of Warsaw. The victory was attributed by the religious to the influence of the Virgin Mary. The day is marked with Catholic religious festivities and military parades.
• All Saints Day ( Wszystkich Świętych ) - 1 November . In the afternoon people visit graves of their relatives and light candles. After dusk cemeteries glow with thousands of lights and offer a very picturesque scene. If you have the chance, visit a cemetery to witness the holiday. Many restaurants, bars and cafés will either be closed or close earlier than usual on this holiday.
• Independence Day ( Narodowe Święto Niepodległości ) - 11 November , celebrated to commemorate Poland's independence in 1918, after 123 years of partitions and occupation by Austria, Prussia and Russia. Some somber official celebrations, and another slew of politically-inspired rallies are bound to be held. There are also big patriotic demonstrations and marches in larger cities, especially in Warsaw, where over 100,000 people participate in the salt marsh soil of the Independence. It is calm and many foreigners participate in it.
• Christmas Eve ( Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia or simply Wigilia ) - 24 December is not a public holiday, but for the Poles it is the year's most important feast. According to Catholic tradition, celebration of liturgical feasts starts in the evening of the preceding day (a vigil, hence wigilia ). In Polish folklore, this translates into a special family dinner, which traditionally calls for a twelve-course meatless meal (representing the twelve apostles), which is supposed to begin in the evening, after the first star can be spotted in the night sky. On Christmas Eve most stores will close around 14:00 or 15:00 at the latest out of respect for traditions. It is also a Polish tradition to not leave anybody alone on Christmas Eve, so Polish people tend to be extremely hospitable on the evening and on many occasions will invite their lonely friends to participate in the traditional dinner. It is also acceptable to ask your friends if you could join them if you're alone. There's also a tradition of Midnight Mass on that day ( Pasterka ), when Christmas carols are sung.
• Christmas ( Boże Narodzenie ) - 25 and 26 December . On Christmas Day people usually stay home and enjoy meals and meetings with families and sometimes close friends. Everything apart from essential services will be closed and public transport will be severely limited.
• New Year's Eve ( Sylwester ) - 31 December is not a public holiday, but many businesses will close early. Pretty much all hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs will host special balls or parties, requiring previous reservations and carrying hefty price tags. In cities, free open-air parties with live music and firework displays are organized by the authorities on central squares.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• Polish Tourism Organisation website

Talk [ edit ]

The official language of Poland is Polish .

Virtually all official information is in Polish only, including street signs, directions, information signs, etc., as well as schedules and announcements at train and bus stations. Airports and a few major train stations usually do have information in English, though. Information signs in museums, churches, etc., signs are typically in multiple languages at popular tourist destinations, elsewhere in Polish only.

The vast majority of young people who grew up after the fall of communism know English, usually at a decent level. Older Poles, however, especially those outside the main cities, will speak little or no English. However, it is possible that they speak either French , German or Russian , taught in schools as the main foreign languages until the 1990s. German remains very common, especially in Western Poland and tourist hotspots like Kraków and Gdańsk. However, speaking Russian to Poles remains a sensitive issue due to over a century of unwanted Russian and Soviet domination, so be sure to begin the conversation in Polish and ask if the person speaks Russian before proceeding, and only use Russian as a last resort.

Czech and Slovak are West Slavic languages that share many similarities with Polish; it can be possible to hold an actually decent conversation in those languages. People who speak Ukrainian or Belarusian might be able to get the gist of what is being said in Polish, but holding anything more than a basic conversation will be difficult.

A few phrases go a long way in Poland. Polish people generally love the few foreigners who learn Polish or at least try to. Younger Poles will also jump at the chance to practise their English.

Do your homework and try to learn how to pronounce the names of places. Polish has a very regular pronunciation, and although there are a few sounds unknown to most English speakers, mastering every phoneme is not required to achieve intelligibility; catching the spirit is more important.

There are Polish language schools in Łódź , Kraków , Wrocław , Sopot and Warsaw .

Get in [ edit ]

Entry requirements [ edit ].

Poland is a member of the Schengen Agreement . See Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, which countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. In summary:

• There are normally no immigration controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats entering the Schengen Area. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• A visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.

In addition to the ordinary Schengen visa waiver, citizens of South Korea, the United States of America, and Israel are permitted to spend up to 90 days in Poland without a visa, regardless of time spent in other Schengen countries. Time spent in Poland, however, does count against the time that would be granted by another Schengen state.

Regular visas are issued for travelers going to Poland for tourism and business purposes . Regular visas allow for one or multiple entries into Polish territory and stay in Poland for maximum up to 90 days and are issued for the definite period of stay. When applying for a visa, please indicate the number of days you plan to spend in Poland and a date of intended arrival. Holders of regular visas are not authorized to work.

Ukrainian citizens do not require a separate visa for transit through Poland if they hold a Schengen or a UK visa.

By plane [ edit ]

Most of Europe's major airlines fly to and from Poland. Poland's flag carrier is LOT Polish Airlines , a member of Star Alliance, operating the Miles&More frequent flyer programme with several other European Star Alliance members. Most other European legacy carriers maintain at least one connection to Poland, and there are also a number of low cost airlines that fly to Poland including WizzAir , EasyJet , Norwegian and Ryanair .

While there are many international airports across Poland, and international air travel is on a constant increase, Warsaw 's Chopin Airport ( WAW  IATA ) remains the country's main international hub. LOT flies e.g. to Beijing , Delhi , Toronto , New York and Chicago , while Qatar Airways and Emirates offer flights to their hubs in the Middle East, which allows connecting to their rich international networks. Most European airlines offer a connection to Warsaw, allowing you to take advantage of connecting flights via their hubs.

Warsaw is the only city in Poland that has two international airports - Modlin Airport ( WMI  IATA ), a converted former military airfield, is close to Warsaw and normally used by low-fare carriers.

Other major airports serviced by airlines providing intercontinental connections include Kraków ( KRK  IATA ), Katowice ( KTW  IATA ), Gdańsk ( GDN  IATA ), Poznań ( POZ  IATA ), Wrocław ( WRO  IATA ), Rzeszów ( RZE  IATA ), Łódź ( LCJ  IATA ) (due to proximity to Warsaw Chopin Airport, there are no flights to Warsaw from Łódź)

Smaller regional airports offering international flights include:

• Bydgoszcz ( BZG  IATA )
• Szczecin ( SZZ  IATA ) (intercontinental connections via Warsaw)
• Lublin ( LUZ  IATA ) opened in late 2012, serviced by Wizz Air and Ryanair

All of the above airports are also served by low-fare point-to-point carriers, flying to European destinations. The most popular connections out of Poland's regional airports are to the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Norway, where sizeable Polish minorities generate sustainable demand for air traffic. Flights are thus frequent and one can purchase a ticket at a very favorable rate.

You can also enter Poland coming from alternative airports:

• To the west: Berlin ( BER  IATA )
• To the south-west: Dresden ( DRS  IATA ) and Prague ( PRG  IATA )
• To the south: Ostrava ( OSR  IATA ) and Košice ( KSC  IATA )
• To the north-east: Vilnius ( VNO  IATA ), Kaunas ( KUN  IATA ) and Kaliningrad ( KGD  IATA )

By train [ edit ]

Poland uses the west European railway gauge and trains rattle across the border from Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia, with no formalities as these are all Schengen countries. On these routes look out for split-ticket deals, as you may be able to take a cheap local train to a border town then transfer to another (and see the border regions of Śląskie , Dolnośląskie and Opolskie for example). The main direct routes are:

• Berlin - Frankfurt (Oder) - Rzepin - Swiebodzin - Zbaszynek - Poznań - Konin - Kutno - Warsaw , 4 a day, 6 hr.
• Berlin - Frankfurt (Oder) - Rzepin - Swiebodzin - Zbaszynek - Poznań - Gniezno - Inowroclaw - Bydgoszcz - Tczew - Gdansk - Gdynia , one a day, 6 hr.
• Berlin - Frankfurt (Oder) - Rzepin - Zielona Gora - Glogow - Lubin - Legnica - Wrocław - Opole - Gliwice - Zabrze - Katowice - Kraków , one daytime and one overnight, 7 hr 30 min.
• Berlin - Szczecin has two direct services, 2 hr, but usually you change between local trains at Angermünde.
• Budapest - Vac - Visegrad - Szob - Bratislava - Breclav - Ostrava - Bohumin - Chalupki - Wodislaw - Rybnik - Katowice - Sosnowiec - Dabrowa Gornicza - Zawiercie - Wloszczowa Polnoc - Opoczno Poludnie - Warsaw , one daytime train (10 hr) which continues to Terespol (for Belarus), and one overnight (14 hr) terminating in Warsaw. At Katowice a portion of the daytime train splits for Kraków and Przemyśl (for Ukraine).
• Vienna - Breclav then the same route via Ostrava and Katowice to Warsaw, 7 hr 40 min, one daytime train continuing to Gdansk and Gdynia , and one overnight terminating in Warsaw. There are other connections via Kraków.
• Prague - Pardubice - Olomouc - Ostrava - Bohumin - Chalupki - Wodislaw - Rybnik - Katowice - Myslowice - Jaworzno Szczakowa - Kraków - Miechow - Wloszczowa Polnoc - Opoczno Poludnie - Warsaw , one daytime (8 hr 30 min) and one overnight (11 hr).
• From Paris or Amsterdam travel via Berlin.

The countries to the east all use the broader (Russian-style) gauge, so there is a change of trains and border formalities to factor into the timetable. A western gauge Rail Baltica is being built through the Baltic states and might, just might, be completed some time in the 21st century.

• Vilnius - Kaunas - Białystok - Warsaw - Krakow trains run daily: you change at the border but it's a seamless connection.
• Kyiv - Dorohusk - Chelm - Rejowiec - Trawniki - Swidnik - Lublin - Naleczow - Pulawy Miasto - Deblin - Pilawa - Warsaw , 16 hr overnight, with daytime connections via Lviv and Przemyśl .
• Trains from Kaliningrad, Moscow, Smolensk and Minsk no longer cross into Poland.

Stations in Poland are relatively small and easy to navigate, though signage is just in Polish. Write down your destination and preferred time to show to ticket clerks, as trains have different prices, and your attempts to pronounce "Wrocław" will likely get you sent to Rouen. They'll show you the price on their calculator or till display, easier to grasp than their reply of trzydzieścipięćzłotychczterdzieściproszę! Credit cards are usually acceptable. See individual cities for which station to use: "Główny" means main station, but in Warsaw you want Centralna.

By car [ edit ]

You can enter Poland by one of many roads linking Poland with the neighboring countries. Since Poland's entry to the Schengen Zone, checkpoints on border crossings with other EU countries have been removed.

However, the queues on the borders with Poland's non-EU neighbors, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, are still large and in areas congested with truck traffic it can take up to several hours to pass.

By bus [ edit ]

The principal long-distance bus operator to Poland is Flixbus . As of 2021, their direct international routes are:

Flixbus and similar big operators are franchises, with real buses with real drivers run by subsidiary local firms. Others are Eurolines , Ecolines and Sindbad .

By boat [ edit ]

• From Sweden : Ystad (7–9 hours, 215 zł) by Unity Line ; Karlskrona (10 hours, 140-220 zł) by Stena Line ; Nynäshamn (18 hours, 230-270 zł), Visby (13½ hours, 170 zł), Ystad (9½ hours, 230 zł) by Polferries
• From Germany : Rostock (~15 hr) by Finnlines
• With your own boat: many Baltic estuaries have marinas, with the largest in Szczecin , Łeba , Hel , Gdynia and Gdańsk . Gdańsk has two yacht docks: one next to the old market square ( [1] ), which is usually quickly overloaded, and one in the national sailing center next to the city center, close to the Baltic sea. The newest yacht dock is on the longest wooden pier in Sopot . Although there are many sailors in Poland, marine infrastructure still needs to be improved.

Get around [ edit ]

Polish road infrastructure is extensive but generally poorly maintained, and high speed motorways in place are insufficient. However, public transport is quite plentiful and inexpensive: buses and trams in cities, and charter buses and trains for long-distance travel.

LOT Polish Airlines offers domestic flights between Warsaw Chopin Airport and the airports of Kraków, Katowice, Wrocław, Poznań, Szczecin, Gdańsk, Olsztyn (only in summer season), Zielona Góra, Rzeszów and on the route between Kraków and Gdańsk. The best prices are available in booking 60 days in advance. Prices are 60-130 zł. Ryanair offers daily flights from Warsaw Chopin to Gdańsk, Wrocław and Szczecin and on route between Kraków and Gdańsk. Prices start from 9 zł. Connections from Radom to Wrocław and Gdańsk are operated by Sprint Air . There are no domestic flights to or from Warsaw Modlin, Łódź, Bydgoszcz and Lublin airports.

Every Wednesday, LOT holds a 24 hours ticket sale for return flights originating at Warsaw airport and often some other Polish airports, also including some domestic connections. The discounted flights offered are usually a few months away from the date of sale, and the number of tickets and available dates is restricted, but if you are planning ahead on visiting Poland or other European countries, you may find this offer attractive.

Inter-city routes are operated by PKP (Polskie Koleje Państwowe). Local routes are operated by Polregio, the brand name of Przewozy Regionalne, hived off from PKP in 2008 and now owned by the local city or regional governments. The principal rail corridors lie on international routes as described in Get in:

• From Germany to Poznań - Konin - Kutno - Warsaw - Terespol and Białystok (for Lithuania and Belarus).
• Gdynia - Gdansk - Bydgoszcz - Inowroclaw - Poznań - Wrocław - Katowice (for Czech Republic) - Kraków .
• Gdynia - Gdansk - Warsaw - Kraków .
• Kraków - Tarnów - Rzeszów - Przemyśl (for Ukraine).

For example Warsaw-Kraków (every two hours) and Warsaw-Gdansk (hourly) both take under 3 hours.

Tickets are cheap by west European standards. A day-trip between Warsaw and Kraków, three hours each way, in 2021 might be 100 złoty or €22. This means limited scope for discounts, but see below.

Inter-city trains are modern, comfy and fairly punctual. On local lines there are still a few gnarly O-class trains that look like escapees from a heritage tramway, with old codgers in flat caps sitting on bench seats around the brake handle.

Train types [ edit ]

• EIP (Express Intercity Premium), EIC (ExpressInterCity), EC (EuroCity), and IC (Intercity) - express trains between metro areas, and to major tourist destinations. Reservations are usually required. Power points for laptops are sometimes provided next to the seat. Company: PKP Intercity.
• TLK (Twoje Linie Kolejowe) - discount trains, slower but cheaper than the above. Not many routes, but a very good alternative for budget travelers. Reservations are mandatory for 1st and 2nd class. It uses older carriages that are not always suited to high-speed travel. There are also several night trains connecting southern Poland with the north. Company: PKP Intercity.
• RE (RegioEkspress) - cheaper than TLK and of an even higher standard, but only 3 of these type are running: Lublin - Poznań, Warsaw - Szczecin and Wrocław - Dresden. Company: Przewozy Regionalne.
• IR (InterRegio) - cheaper than TLK and RegioExpress but most routes are supported by poor quality trains. Company: Przewozy Regionalne.
• REGIO/Osobowy - ordinary passenger train; usually slow, stops everywhere. You can also buy a weekend turystyczny ticket, or a week-long pass. Great if you are not in a hurry, but expect these to be very crowded at times. Company: Przewozy Regionalne; other.
• Podmiejski - suburban commuter train. Varying degrees of comfort and facilities. Tickets need to be bought at station ticket counters. Some companies allow you to buy a ticket on board from the train manager, in the very first compartment. A surcharge will apply.
• Narrow gauge - Poland still retains a number of local narrow-gauged railways. Some of them are oriented towards tourism and operate only in summer or on weekends, while others remain active as everyday municipal rail. See Polish narrow gauge railways .

Tickets [ edit ]

It's probably easiest to buy InterCity tickets on-line (see links below). You can also buy tickets on-line for Regio, RE, IR and TLK.

Tickets for any route can generally be purchased at any station. For a foreigner buying tickets, this can prove to be a frustrating experience, since only cashiers at international ticket offices (in major cities) can be expected to speak multiple languages. It is recommended that you buy your train tickets at a travel agency or on-line to avoid communication difficulties and long queues.

It may be easier to buy in advance during peak seasons (e.g. end of holiday period, New Year) for trains that require reserved seating.

Tickets bought for E-IC, EC, EXpress, etc. trains are not valid for local/regional trains on the same routes. If you change trains between InterCity and Regional you have to buy a second ticket.

• Timetable search [2] ( in English, but station names of course in Polish )
• PKP information: +48 22 9436, international information +48 22 5116003.
• PKP Intercity serves express connections ( tickets can be bought on-line and printed or shown to the conductor on a smart-phone, laptop or similar devices)
• Polregio (Przewozy Regionalne) tickets for Regio, RE and IR.
• Koleo domestic route and ticket search engine across all operators. Smartphone app is available. Tickets can be shown in the app or exported as PDF for storage on other devices or printing. As of April 2022 it is not possible to book sleeper or couchette cars, get those from PKP intercity.
• Polrail Service offers a guide to rail travel in Poland and on-line purchase of tickets and rail passes for Polish and international trains to neighbouring countries. There's a fee of around 22 zł for every ticket.
• PolishTrains allows to search, book and buy train tickets to numerous Polish and European destinations. Comparison of many train carriers allows to choose the best travel solution and purchase ticket online in the best price.
• Traffic info about all moving trains [3] - check, if the train has a delay

If you travel in a group with the Regional, you should get a 33% discount for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th person (offer Ty i 1,2,3 ).

If you are a weekend traveller think about weekend offers, which are valid from Friday 19:00 until Monday 06:00:

• for all Intercity trains (E-IC, Ex, TLK) Bilet Weekendowy (from 154 zł, reservation not included)
• for TLK Bilet Podróżnika (74zł) + Regio Bilet Plus (from 17 zł)
• for all Regional trains (REGIO, IR, RE) Bilet Turystyczny (from 79 zł)
• only for Regio trains Bilet Turystyczny (from 45 zł)

If purchased for a long weekend due to a national holiday, the ticket will also valid for the whole long weekend.

Travellers under 26 years of age and studying in Poland are entitled to 26% discount on travel fare on Intercity's TLK, EX and IC-category trains, excluding the price of seat reservation.

Poland has a very well developed network of private charter bus companies, which tend to be cheaper, faster, and more comfortable than travel by rail. For trips under 100 km, charter buses are far more popular than trains. However, they are more difficult to use for foreigners, because of the language barrier.

There is an on-line timetable available. It available in English and includes bus and train options so you can compare: e-podroznik.pl . Online timetables are useful for planning, however, there are multiple carriers at each bus station and departure times for major cities and popular destinations are typically no longer than thirty minutes in-between.

Each city and town has a central bus station (formerly known as PKS ), where the various bus routes pick up passengers; you can find their schedules there. Bus routes can also be recognized by signs on the front of the bus that typically state the terminating stop. This is easier if picking up a bus from a roadside stop, rather than the central depot. Tickets are usually purchased directly from the driver, but sometimes it's also possible to buy them at the station. If purchasing from the driver, simply board the bus, tell the driver your destination and he will inform you of the price. Drivers rarely speak English, so often he will print a receipt showing the amount.

Buses are also a viable choice for long-distance and international travel; however, long-distance schedules are usually more limited than for trains.

Flixbus (ex-PolskiBus) takes a more 'western' approach - you can only buy tickets through the Internet and the prices vary depending on the number of seats already sold. They have bus links between Warsaw and most of the bigger Polish cities (as well as a few neighbouring capitals).

While the road network in Poland still lags behind many of its western neighbours, in particular Germany , there has been continued significant improvement since the 2010s with the opening of many new motorway segments and refurbishments of some long-neglected thoroughfares that were used far above capacity. There are, however, still quite a lot of roads that are not up to snuff for the traffic they are supposed to carry. Some sections of motorways A1, A2 and A4 are tolled.

Travelling east–west is now generally much easier than a decade prior, with Poznań , Łódź and Warsaw connected to Polish-German border (direction Berlin ) with the A2 (E30), and the southern major metropoles – Wrocław , Katowice , Kraków and Rzeszów – connected to Polish-German border (direction Dresden ) and Polish-Ukrainian border (direction Lviv ) by the A4 (E40).

The main north–south routes A1, S3, S5, as well as the Warsaw–Rzeszów connection by the combination of S17 and S19, are opened to traffic on their primary sections as of 2022. However, S7 (linking Gdańsk, Warsaw, Kraków and the Polish-Slovak border) is notably not completed despite carrying high traffic volumes, and one needs to expect large traffic jams near Warsaw and Kraków if driving it during the rush hours or bank holidays. Some major roads, most notably DK1 Tychy–Bielsko Biała (part of the Silesia – Slovakia connection) and parts of DK7 north of Warsaw, south of Warsaw and south of Kraków are non-motorway-standard dual carriageways with at-grade intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Most large and medium-sized cities have ring roads allowing you to bypass them, as do some of the smaller towns that are by the major roads. Some of the city bypasses are already past their capacity and large traffic jams form on them when the traffic in the city reaches high volumes. Most notably, in the rush hours one needs to expect large delays on A4 near Kraków and Wrocław, S6/S7 near Gdańsk and S8 near Warsaw.

National roads are indicated by 1- or 2-digit numbers (prefixed with letter A or S in case of highways) on the red background and they are predominantly in good shape. Voivodeship roads are indicated by 3-digit numbers on the yellow background and their condition varies by region. Local roads are indicated by numbers that are used only for administrative needs, therefore are not placed on road signs. GPS navigations are notorious for leading through 'shortcuts' using such local roads in order to save several minutes compared to the main route. Unless there are traffic jams justifying changing the route, it is typically better to stick to the national or voivodeship roads rather than following the GPS, as numbered roads are often purposefully lead along slightly longer but higher-quality routes.

By taxi [ edit ]

Use only those that are associated in a "corporation" (look for phone number and a logo on the side and on the top). There are no British style minicabs in Poland. Unaffiliated drivers are likely to cheat and charge you much more. Like everywhere, be especially wary of these taxis near international airports and train stations. They are called the "taxi mafia".

Because of travelers' advice like this (and word of mouth), taxis with fake phone numbers can be seen on the streets, although this seems to have decreased - possibly the police have taken notice. Fake phone numbers are easily detected by locals and cater for the unsuspecting traveler. The best advice is to ask your Polish friends or your hotel concierge for the number of the taxi company they use and call them 10–15 minutes in advance (there's no additional cost). That's why locals will only hail taxis on the street in an emergency.

You can also find phone numbers for taxis in any city on the Internet, on municipal and newspaper websites. Some taxi companies, particularly in larger towns provide for a cab to be ordered on-line or with a text message. There are also stands, where you can call for their particular taxi for free, often found at train stations.

If you negotiate the fare with the driver you risk ending up paying more than you should. Better make sure that the driver turns the meter on and sets it to the appropriate fare ( taryfa ):

• Taryfa 1: Daytime within city limits
• Taryfa 2: Nights, Sundays and holidays within city limits
• Taryfa 3: Daytime outside city limits
• Taryfa 4: Nights, Sundays and holidays outside city limits

The prices would vary slightly between the taxi companies and between different cities, and there is a small fixed starting fee added on top of the mileage fare.

When crossing city limits (for example, when traveling to an airport outside the city), the driver should change the tariff at the city limit.

Every taxi driver is obliged to issue a receipt when asked (at the end of the ride). You can inquire driver about a receipt ( rachunek or paragon ) before you get into cab, and resign if his reaction seems suspicious or if he refuses.

Ride-hailing is available in Poland and the following are the most anticipated providers:

• Bolt . Includes many towns. ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Uber . Works in Warsaw. ( updated Jul 2020 )

By bicycle [ edit ]

Cycling is a good method to get a good impression of the scenery in Poland. The roads can sometimes be in quite a bad state and there is usually no hard shoulder or bicycle lane. Car drivers are careless but most do not necessarily want to kill cyclists on sight which seems to be the case in some other countries.

Rainwater drainage of both city streets is usually in dreadful condition and in the country it is simply non-existent. This means that puddles are huge and common, plus pot-holes make them doubly hazardous.

Especially in the south you can find some nice places for bicycling; e.g. along the rivers Dunajec (from Zakopane to Szczawnica) or Poprad (Krynica to Stary Sącz) or Lower Silesia (Złotoryja - Swierzawa - Jawor). Specially mapped bike routes are starting to appear and there are specialized guide books available so ask a bicycle club for help and you should be just fine. Away from roads which join major cities and large towns you should be able to find some great riding and staying at agroturystyka (room with board at a farmer's house, for example) can be a great experience.

Bike sharing systems ( system roweru miejskiego ) exist in all Polish major cities in which there is a growing net of bicycle segregated cycle facilities (bike lanes and bike paths are the most common). It is a self-service system in which you can rent a bike on 24/7 basis from early spring to the end of autumn, with rental fees charged according to local tariffs. First 20 minutes of a rent is usually free of charge. Charge for next 40 minutes is 1-2 zł, then every consecutive hour 3-4 zł. The major system operator in Poland is Nextbike . You should register online to get an account, make pre-payment (usually 10 zł) and then can rent bikes in all cities in which this system exists (including towns in Germany and other Central European countries).

By thumb [ edit ]

Hitchhiking in Poland is (on average) OK. Yes, it's slower than its Western (Germany) and Eastern (Lithuania) neighbors, but your waiting times will be quite acceptable! The best places to be picked up at are the main roads, mostly routes between Gdańsk - Warsaw - Poznań and Kraków.

Use a cardboard sign and write the desired destination city name on it.

Do not try to catch a lift where it is forbidden to stop. Look on the verge of the road and there should be a dashed line painted there, not a solid one.

As in any country, you should be careful, there are several reports of Polish hitchhiking trips gone awry, so take basic precautions and you should be as right as rain.

See [ edit ]

Ever since Poland joined the European Union , international travellers have rapidly rediscovered the country's rich cultural heritage, stunning historic sites and just gorgeous array of landscapes. Whether you're looking for architecture, urban vibes or a taste of the past: Poland's bustling cities and towns offer something for everyone. If you'd rather get away from the crowds and enjoy nature, the country's vast natural areas provide anything from dense forests, high peaks and lush hills to beaches and lake reserves.

Most of the major cities boast lovely old centres and a range of splendid buildings, some of them World Heritage sites. Many old quarters were heavily damaged or even destroyed in WWII bombings, but were meticulously rebuilt after the war, using the original bricks and ornaments where possible. Although remains of the Soviet Union and even scars of the Second World War are visible in most of them, the Polish cities offer great historic sight seeing while at the same time they have become modern, lively places. The capital, Warsaw , has one of the best old centres and its many sights include the ancient city walls, palaces, churches and squares. You can follow the Royal Route to see some of the best landmarks outside the old centre. The old city of Kraków is considered the country's cultural capital, with another gorgeous historic centre, countless monumental buildings and a few excellent museums. Just 50 km from there is the humbling Auschwitz concentration camp which, due to the horrible events it represents, leaves an impression like no other World Heritage site does. The ancient Wieliczka salt mine is another great daytrip from Kraków.

Once a Hanseatic League-town, the port city of Gdańsk boasts many impressive buildings from that time. Here too, a walk along the Royal Road gives a great overview of notable sights. Wrocław , the former capital of Silesia , is still less well-known but can definitely compete when it comes to amazing architecture, Centennial Hall being the prime example. Its picturesque location on the river Oder and countless bridges make this huge city a lovely place. The old town of Zamość was planned after Italian theories of the "ideal town" and named "a unique example of a Renaissance town in Central Europe" by UNESCO. The stunning medieval city of Toruń has some great and original Gothic architecture, as it is one of the few Polish cities to have escaped devastation in WWII. Other interesting cities include Poznań and Lublin .

Natural attractions [ edit ]

With 23 national parks and a number of landscape parks spread all over the country, natural attractions are never too far away. Białowieża National Park , on the Belarus border, is a World Heritage site for it comprises the last remains of the primeval forest that once covered most of Europe. It's the only place where European Bisons still live in the wild. If you're fit and up for adventure, take the dangerous Eagle's Path (Orla Perć) in the Tatra Mountains , where you'll also find Poland's highest peak. Pieniński National Park boasts the stunning Dunajec River Gorge and Karkonoski National Park is home to some fabulous water falls. The mountainous Bieszczady National Park has great hiking opportunities and lots of wild life. Wielkopolski National Park is, in contrast, very flat and covers a good part of the pretty Poznań Lakeland . The Masurian Landscape Park, in the Masurian Lake District with its 2000 lakes, is at least as beautiful. Bory Tucholskie National Park has the largest woodland in the country and has a bunch of lakes too, making it great for bird watching. The two national parks on Poland's coast are also quite popular: Wolin National Park is on an island in the north-west, Słowiński National Park holds some of the largest sand dunes in Europe.

Castles & other rural monuments [ edit ]

The Polish countryside is lovely and at times even gorgeous, with countless historic villages, castles, churches and other monuments. Agrotourism is therefore increasingly popular. If you have a taste for cultural heritage, the south western parts of the country offer some of the best sights, but there's great stuff in other areas too. The impressive Gothic Wawel Castle in Kraków may be one of the finest examples when it comes to Poland's castles, but most of the others are in smaller countryside towns. The large, red brick Malbork castle (in northern Poland) is perhaps the most stunning in the country, built in 1406 and today the world's biggest brick Gothic castle. The castle of Książ in Wałbrzych is one of the best examples in historic Silesia, which also brought forward the now semi-ruined Chojnik castle , on a hill above the town of Sobieszów and within the Karkonoski National Park . After surviving battles and attacks for centuries, it was destroyed by lightning in 1675 and has been a popular tourist attraction since the 18th century. The picturesque Czocha Castle near Lubań originates from 1329. A bit off the beaten track are the ruins of Krzyżtopór castle, in a village near Opatów. The Wooden Churches of Southern Lesser Poland are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, just like the Churches of Peace in Jawor and Swidnica . The Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa and the beautiful, World Heritage listed Kalwaria Zebrzydowska monastery are famous pilgrimage destinations. The lovely Muskau Park in Łęknica , on the German border, has fabulous English gardens and is a UNESCO listing shared with Germany . Poland also shares a world heritage site with Ukraine; the Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region . 8 of 16 of these churches are in southeastern Poland, in the Lubelskie , Podkarpackie and Małopolskie regions.

Countryside [ edit ]

The countryside throughout Poland is lovely and relatively unspoiled. Poland has a variety of regions with beautiful landscapes and small-scale organic and traditional farms. Travelers can choose different types of activities such as bird watching, cycling or horseback riding.

Culturally, you can visit or experience many churches, museums, ceramic and traditional basket-making workshops, castle ruins, rural centers and many more. A journey through the Polish countryside gives you a perfect opportunity to enjoy and absorb local knowledge about its landscape and people.

Do [ edit ]

• Travel one of the European Cultural Routes that cross Poland: for example Cisterian Route
• Watch football: Ekstraklasa is the top tier of soccer in Poland, with 16 teams representing all the major cities. The playing season is July to April with a long winter break. The national team usually play home games at Stadion Narodowy (National Stadium) in Warsaw.
• Cycle racing: the premier event is the Tour de Pologne , held over a week in August.

Learn [ edit ]

Education is taken very seriously in Poland, and the country is home to many of Europe's oldest universities. Poles typically attain excellent results at international competitions around the globe, and the country's educational system is often considered to be one of the best systems in the world.

It is obligatory for every Pole to receive an education until they are 18 years old. At the end of compulsory schooling, all Poles have to sit for the matura , an end of school exam that will determine their futures. Superstitions about the exam are common.

The Jagiellonian University , founded in 1364, is one of the oldest universities in the world.

The University of Warsaw , founded in 1816, is widely regarded as the most prestigious institution of higher education in Poland.

Work [ edit ]

Citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland can work in Poland without having to secure a work permit. Everyone else, however, needs to apply for a work permit.

Although Poland has one of the best-performing economies in the world, finding a job can be challenging. A lot of job-related information is in Polish, and there are so many highly educated people in Poland that it has become a problem for the labour market. Furthermore, salaries are low compared to neighbouring countries and for this reason, many Poles emigrate to other countries in search of better opportunities.

TEFL courses (that's Teaching English as a Foreign Language) are run in many cities across Poland. Even if you don't have a working visa or Polish citizenship, it should be no problem for you to offer private lessons. In general students, private and in classes, are very friendly toward their teachers, inviting them for dinner or drinks, and sometimes acting quite emotional during their last lesson. Post your services on telephone poles and bus stops with an email or phone number.

Ekorki is good if you're looking for longer term teaching gigs. It is a little bit like Monster.com in the US.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

The legal tender in Poland is the Polish złoty , pronounced zwoty . It is denoted by the symbol " zł " (ISO code:: PLN ). The złoty is divided into 100 groszy (see infobox for details).

In 1995, 10,000 old złoty were replaced by one new złoty. When it joined the EU, Poland committed to adopting the euro, but this is opposed by the current government.

Coins come in denominations of 1 grosz, 2 grosze, 5, 10, 20 and 50 groszy, 1 złoty, 2 złote and 5 złotych. Banknotes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 złotych.

Money exchange [ edit ]

Private currency exchange offices (Polish: kantor ) are very common, and offer euro or US dollar exchanges at rates that are usually comparable to commercial banks. Exchanges in tourist hot-spots, such as the train stations or popular tourist destinations, tend to overcharge. Avoid "Interchange" Kantor locations, easily recognized by their orange color; the rates they offer are very bad.

ATMs [ edit ]

There is an extensive network of cash machines or ATMs (Polish: bankomat ).

The ATMs of Santander do not charge a fee for withdrawing money with a foreign Visa or Mastercard. Decline the currency conversion as there is a big markup fee. Silesa Bank/PlanetCash lets you choose between 9 zł or 11%. Most of the other banks, if not all, charge a fee of about 15-18 zł and/or about 12-14% conversion fee. (updated July 2022)

Credit cards [ edit ]

Credit cards can be used to pay almost everywhere in the big cities. Even single bus ride tickets can be paid for by cards in major cities provided the passenger buys them in vending machines at bus stops. The exception would be small businesses and post offices where acceptance is not completely universal. Popular cards include Visa , Visa Electron , MasterCard and Maestro . AmEx and Diners' Club can be used in a few places (notably the big, business-class hotels) but are not popular and you should not rely on them for any payments. In some merchants you will be given an option to have the card bill you in złoty or your home currency directly. In the former, your bank will convert the transaction for you (subject to the foreign exchange charges it sets) whereas in the latter, the rates set are usually worse than what your bank uses; hence choose to be charged in złoty.

Cheques [ edit ]

Cheques are not used. Local banks do not issue cheque books to customers and stores do not accept them.

Tipping [ edit ]

When you're paying for drinks or a meal in restaurants or bars and you are handed a receipt, you should give the amount you have to pay and wait for the change. If you give the money and say "thank you" it will be treated as a "keep the change" type of tip. This also goes for taxis. The average tip is around 10% of the price. It's polite to leave a tip, but it's not uncommon to ignore this practice. You can tip tour guides and drivers too, but only if you are happy with the service they have provided.

Exports [ edit ]

It is illegal to export goods older than 55 years that are of any historic value. If you intend to do so you need to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

Shopping [ edit ]

Prices in Poland are among the lowest in Europe.

Hypermarkets are dominated by western chains: Carrefour, Auchan, Real, although the Polish-founded Biedronka chain is also quite widespread. Some are open 24 hours a day, and are usually in shopping malls or suburbs.

However, Poles shop very often at local small grocery stores for bread, meat, fresh dairy, vegetables and fruits - goods for which freshness and quality is essential. The Żabka chain of convenience stores is extremely widespread - in most places you can find a Żabka within walking distance.

Many towns, and larger suburbs, hold traditional weekly town markets , similar to farmers' markets popular in the West. Fresh produce, baker's goods, dairy, meat and meat products are sold, along with everything from flowers and garden plants to Chinese-made clothing and bric-a-brac. In season wild mushrooms and forest fruit can also be bought. Markets are held on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays and are a great way to enjoy the local colour. Prices are usually set though you can try a little good-natured bargaining if you buy more than a few items.

Eat [ edit ]

Poles take their meals following the standard continental schedule: a light breakfast in the morning (usually some sandwiches with tea/coffee), then a larger lunch (or traditionally a "dinner") at around 13:00-14:00, then a supper at around 19:00.

It is not difficult to avoid meat, with many restaurants offering at least one vegetarian dish. Most major cities have some exclusively vegetarian restaurants, especially near the city centre. Vegan options remain extremely limited, however.

Traditional local food [ edit ]

Traditional Polish cuisine tends to be hearty, rich in meats, sauces, and vegetables; sides of pickled vegetables are a favourite accompaniment. Modern Polish cuisine, however, tends towards greater variety, and focuses on healthy choices. In general, the quality of "store-bought" food is very high, especially in dairy products, baked goods, vegetables and meat products.

A dinner commonly includes the first course of soup, followed by the main course. Among soups, barszcz czerwony (red beet soup, also known as borscht) is perhaps the most recognizable: a spicy and slightly sour soup, served hot. It's commonly poured over dumplings ( barszcz z uszkami or barszcz z pierogami ), or served with a fried pâté roll ( barszcz z pasztecikiem ). Other uncommon soups include zupa ogórkowa , a cucumber soup made of a mix of fresh and pickled cucumbers; zupa grzybowa , typically made with wild mushrooms; also, flaki or flaczki - well-seasoned tripe. The most common in restaurants is the żurek , a sour-rye soup served with traditional Polish sausage and a hard-boiled egg.

Pierogi are, of course, an immediately recognizable Polish dish. They are often served alongside another dish (for example, with barszcz), rather than as the main course. There are several types of them, stuffed with a mix of cottage cheese and onion, or with meat or even wild forest fruits. Gołąbki are also widely known: they are large cabbage rolls stuffed with a mix of grains and meats, steamed or boiled and served hot with a white sauce or tomato sauce.

Bigos is another unique, if less well-known, Polish dish: a "hunter's stew" that includes various meats and vegetables, on a base of pickled cabbage. Bigos tends to be very thick and hearty. Similar ingredients can also be thinned out and served in the form of a cabbage soup, called kapuśniak . Some Austro-Hungarian imports have also become popular over the years, and adopted by the Polish cuisine. These include gulasz , a local version of goulash that's less spicy than the original, and sznycel po wiedeńsku , which is a traditional schnitzel, often served with potatoes and a selection of vegetables.

When it comes to food-on-the-go, foreign imports tend to dominate (such as kebab or pizza stands, and fast-food franchises). An interesting Polish twist is a zapiekanka , which is an open-faced baguette, covered with mushrooms and cheese (or other toppings of choice), and toasted until the cheese melts. Zapiekanki can be found at numerous roadside stands and bars. In some bars placki ziemniaczane (Polish potato pancakes) are also available. Knysza is a Polish version of hamburger, but it's much (much) bigger and it contains beef, variety of vegetables and sauces. Drożdżówka is a popular sweet version of food-on-the-go, which is a sweet yeast bread (sometimes in a form of kolach) or a pie filled with stuffing made of: poppy seed mass; vanilla, chocolate, coconut or advocaat pudding; baked apples; cocoa mass; sweet curd cheese or fruits.

Poland is also known for two unique cheeses, both made by hand in the [Podhale] mountain region in the south. Oscypek is the more famous: a hard, salty cheese, made of unpasteurized sheep milk, and smoked (or not). It goes very well with alcoholic beverages such as beer. The less common is bryndza , a soft cheese, also made with sheep milk (and therefore salty), with a consistency similar to spreadable cheeses. It's usually served on bread, or baked potatoes. Both cheeses are covered by the EU Protected Designation of Origin (like the French Roquefort, or the Italian Parmegiano-Reggiano).

Polish bread is sold in bakeries ( piekarnia in Polish) and shops and it's a good idea to ask on what times it can be bought hot (in a bakery). Poles are often very attached to their favourite bread suppliers and don't mind getting up very early in the morning to obtain a fresh loaf. The most common bread ( zwykły ) is made of rye or rye and wheat flour with sourdough and is best enjoyed very fresh with butter alone or topped with a slice of ham. Many other varieties of breads and bread rolls can be bought and their names and recipes vary depending on a region. Sweet Challah bread ( chałka in Polish) is sold in many bakeries.

Polish cake shops ( cukiernia ) are also worth mentioning, as there's a big tradition of eating cakes in Poland. They can be found in every city and quite often sell local specialties. The standard cakes and desserts which can be found in every region of Poland are: cheesecake ( sernik ), applecake ( jabłecznik ), yeast fruit cakes ( drożdżówka ) - especially with plums or strawberries, a variety of cream cakes ( kremówki ), babka which is a plain sweet cake, sometimes with an addition of cocoa, mazurek , fale dunaju , metrowiec , ciasto jogurtowe which is a sponge filled with yoghurt mousse, doughnuts ( pączki , singular: pączek) which are traditionally filled with wild rose petals marmalade and eaten on Fat Tuesday, pszczółka - a yeast cake with coconut pudding and many others.

Polish sausages ( kiełbasy ) are sold in grocery shops or in butcher's shops ( rzeźnik ). There are tens of different types of sausages; most of them can be enjoyed without any further preparation. Therefore, there are sausages like biała kiełbasa (traditionally enjoyed in żurek or barszcz biały soup) which are raw and need to be boiled, fried or baked before eating. Some sausages are recommended to be fried or roasted over a bonfire (which is probably as popular as barbecuing). Different local sausages can be found in different regions of Poland (like Lisiecka in Kraków area).

Polish fish & chips ( smażalnia ryb ) can be found in most cities on the Baltic Sea coast. On the coast and in the Masuria you can also find extremely valued in Poland fish smokehouses ( wędzarnia ryb ) which sell many types of smoked local fish (mostly marine fish on the coast, freshwater fish in Masuria). Smokehouses might turn out very difficult to find, as they don't usually display advertisements and are sometimes in some remote areas. It is a good idea to do some investigation and to ask local people for directions and help with searching. Among smoked fish offered for sale you can find: salmon ( łosoś ), cod ( dorsz ), flounder ( flądra ), rose fish ( karmazyn ), herring ( śledź ), halibut ( halibut ), pollock ( mintaj ), hake ( morszczuk ), mackerel ( makrela ), skipper ( szprotki, szprot ), trout ( pstrąg ), brown trout ( troć ), eel ( węgorz ), zander ( sandacz ), carp ( karp ), vendace ( sielawa ), tencz ( lin ), bream ( leszcz ), sturgeon ( jesiotr ), asp ( boleń ) and others. You should be careful with smoked butterfish ( maślana ) as despite being very delicious it can cause diarrhea in some people and shouldn't be eaten by children and elderly people.

In the whole Poland territory you can buy some smoked fish, among which the most popular is mackerel (it is advised to buy it in a busy shop for full, fresh flavour as it deteriorates quickly; for example in a local market). Also anywhere in Poland you can buy herrings in vinegar or oil marinade. One of the Polish favourites is battered herring or other fish in a vinegar marinade.

Milk bars [ edit ]

If you want to eat cheaply, you should visit a milk bar ( bar mleczny ). A milk bar is a very basic sort of fast food restaurant that serves cheap Polish fare. Nowadays it has become harder and harder to find one. They were invented by the communist authorities of Poland in mid-1960s as a means to offer cheap meals to people working in companies that had no official canteen. Its name originates from the fact that until late 1980s the meals served there were mostly dairy-made and vegetarian (especially during the martial law period of the beginning of the 1980s, when meat was rationed). The milk bars are usually subsidized by the state. Eating there is a unique experience - it is not uncommon that you will encounter people from various social classes - students, businessmen, university professors, elderly people, sometimes even homeless, all eating side by side in a 1970s-like environment. Presumably, it is the quality of food at absolutely unbeatable price (veggie main courses starting from just a few złoty!) that attracts people. However, a cautionary warning needs to be issued - complete nutjobs do dine at milk bars too, so even if you're going for the food, you'll end up with dinner and a show. Curious as to what the show will entail? Well, each show varies, but most of them will leave you scratching your head and require the suspension of disbelief.

Drink [ edit ]

Poland is on the border of European "vodka" and "beer culture". Poles enjoy alcoholic drinks but they drink less than the European average. You can buy beer, vodka and wine. Although Poland is known as the birthplace of vodka, local beer seems to have much more appeal to many Poles. Another traditional alcoholic beverage is mead. Polish liqueurs and nalewka (alcoholic tincture) are a must.

You must be over 18 years old and be able to prove it with a valid ID to buy alcohol, and this is strictly enforced.

Beer [ edit ]

Poland's brewery tradition began in the Middle Ages. Today Poland is one of the top beer producing countries in Europe.

Although not well known internationally, Poland traditionally sports some of the best pilsner-type lagers worldwide. The most common big brands include:

• Żywiec (pronounced ZHIV-y-ets )
• Tyskie (pronounced TIS-kyeh )
• Okocim (pronounced oh-KO-cheem )
• Lech (pronounced LEH )
• Warka (pronounced VAR-kah )
• Łomża (pronounced Uom-zha )

Micro-breweries and gastro-pubs are on the rise, in particular in the larger cities, and many delicatessen or supermarkets carry smaller brands, including hand-crafted beers of many types.

Pubs usually offer one or two varieties of draught beer (draft beer), usually only pilsner-type lagers. When ordering a beer, you can choose between "big one" ( duże ; 0.5 liter) or "small one" ( małe ; 0.3 liter). You can also ask for "beer with juice" ( piwo z sokiem ), then a barman will add a bit of sweet syrup (raspberry or ginger). The most popular snack ordered with beer is potato chips.

Vodka [ edit ]

Common brands are:

• Żubrówka (Zhoo-BROOF-ka) - vodka with flavors derived from Bison Grass, from eastern Poland.
• Żołądkowa Gorzka (Zho-wont-KO-va GOSH-ka) - vodka with "bitter" ( gorzka ) in the name, but sweet in taste. Just like Żubrówka, it's a unique Polish product and definitely a must-try.
• Wiśniówka (Vish-NIOOF-ka) - Cherry vodka (very sweet).
• Krupnik (KROOP-nik) - Honey and spices vodka, a traditional Polish-Lithuanian recipe (very sweet). During winter, many bars sell Grzany Krupnik (warm Krupnik), where hot water, cinnamon, cloves, and citrus zest or slices are added.
• Żytnia (ZHIT-nea) - rye vodka
• Wyborowa (Vi-bo-RO-va) - One of Poland's most popular rye vodkas. This is also one of the most common exported brands. Strong and pleasant.
• Luksusowa (Look-sus-OH-vah) "Luxurious" - Another popular brand, and a common export along with Wyborowa.
• Starka "Old" - A vodka traditionally aged for years in oak casks. Of Lithuanian origin
• Biała Dama (Be-AH-wa DAH-ma) is not a vodka but a name given by winos to cheap rectified spirits of dubious origin, best avoided if you like your eyesight the way it is.
• Sobieski - rye vodka, one of the most commonly chosen by Polish people.

Deluxe (more expensive) brands include Chopin and Belvedere . Most Poles consider these brands to be "export brands", and usually don't drink them.

There are also dozens of flavoured vodkas. Apart from Polish traditional flavours like: Żubrówka, Żołądkowa, Wiśniówka and Krupnik, you can easily buy some less obvious flavours like: pineapple, pear, blackcurrant, cranberry, grapefruit, apple, mint, lemon, herbs and others. The availability of different brands can vary in different regions of the country.

Wine [ edit ]

Poland makes wines around Zielona Góra in Lubuskie , in Małopolskie , in the Beskids and in Świętokrzyskie in central Poland. Polish wines are available in retail stores.

As for imported wine, apart from the usual old and new world standards, there is usually a choice of decent table wines from central and eastern Europe, such as Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, the Balkans, and Georgia.

It winter, many Poles drink grzaniec (mulled wine), made of red wine heated with spices such as cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. A similar drink can be made with beer, although wine is the more popular method.

Mead [ edit ]

Mead - miód pitny is a traditional and historical alcohol drink in Poland. Mead is brewed from honey and has excellent unusual taste similar to wine. Original Polish mead contain 13-20% alcohol. Sometimes it can be very sweet. Today Poles have a strange relationship with mead. All of them have heard of it, almost none have ever tried it.

Cocktails [ edit ]

Poles are very keen on beer and vodka, and you'll find that cocktails are often expensive but can be found in most bars in most major cities. One of the best known native to Poland drinks is Szarlotka made of Żubrówka vodka and apple juice.

Tea and coffee [ edit ]

Throw stereotypes out the door. For Poles, one of the most important staples to quench their thirst is not wódka or beer, but rather tea and coffee. The traditional hot drink is tea ( herbata ) while coffee ( kawa ) although known in Poland since close contacts with Turkey in 17th century, became more popular in last twenty five years. It is very common behaviour that if you visit friends at home or start a formal meeting you will be firstly asked: "coffee or tea?". Refusing a hot drink in this situation may be seen as impolite. It is rather unusual to talk or to meet with somebody without drinking one of those hot drinks.

When ordering a coffee, you'll find that it is treated with respect reminiscent of Vienna, rather than, say, New York. Which is to say: you'll get a fresh cup prepared one serving at a time, with table service that assumes you'll sit down for a while to enjoy it. Mass-produced to-go coffee remains highly unpopular, although chains such as Coffee Heaven have been making inroads. Curiously, there are still only a few Starbucks shops in the whole country, which are occupied mostly by teenagers.

There are four basic types of coffee which you will be offered in Poland. In small bars, fast food or at friends home (where usually they haven't coffee makers) you can choose between instant coffee ( rozpuszczalna ) or Turkish coffee ( kawa po turecku or kawa sypana ). The second one is a very specific Polish style, not known abroad. It is simply two teaspoons of ground coffee poured with boiling water. A traditional way is to serve it in glasses. In restaurants you can additionally order "a coffee from a coffee maker" ( kawa z ekspresu ). It may be a very small and strong, Italian-style espresso or bigger one (200 ml) americano . During order a waiter or a barman always will ask you whether you want "black one?" ( czarna? ; without milk) or "with milk?" ( z mlekiem? ).

Ordering a tea, on the other hand, will usually get you a cup or kettle of hot water, and a tea bag on the side, so that the customer can put together a tea that's as strong or as weak as they like. This is not uncommon in continental Europe, but may require some adjustment for visitors. Drinking tea with milk is not popular, traditionally Poles add a slice of lemon and sugar ( herbata z cytryną ), unless they drink flavored tea. Tea houses with large selection of good quality teas and a relaxing atmosphere are gaining popularity. In such places you will get rather a kettle with brewed leaf tea. Funnily, drinking tea with milk is commonly believed in Poland to enhance women's lactation.

For the most part, a good coffee can be had for 5 - 10 zł a cup, while a cup of tea can be purchased for the same, unless you happen to order a small kettle, in which case you'll probably pay something between 15 - 30 zł.

Water [ edit ]

Drinking water with a meal is not a Polish tradition; having a tea or coffee afterwards is much more common. If you want water with a meal, you might need to ask for it - and you will usually get a choice of carbonated ( gazowana ) or still ( niegazowana ) bottled water, rather than a glass of tap water. As a result, water isn't free, and is pretty expensive too compared to the average price of a meal (up to 4zł for one glass). Beware that sometimes even "still" bottled water, while not visibly bubbly, might still contain some carbon dioxide.

You can ask for a glass of tap water or a glass of hot water and receive it for free in most places. Therefore, drinking tap water is considered to be rather weird in Poland. On the bright side, it is safe, due to the water safety standards being at EU level.

Carbonated mineral waters are popular, and several kinds are available. Poland was known for its mineral water health spas ( pijalnia wód ) in the 19th century, and the tradition remains strong - you can find many carbonated waters that are naturally rich in minerals and salts. You can also travel to the spas such as Szczawnica or Krynica , which are still operational.

Many varieties of bottled mineral water that can be purchased originate from underground sources (since domestic spring waters are almost unavailable). Bottled mineral water usually has a neutral taste, unlike mineral water bought in water health spas which can have a very distinctive flavour. Some bottled mineral waters are regarded as very healthy due to their high content of minerals, like for example Muszynianka , Kryniczanka or all mineral waters sold in brown bottles.

Prices [ edit ]

Poland is still one of the cheapest countries in the European Union and its prices for food, beverages and tobacco are among the lowest.

Sleep [ edit ]

Poland is catching up with Western Europe when it comes to availability and standards of lodging. Many smaller towns and locations less frequented by tourists still offer very little choice of accommodation and the existing providers make use of it rather by offering low standards than charging extortionate prices. In large cities, both in hotels and hostels, you can expect staff to have reasonable command of English, and often other foreign languages. In less frequented locations, the language barrier may be a problem.

Lodging prices are no longer the bargain they used to be several years ago; now they're comparable to standard European prices. For the bargain hunter, standard tactics apply: if hotel prices are too much, look on the Internet for private rooms, pensions, or apartments for rent, which can sometimes be found for a very reasonable price. Best deals are usually offered off-season.

Hotels [ edit ]

The only major hotel chain with decent coverage of the entirety of the country is Accor , who have taken over the former state-owned provider Orbis. A selection of hotels ranging from the affordable ibis through business-oriented Novotel and Mercure and prestigious Sofitels can be found throughout the country. Do note that while almost all ibis-hotels have been purpose-built in the 2000s, Novotels and Mercures are often converted old Orbis hotels and may not be the best hotels those brands have to offer in Europe. Even Accor has gaps in coverage in less tourist-frequented areas.

The most popular global hotel chains (Intercontinental, Marriott, Hilton, Carlson) have some presence in Poland, but none can really boast full coverage of even the most important cities. There is a number of Best Western-affiliated hotels, but they do not cover the entire country as well. Of particular note of the motorized travellers on a budget is the presence of another French chain, Campanile.

Hostels [ edit ]

Hostels affiliated with the national hosteling association are often horrid options for backpackers because of imposed curfews. Additionally, Hosteling International (HI) affiliated hostels are frequently used by large school groups, which means young children may very well be screaming their heads off and running around the halls. Some private hostels are clean and welcoming, but others can be worse than HI hostels.

Agritourism farms [ edit ]

Rural tourism has become extremely popular in Poland in the last few decades. Due to social and economic changes in the Polish countryside, many farms have changed their focus from intensive food production to tourism. Under the notion of "agritourism farm" ( gospodarstwo agroturystyczne or simply agroturystyka ) you may find a real farm in which hosts are real farmers working on their fields and additionally hosting tourists, letting them peek into their everyday country life. Usually, however, you will encounter countryside pensions for whom tourism is the basic source of income.

Stay safe [ edit ]

The European unified emergency number 112 is being deployed in Poland. By now, it certainly works for all mobile-phone calls and most land-line calls.

There are also three "old" emergency numbers that are still in use for land-lines. These are: Ambulance (Pogotowie): 999, Firefighters (Straż Pożarna): 998, and Police (Policja): 997.

Municipal Guards (Straż Miejska), dial 986, is a kind of auxiliary Police force found only in large cities. They are not armed and their role is primarily to cope with parking offences and minor cases of antisocial behaviour.

Theft [ edit ]

Poland is generally a safe country. In fact, you are much less likely to experience crime in places like Warsaw or Kraków than in Paris or Rome. Overall, just use common sense and be aware of what you're doing.

In cities, follow standard city travel rules: don't leave valuables in the car in plain sight; don't display money or expensive things needlessly; know where you're going; be suspicious of strangers asking for money or trying to sell you something.

Pickpockets operate, pay attention to your belongings in crowds, at stations, in crowded trains and buses, and clubs.

In any case, do not be afraid to seek help or advice from the Police ( Policja ) or the Municipal Guards ( Straż Miejska ).

One worrying trend is theft at airports. Tourists have reported pick-pocketing attempts at Polish airports. Always keep an eye on your belongings, especially at security checks.

Security on trains [ edit ]

On sleeper trains, bag robberies happen between major stations. Ask for ID from anyone who asks to take your ticket or passport and lock backpacks to the luggage racks. Keep valuables on you.

Violence [ edit ]

Violent behaviour is relatively rare and if it occurs it is most likely alcohol-related. While pubs and clubs are generally very safe, the nearby streets may be scenes of brawls, especially late at night. Try to avoid confrontations.

Racism [ edit ]

Poland was a homogeneous society in the second half of the 20th century, but the situation has changed. There are some national minorities like Ukrainians, Belarusians, Germans, and ethnic minorities like Silesians, Cashubians, Lemkos, Jews, and Lipka Tatars who have been a part of Poland for years. Since 1990s, there have been small waves of migration from Africa and East Asia, including Vietnam, who have settled in the larger cities. Between 2014 and 2022, there was a mainly economic migration from Ukraine. Since the outburst of the Russian aggression on Ukraine, Ukrainian refugees may be spotted in all major cities.

A lot of villages in Poland rarely have any foreign visitors, so most African or Asian people would get curious looks there - generally not because of racism, but only from pure curiosity. There are some people who don't accept foreigners, like the relatively small numbers of neo-Nazis or football hooligans, nationalists or chauvinists. Except for the radical views of those kinds of people who you can meet almost anywhere, Poles are generally a polite and tolerant nation. As a traveller you will likely be treated in a friendly way here (see "polska gościnność" - Polish hospitality). A common Polish adage says: "gość w dom, Bóg w dom" - guest at home: God at home.

LGBT [ edit ]

LGBT issues remain very controversial, still very much taboo, and routinely exploited by conservative politicians (including the governing party until 2023) and media. Polish culture also has a long tradition of chivalry and strong, traditional gender roles. In larger cosmopolitan areas, however, gays and lesbians shouldn't have a hard time fitting in, although trans visitors will immediately attract attention.

As of Jan 2020, around 80 different so-called "LGBT ideology-free zone declarations" have been made in Poland, including four voivodeships in the south-east and central parts of the country: Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Świętokrzyskie, and Lubelskie. While unenforceable and considered symbolic, LGBT travellers in these zones may face increased hostility in smaller towns and villages.

Driving conditions [ edit ]

The Poles' aggressive driving behaviour is legendary, but the reputation quite exaggerated. While you may find drivers unreasonably impatient, speed traps have calmed down the situation since the wild days when roads were open and cars few. Another factor that hinders speeding is the often poor quality of secondary roads and simply congestion - Poles own more cars per capita than some Western European nations. Always allow some extra time for possibly unfavourable driving conditions.

Strip clubs [ edit ]

If you are approached by a stranger trying to get you to enter a strip club (sometimes presenting it as a cabaret or whiskey bar), refuse. It is not uncommon got strip clubs to fleece customers, especially foreigners. Some have taken to using spiked drinks to do so. Authorities have taken steps to shut down establishments engaging in such practices, but have not succeeded in eliminating it fully.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Opinions regarding the safety of tap water vary: odds are it's OK, but most residents opt to boil or filter it anyway. In Warsaw as well as in Łódź , the tap-water in the city centre is usually suitable for drinking.

Respect [ edit ]

Etiquette [ edit ].

Poles are generally old-fashioned about gender etiquette. It is customary to hold doors and chairs for women. Some men, particularly older men, may kiss a woman's hand when greeting or saying goodbye. Kissing a woman's hand is considered to be chivalrous by some, but is more and more often seen as outdated. Handshakes are acceptable; although some believe that men should not offer their hand to a woman - a handshake is only considered polite if the woman offers her hand to the man first. For a more heartfelt greeting or goodbye, some will hug and kiss three times, alternating cheeks, although this custom is pretty rare these days, particularly among the younger people.

An occasional practice is for people to greet each other with a dzień dobry (good day) when entering elevators. You can also encounter people saying the same to tourists on mountain trails. Men should not wear hats indoors, in particular when entering a church (quite the opposite in case of synagogues, where men are required to wear headgear). Most restaurants, museums, and other public buildings have a cloakroom, and people are expected to leave bags and outerwear there.

It is usual to bring a gift when invited to someone's home. Flowers are always a good choice and florists' kiosks are ubiquitous. Poles will often bring vodka or whisky, but this depends on the level of familiarity and the hosts' preference towards alcohol, so tread carefully. People's attitudes towards alcohol range from jolly and enthusiastic enjoyment in both practice and word to taking offence at the notion that Polish people would somehow be more prone to alcohol consumption.

When visiting someone's home, it's polite to ask if you should take off your shoes. Many hosts won't care, but will appreciate you asking.

It is advisable to refer to Poland (as well as to some other countries like the Czech Republic, Slovakia, or Hungary) as Central (+"and Eastern", if needed) Europe, and not only "Eastern Europe". Although not very offensive, "Eastern Europe" is old fashioned, harking back to the Iron Curtain times, thus some folks will be extra happy if you stick to "Central Europe", which is also used in scientific literature.

As for the language matters: Poles cherish their language as they had to struggle hard to protect it during the long spells when under the foreign yoke: the Partitions of Poland and WWII. For example, do not use the Russian 'spasibo' or German 'danke' for 'thank you' just because you thought it was Polish or you didn't care. If you're not sure if your terms are actually Polish, ask about these first. Calling Polish towns and places by their (former) German names, when asking for directions (e.g. referring to Breslau instead of Wrocław) may cause confusion and may be regarded as intentionally offensive and disrespectful by the Polish people.

Sensitive issues [ edit ]

Politics [ edit ].

Domestic politics are both highly sensitive and polarised. Many Polish people have very strong feelings about the conservative, Christian government (the Law and Justice, or PiS, party) and the more liberal, but divided, opposition. Tread carefully when expressing support or criticism of the government, as debates can become quite heated.

The display of Soviet or communist symbols is illegal in Poland, with the exception of those located in the grounds of World War II cemeteries. Promotion of Communist, Nazi, Fascist or "other totalitarian" governments and their symbols is illegal under article 256 of the Polish penal code (Kodeks Karny), although there is a narrow range of possible exemptions.

The majority of Poles are quite supportive of the EU, although exceptions can be found, particularly among supporters of the conservative government.

National issues [ edit ]

Given Poland's history of enduring turbulent events, the Poles exhibit sensitivity towards various historical occurrences.

You should avoid discussing the following topics as they can quickly unsettle people:

• World War II — every Polish family had some member among the 5–6 million people who perished in the conflict, and the conflict resulted in Poland losing nearly 30% of its population. Polish society has not forgotten and forgiven the atrocities and horrors of the war. Remember that the display of Nazi symbols or denial of the Holocaust is illegal in Poland.
• The Soviet Union's role in the Katyn Massacre , during which approximately 22,000 Poles were massacred by the Soviets during World War II.
• Anything regarding the Polish People's Republic — thousands of Poles were arrested, imprisoned, tortured, exiled, and mistreated by the pro-Soviet communist government.
• The Smolensk air disaster that resulted in the death of Lech Kaczynski, the former president; his wife; and several other high-profile Polish government officials — in some circles, people believe it was orchestrated by Russia.
• The Volhynia Massacre , during which approximately 100,000 Poles were massacred by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II.
• The Russia–Ukraine war — most Poles are supportive of Ukraine in the conflict.
• Poland's relationship with Russia — due to a history of domination by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, many Poles express feelings of antipathy and distrust towards Russia; therefore, it's wise to avoid being overly enthusiastic about Russia.
• Poland's relationship with Ukraine — although relations have improved in the past few years, especially in light of the Russia-Ukraine war, many Poles express feelings of antipathy towards Ukraine. In particular, Ukraine's veneration of Stepan Bandera as a national hero deeply angers many Poles.
• Poland's relationship with Belarus — the relationship between the two countries is profoundly tense.
• Poland's relationship with Germany — although both countries are members of the European Union and NATO, many Poles feel that Germany has not done enough to acknowledge the harm it caused to Poland during World War II. In particular, Germany's refusal to compensate Poland for the damages and atrocities inflicted by the Nazis during World War II upsets many people.

Religion [ edit ]

Poland is one of the most religious countries in Europe and has often been referred to as "Rome's most faithful daughter". Most Poles are adherents of Roman Catholicism, and the Catholic Church enjoys a high level of social prestige and political influence in the country.

Poles regard Roman Catholicism as a repository of Polish heritage and culture — during the Communist years, the Catholic Church played a big role in challenging the repressive nature of the Communist government.

Certain topics such as abortion, sexuality, LGBT rights, or the use of soft drugs can evoke strong emotions and debates in Poland.

Poland, by law, is a secular country and is among the few rare examples of religious tolerance and religious harmony. Younger Poles are more likely to be irreligious than their seniors.

As ever, dress conservatively and behave appropriately when visiting a place of worship.

LGBT travellers [ edit ]

LGBT issues are controversial in Poland, and Poland is often ranked as one of the most homophobic countries in the European Union .

About a 100 municipalities (encompassing a third of the country) have declared themselves as "LGBT-free zones", drawing strong condemnation from the European Union and other third-party governments. Such measures have been promoted and encouraged by the ruling party and the government, as they believe it is necessary to defend and protect traditional values.

Although attitudes have been changing since the 2000s, public displays of same-sex affection, cross dressing, or openly discussing LGBT topics are likely to be met with disapproval or hostility in certain circles. Younger Poles are less likely to show hostility.

Miscellaneous [ edit ]

Under Polish law, people promoting Nazi-era slogans, symbols or gestures are liable up to 3 years in prison, a fine or both. The same penalty applies for Holocaust denial and promotion of similar totalitarian systems.

It is illegal to drink alcohol in public outside of venues serving alcohol. Although often done by the locals, especially in parks and in some less congested city streets, the local police take a very strict approach to enforcement of this law. Drinking alcohol in any public place puts you at risk of a small fine (from 50 to 100 zł), being scoffed at by the City Guards, detained, and losing your booze. It's worth mentioning that some cities have zones where public drinking is legal e.g. schodki ( stairs ) on the west bank of the Vistula River in Warsaw.

It is illegal to be drunk in public. If you are drunk and disorderly, you may be taken to a drunk tank ( izba wytrzeźwień ), where you will be treated as an alcoholic and won't be released until sober. You'll have to pay 250 zł for the experience.

Possession of any amount of drugs is illegal and a criminal offence. This also applies to cannabis, with the sole exception being the owners of a medical prescription for it.

Prostitution is legal, but any form of profiting from another person's prostitution or acting as an intermediary is illegal.

Smoking is forbidden in bars and restaurants and generally in public buildings. It is also forbidden to smoke at or near bus stops. This rule, made to protect non-smokers, doesn't apply to smoking rooms. If you break the rule, you may have to pay 500 zł.

Connect [ edit ]

Mobile phones [ edit ].

There are numerous mobile phone operators in Poland: Plus , T-Mobile , Orange and Play are the most popular ones, with the offer enhanced by many virtual operators, usually cheaper, including free calls in a monthly package. LTE is available in every town and 5G is being implemented as of 2021. Domestic call rates are roughly the same across all services.

Prepaid starter kits with SIM card (called pakiety startowe ) are widely available for reasonable prices (5–20 zł) in most shops, supermarkets and news agents. Accounts are valid for outgoing calls for few days, so it is good to fill them up for, lets say, 20 zł ("doładowanie" [do-wa-do-vanye] in Polish, be sure to give the value you want). Prepaid SIM cards must be registered with an ID card or passport to operate. This can be done in the majority of prepaid SIM card retailers, or in gas stations, post offices and cellular stores. Ask a local for help.

Just about every shopping centre has at least one independent cellphone shop, the guys who run them are usually knowledgeable and have a range of cheap handsets.

If you have an existing subscription with an EU-based mobile provider , you should be able to use at least some of your bundled minutes, SMS, and data in Poland at no extra cost. This should save you the hassle of purchasing another SIM and a prepaid bundle. See European Union#Connect and check with the provider of the SIM.

Polish telephone numbers [ edit ]

All telephone numbers in Poland are 9 digits long, and never start with 0 — although they used to do so. Sometimes numbers are written the old way , that is often only the last 7 digits are listed, in which case you need to prefix the now obligatory area code (e.g. 22 — Warsaw, 61 — Poznań, 12 — Kraków) or a 0 is included in the beginning, in which case it must be skipped. It does not matter whether you call from a land-line or a mobile.

There are some special numbers, notably:

• 800 xxxxxx — toll–free call from a land-line phone and from a phone booth, but may still cost something from a mobile phone
• 801 xxxxxx — reduced fare, costs as much as a local call from a landline phone at most (but will cost more from a mobile phone)
• 70x xxxxxx — premium fare, can be very expensive — read the fine print in that advert you've got the number from. On the other hand, cheap international calls can often be made through numbers beginning with 708.

Also, texting (sending SMSes) to:

• 7xyy(y) and 9xxyy(y) — Premium SMS, x is cost in złoty plus 23% tax, e.g. 72yy costs 2.46 zł, 70yy is 0.50 zł + 23% VAT = 0.62 zł, 910yy = 12.30 zł.
• 8xxx — is toll–free

When calling abroad, use 00 , or + , and then country code.

International calls [ edit ]

To call abroad from Poland:

• From a landline phone: 00 Country code Local number.
• From a mobile phone: + Country code Local number.

To call to Poland from abroad, dial 48 , then the number without the leading 0 , as if calling from a domestic mobile phone.

International and roaming calls are expensive. To reduce your bill you can:

• buy "phone cards" for international calls.
• activate a Polish pre-paid account to make or receive calls (the cost can be as little as 15 zł).
• talk over the Internet.

Skype and other free internet communicators are also massively popular in Poland.

Internet [ edit ]

If you're bringing a laptop, Wi-Fi Hot-Spots are available in distinct places, sometimes free, otherwise not very cheap. Best chances of finding one are at airports, railway stations, in cafés, shopping malls, libraries, some universities, or central spots e.g. the market places, paid and maintained by the local governments. You can also ask in your hotel, but be prepared to pay. Most coffee shops and restaurants have Wi-Fi available for customers – usually password-protected.

Mobile LTE/UMTS/HSPA is available in the cities, see section Mobile phones above for details or the short list below.

• T-Mobile - Blueconnect Starter - cost: 25 zł [4]
• Plus - iPlus simdata - cost: 15 zł
• Orange - Orange free na kartę - cost: 20 zł
• Play - Play Online na kartę - cost: 19 zł

Cope [ edit ]

Digits [ edit ].

• In Poland a comma is used as a decimal point, and the space to group numbers. So, for example, 10 500,46 zł is ten thousand five hundred złoty and 46 groszy . That said, the period is increasingly often used as the decimal point, especially on price tags and bills. Occasionally a dot is also used as a grouping character.

Toilets [ edit ]

The situation is not much different from most other European Union countries.

In large cities, particularly centres, one should have no problem finding accessible public toilets. It can become tougher in smaller towns and away from tourist destinations. While standards may vary in terms of quality and age of fittings and cleanliness, there is always a sit-down flush toilet (squat toilets, prevalent in many post-Soviet countries, are almost unheard of in Poland), a basin with running water, toilet paper, soap/hand detergent and something to dry your hands with (paper towels or electric dryers). In some places with extremely heavy traffic or little maintenance, supplies may run out – it is best to have a pack of tissues handy, as any prudent traveller would.

Some public toilets require a small fee, 1 or 2 złoty, but more publicly accessible toilets are free of charge than in some other European countries. Some toilets have an attendant collecting the payment.

There are toilets at larger train stations and larger bus terminals, but they are often not very clean, in poor condition and, despite all that, will generally charge fees for use. Toilets at airports are generally free, both air- and landside, and in much better condition than at train or bus stations. Toilets can be found on board all long-distance and some modern local trains, as well as on board of some long-distance buses, e.g. those operated by Polski Bus. In older train cars, toilets have often not been modernized since the cars went into use, but provide an acceptable experience (and toilet paper, soap and paper towels, except for very long routes when the train can run out of them before the staff gets a chance to restock at the end of the line).

All sit-down eating places are required to provide a toilet for their patrons, and most do so without any extra charges. While signs usually clearly indicate those are for (paying) customers only, the staff would usually make no problems if you inquired politely if you could use it without ordering anything. In some popular places, like McDonald's, you may need a key or a code to access the toilet. Ask the staff for either (in fast food outlets, the code is often at the bottom of your bill). There are also free public toilets in large shopping centres and hypermarkets, but smaller establishments (supermarkets, street-level shops) do not provide such facilities at all.

In case of larger events, organizers provide so called Toi-Toi portable toilets (from one of companies that service them). They are narrow plastic booths, usually blue, not very comfortable, often not very clean, and hardly ever with water or paper.

There are also toilets at all but the smallest gas stations. Whether they are free of charge, as well as their standards, may vary greatly, but on the road those may be your only option.

There are relatively few free-standing public toilets in cities. A better bet is to look for any of the above establishments. Usually you can also use a toilet in cafes, pubs, libraries or any other buildings open to the public. You should ask for permission (if there is anybody to ask) and in many cases will be guided to the right door.

Toilets for women are marked with a circle on the door, and toilets for men are marked with a triangle. The Polish word for "toilet" is toaleta (t'o-ah-let-ah), and most people would understand the word "toilet" anyway. Also, the abbreviation WC is commonly used.

Go next [ edit ]

The land border can be crossed to Germany , Czechia , Slovakia , Ukraine , Belarus , Lithuania and Kaliningrad Oblast .

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Pole to Pole: 10 brilliant things to do in Poland

Buzzy cities offer museums of croissants or codebreaking, plus there are mountains, lakes and beaches – and piles of glorious food

I have a massive soft spot for Poznań, not least because I used to work in a fish and chip shop in the city. Poznań’s virtues include its vibrant old town; its lakes; its dancing goats (two mechanical billies make an appearance daily at noon atop the town hall, butting heads 12 times to mark the time); its Rogalowe (croissant) Museum (the city’s sweet treat is the St Martin’s croissant, filled with white poppy seeds); and the Enigma Cipher Centre (which sheds light on the vital role Polish codebreakers played in hampering the Nazis).

For memorable dining experiences, Concordia Taste does a two-course set lunch inspired by a different region of Poland each week (£8), and 62 Bar and Restaurant offers souped-up local classics on the roof of a Harley Davidson showroom (mains from £10).

For accommodation, the Andersia (doubles from €80 room-only) has a great view and a good breakfast.

Warsaw had been blitzed by the end of the second world war, so the fact that it is now a buoyant metropolis of two million people and came top in Europe’s Best Destination poll in 2023 is a bit of a miracle.

For a good-looking lesson in modern Polish history paired with an introduction to the science of illumination, head to the Neon Museum , a great collection of cold war-era neon signs.

For an introduction to the spirit that’s vital to Polish culture paired with an eye-opening half-hour trying a range of vodkas, head to the Polish Vodka Museum housed in a former vodka distillery. Gawp at the pickled heart of Chopin in the crypt of Holy Cross Church (really, is there nothing the Poles won’t pickle in a jar?) and then surrender to a 10-course tasting menu at Epoka , whose award-winning chef has developed modern interpretations of recipes stretching back to the 17th century, such as bigos (hunter’s stew) made with venison cheeks and served ramen style (menus from £83).

There’s a more down-to-earth culinary experience at Soul Kitchen , where the dumplings are lavish, the beef cheeks decadent, and the pavlova sublime (mains from £12).

For a memorable stay, the fashion-forward NYX Warsaw has doubles from €100 a night room-only.

Head for the hills

Poland has a belt of mountains on its southern border, perfect for skiing, hiking or wild swimming in alpine lakes. Wrocław in the south-west is a good base for the Karkonosze mountains, Kraków in the south for the Tatras, and Rzeszów in the south-east for the Bieszczady range. A friend of mine raved about her two-day solo hiking trip in the Tatras .

Ride the trams

Call me a dork, but there are few things I’d rather do with a spare couple of hours than ride a Polish tram. It appeals to the onlooker in me, and the eavesdropper, and the aesthete – and yes, the skinflint too. The number 16 in Poznań is my favourite, as it rounds the cathedral and crosses the Warta River, then skirts the old town and slips by the opera house, before pushing north through a thicket of towers in peach and pink to the university, where it pauses, turns round and goes again.

Go to a festival

For those seeking cutting-edge contemporary sounds in a post-industrial environment, there’s the New Music Festival in Katowice at the start of June. Röyksopp are this year’s headliners, and a three-day ticket costs about £65. Later in the month, the Open’er Festival takes place in the seaside town of Gdynia at the end of June with SZA headlining, and Arctic Monkeys and Lizzo also on the bill. A four-day camping ticket costs about £180. Lovers of independent cinema should check out the New Horizons film festival in Wrocław every July.

Find your religion

In Warsaw, St John’s cathedral is a gothic redbrick whopper and a testament to the nation’s devotion and fortitude (rebuilt many times, the latest after the German army blew it up in 1944). In Kraków, Wawel cathedral is a delightful bigos of architectural ingredients. Most gobsmacking of all, however, is St Kinga’s Chapel in the southern town of Wieliczka. Built 100 metres underground and made of salt, it’s a genuine marvel, and evidence, were it required, that the Poles will always find a way to pray – even if they’re engaged in hard labour down a salt mine.

Polish Riviera

Poles aren’t afraid of comparisons: Sopot is the gateway to the Polish Riviera, Wrocław is the Polish Venice, Warsaw the Polish Berlin, and Konstancin-Jeziorna, a suburban summer resort south of Warsaw , the Polish Beverly Hills . Sopot is Poland’s premier beach resort, with several miles of golden beach backed by protected dunes, the longest pier in Europe and restored spa-era architecture. It’s just a few miles away from the historic city of Gdańsk. Here, along with an impressively rectified old town, there is the magnificent European Solidarity Centre to investigate. The centre tells how Poland finally got the Communist monkey off its back.

Given a spare afternoon in Poland, I’d find a nice little milk bar ( bar mleczny ), briefly soak up the timeless (and somewhat starchy) canteen atmosphere, then set about stuffing my face.

I’d begin with a gołąbki , a kind of Polish burrito – mince and rice rolled in cabbage and decked with tomato sauce. Then I’d have a bowl of soup, probably żurek (sour rye), which was recently voted the second-best soup in the world , probably for being deliciously sour and smoky and sweet all at once. Then I’d have a portion of the national stew, bigos , which is a slow-cooked riot of cabbage, onion, carrot, apple, smoked bacon, spices, mushroom, sausage, tomato, wine and whatever else is around. (Bigos sometimes translates as “mess”.)

I’d somehow find space for bread and smalec ( dripping), but I won’t bother with pierogi : for me Poland’s beloved dumplings are one of for the most overrated things in the northern hemisphere. For pudding, seeing as you asked, I’d have a wedge of sernik (cheesecake). Smacznego!

Masurian lake district

As well as healthy hikes, this is the place to rent a kayak or canoe to glide about on any one of the 2,000 lakes in one of Poland’s most remote regions , in the north-east of the country. Further east is the Białowieża forest , a vast primeval woodland that straddles the Polish-Belarus border. As well as black storks and wolves, the forest is home to hundreds of bison (keep your distance).The city of Białystok – home of Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof, the inventor of Esperanto – is a suitable base. Tour operator Wild Poland has more inspiration along Poland’s eastern front.

Any trip to Poland is improved by a visit to Łódź – or HollyŁódź as it’s known to some. (Roughly speaking, Łódź is pronounced “woodge”, hence the hopeful conjunction.) The Polish Film School is based in the city, and it was here thatthe likes of Andrzej Wajda and Roman Polanski and Krzysztof Kieślowski cut their teeth. Manufaktura is an impressive art and leisure complex in an old textile factory, and a thought provoking hour can be spent at Muzeum Sztuki, a prestigious modern and contemporary art gallery.

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written by Andy Turner

updated 13.03.2023

Of all Europe’s countries, Poland is the one that has changed the most in recent decades. All of its major cities have been through a process of major reinvention, opening flashy new museums, laying out new parks and brushing up their heritage with a spate of renovation. There’s an awful lot of wild nature, too. Discover Polish mountain ranges and what cities to see with our pick of the best things to do in Poland.

1. Get amazed by the unique beauty of Wrocław

2. explore kazimierz jewish district in cracow, 3. discover cracow main square & cloth hall, 4. discover tricity on the baltic sea coast, 5. enjoy nightlife in warsaw.

• 6. Walk along Warsaw's Royal Route & Old Town

7. Go back in time at the Royal Baths Park

8. step into polin - museum of the history of polish jews, 9. hike in the tatra mountains - one of the best things to do in poland, 10. pay respect at auschwitz-birkenau memorial, 11. sail at the mazurian lakes, 12. spend a few days in poznań.

• 13. Visit Nicolaus Copernicus's birthplace in Toruń

14. Discover UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mine

15. see moving dunes at słowiński national park, 16. visit the castle of the teutonic order in malbork.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Poland , your essential guide for visiting Poland .

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Poland, created by local experts

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Explore the Liberation Route in Poland

Poland was the first country that Hitler invaded and with it starting World War II. Discover the Polish sites of World War II with this itinerary, from the Northern city of Gdansk where the first battle took place to the concentration camps of Auschwitz close to Krakow.

One of the best things to do in Poland is to discover this elegant gem of a city, with gorgeous architecture unspoilt by tourist hordes. Poland has changed more than almost any other European country in the last ten years. The Lower Silesian capital Wrocław (pronounced “Vrots-waff”) is one of its most transformed cities, a go-ahead place with a huge student population and a burgeoning arts scene.

Wrocław brings together pretty much everything that’s good about contemporary Poland: a thoroughly modernized cross-section of attractions, a sack full of historical influences and an increasingly varied dining and nightlife scene.

For more ideas for your visit to Wrocław, read our guide to 6 reasons why Wrocław is Poland’s best weekend break .

Where to stay in Wrocław:

• For a truly comfortable stay: The Bridge Wroclaw
• For a modern stay: DB Hotel Wrocław

Find more accommodation options to stay in Wrocław

Wrocław, Poland © fotolupa/Shutterstock

South of Wawel Hill in Cracow lies the suburb of Kazimierz, originally a distinct town named in honour of King Kazimierz, who founded the settlement in 1335. In tandem with Warsaw, where a ghetto was created around the same time, Kazimierz grew to become one of the main cultural centres of Polish Jewry.

The prewar soul of the area was to perish in the gas chambers of Bełżec, but many of the buildings, synagogues included, have survived. The past two decades have seen a revival of activity in Kazimierz. Long-neglected buildings have been renovated, and the area has seen a marked increase in visitors – in part due to Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film Schindler’s List, much of which was filmed in and around Kazimierz.

Kazimierz, Cracow, Poland © Lukasz Siekierski/Shutterstock

The compact grid of medieval streets that makes up Cracow’s Old Town (Stare Miasto) is centred on the set-piece square of Rynek Główny, ringed by magnificent houses and towering spires. Long the social hub of the city, it’s an immediate introduction to Cracow’s grandeur, and the stately network of passageways and Italianate courtyards leading off the square is riddled with shops, cafés and bars.

Dominating Rynek Główny from its central position, the medieval Sukiennice is one of the most distinctive sights in the country – a vast cloth hall built in the fourteenth century and remodelled in the 1550s. Then a roof-level parade of gargoyles was added by Florentine stonemason Santi Gucci.

Poland was the first country that Hitler invaded and with it starting World War II. Connect to history by visiting the Polish sites of World War II. This tailor-made tour to the Liberation Route in Poland , from the Northern city of Gdansk where the first battle took place to the concentration camps of Auschwitz close to Cracow.

Where to stay in Cracow:

• For Old Town charm: Hotel Pod Różą
• For location: Sky Hotel Krakow

Find more accommodation options to stay in Cracow

Cracow Mariacki Church & Cloth Hall on the Main Market © Shutterstock

Even by Polish standards, the northern Tri-City (Trójmiasto) – visitning Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia – is one of the best things to do in Poland. Rather than lingering on the past, the region is thundering forward. Two decades of economic boom have ensured rising living standards, improved transport links and a rocketing tourist industry.

Historical heritage remains well to the fore. Gdańsk, carefully reconstructed after World War II devastation, is filled with red-brick monuments to its medieval mercantile heyday. Nearby Sopot, with its golden beach, has been a tourist magnet for generations. The industrial port city of Gdynia only appeared on the map in the 1920s, and remains something of an architectural monument to the robustly modernist interwar years.

Discover some off the radar beach destinations with our guide to the 10 best Baltic beach resorts .

Sopot, Poland © James Jiao/Shutterstock

Related articles from the blog

If you are a party lover, enjoying the nightlife in Warsaw should be on your list of things to do in Poland. Live it up among the glass skyscrapers and abandoned factories of the country’s dynamic capital. With a history writ large with destruction and regeneration, Poland’s two million-strong capital Warsaw (Warszawa) is one of the great shape-shifters of the European continent.

Razed by the Germans in 1944 and given a Stalinist architectural makeover in the 1950s, it became a byword for concrete brutalism in the decades that followed. Currently reaffirming itself as a muscular regional centre of business and finance, Warsaw is going through a metamorphosis as far-reaching as those of the past.

Bold contemporary buildings, state-of-the-art museums, destination restaurants and bar-filled bohemian quarters are the new landmarks of a restless metropolis. The idea of Warsaw as a grim East European city is nowadays the most dated travel cliché of them all.

Enjoing the nightlife in Warsaw is one of the most exciting things to do in Poland © Robert Wolkaniec/Shutterstock

6. Walk along Warsaw's Royal Route & Old Town

The term Old Town (Stare Miasto) is in some respects a misnomer for the historic nucleus of Warsaw. Sixty years ago, this compact network of streets and alleyways lay in rubble – even the cobblestones are replacements. Yet surveying the tiered houses of the main square, for example, it’s hard to believe they’ve been here only decades.

Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy), on the south side of the Old Town, is the obvious place to start a tour. Here the first thing to catch your eye is the bronze statue of Sigismund III, the king who made Warsaw his capital. Installed on his column in 1640, Sigismund suffered a direct hit from a tank in September 1944, but has now been replaced on his lookout; the base is a popular and convenient rendezvous point.

The compact Old Town Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) is one of the most remarkable examples of postwar reconstruction in Europe. Flattened during the Warsaw Uprising, the three-storey merchants’ houses surrounding the square have been scrupulously rebuilt to their seventeenth- and eighteenth-century designs.

Warsaw Royal Castle © Shutterstock

Strolling through the former royal parks south of the centre ia one of Warsaw’s is one of the best things to do in Poland. Half a kilometre south of the National Museum, the park surrounding Ujazdowski Castle adjoins the luxuriant public gardens that makeup Łazienki Park.

Arguably Warsaw’s most luxuriant public space, Łazienki Park (Park Łazienkowski) stretches for 2km alongside the southbound aleja Ujazdowskie. Designed for the king by the Italian architect Domenico Merlini, it’s a fitting memorial to the country’s last and most cultured monarch.

The Rough Guides to Poland and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

The oak-lined promenades and pathways leading from the park entrance to the palace are a favourite with tourists and Varsovians. Many of the latter come prepared to feed the park’s resident fauna, which includes peacocks, squirrels and mandarin ducks. On summer Sundays, concerts take place under the watchful eye of the ponderous Chopin Monument, as well as in the Cadet School by the Island Palace.

Lazienki Royal Baths Park, Warsaw, Poland © Shutterstock

Opened on April 20, 2013, the POLIN Museum of the History of the Polish Jews is the kind of museum that gets you excited as soon as you see it looming up in front of you. Designed by Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamäki, the building takes the fittingly dramatic form of a four-storey cube rent down the middle by a huge, cave-like fissure.

Inside, slogan-like captions fill entire walls, models and reproductions bring past epochs to life. Full use is made of reproduction posters, photographs and newsreel clips as the story of Poland’s Jews enters the twentieth century. By focusing on the Jewish presence in Poland the museum functions as an all-embracing panorama of Polish history.

Warsaw Polin Polish Jewish Museum © Shutterstock

Where to stay in Warsaw:

• For boutique stays: SleepWell Boutique Apartments
• For business trips: a&o Warsaw Wola

For more accommodation options, explore our guide to the best places to stay in Warsaw .

Hike among jagged alpine peaks, swim in crystal-clear lakes and enjoy the unique mountain culture. The Tatra National Park (Tatrzański park narodowy) begins right outside Zakopane’s southern outskirts, where the wooded flanks of the Tatra Mountains rise dramatically above rustic suburban houses.

They are as beautiful as any mountain landscape in northern Europe, the ascents taking you on boulder-strewn paths alongside woods and streams up to the ridges where grand, windswept peaks rise in the brilliant alpine sunshine.

Though many of the peak and ridge climbs are for experienced climbers only, much is accessible to regular walkers and all paths are well-marked. It is as well to remember that the Tatras are an alpine range and as such demand some respect and preparation.

Lake in Tatra Mountains, Poland © Curioso/Shutterstock

The most notorious extermination camp of them all – few leave unchanged by the experience. Seventy kilometres west of Craców, Oświęcim is notorious throughout the world for being the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi prison, labour camp and extermination site.

As many as 200,000 people passed through some part of the Auschwitz camp system and survived, however, providing a hugely important body of testimony on how the Nazi incarceration and extermination systems actually worked. Indeed the museum at the site was largely founded by former inmates – which helps to explain why Auschwitz is such a symbolic witness to history today.

Of all the museums you are ever likely to visit in your life, this is arguably the most profound.

Where to stay in Oświęcim:

• For price and quality: Hotel Dąbrowski
• For families: Lu Apartments

Find more accommodation options to stay in Oświęcim

Liberation Route, Poland, Crakow, Auschwitz © Shutterstock

This is one of the hugely popular things to do in Poland in summer, head to the east of the region for true beauty and solitude. East of Olsztyn, the central Mazurian Lakeland opens out amid thickening forests.

The biggest lakes – Mamry and Śniardwy – are real crowd-pullers, which brings advantages and disadvantages. Tourist facilities are fairly well developed, but accommodation can be hard to find on summer weekends.

Mikołajki is the most pleasant and most attractively located of the major-league lakeside resorts. Giżycko, perched on the rim of Lake Mamry to the north, is the best base for public transport and lake cruises. However, it is outdone by neighbouring Wilkasy when it comes to sheer lakeside charm. Ruciane-Nida provides access to the lakes and waterways of southern Mazuria, and has a pleasantly laid-back feel.

Mazury, Masurian lake, Poland © ysuel/Shutterstock

Thanks to its position on the Berlin–Warsaw rail line, Poznań is many visitors’ first taste of Poland. In many ways, it’s the ideal introduction, as no other city is more closely identified with Polish nationhood. Posnania elegans Poloniae civitas (“Poznań, a beautiful city in Poland”), has been adopted as a local catchphrase to highlight the city’s unswerving loyalty to the national cause over the centuries.

Nowadays, it’s a place of great diversity, encompassing an animated centre focused on one of Europe’s finest squares; a tranquil cathedral quarter; and a dynamic business district whose trade fairs are the most important in the country. Poznań may be a big city, but most of its primary attractions are grouped in a central core.

A number of fine museums and a wealth of nightlife opportunities ensure that a few days are well spent here.

Where to stay in Poznań:

• For B&B: B&B Hotel Poznań Old Town
• For couples: PURO Poznań Stare Miasto

Find more accommodation options to stay in Poznań

Poznan, Poland © Shutterstock

13. Visit Nicolaus Copernicus's birthplace in Toruń

Birthplace of Copernicus and famous for gingerbread, Toruń is a medieval university town with easy-going charm. Poles are apt to wax lyrical on the glories of their historical cities, and with Toruń the praise is more than justified.

This lively, prosperous university city was the birthplace of the Renaissance man Nicolaus Copernicus. His house still stands today, and its historic centre remains one of the country’s most evocative, bringing together a rich assembly of architectural styles.

Halfway down ulica Kopernika you’ll find the Copernicus House (Dom Kopernika), the high brick house where the great man was most probably born. Restored to something resembling its original layout, this Gothic mansion contains a studiously assembled collection of Copernicus artefacts.

Where to stay in Toruń:

• For stylish stays: ArtAparts
• For Old Town location: Hotel ETER

Find more accommodation options to stay in Toruń

Torun, Poland © Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock

Fifteen kilometres southeast of Cracow is the UNESCO-listed salt mine at Wieliczka, a unique phenomenon described by one eighteenth-century visitor as being “as remarkable as the Pyramids and more useful”. Salt deposits were discovered here as far back as the eleventh century. During World War II, the Germans manufactured aircraft parts in Wieliczka’s subterranean chambers, using Poles and Jews as slave labour.

Active mining ceased in 1997, although salt is still extracted from water seepages and much of the salt sold in Poland still comes from here. Profitability as a tourist attraction ensures that the mine remains a major employer: indeed, its popularity is such that you should be prepared for big crowds in summer.

Salt mine, Wieliczka, Poland © Adwo/Shutterstock

West of Łeba stretches Lake Łebsko, the largest of several lagoons that form the centre of Słowiński National Park – one of the country’s most memorable natural attractions, included in UNESCO’s list of world Biosphere Reserves. The park gets its name from the Slovincians, a small ethnic group of Slav origin who, like the Kashubians, retained a distinctive identity despite centuries of German influence.

The eastern entrance to the park is at Rąbka, a small cluster of houses and snack bars on the shores of Lake Łebsko, 1.5km west of Łeba. To get there on foot from Łeba, head down ulica Turystyczna and take the signed left turn about 400m beyond the canal. From here, it’s a 1.5km walk through the birch trees. The pathway to the dunes begins on Rąbka’s western edge.

Stones in the sand Baltic Sea, Slowinski National Park in Poland © Pecold/Shutterstock

Few towns make as dramatic an immediate impression as Malbork, with the luminous redbrick turrets of its massive castle reflected in the River Nogat as you arrive from the north. It long served as the headquarters of the Teutonic Knights, who established themselves here in the late thirteenth century and proceeded to turn a modest fortress into the labyrinthine monster you see today.

The approach to the main body of Malbork Castle (Zamek w Malborku) is through the old outer castle, which wasn’t rebuilt after World War II. When you’ve finished looking around inside, head over the footbridge to the other side of the River Nogat. Here the view allows you to appreciate what a Babylonian project the fortress must have seemed to medieval visitors.

Castle Malbork, Poland © Shutterstock

Where to stay in Malbork:

• For castle views: EdMar
• For B&B: B&B vis a vis Zamku

Find more accommodation options to stay in Malbork

Ready for a trip to Poland ? Check out the snapshot The Rough Guide to Poland .

If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Poland without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.

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Top image: Wroclaw, Poland © Velishchuk Yevhen/Shutterstock

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Tourist attractions in Poland

Which one of the tourist attractions in Poland would you like to visit?

Already visited Poland? What did you like?

Click a heart on your favourite tourist attractions!

Tatra Mountains

The highest mountain range between the Alps and the Caucasus. Rocky peaks covered with all-year snow, sharp ridges, picturesque ponds, waterfalls and valleys make this place supposedly the most spectacular in Poland . About 250 km of trails and a wide range of slopes would satisfy the most demanding hikers and skiers. A stay in Zakopane town at the foot of the mountains is recommended to those who love admiring beautiful landscapes and original folk culture.

The former country’s capital is one of the top tourist attractions in Europe . Most of the city guests are captivated by its magical atmosphere and the splendid architecture. In Krakow you can see mediaeval cathedrals, the Renaissance castle, Baroque churches, the Art Nouveau theatre and many other monuments. However old and beautiful it is, do not think that Krakow is limited to the monuments and museums. Thanks to an amazing density and variety of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants, Krakow sparkles with life, especially during warm seasons.

Salt mine in Wieliczka

Ancient salt mines (in operation for 700 years). The small Krakow’s suburb ranks to the most famous tourist destinations in Eastern Europe . Often described as a fairy tale kingdom made of salt. A mysterious labyrinth of 300 kilometres of halls and corridors hewn in pure salt (the lowest are 372 meters underground). The 2.5-hours guided tours shows just a short stretch including a salt lake, caves and the beautiful Queen Kinga’s Chapel.

The capital of Poland . Rebuilt after World War II practically from scratch. Warsaw’s vibrant business downtown takes pride in many skyscrapers and ambitious plans to build more. The catchy skyline is still dominated by the enormous Palace of Culture and Science – a Stalin’s donation. Warsaw is a big world with an east European flavour. Do not miss the beautiful Old Town , the Royal Route, the Chopin museum, several magnificent palaces and the former Jewish ghetto.

The capital of Lower Silesia (Dolny Slask) has a huge Old Town built on several islands connected by over 100 bridges . Apart from its unique location, Wroclaw amazes with a plenitude of Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. An extremely complicated history, combining cultural influences of Germany, Bohemia, Austria and Poland, left its mark on Wroclaw’s atmosphere. After World War II the German population was expelled and replaced by Poles from Lwow (L’viv) that remained within the borders of the Soviet Union.

The cheerful maritime city is popular with both tourist and holiday destination. Situated by the sea, it has a gentle climate and beautiful beaches. A famous seaside resort Sopot is nearby. The exclusive architecture of the Old Town, including the largest brick Gothic church in the world is undoubtedly worth exploring. The present image of the city was created by its complex history. Gdansk used to often change hands and in 1980 it witnessed the birth of the Solidarity movement, which brought the end of Communism.

Masurian lakes

Picturesque land of reputedly 3,000 lakes . For sailing fans, fishermen, hikers, cyclists and those who seek tranquillity, the Masuria is the number one holiday destination. Apart from the water sports and wandering around, you may explore a multitude of historical places . There are castles in Reszel, Nidzica and Gizycko, the amazing Baroque church in Swieta Lipka and the Hitler’s wartime headquarters in the forests near Ketrzyn.

The Teutonic Order was founded around 1190 in Palestine to crusade against the Muslims and pagans. In the 14th century the Teutonic Knights conquered a pagan tribe of Prussians and moved their headquarters from Venice to Malbork on the Nogat river which is now northern Poland. A trace of the their presence in the town is the imposing red brick castle from 1274 on the river bank, which is the largest Gothic fortress in Europe.

Czestochowa

The medium size city of Czestochowa lies in the heart of Krakowsko-Czestochowska Upland, the region characterised by picturesque Jurassic rocks. Czestochowa is usually associated with Jasna Gora Monastery which is the biggest Marian sanctuary in the country. For the majority of Poles it is an important pilgrimage destination and a main cult place of the Virgin Mary. The icon known as Black Madonna of Czestochowa crowned in 1656 as the Queen and Protector of Poland is credited with many miracles.

Oswiecim (Auschwitz)

The modest provincial town of Oswiecim better known under its German name “Auschwitz” was a witness to an enormous evil caused by mankind. During World War II in the largest German extermination camp around 1.5 million people perished. A gruesome exhibition in the former camp makes the visitors rethink the basic ideas of humanity and dignity.

UNESCO listed the medieval town of Torun as world heritage. Similarly to Krakow it was not destroyed during WW II. Nicolas Copernicus – the founder of the heliocentric theory (that the Earth rotates around the Sun) born here. Pay a visit to his interesting museum. See the Teutonic Castle and the leaning tower (like the one in Italian Pisa). Numerous cellar pubs: Torun is a well-known university town. Delicious gingerbread. Organ music.

Bieszczady Mountains

A paradise for romantics, lovers of nature and restless drifters. The soft green mountains peppered with traditional wooden churches are one of the most secluded areas in Europe. The extraordinary wildlife and picturesque landscapes make it an ideal holiday destination. Bieszczady is the most beautiful in summer and autumn, whereas during winter they invite the fans of skiing.

Lodz may rarely be listed among the most important tourist destinations, but it definitely deserves promotion. The second-biggest city in Poland has been nicknamed Polish Manchester , harking thus back to its strong textile industry tradition. You can spot cotton mills, beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, Jewish monuments and the longest Polish street Piotrkowska. The mecca of Polish film industry features rowdy nightlife.

Slowinski National Park

A great, exotic natural attraction – 44 metres tall shifting sand dunes (wydmy) at the banks of Lake Łebsko. Desert-like landscape used to be a training ground for Rommel’s Afrika Korps, missiles V1 and V2 were tested here. Now an important biosphere reserve and haven for rare bird species. An open-air folk museum nearby.

Kazimierz Dolny

The best known of the many small Polish towns with charismatic Renaissance cores . A romantic castle ruin, Baroque churches, Three Cross’s Hill, winding streets and a ferry across the Vistula River. A supreme artistic place .

Bialowieza Forest

Probably the only intact primeval forest in Europe . Deeply deep. A highly protected biosphere area on the border with Byelorussia. The reserve of European bison (żubr), an animal extinct elsewhere. Plenty of wild game. Orthodox churches and two surviving Tartar mosques.

Elblag-Ostroda Canal

A masterpiece of the 19th century Prussian engineering. An 81-kilometres long network of canals – a sophisticated system of choke-points, locks and slip-ways. Take an 11-hour voyage; there will be three slip-ways when your boat is hauled by large rail-bound carriages transporting you over stretches with no water. Quizzical.

Another UNESCO-highlighted Renaissance civitas . Zamosc is fairly off-the-beaten-track and Eastern, unscathed by wars and very much preserved. Until present times encircled with fortification wall, Zamosc was intended by its builder, the powerful 16th century chancellor Jan Zamoyski as a town in ideal shape. Zamoyski Palace, Zamoyski Academy, beautiful tenement houses.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Beautiful pilgrimage site dear to Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła was born 4 kilometres away in Wadowice). Baroque Bernardine monastery with a Via Dolorosa (the Stations of the Cross) – a long sequence of chapels and Marian stations. A UNESCO landmark.

HELGA AND HEINI ON TOUR

30 POLAND LANDMARKS & BEST PLACES TO VISIT FOR A THRILLING EUROPEAN VACATION IN 2022

Poland is a historically rich country that is home to 14 world heritage sites and numerous Poland landmarks. Poland offers the ideal location for history enthusiasts as well as architectural enthusiasts to visit. Poland's towns buzz in the energy of artistic and cultural life and are a good start to discover the whole country.

We put together a list of the 30 famous Poland landmarks and best places to visit for you. Famous Landmarks, tourist attractions in Poland, historic sights, famous places, national parks… You name it. We have them all.

What's famous in Poland?

There are a lot of places and famous landmarks in Poland. Here is a short overview of the Top 10 landmarks in the country:

• Warsaw Old Town
• Malborg Castle (Castle Marienburg)
• Tatra Mountains
• The Crooked Forest
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps
• Słowiński National Park
• Warsaw Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski)
• Masurian Lake District
• Wieliczka Salt Mine

1. Warsaw Old Town

On the bucket list of food to try in Warsaw is pierogis (Polish dumplings), placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes), and paczki (polish doughnuts). Other top tourist attractions you won’t want to miss are the Historical Museum of Warsaw, Royal Castle, Presidential Palace, Grand Theatre, and Museum of Caricature and Cartoon Art. 

2. Warsaw Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski)

The castle offers collections of oriental rugs, coins, antique furniture, sculptures, and art. Equally impressive, are the royal gardens. The upper and lower gardens cover 2 hectares and feature beautiful statues, sculptures, plants, fountains, benches, and vases. Pack a picnic and birdwatch here for blackbirds, nightingales, and magpies. 

3. Unesco World Heritage Sites – Malbork Castle (Marienburg)

Visit the Marlbork castle to get your fill of Polish culture, history, and beauty. Tickets cost about 4 dollars and you can visit day or night; the night tour is debatably the best with the glowing lights illuminating the brick red walls and the tour guide dressed as a medieval knight. On the tour, you will see military rooms, art, huge courtyards, tapestries, armor rooms, ceramics, long corridors, ancient furniture, artifacts, and many exhibits. This is among the most famous Polish landmarks and it definitely is worth the trip. 

4. Tatra Mountains & National Park

The best lake in the park is definitely Morskie Oko, which was mentioned earlier in this list. Also on the Polish side is the alpine pasture of Hala Gasienicow and the cave of Jaskinia Mylna. The most popular hike in this area is the hike up the highest mountain in Poland, Rysy. It is a 14-mile trek but once at the top, you are rewarded with panoramic views of the picturesque landscape.

5. Morskie Oko Lake in the Tatra National Park

Once you arrive, take pictures of this unique natural beauty then sit down for a drink on the outdoor deck of the PTTK Morskie Oko Mountain Hut. Alternatively, if you still have energy, venture another 30 minutes uphill to the Czarny Staw pod Rysami Lake which is the second deepest lake in Tatra National Park.

6. Masurian Lake District

A top attraction is Wolf’s Lair, this beautiful forest is famous for being the military headquarters of Hitler in World War II. Also see Luknajno Lake, a bird reserve with the largest mute swan population in Poland. If you love history, don’t miss Zane’s Kapituly Warminskiej castle and museum. This brick Gothic castle was built in the 14th century and is an impressive historical monument.

The best places to stay in the Masurian Lake District are Hotel Tajty in Gizycko, Hotel Santa Monica in Mikolajki, or the family-friendly water park hotel Tropikana Golebiewski in Mikolajki. 

7. Thorn (Torun)

The main attractions here include the Living Museum of Gingerbread, Town Square, Monument of Nicolaus Copernicus, Old Town Hall, and the main square. The Old Town Hall is one of the most famous Polish landmarks, it was built in 1274 and has a museum as well as a tower with views of the old town. With Gothic buildings, colorful shops, and red brick buildings, this is truly one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe. 

8. Wroclaw (Breslau) – Tourist Attractions in Poland

Possibly the best part of this town is the hidden dwarf sculptures, there are over 400 of them scattered through the city, so keep your eyes peeled as you are walking about! Start your day here at one of many outdoor cafes by the riverside then head straight to Market Square to see postcard-worthy houses with unique architecture. The next stop is the Market Hall, an impressive Polish landmark built between 1905-1908, where locals come to buy fresh produce and meats.

Before grabbing lunch, make sure to climb the Mathematical Tower for views of the old town and the islands on the Odra river. One option for lunch is Wroclawska, a highly recommended restaurant with traditional Polish cuisine that won’t disappoint. After lunch, rent a kayak or take a boat tour on the Odra river and enjoy more views of the city. Finish up your day with fine dining at La Maddalena (or perhaps some hearty street food) before hitting the bars for a lively nightlife experience. 

9. Famous Poland Landmarks – Gdansk

The first thing to do is walk along with the Long Market, a wide street with colorful buildings, adorable shops, quaint cafes, and traditional restaurants. From here, visit the Main Town Hall and climb the tower to see views of the city. The town hall also has the Gdansk History Museum.

Continue your tour at St. Mary’s church, one of the largest brick churches in the world, and then the Museum of the Second World War. End the day by eating on the waterfront and watching the sunset over the unique Polish houses. 

10. The City of Krakow

The top three Poland landmarks here are the Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, and Kazimieriz neighborhood. The Market Square is great for people-watching and sipping a coffee, the basilica is a colorful and unique wonder, and the Kazimierz neighborhood is the lively Jewish quarter with the best nightlife and cuisine.

While you are in the romantic city of Krakow don’t forget to eat polish sausage and pierogies. If you happen to tire of Polish cuisine, there are also many French, Asian, Italian, and vegan restaurants to choose from. 

11. Schindler's Factory, Krakow

Come to Schindler’s factory to learn more about this incredible story as well as see exhibits on Nazis, wartime stories, documents, photos, recordings, films, and interactive installations. This landmark is divided into two museums, MOCAK and Schindler’s Factory Museum, both of which are well worth seeing. 

12. Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps

Auschwitz-Birkenau is the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp where over 1.1 million people lost their lives. Of Poland landmarks, this one is definitely the most somber. This is an emotionally draining visit due to its awful history but it is incredibly important to visit if you feel able.

That being said, it is not advised to bring children under 14 due to the horrific nature of the events that took place at the camp. This is a place of remembrance, honoring, and learning; all guests are asked to behave with respect and to dress appropriately as a sign of respect.

Auschwitz concentration camp was the largest German Nazi camp and it was built in 1940 during World War II. Birkenau is about 2 miles away and was built between 1941 and 1942. At both camps, you will see artifacts, see execution and imprisonment sites, and hear the stories of those who were killed here as well as those who survived. 

13. Lazienki Park (Muzeum Łazienki Królewskie), Warsaw

Other buildings in this area include the amphitheater, Museum of Hunting and Horse-riding, Łazienki Królewskie Museum, and Palace on the Isle, which does cost extra. You can spend all day exploring the park filled with historic buildings, sculptures, gardens, animals (like peacocks!), and flowers.

14. Bialowieza National Park

The symbol of this park is the European bison which is the largest land mammal in Europe. There are about 500 living in this forest and is high on the Poland sightseeing to-do list. While in this gorgeous national park, explore the lush forest by walking or biking on one of many trails while keeping an eye out for animals and birds. 

15. Ojcow National Park

Besides the castles, make sure to hike or bike along the Vistula River for a tranquil day in nature or hike part of the 32 mile Trail of the Eagle’s Nests. After your day in nature, make sure to stop at the mountain town of Ojcow for a delicious meal at the Pstrag Ojcowski grill. Ojcow is one of the best Polish tourism places if you love nature and adventure. 

16. Słowiński National Park – Famous Polish Landmarks

Make sure to see Lebsko Lake, which is the largest coastal lake on the Polish coast, and Lake Gardno which is perfect for birdwatching. For incredible views of the sea, go to the Czolpino Lighthouse which was built in the 1800s. For views of the moving sand dunes, head to Wydma Lacka. If you are traveling with kids, stop by the Sea Park Sarbsk for seal shows and a pirate-themed play area or Leba Park for a dinosaur theme park. 

17. Bieszczady Mountains

Off the beaten track of typical Poland, sightseeing tours are the Bieszczady mountains. This is one of the best areas for hiking in Poland; trek the highest peak, Tarnica, for incredible views or take the less-traveled route of Polonia Carynska for equally gorgeous, panoramic views.

If you prefer a less strenuous activity, opt for a horseback riding tour on the PTTK Bieszczady Horse Trail. You can also relax at Solina Lake by windsurfing, swimming, or canoeing. Two mountain villages you won’t want to miss are Ustryzki Gorne and Cisne. Here you will find historical buildings, wooden Orthodox churches, and traditional bars with delicious cuisine.

Other Polish attractions you will find here are the Turquoise Landslide Lakes, Solina Water Dam (the highest dam in Poland), and Lesko Castle.

18. Crooked Forest, Gryfino

Nearby is the town of Gryfino , which is one of the oldest towns in Poland. Here you will find many buildings with historical significance, quaint restaurants with traditional Polish cuisine, and wooden inns. From here you can also visit the Lower Oder Valley and Beech Forest. 

19. Isle of Usedom

This is the ideal vacation destination, with soft sand beaches and plenty of activities. Here you will find spas, outdoor music festivals, fashion events, theater, and amazing seafood. The best part is this paradise isn’t that expensive (compared to other island getaways), you can stay at a cute hotel or bed and breakfast or opt for an indulgent retreat or beachfront hotel.

20. Wolin Island – Polish Tourist Attractions

The best place to stay in Wolin Island is the beach town of Międzyzdroje; this colorful town offers sandy beaches, hiking, a lively bar scene, and delicious Baltic cuisine. While exploring Wolin Island, don’t miss the Wolin National Park Museum, Kawcza Mountain, Baltic Miniature Park, Fort Gerharda, and the Underground City of Wooing Island. 

21. Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa (Częstochowa)

This painting is said to have performed miracles, which is why so many people come each year. Besides this iconic religious artifact, you will find other ancient artifacts, learn about Polish history, and see an ancient library. The design is also beautiful with a mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. This spiritual capital of Poland is one of the top Polish tourist places and is definitely worth the visit.

22. Kasprowy Wierch

After a day in the snow, visit the beautiful mountain town of Zakopane for a hearty meal of Polish soup or pierogies (dumplings filled with potato, sauerkraut, cheese, or meats) paired with mulled wine. During the warmer seasons, hike up the mountain or take the Kasprowy Wierch cable car to the top for stunning views. You can also climb to the meteorological observatory for even better views. 

23. Museum of the History of Polish Jews POLIN

This is one of the most famous Polish landmarks for learning about Jewish cultural development, politics, religion, and the effects of World War II and the Holocaust. Here you will find eight exhibits: Forest, First Encounters, Paradisus Iudaeorum, Jewish Town, Encounters with Modernity, On the Jewish Tree, Holocaust, and Post-War Years. These exhibits incorporate art, antiques, poetry, photography, stories, art, interactive exhibits, videos, and more.    

24. Warsaw Rising Museum (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego)

The focus is to depict the fighting and everyday life during the tumultuous period of the Rising and to provide post-war education about the Communist regime. After visiting the museum, make sure to stop by the tower for views of Freedom Park and the beautiful city of Warsaw. This is one of Poland’s famous places that you won’t want to miss.  

25. Museum of the Palace of King John III in Wilanow

Outside you will find the Royal Garden of Light, which is an outdoor exhibition with colorful lights and glowing sculptures. Come here for the ideal location for a unique photoshoot all year round. It costs about $5.50 to enter the palace and $1.50 for the garden. 

26. Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki), Warsaw

A few minutes wandering through this building and you will see why it is the most visited tourist attraction in Warsaw. Come here to see great views of the city from the observation deck, watch a movie with a cocktail, ice skate for free in the winter, and dance the night away at the club. During the summer there are also many events from festivals and concerts to theater performances and film showings. 

27. Wieliczka Salt Mine

Take a guided tour and explore the salt labyrinths with endless corridors, immense chambers, the underground lake, and a geological structure that is unlike any other in the world. If you are having health problems, make sure to stay longer for a therapeutic treatment, medical consultation, or visit their diagnostics center.

You can also sleep underground at the Eastern Mountain Stable Chamber for $30 a night, which is said to help your immune system because you are breathing purified air for long periods of time. Before leaving, don’t forget to stop at the gift shop for unique souvenirs of Wieliczka salt, soap with salt crystal, Lemon Grass and Pear toiletries, and rock salt with garlic cloves. 

28. Zalipie Village

Now, the tradition has grown so large that they even have competitions each year for who decorates their house best (come in June to witness this colorful event). While in the village, enjoy the beautiful colors and folk art and visit the Painter’s house, Felicia Curylo’s Farm House, and St. Joseph's church. 

29. Zakopane

During the winter come to Zakopane for skiing, snowboarding, sleigh rides, drinking mead, quad tours, and winter festivities. In the warmer seasons, hike the Tatra mountain range, bike through the national park, and take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. 

The top landmarks include the Market Square, the colorful Armenian houses, Town Hall, the Armoury Museum, Cathedral of the Resurrection, and St. Thomas the Apostle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Poland

What is the most visited place in poland.

Kraków. Krakow has the largest number of visitors from Poland! During WWII it largely remained intact and the Old Town center is UNESCO designated. This place has a wonderful market square and you're guaranteed everything is authentic here!

Which city is the most beautiful city in Poland?

Danzig is an incredible city on its shore. Looking to spend an extended holiday in Poland? Think Gdansk

How many World Heritage sites are in Poland?

In 2021 Poland has 17 World Heritage sites of the highest UNESCO value, most of these being cultural sites. In 1978 the first two places on the World Heritage list were Wieliczka Salt Mine and Krakow Historical Center.

More Places in Europe to Visit

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17 Best cities in Poland to Visit in 2024

17 Best Cities in Poland to Visit: Exploring Polish Cities and Towns in 202 4

Are you overwhelmed with countless recommendations and struggling to decide on the best cities to visit in Poland?

I understand the pressure of planning a trip and being unsure where to start. It can be overwhelming.

Fear not, I will provide you with a well-researched, carefully curated list of the top cities in Poland that cater to various interests, making your decision-making process easier and your trip to Poland a memorable experience.

In my travels, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to visit each of the 17 cities mentioned in this article, not just once, but several times. My most recent journey through these beautiful Polish cities was just last summer.

I’ve seen firsthand how each city boasts its own distinct character.

Each of the pictures that you see, I’ve taken with my own camera, so you can see firsthand how beautiful the cities are.

And as someone who has a family home in Poland, and has explored the nooks and crannies of Poland over more than three decades, I can confidently say that Poland has amazing cities and no matter which you choose, it will be an unforgettable travel experience.

So before we dive into all the cities, let me share some personal insights and experiences that showcase. . .or just click on the table of contents so you can jump to one of the cities quickly.

Why You Should Visit Poland

First, Poland’s history is unparalleled.

Poland has seen its fair share of ups and downs, but it has always managed to bounce back. It has been invaded, occupied, and partitioned but has been unwavering in its perseverance.

The architecture in the cities speaks loudly of Polish history.

One of my favorite experiences is strolling through the well-preserved streets of Krakow, a city that has witnessed over a thousand years of history.

Not too far from Krakow, we have places such as Wieliczka, an underground salt mine where visitors can walk through original tunnels used by salt miners.  

Or Auschwitz-Birkenau , a place that is still haunting, and a place that I am visiting again due to its deep and dark history to my family.

You have the resilient beauty of Warsaw, which rose from the ashes of World War II, and leaves a lasting impression.

I was particularly moved by my visit to the Warsaw Uprising Museum.

And as a self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast, I am always blown away by the breathtaking landscapes that Poland has to offer. 

This country has a diverse array of natural wonders, from the snow-capped peaks of the Tatra Mountains, where I enjoyed some thrilling hikes, particularly to my favorite mountain lake, Morskie Oko.

Or trips to the pristine beaches in Sopot along the Baltic Sea that provides a perfect spot for a relaxing day, especially in the summer. Three cities in one day anyone?  

And who can forget the enchanting Białowieża Forest? 

I am heading there again this summer, as I absolutely love this part of Poland.

Exploring one of Europe’s last and largest primeval woodlands was a truly unforgettable experience. 

Poland is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with countless opportunities for adventure.

And it has to be mentioned that, I can’t help but rave about the mouthwatering Polish cuisine I’ve had the pleasure of eating my whole life. 

With hearty dishes like pierogi (dumplings), placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes), and żurek (sour rye soup), Poland knows how to satisfy your taste buds. 

As a dessert lover, pastries like pączki (Polish doughnuts) and sernik (cheesecake) hit your sweet tooth, though my favorite is kremowka. (I even have a favorite bakery for this in Tarnow!).

Trust me, your stomach will thank you for visiting Poland!

Poland is a destination that truly has it all. Its fascinating history, awe-inspiring landscapes, and scrumptious cuisine make it the perfect place for an engaging, adventure.

Poland Cities Map

I created a Polish cities map for you, with all 17 cities I discuss, marked in red.

17 Poland Cities to Visit

Narrow streets, green spaces, modern infrastructure, and cobblestone old towns, are just a few of the characteristics that help describe the list of Poland cities.

From popular destinations to smaller cities, this Poland cities list will capture it all.

So without further ado, let’s see what our 17 best cities in Poland are:

1. Kraków: A Poland City Full of History

Kraków is hands down one of my all-time favorite cities to visit in Poland, boasting a rich tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking sights. 

This is the city I continuously return to, as it never gets old. It is arguably, one of the most beautiful cities in Poland and one of the most visited places in Poland.

From the moment you step foot in the city, you’ll be swept away by its atmosphere.

Nestled in the heart of the city is the picturesque old town, and the largest central square in Europe, Rynek Glowny, and a top ten Krakow must-see destination.

Sukiennice cloth hall is located right in the middle and today, you can wander inside to see all the shops that line both sides as you stroll through the middle.

It’s some of the best shopping in Krakow for souvenirs all in one place. 

Some of the most famous things Poland is known for such as amber is sold here. I always add an amber piece to my collection, with a ring being my latest addition.

The square is lined with cozy cafes and savoring delectable bites in local restaurants.

The city’s Jewish Quarter and the former Jewish Ghetto memorial –  are powerful and poignant reminders of a dark chapter in the city’s history.  

Krakow is also the best place to stay in Poland to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most famous concentration camp of the Second World War.

There are tours available from Krakow , or you can drive or take public transportation from Krakow to Auschwitz on your own.

If you’re an art and history enthusiast, you’ll be captivated by the city’s impressive churches, museums such as the National Museum in Krakow, and galleries, each offering a unique glimpse into Poland’s rich past.

The crowning jewel of Kraków is undoubtedly the majestic Wawel Castle, the once royal residence of Polish kings and queens and one of the best places in Krakow to learn about the city’s history. 

But Kraków isn’t just about history – the city’s vibrant nightlife scene is not to be missed. From lively bars and clubs to quaint cafes, there’s always something happening after the sun goes down.

In a nutshell, Kraków is an incredible city that offers a little something for everyone, which is why I rank it as the #1 best city to visit in Poland.

👉I recommend this hotel in Krakow!

2. Gdańsk: Visiting Poland’s Baltic Coast

Gdańsk, in my experience, is one of those hidden gems in Poland that deserves way more attention than it gets! 

The city is located on the Baltic coast and boasts a unique fusion of Polish and Prussian culture and a fascinating history that spans over a thousand years.

These tiny whimsical statues have been popping up around the city since 2005, and there are now hundreds of them!

This was my kids favorite city. The abundance of gnomes, and the gnome hunting opportunities are endless.

The bustling Market Square is one of my go-to spots, where you can sip coffee in one of the many cafes.

There are also a few lovely and very lively pubs.

Wroclaw is situated in the Lower Silesia province, in other words, it’s in the southwest corner of Poland.

This is also the closest city to a host of castles such as Ksiaz Castle, where you can easily get a day trip from Wroclaw , and underground bunkers such as the World War II underground Project Riese .

As the fourth-largest city in Poland, Wroclaw boasts an impressive 100 bridges, numerous rivers and islands, and a well-deserved nickname as the “Venice of the North.”

The city’s role as a major science center, home to one of the country’s largest universities and over 600 start-up companies, was an intriguing aspect I discovered during my visit.

Other unique attractions include Centennial Hall and St. Mary Magdalene Church.

As far as the best day trips from Wroclaw, there are a number of tour companies that can take you from Wroclaw to Auschwitz Birkenau or even to Auschwitz and Krakow .

The region around Wrolcaw has so many castles and ruins in the area. 

There is so much to explore in the region, particularly in the south where you’ll find dozens of castles and ruins.

In the southwest, you’ll find mountains and parks, and in the northwest, the Polish pottery city Bolaslawiec and of course, more castles.

I adore Wroclaw.  I find it to be vibrant,  immersive, and amazing for further exploration. It’s one of my favorite cities, particularly as a base to explore other areas in this region.

👉I recommend this hotel in Wroclaw!

4. Zakopane: A Mountainous City in Poland 

I love Zakopane. It’s in southern Poland, the very southern tip, right there near the mountains and it’s so beautiful! 

It is in the Tatra Mountain Range, which has a ton to see and explore.

The Tatra Mountain range is one thing Poland is famous for as it is a ski destination for the surrounding countries.

Many say the Tatra Mountain Range is the most beautiful palace in Poland.

I’m an outdoor (and an indoor) person (I’m both in their own way;), so this city tops as one of my favorite cities to visit in Europe for outdoor exploration. 

It’s also one of the top destinations on the list of Polish cities worth visiting in 2024.

Did you know that it’s one of Poland’s go-to cities for wellness and spas?

The city has a unique wooden architectural style known as “Zakopane Style,” which combines local folk art with Art Nouveau elements. 

The intricately carved designs on the wooden villas and chapels throughout the city make for some great photographs. I’ve taken quite a few myself.

More than once, I’ve witnessed one of Zakopane’s cultural events, including a traditional folk music and dance performance by the local highlanders, Górale. 

They dress in colorful, traditional attire and showcase their talents, mainly through dancing. You can find their attire in stores along Zakopane’s main street, Krupówki.

You’ll also find one of my favorite cheeses here in abundance: Oscypek, a local smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk.

Polish people have a love-it-or-hate-it relationship with this cheese. I’m in camp LOVE IT.

One of my favorite nearby places to visit is Morskie Oko. This is a lake hike I’ve done three times now, as it never gets old.

By foot, it’s about a two-hour trek uphill. Or you can also catch a carriage ride quite a ways up.

At the top, you are rewarded with a jaw-dropping view of a turquoise lake surrounded by towering mountain peaks.

Zakopane in winter is even better.

Skiing and winter activities galore.

This is a winter gem many people don’t know about, and the prices are great.

Zakopane really is an enchanting haven with awe-inspiring landscapes and a relaxing atmosphere in one of its many spa-focused hotels. 

This makes Zakopane one of the best cities in Poland to visit.

👉I recommend this hotel in Zakopane!

5. Szczecin: A Poland City Bursting with Charm and Culture

Szczecin is on the Oder River in northwest Poland. This was one of the last cities I visited on my latest Poland road trip.

It has a prime location near Germany, the Baltic and while it’s nestled in the northwest corner, the city provides opportunities to see a lot in the area.

Szczecin is actually located in a very beautiful part of Poland.

The Zachodniopomorksie region is gorgeous with a lot of coastline and wooded areas in the area.

Szczecin itself has a Gothic Old Town Hall. The city’s National Museum’s exhibitions offer a deep dive into the city’s history and culture. 

Szczecon’s Philharmonic Hall, is a stunning contemporary glass structure resembling ice crystals.

The leafy Central Cemetery or the “Garden of the Dead”, has a remarkable central chapel and poignant monuments to WWII victims. 

You can also visit underground Szczecin, a former bomb shelter built in the 1940s, which offers an intriguing war-themed tour. 

The city’s contrasts are inspiring.  It has art nouveau mansions standing side by side with modern steel and glass structures. 

Then you have Neogothic architecture and Neo-Renaissance buildings by the Oder River. 

And finally, you come across buildings that look like they are from New Orleans with tenement houses.

Szczecin has an interesting street design.

The main inspiration draws from New York’s urban street design, with right angles and block squares.  The second inspiration is thought to come from Georges Hausmann and his Parisian street design.

If you’re looking to explore beyond Szczecin, Berlin is less than a 2-hour drive and you have Wolinski Park Narodowy in the north, and Pezino and Swidwin Castles as day trips.

Finally, Szczecin’s waterfront is a spectacular place to hang out in the summer. There is a beach, an amusement park in the summer, dozens of food trucks and festivities throughout the summer months.

With its diverse architectural styles, rich cultural experiences, and compelling mix of old and new, Szczecin is a must-visit city.

👉I recommend this hotel in Szczecin!

BEST CITIES IN POLAND

6. warsaw: best city in poland (voted in 2023).

The capital and the largest city in Poland.

History, culture, and undeniable energy of a modern city.

It was also the top European capital city destination for 2023!

Let’s see why that is.

First things first: Warsaw’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it deserves the title for one of the best cities in Poland to visit!

If you stroll down its cobblestone streets, imagine a completely destroyed city.

I can’t help but appreciate the amount of work that went into restoring the city’s architecture.

Old Town is among my favorite places to walk around because you can see the history from over 100 years ago.

Up to 85% of Old Town was destroyed during World War II and the city was determined to rebuild, and a fine job they did. The restoration took until the mid-60’s .

The final building to be restored, the Royal Castle, is a must-visit in Warsaw. I spent several hours here, as the painting collection is extensive. The temporary exhibitions are also beautiful, the one I last saw was a Nicholas Copernicus exhibition.

Wilanów Palace and Lazienki Park are also must-sees for their grandeur and historical significance. Lazienki Palace is a perfect backdrop for photos and I loved walking around the extensive gardens around. I even found a little Japanese Garden within the park.

Palac Kultury is one of the most prominent buildings in Warsaw and the area in front provides great opportunities for some photo ops. I sent up a tripod and as able to capture the entire building

✨ TIP : Tilt the angle of the DSLR or phone camera at a slightly upward angle from the ground to capture the full building✨

Don’t forget to visit Market Square – it’s a lively spot filled with quaint cafes.

One of Warsaw’s most unique features is its turbulent history, particularly during World War II.

The Warsaw Uprising Museum, one of the best places to visit in Warsaw, and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, are poignant reminders of the city’s past and its resilience. 

I have been to both, and think they are both worth visiting.

The city’s vibrant arts scene is another reason to visit. The Warsaw International Film Festival, showcases the best in global cinema, and the annual Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, are an absolute blast for music lovers.

Now, let’s talk about day trips. 

Warsaw does have tour companies that can take you to Auschwitz Birkenau for the day from the city. 

If that’s too far, you can visit Treblinka Concentration Camp nearby. Tours to Treblinka are easy from Warsaw.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of visiting at least one of these places – they serve as powerful reminders of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust and will leave a lasting impact on anyone.

Warsaw is a captivating city that truly has it all.

Its rich history, stunning architecture, and its lively arts scene are worth a visit to the city.

And you can easily take unforgettable day trips from Warsaw.

The city has something for everyone.

Its modernism makes it easy for someone who wants to visit Poland while experiencing a large city vibe.

👉I recommend this hotel in Warsaw!

7. Bialystok: Among the Best Places to Visit in Poland for National Parks 

Bialystok is located in the Podlasie region, which is heavily forested, and naturally lends to two of Poland’s popular national parks, Bialowiezy National Park and Biebrza National Park. 

This region of Poland has the country’s lowest population density, mainly due to the natural landscapes and untouched forests.

The city once thrived as a center of textile production and was home to various languages and cultures – it even inspired the creation of Esperanto a constructed international auxiliary language ! 

Bialystok is home to Bialystok Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in Europe. Branicki Palace is located in this city and is arguably considered the “Polish Versailles.”

I liked visiting Branicki Palace as the outdoor space was large and had a beautiful fountain and greenery around.

The nearby Biebrza National Park offers breathtaking scenery that you won’t want to miss. I climbed to the top of its tower and as able to take in the surrounding views.

✨ TIP : I don’t recommend using the telescope on the tower, the closeup is blurry and you can only see the trees ✨

Bialystok is one of the best cities in Poland for its vicinity to so many parks.

The Bialowieza National Park is the only protected national park where you will find the largest free-roaming population of European bison, one of Poland’s informal national animals .

Bialystok offers a variety of accommodations, from hotels and apartments to hostels, catering to every budget.

Moreover, its location makes it a great base for exploring the surrounding areas such as the Pentowo, a small farm-stead in Tykocin known for its stork population.

Trust me when I say that Bialystok is an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Poland that you’ll definitely want to experience for yourself!

👉I recommend this hotel in Bialystok!

8. Sopot: One of the 10 Best Places to Visit in Poland for Beaches

Sopot is part of the TrojMiasto (tri-city), alongside Gdansk and Gdynia. 

As one of three Poland beach cities, the white sand and clear waters make Sopot the go-to beach city.

The city is much more compact than Gdansk and it exudes a more beachy and vibrant atmosphere.

The longest wooden pier in Europe, stretching over 650 meters, offers an unparalleled view of the beach and is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up some sun.

I liked walking the pier as it reminds me of one of those movies you see, where you have someone hanging out on a pier and all of a sudden having an inspirational “aha” moment.

Anyhoo, I also stumbled upon the quirky Krzywy Domek in Sopot.  It’s known as the Crooked House, which resembles something out of a Gaudi fever dream.

The city is most famous for the Sopot International Song Festival with this event being the largest of its kind in Europe after Eurovision. 

The city also boasts a range of museums and galleries, such as the Sopot Wax Museum and the City of Sopot Museum.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn about Sopot’s burgeoning tech sector, which draws ex-pats and professionals from all over Europe.

It has a dynamic atmosphere adding to the city’s charm and diversity.

If you want to head out on the water, there are plenty of boat tours that take you on the Baltic, or you can rent some kayaks and hang out in the water for the afternoon.

If you want a budget-friendly beach destination, Sopot is the place to go.

👉I recommend this hotel in Sopot (it’s the hotel in the picture)!

9. Torun: A City in Poland Famous for Copernicus

Nestled on the Vistula River, Torun is a charming city that’s perfect for exploring on foot.

This is one of my favorite ‘smaller cities’ in Poland.

I enjoy strolling the city through its narrow streets, or should I say “narrow street” which is an actual location in Torun that has become popular for its tight quarters.

Torun is home of Poland’s unique gingerbread and the birthplace of Nicholas Copernicus. 

As a result, Torun has quirky attractions, including the Museum of Gingerbread and even a Leaning Tower of Torun. They’re both fun places I liked exploring.

Architecture buffs will appreciate the buildings from the 13th and 14th centuries, making it one of the best cities in Poland for old architecture.

The city’s striking Gothic architecture, including churches, city gates, and castle ruins, is awe-inspiring. 

The iconic Teutonic Castle ruins are located here as well as St. John’s Cathedral from the 14th century.

Torun’s market square is one of the oldest in Europe and a place to explore.

I eventually learned about Torun’s past as a defensive stronghold and commercial hub, which made sense in hindsight.

Torun has a range of options for all budgets. 

I recommend the boutique Copernicus Torun Hotel, which is close to some of the city’s top attractions and only a few steps away from the Old Town Hall.

👉I recommend this hotel in Torun!

10. Poznan: One of the Top Cities in Poland for Trade and Culture

Poznan, located in western Poland, is a city that I’ve found to be filled with charm and history. 

From the colorful Old Market Square to the charming Croissant Museum. Poznan has an array of beautiful Renaissance-style buildings and fascinating museums.

One of my favorite experiences in Poznan is witnessing the city’s famous mechanical goats. 

Every day at noon, a crowd gathers beneath the Town Hall clock to watch these charming creatures emerge and butt heads 12 times. 

It’s a delightful, quirky tradition that truly sets Poznan apart. Last time I went, there were A LOT of people.

And of course, a must-visit attraction is the Croissant Museum.  You’ll learn about the history of the St. Martin’s Croissant and even have the chance to make one yourself. 

The hands-on experience is informative and tasty! I went into an English tour and our guide was hilarious, and played one or two fun jokes on audience members.

Poznan’s history is also worth exploring. The Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, located on Ostrow Tumski island, is an impressive example of Gothic architecture and the burial site of Polish kings. 

I also recommend a visit to the fascinating Imperial Castle, which houses art galleries, and cafes, and hosts various events throughout the year. 

One thing Poznan also does well is green spaces.

Poznan has some lovely green spaces to explore. I particularly enjoyed my time at Lake Malta, an artificially created lake and a popular spot for outdoor activities like walking, cycling, kayaking, and rowing.

The latter sees quite a few events take place during the warmer months.

A  stroll down the picturesque streets of Jeżyce, filled with beautiful pre-war architecture, charming cafes, and colorful street art should be part of everyone’s walking and sightseeing, I enjoyed my time here.

Poznan has the dual ability of offering water and land activities,  making this city a great option for those who love to do both, or simply want a variety of things to do and see.

👉I recommend this hotel in Poznan!

11. Lublin: One of Poland’s Best Cities for Historical Adventures

In the far east-central part of Poland, you will find Lublin, another city that doesn’t get much attention but absolutely should. I was inspired by this city. It’s a must visit.

Cobblestone streets of Old Town, medieval architecture, and a palpable sense of history around every corner of the city.

The Lublin Castle is a stunning fortress with roots dating back to the 12th century.

You can explore the castle’s chambers and admire the Gothic-style Holy Trinity Chapel.

You can’t help but feel transported back in time. 

The Street Art Festival, held annually in the city, is an event that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in experiencing Lublin’s thriving art scene firsthand.

There are paintings on buildings everywhere in the city, making it quite vibrant and pleasant to stroll through. It really is one of the best cities in Poland for street art.

There is a Lublin Underground Trail that takes you through a labyrinth of medieval cellars and tunnels beneath the Old Town. 

Visitors can climb up the Trinitarian Tower to get epic views of Lublin and the surrounding areas.  It’s worth heading up there if you’re in town. This is where I was able to take the picture you see above.

Lublin is also a city that commemorates its past, and a visit to the Majdanek State Museum is a sobering yet essential experience. 

This former Nazi concentration camp is located just outside the city. The museum offers a wealth of information and serves as an important memorial to those who suffered and perished there.

I visited when it was extremely hot, but appreciated that you could drive a car further in.

Given that Lublin is one of the few large cities in the far east, it serves as a good base city for exploring the surrounding area such as Roztocze National Park or Lake Zemborzycki reservoir near the city.

👉I recommend this hotel in Lublin!

12. Katowice: A Must-See Destination Among Polish Cities to Visit

A vibrant and progressive city, Katowice doesn’t usually make it a top place to visit.

But why is that?  The city is post-industrial, is more modern, and doesn’t have the historical flair most other Polish cities have.  I’ve visited it a few times already, and appreciate what it has to offer.

Its primary focus was industry but the city has been transforming and expanding, especially within its cutting-edge Cultural Zone. 

Music lovers, rejoice! The city offers an eclectic music scene, from jazz to opera, and hosts an array of music festivals throughout the year. 

The popular OFF alternative music festival takes place here every year, and it is no doubt, one of the most popular Polish music festivals in the country. This is a great reason to come to Katowice and I highly recommend it.

Katowice has an interesting history as well as it was once known for the coal mines in the area.

Nikiszowiec, a district that was once a separate city, is located right on the outskirts and the architecture is fascinating, with deep brown brick with red adorning the windows. This was my favorite place to visit, and I spent quite a bit of time wandering the streets.

Coal mining is still in the city with the functioning Wujek Coal Mine in operation.

Truthfully, the city’s transformation from an industrial hub to a cultural hotspot offers an intriguing narrative that should not be overlooked.

Go to Katowice to discover tradition overlap with innovation.

👉I recommend this hotel in Katowice!

13. Lodz: The Best City in Poland for Unique Museums

Lodz is an intriguing mix of industrial heritage, German occupation, and communist rule. 

As a former textile industrial center, one of the city’s attractions is the Central Museum of Textiles , which organizes workshops and showcases its collections through special exhibitions.

Łódź is also home to what was once one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in the world, Lodz Jewish Cemetery.

It served as a burial site during World War II, and the Germans forbade stone grave markers instead, burials took place with low cement or metal bed frames .

Nearby, Lodz is also a former Jewish ghetto from World War II. I visited and there was an aboveground tunnel that you can enter, as it subsists as a small museum.

Lodz has reinvented itself as a creative hub.

Museums such as the Book Art Museum, and a museum dedicated to the city’s twentieth-century sewers, give Lodz a leg up on interesting museums in Poland.

The main street, Piotrkowska Street, boasts beautifully renovated 19th-century buildings. I find this to be a nice area to stroll through.

Lodz certainly provides a wealth of experiences to satisfy your curiosity.

👉I recommend this hotel in Lodz!

14. Gdynia: One of the Best Places in Poland to Visit on the Baltic Coast

The third tri-city, this one has to be included if you end up visiting Gdansk or Sopot.

Gdynia is one of the best cities in Poland for good reason.

A relatively young city in northern Poland, emerged in the 1920s and 30s with its sleek modernist buildings, apartment blocks, and amenities, offering a contemporary vibe that attracts visitors looking for a laid-back getaway. 

Some of Gdynia’s must-see attractions include ORP Błyskawica, Dar Pomorza, Skwer Kościuszki, the Naval Museum, Kamienna Góra, Gdynia Beach, Orłowo Pier, Motor Museum, and the Museum of Gdynia. 

I find that visiting between May and September offers the best weather for exploring because it gets chilly on the coast during the winter and spring especially.

Gdynia has also earned the title of “freedom city” since the first free elections in 1989, making it a fantastic destination for those eager to immerse themselves in Poland’s rich culture and history. 

Gdynia has unique attractions, a gorgeous coastline, and a vibrant nightlife that make it worth visiting.

Plus pairing it with the other two tr-city cities allows you to hit all three in one go.

👉I recommend this hotel in Gdynia!

15. Bydgoszcz: A Beautiful Place in Poland with Picturesque Canals 

A city between two rivers, the Vistula and Oder rivers, Bydgoszcz is in a unique spot.

During my visit, I was impressed by the city’s strong academic presence, which includes Kazimierz Wielki University of Bydgoszcz, the University of Technology and Life Sciences, and the Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz.

For music and theater enthusiasts, the Pomeranian Philharmonic concert hall and the Opera Nova opera house are must-sees that offer captivating performances.

One thing that strikes me about Bydgoszcz is its unique blend of attractions.

You have the Gothic cathedral and the Brda River, and the charming Mill Island.

I enjoyed visiting the quirky Museum of Soap and History of Dirt!

The city’s trendy bars and restaurants, coupled with its affordable accommodations, made my stay all the more enjoyable.

Bydgoszcz’s strategic location, close to Warsaw and Gdansk, and its easy access to the Noteć, Warta, and Elbe rivers make it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding regions.

Bydgoszcz has something for every traveler, and I can’t recommend it enough for a unique and unforgettable Polish adventure.

👉I recommend this hotel in Bydgoszcz!

16. Tarnow: A Perfect Base for Exploring Poland Towns

I have to mention Tarnow, where my family owns a home. It absolutely deserves a spot on the best cities in Poland list.

It is tucked away in the southeastern region of Poland, an hour east of Krakow.

Tarnow is a mid-size Polish town, and it has well-preserved Renaissance and Gothic architecture.

The central square has a 14th-century Town Hall, as well as a city museum.

There is also one long main road that starts at the main city basilica, which then connects up the hill, to the walking area to the left, and another basilica at the top and onto the main central square. 

I always enjoy strolling on the main street as it also has one of my favorite bakeries, Tatrzanska.

Tarnow is also a good midway location for anyone who is flying into either Rzeszow or Krakow. It’s right in the middle between both cities, making it a good base city for anyone looking for a smaller Polish city.  

One of the famous Polish cities, Zalipie, is a short drive away. This city is known for its painted houses and attracts many tourists throughout the year.

Other nearby small towns are also worth exploring. Many of which famously have only one road into and out of town.

Tarnow has an interesting history.

The first train to Auschwitz came from Tarnow, and some of the older residents I have spoken with still remember this.

There is also a Jewish cemetery in town, as well as other poignant reminders of Poland’s history.

👉I recommend this hotel in Tarnow!

17. Karpacz: One of the Best Towns in Poland

Karpacz is a charming town that serves as a little retreat. It is one of the best places to visit in Poland during winter, as it is known as a popular winter ski town. 

This Polish town is in the heart of the Karkonocze Mountains also knowns as the Giant Mountains.

The highest peak, Sniezka Mountain is among Poland’s most renowned gems.

The Wild Waterfall and the Wang Temple are two places of interest in Karpacz. Interestingly, the Wang Temple was brought to the town from Norway in the 19th century and is Poland’s only stave church .

Karpacz is actually home to several luxurious spas and wellness centers.

Due to this, there are quite a bit of services available in the area including soothing massages, thermal pools, and holistic treatments.

The town’s tranquil atmosphere and picturesque setting make it one of the best places in Poland to unwind and recharge.

👉I recommend this hotel in Karpacz!

Quick Recap: 17 Poland Cities Worth Visiting

1. krakow: the jewel of poland city names.

Discover the beautiful Poland city of Krakow, famous for its medieval architecture and rich history.

One of the best cities in Poland for culture enthusiasts.

Some of the best day trips from Krakow include Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wieliczka Salt Mine, and Zakopane, each offering a different perspective on Poland’s rich history and beauty. 

2. Gdańsk: The Baltic Pearl

Experience Gdańsk, a coastal city on the Poland cities map known for its unique charm and maritime history. A top destination among Poland cities.

3. Wrocław: The City of a Hundred Bridges

Explore Wrocław, a picturesque city famous for its colorful market square and whimsical gnome statues. One of the best cities Poland has to offer.

4. Zakopane: Gateway to the Tatra Mountains

Visit Zakopane, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking the beauty of the Tatra Mountains. A must-see among the largest cities in Poland.

5. Szczecin: The Maritime Capital

Discover Szczecin, a Poland city boasting a rich maritime history and beautiful green spaces. A unique addition to your visiting Poland itinerary.

6. Warsaw: The Resilient Capital

Experience Warsaw, Poland’s capital city, and a symbol of resilience. A fascinating mix of history and modernity, and one of the biggest cities in Poland.

7. Białystok: The Green City

Explore Białystok, a Polish city known for its lush parks and diverse cultural heritage. A hidden gem among cities of Poland.

8. Sopot: The Elegant Seaside Resort

Unwind in Sopot, a charming coastal town offering sandy beaches and a vibrant nightlife scene. A relaxing escape in the tourism of Poland.

9. Toruń: The Birthplace of Copernicus

Visit Toruń, a historic town in Poland famous as the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. A must-see for history and science lovers.

10. Poznań: Top Cities in Poland for Trade and Culture

Poznań, is one of the major cities in Poland known for its vibrant arts scene and bustling market square. 

11. Lublin: The City of Inspiration

Lublin, is one of the best cities to visit in Poland, with a range of colorful buildings, various architectural styles, and lively art and music scenes.

12. Katowice: The Industrial Heartland

Katowice one of Poland’s biggest cities for industry, is experiencing a cultural rebirth. The Silesian museum is a must-see. Katowice is also the center for many well-known businesses.

13. Łódź: The City of Creative Energy

Visit Łódź, a city known for its creative spirit and impressive revitalization projects. A unique destination in Poland famous for its artistic atmosphere.

14. Gdynia: The Modern Maritime City

Discover Gdynia, a bustling port city offering a mix of modernity and maritime history. A gem among the best city Poland has to offer.

15. Bydgoszcz: The Little Venice of Poland

One of Poland’s major cities, Bydgoszcz is known for its canals, making it one of the more cool places in Poland to visit in Poland. Nothing like taking a water tram along its unique canals.

16. Tarnów: A Historic and Charming Polish Gem

Tarnów, is a city known for its well-preserved architecture. A perfect base between two major cities and international airports. 

17. Karpacz: A Serene Mountain Escape

Karpacz, is a charming mountain town offering stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures, and rejuvenating experiences. An enchanting retreat in Poland’s Karkonosze Mountains.

Best Cities in Poland: FAQ’s

Where is the most beautiful city in poland.

The most beautiful city is subjective.  Many people consider Krakow to be quite beautiful, as its Old Town and surrounding areas have been well preserved.  It has a rich history and is a stunning city to visit.

What is the best city to stay in Poland?

This depends on your interests, but Krakow and Warsaw are accessible, making it easier to fly into from an international destination. 

What are the top five best cities in Poland?

The top 5 cities vary but at the moment, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Zakopane, Szczecin are fantastic cities to visit and offer an array of things to do and see.

What is the most charming town in Poland?

There are many. Kazimierz Dolny has been cited as having beautiful Renaissance architecture and picturesque streets to walk through.

Is Warsaw or Krakow better?

Both Warsaw and Kraków have unique charms; Warsaw is modern and vibrant, while Kraków is historic and picturesque.

What is worth seeing in Poland?

It is Worth seeing: Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wrocław’s Market Square, Krakow Old Town and Wawel Castle, Gdańsk’s Old Town and seashore, and Zakopane’s Tatra Mountains.

What are the most underrated cities in Poland?

Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Lublin, Bialystok, Poznan are a few underrated cities that don’t get as many visitors as some of the major cities.

What are the best holiday places in Poland in the summer?

For the summer, the Baltic Coast is a great option.  The Tricity area of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot are ideal places to stay and are among the best beach towns in Poland.  Wroclaw and Torun are great bases to stay for visiting numerous castles in the area.

What are the best cities to visit in Poland in the winter?

In the winter, one of the best places to visit in Poland in winter is Zakopane in the Tatra Mountain Range. This area is amazing for skiing and outdoor winter activities that are hard to beat.  It is one of the more famous cities in Poland as it is well known for winter sports.

What are the biggest cities in Poland?

In order of population, Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Wroclaw, Poznan Gdansk, Szczecin are the biggest cities in Poland .

What is the cleanest city in poland?

Poznan has been cited for its cleanliness and eco friendly initiatives.

What time of year is best to see Poland?

The best time to visit Poland for fewer crowds is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September). However, for festivals and weather, summer in Poland is ideal.

How many days are enough for Poland?

Poland is quite large and depending on which cities you plan to visit, anywhere from 7-21 days, if you plan on covering most of the country.  Two weeks is a good amount of time to hit the major cities and explore them for a few days.

What are 3 important things Poland is known for?

Poland is famous for its rich history, delicious food, architecture, pottery, amber and a mix of other things.

What language is spoken in Poland?

The official language of Poland is Polish.  It’s good to learn how to say certain phrases like hello in Polish before visiting.

What is the most visited site in Poland?

Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former Nazi concentration camp, is the most visited site in Poland.  This site can be reached on your own from Krakow , or by organized tour from Warsaw , Wroclaw and Krakow .

What attractions can be found in the cities of Poland?

Main attractions in Polish cities range from historical sites, museums, churches, to modern art galleries and shopping centers.

How do the cities of Poland compare to other cities in Europe?

Polish cities have their charm, deep history, varied architecture, and most importantly, affordability compared to many popular European destinations.

What is the transportation like in the cities of Poland?

Transportation in Polish cities is well-organized with buses, trams, and trains, making it easy to explore.

Are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the cities of Poland?

There are 17 UNESCO sites in Poland . This includes Kraków’s Historic Centre, Warsaw’s Old Town and Auschwitz-Birkenau.

What are the best cities in Poland for nightlife? 

Krakow and Warsaw top the list for nightlife. Nightlife in Polish cities offers bars, clubs, and cozy cafes to suit various tastes.

What are the best cities in Poland to live in?

For a mix of history, Krakow.  For a diverse population and modern flair, Warsaw.  For beaches, Sopot, Gdynia or Gdansk. 

What is the food like in the cities of Poland?

There are great dishes to be tried in Poland. Food in Polish cities is hearty and delicious, with dishes like pierogi, placki ziemniaczane, and żurek.

What are the top tourist attractions in the cities of Poland?

Top tourist attractions include Wawel Castle in Kraków, Warsaw’s Royal Castle, and Gdańsk’s St. Mary’s Church.

What is the average cost of travel to the cities of Poland?

The average cost of travel in Polish cities is relatively affordable, with budget options for accommodation, food, and attractions. Food is relatively inexpensive as are accommodations.

Final Thoughts: The Best Cities In Poland to Visit

Our rundown of the best cities in Poland is only the beginning. 

Travelers looking to explore the country will find plenty of the best places to see in Poland, from historic sites to natural wonders. 

The best cities to visit in Poland from this list include Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk, but that doesn’t mean we have covered them all.  

There are plenty of charming towns in Poland as well.

If you want to know about the top must-see places in Poland, you have Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Wawel Castle in Krakow, and the Białowieża Forest-these would be my top three.

When it comes to the most beautiful city in Poland, this can be subjective.

If you love architecture, you have many Polish cities to choose from. 

For painted houses, the small town of Zalipie will be nice to visit.

For beaches and sea, the Baltic Coast cities should be at the top of your list.

One of the most beautiful places in Poland, without a doubt,  includes the Tatra Mountains in the south.

But in reality, there are many nice places in Poland to visit, with each place having its own allure. 

For nightlife enthusiasts, the best cities in Poland for nightlife are Warsaw, Krakow, and Wrocław. 

These cities not only have great nightlife but also offer a diverse range of attractions and experiences. 

For those seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures, hidden gems in Poland like Morskie Oko near Zakopane or the beaches in Torun can be excellent choices, providing unique and authentic experiences.

When it comes to accommodations, the best place to stay in Poland varies depending on personal preferences and budget.

Krakow and Rzeszow both have international airports and are good bases for discovering southern Poland.

However, my personal preference of some of the best places to stay in Poland includes hotels in Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw.

And, without a doubt, castle stays including Czocha, Moszna and Ksiaz Castle, all of which I have stayed at, I would highly recommend.

With so many amazing cities and destinations to choose from, the best city in Poland ultimately depends on individual preferences and interests.

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or nightlife seeker, finding which of the best cities in Poland is suitable for you comes through experience. 

Why not just pick one and go visit?

Then come back and let me know what you thought.

Poland Travel Planning Guide

🚑 Should I buy Poland travel insurance?

100% YES – With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD amount per day, you have peace of mind with a plan from  Travel Insurance Master , one of the biggest nameS in travel insurance.  It’s quick and simple to use.

🚙💨  Should I rent a car in Poland?

Yes- Renting a car in Poland is one of the best ways to see the country!  I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks both international companies and local Polish companies, so you get the best rates.

📲  Will my phone work in Poland?

Maybe- It depends on your company, but traveling abroad can get costly depending on who you’re with.  If you don’t have coverage for Europe, you can get access to an eSim with unlimited data with Airalo .

🎫  Do I need a visa for Poland?

Likely Not  — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Poland; but check here  to see if you do need a Poland travel visa. For U.S. citizens , you can stay up to 90 days without a visa.

READ MORE POSTS ABOUT TRAVEL, CULTURE AND FACTS IN POLAND

• Best Krakow to Auschwitz Tours
• Best Tours to Auschwitz from Warsaw You Can’t Miss
• What is Poland Famous For: Amazing Things Poland is Known For
• Krakow to Auschwitz: A Complete Guide
• How to buy PKP Intercity Tickets Online
• Best Polish Vodka from Poland-Your Complete Guide to Polish Vodka Brands
• Invaded But Invincible: How Many Times Has Poland Been Invaded
• Summer in Poland: Discover the Best Places to Visit
• The National Flower of Poland: Exploring the Significance of the Red Poppy
• Poland National Animal: An Intriguing Backstory
• Good Morning in Polish & Useful Polish Phrases 

Diana is the founder of Travels in Poland. She is Polish-American and has lived on and off in Poland for over three decades. She has a family home in Tarnow, Poland and continues to travel extensively throughout Poland, providing her knowledge and expertise to other travelers.

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10 best cities in Poland to visit

Poland may not be on top of many people’s bucket lists as a top European destination but it should be. The best cities in Poland to visit stretch from the Tatra Mountains in the south to the waters of the Baltic Sea in the north.

From a country that suffered deeply in WW2 to a now emerging destination with the largest amount of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Central Europe, Poland’s best cities are an interesting mix of attractions, history, and culture.

Places to stay in Warsaw:

Places to stay in kraków:, places to stay in zakopane:, best places to stay in wroclaw:, best places to stay in rzeszow:, best places to stay in lodz:, best places to stay in poznan:, best places to stay in gdansk:, best places to stay in lublin:, more reasons to visit poland, why should you visit poland.

Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk are popular Poland cities to visit but do not stop there. Poland is a beautiful country with many interesting tourist destinations. While it is known for its heartbreaking past there is so much to discover when you visit Poland.

Sightseeing in Poland is easy with many organised tours, free walking tours and public transport within the cities in Poland . The best Polish cities will have you out exploring attractions all day

Food is also a great way to experience Poland’s biggest cities. From hearty, filling meals to their world-famous dumplings and pierogi, you will find a delight while you are touring the best cities in Poland.

Where are the best cities in Poland?

The best cities in Poland to visit for tourists are the capital cities of Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Wroclaw, Rzeszow, Bialystok, Lodz , Lublin and Gdansk. These Poland cities offer a variety of activities and attractions that are sure to please tourists of all ages when you visit Poland.

Best cities to visit in Poland – Warsaw

Warsaw, the capital is a must-see in Poland, it is a city rich in history and culture. It’s a popular tourist destination in Poland for those interested in learning more about the country’s past.

There are many museums and historical sites to visit in Warsaw, as well as restaurants and shops to enjoy. Warsaw is also home to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of clubs and bars to choose from. For many, Warsaw is at the top of the best cities in Poland to visit with its World War II history and diverse architectural styles. The best city breaks in Poland must include Warsaw.

Best things to do in Warsaw: Warsaw Old Town, Warsaw Castle , Palace of Science and Culture, POLN Museum, Warsaw Uprising Museum. Warsaw food tour.

Things to see near Warsaw: Treblinka Concentration Camp

Making your trip to Warsaw hassle-free is paramount, and getting the best accommodation in Warsaw for your vacation to Poland is extremely important. Below are plenty of options for your holiday in Warsaw.

• Sofitel Warsaw Victoria
• PURO Warszawa
• NYX Hotel Warsaw
• City Centre Apartment
• Cooee Apartments
• Studio Kopernik
• Oki Doki Hostel
• Safestay Hostel
• Chillout Hostel

Planning to see more in Warsaw?  Use our epic 2 day Warsaw itinerary

Poland’s best cities – Krakow

One of the best places in Poland to visit is the historic city of Kraków , renowned for its stunning architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Krakow, the former royal capital, is an amazing city to visit in Poland.

There is so much to see and do in this Polish city, you could easily spend a week or two exploring Krakow and everything it has to offer visitors.

The Krakow Old Town is absolutely beautiful, and it’s easy to get around on foot. There are also plenty of interesting cultural sites, churches and other historical sites to check out.

Kraków once the capital of Poland is also home to some great places to stay , restaurants and bars. If you’re looking for a fun city with a lively nightlife scene, Krakow is one of the best cities in Poland to visit.

Best things to do in Krakow: Wawel Castle , Market Square, Kraków Old Town , St Marys Basillica, Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory , National Museum in Kraków.

Best things to see near Krakow: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Wieliczka Salt Mine

Krakow is often considered the best place to visit in Poland due to its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Finding the best accommodation in Krakow is easy .

There are so many options for budget travel all the way to luxury travel in Krakow . Below we have some great accommodation options in Krakow for your trip to Poland.

• PURO Krakow Kazimierz
• Hotel Unicus Palace
• Metropolitan Boutique Hotel
• Turquoise Apartment
• Apartment Rakowicka
• Florianska PopArt Apartment
• Jordan Guest Rooms
• Evergreen Hostel Krakow

Read more: The best day trips from Krakow to Auschwitz

Zakopane – best cities in Poland

Zakopane is a town located in the southernmost region of Poland. Nestled in the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is a popular tourist destination for people looking to enjoy the outdoors. No matter what the season there are so many options when you visit Zakopane.

Visitors to Zakopane can enjoy hiking and skiing in the winter, and sightseeing and swimming in the summer . Zakopane is also known for its traditional Polish culture and cuisine, making it one of Poland’s best cities in any season.

The best things to see in Zakopane: Tatry National Park, Gubalowka Cable Car, Krupowki Shopping Street, Zakopane Ski Jump, and The Tatra Museum.

In Zakopane, you will find one of the most unique accommodations in Poland. Traditional wooden houses are dotted through the city as well as ski chalets and amazing hotels.

• Grand Hotel Stamary
• Aries Hotel and Spa
• Hotel Wersal
• Apartment Zakopane
• Vacation Home duzy
• Brzozowa Apartment
• Guesthouse Benita
• Szarotka Pension
• Good Bye Lenin Hostel Zakopane

Best Poland cities – Wroclaw

There are plenty of things to see and do in Wrocław. The lovely old town of Wroclaw with its cobbled streets is a particularly beautiful area, with a lovely cathedral, historic town square and river running through it.

The colorful buildings are featured on many postcards and are a picture-perfect backdrop when you visit Wroclaw.

Be sure to check out the statues of the gnomes – small, gnome-like creatures that are said to bring good luck, which are spread out around the city, which is a great free activity in Wroclaw. The city centre is home to many bars and restaurants in the area, making it one of the cool places in Poland

Best things to see in Wroclaw: Market Square, Cathedral of St John the Baptist, National Museum, Aquapark Wroclaw, Museum of Contemporary Art, Gnome statues

Things to see near Wroclaw: Ksiaz Castle

Wroclaw accommodation is easy and there are many that have great access to all the best tourist attractions in Wroclaw.

• Novotel Wroclaw City
• PURO Wroclaw Stare Miasto
• The Granary – La Suite Hotel
• Market Square studio
• Apartment W Starym Sadzie
• Apartment Róży Wiatrów
• Boogie Deluxe
• Mleczarnia Hostel
• Babel Hostel

Discover more: Chase the infamous gold train with a visit to Ksiaz Castle

Best Poland cities – Lodz

Lodz, the third-largest city in Poland, is a major cultural centre. Located in central Poland, Lodz is a city that is well worth a visit on your trip to Poland. While it may not be as well known as some other Polish cities, Lodz has a lot to offer tourists.

The city’s history dates back to the fifteenth century, and there are plenty of historical sights to see such as The Old Town with its Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Lodz is also home to a number of museums and art galleries including The Manufaktura, a large open-air museum. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy along Piotrkowska Street.

Things to do in Lodz: Central Museum of Textiles, Lodz Zoo, Herst Palace Museum, Fala Aquapark, Lodz Ghetto, Lodz Museum of Independence. Manufaktura, Palace of I. Poznański, Old Town walking tour

Things to see near Lodz: Uniejów Thermal Baths,

On your vacation to Lodz, there are numerous places to stay. Chose the best Lodz accommodation for your stay with the options below.

• PURO Lodz Centrum
• Double Tree by Hilton
• Stare Kino Cinema Residence
• Cosy Studio Lodz
• Red Brick Apartment downtown Łódź
• New apartment Wroblewskiego
• Hostel Umed
• Royal Aparthotel Piotrkowska

Want to take Poland home with you?  Here are all the best Polish souvenirs you should consider

Poznan – Best cities in Poland

Poznan, located in western Poland, is a city with plenty of history and culture to offer visitors. The Old Town Square is an amazing location, while The Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul is the oldest cathedral in Poland.

There are many museums and the beautiful Poznan Royal Castle to explore, as well as lively nightlife and plenty of restaurants serving up traditional Polish cuisine. Poznan is also a great base for exploring the rest of Poland, with easy access to both the Baltic Sea and the mountains making Poznan one of the best cities in Poland.

Things to do in Poznan: Poznan Royal Castle, Poznan City Tour , Poznan Croissant Museum, Citadel Park, Museum of Armoured Weapons, Poznan National Museum.

Poznan is one of the top tourist destinations in Poland so you will find a wealth of accommodation for your stay in Poznan.

• Hampton By Hilton Poznan Old Town
• PURO Hotel Poznan Stare Miasto
• Park Inn by Radisson Poznan
• Poznań Garbary
• Balcony Apartment Poznan
• Apartment Niedziałkowskiego
• La Guitarra Hostel
• Blooms Boutique Hostel
• Cinema Hostel & Apartments

Poland city breaks – Gdansk

One of the best places in Poland to visit is the charming city of Gdansk. Gdansk is a city in northern Poland on the Baltic Sea and is the capital of Pomerania Voivodeship. Gdansk’s historical old town and its architecture are notable tourist attractions. The city is well known for its amber, which can be found in jewellery and other items throughout the city.

Gdansk is a popular Baltic coast tourist destination in Poland, with attractions including the Gdańsk Old Town, Main Square, Town Hall, Artus Court, and Neptune’s Fountain. There are also plenty of churches and other historical sites to see in Gdansk one of the best cities in Poland.

Things to do in Gdansk: Museum of the Second World War, Neptune’s Statue, Pier in Sopot, Guided tour on a boat , The Amber Museum, Crane, the Branch of the National Maritime Museum, and Wisłoujście Fortress.

Things to see near Gdansk: Malbork Castle , Stutthof Concentration Camp

Making your trip to the Polish port city of Gdańsk hassle-free will ensure a wonderful trip to Poland. Getting the best accommodation in Gdansk for your vacation to Poland is extremely important. Below are plenty of options for your holiday in Gdansk .

• Hotel Amber
• PURO Gdansk Stare Miasto
• Fama Residence Old Town Gdansk
• Apartment Wybickiego
• Luxury Chmielna Apartment City Center
• Gdansk Riverview Apartment
• Mamas & Papas Hostel
• Grand Hostel
• Szafarnia 10 Bed & Breakfast

Looking for some extra fun in Poland?  Check   out one of these amazing festivals in Poland

Beautiful cities in Poland – Lublin

Lublin, Poland is a city that is rich in history and culture. There are many attractions and sites to see in Lublin, which makes it a popular destination for tourists. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Lublin include the Old Town, the Lublin Castle, and Kosciuszko Park. Lublin makes a great Poland holiday.

The Old Town is a historic district that is full of beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets. The Lublin Castle is a medieval castle that was once used as a fortress. Kosciuszko Park is a large park that features gardens, ponds, and a zoo.

There are also many other attractions and sites to see in Lublin , including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Holy Trinity Church, and the New Jewish Cemetery. Lublin is one of the best cities in Poland to visit.

Things to see in Lublin: Lublin Castle, Majdanek Concentration Camp, Crakow Gate, Lublin History Museum, Lublin Walking tour, Lublin Open Air Village Museum

Things to do near Lublin: Chelm Calk Mines

Finding the best accommodation in Lublin is easy. There are so many options for budget travel all the way to luxury travel in Lublin. Below we have some great accommodation options in Lubin for your trip to Poland.

• Wieniawski Hotel
• Hampton by Hilton Lublin
• Ibis Styles Lublin Stare Maistro
• Apartamenty Polonia
• Zamkowy Apartament
• Premium Village Apartment
• Rodmos Hostel
• iroom Lublin

Bialystock – Poland cities

If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination to explore in Poland, then Bialystock, Poland is worth considering. This small town is located in the southeast of the country and is home to a number of tourist attractions and things to see making it one of the best cities in Poland off the beaten track.

The most famous landmark in Bialystock is the Historic Old Town, full of winding streets, colourful buildings, and ancient churches making it one of the best places to visit in Poland

You can also visit the Bialystock Zoo, which is one of the oldest zoos in Europe, or take a trip to the nearby Biebrza National Park for some beautiful natural Polish scenery. There are also a number of restaurants and bars in Bialystock where you can sample traditional Polish cuisine.

Things to do in Bialystok: Branicki Palace, Army Museum in Bialystok, Kosciuszko Market Square, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed, Jurajski Park Dinozaurów, City Walking Tour , Eat traditional foods

Things to see near Bialystok: European Stork farm, Tykocin, The Biebrza National Park

Best places to stay in Bialystok:

Easily find all the best accommodations in Bialystok from the selection below.

• Best Western Hotel Cristal
• Hotel Podlasie
• Hotel Aristo
• Apartament Bakossa Białystok
• Kamienica Zamenhofa
• Hostel Bialystok Centrum

We hope this article from us here at Poland, Travel Expert on all the best city break destinations in Poland has encouraged you to book a trip to Poland. While Krakow is widely regarded as the best city to visit in Poland all of the above-mentioned places are top cities in Poland.

We are sure you will enjoy your vacation in many Poland towns and cities and find many things to do along the way. Anything from Luxury Poland Vacations to budget holidays can suit everyone in the major cities of Poland.

Poland Travel Expert   is your ultimate guide to all things Poland. Your next trip to Poland will not be complete without our detailed Poland guides, Poland itineraries and Poland travel tips.

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July 1, 2023

Author Bio: Mark Wyld

Mark Wyld is a Father, husband, traveller, and writer at Poland Travel Expert and other blogs. I have accumulated a wealth of experience over multiple visits to Poland. Thanks to our friends in Poland, we stay connected to the nation’s pulse, ensuring that our content is up to date with our first-hand experience. The information on this website is backed by genuine expertise.

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15 Best Cities to Visit in Poland

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on April 15, 2024

Despite having undergone so much suffering and destruction during the Second World War, Poland remains a fascinating placesto explore. Magical old towns with their cobbled streets and beautiful architecture sit next to communist-era buildings and delightful Gothic churches.

Fantastic restaurants can be found wherever you go and there is an abundance of lively nightlife spots throughout the country. With beautiful mountains on offer, as well as lovely seaside resorts, the diverse landscapes that surround the best cities in Poland add yet more possibilities to visitor’s itineraries.

Once home to a thriving Jewish population, Poland’s cities are now home to poignant memorials and monuments to the victims of one of the biggest tragedies of the 20th Century, with many visitors heading to sites such as Auschwitz to pay homage to and learn about the atrocities of the past.

15. Olsztyn

Founded in the 14th Century, Olsztyn has a long and varied history, as is evidenced by its picturesque Old Town. Wandering through the cobbled streets past delightful old buildings is a relaxing way to spend your time, and there are numerous sites alluding to the days when it was ruled by Prussia.

An important city in the area, Olsztyn has all the usual facilities and services on offer for a city of its size. Often overlooked by tourists, most people who head here use it as a base from which to visit other attractions in the region.

14. Zakopane

Lying on the lower slopes of the Tatras, Poland’s most famous mountain resort is a great place to visit if you love the outdoors. However, due to Zakopane’s fantastic hiking and skiing, it can get a bit too crowded in the high months of both summer and winter.

Well worth a visit though, lovely wooden villas can be found around the city, and the picturesque setting only adds to Zakopane’s charm. Due to its lovely features, many artists, poets, writers and painters used to head here for inspiration.

13. Bialystok

The largest city in Podlasie, Bialystok’s proximity to Belarus means that it has a captivating mix of both cultures present within its confines. Born out of the textile boom, the city was once a much more diverse place to visit – its various languages and cultures inspired the creation of Esperanto.

Sadly, the Nazis destroyed much of Bialystok and murdered half of the population, putting an end to this intoxicating mix of peoples. Now, historical sites are understandably scarce, although it is a friendly and welcoming place to stop by. Many people use Bialystok as a base from which to explore the nearby national parks.

Having become a city relatively recently, Gdynia’s development only really took off once the government built a deep-sea port here in the 1920’s, so there is a very Modernist feel to the architecture here.

With a very long seashore, Gdynia has some lovely promenades and waterfronts to enjoy, as well as the fantastic beaches themselves. The second largest Polish port, there is some great nightlife on offer, as well as some sumptuous restaurants to check out.

A popular seaside resort, Sopot attracts the rich and famous with its elegant villas, posh restaurants and pounding nightlife. Formerly a fishing village, its packed and overdeveloped seafront now obscures the relics of the past, but you can still find traces of what it used to be like hidden around the city.

Lying on the Baltic, Sopot has some nice beaches. In summer, droves of people head here to enjoy all the pleasures on offer.

10. Szczecin

Lying between Berlin and Gdansk, this busy port city has an eclectic mix of different architectural styles and is seldom visited by non-German tourists. Although renovations are ongoing, Szczecin is falling apart a bit – old art nouveau mansions now lie side by side with modern glass shopping malls, derelict buildings and empty plots.

The city center has lots of shopping and dining options and its large student body and busy port mean that there’s a youthful vibe in town.

The third-largest city in the country, Lodz’s industrial past , coupled with German occupation and communist rule, has resulted in grim and decaying streets and buildings. Hope is at hand, however, as a massive renovation program has led to shopping malls and business centers springing up among the ruins of the past. A nice pedestrian street is now running through the heart of the city.

This mix is fascinating to witness, and you can find some hidden gems scattered around the old industrial warehouses. For visitors interested in Jewish history and heritage, the city’s monuments and cemetery are now a sad and poignant reminder of Lodz’s once-thriving Jewish population.

8. Katowice

A relatively new city, Katowice owes its current standing to its location at the center of fourteen cities in its region of Poland, and the industrial boom of the 19th Century. Consequently, it is a commercial and cultural center within the region, although it lacks historical sites due to its relatively recent emergence.

With lots of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from, as well as some interesting cultural sites, Katowice is well worth a visit and has great transport links to the surrounding area.

While not the prettiest place in the world, Lublin has more than enough to justify a visit to the city. Heavily bombed in the Second World War, the post-war communist era buildings give Lublin a slightly drab look, although there are some nice town houses to be found here and there.

The largest city in the southeast of the country, there are lots of bars, restaurants, cafes and clubs, as well as a number of cultural attractions which are worth a visit. Once nicknamed the ‘Jewish Oxford,’ as it was a thriving Jewish center of learning, Lublin still has a number of interesting sights relating to its Jewish past, despite the horrors of WWII – which tragically put an end to this rich cultural heritage.

Located on the Vistula, this lovely city is an absolute delight to wander around – its peaceful streets seem a world away from more popular tourist destinations in Poland. A walled city, Torun’s Gothic old town has some fantastic architecture for visitors to view.

Unlike many cities in Poland, it thankfully emerged relatively unscathed from WWII. Tucked away amidst its winding streets you’ll find lovely atmospheric bars and restaurants, as well sights and images related to two of Torun’s claims to fame – Nicolaus Copernicus, who was born here, and the famous gingerbread that originated from the city.

Buzzing with energy and a youthful feel, Poznan is a fun city to hang out in. The capital of Wielkopolska, its old town has lots of great historical sites to visit, as well as some fantastic museums.

The city’s large student population means that its restaurants, bars and clubs are full of life, while the trade fairs that are hosted in Poznan attract a different clientele entirely. From here, there are great transport links from which you can explore the surrounding region.

A charming place to visit, Wroclaw’s diverse influences have resulted in a unique look and culture to the city. With Austria, Bohemia and Prussia all having had an impact on the city’s development, the architecture reflects Wroclaw’s past, as evidenced by the spectacular Rynek market square.

Located on the Odra River, Wroclaw has a plethora of bridges and lovely parks lining its banks, which make it a picturesque place to relax – the delightful Cathedral Island is definitely worth stopping by.

The fourth-largest city in the country has a lively arts and culture scene, with lots of festivals and events taking place here throughout the year. With a large student population and bustling nightlife scene, Wroclaw has everything you could want in a city.

Unlike any other city in Poland, Gdansk’s tumultuous history has resulted in a unique identity and look. Due to its large port, wealthy merchants coming here to trade left their mark, while its strategic location meant it was once fought over by Teutonic Prussia and Poland.

Consequently, there are a lot of diverse architectural styles on show, and the post-WWII reconstruction of Gdansk only added to this. A popular destination, its cobbled streets are lined with delightful old churches and elegant buildings, while interesting museums lie side by side with shops, restaurants and cafes.

You can kick back and relax at some of the lovely beer gardens, or take a boat cruise from the port. From here, you can easily explore other places along the Baltic coast.

Almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, the city’s old town has been painstakingly restored to some of its former glory. A mishmash of different architectural styles, Gothic churches, fantastic museums and modern edifices can be found among the drab grey concrete buildings of the communist era.

With some lovely parks and diverse neighborhoods to wander around, Warsaw has many different sides to it. The nation’s capital is a fun and interesting place to explore, with a plethora of great, cheap restaurants, bars and clubs for visitors and locals alike to indulge at.

For a great view of Warsaw, head to the top of the domineering Palace of Culture and Science that towers over the tiny buildings below.

An atmospheric place to visit, Krakow’s gorgeous Old Town is mesmerizing – delightful churches and old buildings line its picturesque squares. In fact, it has the biggest market square in Europe, in the shape of Rynek Glowny. A popular tourist destination, the former royal capital has lots to see and do , with Wawel Castle being just one of the highlights.

See also: Where to Stay in Krakow

Myriad restaurants and bars can be found throughout the city. There are endless options for great nightlife here if you get tired of exploring its historical sites and fantastic museums. The former Jewish quarter with all its synagogues is somber to walk around, and many tourists visit Krakow to take a trip to Auschwitz – a haunting yet important experience.

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Tourism in Wroclaw

Hotels in wroclaw.

Wrocław is one of the oldest and the most beautiful cities in Poland . Situated at the foot of the Sudetes, by the Oder river, criss-crossed by its numerous tributaries and channels, it is an exceptional city of 12 islands and more than 100 bridges.

The walls are steeped in the city’s rich and turbulent history. Ostrów Tumski, “the Cathedral Island”, one of the most beautiful surviving sacred architecture sites in Europe, is a reminder of the early Middle Ages. The Wrocław city hall is counted among the most splendid Gothic-Renaissance buildings in Central Europe. The large market square, enclosed by impressive tenement houses, after a thorough renovation in 1997 is without a doubt the most beautiful in Poland and one of the most beautiful in Europe.

The city also boasts many green spaces , starting with Promenady Staromiejskie (Old Town Promenades) in the city centre and more than 14 parks and gardens further in. The Botanical Garden, with its beautiful flower garden, orangery, rock garden and cactus greenhouse, as well as the Zoological Garden, funded in 1865, are both perfect places for taking a walk. Park Szczytnicki, too, will surprise you with an exceptional attraction: an original Japanese Garden. 

Discover Wrocław in a private walking tour , or take a comfortable 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour by Electric Car to see the main attractions.

Wrocław is also a dynamic centre of culture . Numerous theatres, an opera, a concert hall and many clubs, museums and galleries ensure a rich programme of artistic events. Various musical and film festivals of international renown has become the city’s trademark.

Wrocław is a wondrous city of rich history and exceptional beauty, appreciated both by its residents and its guests. When visiting our city, you will be discovering truly magical places. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Let’s meet in Wrocław!  #visitWro

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Korona Market Square  ★★★

The town square is 300m away

This hotel has an excellent location score of 9.8

Aparthotel MARINA 

The town square is 800m away

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Puro Wroclaw  ★★★★

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The market square.

Hustling and bustling both day and night the Market Square is the very heart of Wrocław. The centre of the square features the Cloth Hall and the Town Hall, the latter being a unique specimen of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. In front of its eastern façade stands the faithful copy of the mediaeval Pillory, and in front of the western façade the Aleksander Fredro Monument. The Market Square is surrounded by beautiful town houses.

ZOO & Afrykarium

The Wrocław Zoo is one of the oldest and largest Polish zoo. The Zoo features both historic facilities, including the bear tower, elephant house and monkey house, and modern pavilions such as the Afrykarium, which is a unique complex showcasing a variety of Africa's aquatic habitats. The idea of Wrocław Afrykarium is to present the selected ecosystems of Africa. Afrykarium was built to the newest technologies, never used in Poland before.

Ostrów Tumski

Ostrów Tumski is an island and the oldest part of Wrocław. The most prominent monuments are: the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, the Holy Cross and Saint Bartholomew's Collegiate and the Archdiocese Museum, which for more than one hundred years has been collecting sacred art, including the Book of Henryków (13th–14th centuries). This book is known to feature the first sentence to have ever been recorded in Polish (the document was listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register).

Centennial Hall & Multimedia Fountain

The Centennial Hall is one of the most prominent landmarks in the history of 20th-century architecture. Designed by the eminent architect Max Berg, it was created in 1913. In 2006 was enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Register.The Centennial Hall complex also features the Four Domes' Pavilion (the property of the National Museum in Wrocław). The Centennial Hall is surrounded by the Pergola, which boasts one of the largest multimedia fountains in Europe.

The Hydropolis, or Wrocław's centre for environmental education, is one of the largest centres of this kind in Europe. It is also the only centre in Poland that showcases almost all types of aquatic environment. The visitors can choose from over 70 different interactive features and multimedia installations. Every room has multimedia tablets with interesting details about ground-breaking discoveries of the underwater world, the nature of water and its use in the human life.

Wroclaw Christmas Market

Wroclaw Christmas Market is regarded as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe ; it is open from mid-November to the end of December. It is located on the “Rynek Marquet Square” but also on the "Place Solny", You will enjoy craft products, gastronomy from around the world (Alsatian, Turkish and Spanish specialties (such as Churros) but also Polish specialties.

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Travel and tourism in Poland - statistics & facts

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• Premium Statistic International tourist spending in Poland 2018-2022
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International tourists expenditure in Poland from 2018 to 2022 (in million zloty)

Online travel and tourism expenditures in Poland 2023

Annual spending on online travel and tourism in Poland in 2023, by type (in million U.S. dollars)

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Number of international tourist arrivals in Poland 2014-2029

Number of international tourist arrivals in Poland from 2014 to 2029 (in millions)

Package holidays: household expenditure in Poland 2010-2022

Household consumption expenditure on package holidays in Poland from 2010 to 2022 (in million zloty)

Consumer spending on accommodation services in Poland 2010-2022

Household consumption expenditure on accommodation services in Poland from 2010 to 2022 (in million zloty)

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Average price per night in a hotel room for two people during the high season in Poland from 2019 to 2023 (in zloty)

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Prices of tours for summer holiday in Poland from 2020 to 2024, by destination (in zloty)

Cost of a seven-day stay in hotels in Poland 2023, by tourist destination

Average price of a seven-day stay in hotels in Poland in 2023, by tourist destination (in zloty)

Places where Polish people want to spend this year's vacation 2023

Places where people in Poland want to spend this year's vacation in 2023

Inbound tourism

• Basic Statistic Inbound tourism: international arrivals in Poland 2009-2021
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Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Overnight domestic tourism in Poland from 2012 to 2021
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Outbound tourism

• Basic Statistic Number of outbound trips made from Poland 2012-2021
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Number of outbound tourist trips from Poland from 2020 to 2022, by main purpose* (in 1,000s)

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• Premium Statistic Number of hotels in Poland 2020-2022, by star rating
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Number of hotels in Poland 2020-2022, by star rating

Number of hotels in Poland from 2020 to 2022, by star rating

Number of hotel rooms in Poland 2000-2022

Number of hotel rooms in Poland from 2000 to 2022

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Household spending at current prices on restaurants and hotels in Poland 2007-2022

Household consumption expenditure at current prices on restaurants and hotels in Poland from 2007 to 2022 (in million euros)

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• Premium Statistic Tourist activity of Poles 1992-2023
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Holiday destinations of Poles 2020-2023

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Popular regions in which tourists spent their holidays in Poland 2022-2023, by region

Popular regions in which tourists spent their holidays in Poland from 2022 to 2023, by voivodeship

Total number of days spent on leisure or tourism in Poland 2012-2023

Total number of days spent on leisure or tourism in Poland from 2012 to 2023

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Vacation plans of the residents of Poland from 2016 to 2024, by destination

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Tourism companies

• Premium Statistic Number of registered travel companies in Poland 2018-2024
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Number of registered travel companies in Poland 2018-2024

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Number of registered travel companies in Poland between 2022 and 2024, by voivodeship

Revenues of accommodation and gastronomy enterprises in Poland 2015-2022

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Leading tourism companies in Poland 2019-2022, by sales revenue

Leading tourism companies in Poland from 2019 to 2022, by sales revenue (in million zloty)

Leading tourism companies in Poland 2019-2022, by net profit

Leading tourism companies in Poland from 2019 to 2022, by net profit (in million zloty)

Leading tourism companies in Poland 2021-2022, by number of customers

Leading tourism companies in Poland from 2021 to 2022, by number of customers (in 1,000s)

Leading tourism companies in Poland 2022, by equity capital

Leading tourism companies in Poland in 2022, by equity capital (in million zloty)

Equity capitals and relation to revenues in the tourism industry in Poland 2005-2022

Equity of leading tour operators and its relation to revenues in Poland from 2005 to 2022

Profit per customer and profitability in Poland 2014-2022, by sales revenue

Profit per customer and profitability of the leading tour operators in Poland from 2014 to 2022, by sales revenue (in million zloty)

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These Are Going to Be the Most Popular Travel Destinations in 2024

A lready thinking about where you want to travel in 2024 ? If you’re hoping to hit the hottest travel destinations of the year, Expedia Group is here to help. The one-stop travel site—alongside Hotels.com and VRBO—just released Unpack '24 , a travel trends analysis for the coming year. In addition to detailing the projected top 10 most popular international destinations of 2024, the site also revealed 10 “dupes” for travelers looking to perhaps spend a bit less, as well as those hoping to be surrounded by fewer fellow tourists. Additionally, they revealed 10 affordable cities where the world’s biggest musical acts are set to perform, as well as where to travel if you live a sober lifestyle.

“At Expedia Group, we have extensive first-party travel data that we use to enhance and curate experiences for our travelers across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo,” Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, says in the report. “These insights shape our travel forecasts, revealed in Unpack '24, enabling our travelers to be the first to discover and book the most desired trips before they become well-beaten paths.”

Ready to ignite your travel bug? Ahead, discover the most popular travel destinations of 2024.

The Top 10 Travel Destinations of 2024

Expedia Group predicts that travelers are most likely to jet set to destinations popularized in fan-favorite TV shows and movies. According to the report, “More than half of travelers say they’ve researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a TV show or in a movie. In fact, travelers say TV shows influence their travel decisions more than Instagram, TikTok, and podcasts.” With that in mind, they reveal that the top 10 travel destinations of 2024 are as follows:

• Thailand - Featured in White Lotus , Season 3—which has sadly been pushed to premiere in 2025
• Romania - Featured in Wednesday , Season 2—which has not yet set a release date
• Malta - As seen in Gladiator 2 , which is set to premiere on November 22, 2024
• Paris - As seen in Emily in Paris
• Scottish Highlands - Featured in Outlander
• London, Bath, and Windsor, U.K. - As seen in Bridgerton and The Crown
• South Korea - Featured in Squid Game —the Season 2 release date has yet to be announced
• Florida Keys - As seen in the series Bad Monkey
• Australia - Featured in Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs series, as well as the film Furiosa , which is set to premiere on May 24, 2024
• Greece - as seen in the films Argylle (set to release in 2024) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

The Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes

Dupes have long been lauded in the beauty and fashion categories, and now the concept is making its way to travel. “1 in 3 of those polled say they’ve booked a dupe,” the report reveals. “But what do these less obvious alternatives offer besides potential savings? They’re often less crowded, tend to be a little unexpected, and can be every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations.”

Intrigued by the idea of booking a stellar vacation for a fraction of the price? Check out Expedia Group’s Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes, below, which are listed as the original destination of inspiration and the dupe that mirrors it.

• Seoul —> Taipei
• Bangkok —> Pattaya
• Santorini —> Paros
• Saint Martin —> Curaçao
• Sydney —> Perth
• London —> Liverpool
• Lisbon —> Palermo
• Geneva —> Québec City
• Zermatt —> Sapporo
• Nashville —> Memphis

The Top 10 Tour-Inspired Travel Destinations

Music lovers, this one’s for you! As you well know, traveling to see your favorite artists live is expensive, to say the least. With this in mind, Expedia set out to find the most affordable destinations where the world’s most famous pop and rock stars are set to take the stage in 2024.

Through their research, in which they analyzed the average daily rates of tour locations, they found the top 10 most affordable cities (less than $150/night on average) where travelers can witness the likes of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Coldplay, Metallica, Madonna, and more. They are as follows:

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - $91
• Edmonton, Canada - $108
• Mexico City, Mexico - $119
• Warsaw, Poland - $119
• Birmingham, U.K. - $127
• Houston, Texas - $130
• Antwerp, Belgium - $140
• Tokyo, Japan - $147
• Perth, Australia - $148
• Detroit, Michigan - $149

For more research-backed travel trends, be sure to check out Expedia’s full Unpack ‘24 Trend Report .

More From Forbes

The best places to travel, according to a ranking of where people want to visit again.

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An amazing part of traveling is discovering a new place, but there’s something special about returning to a beloved destination—which also speaks volumes about what makes a place stand out as one of the best.

So what are the places travelers want to return to the most?

Travel insurance specialists InsureandGo recent issued a report ranking the places that travelers are most eager to revisit . To come up with this list, the researchers looked at almost 500 countries, cities and global tourist attractions, then analyzed thousands of comments on Reddit and numerous online reviews to uncover the places that hold the greatest allure for repeat visits.

“There’s no end to the experiences you can have while traveling, with so many different countries and cities around the globe just waiting to be explored,” Russell Wallace, travel insurance expert at InsureandGo, said in a release. “In some instances, however, traveling to the same place repeatedly can in fact, provide a richer experience. Bringing with it a deeper understanding of a destination, along with local insights and maybe even discovering some hidden gems.”

A spring view of Fujiyoshida and Mt. Fuji in Japan, the country that travelers want to visit most.

Topping the list of countries that travelers yearn to revisit is Japan, which is renowned for its rich culture and diverse offerings. With an impressive 324 mentions on Reddit discussions alone, Japan has clearly enchanted visitors with its captivating blend of tradition and modernity, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of Kyoto.

Following closely behind Japan are Italy and Spain, two perennial favorites among globetrotters. With 294 and 209 mentions respectively, these Mediterranean gems captivate visitors with their culinary delights, stunning coastlines and architectural wonders.

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When it comes to cities, London—with its iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London—reigns supreme as the ultimate destination for repeat visits. Rounding out the top five on the list: Paris, Barcelona and New York City (a tie), then Rome.

When it comes to tourist attractions, Dollywood was named the place travelers want to return to most. Set in the heart of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, this theme park—partly owned by the legendary Dolly Parton—delights visitors with its unique blend of entertainment, nostalgia and Southern hospitality. Disneyland in California came in at number two. A number of locations tied for the fifth spot on the list, including Yosemite National Park, England’s Blenheim Palace and Tokyo Disneyland.

Read on for the lists of the places people want to return to; you can find more lists—including the top 50 tourist attractions in the full report .

Japan was named the country people want to return to most. Pictured here: the historic Higashiyama ... [+] district in Kyoto.

Top 10 Countries People Most Want To Return To

5. Thailand

10. Germany

Union Jacks on Oxford Street in London—the city travelers want to return to most.

Top 10 Cities People Most Want To Return To

1 . London, England

2 . Paris, France

3 . Barcelona, Spain (tie)

3 . New York City (tie)

5. Rome, Italy

6. Tokyo, Japan

7. Amsterdam, Netherlands

8. Berlin, Germany

9. Edinburgh, Scotland

10. Mexico City, Mexico

Dollywood sign near the entrance to the theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Top 10 Global Attractions People Most Want To Return To

1. Dollywood - Tennessee

2. Disneyland Park - California

3. Stone Mountain Park - Atlanta

4. Warner Bros Studio Tour - London

5. Blenheim Palace - Oxfordshire, U.K. (tie)

5. Busch Gardens - Florida (tie)

5. Crazy Horse Memorial - South Dakota (tie)

5. Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona (tie)

5. Hampton Court Palace - London, U.K. (tie)

5. Tokyo Disneyland - Tokyo, Japan (tie)

5. Universal Studios Florida - Florida (tie)

5. Yosemite National Park - California (tie)

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Top summer travel destinations for 2024: These international spots were the most searched

Delta air lines said cities in england, france, mexico and more were the top searched this year.

Delta Air Lines CEO: Summer travel volumes busiest in history

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Delta Air Lines released its second annual most-searched summer destinations for 2024 — and these international travel stops appear to be top of mind. 

The major airline revealed the top 10 international summer destinations that travelers searched for the most — from Nov. 1, 2023, to March 18, 2024 — in order to to compile this list. 

A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that searches for the top 10 spots increased, stressing the continued interest in travel abroad. 

"This year’s data shows the strong interest in international destinations from our customers with searches to these top 10 cities up more than 150% compared to last year," the spokesperson said.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS SAYS THESE ARE THE TOP SUMMER TRAVEL DESTINATIONS OF 2024

See if your summer travel destination made the most popular list.

Here's the list — in a countdown from 10 to 1. 

Delta Air Lines said that while the search requests were high, they were 3% lower than last year at the same time.  (iStock / iStock)

10. Vancouver, British Columbia

9. barcelona, spain.

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8. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland, made the top 10 list this year for the first time.  (iStock / iStock)

7. Tokyo, Japan

6. amsterdam, netherlands.

7 WAYS YOU CAN STILL SAVE ON SUMMER TRAVEL

5. Cancun, Mexico

Cancun, Mexico, made the list of some of the top searched summer international destinations.  (iStock / iStock)

4. Athens, Greece

3. rome, italy, 2. paris, france.

Paris was the second most searched summer destination on Delta.com. This is also the location for the 2024 Olympics.  (iStock / iStock)

1. London, England

London topped the list of the most searched international summer destinations on Delta.com. 

The company noted that other popular spots with nonstop service were Venice, Italy, Tulum, Mexico, and Naples, Italy. 

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Athens, Greece, the fourth spot on the top list, increased its search popularity by 248% from last year, according to a Delta Air Lines spokesperson. 

"Athens, Greece, saw the most notable increase with searches to this historical city tripling compared to summer 2023," they noted.

The airline explained that Dublin, Barcelona and Vancouver were new additions to the top searched destination list this year. 

London was the top searched international summer destination for 2024.  (iStock / iStock)

Last year, Google Flights also ranked London, England, as the most desired international summer destination — along with Cancun, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Athens and others.

In terms of domestic destinations, Delta Air Lines said some of the top searched locations within the U.S. were Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami and Honolulu. 

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The Vacationer recently released a survey for expected 2024 summer travel — which found that 82% of Americans plan to travel this summer. 

Although a high percentage, the number is down 3% from summer 2023. 

Travel experts also noted that nearly 52% of Americans will fly to their destination, but 75% of Americans will plan at least one road trip as well. 

Delta Air Lines announced the top searched summer destinations for 2024. Check out these international hot spots.  (iStock / iStock)

The survey also found that less than 21% of those road trippers will go within 250 miles of home, while 5.8% will travel over 1,000 miles to their destination. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS  

For those looking to travel during peak summer months, such as June, July and August, six-year flight attendant Bernice Padilla told SWNS that she recommends aiming for May or September instead. 

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"May and September are great months to travel as they’re before and after peak summer here in the U.S.," she said. 

Padilla noted that these tend to be in the "shoulder" seasons and have fewer travel demands with fewer crowds and "more affordable prices."

Fox Weather’s Emilee Speck contributed to this report.    

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle .

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Deep Beneath London, Onetime Bomb Shelters Will Become a Tourist Attraction

Used for spying, a phone exchange and more over the years, a semi-secret web of tunnels in central London could open to the public in 2027.

By Claire Moses

Reporting from 98 feet below street level in London

There’s a locked door on the eastbound platform of the Chancery Lane station of the London Underground. The door is unassuming, sturdy and white.

Behind it is a wide set of stairs leading to a roughly mile-long maze of tunnels built in the 1940s that were first intended to serve as a World War II shelter and later used for espionage, the storage of 400 tons of government documents and telecom services.

Welcome to the Kingsway Exchange tunnels, set roughly 100 feet below street level in the center of London, sprawling beneath the Underground’s Central Line. Soon they could enter a new chapter: Angus Murray, the owner of the complex, who bought the tunnels last summer, has applied for planning permission to the local authorities together with the architecture firm WilkinsonEyre to turn the tunnels into a tourist destination that could handle millions of people a year.

Mr. Murray’s London Tunnels is planning to invest a total of 220 million pounds (about $275 million) on restoring and preserving the tunnels, as well as adding technology for art installations and other attractions. Mr. Murray hopes to open the complex in 2027, and said that it would be able to host temporary art exhibitions, fashion shows and more.

At the moment, entering the tunnels requires riding a small elevator tucked behind a side door in an alleyway off a wide street in central London. (Visitors to the attraction would use a different, bigger entrance, Mr. Murray said.)

When the elevator doors open, you step into a World War II-era tunnel — one of 10 civilian shelters proposed by the British government after the beginning of the Blitz, the eight-month bombing of London by the Germans that started in September 1940. The tunnels were never used as shelters. By the time they were completed in 1942, the Blitz was over.

During the Cold War, the British government instructed its telephone department, which later became British Telecom, to set up a secret communications system in the tunnels that could survive a nuclear attack. The famous hotline between the Kremlin and the White House ran through the complex, according to the project’s website. Some of the phone exchange’s equipment in the tunnels still survives today, even though it hasn’t been used since at least the 1980s.

“The idea was that it would provide a degree of protection,” said Martin Dixon, a trustee for Subterranea Britannica , a charity that documents and tries to preserve underground spaces.

“If the Cold War had turned into something more serious, it would have allowed communications on some level to continue,” Mr. Dixon, who joined Subterranea Britannica about 40 years ago, said.

The tunnels under the Chancery Lane station of the tube are more than a mile long and in some places have a diameter of almost 25 feet. Those dimensions make them among the largest sets of tunnels built for people in a metropolitan city, Mr. Murray said.

“They have a fascinating history,” he said.

For a group of Post Office and telecoms workers in the decades after World War II, the tunnel complex became a workplace, some aspects of which have survived. In one room, the stuffy smell of an old carpet is inescapable. Another still holds the remnants of a canteen. Yet another has fake windows framing images of nature as decorations. There are still offices, as well as rooms where workers could spend the night.

Some parts of the tunnels are lined with fake walls, and doors with nothing behind them. The effect is not unlike watching a scene from the dystopian Apple TV+ show “Severance .”

A bar where postal workers could drink is also still there, and Mr. Murray said he hoped to revive it and make it London’s deepest underground bar.

The tunnels’ communication operation became obsolete in the 1980s, and in 2008 British Telecom put the tunnels up for sale . BT employees used to go down into the complex up until the 1990s to inspect for fire safety and other conditions. The tunnels were otherwise vacant.

Many details of the new attraction still need to be ironed out, but Mr. Murray said the cost of the experience would probably be in the same price range as that of other major tourist sites in London. (The Tower of London’s entry fee is about $40, and Westminster Abbey’s is about $36.)

Mr. Dixon, of Subterranea Britannica, said he was excited about the prospect of the Kingsway Exchange turning into an attraction — provided it’s safe and the history is preserved.

“I’ve seen thousands of underground spaces, from the mundane to the spectacular,” he said. The Kingsway Exchange is particularly interesting, he added, because of all the different functions it had. “It played its part in World War II, and was ready to play its part in the Cold War.”

Claire Moses is a Times reporter in London, focused on coverage of breaking and trending news. More about Claire Moses

Popular global destinations which are trying to limit tourism numbers

Tourists can expect a future where visiting world hotspots will come with extra charges or further restrictions - with many places already taking steps depending on the pressures faced by their communities.

Monday 29 April 2024 16:51, UK

Growing tourism numbers are placing popular destinations under extra pressure - due to various factors including environmental and residential concerns.

Here are some locations limiting tourists - or which could be about to take action.

Venice, Italy

A controversial scheme has been introduced for day trippers in Venice in an attempt to reduce the number of tourists.

Signs inform visitors there is a new €5 fee (£4.28) to be paid as part of a trial phase during peak periods of the summer.

Around 200 stewards have been trained to politely walk anyone unaware of the charge through the process of downloading a QR code - with a kiosk set up for people not in possession of a smartphone.

The charge will not apply to hotel guests.

The city has an estimated 30 million visits from tourists every year.

Canary Islands, Spain

Officials are considering introducing stricter rules over tourism amid simmering anger among the locals who are worried about increasing visitor numbers.

Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo said this month that although the region was a leading Spanish tourist destination, more controls were needed.

Just over a week ago, thousands of people protested in Tenerife, calling for the Spanish island to temporarily limit tourist arrivals.

They want to dampen a boom in short-term holiday rentals and hotel construction which is driving up housing costs for locals.

One of the leaders of the protest, Antonio Bullon, said: "The authorities must immediately stop this corrupt and destructive model that depletes the resources and makes the economy more precarious."

Haiku Stairs, Hawaii

Demolition of a mountain staircase which was built during World War Two on the Hawaiian island of Oahu was due to start this month - to prevent tourists from using it.

Hikers have long headed to the site, despite being officially closed to visitors since 1987, as part of efforts to access amazing views of the island.

Officials confirmed earlier this month the Haiku Stairs would be removed as part of an operation which will cost $2.5m (£2m).

They later said they were "disappointed and dismayed" visitors were still trying to reach the site despite their "warnings that the project to dismantle" the stairs had begun.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Access to one of the world's most popular heritage sites was temporarily closed to tourists last September.

Authorities took the decision amid growing concern over the deterioration of the site due to increasing footfall.

The site was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas.

Maya Bay, Thailand

One of Thailand's most popular beauty spots was closed to tourists for four years from 2018 - after it was made famous by a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh island featured in the 2000 thriller The Beach - but increasing visitor numbers eventually forced officials to take action "to allow its ecology to fully recover".

Authorities decided to step in following reports that up to 80% of the coral in the bay had died.

Mount Fuji, Japan

Officials said a barrier will begin to be installed this week to block views of Mount Fuji in an effort to tackle growing tourism numbers.

The nation's highest mountain attracts many photographers and selfie-lovers.

But the authorities in the resort of Fujikawaguchiko said netting measuring 20 metres will be used to obstruct the view at one popular point.

Officials said they were taking action due to the bad behaviour of tourists.

Read more on Sky News: Cambridge considering tourist tax at hotels Why 2024 could be worst year for 'overtourism'

Cornwall, UK

Visitors may be charged a tax to visit the area, the county's tourism chief has said.

Visit Cornwall's chief executive Malcolm Bell said "it is time to have the debate" about charging tourists a fee.

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But he also said such a move would have to be made together with neighbouring areas, reported Cornwall Live.

He added: "There is no point in Devon not having one and us having one."

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