Poland is a country filled with vibrant cities, royal heritage, impressive architecture and scenic outdoor spaces. Its a destination that should find its way onto every traveller's bucket list!
Warsaw is a bustling capital city where the past meets the present. Its architecture is a living canvas of Gothic churches, Soviet-era blocks and modern skyscrapers all intermingling together.
Warsaw
Poland is a country packed full of stunning places that will make you want to go on a big adventure or just sit and relax. It's also a great place to travel during the spring and fall, when nature flourishes.
Warsaw is one of the most amazing places to visit in Poland. It's got so much to offer in terms of history, architecture and culture. You can find Gothic churches, Soviet-era blocks and modern skyscrapers - it's a city of contrasts!
The Polish capital is a thriving metropolis, attracting many people from all over the country. It is a major transport hub and is at the centre of rail, road and air networks connecting it to all parts of the country and with other important cities in Europe.
Its population is almost entirely of Poles, but until the end of World War II the city had a multinational character with Jews, Germans and Russians living in varying numbers alongside the Roman Catholic Polish-speaking majority. When the Nazis invaded the city in September 1939, most of the Jews were forced into the Warsaw Ghetto.
Since then, the multiethnic population has dwindled. Nevertheless, it is still the centre of the nation's political, cultural, and economic life.
Old Town is Warsaw's central area and reflects the city's pre-war shape, with cobbled streets and charming cafes. It is home to the Royal Castle and is a beautiful place to explore.
There are also lots of museums in Warsaw - the National Museum is one of the most popular ones as it showcases a wide range of paintings and artefacts from all over the country. Another museum that is worth visiting is the Neon Museum - it houses an incredible collection of neon signs and is a fun thing to see!
Tourists consider renting a car one of the best ways to enjoy all that Poland has to offer. Renting an economy class car in Warsaw Airport will cost about 15 euros per day, in Gdansk airport - about 16 euros per day.
Krakow
Krakow is a fascinating city with an ancient history that spans over a thousand years. The architectural treasures of the city are awe-inspiring and the many museums make it a must visit for any traveler.
The old town of Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charming streets of the old town are perfect for wandering and taking in the city's atmosphere. You can hear music playing, see artists painting and grab some gelato.
As the main cultural centre of Poland, Krakow is a great place to experience culture and tradition. You can go on tours of the country's museums and castles or take in the many concerts that are held throughout the year.
If you're a fan of architecture, you'll want to explore the ancient city walls, medieval streets and Renaissance castles. You can also climb the Wawel Hill for incredible views over the city and surrounding countryside.
You can also explore the Royal Route which stretches from the Old Town to the Wawel Castle, once used as a route for coronations and parades by Polish kings. You can also stop by the famous Okraglak round-shaped market hall, where you'll find food vendors and local artists.
One of the best things about Krakow is that it's surrounded by many beautiful parks and forests. Bialowieza Forest is a natural wonder that features a variety of trees and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are also many outdoor cafes in Krakow where you can enjoy a glass of local wine and soak up the atmosphere. The city is known for its lively nightlife and a wide choice of clubs can be found throughout the city.
Wroclaw
Wroclaw is one of the best cities in Poland to explore, and is well worth a visit. The city boasts a rich history, absorbing Bohemian, Austrian and Prussian influences, giving it a unique character that is reflected in its architecture.
One of the most striking sights in Wroclaw is the Old Town Hall. It’s a Gothic-Renaissance building that took more than 250 years to build, and it’s well worth seeing.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also features the famous Raclawice Panorama that depicts a battle from Polish national memory. The panorama was created by Lviv-based artist Jan Styka to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Kosciuszko Uprising against Russia in 1794.
Another must-see is the Ostrow Tumski (Cathlic Island), a medieval area with an impressive Cathedral. It’s worth strolling the cobbled streets and exploring this area to get a sense of how life was here during this period.
It is also home to a musical fountain, a great place for a break. During the summer months between May and October, it hosts music, light and water shows that highlight various folklore and cultural stories.
If you’re traveling to Wroclaw during the summer, you can spend some time at Wyspa Slodowa (Wyspa means island in Polish). It has various swimming pools and is a popular theme park among locals.
Lastly, you can have fun at the Aquapark Wroclaw, which is a theme park that has various water and land games. It is also popular with young travelers and is a great way to have some fun.
If you are planning to visit Wroclaw, it’s a good idea to plan your itinerary carefully. Depending on your interests, one or two full days should be enough to see the main attractions and still have plenty of time to explore the city’s vibe.
Lublin
Lublin's Old Town enchants visitors with its historical gates, city towers and medieval churches. There's also the imposing Lublin Castle, one of Europe's best-preserved brick buildings.
There's no better way to explore the city's history than by taking a walking tour with a local guide. Whether you're looking to see historic landmarks, learn about the region's Jewish heritage or just soak up the atmosphere of Lublin's charming Old Town, a private tour is the best way to get the most out of your trip.
A walking tour with a guide will help you discover the main sights of Lublin's UNESCO-listed Old Town. You'll see the Pale Yellow Gate, which once marked the entrance to the city's Jewish quarter, the Crown Tribunal's dungeons, and the Lublin Underground Trail, a 300-metre underground route that beckons you into 14 rooms revealing secrets hidden in the cellars of 16th-century burgher houses.
Another important place to visit is the Archcathedral of St. John the Baptist, a church that was built in the 16th century and is known as one of the most impressive structures in Lublin. The interior is decorated with many beautiful paintings that depict biblical scenes.
During the Renaissance, a special architectural style developed in Lublin that was inspired by Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. The resulting buildings are light, slender and ornamented with lots of details and designs.
In addition to the castle, you should check out the National Museum, which reveals a lot of Lublin's fascinating history. You can find Roman coins from the Amber Road, remembrances of Nazi occupation and many masterpieces of painting.
Lubin
Lublin is a charming, medieval town that fuses heritage with vitality. Its narrow cobbled streets, renaissance burgher houses and underground tourist trail make for an intoxicating experience.
The city's Old Town is also known as 'Little Krakow' and is packed with enticing sights including the iconic Krakow Gate, one of the oldest parts of the city. There are many other must-sees to explore, such as the neo-Gothic Cathedral and the colourful spire of Saint Mary's Church.
You can also visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Bialowieza Forest, which is a stunning place to go for a peaceful walk and spotting wild animals such as European bison, golden eagles or deer. This park covers an area of more than 3,000km2 and is the only Polish national park to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are lots of different ways to explore the Pieniny Mountains: hiking, biking, climbing, and rafting trips are popular activities. This smallest national park is home to some of the most beautiful and majestic mountains in Poland and has plenty of attractions and landmarks to see.
This town, a little off the beaten track, is a great place to experience the German and Polish culture. It features lots of German era Art Nouveau buildings as well as crumbling and overlooked ruins from the war.
When you’re ready to escape the city, you can always head for Swinoujscie Beach which has miles of fine silver sand and is bordered by the blue blaze of the Baltic Sea. A wooden pier provides simple access to the shore and a range of water sports is available for those who want to get active.