Things to do and see in Poland

Poland is one of the most popular destinations for European tourists for several reasons. Firstly, because it is a very cheap country and accommodation, transport and food are all very affordable and of good quality. In addition, there are a lot of things to do in Poland as its history is marked by the Second World War, which has left its mark on most of the country’s cities. But above all, Poland should be visited for the variety of landscapes, unique architecture, traditions and cuisine.

What are the must-see-cities in Poland?

We’ve all heard of Warsaw and Krakow, but there are many, many more cities to see in Poland that are architectural and cultural gems. Many of them are medieval in origin, and although most of them were ravaged during the war, the government has been very active in rebuilding them. In fact, the restoration work was so faithful to the original plans that UNESCO recognised several historic city centres in some cities as World Heritage Sites. Here’s a list of some of Poland’s must-see cities.

1. Warsaw, capital of Poland

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is a young and cosmopolitan city. It is probably the city that was most affected during the war, yet today it is a European cultural and tourist hotspot. There are a thousand things to see in Warsaw, but probably the most spectacular is the historic centre, in the heart of which is Rynek Starego Miasta Square. On the square itself, you can visit the Royal Castle and St John’s Cathedral.

Another must-see is the Palace of Culture and Science. This monumental 240-metre-high building was commissioned by Stalin and today houses art galleries, theatres, cinemas and offices. In Warsaw, it is also highly recommended to take a walk or a guided tour through the Jewish Ghetto, where you will also find the Warsaw Jewish Museum. Visit this post if you want to know more about Warsaw: Things to do and see in Warsaw.

2. Torun, the town of Copernicus

Unlike the vast majority of Polish cities, Torun was not destroyed during the war and still retains its original Gothic-style architecture that has earned it World Heritage status. However, what this city is best known for is as the birthplace of Copernicus, and in commemoration a museum has been built in his honour in his own home.

The must-sees of the city are the market square and St John the Baptist Cathedral, but if you’re travelling with children, or simply have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the gingerbread museum, the official symbol of the city for more than 600 years.

For more information, you may be interested in our post: Things to do and see in Torun Poland

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3. Wroclaw

Wroclaw, also known as Wroclaw or the Polish Venice, is one of the most beautiful cities to see in Poland. It’s full of canals, islands, bridges and gnomes. That’s right, gnomes. Hidden in every corner of the city are little statues of dwarves representing the fight against communism. There are more than 500 of them, and you can search for them with a map provided by the tourist office or an APP.

In Wroclaw, you should also see Cathedral Island, the central square and its colourful facades, and the Raclawice panorama, which is a 114-metre-long square. On the square you can also visit the Wroclaw municipal museum, the town hall and a beautiful house known as Hansel and Gretel’s house. In this post, we tell you more about Wroclaw: Things to do and see in Wroclaw.

4. Zakopane, the winter capital

Zakopane is the official winter capital of Poland, as it is home to Poland’s ski resorts. It is an amazing town, with wooden facades and surrounded by nature. It’s located at the foot of the Tara Mountains, where there’s plenty of hiking to do. From Zakopane there is a cable car that takes you up to Kasprowy Mountain. The views are definitely not to be missed.

The Kuprówki Avenue in the city centre, the Church of Our Lady of Czlstochowa and St. Clement’s and the thermal baths, which attract hundreds of tourists every year, are a must-see. In this post we tell you more about Zakopane: Things to do and see in Zakopane.

5. Szczecin

Szczecin is a small city on the shores of the Baltic Sea, a strategic enclave that has given rise to many disputes over the years and has caused the city to change hands frequently. During the Middle Ages it was a wealthy city, and for this reason, we can find spectacular buildings and corners such as the palace of the Pomeranian Dukes or the Kasprowicza Park.

The city of Szczecin is very close to the island of Miedzyzdroje and the Wolin National Park, about an hour’s drive away. We recommend you to take a day trip and immerse yourself in nature or enjoy the beaches. From Szczecin there is a direct train to Miedzyzdroje which takes 1h15.

The city is 10 km from the German border, so the easiest way to get there is from Berlin, which is only 2h away by road and has very good transport links. Find out what else to do in Szczecin: What to see in Szczecin Poland

6. Gdansk, the amber city of the Baltic

Gdansk, located in northern Poland on the Baltic Sea, is one of the richest cities in the country, and definitely a must-see in Poland. The city grew rich thanks to trade, especially the amber trade. The houses of these merchants are the most luxurious in the city.

There is plenty to do in Gdansk. Stroll through the city centre, visit the Dugli Targ market, the Neptune Fountain or the Artus Courts. But the most impressive thing is the entrance gate, the Green Gate, whose construction is the result of inspiration by the Antwerp town hall.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Which national parks to see in Poland

There are 23 national and marine parks in Poland with a high level of biodiversity. These parks cover 1% of the country’s land area and offer a wide variety of landscapes to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’re considering a trip to Poland, travel itineraries are usually planned as a route around the main cities, but it’s worth taking a detour to visit 500+ year-old forests, beaches and mountain ranges. Here are some of the most spectacular national parks to see in Poland.

1. Bialowieza Forest, the oldest national park in Poland

This national park is one of the most important in Poland and also in Europe. Here you can find European bison in the wild. More than 300 of them live in the park, which is also known as the Bialowieza Forest because its primeval forest has been preserved for 400 years.

Excursions to see the bison can be arranged, but you have to get up early. The best time to see them is in late autumn and winter. Access to the park is very restricted, which means that you’ll need to book tours in advance through the Polish Landscape and Tourism Association.

2. Tara national park

This is the only national park of alpine character in Poland. The relief of glacial origin is quite rugged and hides lakes, caves, waterfalls and photographic ravines. The highest mountain in the mountain range is Rysy, which is 2499 metres high. There is also a lake called Morskie Oko (Eye of the Sea) from where the views are breathtaking. Marmots, bears, goats and eagles can be found in the mountains, and the flora includes spruce, pine and beech trees.

The nearest town is Zakopane, which receives a lot of tourists. Especially in winter, because of its thermal springs and ski slopes. As a result, the Tara Park has a good infrastructure for sightseeing and there are many hiking trails.

3. Slowinski National Park

Slowinski National Park, unlike the previous one, is characterised by its sparse vegetation, as it consists of dunes. The park is located on the Baltic Sea coast and is a protected area because of the great variety of birds and waterfowl that inhabit it. For example, eagles, eagle owls, cormorants and black storks.

The most interesting thing is that the dunes are mobile and change with the winds coming in from the sea. The highest dune is Lacka Góra at 42m high, and there is also a lake where birds go to feed, Lake Lebsko.

Other must-stops on your travel to Poland

Beyond the main cities and national parks, there are also a couple of points of interest you can’t miss on your trip to Poland. We’re talking about the famous Auschwitz concentration camp, a must for history buffs, and the salt mines of Wieliczka.

1. Salt Mines of Wieliczka

The Wieliczka salt mines are the oldest in the world and have been mined since the 13th century. They are more than 300 metres deep and definitely not for the claustrophobic. As tourists, you can walk up to 3km and along the way you’ll see numerous salt sculptures and the chapel of St Kinga, which is also decorated with salt.

The easiest way to get there is from Kraków; it’s a popular day trip. The tour costs €20 and there’s an extra charge for photography and video.

2. Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp

This is probably the most striking thing to see in Poland. In fact, the Nazi complex is made up of two concentration camps, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz Birkenau. While the former has been remodelled and prepared for tourists, Auschwitz Birkenau does not offer such a friendly visit as it has been preserved in its essence. Guided tours are available for both camps from Kraków. But they can also be booked at the complex itself if you’re on your own. The entrance fee without a guided tour is €23. You can also book tours that include the concentration camp and salt mines for €100.

Travel tips for Poland

• The currency in Poland is the Polish zloty (PLN).
• If you are travelling from a country with a different currency, we recommend that you exchange your currency in advance.
• The best time to visit Poland is in summer, as the weather is milder. The best time to see bison is in late autumn and during the winter.
• There is no Roaming in Poland, you can use the internet on your mobile phone without any problems.
• Poland is very safe, but as with any tourist destination, be careful with your belongings.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• It is frowned upon not to tip in restaurants.
• You can’t drink alcohol in the street.
• As an EU citizen you do not need a visa, you can enter the country with your ID card or passport.

Organise your trip to Poland

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• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Poland.

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Frequently Asked Questions when travelling to Poland