Beyond the headline cities of Warsaw and Kraków, Poland offers abundant and memorable travel experiences.
If you’re into history and culture, this European gem delivers with more castles, churches, palaces, and museums than you could imagine. Prefer the great outdoors? You can choose from Baltic beaches, snow-capped mountains, meandering rivers, thousands of lakes, and 23 national parks.
If you thought Polish food and drink was all pickles, potatoes, and vodka, think again. That culinary trio is merely the amuse-bouche for a gastronomic buffet ranging from blueberry-filled dumplings to gold-leaf-flaked liquors.
Get a Bird’s Eye View of Warsaw
Warsaw is one of Europe’s most dynamic capitals. Its current economic boom is symbolized by the Varso Tower which, at 310m (1017ft), is the EU’s tallest skyscraper. The Varso’s 240m-high (787ft) observation deck is slated to open in 2025. In the meantime, enjoy the retro vibes of the Palace of Culture & Science observation terrace and the amazing panorama of Warsaw’s reconstructed Old Town from the bell tower of St Anne’s Church. Don’t miss vistas over the Vistula from the rooftop garden of Warsaw University Library.
Detour: Fabryka Norblina once produced metal goods and is now a popular location in Warsaw with the city’s largest food hall and numerous other fun places to eat and drink.
Time Travel Beneath Kraków’s Old Town
Kraków’s atmospheric Old Town is centered on Rynek Główny, Europe’s largest public square, dominated by the magnificent Cloth Hall. Go beneath the square to Rynek Underground for a subterranean glimpse into the market of six centuries ago, enhanced by 21st-century audiovisual effects.
Back above ground, listen for the hejnał (bugle call) emanating from St Mary’s Basilica on the market square’s west side. Inside, Jan Matejko’s polychromatic murals flank the high altar, representing Poland’s greatest masterpiece of Gothic art.
Detour: The Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the world’s oldest salt mines, is around 14km (9 miles) southeast of Kraków. It’s a subterranean labyrinth of some 300km (186 miles) of tunnels, lakes, and chambers, including astonishing salt-carved chapels.
Tour Malbork Castle, the World’s Biggest Brick Building
This UNESCO-listed complex is Europe’s largest castle. Begun by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century, Malbork Castle was the order’s headquarters for almost 150 years. Despite sustaining serious damage during WWII, the castle has been preserved and looks much as it did six centuries ago. Highlights include the Grand Masters’ Palace with its splendid interiors, including the Great Refectory with its remarkable palm-vaulted ceiling, and the Amber Museum.
Planning tips: Avoid queues by purchasing tickets online. Pack a picnic as dining options at the castle are limited.
Understand the Horrors of War at Gdańsk’s Museum of the Second World War
The first shots of WWII were fired in Gdańsk, making it fitting that this historic Baltic Sea port is home to the monumental Museum of the Second World War. This massive museum delivers an emotionally powerful history lesson as it charts the causes, progress, and aftermath of the 20th century’s biggest conflict from a Polish perspective.
Planning tips: This extensive museum can easily take half a day to fully explore. There is a museum café, and you can leave and return the same day using the same ticket.
Learn about Jewish Poland at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Another exceptional museum in Poland is POLIN, which charts over 1000 years of Jewish history across the nation’s territory. The highlight is a dazzling reconstruction of the painted ceiling and bimah of the synagogue that once stood in Gwoździec. The section on the Holocaust is appropriately dark and claustrophobic, culminating in videos of local Jews discussing the specter of anti-Semitism in Poland.
Detour: Warsaw’s Jewish Historical Institute houses the UNESCO-listed Ringelblum Archive, a valuable collection of documents that provide first-hand accounts about Nazi Germany’s extermination of Jewish communities in Poland.
Track Bison in Białowieża National Park
Located in the northeast, adjoining Belarus, Białowieża National Park has been protected for centuries, originally as a private hunting ground for Polish kings and later for Russian tsars. Today, it’s Europe’s largest old-growth forest, home to around 800 bison. Spotting the continent’s largest mammal in the wild is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Polish nature.
Detour: Seven bison live at the European Bison Show Reserve near the national park, along with other species including elk, wild boar, deer, and more.
Encounter Łódź’s Abundant Street Art
The city of Łódź, which flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through manufacturing, has embraced street art like no other place in Poland. You can discover well over 200 public works of art as you explore the city, including magical courtyards and tall murals that highlight local talent.
Detour: Marco Italian Food and Street Art cafe features a gallery of images showcasing some impressive street art in the city.
Succumb to the Renaissance Charms of Zamość
The beautifully proportioned “Pearl of the Renaissance,” Zamość offers the real deal: an original late-16th-century Old Town centered on a gorgeous arcaded plaza. This southeastern town is ringed with defensive bastions that once kept the Swedes at bay in the 17th century.
Detour: The Old Town of Lublin is another significant area with its cobbled lanes and vibrant festival scene, surviving WWII relatively unscathed.
Taste Gingerbread in Toruń
Toruń is famous for its exceptional gingerbread, perfected over centuries. To discover more about this sweet treat, visit one of the town’s museums dedicated to gingerbread, where you can participate in workshops and learn how to craft your own.
Detour: Olsztyn offers a charming, spruced-up old town and acts as a gateway to the Great Masurian Lakes, perfect for those seeking a tranquil atmosphere before exploring busier lakeside towns.
Go Hiking or Skiing in the Tatras
No other area of Poland boasts such a diversity of landscapes as the Tatra Mountains. The most popular area for hiking is the Tatra National Park, just south of Zakopane, the country’s most fashionable mountain resort. If you’re looking for a short walk, the lush Dolina Strążyska offers lovely forested trails. Alternatively, challenge yourself with a hike to the 1894m (6214ft) summit of Mt Giewont.
In the winter, Zakopane’s ski lifts come to life, offering slopes for all levels—from beginner cross-country paths to challenging black diamond runs.
Planning tip: Book ahead online for a ticket to visit the Tatra Park Nature Education Centre, as spaces are limited.
