Welcome to Poland, a country known for its resilience, old towns, and rich culture. This beautiful destination offers visitors plenty of things to do and see.
Many of Poland’s towns were destroyed by the wars, but they managed to restore a lot of it and, of course, build more. You’ll find a lot of medieval influence in the towns, along with breathtaking natural beauty.
This nation has some of the best European food, with a plus being that it’s a lot cheaper than the surrounding countries. Whether you’re looking for dwarfs in Wrocław or visiting the iconic milk bars around the country, here are some of the best places to visit in Poland.
Perhaps you’ll stop in Torun to learn all about gingerbread’s origins and taste the authentic cookie, or indulge in other Polish delicacies such as pierogi, żurek, and bigos.
5 Must-See Spots in Poland
Get ready for your Polish adventure. Here, you’ll find all the stunning things Poland has to offer, such as ultimate outdoor adventures, tasty treats, gorgeous architecture, and charming towns.
Explore the countryside and get lost in the rich history. Immerse yourself in this nation’s culture and experience a true Polish escapade.
Once you’ve decided on the best time to visit Poland, your Slavic vacation awaits with these memorable places at the helm.
Kraków
This Polish city will have you falling in love with its cobblestone streets and brightly colored buildings. Kraków used to be the capital until it lost its title to the more central city of Warsaw. However, it’s still one of the biggest towns and has plenty to do and see.
Spend The Day as a Royal at Wawel Castle
Make your way to the Wawel Royal Castle. Here, you’ll learn about its rich history, where it served as a coronation site, royal residence, prison camp, and administrative center. This is one of the most iconic sites in Kraków and makes for a great thing to do.
Learn About Kraków’s History at the Rynek Underground Museum
Find out more about the history of Kraków at the Rynek Underground Museum. Situated 13 feet below the city, it shares all the details of the city’s early settlers to its survival during the wars. This immersive museum has amazing multimedia exhibits that go on for over three miles.
Explore the Old Town
You can’t visit Kraków without wandering around the UNESCO-listed Old Town. It’s a fantastic spot to stroll and take your time seeing everything. There are plenty of places to eat and lots of photo opportunities.
Warsaw
Poland’s capital stands as an iconic landmark and reminder for the locals. Warsaw, unfortunately, faced a lot of destruction due to WWII. However, it quickly picked up the pieces and built itself up to the bustling city it is. Today, people from around the world visit and see all Warsaw has to offer.
Step Into History at One of Warsaw’s Museums
Take a trip through time at the Warsaw Uprising Museum. You’ll learn all about the Polish uprising in order to seize back control from the Nazis. While brushing up on history, visit the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Here, you’ll find galleries full of information that celebrates 1000 years worth of Polish Jews.
Witness a Water Light Show at the Multimedia Fountain Park
Enjoy a light show at the Multimedia Fountain Park. You’ll be entertained by beautifully choreographed lighting in the fountain, with water shooting out of 367 nozzles. It’s even better at night, so make a visit then.
Stroll Down the Royal Way
Make your way down the Royal Way, a famous street in Warsaw. As you head down, you’ll pass a few spots worth stopping for:
- Chopin Benches
- A. Blikle
- Bar Mleczny
- Copernicus Status
- Church of the Holy Cross
- Presidential Palace
- Old Town
Don’t forget to climb up to the observation tower in the Old Town for the best views of Warsaw.
Top Tip: You can also join a traditional Galor cruise for a truly unique way of exploring the city.
Wrocław
One of the oldest cities in Poland is a must-see. It’s locally called the Venice of the North, as the Odra River runs through this charming city. Wrocław is a popular destination for tourists, and it’s hard not to see why.
Stepping into the Old Town will feel like you’ve been transported into a fairytale. Its quirkiness makes for an exciting adventure, which includes spotting dwarf statues. After all the exploring, take your pick of cafes.
Be Enchanted by Wrocław’s Architecture
Fall in love with the Old Town. Admire the pretty architecture inspired by mostly Gothic or Renaissance styles. This colorful square is filled with so much history and just waiting to be explored. For the best views of the city, head on over to Garrison Church. While you’re there, enjoy its mix of architectural styles of Gothic, Baroque, and Neo-Gothic.
Look for the Polish Dwarfs
Go on a dwarf scavenger hunt. Around the city, you’ll notice small dwarf statues, and there are currently over 400. Its origins were from a protest movement to fight the system in the 1980s. This underground movement was known for using funnier methods, and thus, the dwarfs were born. See how many you can spot.
Take a Cafe Break
Enjoy one of the many cafes in Wrocław. This city is full of them, all serving delicious coffees and pastries. It’s also a great excuse to take a break from sightseeing.
Zakopane
This resort town is an exceptional place to be if you’re visiting in winter. However, it still welcomes travelers year-round. Zakopane is known as the winter capital of Poland because it is a popular skiing destination.
With sleigh rides and ice skating, it’s a snow lover’s dream. If you’re passing by in warmer months, Zakopane offers epic hiking trails, and when you’re done, unwind in a thermal bath.
Get Lost in Nature at Tatra National Park
Explore the great outdoors. Zakopane is truly a hiker’s paradise with many trails for all levels. Tatra National Park is a terrific spot for those looking to soak up all the nature. For those looking to avoid all the sweating, take a cable car up Kasprowy Wierch.
Chill Out in a Thermal Bath
If your muscles are aching after all that outdoor adventuring, or perhaps you just want to relax, visit the thermal baths. Zakopane has a few springs, with the biggest being Chocholowskie Thermal Baths. This relaxation haven has geysers, tube slides, artificial waves, and a man-made river.
Taste Local Treats
Zakopane is also known as Oscypek, which is a Polish smoked cheese. While visiting, be sure to try this local delicacy. You’ll find shops and vendors around the town selling this famous snack.
Torun
While this may be a small city, what it lacks in size, it makes up for with charm. Torun is like stepping into a fairy tale. It’s full of medieval architecture and baroque-inspired churches. Get lost exploring this picturesque town. Learn about knights and see where they lived. If that’s not straight out of a book, then how about tasting traditional gingerbread?
Fall in Love With the Old Town
Visit the Old Town Square and admire the amazing buildings. There are pops of color provided by the bright traditional houses and the red-brick Town Hall. If you enjoy learning about history, there are also plenty of museums in this area.
Get Your Knight on at the District Museum of Torun
What’s a fairy tale without some noble knights? The District Museum of Torun is where you’ll learn all about the city’s involvement with the Teutonic Order and its seat of power. Once you’re all set on history, it’s time to visit the Teutonic Castle Ruins. Here, you can see what life was like for the knights and step into their humble abode.
Taste the Original Gingerbread at Żywe Muzeum Piernika
Torun is famous for its gingerbread, which has been baked there since the Middle Ages. It has two museums dedicated to the yummy cookie and its history. If you visit the Żywe Muzeum Piernika, they will actually show you how to make their divine cookies.
FAQs About the Best Places to Visit in Poland
Before packing your bags, you may still have some unanswered queries. Here are some frequently asked questions about the best places to go to in Poland.
Is Poland Cheap?
Yes. Poland is known for being more affordable than its western neighboring countries. Living expenses are also quite low, making it a suitable spot for students. Certain cities are more costly than others, such as Warsaw, Kraków, and Lodz.
Which Is the Most Beautiful City in Poland?
There’s not one city in particular that can win this vote. However, these cities have been listed as the most beautiful Polish towns: Gdansk, Tatra National Park, Kraków, and Wrocław.
What Is Poland Most Well Known for?
Poland is known for many things like pierogi, vodka, rich history, Auschwitz, and Pope John Paul II. Since this is quite a wide variety of things, Poland has something to offer for everyone, whether it’s for religion, history, or ticking off your foodie list. Best Places to Visit in Poland | Final Thoughts
Poland is a great place to visit and offers so much to its visitors. This country is rich in history and has plenty to see. There’s a lot of admiration for this country when you learn about its past and what it’s been able to achieve.Be it the outdoor excursions in the Tatra Mountains or dwarf scavenger hunts in Wrocław, you’re not short of options. Simply put, adding Poland to your bucket list is an absolute must.
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Last updated on February 20th, 2024 at 06:41 am
