Poland (Polish:Rzeczpospolita Polska) is a central European country bordering Germany to the west, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, Lithuania and Baltic Sea to the north.

Having a rich history, magnificent architecture, remnants of World War two, castles and palaces, Poland is listed amongst the best destinations recommended by UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Along with antiquity, Poland is famous for its national parks, mountains and lakes. It has 16 provinces known as voivodeships.

The Poles (People of Poland) are loving, hospitable and determined. They love and adorn art, music and literature.

Poland at a Glance

Top Experiences in Poland

1. Krakow

One of the best destinations to visit in Poland is Krakow city. This second largest historical city of Poland dates back to 7th Century. From 1038 to 1569, it was the capital of Poland. Traditionally, it considered the center for academics, culture, art and business. In this city, you can visit the beautiful architectures of the middle ages, great restaurants, stunning parks, palaces, castles, museums and places of Jewish heritage. There are old and new Jewish cemeteries in Kazimierz. The Wavel Castle and Kazimierz district are both included in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Krakow has fantastic parks and forests. Planty Park is famous for its vast area and 19th-century history. Lasek Wolski forest provides hiking and biking trails located just in few minutes to the city centre.

There are around 28 museums including Schindler’s Factory Museum, Wyspiański Museum, Rynek Underground Museum, Czartoryski Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Jagiellonian University Museum and The Eagle Pharmacy Museum are sufficient enough to catch your attention. These museums depict the old medieval exhibits and remnants of WW2.

Other famous places include the world’s antique functioning salt mines in Wieliczka. The largest concentration and death camp of Nazi Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the beautiful Tatra Mountains. The National Park is also a fantastic place to visit.

2. Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountain Range and National Park lie between the borders of Slovakia and Poland. As there is no border between both countries, you can easily hike between both. Rysy, the highest mountain peak in Poland, is located in Polish Tatras. Its elevation is around 2,503 m. The fantastic thing is that you need not hire a travel guide as there is no difficulty while hiking.

Furthermore, this Park has extensive limestone cave system. Wielka Sniezna is the longest (23 kilometers), and deepest (824 meters) cave. 

 If you are a wild lover, the Tatra is going to be the best place for you. The Tatras is the home for fauna including brown bears, chamois, marmots, Eurasian lynx, grey wolf, otters, falcon and eagles.

The Tatras have many high-lying waterfalls, lakes, cascade, and streams. You would see the hanging valleys and beautiful resorts while hiking at Tatras. Morskie Oko Lake is the largest lake there; the lake becomes visible after a two-hour hike through hills and dark forests of the Tatra Mountains.

3. Torun.  The oldest city in Poland.

If you are someone who loves to visit the oldest cities and want to be taken back to the old-times then, Torun would be your go-to place in Poland. This is deemed as one of the oldest city of Poland. During  world war two this city was the one that survived from all the bombing and attacks, and that’s why you can see many ancient building and Gothic houses in their original shape and still standing.

The most famous Gothic houses that you should visit and which is the place where most of the tourist go first is the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus—shocked right. Yep, world’s first astronomer was actually a pole.

The birth house of the Nicolaus Copernicus has been converted into a museum and all the details about his life and work have been saved there.

Another great place to go to in Torun is its 13th Century old castle, the Teutonic Castle. The castle is not in its all glory, but you do get to see the intact towers, cellar and the windmills.

If you are a gingerbread lover, then you should definitely visit the Muzeum Piernika. This Museum was specially created for the gingerbread lover to have their hand on experience of the gingerbread of Poland and to learn how to bake it.

4. Gdansk.  Home to the main Seaports.

5. Ojcow National Park

Immerse yourself in the wilds of Poland and see the beauty of its landscapes and greenery by visiting the small Ojcow National Park. 16-kilometres outside of  Krakow, this is the Poland smallest national Park and home to several hundred species of animals.

You can find around 500 species of butterflies here.  This Park is home to over 400 caves, and it is heavily forested. The perfect time to visit is in the spring and summer when you can stroll through the beds of flower and appreciate the beauty that this country has to offer.

The Park also comprises two museums that are worth seeing. It also includes one branch of National Art collection. So, if you go to this National Park don’t forget to stop by the museums.

The most famous tourist spot of Poland, the Trail of Eagles Nest, is also located in the Ojcow National park. This trail connects various castles and the watchtowers all present within the park boundaries.

6. Warsaw.  Home of Museums.  

Warsaw is considered as the home of museums in Poland. The city you see today standing in all of its glory was never like this before. Among many other cities,  this was the mostly destroyed city during WW2. After the war ended, the government made a big reconstruction plan and tried to build all its building as the replicas of the original. So, many buildings of what you see today are  replicas of the original buildings. 

Aside from the city’s architecture, Warsaw has preserved 60 museums which draw tourists from all around the world as well as locals.

One is the world’s only Museum of Posters. Also, a Museum specially dedicated to World War history and its effects. In addition, Warsaw also has the National Museum depicting the countries history. Also art museums as well as others are spread throughout the city. 

Aside from the Museums, another place which is worth visiting is the Lazienki Park. Although not as big as the Krakow Parks, it is still worth exploring.

7. Mountains of Bieszczady

If you are an outdoor adventure lover, then go for the Bieszczady Mountains. This massive range  extends from the Ukraine to Slovakia. Like the Carpathian Mountains, these also comprised some beautiful Mountain meadows.

Hiking lovers love this area and the primary spot to visit  is the Polonyna Wetlinkska. This is the most famous mountain meadow trail and if you climb all the way up,  you will find  guest houses equipped with all the standard facilities. 

If you stay there, don’t forget to look at the night sky.  On a clear night, the sky is full of stars and takes your breath away. You will feel you are so close to the sky, and sight is not to miss.