Poland is an increasingly popular country to visit and has risen from difficult times to become a beautiful and fascinating destination.
The country is filled with awe-inspiring architecture, historical treasure troves, the pristine coastline of the Baltic Sea, and a huge range of diverse flora and fauna. I personally loved this proud and unique country, and I’ve made this guide from my time there…
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1. Poznan
Settled at the midpoint between Warsaw and Berlin is the vibrant and quaint Poznan, Europe’s youngest castle. Poznan has an ever-present warmth (despite the characteristically chilly winters). Steeped in culture and hundreds of years of history, I love the wonderful atmosphere here!
A creative vibe brings everything to life here, from street art (Poznan is the home of graffiti artist Noriak, whose ‘Watcher’ observes from every corner of the city) to Stary Rynek, which has been home to the city’s major attraction since the thirteenth century—the very beautiful Renaissance town hall.
There are also hundreds of excellent independent eateries and globally recognised festivals, from the oldest violin competition in the world to an international ice sculpture celebration.
2. Krakow
Poland’s former royal capital, Krakow, has medieval splendour and youthful vitality. It is a decadent patchwork of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau – each of which has left traces of their reign.
My highlights include exploring Wawel Castle, Kazimierz (Krakow’s former Jewish quarter,) and enjoying a tasty “lody” in the largest medieval square in Europe!
3. Tatras Mountains
Forming a natural wall between Poland and Slovakia, the Tatras Mountains dominate a landscape that could have fallen from the pages of a fairy tale!
Due to the dangers of the terrain, exploring is restricted to designated paths, and the ridge can be crossed only by foot (or skis during the winter).
It’s home to over 10,000 botanical and animal species, including the brown bear, lynx, golden eagle, dwarf mountain pine, sprawling spruce forests, fir, edelweiss, and crocus.
The highest peak of the Polish fragment (constituting just 1/5 of the range) is the Rysy apex, ascending 8200ft above sea level!
4. Gdansk
Nesting at the mouth of the Vistula River, which melts seamlessly into the Baltic Sea, is Gdansk—a land carved from centuries’ worth of maritime hustle and bustle with a chequered history.
Most of the major attractions can be found in the Main City, a colourful, cultural centre dripping with historical relevance.
I would recommend following coiled, cobbled lanes to Gothic churches, a Romanesque and Rococo cathedral, and hidden squares, and the bold may even dabble in a spot of chilly sea swimming!
Beyond the centre’s energy dwells the tranquillity of Sobieszewo Island springs, a magnificent array of protected flora and fauna, from sea holly to racoon dogs and many assorted birds.
5. Sopot Beach
A stone’s throw from Gdansk, you can sink your toes into the several miles of fine, silver sand that comprise the glitteringly pretty Sopot Beach.
Its wooden pier (the longest in Europe) provides a simple artery directly into the vast, yawning sea. A few lungfuls of Sopot’s bright, clean air will leave you revitalised – a throwback to its roots as a spa town, now transformed into an elegant, coastal community.
6. Pieniny National Park
The seemingly vertical walls of the Peniny Mountains plunge to the Dunajec River, within whose basin Pieniny National Park resides.
Small but potent, the park supports masses of life, including 640 varieties of mushrooms; its human-carved meadows are some of the most fruitful in Poland, hatching 30-40 species of flower for each square meter. About 6500 animal species are known to roam the land, with the strong possibility of more still unseen.
The range’s apex predator is the lynx, and otters frolic along the river’s banks. Aside from mammals, there is a great diversity of birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians – a concoction certain to swipe the breath from many chests.
Alternatively, you may wish to ebb down the Dunajec by raft, an exciting yet soothing means of transport.
7. Wroclaw
Surrounded by the Oder River is the elegant and ethereally beautiful Wroclaw; adorned in architecture that could easily inhabit folklore, it is brimming with art, history and a diverse medley of cafes, restaurants, and bars to fuel your exploration of the largest city in Western Poland.
Wroclaw’s origins are in Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island.) Originally a garden, it has been transfigured into a place of profound beauty and architectural significance, full of powerfully symbolic monuments, sculptures, parks, and bridges.
8. Slowinski National Park
The remarkable Slowinski National Park, has been transformed by the Baltic Sea in the Pomeranian region of Northern Poland. Shifting dunes, moving at an average pace of 32ft per year, keep the landscape in constant animation, and it’s an extraordinary sight!
Their journey conceals and unearths: fossilised trees reach through the sand, long-lacking the green that once clung to their boughs.
These colossal, sandy mountains can be viewed from many vantage points within the Park, but in my opinion, one of the most stunning is Lake Lebsko, upon whose shores are an observation point from which the dunes can be seen.
9. Warsaw
At the heart of Europe is Poland’s extraordinary capital city, Warsaw. Its Old Town exudes an old-fashioned feeling, but its buildings are not as old as they seem.
Following terrible damage during WWII, the city was rebuilt from the ashes using the accomplished (and awesomely accurate) paintings of Italian artist Canaletto for reference.
These symbols are dotted around the city, but the ‘official’ syrenka can be found at the centre of the Old Town square, aside from its many architectural and cultural delights.
Warsaw is Poland’s culinary capital, offering everything from Milk Bars to Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional, independent bakeries and I highly recommend trying as many as possible!
10. Zamek Ksiaz
Obscured by the thick, lush woodland of the Owl Mountains is a castle seemingly spun from the threads of legend. Perched upon the highest rock around, the blushing, dusk-drenched facade of Zamek Ksiaz belies the sinister plots once hatched within.
Though the tunnels and chambers are magnetic in their appeal, what dwells above the ground is worth exploring, too. Combining Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements, the exterior and interior are awe-inspiring, and the Palm House within the castle’s complex is home to over 250 species of plants!
The surrounding forests are not only beacons of natural beauty but also draw in treasure hunters near and far to try their hand at unearthing the hidden Nazi gold.
11. Swinoujscie Beach
One of Poland’s most scenic seaside destinations is Swinoujscie Beach on the island of Uznam. Its fine, golden sands stretch for miles, bordering the blue blaze of the Baltic Sea. Protective dunes obscure all visions of the town, giving the space a feeling of intimate wilderness.
The beach’s size ensures a relaxed atmosphere, even on busier days, and an array of water sports are available for those seeking adventure. I would also highly recommend visiting the lighthouse museum located here!
12. Karkonosze National Park
Rubbing shoulders with the Czech Republic and inhabited by mountains tenderly titled the “Miniature Alps”, Karkonosze National Park is 22 square miles of stunning natural beauty. Recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, it supports an ever-evolving level of biodiversity.
The park’s charms are countless. It is distinguished by glacial, mountainous cavities, sprawling spruce forests, roaming mouflons, and glittering waterfalls. At Sniezka’s (the tallest mountain of the range) zenith, you’ll find the Polish Meteor Observatory, which promises an engaging escape from the chill and spectacular panoramic views.
The park encapsulates at least 33 hiking trails covering 100km of varying difficulty and elevation levels, making it one of Poland’s most popular walkabout destinations.
13. Lublin Old Town
Perched amid four hills, Lublin Old Town’s narrow, cobbled streets offer the sensation of stepping into a time warp. Rich in vitality and heritage, it’s home to many enticing attractions, one of which stands as the city’s mouth—the iconic Krakow Gate.
Built as part of a fortification system in the fourteenth century, the Gothic edifice has undergone many phases of restoration to maintain its resonance over thousands of years.
Due to its condensed cultural treasures, the Gate provides passage into the Old Town, often called ‘Little Krakow’. There is much to explore, from Renaissance burgher houses to an underground tourist trail consisting of old wine cellars and shop basements to the stunning Baroque-style cathedral.
14. Zalipie
Affectionately dubbed “the Painted Village,” the picturesque Zalipie is the birthplace of an enchanting tradition; its beauty may not be carved by nature, but it is by no means any less wondrous.
In an attempt to keep their homes looking immaculate, woman crafted paint brushes from cow hair and paint from pigments thickened by fat from their dumplings and gilded their walls with pretty, floral designs.
Now, everything that stays static for long enough seems to receive the Zalipie flower treatment: chicken coops, the village well and bridges, sundials, dog kennels, bins—anything bare is eventually emblazoned, and I loved it!
One woman’s especially ornate living space has been turned into a museum to celebrate and encapsulate the village’s artistic spirit.
15. The Bieszczady National Park
In the very southernmost region of Poland, an expansive treasure trove of wild beauty dwells. The Bieszczady National Park provides a natural sanctuary for abundant wildlife, including large, elusive predators such as bears, lynx, and wolves, as well as deer and Poland’s second-largest bison population.
Characterised by stunning pastures soaring high above the tree line of the Carpathian Mountains, the Park consists of an extensive network of trails.
The designated hiking trails are mostly rated moderate to dangerous, so it is not advisable for the faint of heart!
O.M.G.
It is incredible to know that a country has so many, literally so many shades of its own! Beautiful peaces, historical buildings, national parks, some amusing villages, castles, lakes and so much more! If I ever visit this beautiful country, I would definitely refer to this post. Just imagine how aesthetic one’s pictures would come in a country full of beautiful spots! One can also do like a photo-shoot wearing old fashioned gowns near the historical castles or the small villages here.
Hey Alisha, thank you for sharing your experience. No doubt, Poland is a beautiful country in Central Europe.