10 Crazy Things That SHOCK Tourists When They Visit Poland for the 1st Time

Ten Things That Will Shock You When You Visit Poland

Greetings from Krakow, Poland! Today we’re sharing the ten things that shock tourists when they visit Poland. Knowing these Poland culture shocks ahead of time will help you be more prepared for your trip, and make your visit in Poland more enjoyable. It’s a fantastic country that has shown incredible pride in rebuilding so many places after the second world war.

Poland Culture Shock #1 The Polish Face

When you visit Poland for the first time, don’t let “the Polish Face” shock you. People walk around Poland very stone-faced, with no emotion. You see this everywhere in Poland, whether you’re at the train station or the grocery store. The women in Poland are gorgeous, so maybe they’re just practicing their catwalk face perhaps?

Note: Also, don’t be shocked that Poles don’t all fit the stupid stereotypes we hear as kids. They’re not dumb, or alcoholic, or anything else that’s been propagated through jokes over the years.

Poland Culture Shock #2 Poles are Very Religious

It might be shocking at just how Catholic and religious the Polish people are. The churches in Poland are spectacular, and a sign of how important religion is here. Unlike other places that are tearing down or converting churches, Poland continues to build new churches to meet the needs of their citizens. Don’t be shocked if you are riding the bus and see everyone do the sign of the cross as you pass a church. Make sure you take time to go inside some churches in Poland to see how amazing they are.

Poland Culture Shock #3 WWII Destruction

You’ll be shocked at the amount of destruction in Poland from World War II. Krakow was largely spared from this destruction, but many of cities in Poland weren’t so lucky. Warsaw, for example, was heavily destroyed and “old” in Warsaw only dates back to post-war because it was leveled by the Nazi forces. When you see how much has been rebuilt after total destruction, you’ll be amazed at the Polish people and their resilience.

Our Suggested Two Week Polish Itinerary

Poland Culture Shock #4 The Polish Language

Don’t be shocked when you realize that the Polish language is completely incomprehensible and illegible. It’s okay if you don’t speak Polish, as most young people and people in tourism in Poland will also speak English. But unlike some Latin languages where you might be able to make out a few words here and there, Polish is exceptionally difficult to understand. It won’t hurt to learn a few words of Polish, such as please and thank you.

Poland Culture Shock #5 Eating in Poland

The Poles really love their potatoes and cabbage, so Polish food might come as a bit of a shock to you. Even if it’s not on the menu, most entrees come served with potatoes and cabbage. There is some good food in Poland, such as the pierogi. If you don’t like cabbage and potatoes, fill up on dessert!

Read: 10 Shocks of Visiting Krakow, Poland

Poland Culture Shock #6 Very Few Tourists

You will be shocked at the lack of tourist crowds in Poland. While Krakow gets about ten million tourists per year, overall Poland doesn’t see the crowds of tourists that you expect in other European countries. If you leave the major cities, you’ll really stand out as a tourist because they just aren’t used to foreign visitors in many parts of Poland.

Poland Culture Shock #7 Poland is Cheap

Since there aren’t many tourists in Poland to drive up the prices, it’s still very cheap to visit Poland. You can have a very affordable vacation in Poland as rooms and accommodation, food and drink are all very cheaply priced. This makes Krakow and Warsaw popular party weekend destinations because your money goes farther.

Poland Culture Shock #8 Natural Beauty in Poland

You will be shocked at the amount of space and natural beauty in Poland. It’s one of the biggest countries in Europe, and as you travel between cities in Poland, you’ll see how much open space there is. Poland has a lot of natural beauty as well, from the Masurian Lakes District to the coast near Gdansk to Zakopane with the Tatras mountains.

Poland Culture Shock #9 Town Squares

You’ll also be shocked at how amazing the town squares are in Poland. Cities in Poland have some incredible town squares. Krakow has the largest town square in Europe. Warsaw has completely rebuilt their town square since the war, Wroclaw, Gdansk, all have beautiful squares surrounded by interesting buildings and history.

Read: 10 Culture Shocks of Visiting England for the First Time

Poland Culture Shock #10 Lack of Service

Remember the Polish Face from tip #1? That’s also the face of service in Poland. It’s not the most attentive, friendly, or fast, but you’ll get your food eventually. Poland isn’t necessarily the most service-oriented economy in Europe, so be prepared with a little patience when going out to eat. It’s definitely improving, though!

Hopefully these tips prepare you for the biggest shocks of visiting Poland. It’s a great country, and being one of only a few tourists is a very special experience.