Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Poland, an underrated travel destination in Central Europe. I love recommending a Poland trip to our friends and followers. I’ve made many trips to Poland, so I want to share the best cities to visit in Poland. This list of the best places to visit in Poland will help you start planning your Poland trip.
Gdansk
Start your Poland itinerary in the north of Poland, in Gdansk. Gdansk is a major shipping port on the Baltic Sea. It also happens to be where World War II started. The Old Town is incredible, with monuments and churches. The harbor is also a popular thing to see in Gdansk, with harbor tours readily available. If you are looking for a good souvenir to bring home, Gdansk is a big part of the amber trade, so you will see a lot of amber for sale in Gdansk.
Baltic Beaches
Staying along the Baltic coastline of Poland, take a few days to explore the tiny resort towns of the Polish seaside. Swinoujscie and Sopot are two of the better-known Polish beach towns, but there are dozens of small beach towns known mostly only to locals and Germans who flock here in the summertime.
Masurian Lake District
Many people know of the UK’s Lake District, but did you know that Poland also has a Lake District? The Masurian Lake District in northeast Poland has more than 2,000 lakes. If you are looking for an affordable, relaxing family summer vacation, rent a lake home in this district. Be sure to stop at Malbork Castle on your way down from Gdansk!
Wroclaw
Traveling towards the southwest of Poland, not far from the border of the Czech Republic, Wroclaw has one of the prettiest town squares in Poland. Wroclaw is much less touristy than some other cities in Poland, so it gives you an authentic feel for Polish culture. The town is full of interesting historic and cultural sites.
Warsaw
The capital city of Poland, Warsaw is another fun city to explore. The National Museum has one of the best collections of art in Eastern Europe. Check out the uprising museum and the old town square, which has been completely rebuilt after WWII.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Warsaw
Lublin
In the southeast of Poland, Lublin is a cute little town with a historic center. Like Wroclaw, not many tourists visit Lublin, so you really get a sense of Polish culture and history here, without all the trappings of more popular tourist towns.
Krakow
I think Krakow is the prettiest city in Poland. Krakow receives about 10 million visitors per year, so the tourist infrastructure is well-developed. Some of the best things to see in Krakow include the town square, St. Mary’s church (which is on the largest square in Europe,) and Wawel Castle, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world. Krakow is also a good base for a day trip to the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps.
Ten Things That Will Shock You in Krakow
Tatra Mountains
Two hours south of Krakow is the alpine paradise of the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains. This region is an outdoor adventure paradise in both summer and winter. The ski resorts are incredible, and a fraction of the price of skiing in Switzerland or Germany.
Getting Around Poland
Travel within Poland is primarily by bus or train, and it’s not the fastest system. However, it’s very affordable! Just be realistic with your travel times and how much time you allocate between cities.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
There are many more places to visit in Poland; this is just my quick list of the best places to visit in Poland. With enough time, I encourage you to travel all over this great country and enjoy the scenery, culture, and food! Looking for more tips on Central Europe travel? Check out these other blog posts: