Whether you’re looking for your next city break or an escape to nature, Poland is a great place to visit. It’s rising in popularity as an affordable destination and it has a lot to offer. You can explore charming streets in the old towns, hike in the mountains and try delicious local cuisine. We have visited Poland multiple times and we absolutely love it. Poland is a great country to spend time exploring different cities and we recommend using trains when getting around as the rail network is well-developed and prices are very affordable. You can easily book your trains on Koleo. We put together a guide of where to go in Poland and best things to see.
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Poznań
Poznań is a great place to visit for a weekend city break. It has a rich history, vibrant culture and a lot of delicious food to try. Its old town is definitely one of the best we’ve seen with narrow streets and colourful little houses right on the square. It’s a great place to explore the city’s history during the day and go out for some food and drinks in the evening.
Apart from visiting the square you should venture out further and see The Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. It’s the oldest cathedral in Poland dating back to the 10th century. Located near the river in Ostrów Tumski island which is a great area to explore too. We also recommend visiting the waterpark and spa complex that is located right by the lake called Termy Maltanskie. It’s a great place to relax after a full day of exploring the city.
When in Poznań you definitely need to try the local cuisine. The city is famous for its giant croissants filled with poppy seed paste called Rogal Świętomarciński. There is even a croissant museum on the square where you can take part in workshops and learn to make them yourself. We also recommend Manekin, a restaurant for trying delicious sweet and sweet pancakes at affordable prices.
Wrocław
Located only 2 hours away from Poznań by train, Wrocław is a great place to stop off for a couple of days and explore its cultural sights and enjoy the chilled vibe. It offers a blend of history and modernity.
We recommend exploring the old town and the market square with plenty of colourful townhouses, historic sites and museums. There are also restaurants where you can try traditional dishes such as polish pierogi, borscht and zapiekanka (mini pizza bread with mushrooms and cheese). We really recommend Vega restaurant located right on the square. It’s fully plant-based and you can savour traditional Polish cuisine or choose an international dish at an affordable price.
You should also head to Ostrów Tumski quarter (same name as in Poznań!) which is the oldest part of the city featuring cobblestone streets and the city cathedral. It’s located on the bank of river Odra and there are boat tours and kayaks for rent available if you wish to explore the town from the water. If you want to find out more about the history we recommend heading to Racławice Panorama Museum where you can see an impressive painting ( 114 metres long) representing the Battle of Racławice.
There are also plenty of outdoor attractions to enjoy in the city. The University of Wrocław Botanical Gardens offers a serene environment with a variety of plants and trees. It’s a perfect place for nature enthusiasts. We also recommend heading to the Centennial Hall which is used for culture events and it’s surrounded by beautiful gardens where you can chill after a full day of exploring.
Wrocław is also known for having over a thousand gnomes (krasnal) scattered around the city. We always enjoy walking around and spotting these throughout the city. Make sure to look out for them!
Szklarska Poręba
If you’re wondering where to go in Poland, Szklarska Poreba is a charming mountain town in the south and is a great place to explore Poland’s nature. It’s located about 3 hours away from Wrocław by train. It’s a great base to hike the mountains from, and you can also explore the charming city centre where you can try delicious Polish and Czech food. There are plenty of choices for accommodation from luxury resorts with spas to local campsites where you can rent a basic cabin or a pitch to set up your tent.
We recommend a hike to Kamienczyk Waterfall. It’s a moderate walk that will take around 1 hour from the centre. You will walk through forests, pass interesting rock formations and viewpoints. Szrenica Ski Arena is another great spot. It’s great in the winter if you enjoy skiing but in the summer you can use the cable chair lift to take you to the top of the highest mountain in the town and hike down from there.
Szklarska Poręba it’s located only 30 minutes away from Czechia and you can easily visit the mountain town of Harrachov across the border. There is even a direct train available to take you there!
Gdańsk
Gdańsk is a charming city located by the Baltic Sea and it offers a blend of rich history and modern amenities. As a principal seaport in Poland it played a key role in trade and cultural exchange for centuries. It’s part of a metropolitan area called Trójmiasto that also includes nearby coastal cities of Gdynia and Sopot. It’s a perfect place if you’re looking to combine exploring cultural sights with chilling by the sea.
Gdańsk is also an important city for Polish history. World War II started with the German invasion of this city and you should see the Westerplatte monument, the site where the first battle took place. You can also visit the Museum of the Second World War which has one of the biggest historical exhibitions in the world. Walking around is fascinating and it clearly shows the impact of war in Poland and Europe. Gdańsk is also where the Solidarity movement began that contributed to the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. You can visit the European Solidarity Centre which is a modern cultural institution that commemorates the movement and its fight for freedom.
The old town is another great spot to explore. You can take a stroll along the river and stop off in one of the restaurants offering great views. Długi Targ is definitely the heart of the city. It’s filled with colorful buildings and being there feels like stepping back in time. When in the old town we recommend also seeing St. Mary’s Church, it’s a gothic style basilica built in the 16th century and one of the largest in Europe.
Kraków
We know this is where everyone goes in Poland but there’s a reason for it! Kraków is an amazing city with a vibrant vibe filled with culture and history. After exploring the old town in the day, Kraków offers great nightlife.
When in the old town you should see St. Mary’s Basilica and Sukiennice. It’s also great to just walk around and get lost in the little streets. We recommend staying in the Jewish quarter called Kazimierz. It’s a very charming area with a lot of history, cafes and restaurants, and is still within walkable distance to the main square. In the evening we really enjoyed visiting Plac Nowy (New Square) in Kazimierz district. It’s a great place for everyone offering a mixture of vibrant bars if you want to party and also tranquil spots if you are after something more chilled.
A trip to Kraków wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Wawel Royal Castle and its grounds. Kraków used to be the capital of Poland and Wawel was the royal residence. This is also where the legendary Wawel dragon used to live and you can see his monument breathing fire. The main area around the castle is completely free to visit and walk around. You can decide if you want to pay for attractions such as the inside of the castle, royal gardens or dragon’s den (we definitely recommend this one!).
There are also day trips from Kraków available. Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is one of them, showing the sad history of concentration camps. You can also visit Wieliczka Salt Mines where you will walk around underground chapels and chambers made of salt. It’s definitely a unique experience!
Zakopane
Called the winter capital of Poland but it’s a perfect place to visit all year round! Zakopane offers amazing nature spots high in the mountains and it’s perfect for fans of all things outdoors. It’s located within a 2-hour train ride from Kraków so you can always combine them when looking at where to go in Poland.
We recommend taking the 2-hour hike to Morskie Oko which is an emerald-green lake located in Tatra Mountains National Park. You will need to take a bus or a taxi to drop you off at the start of the trail. The walk is fairly easy and mostly flat, and the views on the way are amazing. You should also get a cable car to the top of Gubałówka mountain. It offers great hiking trails and panoramic views of the mountains and nearby towns. If you’re up for a challenge you can climb Giewont mountain which is one of the highest peaks in Poland (1,894 metres above sea level).
In the evening it’s great to walk down Krupówki street and enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, watch street performers and admire the old wooden architecture. There are also places to relax after a long day of hiking. Aqua Park Zakopane is a large modern complex with thermal baths and an acquapark to unwind. There is also Chochołowskie Termy which is the largest thermal complex in Poland but it’s located slightly further away.
Final Thoughts
Poland is definitely a great place to travel around to explore historical sites, enjoy the outdoors and also relax. It’s definitely a trip that won’t ruin the bank – you can expect to book decent accommodation for around £50 per night and spend less than £10 per person on a meal out. That’s definitely less than half the price of most destinations in Western Europe. We hope this guide was helpful and gave you some ideas of where to go in Poland. Dziękuję!
