Poland

Overview

Poland ( Polish : Polska ) has an eventful history, and a strong basis for its bourgeoning tourism industry. it offers a fair share of countryside, vibrant urbanity, and a culture in connection to its thousand-year history.

Its heritage is reflected in its architecture, museums, galleries and monuments. Its landscape is varied, and extends from the Baltic Sea coast in the north to the Tatra Mountains in the south. In between, lush primeval forests are home to fascinating species of animals including bison in Białowieża ; beautiful lakes and rivers for various water-sports, the best known of which are in Warmińsko-Mazurskie ; rolling hills; flat plains; and deserts. Among Poland's cities you can find the perfectly preserved Gothic old town of Toruń , Hanseatic heritage in Gdańsk and evidence of the 19th-century industrial boom in Łódź .

Creative and enterprising, Poles continually come up with various ideas for events and festivals, and new buildings and institutions spring up almost before your eyes, so that every time you come back, you are bound to discover something new.

Poland's western regions, including large parts of Lower Silesia , Lubuskie and Zachodniopomorskie , were parts of neighbouring Germany at different periods of time. The natural border of mountain ridges separating Poland from its southern neighbours, the Czech Republic and Slovakia , did not stop the cultural influence (and periodic warring). In the Middle Ages, Poland was part of a powerful Commonwealth with Lithuania that governed much of today's Belarus and Ukraine . The cultural evidence of it can be found closer to the present-day borders. Lastly, the entire eastern half of Poland used to be controlled by the Russian Empire, and there was a strong Soviet influence during the communist era, leaving behind many traces in both culture and built heritage.

Sights and landscapes

Ever since Poland joined the European Union , international travellers have rapidly rediscovered the country's rich cultural heritage, stunning historic sites and just gorgeous array of landscapes. Whether you're looking for architecture, urban vibes or a taste of the past: Poland's bustling cities and towns offer something for everyone. If you'd rather get away from the crowds and enjoy nature, the country's vast natural areas provide anything from dense forests, high peaks and lush hills to beaches and lake reserves.

Once a Hanseatic League-town, the port city of Gdańsk boasts many impressive buildings from that time. Here too, a walk along the Royal Road gives a great overview of notable sights. Wrocław , the former capital of Silesia , is still less well-known but can definitely compete when it comes to amazing architecture, Centennial Hall being the prime example. Its picturesque location on the river Oder and countless bridges make this huge city a lovely place. The old town of Zamość was planned after Italian theories of the "ideal town" and named "a unique example of a Renaissance town in Central Europe" by UNESCO. The stunning medieval city of Toruń has some great and original Gothic architecture, as it is one of the few Polish cities to have escaped devastation in WWII. Other interesting cities include Poznań and Lublin .

Experiences

Rent a canoe at local tourism agency and swim on one of many relatively pristine Polish rivers. Agencies provide pickup of canoes after finished trip and return to base. For those feeling more adventurous, you can swim over multiple days and combine it with camping on dedicated sites.

Best routes for canoeing are located in northern Poland, especially in Pomerania region, where rivers are wide, but not too wide and offer reasonable difficulty so as to not make your route too boring or dangerous. If you wish to contemplate nature consider rivers in national parks, for example: Drawa , Biebrza , and Brda . Other interesting options are Barycz and its Milicz ponds, and Pilica, both in southern parts of the country.

There are many mountain trails for casual summer hike in southern Poland. Most of them can be scaled by any healthy, inexperienced person in a day. Remember to bring waterproof jacket, good shoes and something warmer just in case it starts raining or temperature suddenly drops.

Culture and food

Poles take their meals following the standard continental schedule: a light breakfast in the morning (usually some sandwiches with tea/coffee), then a larger lunch (or traditionally a "dinner") at around 13:00-14:00, then a supper at around 19:00.

It is not difficult to avoid meat, with many restaurants offering at least one vegetarian dish. Most major cities have some exclusively vegetarian restaurants, especially near the city centre. Vegan options remain extremely limited, however.

Traditional Polish cuisine tends to be hearty, rich in meats, sauces, and vegetables; sides of pickled vegetables are a favourite accompaniment. It is often described as a cross between German and Russian cuisines, though it also has unique dishes not found in any other cuisines. Modern Polish cuisine, however, tends towards greater variety, and focuses on healthy choices. In general, the quality of "store-bought" food is very high, especially in dairy products, baked goods, vegetables and meat products.

Planning your route

Polish road infrastructure is extensive but generally poorly maintained, and high speed motorways in place are insufficient. However, public transport is quite plentiful and inexpensive: buses and trams in cities, and charter buses and trains for long-distance travel.

LOT Polish Airlines offers domestic flights between Warsaw Chopin Airport and the airports of Kraków, Katowice, Wrocław, Poznań, Szczecin, Gdańsk, Olsztyn (only in summer season), Zielona Góra, Rzeszów and on the route between Kraków and Gdańsk. The best prices are available in booking 60 days in advance. Prices are 60-130 zł. Ryanair offers daily flights from Warsaw Chopin to Gdańsk, Wrocław and Szczecin and on route between Kraków and Gdańsk. Prices start from 9 zł. Connections from Radom to Wrocław and Gdańsk are operated by Sprint Air . There are no domestic flights to or from Warsaw Modlin, Łódź, Bydgoszcz and Lublin airports.

Travel guide text compiled and adapted from Wikivoyage article (contributors). Sections were selected and reordered for this guide. Text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Check current arrangements with your travel consultant.