In this post, we’ll cover the 8 best places to visit in Poland, your travel inspiration to make the best of a trip to this beautiful country in Central Europe.
Having a Polish boyfriend, you can be sure I have traveled to and visited THE most beautiful places in Poland over the past few years. So the recommendations you will find below come directly from my handsome local “source” and I completely agree with them. 😉
Poland is a wonderful country in Central Europe, with a rich history, beautiful cities, and very friendly, welcoming people. Of course, the food is pretty good too.
Is there anything fun to do in Poland?
This seems to be the question a lot of people are asking according to my friend, Google. So if you were also wondering if there is anything fun to do in Poland, you have come to the right place.
The short answer is: OF COURSE! There are plenty of fun things to do in Poland, from traveling around the country and discovering its beautiful cities to sailing on their wonderful lakes to having chocolate tastings (or vodka ones 😉 ).
Below we’ll be covering the best places to visit part and the #1 travel destinations in Poland and I’ll leave the vodka tastings (maybe) for another post.
8 Best Places To Visit in Poland
Here are the most beautiful places to visit during your trip to Poland that you should definitely add to your European travel bucket list:
1. Warsaw – the capital of Poland
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland and definitely worth a visit.
Plan a few days here to explore the gorgeous old town (which was completely rebuilt after it was bombed during the 2nd World War), the Palace of Culture & Science (make sure you take the elevator to the top), or walk along the Vistula river.
There are many great things to do in Warsaw. Every time I go back, I love to walk through the picturesque streets of the old town, visit the mermaid statue in the main square and have a coffee at one of the cozy cafes on the main street.
For gorgeous views of the city from above, climb up to the observation deck of the bell tower of St. Anna’s church. You have to pay a small fee, but it’s definitely worth it.
PRO TIP: For the chocolate lovers among us, head to Wedel Chocolate Lounges – the famous Polish chocolate brand and have a chocolate tasting! It is one of the BEST I’ve ever had!
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2. Kraków – one of the best places to visit in Poland
A famous tourist attraction (probably even more than Warsaw), Krakow is one of Poland’s largest and most important cities.
As once the capital of Poland, Krakow is famous for its historical buildings, impressive churches (like St. Mary’s, in the main square), and medieval sites. The old town area has been a UNESCO World Heritage since 1978.
When visiting Krakow, make sure to visit St. Mary’s church in the main square, and also the beautiful Cloth Hall, located right on the other side of it. Then walk around through the medieval streets to find the old defense walls and towers.
And definitely do not miss the Wawel cathedral, castle, and its famous fire-spitting dragon! (yes, you read that right, the dragon statue actually spits fire; it’s really fun to watch).
3. Gdańsk
Gdańsk (Danzig, in German), this chic port town at the Baltic sea is one of the top places in Poland you should absolutely visit.
You will love strolling along the Ulica Dluga (The Long Street), admiring the old, colorful buildings on each side, reaching the Large Square, and taking a selfie in front of Neptune’s statue.
Next, head over to the Motlawa river for lunch or dinner at one of its many beautiful restaurants along each side.
4. Wroclaw – one of the cutest places you can visit in Poland
Ok, this is the Polish city that completely blew me away and it’s probably one of my favorite places in all of Poland! I’m definitely planning a visit back to Wroclaw soon!
This beautiful town is located close to the German border, and you can reach it during a 4 hours drive from Warsaw or 3 hours from Krakow. It will be worth the drive, trust me! 😉
I was super impressed to see those gorgeous, colorful buildings in the Main Square or the Gothic Old Town Hall, with its astronomical clock.
5. Mazury Lakes
And here is one for the nature lovers out there.
Mazury lakes (or the Mazuria region) is one of the best places in Poland to spend a summer holiday out in nature.
Mazury region is known for its 2.000 lakes and it’s a great destination for watersports or for simply sunbathing by the shores (as for yours truly 😉 ). From kayaking to water skiing, to sailing, there are many cool things to do here.
Summer is the best time to visit Mazury. Yet you should know that it’s a popular tourist destination so planning your trip during weekdays might be a better option if you want to avoid crowds.
You can reach Mazury lakes in 3 hours by car from Warsaw, and 6 hours from Krakow.
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6. Ustka
Staying on the nature/water theme, this cute little beach resort at the Baltic Sea is next on my list of best places to visit in Poland.
Ustka is often considered the best summer place in the country by the Polish and attracts many tourists every year.
The beach here is great, with soft, golden sand, yet I’m not sure I would choose it as my beach holiday destination. This is because the water of the Baltic Sea is EXTREMELY cold! We were in mid-August and the water temperature didn’t go higher than 18C (64F).
I did enjoy sunbathing and walking along the pier which offers a nice view of the city.
FUN FACT: Here is a fun fact about the Polish, which I’ve actually discovered here in Ustka: wind-protectors are extremely common to use at the beach. Everyone seems to be using them, not necessarily for the wind, but to mark their own “private” spot at the beach. 🙂
One minute we were alone, the next we were completely surrounded by Polish beach enthusiasts and their wind protectors. 🙂
(check out also Honeymoon on The Amalfi-Coast )
7. Sandomierz
Sandomierz is one of the cutest towns you will ever visit in Poland!
Located in the South East of Poland (about 3 hour’s drive from Warsaw or Krakow), Sandomierz is famous for its historic and well-preserved old town.
It has been declared a National Monument of Poland in 2017, being a top cultural and tourist attraction.
You can easily visit Sandomierz on a day trip from Warsaw. Walk to Market Square and the old Town Hall, and visit the Cathedral. Then head up to the tower for a great view of the city and surroundings.
FUN FACT: Sandomierz is the set of the popular TV series Ojciec Mateusz (the Polish version of the Italian “Don Matteo” TV show). This is the first thing you’ll hear from any Polish person who hears you’re going / have been to Sandomierz. 😀
8. Sopot
Sopot is a famous beach town at the shore of the Baltic Sea, situated very close to Gdańsk. Together with Gdynia and Gdańsk, they form the Tri-city metropolitan area.
Sopot is well known for its sandy beach and long pier but is also an important spa destination.
So if you’re looking for some relaxation in the sun, with the sound of the waves in your ears, this is a great place to try.
Is Poland Cheap to Visit?
I think Poland is definitely cheaper to visit than other European destinations like Italy, France, Switzerland for example. Yet it depends of course on your lifestyle and the travel budgets you have available.
Here are some examples of travel costs to help you plan your trip. These are of course averages and estimations, it will depend a lot on the type of hotel or restaurant you go for.
- average 3-star hotel stay/night: 40-60EUR / 2 people
- average 4-star hotel stay/night: 70-100EUR / 2 people
- dining out: 40EUR / 2 people
- 3-day public transport ticket: 8EUR.
You should know that the official currency used in Poland is the Zloty (1 Zl = 0,21 EUR, 1Zl = 0,23 $).
While you can pay by card in most places, I definitely recommend having some cash with you as well.
I hope my travel guide to Poland with the best places to visit was helpful and inspired you to plan a trip to this beautiful country!
Happy travels! 🙂
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