What To See When Traveling To Poland?

Published On : 04 Sep 2024

Welcome to Poland! From its historical background, fascinating culture, beautiful well-preserved medieval cities, royal castles, and beautiful sceneries of natural beauty, Poland is a perfect destination for tourists. Below are some of the main attractions and things that you should not miss to see during your visit.

Warsaw

Since you will be entering Poland, Warsaw is most probably your first port of call because it is both the capital and the largest city in the country. The Old Town was almost completely destroyed in World War II, but it has been reconstructed in great detail. Stroll along the picturesque cobblestone roads to visit such attractions as the Royal Castle, St John’s Cathedral, and the sculpture of Mermaid – the symbol of the capital. Do not hesitate to take a walk along the Vistula river or visit some of the best museums in Warsaw, such as the Warsaw Uprising Museum or POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

Kraków

Kraków is often referred to as the cultural capital of Poland and due to the fact that it was not liberated during the WWII, it retains its medieval look and feel virtually at every turn. What has not changed is the look of the Main Market Square, which is flanked by old townhouses, churches and restaurants housed in medieval architecture. The St. Mary’s Basilica of the Gothic style is situated on the square and was built in the 15th century; the main attraction is the wooden altar. The Royal Palace, which is now a museum of richly decorated state rooms and treasures, stands on the hill along with Wawel Cathedral which served the Polish kings for centuries. If you want to learn a tragic story visit Schindler’s Factory, which tells about the WWII and the Nazis occupation, the Jewish Ghetto.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Located in the remote area, a serious one day tour from Krakow, the Auschwitz concentration camp is an important historical lesson. Auschwitz I and extensive Auschwitz II – Birkenau camps have been kept to honor Jewish individuals and other victims with museum exhibits depicting sad personal effects and simple living conditions in barbed-wire enclosed barracks. Visitors are kindly asked to remain silent to remember the hardships that took place here during the WWII under the Nazi regime. Tourist attractions offer informative narratives about the tragic holocaust that took place as offered by guided tours.

Wrocław

Eclectic Wrocław is a perfect example of the remnants of the many cultures for which the city was once home to Polish, Bohemian as well as Prussian rule. The impressive Gothic Old Town Hall looks down on the stunning market square with pastel-colored merchant houses now occupied by shops and cafés under arcades. Go to Cathedral Island across the Oder River to see the beautiful Wrocław Cathedral with its twin towers and the intricate episcopal residence. The historic University of Wrocław, one of Europe’s oldest institutions, features an elaborate Leopoldine Hall. The stunning Centennial Hall is an early twentieth-century concrete masterpiece.

1. Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains

Located at the foothills of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is an energetic Polish town with both traditional and modern appeal and a prime location for outdoor exploration.Spend some time exploring the outdoor market selling various handicrafts and cheeses, then take the cable car to ascend and marvel at the incredible views of the mountains. Trek to viewpoints of breathtaking beauty through the woods near cascades and streams in Tatra National Park. Sample traditional dishes such as oscypek grilled sheep’s milk cheese or unwind at an après-ski bar. However, some of them give a more classic look of the timbered architecture with a touch of the traditional highlander style when choosing to explore by horse carriage ride.

Gdańsk

The architecture of the buildings in Gdańsk is very diverse due to its historical background as a Black Hundred city and a Medieval trade hub as well as a WWII site. Spend some time to visit the towering St. Mary’s Church that offers stunning views of the harbor and then explore the Long Market with its cobbled stone streets lined with merchants houses, churches, amber boutiques and even artisan workshops housed inside rustic red brick buildings. Tourists also access Neptune Fountain, Artus Court, which was built in the 14th century, and wonderfully restored patrician houses at the Dlugi Targ. Gdańsk also becomes perfect for starting a trip to the popular Seaside city of Sopot or serious exhibitions at the War WWII Stutthof Concentration Camp located to the east.

Malbork Castle

It is not a surprise that the best-preserved specimen of red-brick Gothic is Malbork Castle, standing on the banks of the Nogat River. Founded in the 13th century, it is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe that, in terms of defensive architecture, is attributed to Poles and Germans who used both Romanesque and Gothic styles. Stroll around the vast estate admiring the height of the building and the thick walls with a tower and a beautiful church to later explore military weapons, arms, and other items in various museums inside the complex. Some of the programs will include trying to capture one of the interesting workshops or performances that a knight, an artisan, or a medieval-styled catering service, can bring on certain occasions.

Poznań

With one of Poland’s most picturesque Old Towns, Poznań captivates travellers with its pastel-coloured merchant houses lining narrow cobbled streets that radiate out from a vibrant central market square with the baroque clock tower of the Old Town Hall. Climb to the top of the tower for spectacular views of the pastel-colored skyline, then wander through the museums, churches, shops, and cafes of a city with a 1000-year history of merchant culture and with a modern university ensuring a vibrant youthful population. Visitors should not leave without visiting the picturesque Cathedral Island in Warta river where the historic quarter resides or without getting acquainted with Poland’s religious heritage following the footsteps of tens of thousands of Catholic devotees visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Licheń located just east of the city of Kalisz.

Whether you are concerned with history, culture, gastronomy, nature or architecture, and regardless of whether you are a city person or a rural person, Poland has a lot to offer to all fans of travelling and tourism with its rich history and a future full of opportunities for tourists. New destinations appear every year in this rapidly developing European country; come see why Poland should be on any traveler’s list of places to visit!