Highlights
Kraków
Poland's former royal capital has a vast medieval market square, the Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica, from whose tower a bugle call sounds every hour. Wawel Castle and Cathedral stand above the river, and the Kazimierz district is the historic Jewish quarter, now full of cafés.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
The former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp near Oświęcim, about an hour from Kraków. Visits are by timed entry, many with a guide, and should be booked in advance. It is a sobering and essential visit.
Warsaw
The capital's Old Town was almost completely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt so faithfully that it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Warsaw Rising Museum and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews are among the best museums in Europe.
Gdańsk
A Baltic port with tall merchants' houses along the Long Market and the riverside crane, plus the European Solidarity Centre at the shipyard where the Solidarity movement began in 1980. Malbork Castle, the world's largest castle by area, is nearby.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
A salt mine near Kraków worked for centuries, with chapels, statues and chandeliers carved from salt deep underground, the largest being the Chapel of St Kinga.
Zakopane and the Tatras
Poland's mountain resort below the Tatra range, with wooden houses in the Zakopane style. Hikes lead to the lake Morskie Oko and up to Kasprowy Wierch, also reached by cable car.
Wrocław
A city of islands and bridges on the Oder, with a colourful market square and hundreds of small bronze dwarf statues hidden around the streets for visitors to find.
Białowieża Forest
One of the last large areas of primeval lowland forest in Europe, on the border with Belarus, and home to the European bison. Parts of the strict reserve can only be visited with a licensed guide.
Interesting facts about Poland
- Marie Curie, born Maria Skłodowska in Warsaw, was the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.
- Nicolaus Copernicus, who placed the sun at the centre of the solar system, was born in Toruń, whose medieval old town is UNESCO-listed.
- Malbork Castle, built by the Teutonic Knights, is the largest castle in the world measured by land area.
- Poland's Constitution of 3 May 1791 is often described as the first modern written constitution in Europe.
- Pierogi, filled dumplings, come in dozens of variations, from potato and cheese to sweet versions filled with fruit.
Best time to visit
May to September is the best time for most visitors, with warm weather, outdoor cafés and long days; July and August are the warmest and busiest, especially on the Baltic coast and in the mountains. Spring and early autumn are quieter, and autumn colour in the forests and Tatras is lovely. Winters are cold and often snowy, good for skiing in Zakopane and for the Christmas markets in Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk.
Practical information
| Capital | Warsaw |
|---|---|
| Currency | Polish złoty (PLN) |
| Languages | Polish |
| Plugs | Type C, E |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Around 10% in restaurants is usual for good service. Note that saying 'thank you' when handing over payment can be taken to mean you do not need change. |
Getting around
Trains are comfortable and good value, with fast services linking Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań and Katowice. Book ahead for long-distance trains in summer and at holidays. Long-distance buses fill the gaps. Cities have efficient trams, buses and, in Warsaw, a metro; tickets are bought from machines, by phone, or by tapping a contactless card on many vehicles. Ride-hailing apps are widely used. Driving is straightforward, though some motorways have tolls.
Staying connected in Poland
Coverage is good across Poland, with 4G and 5G in cities and most towns and along major roads and rail lines. Signal can weaken in the mountains, deep forests such as Białowieża and some rural areas. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés, and on many trains. Poland is in the EU, so EU visitors can usually roam as at home, while visitors from elsewhere may face high charges. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Poland eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Poland
- Jakdojade: Public transport routes and tickets in Warsaw, Kraków and many other Polish cities.
- PKP Intercity: Book long-distance train tickets with seat reservations.
- Bolt: Ride-hailing widely used in Polish cities.
- Uber: Also operates in the larger cities.
- Google Translate: Polish translation for menus and signs; Polish pronunciation is easier with audio help.