This travel guide covers everything you need to know about Poland, including its highly picturesque cities and the country’s other sights.
Poland packs in a lot of great sights, and there is so much more to see than just its bustling capital of Warsaw or its beautiful historic cities such as Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław.
Poland also boasts beautiful mountain scenery in the south, good beaches along its Baltic Sea coast in the north, and the largest primeval forest in Europe in the north-east of the country.
In this article, you will not only find a lot of practical information, but also detailed destination guides for the main cities and regions, trip reports, and advice on how to best reach Poland and get around the country.
Travel to Poland: The essentials
Poland is a country in central Europe and a member state of the European Union (EU), with Warsaw being its capital city.
Poland is also part of Europe’s Schengen Area, which means that there are no passport checks when travelling to or from another Schengen state.
There are seven countries that share a border with Poland: Germany to the west, Russia (the Kaliningrad exclave) and Lithuania to the north-east, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, and Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south.
The geography of Poland is characterised by mountain ranges in the far south (the Sudeten Mountains and Carpathians) and its Baltic Sea coastline to the north, with mostly flat terrain between these natural borders.
These lowlands dominate much of Poland, though they are crossed by several rivers, including the Vistula and Oder.
In the Masurian Lake District in the north-east of the country, the landscape is characterised by hundreds of lakes and dense forests.
The main language spoken in Poland is Polish, a West Slavic language, and it is the mother tongue of approximately 97% of the population.
In the main cities and major tourist destinations of Poland, English is widely spoken, especially among younger Poles, though it becomes less common in more rural areas.
Different regions of Poland
Poland is made up of 16 voivodeships (provinces), further divided into powiaty (singular: powiat), the Polish term for counties.
From a traveller’s perspective, it is easier to view Poland through its main historic regions, which do not completely align with the voivodeships but provide a much better framework for understanding the country culturally and geographically.
Wielkopolska (Greater Poland), a relatively flat region centred around the beautiful city of Poznań, is regarded as the Polish heartland and the cradle of the nation, where the first Polish state emerged.
Małopolska (Lesser Poland), the region centred around the historic royal capital of Kraków, features flatlands and rolling hills in its northern and central areas, while the mighty Carpathian Mountains dominate the south.
Besides Kraków, century-old cities like Lublin are among the main tourist draws of Małopolska, with Zakopane also being an important travel destination as the gateway to the stunning nature of the Carpathians.
Mazowsze (Mazovia) is the region in mid-north-eastern Poland, dominated physically by plains and culturally by Warsaw, the national capital.
Śląsk (Silesia) is the region in south-central and south-western Poland that largely corresponds to the modern voivodeships of Lower Silesia, Opole, and Silesia.
Silesia, with its varied natural landscape ranging from plains to rolling hills and the Sudeten Mountains along its southern border with the Czech Republic, is Poland’s industrial heartland, home to major industrial hubs like Katowice and Gliwice, as well as Wrocław, renowned for its culture and charming old town.
Pomorze (Pomerania) is a largely flat region in north-western and north-central Poland that borders the Baltic Sea.
Just like in parts of Silesia, you’ll find both Polish and German cultural roots in Pomerania, as historically, large swathes of these regions were under Prussian rule, which is particularly evident in cities such as Gdańsk, historically known as Danzig, and Szczecin (formerly Stettin).
Warmia i Mazury (Warmia and Mazuria) are two historic regions in north-eastern Poland that together make up a modern-day voivodeship.
This region is best known for the Masurian Lake District and historic cities such as Olsztyn and Elbląg.
Podlasie (Podlachia), a region centred around Białystok in north-eastern Poland, is largely flat and renowned for its dense forests, such as those in Białowieża National Park.
Podkarpacie (Subcarpathia), a region bordering Ukraine and Slovakia in south-eastern Poland, is famed not only for its remote mountain terrain but also for historic cities like Rzeszów and Przemyśl.
The main sights of Poland
Although most foreign tourists travel to Poland to visit its cultural destinations, the country also offers a great variety of natural sights.
Poland boasts magnificent mountain scenery in the south, which is sure to appeal to hikers, as well as lakes and forests in the north of the country.
It may not be the Mediterranean, but Poland’s beaches on the Baltic Sea also make for excellent travel destinations during the height of the summer season.
Yet it is the historic cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and Gdańsk that draw most foreign visitors to Poland.
As one of Europe’s most devout Catholic countries and the home of former Pope John Paul II, Poland has plenty of beautiful churches and cathedrals.
Even though an increasing number of travellers are discovering the delights of Poland and cities like Kraków are firmly established on the European tourist trail, you’ll find that it’s easy to escape the crowds when you head away from the main cities, likely sharing these destinations only with some Polish tourists or those in the know.
The following travel destinations are typically regarded as the main sights in Poland:
– Warsaw, Poland’s capital city, with its painstakingly renovated old town, World War II history related to the Warsaw Ghetto and Uprising, and bustling nightlife.
– The former royal Polish capital of Kraków, with first-class sights such as Wawel Castle, the historic Jewish Kazimierz district, and the grandeur of Rynek, the city’s main square.
– Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most infamous of the Nazi concentration camps, where you can learn more about the darkest pages of European history.
– Zakopane, the gateway to the stunning mountain scenery of the Carpathians, with excellent hiking opportunities.
– Wrocław, with its magnificent old town full of impressive Baroque and Gothic architecture.
– The beaches in and around the main tourist resorts on the Baltic Sea, such as Sopot, Łeba, and Kołobrzeg.
– Gdańsk, the historic Hanseatic League port city and birthplace of the Solidarity movement.
– The city of Poznań, with its picturesque old town square, fine Baroque and Renaissance architecture, and lively cafés and bars.
– Malbork, with its massive Gothic red-brick castle that was once home to the Teutonic Knights.
– Toruń, another historic Polish city with a picturesque old town, best known for its famous native son, Copernicus.
– Wieliczka Salt Mine, with its fascinating mining history and otherworldly underground landscape.
– The Masurian Lake District, a stunning natural landscape featuring over 2,000 lakes and countless canals and waterways.
– The Elbląg Canal, where instead of locks, a system of cable railways lifts ships between different water levels, overcoming a height difference of 100 metres.
– Białowieża Forest, one of Europe’s last primeval forests and home to nearly 900 European bison.
– Hel Peninsula, a 35-kilometre-long sandbar that separates the Bay of Puck from the Baltic Sea, and your chance to say you’ve been to Hell.
– Katowice, the capital of Silesia, where you can experience the region’s industrial heritage and the vibrant life of a rejuvenated city.
– Countless of other lively cities with picturesque old towns and an interesting history, such as Lublin, Przemyśl, and Zamość.
In addition to the most important sights listed above, Poland is home to a wealth of lesser-known cities, towns, villages, and natural parks that are well worth exploring.
Is Poland safe to visit?
Poland is a very safe country to visit, with crime rates generally lower than those in Western Europe.
Even walking at night in major Polish cities is perfectly safe, although it’s always sensible to take the usual precautions, just as you would at home on a night out.
Although crimes like theft are uncommon, it’s still wise to be aware of pickpockets when walking in crowded areas or using public transport.
In major Polish cities, it’s often a better choice for foreign tourists to use ridesharing apps like Uber or Bolt rather than regular taxis to avoid inflated prices, although most taxi drivers are honest.
Food in Poland
One of the highlights of travelling to Poland is enjoying its hearty, traditional cuisine.
Although Polish cuisine shares some similarities with the food of neighbouring countries, primarily Germany and Ukraine, there are dozens of unique dishes in Poland that you must try when visiting the country.
Soups are an important part of a Polish meal, with żurek, a soup made from soured rye flour, hard-boiled eggs, and smoked meat, being a local favourite.
Chilled beetroot soup, called chłodnik, is delightfully refreshing on a hot summer evening and perfectly suited for vegetarians (vegans should check whether it includes a halved hard-boiled egg, which is commonly added).
Poland’s best-known dish, often regarded as its national food, is pierogi — dumplings with various fillings such as ground meat, potatoes, and mushrooms, typically served with sour cream and fried onions on the side.
Another popular dish is bigos, a hearty stew made with chopped meat, sauerkraut, and cabbage.
Meat plays a prominent role in Polish cuisine, with kielbasa (traditional sausage) and kotlet schabowy (a breaded pork cutlet similar to Wiener schnitzel) being the best-known examples.
Fish, whether smoked or baked, also features in Polish cuisine and is especially popular along the Baltic Sea coast, while trout is common in the mountainous regions of the south.
For desserts and sweets, paczki (Polish doughnuts), sernik (cheesecake, sometimes topped with jelly), and makowiec (poppy seed cake, occasionally with raisins, almonds, or walnuts added) are popular throughout Poland.
Poland’s most popular fast food snack by far is the zapiekanka, a toasted baguette topped with mushrooms, cheese, and ketchup.
Especially in large Polish cities, you will have no trouble finding restaurants serving quality international cuisine, whether it’s an Italian bistro, American-inspired hamburger joint, Spanish tapas, Vietnamese fast food, a Japanese sushi restaurant, Chinese takeaway, or Georgian or Armenian dishes.
Polish drinks
Poland’s national drink is vodka, and the country boasts excellent brands like Wyborowa, Sobieski, Absolwent, and Belvedere.
Perhaps the most unique of all Polish vodkas is Żubrówka, which contains a blade of bison grass to give it its distinct flavour.
The Poles love their strong alcohol, and there are plenty of other unique liqueurs and spirits to enjoy.
Soplica, another major vodka brand, is perhaps best known for its flavoured spirits and liqueurs, such as the excellent Soplica Orzech Laskowy (Hazelnut Soplica).
Polish beer is highly regarded, with brands such as Żywiec, Tyskie, Lech, and Okocim being among the most popular lagers in Poland.
Poland has a flourishing craft beer scene, and in the big cities, it won’t be hard to find a great choice of excellent Polish craft beers in bars.
Although Poland is rarely regarded as a wine country, it does have some wineries that produce surprisingly good-quality wine, so if you come across some in a bar or restaurant, it’s well worth a try.
Contrary to popular belief among tourists, it is generally illegal to drink alcohol in public places in Poland, so it’s best to avoid doing so.
If you don’t drink alcohol, you’ll also find plenty of options in Poland, as the country has high-quality mineral water brands and fruit juice producers, such as Tymbark.
Poland is traditionally a tea-drinking country, although nowadays the Poles love their cup of kawa (coffee) just as much as they enjoy their herbata (tea).
Chain coffee stores for a takeaway cup and quality independent coffeehouses can be found in any town of size throughout Poland.
Currency and payments in Poland
The local currency in Poland is the Polish złoty, and its currency code is PLN.
If you plan to exchange foreign currency in Poland for your travels, it is best to bring cash in euros, US dollars, or British pounds.
Travel costs in Poland
Travel costs in Poland are lower than in Western Europe, though the country is no longer as affordable as it once was, with both price levels and living standards having increased significantly over the last decade.
This is especially true in major cities like Warsaw and Kraków, where hotel prices can even match those in Germany or Spain, although it’s still possible to score some great deals.
Fortunately, prices for food and drinks in bars and restaurants remain affordable in Poland, and if you visit any second-tier city or head into the countryside, you will find accommodation prices to be low as well.
These are the average price levels in Poland for common travel costs:
Hostel bed: Between €10 and €25.
Mid-range hotel: From €40 in small towns to €70 in big cities.
Coffee in a café: Around €3.
0.5 litre of beer in a bar: Between €2.30 and €3.50, or around €5 to €6 for craft beer.
Main course at a restaurant: Between €7 and €15.
Museum visit: From €2 for a small town museum, up to €10 for the bigger museums in the main cities.
150-kilometre-long train ride: €12 for a second class ticket.
Car rent: €35 to €40 per day for a Toyota Yaris or similar compact hatchback.
Petrol: €1.45 for a litre of E10 fuel (Euro 95).
Climate of Poland
Poland’s climate is a temperate transitional climate, influenced by both the maritime climate to the west and the continental climate to the east.
In practice, this means that temperatures in Poland are temperate throughout the year, with summers generally being pleasantly warm and winters not too cold.
Precipitation is common throughout the year, although winters in Poland are drier than summers.
In summer, temperatures in Poland can reach 30 degrees Celsius (86°F), although the average is likely to be around 25 degrees Celsius (77°F), with coastal areas and the mountains tending to have more moderate temperatures than inland cities such as Warsaw.
In winter, temperatures usually hover around 0 degrees Celsius (32°F), with the coast being slightly warmer, while the eastern part of the country and the mountains to the south generally experience colder temperatures.
Best time of the year to travel to Poland
The summer months from the middle of June to the end of August are generally the best time to visit Poland, as temperatures are pleasantly warm.
Summer is by far the best time of the year to visit the mountains if you’re into hiking or simply want to enjoy nature, and it’s also when the beach destinations on Poland’s Baltic Sea coast come alive.
If you plan to travel to Poland to see cities like Warsaw, Gdańsk and Kraków, the shoulder season in spring or autumn is also a great time to visit, even though the weather can be more unpredictable.
When visiting Poland in spring, summer, or autumn, you should always consider the possibility of rain showers, as dry weather is not guaranteed.
With the exception of some ski resorts in the mountains of southern Poland, winter is the low season, and if you don’t mind the colder temperatures, it can be a great time for a city trip, as flight and accommodation prices will be lower.
It’s best to avoid travelling to Poland during Easter, as cities will be virtually deserted, with many museums and other sights, as well as bars and restaurants, being closed.
In the days before or after holidays like Easter and Christmas, public transport such as trains and buses are likely to be fully booked, so if you must travel, make sure to book your ticket early.
Getting to Poland
Poland is an easy country to reach, whether you’re coming from another part of Europe or travel from another continent.
With LOT Polish Airlines, Poland is home to a major European airline that operates both short-haul and long-haul flights, and the country is also well-served by low-cost airlines.
You will also find that Poland generally has good road and rail links to other countries in the region, if you prefer overland travel.
Below, you can find more information about transport to Poland by air, bus, and train, as well as everything you need to know if you plan to drive by car to the country.
Flying to Poland
Poland is well-connected by air to numerous destinations across Europe and also offers direct flights to many major cities in Asia and North America.
Warsaw Chopin Airport (IATA code: WAW) is the biggest airport in Poland and serves as the home base for the national carrier, LOT Polish Airlines.
LOT Polish Airlines operates flights from Warsaw to the most important European cities, as well as major airports in the United States and Canada, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
LOT also flies to destinations in North Africa and the Middle East, including Cairo and Dubai, as well as major airports in southern and far-eastern Asia, such as Delhi, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Of course, Warsaw Chopin Airport is also served by nearly every other major European airline, including Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.
Airlines such as Air China, Emirates, Ethiopian, Etihad, and Qatar Airways not only link Warsaw to their respective hubs but also offer convenient one-stop connections to other destinations in Africa and Asia.
After Warsaw Chopin, the airports in Kraków (KRK), Gdańsk (GDN), Katowice (KTW), and Wrocław (WRO) are the most important in Poland, while Warsaw Modlin (WMI) serves as a secondary airport for the Polish capital.
There are around a dozen more airports in Poland, although these generally handle only a limited number of international flights with low-cost airlines and domestic flights with LOT Polish Airlines.
Among the low-cost airlines, Wizz Air and Ryanair dominate the scene in Poland, offering by far the most flights and connecting multiple Polish airports to cities across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Travelling by train to Poland
Poland is easily by train from most other European countries.
There are direct trains — daytime, night trains, or both — connecting major cities in Poland with cities in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Ukraine, and Lithuania.
Although there used to be a direct night train from Warsaw to Minsk (Belarus) and Moscow (Russia), the service has been suspended following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The land borders between Poland and Belarus, as well as those with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, are currently closed for political reasons, and no cross-border trains are operating.
You can search for train connections and book most international tickets on the Polish Railways website.
In many cases, it is much easier to use the website of the respective railway company for the country you are travelling from or to, such as the Deutsche Bahn website for train journeys involving Germany or the Czech Railways website for trips involving the Czech Republic, as the Polish Railways website is not particularly user-friendly and has its quirks.
You can also book your international train tickets for a small additional fee through the highly recommended rail agency Polrail if it is not possible to book tickets online for a specific route or train.
Travelling by bus to Poland
Bus connections are available from nearly every city in Poland to destinations across Europe, including countries as far away as Spain and the UK.
However, journey times by bus can be long, and with the possible exception of Lux Express buses linking Poland to the Baltic States, comfort is often lacking.
The website e-podroznik is a reliable source for finding international bus routes to and from Poland, along with the companies that operate them.
For international bus connections to and from Poland, Flixbus and Ecolines offer by far the most departures, linking multiple Polish cities to nearly every neighbouring country and destinations further afield, while the aforementioned Lux Express is an excellent option for travel from Warsaw to the Baltic capitals, such as Vilnius, Riga, or Tallinn.
Travelling by sea to Poland
Taking a ferry across the Baltic Sea is a great option if you want to travel between Poland and Sweden, with four different routes to choose from.
Polferries operates both a daily daytime and an overnight ferry between Świnoujście in north-western Poland and Ystad in southern Sweden.
From Świnoujście, you can also take a ferry to Trelleborg in southern Sweden, this route being operated by TT Line.
Unity Line also operates both daytime and overnight ferries on the Świnoujście-Ystad route, while its Świnoujście-Trelleborg ferry route is only open to lorries and cargo, and not to cars or foot passengers.
Stena Line operates a ferry route between Gdynia, just north of Gdańsk, and Karlskrona in southern Sweden, with both daytime and overnight sailings.
Polferries operates an overnight ferry from Gdańsk to Nynäshamn in east-central Sweden, just a short distance from Stockholm.
Getting around Poland
Poland is one of Europe’s larger countries, so distances and travel times can be long when travelling from one destination to another.
The infrastructure in Poland is of decent quality and rapidly modernising, which applies to both its railways and road network.
As most of Poland is flat, your trips around the country, whether by bus, car, or train, typically won’t be very scenic and may even become somewhat tedious in terms of the views from the window.
On the plus side, ticket prices are generally affordable, no matter which mode of transport you choose.
Domestic flights in Poland
LOT Polish Airlines operates multiple domestic flights within Poland, which can be reasonably priced when booked in advance.
Most domestic flights of LOT Polish Airlines are feeder flights from secondary airports to their main hub at Warsaw Chopin Airport, which are primarily intended for passengers connecting to onward destinations abroad, even though some passengers also use them for a quick domestic hop to the capital.
However, there are also a few domestic flights between secondary city pairs in Poland, such as the LOT Polish Airlines route from Kraków to Olsztyn-Mazury Airport.
Such flights could be worth taking, as they would save you a considerable amount of time compared to making the same journey by bus or train.
Bus travel in Poland
Buses connect nearly every city and town in Poland and can be a good way to travel across the country.
Check e-podroznik to find bus connections and operators in Poland for the route you’re considering.
Flixbus and Neobus are two of the main bus companies in Poland operating domestic routes.
PolskiBus, which used to be one of the main operators of domestic bus routes in Poland, has fully merged into Flixbus.
Train travel in Poland
The train is the most popular mode of transport to travel around Poland, which applies to both long-distance journeys as well as shorter regional or local trips.
PKP Intercity, a subsidiary of the Polish State Railways (PKP), operates long-distance trains in Poland, including the country’s high-speed and night trains.
Long-distance rail travel in Poland can be a real treat if you travel on premium trains such as the high-speed Express Intercity Premium (EIP), the Express InterCity (EIC), and the EuroCity (EC) and InterCity (IC) services.
On the most important train services in Poland, you can expect a proper sit-down dining car, where you can enjoy delicious Polish food and drink while watching the scenery go by.
TLK trains form the backbone of long-distance services in Poland, being slower and more variable in quality compared to the more premium EIP, EC, and IC trains.
If you travel from one side of the country to the other, such as from Kraków to Szczecin or from Gdańsk to Zakopane, Polish overnight trains (generally classified as IC or TLK) are well worth considering, as many services have sleeping cars attached.
With a proper bed to sleep in, whether in your private compartment or in a shared sleeper or couchette, such night trains make for a comfortable and convenient way to travel long distances.
Although EIP trains have compulsory seat reservation (which is included in the price of your ticket), this is optional on most EC, IC, and TLK trains, though it is still highly recommended if you want to be assured of a seat on peak departures or during busy holidays.
The extra cost of 3 Polish złoty (€0.70) for a seat reservation is negligible anyway.
When buying your ticket online, you can automatically assign a reserved seat to yourself.
Note that EIP, EIC, EC, and IC trains are usually cheaper when booked in advance, whereas TLK trains have a fixed distance-based price regardless of when you book the ticket.
Polregio is the company that operates most local and regional trains, which are typically classified as R (Regio), IR (InterRegio), and RE (RegioExpress) services.
However, in some Polish regions, the majority of local train services are operated by regional transport companies, such as Szybka Kolej Miejska (SKM) in the Tri-City area of Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia, and Koleje Małopolskie (KMŁ) in the Małopolska (Lesser Poland) region, centred around Kraków.
Unlike long-distance trains, where seat reservations are either compulsory or highly recommended, tickets for local trains have a fixed price, never sell out, and can therefore easily be bought on the day of travel at the station.
Driving in Poland
For the vast majority of tourists visiting Poland, a car will be more of a burden than an advantage, as most of the country’s sights are located within the main cities or are easily accessible by public transport.
However, if you plan to visit the Polish countryside or a more remote area of the country, renting a car can make sense.
The road network in Poland is generally of good quality and up to modern standards, with motorways linking the main cities, but in more remote areas, road quality can vary.
Road rules in Poland
The speed limit in Poland depends on the road category and is 20 kilometres per hour in residential areas, 50 kilometres per hour in urban areas, 90 kilometres per hour outside of urban areas (or 100 km/h if lanes are separated by a barrier or central reservation), 100 kilometres per hour on single-lane expressways, 120 kilometres per hour on dual-carriage expressways, and 140 kilometres per hour on motorways.
Expressways can be recognised by the road sign featuring a white car on a blue background.
However, these general speed limits are overridden if a sign indicates a different speed limit, such as a sign showing a 70 kilometres per hour limit on a country road.
Although there are fewer speed cameras in Poland compared to other European countries, radar traps are quite common, so it is wise to stick to the speed limit.
No road vignette is required to drive on Polish roads, although some motorways do have tolls.
In Poland, driving with daytime running lights (dipped headlights) is compulsory.
You are obliged to carry a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle in your car when driving in Poland.
The maximum allowed blood alcohol level in Poland is 0.02%.
Although a blood alcohol level between 0.02% and 0.05% incurs a hefty fine, you should note that driving with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.05% is a criminal offence, most likely resulting in a jail sentence, with the authorities being just as strict if you drive under the influence of drugs.
Conclusion
Poland is a fantastic travel destination rich in history in the heart of Europe, with stunning nature and captivating cultural sights.
Most people travel to Poland to visit its cities, and destinations such as Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk can easily match those in other European countries in terms of cultural and historic sights, while offering at least the same amount of charm.
However, Poland also boasts some fine natural sights, such as the mountains in the south, the primeval forests and lake district in the north-east, and the beautiful Baltic coastline in the north.
With good road and rail links, travelling around Poland is easy and affordable, although journey times can sometimes be long.
In this Poland travel guide, you will find everything you need to plan your trip, including an overview of the country’s main sights, the best time to visit, and practical transport information.
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