Poland Travel Guide
Travel to Poland, a country with beautiful cities, stunning mountains, delicious food, and a rich culture. Explore the streets of Poland’s vibrant cities, be entertained at its lively squares, and learn about its complex history at its many museums. Or, if you prefer, venture into the Tatras for some breathtaking mountain scenery. So, whether you are looking to learn about its past, dive into its culture, or hike to the country’s highest peaks, Poland is the place for you.
Poland Stats
Official Language: Polish
Population: 38 million
Capital City: Warsaw
Currency: Złoty (PLN)
Power Outlet: Types C and E
Poland Itinerary
On this 10 day Poland itinerary, visit three of Poland’s most famous cities. Start in Gdansk, a beautiful city on the Baltic Coast, where you can stroll through the colorful old town and day trip out to the Baltic beaches or Malbork Castle. Next, journey to Warsaw, a city with a tumultuous past and a very bright future. Finally, the journey ends in Krakow, a city that is the favorite of many travelers to Poland.
10 Day Poland Itinerary: Gdansk, Warsaw & Krakow
Krakow
Plan your visit to Krakow. Learn about the best things to do in Krakow, where to stay, and how to plan your time.
3 Days in Krakow: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit
If you are planning a trip to Poland, most likely Krakow is high on your list of cities to visit. Krakow is a beautiful city with a story to tell. It is the perfect mix of historical sites, affordable restaurants, museums, vodka bars, tower climbs, and boutique shops. With 3 days in Krakow, explore the […]
Krakow Bucket List: 25 Memorable Things to Do in Krakow
Krakow, Poland…this is a city that deserves to be on every traveler’s must-see list. It’s a lot like Prague, only with fewer tourists and cheaper prices. With its large market square, colorful streets, historic sites, and abundance of amazing, budget friendly restaurants, Krakow is a favorite stop for many people on their tour through Poland. […]
Where to Stay in Krakow – Best Hotels and Neighborhoods
Trying to decide where to stay in Krakow? Krakow may look large and sprawling on a map, but many of the main tourist sites are located in and around the old town. The old town is the most popular area to stay in Krakow, simply because it is close to almost everything and a beautiful […]
Auschwitz-Birkenau
How to Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau in 2024: Helpful Tips & What to Expect
Located in southern Poland, Auschwitz-Birkenau is usually visited as a day trip from Krakow. In our guide to Auschwitz-Birkenau, we cover everything you need to know, from scheduling tours, arranging transportation, and what to expect while you are here.
Warsaw
Warsaw is well worth a visit on even the fastest itineraries through Poland. Walk through the historic old town, sample Polish food, and get an eye-opening history lesson at several world-class museums.
15 Best Things to Do in Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw is a city with a very tumultuous history. Once called “Paris of the East,” this was one of Europe’s most beautiful cities until it was flattened in World War II. Over the past decades, Warsaw has rebuilt itself, rising up from the ashes and emerging once again as one of Europe’s great cities. Warsaw […]
2 Days in Warsaw: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit
2 days in Warsaw is the perfect amount of time to explore the historic city center, get an eye-opening history lesson at several museums, and sample some local food. On this Warsaw itinerary, you will stroll through the historic city center, visit several world-class museums, and dine on Polish food. Two days is the perfect […]
Gdansk
Gdansk is a beautiful city located on the Baltic Sea. It is often overlooked by many travelers to Poland, in favor of the more popular spots like Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw. However, this city is well worth the journey north. In fact, it’s our favorite Polish city.
10 Best Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland
Gdansk is a beautiful city located on the Baltic Sea. It is often overlooked by many travelers to Poland, in favor of the more popular spots like Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw. However, this city is well worth the journey north. In fact, it’s our favorite Polish city. On the fastest of itineraries, Gdansk can be […]
2 Days in Gdansk, Poland: 3 Recommended Itineraries
With 2 days in Gdansk, you have just enough time to explore the old town, try some of the best restaurants in the city, and even visit two excellent museums. But what if you want to skip one of the museums and go on a day trip instead? You can do that, too. Here are […]
Malbork Castle: Plan the Perfect Day Trip from Gdansk
Malbork Castle is Poland’s most famous castle. It’s also the largest castle in the world, classified by surface area. Located just a short distance from Gdansk and easily accessible by train, Malbork Castle is one of the best day trips to take from Gdansk. In this article, get a brief history of the castle, learn […]
Tri-City Day Trip: How to Visit Gdynia and Sopot from Gdansk
Collectively, the cities of Gdansk, Gdynia, and Sopot make up what is called the Tri-City. These three cities sit along the Baltic Coast. Sopot is a ritzy, coastal town famous for its beaches and nightlife. Gdynia is a smaller, quieter town with a beach, a harbor, and several unique museums. From Gdansk, you can day […]
Where to Stay in Gdansk, Poland: Best Hotels for Your Budget
If you are making a decision about where to stay in Gdansk, you have a lot of options. Gdansk is filled with many highly rated, midrange hotels, making this city perfect for budget or midrange travelers. In Gdansk, it’s easy to find a great place to stay without spending a fortune…the trick is narrowing down […]
The Tatras & Zakopane
Journey high into the Carpathian Mountains by hiking the trails in the Polish Tatras. If you like the great outdoors, it just may be the highlight of your trip to Poland.
How to Hike Koscielec in the Polish Tatras from Zakopane
Zakopane is Poland’s gateway city for exploring the mountain range known as the Tatras. From Zakopane, you can take your pick from quick, easy hikes to longer all day affairs that have you climbing among the tallest mountain peaks. We hiked to the summit of Koscielec, one of many options if you are looking for […]
How to Hike Rysy from the High Tatras of Slovakia
Rysy is a mountain in the High Tatras that straddles the border between Poland and Slovakia. It is the tallest mountain in Poland and the highest mountain in the High Tatras that you can hike to without a guide. There are two approaches to the summit of Rysy. From Zakopane, Poland, you hike past Morskie […]
Should You Visit the Tatras from Poland or Slovakia?
The High Tatras are a mountain range that span the border between Poland and Slovakia. This region attracts hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter and is rapidly increasing in popularity. You can visit the High Tatras from Poland or Slovakia. Which one you choose depends on your traveling style and how much […]
Zgorzelec
Zgorzelec is a small Polish town that sits on the Lusatian Neisse River. On the opposite side of the river is the German town, Görlitz. We visited Görlitz and Zgorzelec on a wonderful day trip from Berlin, Germany.
17 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Görlitz, Germany
Germany is a country that appears on many travelers’ bucket lists. And why not? It has fairytale castles, beautiful Bavaria, Oktoberfest, and amazing cities to visit. But have you ever heard of Görlitz? We hadn’t. At least not until we planned a trip to Berlin. I “discovered” Görlitz when I was searching for unique day […]
Not Your Ordinary Berlin Day Trip: Rakotzbrücke, Görlitz, and Bastei Bridge
If you are visiting Berlin, there are numerous day trips you can take. Leipzig, Potsdam, and Dresden are all within driving distance. However, if you want to go off-the-beaten-path and see several very scenic places, you’ll love this Berlin day trip. In one day, you can visit the photogenic Rakotzbrücke, walk across the fairytale Bastei […]
Europe Travel Inspiration & Practical Info
30 Popular Tourist Attractions in Europe & How to Visit Them
From world class museums and ancient archaeological sites to stunning natural wonders, Europe boasts a diverse array of attractions that attract millions of visitors every year. Here are 30 of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe and how to visit them.
One Week in Europe: 25 Epic Itineraries
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In this article we list 25 ways to spend one week in Europe.
10 Days in Europe: 10 Amazing Itineraries for Your Next Trip
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12 Things You Should Know about Renting a Car in Europe
Having a car provides a lot of freedom and convenience when traveling through Europe. You can travel at your own pace, stop frequently to take in the view, and get to some places that are difficult to reach with public transportation. However, there are some things to know about renting a car in Europe. Knowing […]
30 Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe (+ Map and Photos)
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7 Things to Know When Planning Your First Trip to Europe
If you are planning your first trip to Europe, it can be an overwhelming experience. Where should you go? How much will it cost? How many places can you visit? Does this sound familiar? We get emails every day from people who want advice planning their first trip to Europe. And we see the same […]
Best Hikes in Europe: Our 20 Favorite Day Hikes
Europe is one of our favorite places to go hiking. There’s no better way to explore the dramatic and varied landscapes here, from the snow-capped Alps to coastal trails to the remote, volcanic interior of Iceland. In this guide we list 20 of the best hikes in Europe, 20 amazing ways to explore this beautiful […]
Travel Photography Gear Guide: What’s In Our Camera Bag
Do you want to know how we capture the images that you see on our website? Here is our photography gear guide, with links and explanations of our photography gear and accessories. At the end of this post, we offer tips and tricks on how to take better photographs while traveling. Photography Gear Guide The […]
Top Experiences in Poland
Krakow: With its large market square, colorful streets, historic sites, and abundance of amazing, budget friendly restaurants, Krakow is a favorite stop for many people on their tour through Poland.
Warsaw: Walk through the historic old town, sample Polish food, and get an eye-opening history lesson at several world-class museums in the beautiful city of Warsaw.
Gdansk: Gdansk is one of Poland’s most beautiful and historic seaside cities. Here you can explore the vibrant Old Town, relax on the Baltic coast, and enjoy the delicious food of Gdansk.
Malbork Castle: Malbork Castle is Poland’s most famous castle. It’s also the largest castle in the world, classified by surface area. Located just a short distance from Gdansk and easily accessible by train, Malbork Castle is one of the best day trips to take from Gdansk.
Visit Gdynia and Sopot from Gdansk: Collectively, the cities of Gdansk, Gdynia, and Sopot make up what is called the Tri-City. These three cities sit along the Baltic Coast. Sopot is a ritzy, coastal town famous for its beaches and nightlife. Gdynia is a smaller, quieter town with a beach, a harbor, and several unique museums. From Gdansk, you can day trip to Gdynia and Sopot in one day.
Visit the Museum of the Second World War: This fascinating museum covers the events that led up to WWII and the impact the war had on Poland. This is one of the best museums in Poland and it is a must-visit, even if you are not a museum lover.
Auschwitz-Birkenau: Located in southern Poland, this is the largest concentration camp in Europe. It is usually visited as a day trip from Krakow.
Go hiking in the Polish Tatras from Zakopane: Zakopane is Poland’s gateway city for exploring the mountain range known as the Tatras. From Zakopane, you can take your pick from quick, easy hikes to longer all-day affairs that have you climbing among the tallest mountain peaks.
How Many Days Do You Need in Poland?
For the best experience, plan on spending 7 to 10 days in Poland. With 7 days, you have just enough time to visit three cities (Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk). Add on 3 more days, for a total of 10, to add on day trips to places such as Malbork Castle and Auschwitz-Birkenau.
With even more time, you can visit the smaller cities in Poland, go to the beach, go hiking in the Tatras, or explore off the beaten path destinations.
If you only have a few days in Poland, we recommend choosing one city and doing day trips from here.
Best Time to Visit Poland
May through September is the best time to visit Poland, if you are looking to travel when the weather is warm. Hiking conditions are also best during this time. However, June through August is the most crowded time to visit, so if you are looking to avoid crowds, we recommend visiting in May or September.
Poland in winter months can be a beautiful time to visit. Poland would be a great place to spend Christmas, as they hold many Christmas celebrations and Christmas markets throughout the country. Poland is also a great destination for skiing, ice-skating, and winter hiking through snow-covered mountains.