Poland is a country full of stunning views, rich history, and vibrant culture that is sure to leave you with good memories. No matter where you’re heading in Poland, every corner of the country adds more possibilities to every visitor’s itinerary. Be it a weekend getaway or an epic adventure trip, there are many great places in Poland that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Though Poland has suffered heavily in the past, the never dying spirit of this place continues to attract tourists from around the world. Today, Poland is one of the most sought-after European destinations.
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10 Must-Visit Cities In Poland
Poland’s best cities are an interesting mix of history, culture, and fantastic architecture. You will be surprised to see that there are popular bustling cities as well as smaller cities that are less explored. To make things easier for you, we have a roundup of some of the best cities to visit during your Poland holiday.
Poznan – City Of Croissants
Poznan, located in western Poland, is a city always buzzing with energy and gives a youthful feel. This is because a large percentage of the population are students due to the many universities here. So when there is a young crowd, it’s quite natural to have great restaurants, bars, and clubs. Apart from the lively nightlife the fun city also has lots of great historical sites, cathedrals, and museums to explore. But what steals the show is a lovely old town and the main colorful square. Poznan is not just the oldest but also one of the best cities in Poland.
Attractions Here: Oldest Cathedral of Poland: Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul Poznan Royal Castle, Poznan Croissant Museum, Citadel Park, Museum of armored weapons, National Museum.
Best Time To Visit: Late May or early June
Krakow – Second Largest City
The Krakow Old Town is so beautiful that UNESCO has put the whole Old Town district on its heritage list. There are endless options here, from historical sites to museums, from picturesque market squares to ancient churches. The nightlife scene here is quite popular as great restaurants and bars can be found throughout the city. The best of European architecture can be seen in the grand royal palaces and soaring spires of churches. This gorgeous city holds a special place in many travelers’ hearts and is considered one of the best cities in Poland to visit.
Attractions Here: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, Wawel Castle, Main Market Square, Kraków Old Town, Wieliczka Salt Mine, St Mary’s Basilica, Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory and National Museum
Best Time To Visit: March to May and between September and November
Warsaw – Capital City
Warsaw is a small old town that was restored by its residents after World War II because of their love for the city. If not as famous as the Old town of Krakow, Warsaw is picturesque and beautiful in its own way. Not just the capital of Poland, this big city is also Poland’s financial center. If you are the one looking to dig into the history of this country, you are at the right place as this place is rich in history and culture. The nation’s capital is filled with Gothic churches, fantastic museums, modern edifices, cozy restaurants, bars, and clubs for visitors and locals to enjoy. For many, Warsaw is undeniably one of the top cities to visit in Poland.
Attractions Here: Warsaw Old Town, Warsaw Castle, POLN Museum, Warsaw Uprising Museum, Warsaw food tour, Treblinka Concentration Camp, and Palace of Science and Culture.
Best Time To Visit: Between June and August
Suggested Reads: You Can Now Visit A Dedicated Vodka Museum In Poland
Zakopane – Winter Capital
Zakopane is a popular tourist destination located in the southernmost region of Poland. If you love the outdoors, Zakopane is the place for you. Due to many fantastic hiking and skiing options, this place is called the winter capital. So that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to enjoy in summer. In summer, the Tatras Mountains offer hiking, swimming, and camping amidst picturesque waterfalls and mountain lakes. Its architecture, crafts, and cuisine add to the charm of Zakopane. The many options that this place provides are what make Zakopane one of the best places to visit in Poland. No matter what the season is, there is always something for everyone.
Attractions Here: Tatry National Park, Gubalowka Cable Car, Morskie Oko, Krupowki Shopping Street, Zakopane Ski Jump, and The Tatra Museum.
Best Time To Visit: June through early October
Torun – City Of Copernicus
Torun, which was home to world-famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, is one of the oldest Poland cities. Located on the Vistula, this fairy-tale-like city thankfully emerged unscathed from World War II. Torun’s beautiful timber-framed townhouses, peaceful winding streets, and flashy baroque churches seem like a home away from home. Torun’s Old Quarter built in Gothic architecture with a massive and stylish town hall comes under UNESCO-protected historical sites. It is also the place where the famous gingerbread originated. Churches, cathedrals, castle ruins, and other buildings dating from medieval times are the highlights of this city.
Attractions Here: House of Nicolas Copernicus, Museum of Gingerbread, Leaning Tower of Toruń, Teutonic Knights Castle
Best Time To Visit: June through August
Lublin – European Youth Capital
Lublin is the first Polish city to have earned the title ‘European Youth Capital’ for creating the most interesting program of activities to help young people’s passions and aspirations come true. As Lublin is a student city, its bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs make it a great place for affordable nightlife. The 2nd World War had completely destroyed this city, however, the post-war communist era still has some interesting sights and cultural attractions which are worth a visit. The hefty annual calendar of events and festivals makes Lublin the Polish City of Festivals. To experience real Poland, one has to visit the old town which has picturesque places that make for a great Poland holiday.
Attractions Here: Lublin Castle, Kosciuszko Park, historic cobblestone streets, Kosciuszko Park, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Holy Trinity Church, and the New Jewish Cemetery, Majdanek Concentration Camp, Crakow Gate, Lublin History Museum, Lublin Open Air Village Museum.
Best Time To Visit: May, June, July, August, and September
Gdynia – Polish Port City
Gdynia city in northern Poland is relatively a new city as it was built in the 1920s and 30s. Gdynia’s development took off only when the government built a deep-sea port, the second largest port in Poland. Its modernist buildings, its apartment blocks, and city amenities give a very modern feel to the style of the city. The very long seashore has fantastic beaches, great promenades, and waterfronts to enjoy. It’s a great place for a relaxed afternoon stroll on the white sandy beaches or for vibrant nightlife in the great restaurants.
Attractions Here: ORP Błyskawica, Dar Pomorza, Skwer Kościuszki, Naval Museum, Kamienna Góra, Gdynia Beach, Orłowo Pier, Motor Museum, Museum of Gdynia, Kępa Redłowska
Best Time To Visit: Between May and September
Lodz – Industrial City
Lodz, the third largest city in Poland is a city that is well worth a visit on your Poland trip. The mix of its industrial past, coupled with the German occupation and communist rule is fascinating to witness. Though it is not as well-known as some other Polish cities, the massive renovation program has sprung up a lot of interesting things to offer its tourists. For people interested in Jewish history and heritage there are plenty of historical sights that date back to the fifteenth century. Lodz is also home to a number of museums, art galleries, green spaces, plenty of shopping opportunities, restaurants, and bars.
Attractions Here: Central Museum of Textiles, Łagiewnicki Forest, Lodz Zoo, Herst Palace Museum, Fala Aquapark, Lodz Ghetto, Lodz Museum of Independence, Manufaktura, Murals, Palace of I. Poznański
Best Time To Visit: May, June, July, August, and September
Katowice – Mining City
Katowice, a relatively new city, grew out of the mining industry in the 19th century. Though the city lacks historical sites, it is best known for its interesting cultural sites. With various music festivals running throughout the year, Katowice’s musical scene is great too. From exploring the different cultures to indulging in local cuisine, and from the unique modern architecture to breathtaking landscapes, there’s so much to see and to discover in this enigmatic place. This developing city is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Poland.
Attractions Here: Silesian Museum, Nikiszowiec, Museum of the History of Katowice, Kościuszko Park, Silesian Insurgents’ Monument, Cathedral of Christ the King, Ulica Mariacka, St Mary’s Church, Spodek, Valley of Three Ponds, Giszowiec
Best Time To Visit: May, June, July, August, and September
Gdansk – Polish Maritime Capital
Gdansk, another port city in northern Poland is the capital of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The diverse architectural styles and the post-WWII reconstruction which have given it a unique identity and look are what make it one of the most famous cities in Poland to visit. Baltic amber is a major feature of this city which can be found in jewelry and other items throughout the city. Gdansk’s historical old town’s cobbled streets lined with delightful old churches and elegant buildings are notable tourist attractions. Due to its large port, this place has always been strategic for trade routes. It’s the best place to sit back and relax, take a boat cruise from the port, or simply explore other places along the Baltic coast.
Attractions Here: Museum of the Second World War, Neptune’s Statue, Pier in Sopot, Amber Museum, Crane, the Branch of the National Maritime Museum, and Wisłoujście Fortress.
Best Time To Visit: Between May and September
Things To Know Before You Go
- Poland is a part of Central Europe and not part of Eastern Europe, hence you will encounter quite a few people that do not speak English. It’s always good to learn some keywords before going.
- If you are planning to rent a car and drive, please note that you will need an international driver’s license to drive here.
- It is completely illegal to even have one drink on the streets of Poland. If caught, you will end up with a large fine.
- Many people feel that Poland is a cold country, however, the majority of the year Poland has rather comfortable weather.
- Free walking tours in various languages (English, Spanish, and German) are great ways to learn more about this country and its history.
- Poland is a big country, so don’t just stick to the cities, there’s so much more to explore.
- The train is the fastest and cheapest mode of transport in Poland. There are many high-speed lines that will take you across Poland in record time.
- Avoid PDA – public displays of affection to avoid any possible confrontation or discrimination.
Poland is an overlooked destination full of gems waiting for you to discover. We have just scratched the surface here, the rest is left for you to explore. If we have missed your favorite city, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Its picturesque landscapes, many historical places, vibrant culture, and hospitality of its people make this country a famous destination among travelers.
Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk have great potential for tourism in Poland, hence making them the most important cities in Poland.
7 days is enough time to visit three famous cities: Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk. But if you want to explore more add on 3 more days to make it a total of 10 days.
Poland has all three seasons: spring to March brings sunny days, May to August is summer time, September to October brings in autumn, and November to February brings in the cold winter.
Polish is the official language of the Poles, however, there are a significant number of Poles who speak English well.
Polish Zloty is the currency of Poland.
