Poland is an awe-inspiring country. It’s a place that preserves its past like few nations have, while not being afraid to explore urban improvement when it must. Old towns show their age willingly through architecture that guides you from medieval times through the Renaissance until now. Heavily damage during World War II has necessitated a switch to modern designs. But where possible, enormous amounts of work have been put in place to turn the clock back the other way.
To see all of this history and culture while still feeling off the tourist trail is the real blessing Poland provides. Historical squares, home to vibrant markets and bell towers have you gazing through the looking glass admiring an authentic local culture. Tourist traps are a distant memory and even popular getaway towns are all charm.
But beyond the cities and villages, there are other things to do in Poland with dozens of national parks, vast lake districts, and the largest herd of wild bison in Europe to discover. This variety of tourist attractions makes it an unforgettable country to explore.
17. Zakopane
A two-hour drive from Krakow, Zakopane is a delightful town up in the mountains. It’s a beloved year-round spot for locals who enjoy the summertime fun such as a hike to Morskie Oko, while in the summer the tumbling snow makes for some great skiing.
Zakopane is laden with alpine charm. Sloped roofs and carved timber homes provide the vibe of an exciting frontier town. There’s a vibrant summer market and a funicular station ready to pick you up and drop you in the mountains. Highlander culture can be found throughout, especially in the locate cuisine. One must try their zesty smoked sheep’s cheese.
16. Gingerbread Museum, Torun
Once a former gingerbread factory, the Gingerbread Museum in Torun tells the story of the popular Kopernik. This is a traditional gingerbread that the Weese family made famous right here in Torun’s Old Town.
But you won’t just learn about this delicious treat. Instead, you’ll embark on a journey through the factory’s history to explore distinct eras. It all starts with at a medieval market stall before you explore various gingerbread molds from the 1600s through to the 20th century.
After getting a glimpse of one of the earliest bakery ovens, you can participate in workshops and bake your own gingerbread. It ends with a visit to the first-floor cafe that has gingerbread using different styles and tastes from the beginning until now.
15. Wolf’s Lair
The history of the Second World War is found throughout Poland. But the Wolf’s Lair stops you in your tracks. Deep in the Polish wilderness, within the Masurian Lakeland, the lair was Hitler’s original military headquarters for the Eastern Front.
It’s an odd feeling to be standing in the place where Hitler began Operation Barbarossa and called for the invasion of the Soviet Union. It gets even more eerie as you explore the intricate network of bunkers, tunnels, and staterooms. There is even a hotel in a renovated section of the compound that once belonged to Hitler’s very own security team.
14. Wawel Royal Castle
In Kraków’s Old Town, the Wawel Royal Castle is one of Poland’s most revered landmarks. A symbol of pride, independence, and patriotism, the castle is the equivalent of the UK’s Buckingham Palace.
Remarkably, some of the old stone buildings here can be traced back to the 10th century. However, the castle was originally built in the 1300s. As it was expanded over the following centuries, you can discover a rich mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Renaissance architecture. These are some of Poland’s oldest examples.
Entry into the complex and grounds is free. But we recommend getting a ticket ahead of time to explore the enchanting interior, which includes Poland’s crown jewels.
13. Zalipie
If you love vibrant colors and cute villages, then add Zalipie to your itinerary. This town, in the south of Poland, is full of artistic expression. In fact, many of the homes here are ablaze with colorful flower patterns. But it’s not just the homes, you’ll find painted trees throughout. Even household furniture and kennels have gotten in on the action.
It all makes for a unique experience, one that is purely joyful. Of course, there are always a few that stand out more than others. One example is the House of the Woman Painters. As for the village itself, the vibes are immaculate. Zalipie is the perfect city escape, with beautiful nature and small town aura.
12. Masurian Lakeland
In northeast Poland, the Masurian Lakeland boasts over 2,000 lakes. These are strewn across a captivating landscape from lower Vistula to the border of Russia. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Poland and one of Europe’s most beautiful lake districts.
The Masurian Lakeland was carved by enormous glaciers throughout the Pleistocene ice age. Today, the region is a mix of rugged and pristine landscapes where lateral moraines fall to spectacular lakes that were the base of these giant blocks of ice.
Kayaking trails guide you through the lake district. There’s also plenty of history to discover from historic castles to Hitler’s former headquarters, the Wolf’s Lair.
11. Schindler’s Factory, Krakow
Like Auschwitz below, it’s an eerie, sobering experience to explore Schindler’s Factory. In Krakow, the factory was used as cover to save over 1,000 Jews during WWII. Changing from an enamel factory to one that developed ammunition, the factory allowed Oskar Schindler to switch Jews from the Plaszow labor camp to his supervision.
Today, the factory is living history and is now an insightful museum. You can explore the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow which tells you about the working history of the factory, showcasing genuine products. All the while getting to know what life was like in Krakow during this time.
10. Lake Morskie Oko
In the mountainous Tatra National Park lies the astounding beauty of Lake Morskie Oko. As you stand on the edge of the lake, the craggy mountains rise out of the valley, shifting from dense green to vast gray rock as the elevation increases. You can trace the scares of old and present glaciers alike. It’s then all reflected onto the mirror-like lake to create an unforgettable sight.
The alpine lake is the biggest in the Tatra Mountains, fed by glacial water and snowmelt, it’s incredibly pristine. You can get here via a meandering hiking trail, one that goes beyond the lake to elevated views. But perhaps more fun, yet bumpier, way to travel is onboard one of the local horse-drawn-carts.
9. Auschwitz-Birkenau
It’s incredibly somber and important and a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is a must-do during your time in Poland. This was the largest of the Nazi concentration camps during World War II and has remained almost as it was now that it’s a World Heritage Site.
It’s only once you explore Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau that you can truly fathom the size and scale of the genocidal operation. By the time Soviet Forces liberated Birkenau in 1944, the camp featured 300 buildings across 420 acres.
Both locations are a mix of ruins and still-standing buildings that create an understandably sobering experience for travelers. You can retrace the events in the onsite museum that hide nothing from what was a tragic period in history.
8. Gdansk Old Town
With the nickname Pearl of the North, you’ll be glad to hear that Gdansk lives up to its lofty reputation. It’s a popular weekend getaway for the Polish and harbors some of the most picturesque streets in the country. The bulk of those exist within its renowned Old Town.
You can easily spend several days getting to know this part of the city. It was founded in the 10th century and time spent under the rule of Teutonic Knights, Prussia, Germany, and finally Poland, has led to a rich conglomeration of architecture and culture.
Although much was ruined during WWII, a keen eye for detail during reconstruction has all but returned the allure of the Middle Ages. This has made it a delight to explore.
7. Slowinski Sand Dunes
In Slowinski National Park, the Slowinski Sand Dunes are some of the most spectacular sights in Poland. Along the coast of the Baltic Sea, these sand dunes caress the edge of the Baltic Sea. You can explore on foot or bicycle, although the most enjoyable way is jumping on one of the park’s golf carts.
The highlight of the national park is the famed moving sand dunes. These include the Lacka and Czolpinska dunes that continue to shift thanks to the heavy winds that surge from the Baltic Sea.
Such is the size of the dunes, they stretch into the distance. You’ll sometimes forget you’re right by the water. As the dunes rise and fall, it’s easy to think you’re deep in a vast desert.
6. Bialowieza Forest
On Poland’s east coast, is one of the last stretches of primeval forest in Europe. The UNESCO-protected Bialowieza Forest boasts some of the best natural landscapes in the country. Its remote location takes you far away from even local towns.
While much of the forest is found in neighboring Belarus, the Polish section is the easiest to explore. It’s here that you’ll find the largest herd of wild bison in Europe. They take advantage of the rich biodiversity here, something you too can discover along one of the many hiking trails.
These paths guide you through old-growth forests, beautiful open meadows (where the bison love to roam) along with rich wetlands. These varied ecosystems are also a welcome refuge for wolves, deer, boar, foxes, and lynx.
5. Wroclaw’s Dwarfs
In Poland’s southwest, the lively city of Wroclaw has a fascinating phenomenon. It’s been taken over by dwarfs! Don’t worry, they aren’t real. Instead, it’s a flurry of dwarf statues that quickly moved beyond a political movement (story for another day) and turned into a very interesting tradition.
You’ll find these dwarfs in the city’s Old Town and Market Square. They aren’t your every day dwarfs, either. With plenty of personality and individuality, none look or act the same. You can find one riding a motorcycle, and another holding flowers with a big smile on its face.
There are over 600 to be found around this part of the city, and there’s no plan to slow down anytime soon.
4. Malbork Castle
You’ll always remember the first time you see the city of Malbork. It’s a place that makes an immediate impression purely because of the enormous red roofs of the Malbork Castle. These cover what remains the largest brick castle in the world.
It was here at the start of the 15th century that the Crusaders, known as the Teutonic Knights, made themselves at home. The castle began life as a fortress, protecting what was the prominent military and religious center of Poland.
Times change, as they do, and the castle was severely damaged in the Second World War. However, revitalization efforts over the course of 30 years were successful. Today, you can explore the Gothic castle, through its vast tapestry of rooms, old chambers, and kitchens plus the expansive courtyard.
3. Warsaw Old Market Place
There’s something quietly memorable about the Old Market Place in Warsaw. There are attractions that tell the history and culture of a city. But the Old Market Place shows you. Ornately painted townhouses surround the square, locals gather and the sound of horse hooves floats around.
Here, gorgeous Renaissance architecture and local culture meet, while simultaneously taking you back several centuries. Warsaw can be a bustling city, but here life slows almost to a halt.
Charming cafes and restaurants provide the best seats in the house from which to take it all in. Glasses collide at night as residents toast to a day is done and live music starts to replace the tunes of horse-drawn carriages.
If you’re up for exploring, the History Museum is spread throughout 11 of the square’s townhouses while the Museum of Literature sits on the eastern side.
2. Wieliczka Salt Mine
One of the highlights of your Polish experience will no doubt be the Wieliczka Salt Mine. It began life in the 1200s, and remarkably continued until 2007. It’s otherwise known as the Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland, a name that paints a marvelous and accurate picture.
You can visit the salt mine from Krakow where you can explore seemingly endless subterranean passageways, discovering the rich history of salt mining as you go. While there may be some 300 kilometers of paths, four locations are guaranteed to stop you in your tracks.
These are the mine’s four chapels, the chief of which is the Chapel of St. Kinga. Murals, chandeliers, and towering ceilings showcase incredible interior designs all made from salt.
1. Krakow Main Market Square
Often overshadowed by Warsaw, Krakow has some of the best medieval architecture in Europe. You can see the best of it at the Main Market Square, the largest medieval square on the continent. Luckily, it managed to survive any damage in the Second World War.
As you sit in one of the regal cafes, you can admire much of the 13th-century architecture that remains. This is complemented by crowds of locals creating a fantastic atmosphere.
Halls and townhouses take you on a journey back in time. However, the true start is the Cloth Hall. This is where the square gets its name. Within you’ll find a market that has operated for around 700 years and still sells some genuine handicrafts rather than your classic tourist souvenirs. Also within the Cloth Hall is a museum that showcases memorable 19th-century art.
Other highlights are the unmissable Town Hall Tower (you can climb to the top!) and St. Mary’s Basilica.
