The Republic of Poland is located in Central Europe, and among others, it is close to Germany, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Russia. Since 2004 it has been a part of the European Union. If you have heard of this country, it is probably of its World War I and II history or the most famous person – Pope John Paul II.
It might be a chance you heard about Lech Wałęsa – the leader of the Solidarność group that started during labor turmoil in 1980 and caused communist regimes to collapse in 1989/1990.
But in this article, we would like to give you at least 11 different reasons to visit Poland! If you want to learn more about Poland, check what is Poland famous for?
Page Contents
Reasons to visit Poland – Natural
However, Poland is a well-developed country, it still has a lot to offer in nature and wildlife. We want to show you four exciting parts of the country below.
Lower Silesia
Sprawled over the southwestern part of the country, historically, this part of Poland was controlled by Germany, Austria, and eventually by Poland and thus got very interesting not only from nature but also from other perspectives.
But the number 1 thing we love in this part of Poland are mountains – Western and Central Sudetes forming the border between polish Silesia and the historic Bohemian region (currently Czech Republic).
There is plenty of small charming cities you can visit (like Szklarska Poreba, Karpacz, Klodzko, or Jelenia Gora), but also fantastic mountain hikes with breathtaking views, mainly while visited in the fall or winter.
You can easily combine your nature trip with history – it’s worth visiting Książ Castle and Hitler headquarters from World War II.
Tatra Mountains
The beautiful valleys of the Tatra Mountains rarely fail to draw a gasp. They are part of the Carpathian Mountains and form the natural border between Poland and Slovakia in the southern part of the country.
It’s a top-rated tourist destination during the year when you can hike for whole days and in the winter when it transforms into a ski paradise. Of course, its skiing infrastructure is not developed to the scale of Austria, Italy, France, or Switzerland, but still, if you love to indulge in the white fluff, you can easily spend days on the slopes.
Bieszczady Mountains
If you delve deep into the southeastern part of Poland on the border with Slovakia and Ukraine, you will discover Bieszczady. Those mountains are the wildest in the whole country because of the relatively low population.
Still, the region is very well developed from a tourist perspective, and you can find plenty of beautiful hikes. Bieszczady is popular throughout the whole year. In the winter, some trails might be closed due to heavy snow.
Because this part of Poland is not as populated as other parts, it is an excellent place for wildlife. You can try to spot bears, wolves, bison, and lynxes here.
Close to the Bieszczady mountains, you will find the small town of Sanok, where the very famous painter and sculptor Zdzisław Beksinski was born and raised. Visiting his gallery is something that you should not miss experiencing.
Masurian Lake District
There are plenty of reasons why this region, located in northeastern Poland, is worth your visit. Masurian Lake District is a trendy destination not only for polish people but also for foreign tourists. That number has been snowballing over recent years.
Historically the glaciers formed the district during the Pleistocene ice age. But nowadays, the lakes are well connected by rivers and canals, creating an extensive system of waterways. Due to this, the region is fantastic for boating enthusiasts, kayakers, anglers, bikers, hikers, and nature lovers in general. Łuknajno Lake is UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Białowieża Forest is the most significant European bison population.
The water is pristinely clear, and the fish population is big enough for everyone. After Poland joined the EU, the region drastically developed its tourist infrastructure. You can find here not only great waterfront campgrounds and boat rental services but also luxury hotels in small charming cities.
The transportation is also well-developed so that you can reach Lakeland by train, bus, or car.
Reasons to visit Poland – cities and architecture
The second reason to visit Poland is at least four lovely and famous cities, not only from a historical perspective. They also have great relics and a charming atmosphere.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the current capital of Poland. It’s also the main airport with most of the world’s connections. Due to the well-developed railway and coach transportation, it is also easy to reach other parts of the country from Warsaw.
But if you are coming here, plan to stay in the city for at least one or two days. Warsaw’s most famous attractions are the Royal Castle, Łazienki Park, the Palace of Science and Culture, Wilanow Palace, and the Warsaw Uprising Museum. Each has an exciting story behind it.
For example, the old town in Warsaw was destroyed during WWII and was rebuilt from scratch based on the paintings and survived documentation. It is similar to what was done in Munich.
Łazineki Park is one of the best things to do in Warsaw, and it looks like a nature preserve. People love to walk here on weekends and holidays and listen to the birds. The best seasons to visit this place are spring and fall when the colors are most vibrant.
The Palace of Culture and Science is a communist relic that has been the subject of much discussion. Some wanted to destroy it, but it has a long history and many fans. The building symbolizes the city; if you go to its top floor, you can have a fantastic view of the town.
Krakow
Krakow is the former capital of Poland and probably the best-known Polish city worldwide. It also attracts the most foreign tourists. The town was not destroyed to the same extent as Warsaw during WWII, and many old churches and the castle are well preserved, making it one of the best cities to visit in Poland.
It is also famous for its cloth hall in one of Europe’s largest medieval town squares.
Other must-see places in Krakow are Wawel Royal Castle, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Planty Park, Barbican, Kazimierz—the former Jewish Quarter—and Wawel Cathedral. If you have more time, you can also visit the famous Auschwitz-Birkenau, a dark place that reminds you of Holocaust history. There is no such place anywhere else in the world.
Due to the many quality restaurants, it is also a perfect spot to try Polish cuisine. You can explore the best places to eat in Krakow.
Wroclaw
We already mentioned Lower Silesia in the nature part. The best way to reach this part is through Wroclaw City – the region’s capital. The city itself is our favorite in Poland. It’s probably because of its charm linked to the number of bridges, rivers, streams, and canals. The city is sometimes called Polish Venice. It has over 120 little bridges connecting 12 islands.
There are a couple of places you should see in the city. We definitely recommend Old Town Market, Panorama Racławicka Landscape – the 360-degree painting from the 19th century located in the unique rotunda building, Ostrów Tumski, and the Japanese Garden. You will also find plenty of old churches and cathedrals.
The exciting fact is linked to Ostrów Tumski – aka Cathedral Island. It is the oldest part of the city, dating from the 10th century. Nowadays, it is mainly under secular jurisdiction and has impressive churches but also fantastic bridges connecting the island to the town.
But the biggest attraction (especially for kids) is the lamplighter that lit the gas lamps each afternoon at dusk (no fixed hour). It is the only city in Europe that still has that tradition.
Three-city (Gdansk/Sopot/Gdynia)
Three-city is the three cities – Gdansk, Sopot, and Gdynia – connected together and forming one big metropolis. They are located in the northern part of the country, close to the pristine and sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea. It’s a top-rated tourist destination in the summer, but it is also already mentioned as the cradle of the Solidarność group and Lech Wałęsa. It all started in the shipyard in Gdańsk.
If you plan to visit three cities, please put the following places on your list: Długa Street (aka Royal Way), Main Town Hall, St Mary’s Church, The Crane, Oliwa Cathedral, Amber Museum, and Sopot Molo & Lighthouse. Of course, there’s much more—you can spend weeks, not days, here.
Probably the most well-known symbol of Gdansk is The Crane, a medieval building in the port that allowed heavy cargo to be lifted and moved from and to ships. It is the most popular destination for spending a day or a weekend in Gdansk.
Another exciting thing is the amber museum because the region is famous for this resin. You can also buy excellent jewelry handmade from amber, which will surely be your unique gift from Poland.
If you are interested more in history, please visit the shipyard with the European Solidarity Center.
Foodie reasons to visit Poland
While visiting Poland, you must try the traditional and delicious cuisine of this part of Europe. Below, we will shortly introduce our favorite Polish dishes.
Polish Beef Tartare
It is known not only in Poland but also in other European countries. But in Poland, it’s prepared locally, specifically from Polish beef, and tastes different.
The sirloin is chopped with a sharp knife (never minced!) and gently salted and peppered. The traditional version shouldn’t be enriched with other spices. It is then served with raw egg yolk and accompanied by chopped onion, cucumbers, or mushrooms – people then usually mix it all together on the plate and eat it with freshly baked bread.
Polish people also sip it with a drop of vodka. The official explanation says that they lower the risk of poisoning with raw egg yolk.
Pierogi (aka dumplings)
Again, this dish is known in Poland and considered a traditional dish in the country. Dumplings are very popular throughout Central and Eastern Europe; However, their shape, taste, and filling differ in each country/region.
In Poland, it is traditionally considered peasant food, but over time, it also gained popularity among all the higher classes. It’s a holiday dish nowadays but different for Christmas Eve and Easter. In the season, it might be filled with sweet fruits and cheese.
Bigos
Bigos in English is sometimes called hunter’s stew. It is a Polish dish made of chopped meat of various kinds stewed with sauerkraut and shredded fresh cabbage. Usually, you prepare it for a couple of days before serving, and very often, it’s enriched with mushrooms, red wine, vegetables, and spices.
During the communist era, it was also called the”remainings of the week” dish – goods were inaccessible, and people were adding everything they could to prepare Bigos. “During the communist era, it was also called the “remainings of the week” dish – goods were not well accessible, and people were adding everything they could to prepare Bigos.
But still, the main and essential ingredients are chopped meats and fresh and pickled cabbage (aka sauerkraut). Very often, not only port, beef, and chicken meat are added to the Bigos, but Polish sausage is also added.
Similar to pierogi, Bigos is a traditional dish served on holidays like Christmas and Easter.
About the authors of Reasons to Visit Poland
Hi, we are Aga & Chris – two crazy photographers from Poland who love to travel. In August 2019, we started The Van Escape project in Vancouver. With a freshly purchased old camper truck, we headed to Alaska to encounter some wildlife and fantastic landscapes.
On our blog – The Van Escape – we try to combine the best travel and photo hints from visited locations. We hope it is beneficial for your travel plans!
Pin for later
