
Poland Travel Guide
This travel guide for Poland features the top cities to visit, what to expect there, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more to help you plan your visit.
Poland is an increasingly popular destination providing an unforgettable experience with incredible history, a vibrant culture, amazing food, and natural beauty. Its pivotal history will leave you spellbound, from its uprisings and destruction in WWII to the Solidarity Movement that played a crucial role in the fall of communism in Poland and the Eastern Bloc, as well as the meticulous post-war reconstruction of its medieval and Renaissance cities. As is this isn’t enough, there are currently 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Poland with more pending.
I’ve listed the top attractions in Poland below. Of these, I’ve personally visited Krakow, Auschwitz – Berkenau, Warsaw, and Gdansk, but hope to come back and visit more.
Top Attractions In Poland
Krakow
13th century old town Krakow was Poland’s capital for centuries. Unlike other major cities in Poland, Krakow was spared destruction in WWII, so its original charm remains intact.
Sprawling Wawel Castle is one of its highlights. Polish monarchs lived, were coronated, and held court here for around 600 years. You can also visit the dragon den under castle hill and learn the legend of the Wawel dragon.

The charming Old Town of Krakow is another top highlight. Its grand Market Square, lined with cafes and restaurants and dotted with churches, is one of the largest in Europe (second to Prague).
Its architecture is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanesque, but the city has an Italian Renaissance feel. The space is lovely and the perfect place to sit at a cafe and people watch. It’s also where you’ll find Medieval Cloth Hall, where merchants from around Europe once flocked to trade and buy textiles.
Krakow’s Polish Quarter, Kazimierz, is another ket highlight. Unfortunately, it did not fare as well as the rest of the city. It became a ghetto in WWII and (horrifyingly) the residents were shipped to the Nazi labor and extermination camps. Yes, it’s awful, but it’s very worth it to take a tour here. The free waking tours, the ones that work for tips, really make the history riveting.
And as this area is undergoing gentrification, it’s also a foodie destination. Make sure to take a food tour here to try Poland’s delicious food.
Krakow is the most visited city in Poland for tourists, and although I loved it, I personally preferred Warsaw and Gdansk. I still recommend going, just don’t make it your only city in Poland.
To learn more, see my post on the Best Things To Do In Charming Krakow
Auschwitz – Berkenau
Auschwitz – Burkenau, which is now a state museum, is the top most visited museum in Poland. It was the largest of the many Nazi concentration and death camps. Although it’s a very tough day to visit emotionally, it’s worth it to see the camp and memorial firsthand.
The museum is located in Oświęcim, which is over an hour drive west of Krakow. You can book directly with the museum or viator or other tour company. Either way, you will be assigned a museum approved guide. I thought my guide was a little monotone, but she did relay all the pertinent facts.
They take you through Auschwitz first, walking you around the camp, including walking past the “Work Sets You Free” sign, various barracks, a gas chamber, an execution wall, and more.
Then you go to Berkenau, which is a short drive away. Here you see the railway platform where prisoners were sorted upon arrival, the prison barracks, and the remains of the massive gas chambers that could incinerated 2,000-4,000 people a day. These were blown up by the Nazis to eliminate evidence.
Most tours take 6-7 hours. This includes the drive to and from Krakow. There are also longer tours that include the Wieliczka Salt Mine (below) as it’s nearby.
Auschwitz – Burkenau visits sell out quickly. Especially the English versions. This means you need to book in advance. I would also book closer to the beginning of your visit as I met a couple that had their tour cancelled at the last minute. They then had to scramble to try to book another.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
The UNESCO listed Wieliczka Salt Mine is located near Auschwitz. This mine dates back to the 13th century and is over 178 miles (287 km). It’s so big, it’s actually an underground city with 9 levels, and includes a large chapel, St Kinga’s Chapel, unique landscapes and sculptures. The underground tour lasts 2-3 hours, but even this is just a small part of the mine. See the Wieliczka website for more details.
Since this site is near Auschwitz – Berkenau, there are many combined tours from Krakow. They’re very long though, taking 10-12 hours, but you can also choose to do each separately if you prefer. I, unfortunately, did not have time to add this to my itinerary, but have heard it’s remarkable and wish I had.
Warsaw
Warsaw is another amazing city with an incredible history and a charming old town. This city became the capital of Poland in the 16th century (and still is). Unfortunately, it was almost completely leveled by the Nazis who tried to occupy it during WWII. The citizens fought back in what was called the Warsaw Uprising. This history is as fascinating as the city itself as the citizens of Warsaw were outnumbered, but chose to fight and die with dignity. Because of this, I highly recommend a visit to the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the POLAN museum here. Both are excellent.
As Warsaw is the current capital you may find yourself a little dissappointed when you first arrive and see its modern skyscrapers. But once you get to its meticulously reconstructed old town, you’ll be glad you came. It was meticulously rebuilt after WWII based on historical drawings and paintings. Some even call it the newest old town in the world.

Highlights include exploring its grand Royal Castle and opulent rooms, Renaissance-era fortification ruins, its quaint old world square, majestic churches, incredible museums, and more amazing Polish food.



Warsaw is also where Frederic Chopin grew up and became a famous pianist. There are concerts here daily in parlors similar to the ones he performed in. In the summer there are also free concerts in Lazienki Park on Sundays, which I highly recommend. The park and the music are well worth the effort as it’s a bit of a walk from the old town.
There’s also more on Chopin here including a museum and the storage place of Chopin’s heart in a pillar of the Holy Cross Chapel. Yes, really.
To learn more about Warsaw, see my post The 18 Best Things To Do In Wondrous Warsaw.
Poznan
Poznan, in western Poland, is one of Poland’s oldest cities. It was an important political and religious center before the capital was established in Krakow. Located on major trade routes connecting Western and Eastern Europe, this city grew and prospered. Especially after being given duty-free trade privileges buy the monarchy.
Like Warsaw, Poznan also experienced heavy destruction during WWII, also almost 90%, but by Soviet siege during Nazi occupation. Its current charming, colorful old town also underwent heavy reconstruction after the war and is another one of the best preserved districts in Poland.
I did not visit Poznan personally, but have read that its Old Market Square, lined with colorful, gabled townhouses, town hall, 16th century Gorka Palace, and its 10th century Cathedral were meticulously restored. There’s also a 13th century Royal Castle that has been partially rebuilt, as well as an Imperial Castle, built in the early 20th century for German Emporer Wilhelm II.
Poznan is also home to several universities, so I’ve read it has a youthful, intellectual atmosphere and lively nightlife.
Gdansk
Gdansk is in northern Poland on the coast of the Baltic Sea. This is another polish town with an incredible history. It’s renowned as the starting point of WWII when the Nazis invaded Westerplatte. This seaside town was also mostly devastated by the war and painstakingly reconstructed, reusing elements from the rubble. It also is where the Solidarity movement that helped bring down the Berlin Wall started.
The colorful tenement houses that line its pedestrian main street are so elegant, I instantly loved this little city. You can also see Neptune’s Fountain, once one of the largest fountains in Northern Europe, Long Market Square, the Town Hall and its clock tower, Saint Mary’s Basilica, which has a viewpoint of the city at the top of its tower, and lavish gates with inscriptions that portray the culture and soul of its governing beliefs.




There’s also a very unique church here to add to your list of things to see. Saint Bridget’s Church, which once provided refuge to Solidarity fighters, is still in process of being rebuilt, but with an altar made of amber. It’s still in under construction, but the amber glow is still quite amazing (above center).
To learn more about Gdansk, see my post the Best Things To Do In Gdansk | Pearl Of The Baltic.
Wroklaw
Wrocław is another key city to visit in Poland. It’s located in the southwestern part of the country on the Oder River. I did not get a chance to visit, but am adding it here as it’s a popular stop.
This city was also mostly leveled, but in a battle between the Nazis and the Soviets. The Battle of Breslau in WWII.
Its meticulously reconstructed 13th century Old Town, Market Square, and Old Town Hall are lovely, surrounded by colorful gabled houses on cobblestoned pedestrian streets. The atmosphere is lively here with many cafes and restaurants to sit and people watch.
The 14th century Royal Palace, which is the former seat of the Prussian and German monarchs in Wrocław, was also reconstructed. Highlights include the grand throne room, banquet hall, and private apartments.
13th century Wrocław Cathedral, which sits on an island in the Oder River, was also reconstructed. If you want, you can climb the narrow, winding 300 steps to the top for a panoramic view of the city.
Wrocław is also a university town and is known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene. It was even awarded the European Capital of Culture in 2016.
Natural Beauty Of Poland
With 23 national parks, Poland also offers a lot of natural beauty. Two of its most popular include the Tatra Mountains and Tatra National Park in the southern part of Poland and Bialowieza National Park near the border of Poland and Belarus. These are also on my list of future places to visit in Poland, so for this travel guide am just mentioning them briefly.
The rugged mountains and over 100 glacial lakes of Tatra make this an ideal destination for hikers and nature lovers. One of its best known spots is Lake Morskie Oko. This lake looks stunning, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks (and scenic reflections of them).
Bialowieza National Park in Bialowieza Forest is recognized as a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO with largest herd of endangered European Bison (or wisent) and many other flora and fauna.
Best Time To Visit Poland
Summers are temperate with highs generally in the low to mid 70’s, although it can get warmer. This is also the busiest time of year to visit Poland, but it’s still not a major tourist destination, so should not be too crowded.
Languages In Poland
Polish is the predominant language in Poland, but 30% of the population speaks English. Much of this is centered around the big cities and tourist areas.
I never ran into anyone on my trip that did not speak English.
Money Matters
Currency: The currency of Poland is the Polish złoty, zł, or PLN. The following conversation rates are from of January 1, 2025.
- 1 USD=zł4.12
- 1 Euro=zł4.28
- 1 CNY=zł0.57
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and Debit Cards are widely accepted, especially MasterCard and Visa. American Express may only be accepted by larger establishments. Ask first. Smaller cities and open-air markets may only accept cash. It’s best to get cash at ATM’s, preferably using a fee free card like the Charles Schwab debit card.
Tipping: Tipping 10% is standard, 15-20% for excellent service. I had to tell them to add this to my bill before they ran my card. It is not something you can add to your receipt like we do in the USA. You can also give cash, which is probably best.
Poland Travel Guide: Safety
Poland is relatively safe, but pick-pocketing and petty theft do occur. Especially in touristy areas. Take normal precautions, always being vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Don’t carry too much cash and keep a close eye on your purse or wallet.
Always check the latest situation on your government website. It’s also a good idea to sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), or similar in your country. This program updates you via email if an issue does arise.
Poland Travel Guide: Scams
Generally Poland is safe, but there are always a few people trying to take advantage of tourists. Common scams in Poland are similar to tourist scams everywhere.
Spiked Drinks
To make sure your drink is not spiked, alway watch it being made and never leave it unattended.
Taxi Scams
Standard taxis are very expensive in Poland. It’s best to use ride hailing apps. Uber is available in Poland, which I used several times with no issues. Bolt is another popular ride sharing app in Poland that some note as being less expensive than Uber. Never get in an unmarked taxi.

Getting Around Poland
Fly
Each of the cities noted above have major airports. It’s easy to find flights into major cities and then use the train or bus to travel between cities.
On my visit, I also visited Prague, so flew there as my starting point and then used the train, the bus, and a short flight to travel between the other cities.
Drive
Self driving provides the most flexibility, but traffic can be heavy in large cities. The charming old towns of these cities, however, are mostly pedestrian, so it’s not really an advantage to have your own car. Parking can also be an issue, unless your accommodation offers it.
At most car rental places, you need to be 21 to rent a car in Poland. If you’re from a non-EU country, you will need your drivers license and an International Drivers Permit (IDP), which you need to get in advance.
Train
Poland has a great high speed train system, making this a popular way to travel between cities. The Pendolino trains reach up to 155 mph (250 kph)! It’s comfortable, air-conditioned, convenient, and usually the fastest way to travel between cities (as long as trains are on time).
As this is a popular way to travel, it’s best to buy tickets in advance. Purchase at www.intercity.pl. The site does have an English translation option.
I found the train stations fairly east to navigate. I also found that I could always find someone that spoke English to help me when I did have questions. Plus, Polish people are very kind and willing to help.
Bus
The bus system in Poland is also excellent with many routes between several main cities. The bus is the least expensive method of travel in Poland, but also usually the slowest. As they follow the freeways, you can run into traffic and they often make stops along the way. It’s also a step down in comfort from a train.
The buses are air-conditioned and usually have a toilet onboard. They also usually make stops where you can access food and a public restroom. The bus stations in the large cities above have many, many buses running all day, so the system to find your specific bus is clear. You can always ask at the main counter if you’re not sure.
Visa Information For Poland
Poland is part of the Schengen area of Europe, so follows Schengen rules. Europeans and US citizens do not need a visa for stays less than 90 days. See CIBT visas for more details and information on other countries.
Poland Travel Guide: Top Destination Blogs & Stories
Click the images below for more detailed information on the some of the key sites in Poland.
Safe Travels!
Julie
If this travel guide has been useful in planning, or just dreaming about visiting Poland, please add a comment below.
Note: the information in this travel guide and posts on Poland are updated as of August 2024.
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2 Comments
Paula Cullison
Plan to visit Gdansk .. will now add a few more stops based on your informative article. Thank You!
Julie
Thanks. It’s really lovely!