Visiting Poland: where to go and what to do?

Visiting Poland: where to go and what to do? The 32 places to see in Poland, maps, and the best advice to prepare your trip to Poland.

Does a trip to Poland inspire you? Find out where to go in Poland for a unique experience. Indeed, visiting Poland, whether as a couple, with family or friends, is to discover the rich architectural heritage of different eras of the country, like the medieval old town of Gdansk, the Wawel castle in Krakow. or the Wilanów Palace in Warsaw.

Also, let yourself be seduced by the historical or natural places to see in Poland, to combine the discoveries of areas that are emblematic or located in the heart of wonderful nature:

1. The memorial of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp
2. The region of the Masurian Lakes
3. The Tatra National Park

Here is our selection of places to go to in Poland according to your expectations, to discover without further delay on a tourist map.

The tourist map of places to visit in Poland

Here are the 32 places to visit that we have selected for Poland. You can download this map or print it.

Discover all the places in detail below the map. If you want to navigate the tourist map, find our interactive map of Poland at the bottom of the page.

Choose the best period for your trip to Poland.

Two major climatic influences dominate Poland: an oceanic climate from western Europe and a continental climate from the east. Thus, the weather in Poland varies depending on the regions and also the seasons.

Thus, in the east of the country and the mountains, winters, relatively short, from December to February, are particularly cold, with shallow temperatures and abundant snow. In summer, from June to August, the heat is there, and most of the beaches bordering the Baltic Sea favor a seaside holiday, while in the cities, you can wear light clothes.

Despite a relatively calm atmosphere, the shoulder seasons are also pleasant, but the fall is generally drier.

Note, however, that Poland is one of the destinations lacking in interest all year round. But if you want to take advantage of good weather, the period from May to September is best. To enjoy the sun and the sea, July and August are particularly favorable.

#1. Warsaw

Although almost destroyed during the Second World War, then rebuilt, the Polish capital is a destination of choice in Poland for lovers of urban tourism: 

Wilanow Palace, Royal Castle in Warsaw, Rynek Starego Miasta Square, several museums were built by the reconstruction of the old town after World War II.

Including the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Uprising Museum, and the Frederic Chopin Museum are some of the must-see sites to understand this jewel of Poland better.

#2. Krakow

Krakow, the former capital of the kingdom of the Piast dynasty, is also a high place of meditation for ethnic Polish Jews because of the Jewish quarters of Kazimierz and the Jewish ghetto. Many buildings are listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, like the old town. 

In addition, there are superb architectures such as the Basilica of Saint Mary, the Basilica-Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas, the unmissable Wawe Castle, and its medieval remains. Krakow is a must-see city to go to in Poland!

#3. Malbork

Located in Pomerania, an hour’s drive from Gdansk, the town of Malbork is the place to go in Poland to discover Europe’s most significant medieval architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Indeed, the castle, the seat of the Grand Masters of the Order of the Teutonic Knights, is an impressive set of red brick buildings, now transformed into a museum. You will also discover one of the most important collections of amber pieces in the world.

#4 Poznan

Bordered by the Warta River, the vibrant city of Poznan is famous for its universities and many historical sites. This historic cradle of the Polish nation can be discovered through its many museums, its beautiful squares such as the Stary Rynek market square, in the heart of the historic city center, as well as sites such as the Gothic and Baroque cathedral and of St. Peter and St. Paul, built on the island Ostrów Tumski.

#5 Wroclaw

With its Prussian, Bohemian, and Austrian cultural influences, the capital of Lower Silesia is a popular destination in Poland for its architectural riches such as the Town Hall, the Baroque University, the Centenary Hall. 

You will enjoy strolling on the hundreds of bridges that connect the 12 islands between them, which have earned this city its nickname of “Polish Venice.” Wroclaw, the scene of many festivals, is also famous for its vibrant nightlife.

#6 Gdansk

Gdansk, the cradle of the Polish movement “Solidarnosc,” a federation of Polish trade unions founded on August 31, 1980, is also known for its magnificent port and shipyards. 

You will love to stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the old town, relax on cobbled squares. To diversify the visits, discover emblematic sites such as the Royal Route, the Neptune fountain. Boat trips around the port will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the city from another angle.

#7 Zakopane

Just 1.5 hours drive south of Krakow is Zakopane, a high-altitude resort at the foot of the Tatras known for its scenic beauty and folklore. 

This destination of choice for the practice of winter sports and outdoor activities will appeal to hiking and mountaineering enthusiasts. This resort, located at the foot of the Tatras, offers you a breathtaking view of the Carpathian Mountains.

#8 Lublin

Nicknamed the “Jerusalem of Poland” because of the Mecca of Yiddish culture in Central Europe, Lublin is a university town with a rich and tragic past. 

It is discovered through emblematic sites such as the old town where you can admire the richly decorated houses, the central Grand-Place of Rynek, or the building of the old town hall. 

Also to be discovered: Lublin Castle and its Chapel of the Holy Trinity, the Jewish city, the ancient cellars of Lublin, and the lesser-known concentration camp of Majdanek.

#9 Bialowieza forest

The Bialowieza Forest is home to the only virgin forest in Europe, a natural site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a perfect destination for an immersion in the heart of unspoiled nature. 

Follow the hiking trails and be accompanied by a guide to discovering its flora and fauna: oaks over 500 years old, the last bison on the European continent, wolves, deer, lynx, and many more. Other animal species as well.

#10 Wieliczka Salt Mine

12 km south of Krakow is the Wieliczka Salt Mine: an underground city that is magnificent and haunting and normal to find on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

You will marvel at the many crystal chambers, including the reception hall and the chapel, the salt monuments, the religious works of art, and above all. The underground oases and the lakes, discover through the 245 km of galleries formed during the seven centuries of operation.

#11 Ojcow National Park

Ojcow National Park invites you to discover breathtaking nature and landscapes in Poland. The village of Ojcow is home to the famous Renaissance castle of Pieskowa Skala and the ruins of the Gothic castle of Kazimierz. 

This national park, one of the smallest in Poland, fascinates with its numerous limestone cliffs, deep ravines, caves numbering 400, dense forests, and rock formations, including the symbolic “Krakow Gate”: a passage framed by two limestone columns 25 meters high.

#12 Slowinski National Park

Located in Pomerania, Slowinski National Park is home to a unique biosphere in Poland, as you can discover impressive expanses of moving dunes, which in places reveal stumps of dead trees. 

The highest dune is Lacka Góra which rises to 42m. also, take the time to discover lakes tebsko and Gardno, refuges for aquatic birds. This place is particularly suitable for hikes and walks in the heart of arid nature.

Nature, hiking and more beautiful landscapes

Do you want to discover the most beautiful landscapes to enjoy nature or to hike in Poland ? Here is our selection of 6 places to discover.

#13 The Masurian Lake District

The Masurian Lake District, located in northeastern Poland, owes its name to the 2,000 lakes that characterize it. Besides Lake Sniardwy and Lake Mamry, you will discover a holiday resort: Przyjezierze, located near Lake Ostrowski, whose clear water is bordered by a beautiful golden sand beach. 

You can also visit sites and monuments worth seeing, such as Spichlerz Dworski, the palace of the Skrzydlewska family in Wojcinie, or the wooden church Siedlimowie.

#14 Tatra National Park

A stay in the Tatra National Park, located in southern Poland, invites you to reconnect with nature. This mountainous area is home to the highest peak in Poland and beautiful places to admire the mountain lakes Morskie Oko and the Wielki in the valley of the five lakes. You can also admire natural wonders such as the 70-meter-high Wielka Siklawa waterfalls.

#15 Bieszczady National Park

Bieszczady National Park, located near the Ukrainian and Slovakian borders, owes its name to the mountain ranges of the Bieszczady Cordillera it shelters. It is a beautiful place to hike amidst green valleys, rolling meadows, and thickets of virgin forest. 

It is characterized by the Tarnica summit, culminating at 1346 m. Also worth seeing in this park in Poland: the Solina Reservoir, the Railway Museum, the ancient Orthodox churches, and the museum depicting the rustic architecture of Sanok.

#16 Karkonosze National Park

Located along the Czech border, the Karkonosze National Park welcomes you with its many hiking trails to admire magnificent landscapes of fir and spruce forests, great deep river valleys, and rustic towns, not to mention hoodoo waterfalls and cliffs. 

The park, which encompasses the upper part of the Sudetenland (the Giant Mountains), is home to the highest peak (“Sniezka”), culminating at an altitude of 1602 m.

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#17 Gory Sowie

The Góry Sowie, whose name means the Owl Mountains, is located in the central Sudetenland, in southwestern Poland. Due to its location in the historical region of Lower Silesia and the land of Klodzko. 

It is characterized by a protected area called “Owl Mountains Landscape Park,” suitable for hiking. You can relax in pretty tiny country hamlets or large rustic wooden chalets.

#18 The Piénines National Park

The Piénines National Park, straddling Poland and Slovakia, is a 23.71 km2 protected area characterized by the presence of the Dujanec river. 

In addition to the hiking trails that allow you to survey the Pieniny Czorsztynskie mountain range. The Trzy Korony massif, and the Pieninki massif, among others. You can also indulge in the flagship attraction of this park: the descent of the Dunajec river in a raft led by boatmen wearing their traditional costumes.

Where to go in Poland off the beaten track?

Do you want to discover incredible places, but little-known and not touristy in Poland? Here is our selection of the five areas to find.

#19 The ruins of Westerplatte (Gdansk)

The famous historical place of Westerplatte, located on the Baltic coast, is home to ruins worthy of the best scenery after the fierce battle in September 1939, as this place witnesses the ferocity of the conflict between German soldiers and the few dozen Polish soldiers. The ruins of Westerplatte are safe, as the structure has been stabilized. They are open to the public and can be visited for free.

#20 Krzywy Las (The Forest of Twisted Trees)

A somewhat one-of-a-kind destination, the Forest of Twisted Trees can be found next to the small town of Gryfino south of Szczecin. This curious place, preserved from mass tourism, allows nature lovers to recharge their batteries among the 400 pines of 80 years old with mysterious shapes since all the trees are curved at their base and form a “J.”

#21 The abandoned hotel Zdrowie (Gdynia)

Often forgotten by visitors but known to photographers, artists, and URBEX enthusiasts, the abandoned hotel in Zdrowie overlooks the Baltic Sea. 

This former sanatorium, abandoned for unknown reasons a few years earlier, has become the favorite playground of artists who come there to decorate the walls with their creativity.

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#22 Jozef oak (Wisniowa)

Those who like to discover the curiosities of nature can go to the village of Wisniowa 30 km south of Krakow to find a 650-year-old oak tree. 

Famous for its history, the Josef oak indeed served as a hiding place for a Jewish family hiding from the Nazis during the persecution of Jews during WWII. Admired by many visitors for its beauty and history, the Josef Oak was voted European tree of the year 2017.

#23 The dziady smigusne parade in Dobra

Every Easter Monday, there is a parade: that of young boys dressed in their costume in sheaves of straw, celebrating the custom of the day Smigusne in Dobra. 

It is the commemoration of the Tartar invasion of the 13th century during which the inhabitants of Dobra once hid prisoners escaped from Tartar captivity. 

Take advantage of your presence in the region to discover emblematic sites of the area, such as the Cistercian monastery of Szczyrzyc, the Gorce National Park, characterized by magnificent hiking trails.

Visiting Poland: where to go and what to do?