Travelling in Poland: historic cities, mountains and lakes
Travelling in Poland means pairing carefully preserved old towns such as Kraków, Gdańsk and Wrocław with a 20th-century history you feel on every street, and a varied landscape: the Tatra Mountains, the Masurian lakes, the Białowieża Forest and a long, sandy Baltic coastline.
When to go
May to September brings mild to warm weather for city breaks and mountain hikes. July and August are the busiest months, especially on the Baltic coast, in Masuria and in Zakopane. May, June and September are usually calmer and pleasantly temperate. Winters are cold, with snow in the Tatras for skiing, and in December the market squares of Kraków and Wrocław fill with Christmas markets and mulled wine stalls.
Where to go
Kraków
The former royal capital keeps one of Europe's largest medieval market squares, Wawel Castle above the Vistula and the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, now full of cafés. It is the usual base for visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Warsaw
The capital pairs an Old Town rebuilt after the Second World War, now a UNESCO site, with modern towers and riverside boulevards along the Vistula. Łazienki Park, the Warsaw Rising Museum and the Praga district tell the city's story well.
Gdańsk and the Tricity
Gdańsk, with its colourful merchant houses on the Royal Route and its amber tradition, forms the Baltic Tricity with Sopot and Gdynia. The Solidarity movement began here, and the European Solidarity Centre tells that story at the old shipyard.
Zakopane and the Tatras
At the foot of the Tatras, Zakopane is the heart of Górale highlander culture, with wooden villas and smoked oscypek cheese. Trails lead from here to Morskie Oko lake, and a cable car climbs Kasprowy Wierch.
Wrocław
Spread across islands in the Oder River and linked by bridges, Wrocław has a lively market square and the cathedral island of Ostrów Tumski. Hunting for the small bronze dwarfs hidden around its streets is a game for all ages.
Masuria
In the north-east, the Great Masurian Lakes region links hundreds of lakes with canals, forests and quiet villages. In summer it is a place for sailing, kayaking and swimming, with towns such as Giżycko and Mikołajki as bases.
What to do
Go underground at the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Near Kraków, this mine worked for centuries hides galleries, underground lakes and chapels carved from salt, including the Chapel of St Kinga. Guided tours descend several levels, so bring comfortable shoes and an extra layer.
Eat Polish home cooking at a milk bar
Milk bars, or bar mleczny, are simple canteens serving home-style food: pierogi filled with potato and cheese, sour żurek soup, bigos stew and potato pancakes. Bakeries sell pączki doughnuts, and Kraków street stalls sell obwarzanek bread rings.
Look for bison in Białowieża
On the border with Belarus, the Białowieża Forest is one of the last remnants of Europe's primeval lowland forest. Its national park protects the European bison, seen in the show reserve or, with luck and a guide, at dawn.
Hike in the Tatra Mountains
The Tatras have routes for every level, from the long walk to Morskie Oko to demanding chained ridges such as Orla Perć. Mountain weather changes quickly, so start early and pack layers and rain gear.
Explore Malbork Castle
South of Gdańsk, the vast brick fortress of the Teutonic Order rises beside the Nogat River and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its courtyards, walls and Gothic halls make an easy day trip from the coast with an audio guide.
Spend beach days on the Baltic
Poland's coast has long white-sand beaches and dunes, including the shifting dunes of Słowiński National Park near Łeba. The narrow Hel Peninsula, between the bay and the open sea, is popular for cycling and kitesurfing.
Practical tips
- The currency is the złoty, not the euro; cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets and small villages.
- Book Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wieliczka and Wawel in advance for summer visits, as timed tickets often sell out in high season.
- Long-distance trains link Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław and Poznań well; for Masuria or mountain villages, a car or bus gives more freedom.
- Learn to recognise place names with Polish letters, such as Kraków or Gdańsk, because that is how they appear on stations, signs and tickets.
As a couple, family or with friends
For couples, Kraków and Gdańsk make easy city breaks; for families, mixing a city with lakes or mountains balances museums and time outdoors. Friends can split days between Kraków, Zakopane and Wrocław for variety. Saving stays and ideas together in the Gata app helps everyone agree on the route before anything is booked.
Save ideas and stays and decide as a group with the Gata app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for Poland?
In a week you can see Kraków with Wieliczka and Auschwitz, plus Warsaw or Gdańsk. With ten to fourteen days you can add Wrocław, Zakopane and the Tatras, or the Masurian lakes. Trains cover the distances between big cities comfortably.
Should I visit Kraków or Warsaw?
Kraków has an original historic centre and a more monumental feel, while Warsaw shows a rebuilt, modern capital with key museums on the war. If you only have a few days, most travellers start with Kraków; if you can, combine both.
Is Poland a good destination with children?
Yes. Cities are easy to explore on foot, Wrocław's bronze dwarfs turn a walk into a treasure hunt, the Wieliczka mine fascinates children, and the Masurian lakes and Baltic beaches allow relaxed summer days by the water.
What food should I try in Poland?
Try pierogi in their many versions, sour żurek soup, bigos, smoked oscypek cheese from the Tatras and pączki from a bakery. The north is known for Baltic fish, and across the country you will find good sausages and rye bread.
