What to Do in Poland?

It attracts with its well-known historical richness, Poland will please many as it has so much to offer! Cultural cities, UNESCO World Heritage monuments, culinary specialties, castles, national parks, mountains, and forest hikes await you in this country at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe ✨ In this guide, I will explain what to do in Poland so you don't miss out on the must-see attractions

A true testament to History, Poland fascinates not only with its cultural, architectural, and historical richness, but also with its breathtaking landscapes! ‍ Between folk traditions, delicious cuisine, and hospitality, Poland guarantees you a unique experience! Here are my must-dos that you absolutely cannot miss

If you want to have a 100% historical stay or simply discover European capitals during a getaway, Warsaw is a must-see. In the Polish capital, you'll discover an important historical heritage as well as architectural and cultural gems that you will love to explore while strolling, whether in old Warsaw or in the New Town

This charming city was practically completely destroyed during World War II, which is why you can observe such a contrast between the New Town and Old Warsaw! Among the many monuments to visit, you can find Wilanów Palace, the Jewish Quarter, and the Royal Castle at the end of the famous Royal Route! For music lovers, don't forget to visit the Chopin Museum! You can also attend a Chopin concert in the heart of Old Town Warsaw for 1 hour at a cost of 22 € per person

If you're wondering where to stay in Warsaw, I have a dedicated article that might interest you Here's a small selection, in case you don't have time to go through my article:

The Regent Warsaw Hotel is located just a 2-minute walk from the Royal Łazienki Park! You can enjoy its spa area with a heated pool, sauna, and hot tub. You can expect to pay €130 for a night here.

The Metropol Hotel is close to the train station, offering a beautiful view of the skyscrapers. You'll sleep in a very bright room with a view of the city Expect around €121 for a night here.

Surrounded by ancient walls, Krakow is the second city in the country, rich in history, culture, and architecture! Once the town of the Kings of Poland, it will amaze you with its fairy-tale charm and magnificent architecture ✨

To discover Krakow from a different angle, I recommend joining a evening or night river cruise which costs €19 per person and allows you to see the most important sights in the city during 1 hour! ️

I really advise you to take the time to simply stroll through the little streets of Krakow to discover its charm! You can stop by St. Mary's Basilica, located in the central square ⛪️

Take advantage of your walk in the city center to taste its culinary specialties such as zapiekanki, a sort of pizza on half a baguette, or see a Polish folk show with all-you-can-eat dinner for €37 per person You'll be taken by bus from central Krakow and will attend a show for nearly 3 hours while enjoying a delicious dinner with unlimited food and drinks ️

I suggest reading my article on the best places where to stay in Krakow In the meantime, here is a small selection:

The Europejski Hotel is ideally located just a 10-minute walk from the main market square and offers rooms in classic style. You'll have access to free parking in the city center which is very useful if you have a car! Expect a minimum of €72 for a night here.

In a more modern style, the Cracow Central Aparthotel offers rooms starting at €39. You will be located 500 meters from the main train station. If you wish, you can enjoy a continental breakfast!

Known to be the largest and deadliest concentration and extermination camp of the Nazi regime, Auschwitz welcomes millions of visitors each year to pay homage to the millions who tragically lost their lives there. The duty of memory involves not forgetting what happened so that such horrors are never repeated again.

I really invite you to take a guided tour of Auschwitz to deeply explore the dramatic history of the infamous Nazi concentration camp from World War II. This costs only €9 and lasts all day. I advise you to prepare yourself mentally for this visit if you are sensitive! This tour is from Krakow, with the option of pickup

If you wish to visit a city that feels different, Gdansk is the place for you! Located by the sea, this city is the cradle and symbol of the Soviet resistance since it was in its port that the Polish Solidarity movement was born.

As you stroll, you will pass of course through its port, but also its St. Mary's Church which is the largest brick church in the world! I then invite you to walk along the Royal Way of Gdansk, which once again breaks records as it is the longest axis of medieval Europe.

The aparthotel Arche Dwor Uphagena Gdansk is located near the Green Gate, the Long Bridge, and the National Maritime Museum. You will stay in a historical building and can enjoy a spa with a sauna to relax! For families, you'll appreciate its indoor play area and garden You can get a room starting at €52 per night.

The Liberum Residence Old Town is also ideally located, right in the heart of the old town of Gdansk. You'll enjoy a fabulous breakfast served every morning for just €13 more than the starting price of the room which is around €62 per night.

You will see throughout my guide, numerous activities await you in Poland! Between UNESCO World Heritage sites and monuments, lakes, mountains, and national parks, there is no need to wonder what to do in Poland; here is everything that should be on your itinerary for your trip You can choose to take a guide for certain visits and excursions to learn more and let yourself be carried away! I recommend booking your activities in advance to ensure you have a spot

To take a break from the city, I suggest going to the Bialowieza National Park where you can reconnect with nature

Located east of Warsaw on the border with Belarus, you will be in a sumptuous forest classified as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, where you might come face to face with the country's symbol: the bison There are about a hundred bison living freely here, along with deer, wolves, lynxes, and hundreds of bird species!

Travel back in time, specifically to the Middle Ages, with the Malbork Medieval Castle, which is one of the most fascinating in Europe and a must-visit, especially if you are a history enthusiast. Located near Gdansk, this former residence of the knights before becoming that of the Prussian sovereigns has suffered significant damage and undergone extensive repairs between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can take a half-day tour of Malbork Castle with an audio guide from Gdansk for €89 per person.

I advise you to set aside half a day or even a full day to take the time to explore the different rooms, convents, and chapels of this grand castle!

For a relaxing stay, I recommend heading to the seaside town of Sopot, the Polish Deauville, which you can easily reach from the port of Gdansk. Relaxing on the beach, biking to discover every corner of this city, and enjoying romantic walks in the pine alleys... It's a rejuvenating vacation that awaits you here!

Slowinski National Park, also classified as a biosphere reserve, is a true desert located in northern Poland ️ Yes, you read that right, a desert in Poland! To be clear, it resembles a beach, but it is indeed considered the Sahara of the country You can visit it and marvel at its lake, sea, sand dunes, as well as its animal species like the white-tailed eagle, the great horned owl, and the black stork

It's unthinkable to come to Poland without seeing the Wieliczka Salt Mines, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Opened since the Middle Ages, you can visit them for about 2 hours, starting with its complex passages that lead you to the crystal chambers and salt monuments not to mention the underground oases! You will be in awe before this gigantic underground lake over 40 meters deep A truly unique place! I warn you, you'll have to go down and up hundreds of stairs, prepare your thighs!

You can take a skip-the-line visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mines for €32, and you will be with a licensed guide to learn more about the salt mines

Known for its nightlife and being the capital of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw is also a very beautiful city to discover if you are wondering what to do in Poland

Located about 3 hours' drive from Warsaw, this destination is also quite romantic, as in addition to its strong Prussian, Bohemian, and Austrian influences, Wroclaw is considered the Polish Venice with its 12 islands connected by over 100 bridges, bordered by countless parks and rivers. For a panoramic view of the city, head to the top of St. Elizabeth's Church tower or from St. John the Baptist Cathedral You can see all activities to do in Wroclaw by clicking the button below

Calling all hiking enthusiasts, this place is made for you! Head to southern Poland to discover the Slovak Tatras National Park, where you will find the only mountains in the country, which will impress you with peaks reaching over 2000 meters ️ We are here between southern Poland and Slovakia!

So, where to go in this gigantic park? Discover one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Morskie Oko! Here, you can hike many trails where you can admire Mount Rysy, whose summit is 2503 meters high but also go mountain biking and for adrenaline seekers, paragliding

And to finish beautifully, you can visit the town of Zakopane and relax in its thermal springs and take a guided tour of the city for about €90, this activity lasts 11 hours, or a whole day

If you are wondering how to get to Poland from France, the simplest way will be to take a flight from Paris to Poland, you can choose the city between Gdansk, Warsaw, Wroclaw, or Krakow, as all four cities have a direct line with Paris and prices do not vary much with a duration always around 2h to 2h30

You will find flights between €30 and €70 round-trip quite easily From Paris, never pay more than €150 for Poland, as you will always find better deals, of course, it all depends on when you plan to go! To find the best deals, use the comparator Ulysse which will help you find the best prices!

If you are wondering when to go to Poland, here is a chart that summarizes temperatures for 2024 ☀️ Personally, I would recommend going between May and September to enjoy pleasant temperatures and do lots of hiking, but in reality, if the cold does not deter you, all months are good for visiting Poland

You will see that if you wish to discover a good part of the 11 must-sees I just mentioned, a car will be essential since not everything is close by! I recommend renting a car on DiscoverCars to compare prices and find the best deals

Accommodation options are fairly wide, and you can easily find places ranging from €20 to €170 depending on the comfort you choose Check out the best accommodation offers on Booking.com to find the best prices ✨

To know the best places to stay in Poland, it will depend on the city you plan to visit or if you prefer to do a road trip in Poland to enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer!

We have come to the end of this post on what to do in Poland! You know everything to have a wonderful stay discovering all the must-see attractions of this magnificent country