9 Polish Cities You Should Visit

When it comes to travel and tourism, Poland is one of those countries which very few people know much about. Sure, you might know that the capital is Warsaw, that Krakow is a great place for a cheap weekend and that Poles tend to like their vodka, but what about the rest of the country? To be honest, if it weren’t for my family connections I would probably be in the same boat! I’ve now visited Poland five times, each time as part of a wider European interrail trip, and each time visiting somewhere new on the way. So to give you a bit of Poland inspiration, I’ve put together a post on the 9 Polish cities you should visit. Enjoy!

Kraków

I’ll start with Kraków, which is in my eyes Poland’s most beautiful city. I’m sure many others would agree! Situated in the south, on the banks of the Vistula, Kraków is one of Poland’s oldest cities and has long been a leading centre of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life.

Kraków also has a fascinating history. From being at war with the Mongolian empire and ruling as Poland’s capital city, to being the site where Schindler saved thousands of Jewish people during World War 2, the city offers plenty of stories to discover on your visit.

From the gorgeous Wawel castle and the Stare Miasto (Old Town), to Kazimierz the city’s former Jewish ghetto, there is no way you will find yourself bored. I would also fully recommend a trip to the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine, home to a labyrinth of corridors and huge halls decorated with glittering chandeliers and even a giant replica of da Vinci’s Last Supper, carved completely from salt. You might also like to visit Oskar Schindler’s factory which is now a museum providing an interesting glimpse into Kraków during World War 2.

Gdansk

Often referred to as one of the Pearls of the Baltic, Gdansk (Danzig) has more than its fair share of beautiful buildings and attractions. Once considered to be the wealthiest and largest city of Poland, Gdansk was Poland’s gateway to the sea, a dynamic trading hub and as such an important member of the Hanseatic League.

With its thousand year history, Gdansk has witnessed many seismic European events; the rule of the Teutonic Knights, the 3 partitions of Poland by Austria, Prussia and Russia (so ending the existence of the state), the events of World War II and most recently Solidarity and the ‘Gdansk August’ of 1980 that hastened the demise of the Soviet Union. Gdansk, like Poland, has had to reinvent itself and rebuild many times over and now stands as a testament to the resilience of its people.

The Royal Way (Long Street (Długa) and Long Market (Długi Targ)) starting at the Złota Brama (Golden Gate) takes you on a 500 metre journey back in time with unforgettable architecture on both sides, including the Town Hall and Artus Court with the Neptune Fountain close by. Other sights include the Crane, the Arsenal, the Great Mill and Mariacka Street.

Just outside of the centre and well worth visiting are the (European) Solidarity Museum (2 km) and Westerplatte (first battle of World War II)

Łódź

Poland’s third largest city is situated in the centre of the country 75 miles from the capital Warsaw, Łódź (pronounced woodge) grew as an industrial and multi-cultural centre in the 19th century as a consequence of its textile industry. Today, Łódź is undergoing transformation, rejuvenation and revitalisation, best witnessed along Piotrkowska Street, the city’s main commercial street, which at 3 miles long makes it one of the longest in the world. Along its length are many examples of remarkable architecture, reflecting many different styles, the most striking being the Gutenberg Home (86) with its bright façade and dragons.

Prior to WWII, Łódź, known as the City of Four Cultures, was home to Poland’s second-largest Jewish community so it is understandable that Jewish heritage sites are a rich part of Łódź’s history. The (New) Jewish Cemetery is the largest of its kind in Europe. A visit to the Museum of the Struggle for Independence provides part of the story of the persecution and extermination of the Jews but also of the Romani peoples.

As you explore the city look out for the ‘Łódź Bajkowa’ eight bronze statuettes based on characters from famous Polish fairy tales and for some gorgeous examples of colourful Street Art.

Lublin

Situated 100 km from the borders with Ukraine and Belarus, Lublin lies in the south-east of Poland and has been at the heart of Polish history for centuries, firstly as a frontier town and then as an important meeting point between its political neighbours (geographically mid-way between, firstly, Krakow and Vilnius and, secondly, Warsaw and Lviv).

Today, Lublin is ranked as the 9th largest city in Poland and is noted for its green spaces and high standard of living. The city has at its heart the Old Town, based around the irregularly shaped Market Square, a small but delightful square enclosed by beautiful historic merchants’ houses, the oldest dating back 400 years. Nearby, you can find the Town Hall and impressive 14th century Gothic Cracow Gate, part of the substantial fortifications constructed after a Mongol attack in 1341. In the opposite direction but still close by is the Plac Po Farze which houses the foundation stones of the medieval Church of St Michael and provides the visitor with a wonderful view across to Lublin Castle, one of the oldest preserved royal residences in Poland. You can also access magnificent panoramic vista from the top of Trinity Tower, adjacent to the Cathedral.

Lublin, like so many other Polish cities has a Jewish story to tell, in this case it was the leading centre of Jewish scholarship (the ‘Jewish Oxford’) but also shares in the horrific years of the Holocaust with the infamous Majdanek death camp just 5 km away. The State Museum at Majdanek aims to remember the victims and educate the present generations so that the world will never forget the inhumanity of those actions and those times.

Poznan

Once the capital of Poland, Poznan can be found almost halfway between Berlin and Warsaw, in the west of the country. With 1000 years of history. Poznan has been an important trading hub and a centre of academic excellence for centuries and today it is classified as a Gamma- Global city (a very high-quality city brand) with a very high-quality of education and standard of living. The combination of international visitors and the resident student population have created a vibrant urban atmosphere and this, when melded with the growing tourist trade produces a unique blend of culture, character and refinement.

These traits are best witnessed in the Old Town where the visitor is spoilt for choice in terms of wonderful architecture, colourful merchants’ houses, stylish restaurants and even mechanical fighting goats (which can be seen every day atop the Town Hall clock-tower)

Must sees include the Old Town Square with surrounding multi-coloured merchants’ houses, and the Town Hall (at midday), the Royal Castle, the Church of St. Stanislaus (Fara Church) the finest example of Baroque architecture in Poland, and Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral island) (2 km).

Sopot

Just 8 miles from Gdansk, Sopot is the smallest of the Trójmiasto (Tri-Cities of Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia) and built its reputation around its ‘magical’ spa waters, the bracing sea air from the Baltic and miles of long sandy beaches. With so much to offer it is little wonder that the town grew in popularity and became known as a playground for the rich and famous, a description that still holds today.

Visited by 2 million tourists a year Sopot is best known for its main street Monte Cassino which stretches from the Church of St George to the Molo (the longest wooden pier in Europe), but can also boast the internationally acclaimed Forest Opera, which plays host to the Sopot International Song Festival every August, as well as organizing numerous sporting events, many of them international, in and around the town or in the nearby Ergo Arena (3 km). Add to these the Grand Hotel, the Lighthouse, the Crooked House and the many grand houses and villas nearby and you have an ideal base to satisfy all tastes.

Toruń

Located in northern Poland and referred to as the ‘Krakow of the North’ Toruń is one of the oldest cities in Poland and, like Gdansk, was an important member of the Hanseatic League. Founded by the Teutonic Knight in the 13th century, Toruń today is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and has been listed as a UNECO World Heritage Site. Avoiding damage in both World Wars much of the city’s remarkable architecture remains as intended and today its historic buildings and city defences represent some of the very best Gothic architecture in Poland.

Voted onto the list of the Seven Wonders of Poland in 2007, the Old Town of Toruń should be placed at the top of list of sights to be seen and places to visit. At the centre of the Old Town is the impressive Town Hall surrounded by a host of stunning architectural gems, the Postal Building, and the grand, often decorated merchants’ or burghers’ houses. The Copernicus House, birthplace of Torun’s most famous native son, Nicolaus Copernicus, tells the story of his life and works and the Copernicus statue, near the Town Hall, reflects his achievements as a mathematician and astronomer. Quirky statues can also be found dotted around the Old Town, the Donkey and Filus to name but two, as well as the so-called Gingerbread Walk of Fame, commemorating more contemporary well-known residents. Why gingerbread? Because Toruń has been making gingerbread since the Middle Ages, the history of which is recorded in the Living Museum of Gingerbread.

Warsaw

Poland’s capital and largest city has been designated as an Alpha global city acting as it does as an economic, political, social, and cultural centre. The city rose to prominence in 1596 when King Sigismund III moved Poland’s capital and the Royal Court from Krakow to Warsaw and the rest is history. Often described as the ‘Paris of the North’ the city and surroundings can boast many majestic palaces, parks, and historical locations. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has at its centre the Market Square, a magnificent example of Poland’s desire to rise from the ashes of WWII, with beautiful reconstructions of 17th and 18th century merchants’ houses around its perimeter. A short walk from the square is the Barbican, part of the old city’s fortifications and the Royal Castle.

Head south along the Royal Route and admire the many notable architectural gems, a mix of palaces, churches, and grand houses. Visit Ostrogski Palace, home to the Chopin museum, and enjoy the beauty of the Łazienki Park, home to palaces, villas, monuments, and statuary, including the Palace on the Isle, the Belvedere, a classical amphitheatre, and the Chopin monument.

Warsaw’s Versailles, Wilanów, lies 10 km to the south, is one of Poland’s national treasures. Once a royal residence the complex now comprises, the palace, flaunting a richness of colour and architectural detail, its formal gardens and a museum displaying much of the country’s royal and artistic heritage.

Throughout history Poland has suffered seismic shocks to its national identity, buffeted by the forces of European history, partitioned by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and thus disappearing from the world map. In rising from the ashes like a phoenix in the east, Poland has a story to tell. Parts of the story can be understood with visits to POLIN, a Museum of the History of Polish Jews, located on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto and the Warsaw Uprising Museum, both well worth the effort.

Wroclaw

One hundred miles from the German border, Wrocław, the historical capital of Silesia, and Poland’s 4th largest city offers the visitor a city of mixed heritage having at various times in the past been part of the Kingdom of Poland, the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Kingdom of Hungary, Prussia and Austria. Within its boundaries are 12 islands, 130 bridges and several green oases including riverside parks. The city’s central hub, as in so many other Polish towns and cities, is the Market Square, home to the magnificent Gothic masterpiece, the Old Town Hall, complete with its astronomical clock, St. Elizabeth’s Church, an iconic structure on the city’s skyline whose tower offers an observation deck giving panoramic views across the city and beyond. Close by are the ‘Hansel and Gretel’ houses, two charming small dwellings linked by an archway that once led to the church cemetery.

A stroll around this part of the city introduces the visitors to Wrocław’s Dwarfs, just some of the 350 ‘little people’ that are dotted around the inner city. Standing only 20-30 cm tall they are initially difficult to spot, but once seen the hunt for others begin (and becomes addictive!).

After (or during) the hunt one might be in need of refreshment or sustenance so a visit to ‘Konspira’ a fantastic Polish restaurant doubling as a ‘Centre for Historical Education’ in which guests are given a glimpse of the period of Soviet occupation via newspapers, posters and political cartoons as well as highlighting Wrocław’s role in the Solidarity movement (in the early 1980’s). An alternative would be Piwnica Świdnicka, said (by the restaurant itself) to be the oldest restaurant in Europe, but whatever its history its façade is eye-catching and adds colour and character to its immediate surroundings.

Within walking distance of the Old Town (1.5 km) is Ostrów Tumski or Cathedral Island, the oldest part of the city, dating back to the 9th century. Here you will find the beautiful Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Botanical Gardens.

My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skycanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.

Accommodation

Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.

Things I can’t travel without

As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my

Canon EOS M3
GoPro Hero5 Black
I’m also saving for a DJI Mavic Pro

Travel Insurance

It is so important to be prepared for all possibilities when travelling and you simply shouldn’t travel without insurance. When looking for cover I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.

9 Polish Cities You Should Visit