Top 15 Destinations to Explore in Poland

Poland is a country rich in heritage and historical significance. It has breathtaking medieval architecture. It is full of evidences of WWII’s devastation. It is also rich in castles and palaces dotting the nation. Let us explore the top destinations to visit in Poland. 

Krakow

Krakow is an oldest city in Poland. The city was spared most of the destruction caused by World War II that befell other Polish cities. Over 40 urban parks can be found in Krakow, such as the 21-hectare Planty Park, which dates back to the 19th century and encircles the city, and the Lasek Wolski forest, which is only a short distance from the city centre and offers hiking and bicycling trails in a sizable wooded area.

The 28 museums in Krakow are well worth visiting on wet days, particularly the National Art Collection at the Wawel, which houses the royal jewels, period furniture, an enormous collection of Flemish tapestries, and a collection of armor and weaponry from the fifteenth century.

Warsaw

After World War II, the capital of Poland was reduced to rubble, with about 85% of its structures either completely destroyed or reduced to ashes by Nazi forces. The city started a vast project to rebuild its historic core according to the original intentions as soon as the war was over. That’s why the merchant homes of the Baroque and Renaissance periods that you see now are exact duplicates of the originals.

The largest collection of paintings in Poland may be found in the National Museum, which documents the history of the city and includes several pieces from Adolf Hitler’s personal collection.

Tatra Mountains

Slovakia and Poland are naturally divided by the Tatra Mountains and National Park. However, Slovakia owns the majority of the mountain range. 

The Tatra Mountains are home to Rysy, Poland’s highest peak. It’s the highest Tatras peak in both countries, at 2,500 meters, that is climbable without a park guide. There are also more than 600 caverns in the park, the longest (23 kilometers) and deepest (824 meters) being the Wielka Sniezna limestone cave system.

Wroclaw

Wroclaw has not always been a Polish city. However, it became a city in Poland in 1945. Visit the Lubomirski Museum. It covers a variety of WWII events. This is in addition to the Nazi and Soviet invasions of the city. An overview of Wroclaw over the last 1.000 years is provided by the Wroclaw City Museum. This completes that history.

The Pan Tadeusz Museum, which features multimedia displays devoted to Polish customs, is only a short distance away.

Bialowieza Forest Reserve

The Bialowieza Forest Reserve, the greatest remaining portion of Europe’s prehistoric forest that formerly covered most of the continent, is deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage Site classification. The forest spans more than 1,400 square kilometres and is situated on the border between Poland and Belarus (hikers can actually cross the border within the forest).

Bieszczady Mountains

Massive in scope, the Bieszczady Mountains reach as far as Slovakia and Ukraine. Their polonyna, a particular kind of mountain meadow that is exclusive to the Carpathian region, makes them special. The meadows and valleys provide ideal hiking destinations because they have a gentle incline that descends and rises.

Ojcow

The entry point to Ojcow National Park is the small settlement of Ojcow, which is located 16 kilometres outside of Krakow. At just 21.46 square kilometres, Ojcow is the smallest national park in Poland. It is highly forested, with over 400 caverns, two river basins, and towering limestone cliffs. The park is home to over 500 different species of butterflies. 

Gdansk

Poland’s main seaport is located in the historic city of Gdansk. This is perched directly on a bay on the Baltic Sea. The majority of the city’s historic district, referred to as the Royal Route, is exquisitely preserved and goes back to the 17th century. Among the principal buildings in this area are the City Gates, the Prison Tower, and several merchant houses.

In addition, Gdansk is the location of the Gdansk Nowy Port Lighthouse, the star-shaped Wisloujscie Fortress, and the biggest brick church in the world, St. Mary’s.

Zalipie Village

The folkloric flower murals that adorn practically every structure in the tiny village of Zalipie are the village’s most famous feature. This custom dates back more than a century when women from the area painted soiled surfaces with vibrant patterns using a mixture of milk and powdered dye.

These days, nearly all indoor buildings—including walls and furniture—are painted in this style, including Saint Joseph’s church, barns, fences, and cottages.

Torun

The history of Torun, one of the oldest cities in Poland, stretches back to the eighth century. The city’s medieval Central Marketplace, along with a large number of Gothic and wood-beam 16th-century structures, are still intact since Torun was neither bombed or destroyed during World War II.

One of these homes is the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus’s birthplace, which has been transformed into a museum honoring the life and contributions of the scholar. Muzeum Piernika is another must-see museum in town. It showcases a Polish-only variety of gingerbread and offers guests the opportunity to participate in hands-on baking.

Isle of Usedom

This Baltic Sea island has been officially partitioned between Germany and Poland since 1945. Usedom, known as “the sun island” due to its high annual sunshine hours, is a well-liked vacation spot in both nations.

The main draws are the island’s soft white beaches, seaside resorts, and an abundance of summertime sports and activities. Other attractions include the remnants of the Karnin Lift railway bridge, which is now recognized as a Historic Symbol of Engineering in Germany, a private botanical garden, and the Dannenfeldt Mausoleum and cemetery. The latter is only open during the warm months.

Bialystok

Białystok is sure to delight history and architecture enthusiasts with its hundreds of magnificent historic structures. The smaller Hasbach’s Palace is well worth a visit. Branicki Palace was constructed by a wealthy Polish-Lithuanian statesman. He once aspired to become the king of Poland. It is one of the most beautiful sights in the city.

Karpacz

In winter, a significant number of people visit this mountain spa town to enjoy skiing on the well-known Mount Śnieżka. Karpacz, sometimes called the “winter capital of Poland,” is a fantastic place to go snowboarding, ski jumping, and winter trekking.

Nearby, Karkonosze National Park has a large number of paths throughout the warmer months.

Leba

One of Poland’s top beach getaways is the little town of Leba. Leba maintains its laid-back atmosphere throughout the summer, even though it gets bustling and packed with tourists. The main draws here are the gentle surf and the rolling sand dunes.

There are almost 140 kilometres of hiking paths in the area, as well as horseback riding, for those who prefer more activities than merely lazing in the sun.

The Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews

In contrast to other Polish tourist destinations, it is a more modern interactive museum that functions as a hub of culture. This venue hosts a variety of lectures, workshops, discussions, and events. This location in Poland is noteworthy for its portrayal of the millennium-old history of Polish Jews.

Documents Required

Documents needed in Poland Visa

Essential Records for Poland Visa

Original passport plus all previous passports, if any, with a minimum of three blank pages and a minimum validity of six months

Visa Visa application form Receipt for fee payment

Two color, recent photos (Photo Specification)

Personal Cover Letter (Company Letterhead for Self-Employed; Plain Paper for Employed)

Original bank statement, most recent six months updated

Form 17 Income Tax Returns for the previous three years

Tickets for a confirmed return flight

booking a hotel

Day-by-day Itinerary Travel Insurance with a EUR 30,000 minimum coverage

Conclusion

Poland is a rich historical country. It also has a number of modern spots and breathtaking natural places. Make sure to list all the important places to visit in Poland. This helps you not to miss out on any attractive destinations. Make sure to buy travel insurance for a secure journey. It lets you enjoy the trip without worrying about uncertainties. 

FAQs