Thanks to the energy and resiliency of its people, Poland has emerged as one of Europe’s greatest success stories. Known mostly for the medieval architecture, hearty cuisine, and Jewish heritage, this country on the Baltic Sea has risen above a bleak history to become a growing destination for tourism & migration. In addition to medieval Mecca’s like Gdansk and Kraków, or urban hotspots like Warsaw, you can also travel outside the cities to a Poland that feels unspoiled by time. Enjoy the mountains or the sea and every outdoor sport you can imagine.
Here is a list of Poland’s cities we recommend to visit in particular.
Krakow – This city used to be the old capital, but now it stands as the artistic and cultural place for tourists and locals. Since Krakow is one of the oldest cities of Poland its a treasure of history, it has striking attractions and legendary stories. Every alley of Krakow is visually attractive, and you will find an interesting story in every nook and corner of this city.
Warsaw – This city has a lot to offer, from fabulous restaurants to beautiful markets and attractions to make you fall in love with the capital of Poland, Warsaw. Their old town is one of the fascinating places to spend time and is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. I particularly, even enjoyed shopping here, as they have some lovely and reasonable local brands.
Wroclaw – Poland’s fourth-largest city, this city has an appealing old town. You can either plan a trip from Krakow or stay a day or two, their opera house is famous so if you get a chance make sure to catch a show. They have these mini gnomes (statues) spread across the city; there is an impressive story attached to each one. This vibrant town shouldn’t be missed as it’s a city of history, culture, and traditions.
Gdansk – This coastal town of Poland is adorable, its different from the rest of the commercial cities as it’s peaceful, and you can relax by the beach. Gdansk is a medieval city slowly gaining the attention of tourists. It has an abundance of museums, architectural sights, and restaurants to keep your day busy. The reason I would suggest to Gdansk is as it’s not too massive compared to Krakow or Warsaw so if you like to tick off the main highlights it is doable, especially if you are in this town for a day trip.
Zakopane – This ski town is soon becoming a popular holiday spot among tourists, it not only has amazing scenery but has quite a few activities which will keep you occupied. Zakopane has a lot of wooden chalets perched on the hill which reminds me of Switzerland. You can decide to hike or take a cable car ride to enjoy the marvelous view of this dramatic town.
