Poland: Culture and Sights
In Poland, there are all the options for a tailor-made break, from beach holidays to culturally eventful city trips. In addition to relaxing holidays, Poland is also ideal for city trips, because the Polish cities have a lot to offer. So there are some goals that you should put on your vacation list! We will show you a small selection.
Cities in Poland
Warsaw
The old town, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, the art collection in the Galeria Zacheta, and the picturesque streets, which have served as a backdrop in many films, are enchanting at first glance. Visit highlights in Warsaw, such as the Holy Cross Church built in the 17th century with the largest local organ or the St. Casimir Church in the New Town, which is no less worth seeing. In one of the beautiful parks such as Krasinski Park or Lazienki Park with a small palace on the water, you can recharge your batteries for the sightseeing tour.
Kraków
Idyllically located on the Vistula, historically valuable Kraków is also a beautiful travel destination. The old town is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you will quickly see why. You will find numerous churches, monuments, and other buildings from the past that are still in their original condition and destroyed in the Second World War. Walk the trails of bygone days in Kraków and choose one of the themed tourist discovery trails to experience the monuments.
Wroclaw
The city of Wroclaw was not largely spared from the destruction of World War II. However, most of the damaged buildings have been reconstructed with great attention to detail – including, for example, the House of the Golden Sun. The historic ambiance of the city, which is more than 1,000 years old, is not neglected. Enjoy the view of Wroclaw’s five rivers as you walk across the romantic bridges. You should also have seen the sand island with its church. It was not for nothing that the former Silesian residence city was the European Capital of Culture in 2016 alongside San Sebastián.
Katowice
Katowice is located in southern Poland and has recently made a name for itself primarily as a festival city. Blues and techno festivals offer the right musical sounds for every taste, which will accompany you on a sightseeing tour of the city in the Silesian Voivodeship. The Silesian Museum, conveniently located in the city center and the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, must also be on the list of culturally interested tourists.
Gdansk
Gdansk is a Hanseatic city and is therefore characterized by a maritime flair around the port. Enjoy culinary specialties from the sea here or visit the sailors’ meeting “Baltic Sail” in July. Also, explore the medieval picture that awaits you inside Gdańsk and look forward to sights in the city such as the Neptune Fountain, St. Mary’s Church, Oliva Cathedral, or the Maritime Museum.
Chelmno
Chelmno is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. Even your first glimpse of the city will amaze you: Due to its location on a plateau, the buildings tower over both the Vistula and the green valley landscape, which invites you to relax. Look forward to a nice contrast between Gothic buildings and the natural surroundings.
Active in Poland: swimming, hiking, biking
Away from the cities, which seem like winning the lottery to culturally interested holidaymakers, the varied travel in Poland is far from over! Rather, wonderful beaches, high mountains, and idyllic lakes await you in the heart of our neighboring country. Look forward to a variety of options that ensure an unforgettable holiday in nature for single travelers, couples, or with the whole family.
Beach vacation at the Baltic Sea
Choose between little crowded bays, beach promenades that are popular with tourists and offer plenty of entertainment for young and old or sophisticated coastal towns with a luxurious flair. Beautiful fishing villages also await you on Poland’s Baltic Sea coast! Where would you most like to dive into the waters of the Baltic Sea or let the sunshine on your stomach?
Popular destinations include Świnoujście on the islands of Wollin and Usedom, family-friendly Misdroy, and the spa town of Kolberg with its opulent villas and resorts. A total of around 500 kilometers of the Baltic Sea coast await you in Poland, which should have something suitable for every bathing enthusiast. And if not, the path may lead you back to Chelmno with its lake, the Jezioro Starogrodzkie, about four kilometers away.
Hiking holiday in the Giant Mountains
With a length of around 36 kilometers, the Giant Mountains in Poland are quite small at first glance. But they have just the right backdrop for hikers and trekking holidaymakers. You can walk on more than 2,000 kilometers of developed hiking trails and catch unclouded views of diverse landscape panoramas. You can also look forward to the highest mountain – the Snezka, which of course rewards you with particularly extensive views. A national park also belongs to the Giant Mountains, which have been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1992 marked. More than ten million visitors decide to take a trip to the Giant Mountains in Poland every year. Will you be one of them soon?
Mountaineering and winter sports in the High Tatras
The High Tatra, in Polish: “Tatry”, is considered to be the smallest high mountain range in the world. Hikers and active holidaymakers do not need much space in the Tatra National Park to get their money’s worth. The most famous hiking trail leads from Zakopane to the mountain lake Morskie Oko. But there are also numerous beauties of Polish nature to be discovered on the rest of the 225 km of designated hiking trails. Above all, the streams and around 30 lakes, which are called ponds in the local language, contribute to the postcard idyll in the UNESCO biosphere reserve. For all those who want to climb the 2499 meter high Rysy, the highest mountain in the country, we recommend sure-footed shoes and appropriate clothing.
The High Tatras are also a highlight in winter when the snow is just flying in the Zakopane sports center from ski jumping to biathlon to slalom. If you want to spend your holiday in Poland in winter, you will find the best conditions for skiing and snowboarding here and a very good price-performance ratio.
Walking or biking holidays at the lake
Biking, walking, and hiking goes along the lake landscape of Masuria. The landscape covers almost 1,700 square kilometers and offers nature lovers a true Mecca. You can expect lakes, rivers, and streams embedded in a wonderfully green environment. On your walks in this natural panorama, you will also encounter small villages with locals, who will usually greet you with typical Polish hospitality.
Travel information for Poland holidays
Have you decided on a holiday option in Poland and can’t wait to get there? Then we’ll tell you everything you need to know to experience a carefree holiday right from the start!
Best travel time
You should plan your beach holiday in the classic summer months. All in all, the Polish weather is unfortunately considered to be relatively inscrutable; So there are very hot and sunny summer days, but also rainy phases when you better not forget your jacket. The same goes for the winter months, of course. So a little luck is also part of how the weather turns out during your holiday in Poland.
Language and understanding
The national language is Polish – and you should at least have a basic command of it if you travel to areas that are little known to tourists. You can learn vocabulary like (spoken) “Dschinkouje”, which means “thank you” when you arrive on the plane! However, depending on the location of your holiday destination, it is also possible to communicate in English.
Important regulations and laws
In Poland, the consumption of alcohol by drivers is prohibited and punishable with heavy fines. The same applies if you as a driver exceed the alcohol limit of 0.2. Caution: Even one beer or wine could be too much here! It’s better if you, as a driver, completely abstain from alcohol.
Also, remember the so-called “recycling fee” if you travel to Poland by car. This has been levied on motorists since 2006. Furthermore, you are allowed to take a maximum of one liter of alcohol per person with you.
Customs and traditions
The predominant local religion in Poland is Roman Catholic, and people are generally very religious. In Poland, older people are particularly respected, and children are also welcome everywhere. Courtesy and respect are generally very important, including courteous behavior by the male population towards the female population. So it’s not uncommon for a woman to be greeted with a kiss on the hand.
Hotels and accommodation
A variety of accommodation awaits you in Poland. You can choose between budget hotels and star hotels in Poland, but of course, higher standards are also possible. Beach and wellness resorts for the whole family dominate along the Baltic Sea region. Most hotels offer amenities like free Wi-Fi and a full breakfast.
Foods
In Poland, a hearty and rustic cuisine dominates with various influences that differ depending on the region. Polish meat consumption is considered one of the highest in the world. Meat is part of almost every meal here. Both ordinary varieties, such as pork, and more exotic dishes, such as pheasant, are possible. The national dish is bigos, which is a stew with sauerkraut, spices, and various types of sausage and meat. Of course, you shouldn’t miss this on your holiday in Poland! In the coastal region and along the numerous rivers there are also delicious fish dishes. Another typical part of Polish cuisine: mushrooms.