Poland is a country with a rich culture and history, picturesque landscapes and outstanding memorable sights. In Poland, there are interesting places for every taste of a tourist. Lovers of antiquity can visit unique places dated from prehistoric settlements to fortifications from the Second World War. These are thousand-year-old castles, architectural monuments, religious buildings and historical centers of the country's ancient cities. Many of them have UNESCO World Heritage status. In addition to places where time seems to stand still, Poland also has dynamic and equally vibrant cities. Nature lovers will be impressed by the number of national parks and the variety of landscapes: there are strips of sand dunes and pine forests along the shores of the Baltic Sea in the north of the country, numerous mirror lakes, forests, plains and hills in the center and granite peaks of the Tatras in the south, near the border with Slovakia. Untouched nature is the hallmark of the country, 18.5% territory of which is located in a protected area that is not subject to development. Based on the foregoing, it is not at all surprising that tourism in Poland is very popular.
In this article, we will talk about the top travel destinations 2022 in Poland. Before the trip, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the customs regulations in advance. They are available on our website here.
Interesting places in Poland
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The salt mine in Wieliczka has been open since the Middle Ages and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The development of the rock salt deposit here was carried out for 7 centuries. During this time, 7 levels of underground corridors with a total length of 200 km appeared. The depth of the deposit is almost 200 meters. Tourists are offered a 2-hour mine tour. Here, at a depth of more than 43 meters, they will encounter complex passages and crystal chambers, unique salt monuments and lakes, and even complex churches on your path. The key attractions are the Copernicus and Piłsudski Halls.
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Malbork Castle is the largest brick castle and also the best preserved Gothic fortress in the world. It has the glory of being invincible since it has never been captured in battle. The castle was built in Gdansk at the end of the 13th century for the Teutonic Knights. Its construction consists of 3 sections, and it took more than 5 million bricks to build it.
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The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum (Oświęcim) is an infamous place, located 66 km from Krakow, which has been a state museum since 1947. During World War II, Auschwitz housed three major Nazi concentration camps. They killed more than a million people, mostly Jews. Visiting the museum is a sobering experience that provides a glimpse into one of the darkest periods of history.
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Slovinsky sand dunes are located in the Slovinsky National Park along the Baltic coast in the north of the country. In addition to the dunes, there are lakes, peat bogs, meadows and forests on the territory of the national park. The park was founded to preserve the nature of the coastal strip, as well as to protect the moving dunes that are unique in Europe.
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The Main Market Square is the central trading place in Krakow, founded in 1257. The area covers 40,000 m². The most magnificent architectural structures in the city are located here: palaces, churches, ancient buildings, cafes, museums, and hotels. In the center of the square, there are the famous Cloth Rows - an ancient monument of architecture. Next to them is the 1000-year-old church of St. Wojciech. A walking tour is a perfect way to see all the buildings in Europe's most beautiful square. Having descended 4 meters underground, you will find yourself in the historical and archaeological museum "Dungeons of the Market".
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Wawel Hill and Castle are the most striking sights of Krakow. A tour here can take a whole day. An architectural complex located on a limestone cliff on the banks of the Vistula. It includes the Cathedral of St. Stanislav and Wenceslas with 20-meter high towers and the massive Royal Castle of the 14th century, built in the Gothic style.
Prominent cities of Poland
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Warsaw is the capital of Poland and a must-visit city during your trip. Warsaw was almost completely destroyed in World War II but has since been rebuilt. The city consists of two parts: the historical center - the Old Town, included in the UNESCO world list, and the modern part with a lot of interesting quarters.
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Krakow is the most visited city in Poland. It has a rich history and is one of the most spectacular old cities in the country, as it houses a huge number of outstanding historical sights - from the Wawel Castle to the nearby concentration camps.
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Wroclaw is the largest city in Western Poland. It is known for its impressive Market Square with the gothic Old Town Hall. You should also visit Tumsky and Cathedral Islands. They are considered the oldest part of the city. By the way, Wroclaw has the best Christmas market in the country.
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Gdansk is considered by many travelers to be the most beautiful city in Poland. The maritime history of Gdansk is felt not only in the port, but also in the architectural structures on the streets of the city. Visit also the nearby town of Sopot during your stay in Gdansk.
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Poznan is a city located in the west of Poland. It is famous for its university and the old part of the city, where there are many impressive renaissance buildings. The most famous is the Poznań Town Hall on Market Square.
During a trip to Poland…
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Enter Lublin through the Krakow Gate. Krakow Gate - the main entrance to Lublin, considered a symbol of the city. The old red brick tower was built in the 14th century as part of the city's original fortifications. There is also a historical museum.
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Go hiking in the country's nature reserves. Travelers should first of all visit the Kampinos National Park near Warsaw, the Slowinski National Park in the north of the country near the Baltic Sea and the Bieszczady National Park. In the latter, fragments of the Great Bieszczady Forest have been preserved. It is a home for wolves, brown bears, lynxes and other wild cats.
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Explore the old port city of Gdansk. Gdansk is famous for a lot of historical and natural sights. St. Mary's Basilica is the largest Gothic church in Poland. At a seaside resort in nearby Sopot, at an altitude of 515 m, there is Molo - the longest pier in Europe. Not far from Gdansk, there are the Kashubian Lake, the wooded peninsula of Hel with a beach and the Teutonic castles in Malbork and Gniew.
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Immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of Krakow. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the sights that we have described above, it is also worth noting the amazing former Jewish quarter and its 16th-century Remu synagogue. You can also find a lot of bars and restaurants with delicious local cuisine in Krakow.
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Take a cable car ride in the Polish Tatras. The Tatra Mountains are located 100 km from Krakow and run along the Polish-Slovak border. The fourth part of the mountains belongs to Poland and most of this area is occupied by the Tatra National Park. There are more than 20 peaks above 2000 m in the Polish Tatras. The cable car ride takes about 25 minutes with a stop and transfer at an intermediate station. The final point is the top of the Kasprowy Wierch mountain, a height of which is 1985 m.
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Visit the home of the famous Polish composer Chopin. The manor, where the famous Polish composer was born, is located in Zhelyazov Wola, 53 km from Warsaw. The museum is suitable for a day trip. There are Chopin's house and beautiful gardens around it on the territory of the museum. Musical instruments and furniture of the 19th century, which you can see in the house, were used by composer. In the warm season, you have the opportunity to visit concerts in the garden.
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Relax on the beaches of the Pomeranian coast. The beaches of large and fashionable resorts, such as Kołobrzeg or Łeba, are covered with fabulously white sand and are considered among the best beaches in Northern Europe.
As you can see, in Poland there are a lot of interesting things to do both for thrill-seekers in the fresh air and for connoisseurs of cultural recreation. Going on a trip and planning shopping in the duty free store, use the pre-order service on mydutyfree.net or in the application. Our company provides its customers with numerous advantages, which can be viewed on the site.
Have a wonderful trip!