Are you considering taking a trip out to Poland? If so, you’ll be pleased to discover that there are many thrilling things to do in the Central European country regardless of whether you’re seeking to explore it’s natural wonders or it’s many cultural draws.
With it’s neighbor Ukraine currently embattled in a bloody conflict with Russia, many of you might be a bit apprehensive to visit Poland during these trying times. But since the war isn’t being waged in the country, Poland is still considered to be a safe place for Westerners to visit. That being said, under no circumstance should you attempt to cross the Poland/Ukraine border.
Chances are, the majority of you watching know very little about this beautiful country. Admittedly, before my first visit, I, too knew next to nothing about it’s many attractions, rich culture, and dramatic landscape. But after exploring places like Krakow and Warsaw while learning a little about it’s history, I’ve learned that Poland is a wonderful, albeit fairly underrated, place.
Keep watching to see what awaits you on your first visit to what’s been called “The Land Of Fables”
Viewcation Presents: The Best Things To Do In Poland
Warsaw
This city is known for being one of the most colorful cities in Europe. More than likely, your Polish holiday will begin here. It’s the capital city of the nation and attracts countless visitors each year.
Warsaw’s charming and architecturally stunning Old Town has received the coveted designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The original buildings and structures in this area have been restored and reconstructed to their former glory, as during World War II Old Town was almost entirely destroyed.
When taking a vacation in Poland, you’ll like feel as if you stepped back in time several centuries. The oldest parts of Old Town were constructed in the 13th Century. It’s an area that is filled with medieval houses, churches, monuments, galleries, cafes, and museums.
Towards the back of Old Town is the Barbican which was built back in 1548. This striking fortress is equipped with medieval defensive walls, many of which are original. From the top of the fortifications, visitors are treated to breathtaking views of the River Vistula and the rest of the city.
Warsaw’s New Town, despite it’s name, is a continuation of this little trip back in time. This region of the city dates back to the 15th Century and is famous for it’s Market Square. It’s also home to six historic churches as well as a handful of ornate palaces commissioned by Warsaw’s noble families.
Warsaw is also renowned for having a diverse culinary scene. The city is full of top-notch restaurants offering visitors a taste of the country’s traditional and contemporary cuisine. Other attractions of note include The Uprising Museum, Wlanow Royal Palace, the Royal Castle, Sigismund’s Column, and St. John’s Archcathedral.
Torun
For a small-town experience that is reminiscent of something that you’d find in a fairy tale, Torun’s got you covered. It’s located not too far from Warsaw and is known for being the birthplace of the famous astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus. Thanks to him, we have a model of the universe that put the sun at it’s center. At the time, this notion was considered to be quite radical, but today. of course, we now know that he was right!
Torun features medieval architecture, baroque churches, and a fascinating history that involves knighthood. Walking around the town, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the world of Polish author, Andrzej Sapkowski, best-known for his “Witcher” series of novels. And if any of you are gamers, you’ll know that these novels served as the basis for the popular open-world RPG The Witcher 3.
In town, make sure that you check out the Cathedral Basilica of St. John, as well as the District Museum and the Learning Tower of Torun.
While exploring the District Museum, you can gain access to the tower where you can see the city from above. The views are nothing short of breathtaking, so be sure to bring a camera.
Another must-visit attraction is the observation deck across from the Vistula River. This site is located near the train station and is a great place to see Torun’s well-preserved medieval walls. For the best views, we recommend visiting during sunset or sunrise.
Malbork
This fairy-tale-esque Gothic Fortress is the largest of it’s kind in the world. It was constructed from red bricks and is found along the banks of the Nogat River. Originally built during the Teutonic Knight era in the 13th Century, this destination is one of the most outstanding pieces of history that still stands to this day.
When walking inside the enormous fortress, you’ll feel like your inside of a fantasy novel. The fortress perfectly captures the fantasy-medieval vibe that you often heard about when you were a kid.
Inside the castle, visitors can explore several buildings such as the Old Church of St. Marty, the tower, and the Great Refectory. If you’re planning a visit, give yourself at least a day to get the full experience.
Gdansk
This city is considered to be one of Poland’s most important ports. It’s also the location where one of this the first clashes of World War II happened when Poland was invaded by the Nazis at the outset of the bloody yet historic conflict.
Gdansk is celebrated for it’s vibrantly colored architecture, much of which can be found along the Long Market Strip. As it’s name implies, the strip earned it’s name due to the fact that it’s unfathomably long. Exploring the Long Market Strip feels like it goes on forever. As such, it’s a wonderful place to take a stroll and get a feel for what the city is all about.
Owing to it’s historic importance, Gdansk is home to many museums like The Museum of Second World War. Another must-see attraction is Westerplatte. This open-air museum can be reached by bu8s and is dedicated to the brutal battle of Westerplatte, which is were the first clash between German and Polish forces took place during the invasion of Poland.
Poznan
Poland’s fifth-largest city is also one of the oldest cities on the planet. Poznan is a major tourist draw not only for it’s history but also for having one of the most colorful old squares in Europe. From the traditional European Merchant Houses to it’s iconic town hall, Poznan’s buildings are mind-bogglingly impressive.
Aside from these sites, other things do within the city include visiting the pinkish-hued Catholic Church The Poznan Fara, and the equally alluring Royal Castle, which features an observation tower where you will find stellar views of the town square.
We recommend spending at least a full day exploring Poznan and soaking in all of the history, culture, and vibrancy that it has to offer.
Wroclaw
Another noteworthy city to travel to packed full of fun and engaging things to do is Wroclaw. Visitors will find everything ranging from a collection of little gnome statues dispersed throughout the city to the Museum of the Battle of Ravclawice, which features an extensive collection of enormous panoramic paintings.
Wroclaw Town Square is a great spot to begin your search of the cities iconic gnome statues. Throughout the city, there are more than 400 of these figures scattered around at points of interest. Evidently, the tradition started when protesters dressed as hairstyle characters including gnomes began protesting against the communist regime during the Cold War.
It’s been decades since the gnomes first started popping up around town, but as you’ll discover, the tradition has only grown exponentially since then. Today, the gnomes are considered to be an integral part of the city’s identity.
Another one of our favorite spots in Wroclaw is Ostrow Tumski. This area is the oldest part of the city and is home to the gorgeous Cathedral of St. John The Baptist. It’s a very peaceful neighborhood that’s perfect for getting a little reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Krakow
Between the history of Krakow’s famous town square to it’s Jewish Quarter to the hip vibe of the area known as Kazimierz, this city is in our opinion one of the best places to base yourself out of when visiting Poland.
Kazimierz is a great place to spend a relaxing evening in the summer months, as it’s the area where many locals prefer to unwind. It’s a bustling neighborhood with a lively vibe complete with plenty of cafes, restaurants and galleries.
Throughout the borough you’ll find numerous food stalls slinging authentic Polish street food. We especially recommend trying Zapiekanka, a toasted open-face sandwich that’s made with a combination of sauteed white mushrooms, ham, and cheese served on a baguette. Trust us when we say that it’s an explosion of flavorful goodness that will delight the senses.
The city’s town square is one of the most comely of it’s kind. It features cobblestone streets where people often meet up to socialize and play games like chess. If you’re by yourself, it’s also a lovely place to enjoy a bite to eat or read a book. Surrounding the square, you’ll find all sorts of shops, cafes, and boutiques.
Krakow’s town square is also home to St. Mary’s Basilica. This gothic-baroque-style cathedral is unlike any other that you’ve seen before. Inside it’s walls, you’ll find a cathedral that is breathtakingly beautiful in every sense of the word.
Other attractions worth visiting near the square include Bugle Tower, where visitors can climb to the top and see stunning views of the Old Square from above. We also recommend checking out Wawei Castle, Krakow Barbican, and Town Hall Tower.
Wawei Castle is one of the most famous and important landmarks in the city. The architecture of the castle is a blend of Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, and Early Baroque Styles. This medley of design styles came about due to the fact that it was occupied by different rulers throughout it’s history.
Poland is one of the most inviting, enticing, and historically significant Central European countries. Hopefully, after watching this video, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect on your first visit. It’s devastating what’s happening right next door in Ukraine – especially considering how much of the country’s architecture and history is being erased by the war – but fortunately, Poland has been largely unaffected by the ongoing turmoil.
Did you know that Poland is home to some of the oldest still-standing structures in Europe and that it’s considered to be one of the most most architecturally and historically important nations in the world? Let us know your thoughts on Poland in the comments section down below, and as always, thanks for watching Viewcationers.