• Skip to content
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Europe
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • North America
  • Germany
    • Baden-Württemberg
    • Bavaria
    • Brandenburg
    • Berlin
    • Bremen
    • Hamburg
    • Hesse
    • Lower Saxony
    • Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Saxony
    • Saxony-Anhalt
    • Schleswig-Holstein
    • Thuringia
  • Home
  • Topic
    • Breweries, beer, beer tours
    • Wine, wine tasting, wine hikes
    • Hiking in Germany
    • UNESCO Sites in Germany
    • City passes
    • River cruises
    • Cruises
    • Christmas markets
    • This and that
  • Search
  • Deutsch
  • English (UK)
Destinations > Poland

Destinations in Poland

Discover Poland, a country full of contrasts, where medieval cities meet modern metropolises and untouched natural paradises invite you to explore. Whether historical treasures in Krakow or the breathtaking landscapes of the Tatra Mountains – Poland offers unforgettable experiences for every traveler.

The Republic of Poland is located in Central Europe. The capital and largest city of the country is Warsaw. Other major cities include Krakow and Lodz, and Poland is divided into 16 voivodeships.

With its rich past, it attracts history lovers who can discover architectural masterpieces and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in cities such as Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk. Krakow, the former royal city, impresses with its majestic Wawel Castle and lively market square. Warsaw, the dynamic capital, combines modern architecture with the restored buildings of the old town, which were lovingly rebuilt after the Second World War.

Poland

For nature lovers, Poland offers a variety of landscapes, from the picturesque Masurian Lakes to the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea and the majestic Tatra Mountains. The Białowieża National Park, home to the European bison, offers unique wildlife watching opportunities and extensive hiking trails.

Polish cuisine is strongly influenced by the culinary traditions of neighboring countries, including Germany, Ukraine, Lithuania and Russia. These influences have resulted in a diverse and varied cuisine that combines both traditional and modern elements. Pierogi are stuffed dumplings, one of the most famous Polish dishes. They can be prepared with a variety of fillings, including potatoes and cottage cheese (pierogi ruskie), meat, sauerkraut and mushrooms or even sweet varieties with fruit. Bigos, a hearty dish made from sauerkraut, fresh cabbage and various types of meat, is very well-known and popular. The meat is often cooked for several days to intensify the flavor.

Explore the destinations in Poland

Krakau
Krakow

Krakow is the former capital of Poland (until 1596) and coronation city of the Polish kings. As the city was not destroyed in the war, it is now one of the best-preserved cities in the country.

Krakow   →
Stettin Roter Weg Hakenterrasse
Szczecin - city on the Odra

Szczecin is located on the lower Odra River at the estuary of the Szczecin Lagoon and Lake Damm. In Polish, the capital of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Szczecin - city on the Odra   →
Warschau
City trip to Warsaw

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, has developed into an attractive destination for city travelers in recent decades. As the cultural and economic center of the country, the city offers an impressive mix of history, modern architecture and vibrant city life.

City trip to Warsaw   →

Poland travel information

Getting There

Arrival

By plane
With the largest Polish airline LOT, which cooperates with Lufthansa, you can fly to Polish airports from Germany. In addition, some low-cost airlines offer regular flights.
The largest airport is in Warsaw, somewhat smaller ones for example in Krakow and Gdansk.

By train
It is possible to travel to Poland by direct train connections from many European countries. The rail network is very well developed and star-shaped oriented to the capital Warsaw. Other transportation hubs include Poznan, Gdansk, Szczecin, Wroclaw and Krakow.

For example, from Berlin there is a daily train to Warsaw. It takes about 6-7 hours.

Traveling by train in Poland is quite inexpensive.

By bus
There are numerous bus companies that offer trips to Poland from all over Europe. There are also numerous bus connections within the country, which are very cheap.

By car
The road network in Poland has been expanded and developed in recent years. There are some well developed highways, wide motorways but also still small bumpy country roads.

There is no compulsory vignette for cars. However, at some highway sections a toll is required. This is charged when entering or leaving the highway and can be paid in cash or by card.

There may be longer waiting times when entering or leaving the country at the EU’s external borders with Russia, Belarus or Ukraine.

Speed limits:

  • 50km/h – city
  • 90 km/h outside the city
  • 120 km/h motorway
  • 140 km/h – highway

Blood alcohol limit: 0.2.
It is necessary to drive with dipped headlights even during the day.

By ship
Poland has several seaports, for example in Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie. From here there are ferry connections to other Baltic Sea countries.

Entry, Visa

Entry requirements/visas

Entry requirements for EU citizens

EU citizens have the right to freedom of movement within the EU. This means that they can enter, work and live in other EU member states, the European Economic Area (EEA) (including Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland without a visa.

As a rule, EU citizens only need a valid identity card or passport to enter the country. A visa is not required.

Entry requirements for non-EU citizens

Non-EU citizens generally require a visa to enter the Schengen area. The exact requirements depend on your nationality. Some countries have agreements that allow visa-free entry for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Non-EU citizens must have a valid passport. Minors also require their own passport and, if necessary, a visa. Additional documents may be required at the border. The maximum length of stay for visa-free travel in the Schengen area is 90 days within a 180-day period. These regulations may vary depending on the country and specific agreements, so it is advisable to find out the exact requirements before traveling.

On the way in...

On the way in...

By plane
Within the country it is possible to reach all regional airports (except Allenstein) from Warsaw. There are also some connections between other airports. The connections are mainly operated by LOT

By train
There is a very dense rail network in Poland. Regional trains are very slow and travel comfortably across the country. In some classes of trains you have to reserve your seat in advance.

Tickets can be bought at the ticket office in most stations, ticket machines are rare. The prices depend on the type of train, for example, the same route with the regional train often costs half of the trip with the IC.

By bus
A fairly inexpensive way to travel around the country is the bus. There are several providers that serve different regions. Tickets can usually be bought from the driver.

By car
There is a good network of trunk roads. Voivodeship roads (yellow numbers) and regional roads are usually in good to acceptable condition. Some highways are subject to tolls.

There are many controls that quickly punish speeders. If you park wrongly, you can expect to find your car again with a parking claw and have to pay for it.

With the bike
Developed bike paths are rather rare in the cities.

There are some cycling routes along the side roads and on unpaved paths. In the meantime, the first national long-distance bike path has been completed, and more paths are to follow.

Best time to travel

Best time to visit

Spring (March to May)

The weather in Poland starts to warm up in spring. Average temperatures in March are around 5°C and can rise to around 15°C by May. There is a moderate chance of rain, with May tending to have less rainfall than the summer months.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is the most popular time to travel to Poland, especially for beach vacations at the Baltic Sea or the Masurian Lakes. Temperatures are warm and average between 20°C and 25°C. These months are also the wettest of the year, with a higher chance of rain, although the precipitation often comes in the form of short showers.

Fall (September to November)

September can still be relatively warm, with temperatures around 15°C to 20°C, while November is much cooler, with average temperatures around 5°C to 10°C. The chance of rain increases again in the fall, especially in October and November.

Winter (December to February)

Winter in Poland is cold, with average temperatures often falling below 0°C. Snow is common in many parts of the country, especially in the mountains. Precipitation is mostly in the form of snow in winter, which reduces the chance of rain in the form of rain, but the total amount of precipitation remains relatively constant.

Language

Language

The official and national language is Polish. Most Poles speak English as a second language. Most Poles working in the tourism sector also speak French, German, Spanish or Russian.

Money

Currency

The Złoty is the currency of Poland. All coins have the coat of arms of Poland as a motif on one side. There are the following coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groschen and 1, 2 and 5 zloty and the following banknotes 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Złoty.

Tip

Tip

In Poland, it is customary to tip about 10% in pubs and restaurants. In some restaurants a service charge is already on the bill, then you can waive the tip or give a little less. When paying by credit card, the tip should be given in cash, since in most cases it does not reach the staff.

For taxi rides, one pays about 10% tip.

In hotels, the porter receives a tip per piece of luggage and the cleaners per night.

Telephone, Internet

Telephone/Internet

The mobile network is very well developed and usually offers good connections even in rural areas. There are three providers in the mobile network area: Plus, Plus GSM, Orange. In the cities there are numerous Internet cafes with reasonable prices. The first WLAN hotspot in Europe was in Krakow’s Market Square.

Mobile Internet is available throughout the country.

Plug

Travel adapter

Type C and E plugs are used in Poland. Type C is compatible with sockets in Germany – but the coverage is not 100%. For type E sockets, the German vacationer needs an adapter.

All our experiences in Poland

Stettin Denkmal im Kasprowicz Park

Through the green oasis to the “Spinach Palace”

One of the most beautiful and largest parks in Szczecin, Kasprowicz Park, is located just outside the Old Town area. A walk took us to the “Spinach Palace of Szczecin”.

Continue Reading about Through the green oasis to the “Spinach Palace”

Viewpoints in Szczecin

Szczecin is an interesting and exciting city that cannot be fully discovered in one weekend. If you like to take a look at the city, you should visit the lookout points in Szczecin.

Continue Reading about Viewpoints in Szczecin

Stettiner Brauereien Stara Komenda

Szczecin beer tour – 5 Szczecin breweries

5 Szczecin breweries we visited and drank very good beer and also ate well. Some of the breweries are so close to each other that you only have to walk a few 100 meters until you can drink the next beer.

Continue Reading about Szczecin beer tour – 5 Szczecin breweries

Bunker tour under the Szczecin Central Station

Under the main railway station in Szczecin is the largest civilian bunker in Poland. You can visit it on a bunker tour in Szczecin and immerse yourself in an almost forgotten time.

Continue Reading about Bunker tour under the Szczecin Central Station

Stettiner Hauptfriedhof Kapelle

Cmentarz Centralny w Szczecinie (Szczecin Main Cemetery) the biggest cemetery in Poland

More than 300,000 graves on more than 160 hectares, countless paths, monuments, gravestones and places of silence await you when you visit the Szczecin Main Cemetery.

Continue Reading about Cmentarz Centralny w Szczecinie (Szczecin Main Cemetery) the biggest cemetery in Poland

Philharmonie Stettin

Szczecin Philharmonic

Few buildings in Szczecin stand out as much for their architecture as the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic. The amazing building has been in the city since 2014 and guided tours of the building are offered at certain times.

Continue Reading about Szczecin Philharmonic

Stettiner Museum für Technik und Kommunikation

Szczecin Museum of Technology and Communication

Somewhat off the beaten tourist track, the Szczecin Museum of Technology and Communication is located in a former streetcar depot. Lovers of old vehicles, but also lovers of sewing machines and typewriters will get their money’s worth here.

Continue Reading about Szczecin Museum of Technology and Communication

Butterfly Suite

Paul’s Fantasia Boutique Suites in Szczecin

We experienced that not all hotels are the same at Paul’s Fantasia Boutique Suites in Szczecin. A small hotel run by the owner that took us into another world, so that we almost forgot about Szczecin.

Continue Reading about Paul’s Fantasia Boutique Suites in Szczecin

Städtetrip Warschau

10 tips for a city trip to Warsaw

Warsaw is a multifaceted city that you can’t just discover along the way. There is so much to see that we realised after our visit that we had not yet visited some items on our list.

Continue Reading about 10 tips for a city trip to Warsaw

viele Wodkaflaschen Polnisch Wodka Museum

Polish Vodka Museum – guided tour and tasting

For me, vodka has always belonged to Eastern Europe. When we were in Krakow, we came into contact with vodka and its tradition for the first time. When I discovered the Polish Vodka Museum in Warsaw while researching before our trip, it was clear that we absolutely had to go here.

Continue Reading about Polish Vodka Museum – guided tour and tasting

Łazienki-Park

Sundays in summer in Warsaw

It’s Sunday and the weather is beautiful. We and many other visitors are visiting Łazienki Park in Warsaw. The day simply invites to explore the largest park in the city and enjoy a free piano concert.

Continue Reading about Sundays in summer in Warsaw

POLIN - Museum der Geschichte der polnischen Juden

POLIN – Museum of the History of Polish Jews

A visit to Warsaw definitely includes an exploration of the city’s history. The POLIN deals with the history of Polish Jews and was a real experience for me.

Continue Reading about POLIN – Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Warschau Kulturpalast

Warsaw’s best viewpoint point: Palace of Culture and Science

After we had seen “Stalin’s Birthday Cake” in Riga, the Academy of Sciences, we were quite curious about the visually quite similar building in Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science. For us, the Warsaw Palace of Culture is one of the most impressive buildings of the city, that we wanted to take a closer look.

Continue Reading about Warsaw’s best viewpoint point: Palace of Culture and Science

Stettin Roter Weg

Short visit to Szczecin

Szczecin is located in the northwest of Poland, just 130 kilometers from Berlin. You can get there really quickly by train, so a short visit to the Polish city on the Szczecin Lagoon is just perfect.

Continue Reading about Short visit to Szczecin

salt mine Wieliczka

3 hours underground on the tourist route through the salt mine Wieliczka

The trip to the salt mine Wieliczka was the most exciting, informative and fascinating excursion that we had the pleasure to experience during our time in Krakow. A personal favourite of mine and worthwhile for sure.

Continue Reading about 3 hours underground on the tourist route through the salt mine Wieliczka

St. Mary’s Basilica Krakow

St. Mary’s Basilica Krakow

There is that thing about visiting churches. We saw many over the years and if you’re not an expert in the history of art one could say many churches look similar.

Continue Reading about St. Mary’s Basilica Krakow

City of Vodka to City of Beers

From City of Vodka to City of Beers? What do you drink in Krakow?

Talking to locals one is under the impression that Krakow is indeed a vodka city. But over time, Krakow developed a vibrant beer culture that cannot be ignored. So, is Krakow now a City of Beers? 

Continue Reading about From City of Vodka to City of Beers? What do you drink in Krakow?

viewing point for free

Scenic viewing point for free – Krak Hill

Looking for a viewing point in Krakow? We went on a quest for one and climbed the Krak Hill. A fantastic spot in the middle of the city, and completely free!

Continue Reading about Scenic viewing point for free – Krak Hill

Sweet Krakow

Sweet Krakow – We are on to Krakow’s sweet treats

Poland is known for its hearty cuisine. So we followed the traces of the sweeter dishes of Krakow and found a few “sins” we would like to recommend.

Continue Reading about Sweet Krakow – We are on to Krakow’s sweet treats

Wawel Castle Grounds

The Wawel Castle Grounds high above Krakow

Those who visit Krakow are magically drawn towards it: The Wawel Hill and the castle grounds. It is here where the history of Krakow becomes tangible for those who come with some time.

Continue Reading about The Wawel Castle Grounds high above Krakow

Vistula

Pure relaxation on a walk along the river Vistula

We enjoyed some truly relaxing walks along the Vistula, the sun in our faces, and just unwound.

Continue Reading about Pure relaxation on a walk along the river Vistula

dragon in Krakow

Krakow, City of Dragons – the legend is alive

Once upon a time… many stories start with these famous words, the stories about dragons in Krakow do, too. Even today, dragons are very much present in Krakow and receive a great deal of honour every year.

Continue Reading about Krakow, City of Dragons – the legend is alive

Food Tour Krakow

Free walking tour in Krakow – a food tour

As we prepared our trip we came across a video about a so-called food tour. We took this as inspiration to further google food tours in Krakow. “Free Walking Tours Krakow” offers a Food Tour Krakow – not free.

Continue Reading about Free walking tour in Krakow – a food tour

flat in krakow

A lovely flat near the Vistula

We searched for our perfect apartment on AirBnB prior to our stay in Krakow. And we found a really lovely place.

Continue Reading about A lovely flat near the Vistula

Information about Krakow

We are going to Krakow!

Actually, Krakow wasn’t even on our list of destinations but sometimes it’s rather an event that determines the next trip than our wish list. In this case, it was the international Joomla! Conference in Krakow.

Continue Reading about We are going to Krakow!

  • Impress
  • Privacy Policy
  • Photo credit
  • About us