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.
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
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.
Anyone wishing to experience the authentic, mystical and, at the same time, historically incredibly rich side of Poland should turn their attention to the region of Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk). Here, you can enjoy a relaxing holiday that soothes the soul in one of Poland’s most beautiful regions.
Anyone wishing to experience authentic and historic Poland without having to jostle through dense crowds of tourists should set their sights on Łódź (Lodz). In recent years, this former textile hub has transformed itself into one of the country’s most exciting cultural centres.
Anyone who wants to experience authentic, vibrant, and at the same time historic Poland should turn their attention to Poznań (Posen). Poznań is a city of short distances, where historic eras intersect on every square meter.
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.
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.
The city of Wrocław lies on the River Oder. It attracts visitors with its unique charm, countless bridges and a fascinating history. A city trip to Wrocław is well worth it at any time of year.
Poland travel information
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 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...
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 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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
