
In Poland, the East meets the West. This post-communist country has emerged as an economic success story and become a growing tourist destination in Europe. With its urban hotspots, historic towns, unspoiled nature and a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities, Poland has a lot to offer.
Poland is an excellent place to be right now. I’m Polish, so I may be a bit biased, but I have many arguments to prove my point. The country is developing rapidly, is socially and economically stable and—last but not least—is full of exciting places to visit.
Poland is widely known for its post-Soviet tourism scene, Jewish heritage and medieval architecture in cities like Cracow and Gdansk. But apart from these touristy highlights, Poland is full of hidden treasures. Read on to find out why you should join all the savvy travelers visiting the country right now.
Let’s start from the top … literally!
The Baltic Sea and lakes
Located in the northern part of Poland, the Baltic Sea may not be the warmest in Europe, but it’s definitely among the most picturesque because of its wide, sandy beaches, scenic forests and dunes.
The pleasant water temperature during summer makes it perfect for swimming and other water sports, such as kiteboard or windsurfing. The Baltic Sea attracts a lot of sailors who want to challenge themselves on its waters. It’s also an exciting place for divers, as large numbers of wrecks (especially from WWII) lie here—even at relatively small depths.
The northern part of Poland is also spotted with numerous lakes. The Great Masurian Lake District, situated in the northeast of Poland, is a favorite spot for weekend getaways or holidays for many Poles.
Now, if we move all the way to the south, we can visit …
The Polish Mountains
The majority of tourists visit Zakopane, which is a small mountain town serving as a convenient base for excursions in the Tatra Mountains. But this place is only the tip of the iceberg; mountains run all across southern Poland, from the western border of our country (Sudety), through its central part (Tatry, Pieniny) until the extreme southeast of Poland (Beskidy, Bieszczady).
The variety of mountain routes is astonishing—so, even though the alluring Tatra Mountains are the highest range in Poland, it’s worth getting off the beaten path and discovering the charm of other peaks that are adored by the locals.
Green escape
Poland is considered one of the best destinations in Europe for an escape from crowds and noise. The country is quite big (for our continent), and many parts of it are still poorly explored by foreign tourists.
If you’re searching for peace and quiet, Polish mountains (especially the less popular ones) are a good choice, but the vast plains and forests in eastern Poland may be even better. The areas surrounding the cities of Białystok (the Podlachia/Podlasie region), Lublin and Zamość (Roztocze/Zamojszczyzna region) are famous among Poles for their unspoiled environments.
Even the capital city offers experiences with nature through its numerous parks, forests and reserves. Warsaw boasts extensive green areas, covering more than 40% of the entire city area and almost 20% of downtown.
Where the modern meets the old
Poland has plenty of beautiful historical landmarks—old castles, palaces, fortifications, etc.—but two world wars in the 20th century and a few decades of communist rule have taken their toll on the country’s architecture.
Poland’s capital city, Warsaw, is eclectic and chaotic, but in a positive way. Sparse historical buildings stand between imposing communist landmarks (mainly the Palace of Culture and Science) and modern, glass-and-steel skyscrapers. These all contribute to the city’s unique vibe.
Fans of medieval architecture would be enchanted by old towns in Kraków, Gdańsk or Wrocław, not to mention all the architectural gems that can be found in smaller towns that are under the radar.
Troubled history
Poland went through difficult times, and the last two centuries were especially tough for the country. At the end of the 18th century, Poland practically ceased to exist, as its territory was divided between the Russian Empire, Prussia and Austria for the next 123 years. In 1918, Poland regained independence, but its troubles were far from over.
In September 1939, World War II began in Poland with invasions by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. WWII resulted in the almost total destruction of the capital city (especially during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944) and the burden of the Holocaust that took place on our territory, occupied by Nazis at the time. After WWII, up until 1989, Poland was a communist country, ruled by a puppet government backed by Soviet Russia. Our modern history as a free country is therefore quite short.
Summing up, Poland faced many historical twists and turns in the last century. Their reminders can be found everywhere, especially in Warsaw—the city that literally rose like a phoenix from the ashes. Poland’s troublesome history is also somehow embedded in the nature of Poles, who are fiery and melancholic at the same time.
And while I’m on the topic …
The people
Many harmful stereotypes are attached to Polish people: A tendency to complain, poker faces, lack of tolerance, religious zeal and alcohol abuse are among the most popular. Although there’s always a grain of truth in every stereotype, in general, they all are exaggerations. If I were to list the main characteristics of most Poles, they would include lots of energy, resilience and hospitality.
The fact is that Polish people are usually full of contrasts. They tend to be harsh judges of their own country, but at the same time, they have a sense of pride about it—especially given the adversities that they, their parents and their grandparents went through. They may seem gloomy when they pass you by on the sidewalk, but they smile the minute you talk to them and are very helpful (sometimes even annoyingly helpful) when you need it. They work hard and play hard; sometimes Poles are called “the Spanish of the North”! And yes, vodka is a party staple, but simply because it’s a local drink with an excellent price-to-quality ratio, just like wine in the Mediterranean.
On that culinary note …
Delicious food
Poland’s hearty cuisine is as eclectic as its history, with influences from neighboring countries. Historically, its main dishes included venison, kasha (a specific cereal), cabbage, beetroot, mushrooms, forest berries, honey and other local ingredients.
But that changed over time, and nowadays, tourists come to Poland to try some famous traditional dishes such as pierogi (dumplings with a savory or sweet filling), bigos (a hot meal consisting of meat, sauerkraut/cabbage and herbs, sometimes translated as “hunter’s stew”), kotlet schabowy (pork breaded cutlet), gołąbki (cabbage rolls, usually filled with rice, onion and meat), fish (herring, trout) and Polish-style pickled cucumber (which is very healthy, by the way). Local fresh fruit and veggies are also a highlight.
Last but not least: Portions are big while prices are among the lowest in Europe.
It’s cheap!
Poland is a budget traveler’s paradise. Everything here—food, accommodation, transport, etc.—is quite cheap in comparison with countries in Western Europe and even with some countries located further to the East, like Russia and Belarus!
Although prices in most touristy places tend to go up in the high season (in summer at the Baltic Sea or in summer/winter in the Tatra Mountains), overall, Poland is the perfect place for a cheap vacation. This may change in a few years, so the best time to visit Poland is probably right now.
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Poland is my home, but it’s also a place that I truly enjoy experiencing with all my senses. I love the energetic pace of everyday life in Warsaw; weekend getaways to Cracow, Wrocław and Gdansk; and chilling at the seaside or in the Beskidy Mountains. Poland is versatile, adventure-filled and welcoming. Now it’s time for you to find your own reasons to come back here.
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