The 11 most beautiful places to visit in Poland

Are you going to Poland? Here is a list of the most beautiful places to visit in Poland that you must absolutely anticipate in your trip!

At the crossroads between Central and Eastern Europe, Poland is a country rich in history, sometimes tragic, sometimes happy. Thus, many sites and monuments in the country are today classified as UNESCO World Heritage – testimony to Poland’s cultural wealth.

The wonders concentrated in the Polish cities do not eclipse the magnificence of the country’s countryside and landscapes: the national parks are full of natural treasures. Forests, mountains, lakes and centenary cities offer you a trip to Europe, high in color and rich in culture!

1. Krakow

Second and probably the most beautiful city in the country, Krakow is known as the cultural capital of Poland. In the past, she was the city of the kings of Poland, which explains her fairy tale and its sumptuous architecture. From the central square, majestic with its Basilica of St Mary, it is possible to stroll through the small streets of Krakow to discover churches, cultural animations and medieval vestiges.

Of course, impossible to miss the famous Castle of Wawel located on the hill of the same name: a fabulous panorama of the city and on the Vistula, on the edge of the hill, will offer you! During your stay in Krakow, feel free to discover the local cuisine as well. The historic centre or the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz are full of small restaurants – visiting Poland without tasting local dishes is inconceivable!

2. Warsaw

Capital of Poland, Warsaw is considered a "new" old town. Because the beautiful city suffered a lot during the Second World War and was almost destroyed by clashes. Despite this, its old classified city is unavoidable, especially since the contrast with modern architecture, from the reconstruction, is rather striking.

Medieval and neoclassical city, many monuments are available to you: the Wilanow Palace, the Jewish Quarter, the various museums (Chopin, National Museum) but above all the Royal Castle at the end of the very popular royal road – district in which you will find the famous Presidential Palace as well as magnificent hotels.

If you need freshness, Lazienki Park is a must, one of the best parks in Europe and the most beautiful places to visit in Poland.

3. Forest of Bialowieża

The Bialowieza Forest is a highly preserved UNESCO site, classified as World Heritage. It is known to be the only virgin forest in Europe, extending over 3000 square kilometers of the border is Polish on the western Belarusian border, riding on both sides!

Bialowieza has a rich fauna and flora: it houses a wide variety of trees, such as oaks over 500 years old! But also, bison (the last of the continent), wolves, deer, lynx and even royal eagles! Because it is a protected forest, you can only access it with a guide, which can only encourage you to go through the hiking paths, plunging deep into the dense and untouched forest. It is a must in Poland!

4. Wroclaw

Capital of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw is a very popular cultural destination. The strong influences of Prussian, Bohemian and Austrian cultures make the architecture of the city unique and very diverse. Wroclaw is also known as the Polish Venice: it consists of 12 islands, connected by more than 100 bridges and surrounded by many parks bordered by rivers.

In addition to its famous Gothic architecture, the city is also known for its nightlife and numerous festivals.

5. Gdansk

Gdansk is one of the most popular Polish cities. Its magnificent port is known to be the birthplace of the Polish movement "Solidarity", but also for its shipyards.

The Royal Road, the Old Town, the Neptune Fountain and the Long Market are must-see attractions and monuments in Gdansk – that will plunge you into the history and life of the city. A small boat ride around the port will also allow you to enjoy the city from another angle.

6. Wieliczka salt mines

Visit Poland without visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines is impossible! Open from the Middle Ages, these mines are part of the many Polish sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage.

The guided tour of the mines will take you more than two hours and make you burn a lot of calories thanks to several hundred stairs. Your adventure will make you cross many complex passages, crystal chambers, salt monuments and above all, underground oasis – majestic lakes to more than 40 meters deep! A trip to the center of Earth.

7. Malbork

Between Gdansk and the beautiful province of Mazurie, known for its fields and the lakes of Elblag, the city of Malbork houses the ruins of the most fascinating medieval castles in Europe.

If you are an amateur of history and architecture, Malbork is for you! The vast ensembles of castles and fortresses of red bricks will take you directly to the medieval times and the past of the region.

8. Lodz

Lodz is known as the Cultural Mecca for Poles, Germans, Jews and Russians. The famous industrialists, scientists and artists who lived in the city left an indelible mark in the life of the city.

Take a walk through Piotrkowska Street to immerse yourself in one of the most remarkable architectures in Europe.

9. Ojcow National Park

If you really want to visit Poland, you must discover the breathtaking nature and landscapes of the country! Not far from Krakow is the Ojcow National Park, a beautiful introduction to Polish nature. It is one of the country’s smallest national parks and is characterized by deep ravines, numerous limestone cliffs, as well as dense forests, rock formations and more than 400 caves.

During your stay at the park, you can visit the famous Krakow Gate or the rock formation of Hercules-Club, high limestone column of 25 meters, or see the Grotte Łokietek, which makes 320 meters deep. In the village of Ojcow is also the Renaissance castle of Pieskowa Skała, well preserved, and the ruins of the Gothic castle of Kazimierz (built on order of Casimir the Great).

10. Torun

The birthplace of the famous astronomer and mathematician Nicolas Copernic, Torun is classified as World Heritage by its rich medieval history.

Nicknamed the "Krakow of the North" for its cultural influence on the region, the attractions not to be missed are the Château des Chevaliers Teutoniques, the Old Town and the many Gothic cathedrals.

11. Tatras National Park

In the south of Poland the Tatra National Park extends. This is where the only mountains of Poland are located, with more than 20 peaks peaking at more than 2000 meters. With the Slovak Tatra National Park, they form a biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO. Two sites deserve to be visited: Lake Morskie Oko, one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world, according to journalists Wall Street Journal , as well as Mont Rysy, peaking at 2503 meters above sea level just at the Slovak-Polish border. Enjoy your stay to practice hiking, mountain biking and climbing, see even paragliding! Don't miss the city too Zakopane At the foot of the Tatras.

Poland attracts more and more travellers, whether for its history or culture, or for its nightlife and its low cost of living. Now you know what to do in Poland! We can only advise you to include these places when you visit Poland.

Photo credit: Pixabay – Skitterphoto