What is Poland known for?

Located close to the crossroads of Europe, the land that is now Poland was conquered and defended by various forces over the span of the last millennium, and today visitors can see over 500 castles, ranging from formidable fortresses to crumbling ruins. Poland is known for shaping and molding European culture through the centuries, and Poland`s contributions to culture -- everything from art to science to folk music and dress -- can be seen in the country`s many museums, whether they are stately galleries or open-air ethnography museums. Even Poland`s contributions to architecture cannot be denied (or ignored), ranging from Gothic and Neoclassical buildings to the largest collection of Realist and Brutalist-inspired Communist architecture in the former Soviet Bloc. Last but not least, Poland is well-known for its hiking, rock climbing, and other outdoor leisure activities, in places like the Tatra Mountains in Lesser Poland and Karkonosze National Park in Silesia.

What are the best places to visit in Poland?

We recommend that you start your Poland journey in one of two important cities: Warsaw, Poland`s beautiful capital and one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, and Krakow, the historic second-largest city, home of the Polish kings. From Warsaw, we recommend visiting Silesia (Slask), where Katowice is the capital; and Lower Silesia (Dolny Slask), the warmest region of the country, home to Wroclaw and Jelenia Gora. From Krakow, explore the region of Lesser Poland (Malopolska), which includes the Tatra Mountains; Greater Poland (Wielkopolska); and Lublin Voivodeship. If you have time, the northern portion of the country, consisting of the regions of West Pomerania, Pomerania, and Kuyavia-Pomerania and cities like Gdansk, the birthplace of Solidarity, and Torun, the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, should be experienced as well.

When is the best time to visit Poland? Will it be hot or cold when I visit?

The shoulder seasons, which roughly correspond to April, May, October, and the first half of November, are recommended times to go to Poland. Temperatures will not be as hot, but still mild, and you will dodge the rainiest (or snowiest) parts of the year, which tend to be the summer and portions of the winter. For more information, check out: Best Time to Visit Poland.

How many days should I spend in Poland?

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.

What is the best way to get around Poland?

We recommend traveling across Poland by train. It is efficient, fast, modern, clean, inexpensive, and links all corners of the country.

By Train: Train service is run by Polish State Railways (PKP). PKP Intercity operates many types of trains, and some of the services they offer that you will most likely get to experience are EuroNight trains, EuroCity international long-distance trains, the InterCity trains that link important population centers, and fast inter-regional service via TLK (Twoje Linie Kolejowe) trains. First and second-class fares are incredibly cheap: it is possible to travel from one end of the country to the other for between $100 to $200 per person with stops in multiple cities.

By Car: While trains do reach many villages in the countryside, if you want to experience the places where trains don`t go, feel free to rent a car. Pomerania, Lublin Voivodeship, and the Tatra Mountains are very beautiful places to enjoy scenic drives. For more information on driving, check out Driving in Poland.

What is the currency of Poland?

The currency of Poland is the zloty (abbreviated zl). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for zlotys upon arrival. Currency exchange desks (kantor in Polish) and ATMs can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the country. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in Poland.

Do people speak English in Poland?

The most recent European Union language survey says that 33% of Polish adults can speak English at a conversational level or better, a rate higher than in other Slavic countries. Do keep in mind that English may be spoken at your hotel and in tourist areas, but not everywhere. We suggest you get a good English-Polish dictionary and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Czy mowisz po angielsku?` (chi moo-vish po ang-gyel-skoo?).