Travel guide to Poland

When it comes to experiences, Poland is a place of plenty. If you’re drawn to culture and history, you might think of Kraków and Gdańsk as must-sees on your Poland travelling itinerary. Maybe Warsaw, for urban adventures that could last a long weekend. Or, for an unforgettable journey, a day in the Carpathian Mountains. 

Warsaw

Warsaw, in the east-central part of the country, on the Vistula River, is the heart and capital of Poland. During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, more than 85% of Warsaw’s historic centre was destroyed. In the years after the Second World War, it was rebuilt. So, the current Old Town is a reconstruction, based on its appearance in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Historic Centre of Warsaw is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also marks an excellent place to start your adventure, before visiting some of the historic museums (and sampling the local cuisine) while travelling in Poland.

Gdańsk    

In Northern Poland is Gdańsk, a city shaped by a rich and varied architectural heritage. This port city sits at the Vistula River Delta on the shores of the southern Baltic Coast. Gdańsk city centre was almost destroyed during the final weeks of the Second World War in 1945. You can learn about this and more at the Museum of the Second World War in the city. In more recent times Gdańsk has developed a reputation as a hip city-break destination thanks to contemporary galleries such as the Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art and Gdańsk City Gallery. 

Kraków

You can’t visit Poland without a few days in Kraków, on the Vistula River around 300km south of Warsaw. Here you’ll find lively nightlife, youthful culture and historic charm. During the Second World War, Krakow was occupied, but the city itself was not destroyed. Today, in the Historic Centre of Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can see the city as it was as far back as medieval times, especially in the historic district of Kazimierz. Today, these medieval streets are dotted with galleries, boutiques and cafes.  

Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains form an arc, cutting across Central and Southeast Europe from the Czech Republic to Romania. In-between is the Tatra range – a national park between Slovakia and Poland. Explorers can expect dense, rugged forests and sweeping valleys rich with wildlife, from bears and wolves to lynxes. Visit Rzeszów while you’re there and explore the Rzeszów Cellars.

Poland is steeped in rich culture, beautiful scenery and stunning architecture. And, of course, the history of the Second World War still looms large. If you’re travelling in Poland here are some specific locations that you may want to add to your travel itinerary. 

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews 

Explore over 1,000 years of history of Poland’s Jewish people at this award-winning museum at the centre of Warsaw. Learn about Jewish culture and heritage from the medieval times to the present day at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Explore historical artefacts and keepsakes to understand the stories of real people – from merchants and scholars to rabbis and everyday working people – from across the sweep of history.

Museum of the Second World War 

Poland and the Second World War are deeply connected. In the decades since the war ended, journalists, historians and those who lived through it have recorded what happened in the country between 1939 and 1945. If you want to learn more about the war you can visit the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk. Spend a few hours exploring and contemplating the main exhibition while travelling in Poland. 

Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Royal Castle, in Krakow, is one of Poland’s most significant cultural and historical sites. For centuries it was home to Polish kings and their families. But today, it’s more than a tour of antiquity – it’s a museum and artistic collection housed in a historic residence. Visit and enjoy both fixed and temporary exhibitions such as 16th century Flemish tapestries, and summer music events like Wawel at Dusk, and explore the halls and grounds of this monument of Polish culture. 

Rzeszów Cellars

In the city of Rzeszów in southeastern Poland, winding beneath the city’s central market, is a 396-metre circuit of interconnected cellars and corridors that could be an interesting addition to your Poland backpacking itinerary. Part curiosity, part digital heritage museum, the Rzeszów Cellars is an interactive, cultural and historical site presenting its story through a new perspective. 

Tatra Mountains 

The Tatra Mountains, part of the Carpathian Mountains and a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, are a must-visit for outdoor sports and nature enthusiasts as they backpack across Poland. The Tatras are national parkland, home to a diverse range of vistas, flora and fauna. They’re also a hotbed for activities all year round, such as hiking, climbing, cycling in the summer, and skiing and snowboarding in winter. The main resort town is Zakopane, considered Poland’s winter capital. 

Poland is a country that offers something to visitors year-round. While there’s not a bad time to visit, travelling to Poland at the right time could help you to get more of what you want out of your trip.

Best time to visit Poland

Poland is good any time of year, but choosing to visit May – June or September – October might offer nicer weather and, more importantly, fewer crowds clogging up those Old Town streets. In June, you may even catch the start of some festivals.

Booking accommodation 

Before you travel to Poland, you might want to consider booking accommodation in advance. Planning your stay in Poland is easy, with a range of accommodation options:

• Hostels. Budget-friendly options, offering shared or communal facilities.
• Hotels. Commercial lodging and entertainment that can vary in amenities and price.
• Apartments. Private stays using services like Airbnb, with your own facilities to cook and eat.
• Guesthouses. Smaller accommodation, something between an apartment and a hotel.
• Castle or villa experiences. Unique accommodation sited within an historical site, often as a package or experience offer.

Getting around Poland

There are a lot of options to get around Poland, and many Polish cities are easy to cycle or walk around. Trains (PKP Intercity) provide rapid connections between cities, and public transport is widely available in-city.

If you’re planning on visiting the countryside, you might want to invest in a rental car. If you’re planning a long stay, you could opt for an Interrail Poland Pass.

7-day Poland itinerary

If you’re travelling to Poland, you might feel overwhelmed by all there is to do. Your holiday is your own, but if you want a place to get started, here’s a quick and simple 7-day Poland itinerary.

• Day 1: Arrive in Warsaw
  Get settled at your hotel, and get ready to explore Warsaw Old Town, enjoy a Chopin concert in the evening and try some traditional Polish food.
• Day 2: Warsaw Culture Tour
  Visit the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, explore and ruminate on the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial, then visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum in the afternoon. After that, unwind in the Praga district and plan for the evening.
• Day 3: Warsaw to Gdańsk
  Say goodbye to Warsaw and get on the train to Gdańsk. Enjoy an afternoon stroll along the Long Market with a brief respite at the Neptune Fountain. Stop by St. Mary’s Church and visit the Museum of the Second World War.
• Day 4: Gdańsk Coastal Day/Castle Walk
  Travel to Sopot for a coastal walk along the longest wooden pier in Europe, enjoy the Baltic breeze, shop in Mariacka Street then head over to the Gdańsk Shipyard. Or take a train to Malbork Castle and spend the day exploring.
• Day 5: Gdańsk to Kraków
  It’s a long train journey, around 5hrs 45mins, to Kraków, so expect to spend most of the (working) day travelling. In the afternoon, visit the town square and climb St. Mary’s Basilica for an unparalleled view of the city. 
• Day 6: Kraków Wawel & Kazimierz
  Get ready to explore the Wawel Royal Castle in the morning, capped off by an early afternoon walk along the Vistula River. Then, explore the Kazimierz – the Historic Jewish Quarter. Visit the Old Synagogue and the Galicia Jewish Museum and make the most out of your evening. 
• Day 7: Wieliczka Salt Mine 
  Spend a half day in this Wieliczka Salt Mine – a hidden, underground work of art full of mysteries and legends – and then prepare to travel home. 

When you travel to Poland, it’s a good idea to take a mixture of cash and card. If you’re planning an overseas trip, we’ve got your back. Load up to 22 currencies at one time on your Sainsbury’s Travel Money Card to enjoy contactless payments, avoid currency conversion charges at ATMs^, and manage your money on the go.

Poland uses the Polish zloty (PLN) and not the euro. Exchange British pounds for Polish zloty online with Sainsbury’s Bank today. 

Before you jet off to Poland, you might want to sort your travel insurance out. With Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance, there’s a policy to suit most holidays. Protect yourself against holiday mishaps, with Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Insurance today.

^Remember to check whether the ATMs charge their own fee.

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