Poland, situated in the central Europe, is a proud country for its complete cultural heritage and varied scenic beauties. Poland’s neighbors are the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on its east, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic on its south, Germany on its west, and the Baltic Sea on its north.
Contradicting its underestimation, Poland has something to offer for all its visitors. The reason being that the nation is simply blessed with different sites catering to different moods – view of its hilly south for memorable skiing and hiking; the astonishing ancient towns of Krakow, Zamosc, and Gdansk; the nature’s home in the Bialowieza National Park; and the Great Malsurian Lakes in the north for boating refreshment.
For beach lovers, the Baltic coast on the north provides a few admirable beaches ranging over 500 km (300 miles) with bays, sheer cliffs, and dunes. On the other hand, for nature admirers, the Slowinski National Park offers unearthly forests, bogs, and wandering dunes. The Great Malsurian Lakes has hundreds of unspoiled lakes made by the thick forest as a gift to boating fans. For the history hunters, the Krakow-Wielun Highland offer caves and medieval fortresses.
Polish is the formal language of Poland. However, you will find German, English, and Russian being also spoken.
Tourists’ Attractions
- Warsaw:
This is the capital of Poland that was almost demolished in the World War II. However, today it attracts tourists from the far corners of the world. This ancient city was then rebuilt taking into consideration its original plans and paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries. Just half a century old, it is just incredible to accept so while walking along its old-fashioned paved lanes. A famous view of the city can be taken from the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science that is an architectural marvel gifted in 1953 from Stalin as a sign of ‘Polish-Soviet Friendship’.
- Warsaw Rising Museum:
This museum hosts films, testimonials, slides, and artifacts. - Chopin’s House:
This is the mansion house marking the birthplace of Frederick Chopin in Zelazowa Wola located at a distance of 53 km (32 miles) west of Warsaw. You can expect a charming park, concerts during summer, and 19th century equipments and instruments. - Zamosc:
This ancient town holds the Renaissance-pattern market square along with the well-maintained 16th century town centre. This is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. - Auschwitz:
Holding the memories of one the darkest events in human history, the city pay homage to the victims of the holocaust at Oswiecim-Birkenau (Auschwitz-Birkenau) concentration camp. This is at a distance of 70 km (43 miles) from Krakow offering you a soothing journey. - Krakow Gate:
Originally erected in the late 14th century, this monument was restyled in 1782 that is an architectural figure of Lublin. Holding a historical museum, this gate is the main door to enter the Old Town. - Krakow:
Considered as the country’s majestic capital, this city is a preserved architectural wonder that has survive against several wars. Listed as one of UNESCO’s 12 most noteworthy historical sites, its medieval environs will attract you. The attractions here include the central Market Square (the largest one in the continent) and the Cloth Hall in its center, which was reinstated in the 19th century using the 14th century merchants’ stands. Still more to add; visit the Jagiellonian University since 1364, former Jewish quarter, Kazimierz containing the Remuh Synagogue (1553), and Wawel Fortress holding the largest number of 16th century tapestries in the world and being the home of a gothic cathedral. - Wieliczka Salt Mine:
Possessing 350 km length of corridors, its 2 km (1.2 miles) corridors are only reachable by the visitors. The visitors’ journey here 64 to 135 m beneath the land that displays imposing chambers, bas-reliefs, chandeliers, and a salt chapel. - The Black Madonna Icon:
Famous as the magical painting of Our Lady, this icon is kept in the big Jasna Gora monastery complex at Czestochowa located at a distance of 100 km (60 miles) north of Krakow. It is alleged that St. Luke has painted it. - Wroclaw (Breslau):
This is the city holding 100 bridges most of which are across canals or link 12 islands of the city. Attractions for the visitors here are the 15th century Town Hall that is a historical museum today, the Ethnographic Museum enclosed in the Royal Palace, and the Cathedral on Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island). - Gdansk:
Attractions here are St. Mary’s Basilica that is the largest gothic church in the country, the beach resort of nearby Sopot with the continent’s longest jetty (500 m), the forested Hel Peninsula, the Kashubian Lakeland, and the Teutonic fortresses at Malbork and Gniew. - Torun:
This is the gothic walled town where visitors love to take a leisure walk. It is also the home of the astronomer Nicholas Copernicus. - Hiking:
Try this out in a few national parks and nature reserves – the Kampinos National Park, near Warsaw and the Bieszczady National Park – part of the Carpathian mountain range housing the brown bear, lynx, wolf, and wildcat. - Bialowieza National Park:
Holding 400 years old trees, this park is the last major shelter of the European bison and houses many more rare species. Nature trails, cycling, and exploring with a warden are the attractions here.
- Horse Riding:
The Polish countryside offer many riding schools for this activity. For those who are just beginners, they might ride on a Hucul who is a rare mountain pony of Poland. - Mushroom Picking:
A polish tradition offering several varieties, this activity can be performed while walking in the woods in the early autumn. - Tatras:
This is famous for its alpine diversions. - Zakopane:
This is popular for its climbing and winter sports. In addition, do not miss to visit the charming valley of Koscieliska, the mountain of Kasprowy Wierch, and the glacial lake Morskie Oko. - Beaches:
You can find them on the Baltic Coast in north. The resorts of the Pomeranian coast, such as Kolobrzeg and Leba (white sandy beach) are popular. The beach at Leba is linked with the Slowinski National Park famous for its shifting sands. - Hel Peninsula:
This site is free from over population and that you can reach here by foot or on bike to relax at its beaches or spend time at a campsite.
- Malsurian Lake District:
Offering more than 1,000 lakes, this is famous boating site that can make you visit its other several lakes and canals. Lake Hancsa is the deepest lake here. This site is just worth seeing when the local people of Mikolajki and Gizycko towns arrange festivals and vibrant events. - Canoeing:
This is best on the sites of Brodnica, Mysliborz lakelands, or the rivers of Brda, Czarna, Hancza, and Obra.
