6 Best Cities to Visit in Poland

Confession time. My Polish friend, Jacek has been trying to get me to visit Poland for many years. But I brushed off his invitation to visit “sexier” European places like Paris, Barcelona, and Milan. If you’ve been following my posts, you know that I recently accepted his invitation, and I’m pleased to say I had the time of my life during our road trip exploring Poland and other neighboring countries. I was completely wrong about Poland; the country is underrated and genuinely is Europe’s hidden gem!

Here are 6 of the best cities to visit in Poland:

But First, Why Visit Poland?

1. Rich History

If you are a history buff, you will love Poland! From the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany to the end of World War II to a Communist regime. Visiting places I spent years learning about in grade school was surreal. Also, the country has 22 properties on UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

2. Very Affordable

Compared to most countries I’ve visited in Europe, Poland is by far the most affordable. Although part of the European Union, it uses the Polish Zloty (1 USD 3.87 PLN).

3. Friendly People

As a melanin-rich person I’m used to getting stares when I travel abroad. In Poland, I received more friendly looks than stares from the people. And in some instances, when I caught people staring at me, they looked embarrassed (which made me laugh on the inside). 

4. Plenty of Activities 

Beyond walking around and admiring the beautiful architecture, there’s something for everyone in Poland. There’s a beach scene, beautiful national parks, plenty of interesting museums, and a solid nightlife (who knew partying in Krakow would be so lit!). 

Travel Snapshot

Warsaw

Sights:

We spent some hours exploring Old Town ( the city center). During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, over 85% of the city’s center was destroyed by Nazis. When World War II was over, there was a 5 year reconstruction period to restore it. Old Town stands beautifully with colorful buildings, churches, and statues.

We also stopped by a really interesting exhibition curated by the Museum of the History of Poland and the Polish Army Museum, celebrating over 1050 years of Christianity in Poland. The exhibition went through Poland’s transition from a pagan to a Christian world. I recommend you visit, but it is only available until July 31st.

Food:

I had the BEST culinary experience in my life (so far) at the Senses restaurant! It was my first time having a 7- 7-course meal, but it turned into an 11-course meal because of all the complimentary items bought. The service was impeccable, and they were accommodating to my nut allergy. The presentation of the food was like art. Everything from the bread to the palette cleansers was terrific. It was the first time I tried caviar and many items on the menu, like an edible cigar. We ate for four hours in Food Paradise! That was the most mindful eating experience I’ve had in a while. It was the most expensive meal of our trip ($110), but it was worth every penny. A meal at a restaurant of this caliber would easily cost 3x as much in NYC. Please go to this restaurant if you are in Warsaw. Make sure you make a reservation beforehand!

Łódź

Although we only spent a short time here, one of my many highlights during this trip was visiting Łódź, Jacek’s hometown. I enjoyed finding unique items in his apartment, like his great-grandfather’s camera and grade school scorebook that he had to carry around everywhere. Driving around the neighborhood, I noticed many signs of the communist regime, such as the style of the car and house pictured above. Mum Grazyna (Jacek’s mom) welcomed us with open arms. With translation services from Jacek, she taught us Polish history and pulled out some history books. She also gave us a present, a Jewish man figurine that symbolizes financial prosperity.

Medieval Town of Toruń

Sights:

From Łódź, our next destination was Kołobrzeg, a city on the coast. We broke the 5.5-hour drive up and stopped in the Medieval Town of Toruń for sightseeing, lunch, and to grab some Pierniczki (famous gingerbread cookies) for the road. Toruń is a charming and colorful town! Fun fact: it’s the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.

Food:

I paid $8 for a delicious schnitzel and lemonade at Restauracja Kuranty. Did I mention how much the Polish prices were great for my pockets?!

Kołobrzeg

We used Kołobrzeg as a resting point because it was the closest to the port to get us to Bornholm, Denmark, for our day trip.

Bornholm, Denmark

Bornholm is only a 4-hour ferry ride away from Kołobrzeg. The best way to explore the island is by bike, which we rented on the island. I hadn’t ridden a bike in a while and was super proud of myself for not crashing. The weather was lovely until the last 30 minutes of our stay when it started raining.

Rewal

On our way to Berlin, we stopped by Rewal to see what a Polish beach town was like and to dip our feet in the water, which was quite cold.

We also ate a Gofry, a Polish summertime staple. These pictures make me hungry!

Kraków

Sights:

Kraków is a must-see on your trip to Poland! We explored the Old Town and its Main Market Square, one of Europe’s largest medieval squares. Wieliczka Salt Mine was incredible. Hundreds of mind-blowing wall carvings, statues, and furniture are made of salt. Our last stop in Kraków was a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Although it was a sad place to be, it was one of the most moving and significant places we visited.

Food:

Don’t leave Kraków without having an Obwarzanki. It’s a delicious cross between a pretzel and a bagel, costing about $0.40. I had my first chimney from Prague, got hooked, and wanted to eat as many as I could before going home. Kraków’s chimneys have a lighter feel. The one in the picture is filled with vanilla and caramel.

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