Travelling to Poland: Everything You Need to Know and Itineraries

Thinking of visiting Poland but not sure where to start? Below you’ll find all the useful tips for travelling around the country, along with a suggestion for a possible short itinerary. If instead you’re interested in our on-the-road itinerary, head to the dedicated article, which you’ll find here.

The country

Poland has a rich cultural and historical heritage and is known for its beautiful architecture, delicious cuisine and the kindness of its people.

There are numerous national parks and nature reserves, including the Tatra Mountains, the Białowieża forests and the Słowiński sand dunes. These places offer a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking and canoeing.

Polish is the official language, but the majority of the population speaks English very well.

Climate and when to go

Poland has a temperate continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Average winter temperatures range between -6°C and -1°C, while average summer temperatures hover around 19°C. However, temperatures can reach 30°C during summer heatwaves.

If you’re trying to avoid the crowds and enjoy cooler weather, spring and autumn are good times to visit Poland.

In winter you can visit some festivals and the famous Christmas markets, though the weather can be harsh and cold, so be ready to dress accordingly.

Overall, the best time to visit Poland is during summer, when the weather is mild and there are plenty of activities and cultural events going on.

How to pay

The official currency is the Polish złoty (PLN). Polish banknotes range from 10 PLN to 200 PLN, while coins vary from 1 grosz to 5 złoty.

ATMs are easily available throughout the country and can be used to withdraw cash.

Quando ci troviamo in un paese straniero, soprattutto dove non accettano l'euro, ci affidiamo a questa carta gratuita, che ti permette di pagare senza alcun tasso o addebito.

Most shops, restaurants and hotels accept credit and debit cards, but it’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand.

Currently one euro is worth about 4.6 Polish złoty.

Internet

There are various mobile internet plans available, depending on your needs.

The main mobile phone companies in Poland are Orange, T-Mobile, Plus, Play and Virgin Mobile, and they offer plans that include various data package options.

Since Poland is part of the European Union, you can use your Italian plan throughout the country at no extra cost.

Vaccines and health insurance

Italy has a bilateral agreement with Poland, under which Italian citizens visiting Poland are entitled to free public healthcare in case of emergency or sudden illness. You need to present your Health Card (Tessera Sanitaria).

When we travel we insure ourselves with Genki, which offers great benefits and a monthly subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

For more information, head to the Viaggiare Sicuri  website.

Public transport

Poland has a good public transport network, including buses, trains and trams.

Many airlines offer domestic and international flights from Warsaw Chopin Airport and from airports in other Polish cities.

Finally, taxi service is available throughout the country, and many taxis accept payment by credit or debit card.

What to eat

Typical Polish dishes include pierogi, beetroot soup, kiełbasa (sausages), żurek (a soup with fermented rye flour, legumes, potatoes, boiled eggs, mushrooms, onion, bacon and sausage, served inside a hollowed-out loaf of bread), and as for street food, we tried zapiekanka, a kind of baguette served like a bruschetta and topped with cheese, tomato, sautéed mushrooms and often ketchup or mayonnaise too.

We were lucky enough to try pierogi on several occasions, both in the savoury version (filled with meat, or potatoes and mushrooms, or spinach) and the sweet one (with plain yogurt and strawberry jam).

Beetroot soup can be hot and brothy (barszcz), served with dumplings or tortellini and seasoned with vinegar, or cold and garnished with boiled eggs (chłodnik).

Among the drinks, we obviously have to mention vodka, but the beer tradition shouldn’t be underestimated either.

Where to sleep

In Poland there are plenty of accommodation options for every budget, including hotels, apartments, hostels and farm stays.

We recommend booking in advance during peak season to secure your preferred accommodation.

Free camping in Poland isn’t allowed, but stopping over in your vehicle is permitted. This is why we never had trouble sleeping for free, always fully respecting our surroundings. Either way, there are numerous campsites that also offer plenty of excursions.

Travelling with your pet

To travel within Europe with your pet you need to have:

• passport
• microchip
• valid rabies vaccination

Check whether your pet's breed is allowed in the country you're visiting. We recommend always being careful in crowded places, as people might be scared of your pet which is why we always keep our pets on a leash. In many cases a muzzle is required, so we recommend keeping one handy.

We recommend bringing a bowl (we use one that clips conveniently onto a backpack) and a water bottle if the day is particularly hot.

Itineraries

In this section, based on our month-long experience in the country, we suggest an itinerary you can do using public transport. If instead you want to reach the country by campervan or relive our adventure, at this link we’ve recreated a short daily diary, noting in a final chapter the places we think are most worth it.

7 Days

Here’s a possible 7-day itinerary in Poland, departing from Kraków airport and returning from Wrocław.

Day 1 Arrival in Kraków. First approach to the city, starting from the old town and the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz.

Day 2 Morning visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Back to Kraków to visit the historic centre, Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral.

Day 3 Visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Day 4 Visit to Katowice, in particular the Church of St Michael the Archangel, Christ the King Cathedral and the historic district of Nikiszowiec.

Day 5 Morning visit to Opole’s old town. Move to Wrocław in the afternoon.

Day 6 A day dedicated to visiting Wrocław, starting from Rynek, the main square, then passing by the imposing Cathedral of St John the Baptist and finally visiting the historic buildings along the river. During your visit, we recommend looking out for the more than 300 stone gnomes scattered around the city.

Day 7 one last tour of Wrocław.

Parks and other excursions

Poland has numerous national parks and nature reserves offering a wide variety of landscapes and outdoor activities.

We were lucky enough to visit the Tatra Mountains and Słowiński National Park ( a desert in Poland?  ), and we were captivated by both places.

Tatra National Park is an important destination for nature and outdoor sports lovers. Located on the border between Poland and Slovakia, it’s home to the highest mountain range in the Carpathians, with peaks reaching 2,500 metres. It offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, including trekking, skiing, climbing and mountain biking. In summer the temperature is mild and pleasant, but it can be undermined by storms (we had to flee due to an annoying downpour).

Słowiński National Park, located on the Baltic Sea coast, is famous for its shifting sand dunes, which stretch for over 40 kilometres along the coast. The most famous is the Łącka dune. The park offers numerous outdoor activities, including hikes, beach walks, and visits to local fishing villages and the fossilised coal. For more information about the park, head here  , while for prices for both park admission and parking you’ll find everything here  . Note: dogs aren’t allowed in the park, and camping is forbidden.

One of the most famous national parks that we haven’t yet had the pleasure of visiting is Białowieża National Park, located in the eastern part of Poland. It’s home to the last primary forest of the European plain, where you can admire unique animal species, including the European bison.

Finally, Kampinos National Park is located a few kilometres west of Warsaw, the national park closest to the capital. It’s home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including deer, wild boar, otters and numerous bird species, and offers numerous outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling and canoeing.

Our vlog

If you want to see our vlogs about Poland, below are our adventures in Kraków, or you’ll find the full playlist here