15 Best Things to Do in Poland for First-Time Visitors (2025)

Planning a trip to Poland for the first time? That’s brilliant. There are so many great and fun things to do in Poland. You’re in for a solid mix of history, nature, and food that actually fills you up.

One day you’ll be standing in an old town square with a plate of pierogi, the next you might be deep in a forest or climbing a mountain trail. Everything’s close, easy to reach, and surprisingly affordable. Let’s go through the highlights, one by one.

Things To Do in Poland – Summary

Poland gives you a wide range of sights without long travel times. Base yourself in one city, then use fast trains and reliable buses to reach lakes, mountains, and smaller towns in single-day outings. You spend less time moving and more time discovering.

Is Poland Worth Visiting?

Yes, absolutely. Poland is a good mix of cities, history, and nature. You can walk around an old town in the morning, then take a quiet train ride to the mountains in the afternoon. Some places are heavy, like Auschwitz, but others feel calm and peaceful.

People are helpful, and prices are lower than in a lot of other European countries. The food is filling (yes rich, but really delicious), and locals will gladly tell you where to get the best one. It’s a solid place to visit, no matter the time ofyour budget.

Where to Stay as a Base in Poland?

Choose Kraków if you want lively cafés, easy day trips to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and quick bus links to the Tatra foothills. The city is walkable and full of things to do.

Pick Warsaw when you need a big-city rhythm, many museums, and high-speed trains in every direction.

And well, you can still take a day trip to Auschwitz from Warsaw. This is what we’re the best at, and our customers (some who became long-time friends!) always have a great time, despite how hard it is to visit the concentration camps.

Go with Gdansk for Baltic air, medieval lanes, and short local trains to sandy beaches. Book a central apartment near the main station and let public transport carry you the rest of the way.

Best Time to Visit Poland

May, June, and September are the best months. The weather’s usually good and it’s not too crowded. July and August are warmer, but that’s when most people travel, so it can get busy and more expensive.

Winter is cold, but December has Christmas markets and the mountains get snow. If you’re coming then, pack warm clothes. Layers help a lot. You won’t need much, just dress for the weather and you’ll be fine.

The 15 Best Things To Do in Poland

Here are some of the best things you can do while you’re in Poland. Some are in big cities, others are out in nature. You don’t have to do everything, but a mix of both gives you a better feel for the country.

Visit Warsaw’s Old Town

Warsaw’s Old Town looks old, but it was mostly rebuilt after the war. And truth be told, we’re very proud of how the city looks nowadays, clean and well-maintained.

You can start in the main square near the Royal Castle, where people sit on benches and kids chase pigeons. St Anne’s Church has a tower you can climb for a wide view over the rooftops and the river. You’ll also see the taller buildings in the distance.

Walk through the smaller streets, stop for coffee or soup in one of the local places, and check out the walls and arches left from medieval times.

In summer, musicians play outside. And if you like music, head to Lazienki Park where they hold free Chopin concerts under the trees. There are so many things to do in the city, and we highly recommend spending 3 days in Warsaw (or maybe more if you have the time) to take it all in. Both tourist attractions, hidden gems, and maybe a trip to Auschwitz? Read below for more.

Take a Day Trip to Auschwitz

Auschwitz is not an easy visit. Yet, it’s an important one; and if you ask us, yes, it’s worth visiting Auschwitz concentration camps. You can take a bus or book a guided tour from Krakow. Once you’re there, you walk through the same gates where prisoners arrived during the war.

You see the buildings, the sleeping rooms, old suitcases, shoes, and photos. You also go to Birkenau, the second part of the camp, where the scale feels much bigger and more open.

It’s quiet, and people don’t speak much during the visit. The guides explain everything clearly and answer your questions. The walk takes a few hours and covers a lot of ground, so wear good shoes and bring water. Most people stay quiet afterward and take some time to process. It’s heavy, but many say it’s something they’re glad they did.

Lastly, while there’s no official dress code for Auschwitz, please remain respectful. This is an important site in the history of our world.

Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine

If you prefer taking a tour from Krakow to Auschwitz Birkenau, then the salt mine is probably going to be included, which is a nice addition.

This salt mine near Krakow has been open for hundreds of years. It goes deep underground, and you walk through tunnels carved out of salt. The walls, the floors, the statues – everything is made of salt.

There’s even a full chapel downstairs with salt chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It’s cool inside, so bring a sweater even if it’s warm outside. The tour takes you through several chambers and also shows you a small underground lake.

At the end, you ride a lift back up. It’s a strange and interesting place, one of those things that feels totally different from anything else. And we couldn’t write a post about the best things to do in Poland without including it.

Fun fact: People with asthma sometimes come just to breathe the air, which is supposed to be good for your lungs. It’s called Halotherapy.

Travel to Gdansk

Gdansk is up on the northern coast and feels different from the rest of Poland. It has a long waterfront and a lot of history. Start by walking the Royal Way. The houses are tall and narrow, and each one is painted a different color.

You’ll pass the Golden Gate and end up at the old crane by the river, which was used to lift goods from boats hundreds of years ago. Gdansk also played a big role in recent history. Visit the European Solidarity Centre to learn how workers helped bring down communism.

You can also take a boat ride to Westerplatte, where World War II began. Later, grab dinner near the river and try fish straight from the Baltic Sea. It’s a good place to slow down and take in the view for a couple of days.

Visit Krakow Old Town

Krakow’s Old Town is easy to explore on foot, just like Warsaw. And yes, you can’t visit Poland without coming to Krakow. The main square is big and open, with a tall church on one side and the old Cloth Hall in the center.

You’ll see horses pulling carriages, people playing music, and locals selling fresh bread or pretzels from carts. Every hour, a trumpeter plays from the church tower. It’s short, but it’s something people always stop to hear.

Around the square, you’ll find small streets with cafés, shops, and hidden gardens. You can also walk the green park that goes in a circle where the city walls used to be. In the evening, places open up below ground level, where you can eat or hear live jazz in old stone cellars. It feels warm and easy, like a place that’s happy to have you.

Experience the Nightlife in Krakow

Krakow stays busy at night. Most of it happens in two areas: the Old Town and Kazimierz. You can start with a beer or cocktail near the square, then walk over to Kazimierz for something different.

This neighborhood used to be the Jewish quarter and now has lots of places to eat and drink. Some bars still look like old homes, with small rooms and candles on the tables.

You’ll hear live music in a few spots, especially klezmer, which has deep roots here. If you want to try Polish wodka, this is the place. There are many flavors, from plum to honey. Some clubs are underground, in old buildings with low ceilings and brick walls.

They don’t always look like clubs from the outside, but once you’re in, the energy picks up fast. Taxis are cheap, but you can also walk if the weather’s good. Nightlife in Krakow is fun!

Hike the Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountains are right above Zakopane, and they’re some of the most beautiful peaks in Poland. If you’re staying in town, get up early and grab a quick breakfast. You can stop at the market for a piece of grilled oscypek cheese. It’s salty, smoked, and usually served with cranberry jam.

Then, take a local bus to the starting point at Palenica Białczańska. From there, you follow a clear path through the forest, past streams and small wooden huts.

After a steady climb, you reach Morskie Oko. It’s a quiet lake with sharp mountains rising all around. The water is clear and still, especially early in the day. Poland might not be as popular as other countries, but we sure have some incredible landscapes!

If you’re feeling strong, keep going up to Czarny Staw. It’s higher, colder, and usually has fewer people. The views are even better. Note that weather can change fast up here, so bring a rain jacket and good shoes. You might see mountain goats or marmots if you’re lucky.

After the hike, head back to Zakopane and treat yourself to hot potato pancakes with mushroom sauce or goulash. You’ll sleep well that night.

Relax at the Chocholow Thermal Baths

After a hike or even just a cold day, the Chocholow Thermal Baths are a great place to rest. They’re about 20 minutes from Zakopane by bus or car, so you can do both the thermal baths and the Tatra Mountains on the same day.

The complex is big, but well-organized. You’ll find outdoor pools with views of the mountains, hot tubs, water slides, and quiet areas where you can just float and relax.

The water comes from deep underground and feels soft on your skin. You can stay outside even in the snow, as the steam rises all around and the cold air makes the hot water feel even better. You thought that you couldn’t enjoy Poland in the winter, right?

Inside, there are saunas, salt rooms, and massage chairs. Some people just move from pool to pool, while others sit in the warm shallow water and look at the mountains in the distance. There’s a café inside where you can order warm food, cakes, or tea. It’s an easy place to spend three or four hours, especially if your legs are tired or you just want to do nothing for a while.

See the Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Castle sits just above the river in Krakow. It’s easy to reach, just walk south from the main square and you’ll see it. You enter through a stone gate and follow a gentle hill up to the main courtyard.

The place feels quiet, even when it’s busy. Inside the State Rooms, you’ll see tall ceilings, old wooden furniture, and tapestries the size of walls. Some show battles, others show animals or plants.

Each room tells a small piece of the story of Poland’s old kings and queens including the Piast Dynasty. There’s also a legend about a dragon that lived under the hill. You can walk into the Dragon’s Den cave, which is cool and damp, and see the exit by the river.

Outside, a statue of the dragon breathes fire every few minutes: kids love it. Don’t skip the cathedral next door. Many Polish kings were crowned and buried there. If you climb the Sigismund Tower, you get a wide view over Krakow’s rooftops. It’s a short climb, but the bells and view at the top are worth it.

Discover the Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle is one of the biggest castles in the world, and it looks exactly how you’d expect a medieval fortress to look. It’s built out of red brick and surrounded by thick walls and a moat.

You can take a train from Gdansk, which is about an hour away, and spend a whole day here. Once you walk across the drawbridge, you’re inside a maze of towers, courtyards, and halls.

The castle was built by knights hundreds of years ago, and you can still see where they slept, ate, and stored weapons. There’s a museum inside with swords, armor, and pieces of stained glass. Some rooms display old coins and amber jewelry. In summer, you can climb one of the towers for a full view of the river and fields around it.

On weekends, there are small markets outside selling bread, honey, and handmade toys. At night, the walls light up with colors and stories are projected onto them. It’s quiet but magical. If you get hungry, you can stop at the small restaurant inside the castle walls. They serve bigos, a slow-cooked stew, and slices of gingerbread that taste like Christmas. Yum!

Eat Some Delicious Polish Food

Polish food is warm, filling, and easy (read: very easy) to like. You’ll find pierogi just about everywhere. The most common ones are filled with potato and cheese, but there are plenty of other options like mushroom, cabbage, spinach, and of course meat.

If you like something sweet, try the ones with blueberries or strawberries. Zurek is a sour soup that comes in a bread bowl. It usually has sausage, egg, and that rye flavor that makes it different from anything else.

Bigos is another classic. It’s a meat and cabbage stew that cooks for hours and tastes better the next day. If you travel in the mountains, try oscypek. It’s a smoked cheese served warm with a bit of sweet sauce on top.

Street vendors also sell paczki. It’s a big, soft doughnut filled with jam, especially popular in February. For dessert, get a slice of makowiec, a poppy seed roll that goes well with a strong cup of coffee.

Can a single trip to Poland be enough for all the amazing food on offer? We doubt so, but please do prove us wrong!

Visit Białowieża National Park

This park sits on the border with Belarus and protects one of the oldest forests in Europe. It’s quiet, green, and full of tall trees that have been growing for hundreds of years. Start your visit in the small village of Białowieża.

You can rent a bike and follow the forest trails or book a guided walk if you want to learn more. One of the big reasons people visit is to see wild bison. These animals are huge, calm, and usually feed in open clearings around sunrise.

There are also birdwatching towers where you might spot owls, woodpeckers, or even lynx tracks if you’re lucky. The air feels fresh and cool under the trees. In summer, bring bug spray and long sleeves, because mosquitoes like the shade too.

After your visit, stop at a small inn nearby for a plate of forest mushrooms or a hot bowl of borscht with bread.

Walk in the Jewish Quarter in Krakow

Kazimierz is one of the most interesting parts of Krakow. It used to be the center of Jewish life before the war. Today, it mixes old and new. You can start at the Old Synagogue, then visit the Remuh Synagogue, which also has a peaceful cemetery out back.

Many streets still have signs in both Polish and Hebrew. Small museums and walking tours explain what life was like here, before, during, and after the war.

You’ll see murals, memorials, and some cafés that still bake traditional challah bread. In the evening, the area gets busier. Restaurants open up on Szeroka Street, some with live klezmer music playing inside.

The food is simple and full of flavor. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you walk slow and pay attention. Every corner has a story.

Visit Krakow’s Museums

Krakow has a bunch of museums packed into a small area, so it’s easy to visit a few in one day. Start with Schindler’s Factory. It tells the story of the war through old rooms, photos, and sounds that make it feel real.

After that, go under the main square to Rynek Underground. It’s a modern museum built under the surface where you can see old roads, coins, and walls from the city’s past. The National Museum is bigger and shows Polish art, including large paintings and sculptures.

If you like more modern work, head to MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków), just across the river. They focus on photography, design, and newer ideas.

Most museums are open all week except Monday, so it’s worth checking the schedule before you go. If the weather’s bad, it’s an easy way to still see something interesting.

Best Museums in Krakow

• Schindler’s Factory Museum
• Rynek Underground
• Wawel Royal Castle State Rooms
• National Museum (Main Building)
• MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art