POLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
Poland is a large country (with 40 million inhabitants) and offers plenty of interesting places to visit. And it is good value for money. No wonder then that with easy access via cheap flights from the UK, Poland is becoming an ever-more popular tourist destination for us Brits. This is bound to continue in the lead-up to the Euro 2012 football tournament (held jointly with Ukraine), which has resulted in improvements in the country’s tourism infrastructure. Top cities to visit include beautiful Krakow (easily of one the best cities in Eastern Europe), the capital Warsaw and Gdansk in the north.
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POLAND WEATHER - When To Go
Poland’s climate is predominantly continental in nature, bringing warm summers, cold winters and moderate spring and autumn seasons. Snow is common in the winter season. Summer temperatures can reach pleasant mid-20s°C. Winter can be bitterly cold with January often seeing temperatures sink to -5°C. Unless you plan on a winter sport holiday, this season is best avoided. Spring, summer and autumn are all good times to visit Poland, basically.
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POLAND HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Warsaw: Poland’s capital and its largest city still bears some of the scars of its Communist years but has done much in the last decade or so to improve its image and appeal as a tourist destination. With a little exploring visitors will discover a vibrant city with plenty in the way of cultural attractions, with the left bank of the Vistula River being a good place to start looking. Warsaw’s Old Town is where you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage site that is the Royal Castle as well as a plethora of other interesting old buildings plus shops, bars and cafés. The Palace of Culture is a must for sightseeing enthusiasts; its observation tower offers some of the best views of the city. For family visitors, meanwhile, there are a number of ice skating rinks plus the popular Mokotowskie Park. More details about Warsaw including useful web links can be found at our Visit Warsaw site.
- Krakow: the country’s cultural capital is a picturesque medieval city that is every bit deserving of its World Heritage site status. The Old Town is a well-preserved historical area filled with eye-catching old buildings – including Krakow Castle - while presenting a vibrant atmosphere with its many great restaurants and bars. The city boasts Europe’s largest central square and is crammed with interesting old structures and monuments, making it a favourite with sightseers. The Jewish district known as Kazimierz, with its chic ambience, hip cafés and bars, is well worth a visit, while for something a little more contemplation-inspiring, a trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp is a must. Nearby underground salt-mines are another popular day-trip form Krakow. More details about Krakow including useful web links can be found at our Visit Krakow site.
- Gdansk: though WWII destroyed many of Gdansk’s finest old buildings, a restoration program has returned its Old Town to its former glory and for sightseers. The streets of Ulica Dluga and Dlugi Targ are among the best for appreciating cultural heritage. The pedestrianised area around these streets is packed with fine architecture and significant old structures. Top sights to cover on a tour include the Golden Gate, the Town Hall and Artus Court. More details about Gdansk including useful web links can be found at our Visit Gdansk site.
- Sopot: Only 20 minutes from Gdansk in the north of the country, Sopot is where beach lovers head in the summer months; located in the north of the country, this coastal town offers a relaxing, holiday ambience and soft, sandy seaside strips. Popular belief has long held that the town’s mud and water pools have therapeutic benefits and this continues to attract the faithful even today. The town is also famous for hosting the annual International Song Festival, an event that attracts visitors from across Europe. In the summer season, Sopot is swarming with beach-lovers enjoying the relaxation offered by the scenic Baltic coastline.
- Gdynia: Near Gdansk, Gdynia is a port city with more in the way of modern attractions than historical ones. Sightseers determined to get some history should check out the 17th century neo-Gothic manor and the 13th century St Michael the Archangel’s Church. Also of interest are the old ships anchored in the harbour that house maritime museums in their lower quarters. Come summertime, Gdynia is the place to be if you are fan of music, with several festivals that attract visitors from all over the country as well as international visitors.
- Katowice: just 90 minutes away by train, Katowice makes a good choice for a day out if you are using Warsaw as your holiday base. The city’s Old Town is a picturesque area filled with charming shops and private residences, while the new quarter of the city presents all the features of a modern metropolis including an interesting selection of art nouveau buildings. For a relaxing shopping experience, take a meander through the pedestrianised Rynek area, while for a spot of nature Zadole Park is the place to head.
- Lodz: the country’s second largest city is best known for featuring the world’s longest commercial street. Piotrkowska Street, as it is known, is more than seven kilometres long and offers endless shopping opportunities as well as the chance to see some fine 19th century architecture along the way. For a spot of nature, the Botanical Gardens are an attractive option, while for more greenery and the opportunity for outdoor activities or relaxation, the spacious Lagiewniki Park is a good choice. Art lovers will find the selection of works by contemporary Polish artists at the Muzeum Szluki an inspiring and aesthetically pleasing experience. Lodz can be visited on a daytrip from Warsaw with the fast train between the two taking just one hour, 40 minutes.
- Other places to visit include Wrocław, boasting numerous bridges; Poznań for its well-preserved old town; and the medieval centres of Torun and Malbork.
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POLAND HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: The national cuisine is perhaps not the best in Europe but is tasty and filling. Dumplings, sausages, beer and vodka all should be tried. Eating out is reasonably cheap by European standards.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Polish nightlife is a vibrant affair, especially in the big cities. Beer is cheap in pubs and some bars but venture into the clubs in the centre of Warsaw and you can expect to pay some fairly ridiculous prices. Live music is popular, especially in small traditional Polish drinking holes.
- Accommodation: Poland has plenty of modern hotels with many of the big name international chains running franchises in the capital and other big cities. The standard of accommodation varies across the board and at the cheaper end of the scale there’s a definite lack of frills and luxuries. Overall, Poland offers good value for money when it comes to hotel accommodation, especially when compared to its Western neighbours. Try Booking.com or LateRooms.com for some good hotel deals in Poland.
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POLAND FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
To compare flight prices from UK airports to Poland, try the useful Skyscanner website.
Also try travel sites such as Expedia.co.uk or Netflights for flight deals to Poland.
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