Poland, a historic country located in the Central parts of Europe is a popular tourist destination that has tens of millions of visitors flocking yearly into its territory to experience the country’s history, see its 17 listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its stunning topography which consists of castles, vibrant colored buildings, and mountains. Krakow offers a wonderful experience in the European country but visitors who want a more intimate exploration of Poland should begin with these.
9 Visit Old Town Market Place In Warsaw
The old town marketplace located in the capital and largest city of Poland is the oldest part of Warsaw and has existed since the 13th century. Its strategic location at the center of the Old town first made it a location for merchants and trading activities before it became a target for many foes including – a great fire and the German Army. In the following years after the war and the town’s destruction, lots of 17th-century architectural style buildings were erected once again in the square to bring back the beautiful and vibrant appearance that was lost to war. Today, the square has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as host for the Warsaw museum and the statue of the Warsaw Mermaid (a national symbol of Warsaw).
8 Check out The Royal Castle In Warsaw
The residence of the Polish rulers for a long time in history is a stunning historic attraction located in the city of Warsaw. The castle features a Baroque architectural style as it was first built in the 17th century. Even though it was destroyed by the German Army during WWII, the building was eventually reconstructed in the late 20th century to imitate its original Baroque-style architecture. Today, the Royal Castle in Warsaw stands as a glorious UNESCO World Heritage Site that even hosts a museum behind its beautiful walls.
7 Explore The Vistula River
With its 1,047 km length, the Vistula River ranks as the longest river in Poland. The river begins from the second-highest mountain in the Silesian Beskids and flows through Krakow, Warsaw, and other Poland cities, ending its journey in a Southeastern bay of the Baltic Sea. In Warsaw, parts of the shores of the Vistula River consist of relaxing beaches, great roads for cycling, vibrant nightclubs. A River cruise is a great way to see this magnificent Polish river as it also offers an opportunity to explore historical attractions on the way.
6 Enjoy The Views Around Lazienki Park In Warsaw
The gorgeous Lazienki park is a 182-acre region located in the city of Warsaw. The park consists of a palace, and a lovely garden of colorful leaves, and an enchanting lake. The park owes its charms to the last Polish monarch – Stanisław II Augustus, who acquired the land and fashioned it to serve as his summer residence. In Lazienki Park, visitors will enjoy views of colorful trees, the museums located within the park, and views of cute creatures such as – squirrels, pigeons, peacocks, and ducks.
5 Taste Polish Food
Every traveler knows the importance of getting a taste of a country’s food as it is a crucial part of the overall experience. Bagel – One of the world’s most popular food originated in Poland and without any clue, this should be the best place to start (a way to give respect to the original creators of one of the favorite breakfast of the United States). But far from bagels, the meat-rich Polish cuisine mainly offers sumptuous food options such as;
- Bigos – Meat stew filled with cabbage
- Pierogi – Fried/baked/boiled dough filled with meat and vegetable dumplings
- Golabki – Cabbage rolls with minced meat and other vegetables
4 Walk Through The Mysterious Crooked Forest In Gryfino
The sight of the crooked trees in the Gryfino forest is frightening. The hundreds of trees arranged almost uniformly in the forest are bent from the base but grow straight to the top. The reason behind this inverted question mark-like shape is still a subject of discussion with no answer. Some of the possible answers to the unusual shape of the trees could have been found in the town of Gryfinio but it was destroyed during WWII. Regardless of its cause, the forest remains a place that will send cold chills down the skin of travelers who linger in the bizarre forest.
3 See The Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Wieliczka salt mine is an impressive mine that has seen salt extraction since the 13th century. After salt mining stopped in the late 20th century, the mine became a historic monument and was eventually named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The inner parts of the mine consist of tunnels, a lake, and salt rock-carved statues.
2 Visit The Malbork Castle
Located in Malbork, the 13th century-built Malbork Castle is the largest in the world by land area. The Gothic castle features the architectural style of the Teutonic Knights and its magnificence soon made it the residence of the Polish rulers in the 15th century until it was claimed by the Germans during the German rule. The castle has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now serves as a museum where lots of historic materials and activities are presented to the public. More picturesque views of the building can be seen from the banks of the Nogat River which flows in front of the Castle.
1 Go To Auschwitz-Birkenau And Learn About How 1.1 Million Men, Women, And Children Lost Their Lives In WWII
The impact of WWII was heavy in Poland and Auschwitz Birkenau particularly, was Nazi Germany’s largest concentration camp. Here, the executions were at their peak with a recorded death toll of 1.1 – 1.5 million people out of which up to 90% were Jews. Time spent at this genocidal location in Auschwitz will offer travelers a sensational experience hence maximum preparation of the mind is required to be able to digest all the graphic and chilling revelations of the Holocaust.
- Auschwitz Birkenau has been named A UNESCO World Heritage Site.