Poland holidays: a guide to the country
Old towns rebuilt stone by stone, pierogi and vodka, Baltic beaches and the Tatra Mountains. Poland is one of the easiest and most rewarding short breaks from the UK.
The Tatra Mountains
Photo: Maksym Harbar / Unsplash
Poland: close and surprisingly varied
Poland is one of the largest countries in the EU, with the Baltic coast in the north, the Tatra Mountains in the south and several cities that each deserve a long weekend. Much was destroyed in the Second World War, and several of the old towns you walk through today were rebuilt from old drawings and paintings. That makes the history feel especially close.
There are frequent direct flights from across the UK to Polish cities, and the flights are short. The currency is the złoty, not the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere. The food is hearty and good: pierogi, żurek soup, smoked mountain cheese and cake shops that rival Vienna.
How to choose a Polish city
Kraków is the most beautiful and most visited city, with a medieval square, Wawel Castle and the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. The perfect first trip. Read our Kraków guide.
Gdańsk is the port city on the Baltic, with Hanseatic merchant houses, amber and the beach at Sopot next door. Read our Gdańsk guide.
Warsaw is the capital: modern, ambitious and with a rebuilt old town on the UNESCO World Heritage list, strong museums and a lively restaurant scene.
Wrocław is the university city on the River Oder, with islands, bridges and hundreds of little bronze dwarfs hidden in the streets.
Zakopane is the gateway to the Tatra Mountains, with hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
Nature and experiences beyond the cities
Go down the Wieliczka salt mine outside Kraków, with chapels carved from salt.
Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, the memorial and museum at the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Book a guided visit well in advance.
See Malbork, a vast brick castle built by the Teutonic Order, on a day trip from Gdańsk.
Hike to the mountain lake Morskie Oko in the Tatras.
Paddle or sail on the many lakes of Masuria in summer.
Warsaw
Photo: Tomasz Zielonka / Unsplash
The hotels we would book in Warsaw
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Raffles Europejski, Warsaw
Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Raffles Europejski: the grand hotel on the Royal Route
A historic grand hotel in a 19th-century building close to the old town and Krakowskie Przedmieście. Hotels.com highlights the helpful staff, two bars and a spa.
Book your stay: See rooms at Raffles Europejski Warsaw
Hotel Bristol: the classic next to the Presidential Palace
One of Warsaw's best-known hotels, in a grand building on Krakowskie Przedmieście within walking distance of the old town. Two bars and a spa.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Bristol, Warsaw
When is the best time to visit Poland?
May, June and September are lovely for city breaks, with mild days and fewer visitors than July and August. Summer is the time for the Baltic coast and the lakes. December brings Christmas markets in Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk, while winter is ski season in Zakopane. Check the current entry requirements before you travel.
See also our Christmas market breaks and shopping in Gdańsk, Riga and Tallinn.
Poland holidays: frequently asked questions
Which Polish city is best for a city break?
Kraków is the classic first choice. Gdańsk suits you if you want the sea and a beach, and Warsaw for museums and restaurants.
Does Poland use the euro?
No, the currency is the złoty. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
How long is the flight to Poland from the UK?
Around two to two and a half hours to most Polish cities.
When is the best time to go to Poland?
May, June and September for city breaks, July and August for the coast and lakes, and December for Christmas markets.
What should you eat in Poland?
Pierogi, żurek soup, bigos, the smoked mountain cheese oscypek and cake from one of the many patisseries.