Discover Poland: Nature, Cities and Cuisine

Marshes, rock mazes and waterside trails

Poland’s national parks offer opportunities to hike in remote areas, observe wildlife in its natural habitat, and learn about the country’s history. The wider region also includes Biebrzański National Park, which protects extensive marsh and peatland areas in the Biebrza Valley. Its area is given as 59,223 hectares. By contrast, Góry Stołowe National Park covers 63 km². Szczeliniec Wielki is home to a rock maze, while Skalniak is home to the Błędne Skały maze. The marshes and peatlands on the one hand, and the rock mazes on the other, offer nature lovers two distinctly different themes to consider when planning a trip.

Waterways also shape the range of activities available. Traditional raft and kayak trips on the Dunajec offer views of rock pinnacles and peaks, steep rock faces and several-hundred-metre-high cliffs descending towards the river. The Czarna Hańcza in the Wigry region is a well-known canoe route in Poland and is connected to the Augustów Canal. If you are planning a trip like this, check the latest operating details in advance.

For cycling trips, the Kaszubska Marszruta offers another way to explore the landscape: the network consists of four cycling routes totalling 160 kilometres. The purpose-built trails pass through coniferous and deciduous forests, hills, valleys, lakes and rivers in Chojnice County. Check local conditions before planning your route. If you are travelling between several larger cities, you can also consider Intercity Express trains: they connect major cities but do not stop at smaller stations.

Urban history and outdoor experiences

In Warsaw, urban attractions go hand in hand with activities along the river. The riverbanks include beaches and boulevards with cycle paths, viewing points and river marinas. In summer, free piano concerts are held on Sundays at the Fryderyk Chopin Monument in a Warsaw park. As this is a seasonal programme, it is worth checking the latest dates before your visit.

Gdańsk offers several different points of interest for culture lovers. The European Solidarity Centre is an interactive museum about the Polish people’s struggle for freedom. The medieval Crane Gate, once Europe’s largest harbour crane, is now part of a museum. The Museum of the Second World War houses one of the world’s largest exhibitions on the war. Tourist boats pass through Gdańsk’s Main Town on the Motława; the current offerings may vary.

Kraków’s Kazimierz district is home to a cemetery dating from the 16th century and seven synagogues; one of them now houses the Jewish Museum. Together with the museums in Gdańsk, these places offer different ways to explore history and culture. When planning your holiday, consider whether you would rather focus on urban cultural attractions, natural areas or activities on the water. For trips with children, this lets you start by choosing according to the interests of your travelling companions, without assuming which programme will suit every age group.

Polish cuisine: dumplings, savoury dishes and cakes

Pierogi are small filled dumplings found throughout Poland. Fillings range from potatoes and cheese to cabbage and mushrooms, meat or vegetables; sweet versions are made with curd cheese or fruit. Bigos, sometimes translated as hunter’s stew, combines sauerkraut, various types of meat and a generous range of spices. Both dishes showcase the breadth of hearty Polish cuisine, while side dishes and cooking methods also vary.

Associated with Poznań, pyry z gzikiem is a dish of jacket potatoes with curd cheese seasoned with cream, as well as chives, onions or radishes. Kopytka are oblong potato dumplings. They are served with meat sauces or stews, but can also be sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with melted butter. Polish potato pancakes are usually served with savoury accompaniments; in some regions they are also eaten with sweet cream and sugar. Polish broth is served with homemade noodles. A breaded, fried pork cutlet is considered a typical mainstay of a Polish lunch and has been a Sunday dish in almost every household for decades.

Cheesecake, poppy seed cake and apple cake are among Poland’s most popular desserts. Poppy seed cake is especially often eaten at Christmas and Easter. Those interested in regional food culture can include these dishes as part of their picture of the country; the traditions described, however, do not by themselves say anything about a particular restaurant or a bookable culinary experience.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Greater Poland, Świętokrzyskie, Subcarpathia, Lesser Poland, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Lubusz, Łódź, Lublin, Masovia, Warmian-Masurian, Opole, Podlaskie, Pomerania, Silesia, West Pomerania, Lower Silesia.