Poland is famous for its beautiful destinations, the diversity of cities and towns.  From mountain vistas to leisurely canoe rides, Medieval castles and alluring nightlife, Poland is a country that always surpasses tourists expectations. Read this article and get inspired to plan your trip to Poland today.

1.Polish hospitality. You’ll be lucky to experience the country’s hospitality. The good-hearted Poles love having guests over. If you visit a Polish home, you’ll be treated like a family member straight away. Expect to be welcomed and treated well, which makes your Poland holiday the perfect option if travelling with kids.

2.Food- Polish cuisine is delicious! Apart from the classic pierogis, borscht, and bigos, make sure you try some typical Polish sweets such as jam-filled pączki (Polish doughnuts), glaze-topped sernik (Polish cheesecake) or makowiec (poppy seed cake – traditionally served for Christmas). Filled pierogi dumplings topped with bacon and a side of kapusta (braised cabbage) is a popular delicacy that you have to try.

3.Poland is cheap. Comparing to famous European tourist destinations like London or Vienna, the Polish prices are very low. Airports in the major Polish cities are well serviced, with budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air covering routes across Europe. Whatever you’re eating, it will generally be well-priced. Travelers can travel by bus, train, tram around with affordable tickets, which range around 3 złoty to 5 złoty(0.5-1 Euro).You can eat at fine-dining restaurants for a quarter of the price compared to similar establishments elsewhere in Europe, and cafe fare is diverse and inexpensive.

4.The Wildlife, Forests, Mountains, Lakes, Beaches

Wherever you are in Poland, there is likely some rare and wonderful wildlife nearby. From swans in the marshlands to grey wolves in the Carpathians and European Bison in the Bialowieza National Park, Poland is a nature-lover’s dreamland. Many travelers don’t know that Poland is an ideal destination for outdoors enthusiasts. The country’s thousands of pristine lakes are known for the exciting water sports they offer, but the forests that surround the lakes provide visitors with endless amounts of hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and sightseeing. Up north, you’ll find miles and miles of dreamy beaches lining the Baltic coast and to the south rugged, snow-clad mountains dotted with traditional wooden houses.

The Wisent or European Bison
Author : Pleple2000
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bison_bonasus_Bia%C5%82owie%C5%BCa_pl.jpg

5. Traditions

Being such an old country, the traditional way of life is still valued and it can be seen in the food, the culture and the behaviour. There are strong family values in Poland and reputations to uphold. We are a proud nation.

Polish folklore band plays at AgroTravel Fair in Kielce
Author:Jakub T. Jankiewicz
Source:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polish_folklore_band.jpg

6. There are 15 World Heritages UNESCO sites in Poland

Including Krakow’s old town, Auschwitz – Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mines. Three of the sites, Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Białowieża Forest, Wooden Tserkvas of Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine, and Muskauer Park / Park Mużakowski are shared with neighboring countries (Belarus, Ukraine and Germany respectively). Poland also has four sites on the tentative list.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine

7. It is rich in history.

History fans won’t get bored in Poland. From hundreds of medieval castles, to the infamous Auschwitz Birkenau camp and excellent museums (the Warsaw Rising Museum and POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews are especially worth visiting), there is a lot to take in and discover. The country has a long history of invasions and wars, mostly because of its positioning between Russia and the old Kingdom of Prussia. Also in modern times, Poland has had to come through a lot with World War II and the invasions of the Nazis, followed by a 40-year Soviet occupation.

German concentration camp, Auschwitz I (the main camp), Poland (1940-1945). Visible old Austrian and later Polish Army barracks dated before 1939.
Author:xiquinhosilva
Source:https://www.flickr.com/photos/xiquinho/16380127035/

8. Poland is home to over 200 castles.

Old castles, majestic palaces, churches and mansions are scattered all over the country. These residences are not only enticing places to explore, they also offer a glimpse of what life was like for Polish aristocrats.

Książ Castle- In 1941 the castle was seized by the Nazis who were planning on turning it into a residence for Hitler. Soon after the construction of a bunker 50 meters beneath the castle began, but the complex was never finished. A couple of years ago the area drew worldwide attention when two explorers announced they had located a secret tunnel that supposedly was hiding a train loaded whit Nazi gold and treasures.

Honourable Courtyard of Książ Castle.
Author : Yarl
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wa%C5%82brzych_-_Ksi%C4%85%C5%BC_castle_-_Honourable_Courtyard_02.jpg

9.Karkonosze National Park in Winter

You don’t have to be a fan of cold weather to fall in love with the Karkonosze National park in winter time. And the area’s incredible alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and mountaineering are ideal for adventure and winter sports enthusiasts.

10.Breathtaking mountain ranges: Tatry, Bieszczady, Pieniny, or Table Mountains.

The Tatras are a true paradise for nature lovers. Perfect for hitting the slopes in winter and hiking in the summer season, they are one of Poles’ favorite holiday destinations. Head off the beaten track to discover the lesser-known mountain ranges such as Bieszczady, Pieniny, or Table Mountains (characterized by unique plated rock formations) for a less touristy experience. Not many visitors make it out here, so it’s the perfect place to recharge in peace and quiet.

11.Wroclaw’s Market Square.

Wroclaw’s Rynek, or market square, was reconstructed from ruins after the famous Siege of 1945. Although, the square and its surrounding urban grid are said to date back to 1241. It was one of the largest squares in all of Europe when it was first constructed, and it remains one of the largest to this day.

12. Kraków is the second largest city in Poland and also one of the oldest.

Kraków will charm you with its picturesque cobbled streets, historical landmarks, craft shops, and cosy cafés. Kraków’s charming Old Town has been left largely intact since the 13th century. Kraków is rivalling Prague for prettiest medieval city on the planet!

13.Location

With all these great reasons to visit Poland, you should make your trip an extended one, however Poland is also located in close proximity to so many other wonderful European destinations. Poland is bordered by countries such as Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. That gives you a whole lot of countries to explore, with many of them also being affordable European destinations.