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An update from Evaneos

Best places to visit in Poland

Poland is a historic destination that few tourists have discovered yet. However, it's full to overflowing with pretty towns and fascinating nature parks (the last remaining primary forest in Europe, dunes, etc.). There's lots more to do in Poland than simply remembrance tourism!

You're going to need some advice when choosing the stages of your trip. To help you, the community of travellers at Evaneos has provided their views on the country's various destinations. They'll be useful when putting together your itinerary.

Fans of history should start by visiting Warsaw and Krakow, the second largest city in Poland, over which debate is constantly raging: is it more interesting than the capital? After having completed your duty of remembrance in the sadly renowned camp of Auschwitz and spent time shivering in the Wieliczka salt mine, you can set your bearings for Tatras, the region of the lakes or the Baltic coast.

If you're looking for good hikes, opt for Tatras national park in the mountainous south, and try the impressive eagle path and other treks starting from the Zakopane ski station.

Keen to just relax and go swimming in all-natural surroundings? Head to the Baltic coast, where you can rest around Gdańsk. Malbork fortress is a must-see in this area. Fans of aquatic sports should head to the lakes region to give sailing a try. Finally, to the East of Poland, the forest of Bialowieza is home to a large amount of the bison in Europe.

There are lots of places to discover in Poland, even if they're not that well-known. We'll let you explore the Evaneos site to learn even more about this surprising country.

Julie Olagnol
A national park located on the border between Poland and Belarus, Białowieża is one of the last remaining primeval forests on the European continent.
This is where the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp was built. A free shuttle bus leaves the town of Auschwitz (located roughly two miles away) every 30 minutes.
Chelmno is one of the most beautiful spots in the Lower Vistula Valley, on the route between Torun and Gdansk. This splendid medieval town inherited from the Teutonic Knights boasts stunning red-brick buildings, impressively preserved.
Gdansk (Poland)
Gdansk
5/5
The principal port of northern Poland, Gdansk is a splendid historic town which recalls the sumptuousness of the Hanseatic cities.
Situated on the Polish and Slovakian border, the Dunajec gorges offer amazing views of the Pieniny region.
Kazimierz Dolny is basically an open-air museum dedicated to the Poland of days gone by. The Polish are right to have chosen this little historic town sitting so prettily and quaintly on the banks of the Vistula as the capital of the traditional, rustic way of life and favourite summer haunt of artists and famous personalities.
Krakow (Poland)
Krakow
5/5
The most beautiful city in Poland, in my opinion: Krakow has to be seen. It's stamped with charm. Visiting its large square in the city centre allows you to jump back in time.
The town of Malbork is home to an incredible Gothic castle constructed from red bricks. One of Poland's most impressive castles, it is actually the largest in Europe.
A mountain range in southern Poland, the Beskids Massif is a magnificent wild region.
Masuria, called "the country of a thousand lakes" in Poland, is located in the far north-east of the country.
The camp is divided into two parts: Auschwitz-I, the museum located at the entrance to the town of the same name, and Auschwitz-II, which is the extermination camp and is located near Birkenau.
Pieskowa Skala Castle is a major stop on the "Trail of the Eagles' Nests" in the Polish Jura. In this landscape of craggy hills, Pieskowa Skała stands out as a particularly beautiful example of a medieval castle set in a picturesque location.
Tatras (Poland)
Tatras
5/5
Home to a magnificent chain of mountains, Tatra National Park seems to rise up out of the surrounding plains like a mirage, and its wonderful landscapes and scenery are one of the prides of Slovakia.
Toruń (Poland)
Toruń
5/5
An underrated gem on the banks of the Vistula, the magnificent gothic city of Torun is an unmissable stop on any visit to Poland.
A National Park in southern Poland on the border with Slovakia, the Pieniny are a range of mid-sized mountains which offer some stunning natural landscapes.
Southeast Poland's largest city, Wrocław is a wonderful urban metropolis with a youthful, festive ambiance and atmosphere.
The first winter sports resort on the Polish side of the Tatras, Zakopane has managed to retain all of its old-world charm with its many wooden chalets.
A small, historic city in southern Poland, on the banks of the Vistula river, in a region rich in heritage, Baranów Sandomierski is worth the detour to see its castle, one of the most beautiful in the region, boasting a splendid formal garden.
Gniew (Poland)
Gniew
4/5
Gniew is an interesting place to visit along the Teutonic knights trail in lower Vistula. A pretty town sitting on a hill, it contains medieval streets and two large red-brick buildings, the church and the Teutonic castle.
Lying at the heart of the great forests of Eastern Poland and at the gateway to Białowieża National Park, where European bison still roam, Hajnówka is the cultural centre of Belarussian Poland. Its international festival of Orthodox music is a major event of its kind.
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is one of Poland's most important Catholic sites. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is the site of a pilgrimage park consisting of a religious sanctuary set out on a hill and including a monastery, churches and a huge reproduction of the Stations of the Cross with chapels dotted along the route: a Mannerist architectural ensemble inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
This little town located in the Carpathian foothills of Lesser Poland contains a major historic building, the Bernadine monastery. It also has other fascinating places to visit, such as the large Jewish cemetery.
Płock (Poland)
Płock
4/5
Płock lies northwest of Warsaw, and its location on the banks of the Vistula makes it a very nice and pleasant city.
Capital of the Greater Poland region, Poznań is one of the country's largest cities and also one of its nicest.
With its castle, its beautiful central square, its historic streets and its open-air folk museum, Pszcyna is a charmingly well-preserved town located on the outskirts of Europe's largest agglomeration, the Silesian GOP.
Reszel (Poland)
Reszel
4/5
Reszel, which was formerly known as Rössel, is a very enjoyable place to visit and explore in the Warmia region of Poland. This small and very well-preserved town still contains a number of examples of original Teutonic architecture, in particular the imposing red-brick castle.
One of Poland's oldest and historically most important places, Sandomierz is today a lovely little rural town with a charming centre.
An important city in southeastern Poland, on the road between Krakow and Lviv, Tarnow has a lovely medieval centre with tourist passageways.
Tatras (Poland)
Tatras
4/5
The Tatra Mountains lie partly in Poland and partly in Slovakia, marking the border between the two countries. 
The Wieliczka Royal Salt Mines are easy to get to from Kraków. You can therefore go on an afternoon's excursion to them. 

Best time to visit Poland

Jan
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