Poland Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Poland, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Poland Information

Overview

Situated at the centre of Europe, and the largest of the former Eastern European states, Poland’s position is crucial.

Poland has become one of the major destinations for travellers. Its beauty can be admired in both its old cities and in the wild scenery of its national parks and nature reserves. The country’s regions are largely divided into horizontal bands: the Baltic Coast and the hilly post-glacial lake district. 

Central Poland is split into northern lowlands and southern uplands, including the Kraków-Wielun Upland with its limestone areas, caves and medieval castles. The Carpathian Mountains, including the Tatras, lie in the extreme south; their mountain scenery, folklore and sports facilities contributing to their charm.

Poland is a nation with a proud cultural heritage, and theatre, music and opera companies abound. The former textile city of Lodz is proud of its film school, alma mater to directors Roman Polanski and Krzysztof Kieslowski. There is also a strong tradition of graphic design and glassware.

Although the native soil for composer Frederick Chopin, scientist Marie Curie (neé Skladowska) and astronomer Nicholas Copernicus, Poland is best remembered for being the birthplace of the former Soviet bloc’s first officially recognised independent mass political movement when strikes at the Gdansk shipyard in August 1980 led to agreement with the authorities on the establishment of the Solidarnosc (Solidarity) trade union. 

Elections in summer 1989 ushered in eastern Europe’s first post-Communist government. Poland is a member of the European Union and has achieved success in creating a market economy and attracting foreign investment. Growth is slow-moving and growing pains are apparent in the high unemployment rate and mass exodus of qualified people to other countries in search of a decent wage, but the potential exists for a healthier economy.


Top Things To See

 Visit Warsaw, where the Old Town was reconstructed from original plans and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, after being decimated during WWII. Spend time in the Old Town square (rynek) by visiting an outdoor cafe, checking out the Historical Museum (website: www.mhw.pl) or perusing the antiques shops.

 Take an elevator to the 30th floor observation deck of the Palace of Culture and Science for a great view of Warsaw. This edifice was gifted to Poland in 1953 from Stalin as a symbol of ’Polish-Soviet friendship’ (website: www.pkin.pl). 

 Soak up history via a walk through the Warsaw Rising Museum; it’s an educational and interactive experience. The museum features films, testimonials, slides and artefacts from the time when Warsaw residents were active in the resistance (website: www.1944.pl).

 See the manor house where Frederick Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, 53km (32 miles) west of Warsaw. Attractions include an attractive park, summertime recitals and 19th-century instruments and furniture (website: www.infochopin.pl).

 Visit the Renaissance-style market square in Zamosc, which is one of the many designated UNESCO sites in Poland.

 Walk through the Cracow Gate, built in the late 14th century and remodeled in 1782. It is considered to be an architectural symbol of Lublin and is the primary entrance into the Old Town; it also houses a historical museum (website: www.zamek.lublin.pl).

Immerse yourself in Cracow’s charming medieval atmosphere; it is one of UNESCO’s 12 most significant historical sites. In the middle of the central Market Square (the largest in Europe) is the Cloth Hall, which was reconstructed in the 19th century from 14th-century merchants’ stalls. 

 Still in Cracow, see the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, and one of the oldest in Europe. Cracow’s former Jewish quarter, Kazimierz, houses the Remuh Synagogue (1553). Overlooking the city is Wawel Castle, with the world’s largest collection of 16th-century tapestries and, beside it, the gothic cathedral (website: www.krakow.pl/en).

 Discover the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Of the 350km (217 miles) of corridors, 2km (1.2 miles) are accessible to visitors. The tourist route is 64 to 135m (209 to 443ft) underground and passes through impressive chambers, bas-reliefs, chandeliers and a chapel sculpted in the salt (website: www.kopalnia.pl).

 See the Icon of the Black Madonna, also known as the miraculous painting of Our Lady, in the huge Jasna Góra monastery complex at Czestochowa, 100km (60 miles) north of Kraków (reputed to have been painted by St Luke) (website: www.jasnagora.pl).

 Locate Wroclaw (Breslau)’s 100 bridges, many of which cross canals or connect 12 of the cities islands. Important sights include the 15th-century Town Hall, now the Historical Museum; the Ethnographic Museum in the Royal Palace; and the Cathedral on Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island) (website: www.wroclaw.pl).

 Head to Gdansk to see the largest gothic church in Poland: St Mary’s Basilica. The beach resort at nearby Sopot has Europe’s longest pier (500m/1,640ft). Within easy reach are the forested Hel Peninsula, the Kashubian Lakeland, and the Teutonic castles at Malbork and Gniew.

Experience the medieval walled town of Torun by walking through the gothic Old Town (website: www.torun.pl).

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

 Go to the theatre in any of the major cities where there will be local or national companies in residence.

Hike in some of Poland’s national parks and nature reserves. Nature enthusiasts can visit the Kampinos National Park, near Warsaw. Further afield, Bieszczady National Park, part of the Carpathian mountain range, contains the surviving fragments of the Great Bieszczady Forest, home to the brown bear, lynx, wolf and wildcat. 

 Discover the Bialowieza National Park (website: www.bpn.com.pl); it is the last major refuge of the European bison as well as being home to many other rare forest-dwelling species and trees over 400 years old. Nature trails, cycling and exploring with a ranger are on offer.

 Jump on a horse. Horses have traditionally been popular in Poland and horse riding enthusiasts have a large choice of riding schools to choose from. Polish stud farms are internationally renowned and welcome guests. Inexperienced riders may prefer riding a Hucul - a very rare Polish mountain pony.

 Pick mushrooms in the early autumn in any unprotected forested regions. Mushroom picking has been a Polish tradition for centuries and several delicious varieties exist.  

Climb or ski in the Tatras. Zakopane is a centre for climbing and winter sports where a fairytale atmosphere pervades with its ‘gingerbread’ wooden cottages; some inhabitants still wear traditional Goralskie dress. Visit the beautiful Koscieliska Valley, the mountain of Kasprowy Wierch and the glacial lake Morskie Oko.

 Ride in a horse-drawn sleigh and be sure to have either warmed beer or heated honey vodka afterwards. Snow falls throughout Poland so these types of rides are on offer throughout the country.

Escape to the beach resorts of the Pomeranian coast, such as Kolobrzeg (large and fashionable) or Leba (with a beach of fabulous white sand). The beach connects to the Slowinski National Park (website: www.slowinskipn.pl), known for its giant ‘wandering sand dunes’ which can shift several metres each year. 

 Head further east to the Hel Peninsula, which also has some good beaches and camp sites.

Sail a boat in the Mazurian Lake District (consisting of over 1,000 lakes), also a favourite angling destination. A popular lake-trail can take you through several lakes and canals. Local towns such as Mikolajki and Gizycko host sea shanty festivals and other lively events. 

 Slip into the water in a canoe in the Brodnica or Mysliborz lakelands, or the rivers Brda, Czarna Hancza and Obra.

 Pay tribute to the victims of the holocaust at Oswiecim-Birkenau (Auschwitz-Birkenau) concentration camp, 70km (43 miles) from Cracow. It’s a sobering experience, but helps give you perspective on a grave and sensitive historical time (website: www.auschwitz.org.pl).  

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

Poland has a distinctive cuisine, with typical ingredients being dill, marjoram, caraway seeds, wild mushrooms and sour cream, which is frequently added to soups, sauces and braised meats. Soups play an important part at mealtimes and are usually rich and very thick. Barszcz (beetroot soup), however, runs thin and clear and is often served in cups with small hot pasties stuffed with meat or cabbage. There are several salt- and fresh-water fish dishes using trout, carp and herring. Pastries, such as szarlotka (apple cake), packi (jelly doughnuts) and makowiec (poppy seed cake) can be bought at a cukiernia. Note that big cities offer a selection of other world cuisines.

National specialities :
• Bigos (sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, onions and any variety of leftover meat).
• Salted and rolled herring fillets with pickles and onions.
• Kabanos (long, thick sausages).
• Pierogi (dumplings stuffed with either meat, mushrooms and cabbage, cheese or fruit).
• Kasza (buckwheat).

National drinks :
• Vodka (wódka, in many various flavours - try krupnik and źołądkowa).
• The best bottled beer is zywiec, a fairly strong lager-type beer. 

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: 10 to 15% is customary in restaurants and cafes. Tipping in self-service restaurants is not expected. Tips for porter’s services in hotels and train stations are customary but amounts are at the traveller’s discretion.

Nightlife

The larger Polish cities have several theatre and dance companies. In addition there is a National Philharmonic, a National Opera and plenty of cinemas. There is a large selection of dance clubs, bars and venues for live music in most towns. Clubs often choose to stay open until the last guest leaves.

Shopping

Special purchases include glass and enamelware, handwoven rugs, silverware, handmade jewellery with amber and silver, dolls in regional costumes, woodcarvings and clay and metal sculptures.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800/2000 and Sat 1000-1300/1600. ‘Night shops’ open 24 hours. Supermarkets and department stores are usually open daily 1000-1900.


Climate

Temperate with warm summers, crisp, sunny autumns and cold winters. Snow covers the mountainous area in the south of Poland (mid December to April). Rain falls throughout the year.

Required Clothing

Light- to mediumweights are worn during warmer months. Medium- to heavyweights are needed during winter. Rainwear is advisable all year.


Public Holidays

Below are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
1 May  Ascension.
3 May National Day. 
22 May Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
11 Nov Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
3 May National Day.
21 May Ascension.
11 Jun Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
11 Nov Independence Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: No

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

Foreign travellers are advised to obtain travel insurance. 24-hour chemists can be found in each major city and hotels often have a nurse on call.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Zloty (PLN; symbol Zl) = 100 groszy. Notes are in denominations of Zl200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. The new coins are in denominations of Zl5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 groszy.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currency can be exchanged at all border crossing points, hotels and bureaux de change, some of which are open 24 hours. Hotel rates and goods in large stores may also be listed in Euros.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in larger establishments. Cash can be obtained from Visa credit cards at banks.

Traveller's Cheques

Readily exchanged. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat 0900-1300 in main cities. In smaller towns, banking hours are more limited.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Other EU

Passport Required: 1
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Passport Note

Poland joined the Schengen Agreement on 21 December 2007 for overland entry points and seaports, and will join on 29 March 2008 for airports.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

(a) All visitors entering Poland must possess sufficient funds (at least Zl300 per day) to cover medical expenses (or a valid insurance policy or official invitation is acceptable instead) and Zl100 per day for accommodation and sustenance. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).


Contact Addresses

Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the UK

47 Portland Place, London W1B 1JH, UK
Tel: 0870 774 2700.
Website: www.polishembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in the UK

73 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6LS, UK
Tel: (020) 7291 3900 or 0870 774 2800.
Website: www.polishconsulate.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon, Tues and Fri 0930-1230, Wed 0900-1100, Thurs 1300-1600.

Polish National Tourist Office in the UK

Level 3, Westgate House, West Gate, London, W5 1YY, UK
Tel: 0870 067 5010 (brochure line).
Website: www.visitpoland.org 

Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the USA

2640 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 234 3800.
Website: www.polandembassy.org

Consular Division of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the USA

2224 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 234 3800.

Polish National Tourist Office in the USA

5 Marine View Plaza, Suite 208, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
Tel: (201) 420 9910.
Website: www.polandtour.org


Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Poland are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

There are risks of robbery on rail and bus journeys and driving can be hazardous.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.