15 Stunning Cities You Need to Visit in Poland

While exploring Europe, one of the countries that I’ve become fixated with is the vastly underrated Poland. Through my travels here I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a lot of cities in Poland. While the first few made me think I had Poland figured out, the more cities I saw the more I realised just how diverse Poland could be. That’s not even taking into account the country’s many towns and ample countryside. If you want to see more of Poland, these are the best cities in Poland to visit.

Warsaw

Warsaw doesn’t just earn a spot here by default for being Poland’s capital city, it also happens to be a fascinating and diverse city to explore. Whether you want to see a faithfully rebuilt historic centre, a dose of Soviet-era brutalism or the surprising grandeur of the 19th century, Warsaw’s got it.

The city is also a massive cultural hub and a great place to learn about the country’s history and the devastating events of the Holocaust. Then there are huge surprises like the glamorous Łazienki Palace and gentrified Powiśle riverfront. With scores of cafes and great food options too, Warsaw has all the fun conveniences of a major city backed up by plenty of culture and history.

Krakow

For many people, when they think of Poland at its best, Krakow is what comes to mind. Thanks to good fortune, Krakow is the rare beautifully preserved medieval cities in the country. Not only can you wander the streets of its Old Town and admire all the landmarks about its Main Square, but beyond you’ll find the Jewish Quarter and mighty Wawel Castle too.

Krakow is a city with more depth than some give it credit for. But truthfully, you need only see the city’s Cloth Hall or Saint Mary’s Basilica to know that this is one of Poland’s best cities. Trust me, this is where to go to be easily wowed by what the country has to show tourists. Krakow is one of the best Polish cities to visit and deserves the hype.

Gdansk

There’s a reason that so many Baltic cruise ships pull into the northern city of Gdansk – it’s crazy beautiful. Unquestionably one of the best places to visit in Poland, Gdansk is a stirring combination of majestic architecture, picturesque waterways and impactful history.

Since much of the city was damaged in WWII, Gdansk chose to rebuild itself true to its Renaissance form. Visitors today reap the rewards of that effort. I guarantee one walk along Long Lane or Amber Street and you’ll be smitten. Now, while neighbouring coastal cities Gdynia and Sopot also have their share of interest and combine with Gdansk to form the so-called “Tri-City“, Gdansk is surely the linchpin of the three.

Poznan

The city of Poznan is not a hard place to recommend to people visiting Poland which is why it has grown in popularity these last few years. The city in western Poland boasts a colourful main square, full of character thanks to its statues and legend surrounding the town clock. If you want to see mechanical goats fight, this is the place to be. But beyond the vibrancy of the city’s central square, there’s plenty more going on.

Head over to Poznan Cathedral to see Poland’s oldest cathedral or visit the Royal Castle to see the country’s newest castle. Poznan likes to have it both ways, preserving its grand past with places like the Jesuit College and reinterpreting the past through spots like the Stary Browar Shopping Centre. That’s just part of what makes Poznan fun to explore.

Wroclaw

One of the rising stars of Poland tourism in recent years is the city of Wroclaw in Lower Silesia. Not only easily accessible, Wroclaw has several sides to it that give it a broad appeal. Areas like the main square and islands of Ostrow Tumski have plenty of historical landmarks to admire.

The elaborate Town Hall is hard to miss, as are the paired towers of the Wroclaw Cathedral. For travellers who adore quirky or kitsch attractions, however, you’ll be thoroughly satisfied by Wroclaw’s dwarfs, a collection of small bronze gnome statues throughout the city that are now a modern hallmark of the city.

Lodz

It’s important to understand that not all of the cities of Poland are quite the same. There’s quite a lot of diversity found here, with Lodz a perfect example of somewhere that’s not your “typical” Polish destination. Rather than medieval heritage, Lodz calls back to the 1800s and 1900s.

Worn-down buildings along Piotrkowska Street show off some of its former glory, while the Manufaktura complex among others reimagines its industrial past. Let’s not forget the modern creative movement that has seen imaginative street art spring up about Lodz. No wonder it made Lonely Planet’s 2019 list of value destinations.

Torun

For a Polish destination with a clear focus, it doesn’t get more focused than historic Torun. An easy recommendation for those looking to feel like they’ve travelled to the past, Torun is surely one of the best Poland cities to experience the country’s history. The city’s old town is defined by the various medieval brick buildings, fragmented town walls and castle ruins.

However, the biggest presence you’ll notice is that of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus who is the city’s favourite son. You can even visit his childhood home, now an exceedingly old building and see him standing proudly on the city’ main square. I will say, Torun is best enjoyed in the evening once the day trippers have left. The city just feels even more intimate and quaint.

Bydgoszcz

Although it may not have the best reputation if you look it up online, Bydgoszcz has the goods for those who visit. Situated in northern Poland, this underrated city is strongly defined by the Brda River that flows through it. The river separates the city centre from its historic quarter, meaning you’ll get a very different impression of Bydgoszcz depending on the side you stand.

There’s certainly some elegant architecture to be found in the city centre, but it’s the riverfront and Old Town that are the main deals here. The Old Town has everything from quaint streets to old markets to water mills and heck even a beach. If you’re after a pleasant trip into the unknown, look Bydgoszcz way.

Szczecin

It’s hard to put a finger on what makes Szczecin such an interesting city to visit. Mostly off the beaten path in western Poland, Szczecin is another city that tells its own story. Long a part of Germany and known as Stettin, Poland reclaimed the city after WWII. Very important to the region of Pomerania, Szczecin was both a major river port and also the home to the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes.

It still has some historical landmarks to its name, but many of its most important ones like the Chrobry Embankment, the Monument to the Polish Endeavour and Town Hall are more recent additions. None though are quite as modern as the noticeably modern Philharmonic building. It’s this complex collage of history and identity that makes Szczecin worth visiting.

Bialystok

While Krakow and Warsaw are the two cities that have been Poland’s capital over the years, they’re not the only cities home to grand palaces fit for royals. Just take the northeastern city of Bialystok and its resplendent Branicki Palace. Although only a palace for a local noble, this palace has all the makings of a stunning palace, from its architecture to its carefully maintained gardens.

In truth though, Bialystok is more than just this single attraction. It has the usual square and churches that bustle with people, especially on Sundays. Then there are the less typical features, like the curious sculptures around the city and the turn-of-the-century houses in the city’s Old Bojary District. Bialystok may lack name recognition, but it’s got more than enough going on to draw you in.

Olsztyn

Even when cities in Poland lure you in with their historical side, it’s quite common for their other sides to emerge when you give them the chance. I mean, I went off to the lesser-known city of Olsztyn in northeastern Poland to see its castle and found more than I expected. Yes, Olsztyn centres on a small old town with an impressive castle and lingering sections of its former town walls.

But for many Olsztyn is more about all the surrounding lakes that draw in countless visitors wanting to play on their waters and spend time at their beaches. Even though Poland’s Baltic Sea coast isn’t that far away, come summer the lakes here draw in plenty of holidaymakers. Besides offering beaches and watersports, this side of Olsztyn also happens to be exceedingly beautiful, so what’s not to like?

Lublin

It feels in many ways as if along the way someone lost the memo that Lublin was supposed to be a big deal. Found out in eastern Poland, the city is an absolute delight thanks to its picturesque city centre. You only need to start with the glorious main square and all the exquisite buildings that surround it to know you’ve chosen well.

That you can head into these buildings and score some fantastic pierogi in a traditional Polish tavern is just a bonus. Anyway, beyond the main square, you’ve got big tower gates, immense churches, old ruins and the city’s stout but sightly castle. Best of all, you don’t have to share Lublin with other tourists, but I’m sure that’ll change one of these days.

Rzeszow

Poland is quite a large country so it can take a while for travellers to the country’s various corners. Down in Poland’s southeast lies Rzeszow, a photogenic old town wrapped inside a modern financial hub. Rzeszow is undoubtedly a pretty city, but also one that feels smaller and more intimate than it is.

Once you peel away the financial side of the city, you find a historical centre full of endearing character. Simply take one look at the main square or 3 Maja Street and you’re sure to be impressed by what you see. Among the grand buildings of Rzeszow are palaces, castles and theatres that together give the city that old-world pedigree that tourists to Europe so dearly love.

Katowice

Katowice may seem like an unlikely kind of city to feature on a list of best cities. After all, it was a major industrial city right up into the 20th century and was best known for its coal mining. And yet, modern Katowice is so much more than that. It’s a city of surprising cultural depth, thanks to the city’s university and Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Plenty of students about means you know there’s going to be interesting places to eat and plenty of fun bars. But there are also the parts of Katowice that pay tribute to its past. The former coal mine now hosts the Silesian Museum, which has affected all sorts of parts of life in the region. Katowice is also rapidly modernising, so it could become an even better tourist playground in years to come.

Jelenia Gora

Tucked so far away down by the Czech border, it’s little surprise that many travellers miss the small city of Jelenia Gora. Watched over by the nearby Krkonoše mountain range, this pleasant destination manages to have many hallmarks of great Polish cities despite its size. There’s a scenic main street that leads you through the old town. Then there’s a Main Square lined with colourful gabled houses and a striking town hall in the middle.

You won’t have any trouble getting pierogi here, nor fresh strawberries in wooden crates for that matter. Plus there are churches galore, the elegant thermal springs of Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój and Chojnik Castle just nearby to keep you entertained.

Would you agree that these are the best cities in Poland to visit? Where have you travelled to in Poland? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.