So you’re planning a weekend getaway to Poland. Yaay! There’s nothing as exciting as packing your bags and spending a fun weekend in a country miles away from home. However, there’s one question that’s probably running through your mind right now: what places in Poland should I visit?

As a visitor who’s willing to travel a long distance for a weekend vacation, you’ll want to ensure that your trip is worthwhile and you don’t waste your time on trivial activities. Fortunately, we’ve got great news for you.

Apart from great food, Poland has a lot to offer to the average starry-eyed tourist. Whether you’re seeking an outdoor thrill or you just want a relaxing weekend, there are tons of things to do in Poland. So, pack your bags, whip out your notepad and let’s create the ultimate checklist.

Visit Poland’s Fairytale castles

Almost everyone loves the thought of running through a castle and pretending like you’re in a Disney movie. Fortunately, in Poland, you can achieve this dream and even meet stunning Polish girls on your way. Poland has up to 419 castles with different styles and epochs. Some of these castles are world-famous, so you must have certainly heard about them, either in History books or from the news.

During your weekend getaway in Poland, you can choose to visit the Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow. This beautiful Romanesque castle housed Polish kings and royal family members many centuries ago. The Wawel Cathedral, the coronation site of most Polish kings, stands adjacent to the castle, and just below it, you can find the crypt where royal and historical figures were buried.

However, if you’re thinking of visiting this iconic attraction, don’t expect to be given a tour of tombs or mummies. Today, the Wawel castle simply serves as a museum of royal chambers and national crown jewels.

Hike in the Tatra mountains

If you prefer an adventure with a little bit of a rugged edge, then you’ll probably enjoy hiking in the Tatra mountains. Whether you’re a hardcore climber or you’ve never climbed anything higher than a pebble before, you’ll definitely enjoy exploring these beautiful mountains.

Exploring the Tatra mountains involves climbing a myriad of hiking trails that lead to picturesque, breathtaking landscapes.

Here’s a little tip for you, though: if you want to get the most out of your mountain adventure, you’ll have to set off very early in the morning as the trails tend to get really crowded with tourists.

However, if you aren’t a huge fan of hiking, you can still get a thrilling experience by taking a cable car ride to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Polish mountains.

Explore or rent a boat in the Masuria

Ever heard about Masuria? Also known as Poland’s Lake District, the Masuria offers you an incredible opportunity to unwind and enjoy a thrilling adventure. It is an area that aptly showcases the beauty of Mother Nature, with over 2000 lakes, dense forests, and even quaint resort towns.

There’s so much you can do in Masurian Lakeland. For starters, you could try kayaking along the Krutynia River or fishing on the country’s biggest lakes.

However, if you’re hydrophobic and don’t fancy the idea of going close to the lakes, you could also try cycling through the area’s thick forests.

Visit Auschwitz to pay your respects

Vacations are meant to be fun, but who says you can’t have a few moments of sobriety and reflection? Away from cheery boat rides and breathtaking mountain hikes, you can take a solemn walk through Auschwitz-Birkenau and pay your respects to the dead.

Over a million people were tortured and exterminated at Auschwitz during the second world war. Today, you can see displays filled with the prisoners’ suitcases, children’s clothes, and even kitchenware. The sight of these ordinary yet profound objects that tell a story of horror and human cruelty will definitely evoke poignant emotions in you.

Here’s a friendly reminder, though: Auschwitz is not a place for taking goofy pictures or cute selfies. It holds a lot of terrible memories, and as such, it may be considered disrespectful if you’re anything but solemn when visiting this museum.

Explore the Wieliczka Salt Mines

The Wieliczka Salt Mines are what is Poland known for. One of the oldest salt mines in the world, this is the best place to visit if you’re looking to learn more about the development of salt mining.

You can also get a close look at ancient mining equipment, mesmerizing statues, and altars carved from salt. But that’s not even the best part yet.

Everything in the Wieliczka salt mines is made of salt, from the statues to the chandeliers, and probably even the tour guide.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to make your trip to Poland worthwhile, you should definitely try visiting any of these sites listed above. There’s so much to see and do that one measly weekend wouldn’t even be enough.
Here’s one thing we know for sure: you’ll definitely miss Poland when you’re gone.