Looking for accommodation close to the Wieliczka Salt Mine? Stay at the Grand Sal Hotel just 100 meters from the Daniłowski Shaft. We spent the night at this hotel before visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Visiting Poland is like winning the lottery. The diverse landscape and atmospheric cities make tourists more and more eager to stay in the country and look for the most beautiful places in Poland for a day or weekend trip.
To make it easier for you to find your way around the dozens of possibilities, I’ve compiled a list of 39 Beautiful Places To See & Things To Do in Poland for a weekend.
Planning a cheap visit for a day or longer will be much easier. In the article, you will find suggestions for natural attractions, urban sights and ready-made plans for hiking in the Polish mountains.
Get ready for travel to Poland
1. Accommodation: book early to save money and find the most beautiful places to stay.
2. Currency exchange: you can use your bank card, but much cheaper is the free Curve card.
pol: Kopalnia Soli Wieliczka
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of Poland’s most recognizable tourist attractions, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. The Wieliczka Salt Mine reached the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978.
It is the only mining site in the world that has been in continuous operation since the Middle Ages, and the history of these salt deposits dates back as far as 14 million years. At its peak, Poland drew as much as… 20% of its income from salt mining in the so-called Cracow souks (i.e. Wieliczka and Bochnia mines).
You can visit this tourist attraction via two routes – the tourist route and the mining route. Some of the most recognizable parts of the mine include the majestic St. Kinga Chapel, the Pieskowa Skala and Michalowice chambers, and the Stanislaw Staszic chamber. Buy your tickets online, as the queues at the ticket office can be huge.
Wroclaw is my home and one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. Its openness to the world the variety of attractions and the atmosphere of the place attract tourists from all over the world. The city is promoted with the slogan “Wroclaw – the meeting place” not without reason. It is hard to find a more interesting destination for a weekend city break in Poland.
Sightseeing in Wroclaw can take long days (in my case it even extended to 10 years), but within a short outing you should take a look at the Market Square with the mighty Old Town Hall, and later visit the Cathedral Island, the Raclawice Panorama and the UNESCO World Heritage List Centennial Hall designed by Max Berg.
If you manage to carve out some time as part of your weekend getaway, also take an interest in the unusual and less obvious attractions of Wroclaw. The list is long. I wouldn’t pass up the “Polinka” cable railway, the building of the Faculty of Architecture of Wroclaw University of Technology at Tolpa Park, the attractions on Podwale Street and the Zajezdnia History Center.
BEST PLACES TO SEE IN WROCŁAW ON YOUR PHONE
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pol: Szlak Orlich Gniazd
Stretching across the Silesian and Malopolska provinces, the strip of highlands whose ends are marked by Krakow and Czestochowa is the so-called Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska. Tourists looking for an idea for a weekend getaway to an interesting place in Poland are attracted to this region by its numerous caves and the Eagle’s Nests hiking and biking trail, which connects more than a dozen castles and strongholds.
You can come to the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland for one day, deciding to visit one of the castles or take a trip to one of the caves open to tourists, or stay longer and explore the area in more depth. Among the most visited sites are the ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle, the royal castle on Zlota Gora (Ojcow), and the ruins of Rabsztyn Castle, Pilica, Bobolice, and Olsztyn.
In addition to castles, the Bat Cave and the Lokietek Cave, among others, are also worth a look. Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska is also a popular place among climbers. Thanks to my first steps in Jura, I found a new sprouting passion in climbing – maybe you will have the same! 😉
pol: Mazury – Kraina Wielkich Jezior Mazurskich
If you are looking for a holiday in nature – surrounded by lakes, forests, bicycle paths, small towns and many historical monuments, you should be interested in Masuria and the Land of the Great Masurian Lakes. Nearly 3,000 lakes interspersed with green areas and unspoiled nature will give you plenty of opportunities to spend time actively.
Take an interest in the Great Masurian Lakes Trail, a waterway more than 100 km long that starts on Lake Wiartel and passes through lakes Nidzkie, Bełdany, Mikołajskie, Tałty, Niegocin, Kisajno and Mamry leading to Węgorzewo. Worth visiting along the way are the Masurian towns: Ruciane-Nida, Mikolajki, Giżycko and lakes Śniardwy, Niegocin, Mamry.
Masuria is full of attractions related to World War II and military history. Start with the 19th-century Boyen fortress in Gizycko, and then see attractions related to the Nazi presence in today’s Warmia and Masuria. Visit the Wolf’s Lair (Wilczy Szaniec), one of the most closely guarded bunker complexes in the entire Third Reich. Hitler lived in the Wolf’s Lair for ca. 800 days and it was here where the failed attempt on his life was made in 1944.
Also check Reszel, one of the prettiest towns I’ve visited. The bishop’s castle dominates the town with the coherent buildings around the Market Square, the mighty parish church and the Gothic bridge – all within a few hundred meters from the Town Hall. An interesting escape from the crowds will be canoeing on the Krutynia River – one of the most beautiful canoe routes in Poland.
However, the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship is not only Masuria. You can also visit the interesting attractions of Warmia – including the capital of the province, Olsztyn. Also waiting for you are the Western Masuria (Mazury Zachodnie), the Humpbacked Masuria (Mazury Garbate)…. There is plenty to do!
pol: Hel i Półwysep Helski (Mierzeja Helska)
The Hel Peninsula, also known as the Hel Spit, is a place that is easy to notice when looking at a map of Poland. The 35-kilometre-long, narrow strip of scythe-like terrain begins in Wladyslawowo and stretches through Chałupy, Kuźnica Jastarnia and Jurata to Hel, located near the headland. The spit separates the rough Baltic Sea to the north from the calm waters of the Bay of Puck to the south.
Hel is a charming town at the very end of the Hel Spit, which used to be one of the most critical military centres in the country. Now it lives on through tourism and is a base for water sports enthusiasts. The town offers many of the attractions of the Hel Peninsula – including a walk to the Hel Headland at the “very end of Poland.”
The Hel Spit invites you to plan your vacation here with its beautiful nature – sandy beaches, dense forests, and many exciting places to visit. You will find here, among others, a Seal Sanctuary, military attractions, lighthouses, a nature reserve and many ideas for outdoor activities. Bicycle trails, water sports and attractions for children await.
Looking for accommodation in Hel? Check available guesthouses and apartments in Hel. Choose a place close to the beach – which is quite easy. 😉
Bialowieza Forest – Europe’s oldest forest, protected by Bialowieza National Park, is Poland’s only natural attraction on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This forest is home to the world’s largest free-ranging bison population, appreciated by Polish kings and even the Czar of Russia for hundreds of years. Bialowieza Forest is a huge area – it covers 150,000 hectares, of which 63,000 hectares lie on the Polish side of the border.
This is the oldest piece of forest in Europe and is home to rare animal and plant species. You can walk along educational paths through the Bialowieza Forest, explore the wooden architecture of Podlasie with its shutters, see colourful Orthodox churches and check out local handicrafts.
The forest has shrunk heavily over the past centuries but still stretches for more than 50 kilometres in both directions. The need to protect this place was already seen by Polish kings, who treated the forest as their property and forbade access to it without their personal permission.
Bisons are one of the biggest attractions of the Bialowieza Forest. However, there is a good chance that you will not have the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat. The population on both sides of the border in the Bialowieza Forest is only about 1,000 individuals.
Toruń is one of my favourite cities in Poland and one of the first places I went on a solo train trip back in high school. It’s hard to find a destination in Poland that offers such a variety of attractions enclosed within a charming Old Town in a small space. The medieval urban complex of Toruń is a UNESCO World Heritage List.
Your eye will be drawn to the Old Town with the Old Town Square, the magnificent Old Town Hall, the Copernicus Monument and priceless medieval buildings. The city boasts one of the two existing leaning towers in Poland (the other you’ll find in Zabkowice Slaskie). And, of course, Torun’s gingerbread (pierniki toruńskie), the history you can explore at the Museum of Torun Gingerbread and the Live Gingerbread Museum.
Looking for good hotels in Toruń? Check available hostels, hotels and apartments in Toruń. Choose a place close to Market Square to explore Toruń conveniently.
Also, don’t forget to look at the house of Nicolaus Copernicus, and then take a walk on the Jozef Pilsudski Bridge, from which you can get a good view of Torun’s old town. Each street in the historic part of Torun hs its own, turbulent history. History buffs can also explore the city along the route of the huge fortifications that used to surround Torun.
BEST PLACES TO SEE IN TORUŃ ON YOUR PHONE
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Exploring gems of Toruń will be easier. Works on phone & computer (Google Maps).
Boleslawiec’s fame among Polish and foreign tourists stems from its tradition of ceramics production, which dates back to the 18th century. And while today, ceramics is the main magnet for tourists to the city, in Boleslawiec, you can plan a whole day or weekend of sightseeing, walking around the historic centre and enjoying the surroundings.
A must-see is a visit to the Boleslawiec Ceramic Works (Zakłady Ceramiczne Bolesławiec), where a company store has a great selection of ceramic products. Check out the beautiful kitchenware and mugs with a distinctive blue dot pattern. It’s worth buying such a mug as a quaint souvenir of the city.
In the centre of Boleslawiec, the Market Square, with its impressive Town Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica, surrounded by colourful townhouses with restaurants and cafes, awaits you to see. Look at the Museum of Ceramics (Muzeum Ceramiki), walk along the city walls and see the huge railroad viaduct on the Bóbr River resembling an aqueduct. The train against its background seems like a small toy.
When thinking about the most beautiful places in Poland worth visiting at least for a weekend, it is impossible not to mention Kraków. This city is a “Polish export commodity” for foreign tourists and attracts crowds of visitors to Poland. No wonder – the attractions of Kraków and its surroundings are enough for long days of sightseeing.
When visiting Kraków, you must take a look at the Market Square with Sukiennice and Bazylika Mariacka, from which the distinctive Mariacki’s bugle call is played, cut off at the moment when, according to legend, the trumpeter was shot by enemies besieging Kraków. A further walk will take you to the Wawel Royal Castle right on the banks of the Vistula River.
Kraków is a graceful place to spend a weekend getaway. Especially in high season, Kraków is visited by crowds of tourists. If you feel like eating out, it’s worth considering restaurants outside the city centre. It will be much cheaper, less crowded and no less tasty.
Stroll through the charming Kazimierz district, climb the Kosciuszko Mound (Kopiec Kościuszki) or fall into reverie during a visit to Oskar Schindler’s “Emalia” Factory. While in Kraków, it is also worthwhile to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which lies just a dozen minutes from the city center.
pol: Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is a must-visit for reasons quite different from the other locations mentioned in this article. Come to Auschwitz for a history lesson and a moment of reverie at the German death camp where Nazi criminals murdered more than 1,000,000 people.
You can find details and rules for visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum on the website.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum is one of the most visited places in Poland by foreign tourists. From 1940 to 1942, the camp was “just” one more labour camp, but after the Wansee Conference and the implementation of the policy of “Endlösung der Judenfrage” (final solution of the Jewish question), it became a place of mass murder.
If you can, don’t photograph on your trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Turn off your phone, hide your camera and camcorder, and just listen to your guide and try to imagine how hopeless and inhumane life must have been in a place where no one knew their future not only counted in days but even in minutes.
pol: Góry Dolnego Śląska
Lower Silesia is a unique region on the map of interesting places in Poland. Tourists can enjoy the challenging peaks of the Giant Mountains (Karkonosze), the wooded mountains in the Walbrzych and Jelenia Gora region, the unique rock formations of the Klodzko Basin (Kotlina Kłodzka) and the Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie) full of mysteries.
You can spend years hiking in the mountains of Lower Silesia. I have lived in this region since I was born, I appear in the mountains frequently, and despite this, there are still dozens of undiscovered trails waiting for me.
I set myself the goal of making hiking in the Lower Silesian mountains enjoyable and easy to plan – hence my idea of 55 ready-made hiking trails in Lower Silesia.
55 BEST HIKING ROUTES IN LOWER SILESIA (POLAND)
Don’t waste time planning a trip and enjoy your time in the mountains.
Get an ebook with 55 ready plans for trips to the mountains of Lower Silesia.
For one day and the entire weekend.
pol: Twierdza Srebrna Góra
In your search for interesting places in Poland for the weekend, you should not miss the largest mountain fortress in Europe, which is one of the highlights of the Owl Mountains in Lower Silesia. The stronghold of Srebrna Góra has remained unconquered and has only been besieged once – during the Napoleonic Wars.
The fortress includes 6 forts and several bastions, and its interiors accommodated more than 300 rooms. In the event of war, the Silver Mountain fortress was to be home to nearly 4,000 soldiers, but this number could rise to as many as 5,000 if necessary.
The tour of the Silver Mountain Fortress is unique – during the walk, the mysteries of the place will be introduced to you by a guide. This makes the whole adventure in Silver Mountain even more interesting and makes it easier for you to assimilate facts about the fortress.
You will be greatly impressed by the fortress’s location, which blends into the top of the hill. When visiting Srebrna Gora, try to find time to visit the viaducts of the Sowiogórska Railway – a beautiful remnant of the cog railroad that used to operate and reach the town.
pol: Kraina Wygasłych Wulkanów
Did you know that we have a place in Poland that long ago was full of volcanoes? You can find many remnants of the volcanic past in Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk) near the Chelmy Landscape Park, the so-called Land of Extinct Volcanoes.
Among the low hills squeezed between Zlotoryja and Jawor, not only extinct volcanoes have manifested themselves, but also picturesque gorges, interesting rock formations and peculiarities of nature, observation towers and even vineyards.
Looking for volcanic remnants, visit the Myśliborski Gorge (Wąwóz Myśliborski), the spectacular Wielisławskie Organs (Organy Wielisławskie) and climb to the top of Ostrzyca – the highest hill of the Kaczawskie Foothills.
The Land of Extinct Volcanoes and Chelmy Landscape Park have representatives on the Lower Silesian Beer and Wine Route, which brings together local breweries and wineries. Worth a visit are Kindler Vineyard in Uniejowice and Agat Vineyard in Sokolowsk, where vines grow on the slope of a volcano extinct some 300 million years ago.
The undulating terrain of Lower Silesia is conducive not only to the creation of natural viewpoints but also to the construction of numerous lookout towers, which further intensify the effects of communing with the mountains. I counted more than 50 viewpoints and towers in Lower Silesia, which can take weeks to explore.
Local activists are constantly working to renovate and build new lookout towers – including in the border area with the Czech Republic and Germany. There is a choice of stone lookout towers, remembering back to the early 20th century, but also modern steel and wooden lookout points, which was completed recently. The vast majority of them are available for free.
My favourite lookout towers of Lower Silesia are:
Your list will certainly be slightly different. Don’t hesitate to explore.
A visit to Poznań is a good option for a pleasant weekend in Poland. The attractions of the capital of Greater Poland, as befits a large city, will allow you several days of active sightseeing, but a one-day trip is also possible. Then you should focus on the most characteristic corners of the city.
When visiting Poznan, visit the Old Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta), whose landmark is the Town Hall with its goats tapping their heads. Right next door, the colourful houses of budniks (Domy Budników) will catch your eye, as well as the Museum of the Greater Poland Uprising 1918-1919, located on the other side of the Market Square.
As part of your weekend getaway to Poznan, find time to visit the Srodka (Śródka) district, tour the ICHOT Poznan Gate and Ostrow Tumski, and take a ride on the Maltanka narrow-gauge train that runs along the shore of Lake Malta.
pol: Kolorowe Jeziorka
Côte d’Azur in Lower Silesia – and surrounded by mountains with beautiful countryside views? On the list of interesting places to see in Poland, we have such an attraction as well. The Rudawy Janowickie is a mountain range that squeezes between Walbrzych and Jelenia Gora, providing tourists with panoramic views of the nearby Giant Mountains.
The trails of the Janowickie Ore Mountains are ideal in terms of difficulty level – challenging, but easy enough for whole families to hike.
Aside from the azure, red, yellow and green shimmering Colorful Lakes near Wiesciszowice, in the Janowickie Ore Mountains, it is worth climbing the scenically brilliant Sokolik, reaching the well-preserved ruins of Bolczow Castle, and then climbing the highest forested peak of the range – Skalnik.
Lovers of interesting history (and beer) should also look at Miedzianka – an almost abandoned village, which Filip Springer wrote about in an excellent reportage. The Miedzianka brewery and restaurant operate there. If you settle in too long, comfortable guest rooms are available at the brewery.
pol: Zamek Książ
The list of interesting places in Poland for the weekend couldn’t be complete without Walbrzych’s Książ Castle. It’s Poland’s third largest castle (after Wawel and Malbork) and one of Lower Silesians’ favourite places for a weekend getaway. The Książ Landscape Park (Książański Park Krajobrazowy), which surrounds this huge Hochberg residence, enriches it with many walking paths and points from which Ksiaz can be well seen.
During World War II, Książ Castle was supposed to be one of Adolf Hitler’s quarters. You can visit both the chambers and the above-ground part of the castle, as well as the underground part that was excavated during the war. The underground part, which was hastily excavated, was probably related to the secret Riese complex in the Owl Mountains.
The Książ Castle complex is vast, and to see all its nooks and crannies, plan a full day for a trip here. When visiting Walbrzych, it’s also a good idea to visit the Old Mine, operating on the site of a former mine of the Lower Silesian Coal Basin, and see the priceless collections of the Porcelain Museum.
pol: Karkonosze
The Giant Mountains is the highest range of the Sudety Mountains and a region that attracts many tourists every season. When looking for an idea for a weekend in Poland, consider hiking in this part of Lower Silesia. The nature of the area is protected by the Karkonosze National Park (Karkonoski Park Narodowy), which stretches in the area of the main tourist bases – Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba.
The most visited point of the Giant Mountains is their highest peak, Sniezka (Śnieżka), through which the Polish and Czech state borders run. You can start your hike here from Karpacz, or you can speed up your journey by taking a chairlift to Kopa, which lies close to Snezka.
While in the region of Szklarska Poreba, it is worth climbing Szrenica, towering over the town, and then heading to the post-glacial Sniezne Kotly (Śnieżne Kotły), which is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Giant Mountains. A good option for Giant Mountains lovers is a full-day hike from Karpacz to Szklarska Poreba via Sniezka and Szrenica.
55 BEST HIKING ROUTES IN LOWER SILESIA (POLAND)
Don’t waste time planning a trip and enjoy your time in the mountains.
Get an ebook with 55 ready plans for trips to the mountains of Lower Silesia.
For one day and the entire weekend.
I’ve already told you about Masuria, but when thinking about that part of Poland, you can’t forget about Olsztyn – the beautiful capital of Warmia. This green city will work well as a destination for a day trip, but also for a weekend. Here you will combine sightseeing and active rest in nature – and without moving from the city.
Olsztyn is famous for its location surrounded by lakes, forests and parks. Much of the city can be walked through endless parks, hitting more city lakes. There are 11 lakes within the borders of Olsztyn, and you’ll also find the city’s huge City Forest (Las Miejski) of more than 1,000 hectares. It’s hard to find so much greenery in any other provincial city in Poland.
The figure of Nicolaus Copernicus is also strongly associated with Olsztyn. The outstanding astronomer became famous as an efficient administrator of the Warmia Chapter Castle (Zamek Kapituły Warmińskiej) in Olsztyn. Hidden within the castle’s walls is one of the most valuable artefacts related to the life and scientific work of Nicolaus Copernicus – the original astronomical table used by the astronomer.
Olsztyn offers at least a few ideas for spending active time in the city. In one day, I seamlessly transitioned from sightseeing to kayaking on the Łyna River, sup board training, sailing and a motorboat rally on Lake Ukiel and…. observing the cosmos from the Olsztyn Planetarium. I’ve seen a lot, but such a saturation of attractions can’t be found elsewhere!
pol: Kompleks Riese, Góry Sowie
The Owl Mountains (Góry Sowie) are associated with mountain mysticism and a sense of mystery at a level not seen anywhere in Poland. This part of Lower Silesia is one of the most mysterious corners of our country. The trails of the Owl Mountains will lead you to the secret underground Riese Complex, which may have changed the course of history.
Riese is a secret network of underground corridors of unknown destinations, which was to be one of the Third Reich’s last hopes for wartime success. It began to be hastily dug in 1943, and work continued until the last days of the war. It is possible that it was from here that the Third Reich’s troops were to be commanded and where Adolf Hitler himself was to take refuge.
The drifts in the Owl Mountains are believed to have been the underground command centre of the Third Reich. They were to include Hitler’s headquarters (Führerhauptquartiers – FHQ) and the headquarters of all branches of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. Had the plan come to fruition, the war could have gone on for many more years and ended…. differently.
Today you can visit three parts of the Riese complex – the Osowka Underground City (Podziemne Miasto Osówka), the Walim Drifts (Sztolnie Walimskie) in Rzeczka and the Wlodarz Complex (Kompleks Włodarz). Each shows Riese from a slightly different side, so it is worth visiting at least two of them.
Bielsko-Biala is one of those interesting places on the map of Poland that I managed to discover by accident. On the occasion of a trip to the Silesian Beskid (Beskid Śląski), I stopped in Bielsko-Biala and decided to explore the city. Well, it turned out that I should drop in here for much longer.
There are quite a few noteworthy attractions of Bielsko-Biala, but I remember the most: the charming Old Town Square, the atmospheric Staircase Street, the Historical Museum with several branches (with my favourite branch “Old Factory”) and the famous Drawing Film Studio. In addition. only in Bielsko-Biala can you high-five Reksio!
Bielsko-Biala is a city unique in its kind. The city bus will take you here to the lower station of the cable car to Szyndzielnia, from where you can embark on long hikes in the Silesian Beskid Landscape Park (Park Krajobrazowy Beskidu Śląskiego). I chose to hike from the lower station, through Szyndzielnia and Klimczok to Szczyrk.
From Bielsko-Biala you can also set off on a hike to Lake Zywieckie (Jezioro Żywieckie), and climb Czupel, measuring 930 meters above sea level, the highest peak of Beskid Maly. Also within reach of a day’s excursion are Lake Miedzybrodzkie and Żar Mountain, to the top of which runs a cable-car railroad.
pol: Kanał Elbląski i Jezioro Jeziorak
Thinking of the most interesting places for a weekend in Poland, Masuria appears in the mind quite naturally. However, few of us know that the western part of Masuria, where far fewer tourists venture, is a tourist gem full of unusual tourist attractions.
Western Masuria is a region that has within its borders, among others, the Elbląg Canal with its unique system of slipways, awaiting entry on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Jeziorak – Poland’s longest lake, the picturesque and somewhat wild Szelag Wielki and Szelag Mały lakes. Plus a mass of bicycle routes and the attractions of Ostroda and Ilawa.
Western Masuria is the perfect place to slow down, relax and focus on better experiencing the moment you are in. Nowhere in Europe will you find an attraction that allows you to board a ship and then…. via railroad tracks to climb a few hills without stepping outside the deck.
Western Masuria is also a great place to take your first steps in water sports. For me, it was an opportunity to go sailing for the first time – and right away on the longest lake in Poland. The region is also famous for its amazing cuisine. You will eat here, for example, a selection of dishes based on snails.
Katowice is a city that is not always listed among the best ideas for a weekend getaway in Poland. The bad reputation of an industrial, boring city came from the old days when Katowice was quite neglected and overwhelming. Modern times in the Silesian capital look quite different – the city is becoming more and more interesting, with attractions that are hard to ignore.
A visit to Katowice would not be complete without a visit to the Silesian Museum (Muzeum Śląskie), operating in a former mine, which impressed me as one of the most interesting local museums in Poland. Worth noting, of course, is Katowice’s Spodek, located next door, and a huge apartment block called Superjednostka.
Venturing outside the centre of Katowice, look at the atmospheric Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec. Stroll along the most fashionable street in the centre of Katowice – Mariacka Street. There are quite a few bars and restaurants along it – just in time for a good recap of a weekend day spent in Katowice. Speaking of relaxation, you can rest in the Silesian Park (Park Śląski), located on the border of Katowice and Chorzow.
Thinking about a trip to Katowice for more than a day? Check out the available hotels and accommodations in Katowice. Keep your location in mind – the closer you are to the city centre, the more convenient it will be for you.
Between Kashubia and Vistula, in the northern part of Poland, you will find an interesting and diverse region. In Kociewie you will rest in quiet agritourism resorts on lakes, canoe on the peaceful Wdza and the more dynamic Wierzyca, and explore Kociewie’s villages with wooden, 200-year-old cottages. A lot of it – just in time for a few days’ stay.
While visiting Kociewie, don’t forget to answer the Zurski Lagoon (Zalew Żurski) and Tleń. This lagoon is an artificial reservoir created by constructing a hydroelectric power plant and one of the most popular bodies of water in Kociewie. For lovers of water activities, canoeing down the Wda River – a calm, meandering river that offers beautiful and idyllic views from the level of the canoe – will also be a good choice. Also, take a peek at Lake Kałębie – the largest lake in Kociewie.
As part of your exploration of local culture, visit at least one of the Kociewie villages. There you will find wooden thatched houses, whose history goes back 200 years. People still live in them – I recommend looking at Kasparus and the village of Dlugie. If you like towers and viewpoints, visit the tower in the Wioslo Male nature reserve, from the Trzebciny lookout tower view the landscape after a huge windstorm, and from the viewpoint in Nowa see the vast Vistula valley.
pol: Polana Jakuszycka
This time a proposal for active people who are looking for an interesting way to spend their free time outdoors. In winter, located in the Jizera Mountains, within the borders of Szklarska Poreba, Jakuszycka Glade becomes the Polish centre of cross-country skiing.
Trains running on the line Szklarska Poreba Gorna – Liberec bring hundreds of more or less advanced cross-country skiers here with each trip. This is by far the easiest way to get to Jakuszyce. Driving by car requires forcing one’s way through a mountainous route and persistently looking for a parking spot.
I took my first steps on cross-country skis (and at the level of first steps I remain) precisely on the Jakuszycka Glade. In winter the natural activity here is skiing, but in summer the place is not deserted. It’s a good starting point for hiking in the Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains.
pol: Południowe Kaszuby
The north of Poland still hides many interesting holiday and vacation destinations. Kashubia is famous for its unique culture, the Kashubian language, which is difficult for visitors to understand, and beautiful natural surroundings. The sea, numerous lakes, endless forests – this is the Heart of Kashubia.
Among the must-see attractions of the southern part of Kashubia is the Wdzydze Lakes Cross – a group of lakes by their size also called the Kashubian Sea. You can see the lakes from the level of a ship, opting for an hour-long cruise on the Stolem ship from the harbour in Wdzydze Kiszewskie.
In Wdzydze, also see the Museum – Kashubian Ethnographic Park with more than 50 rural houses from the 17th to 20th centuries, from various corners of Kashubia, Tuchola Forest and Kociewie.
I also recommend you to plan some time for canoeing the Wda River. This is a calm, heavily meandering river that will provide you with picturesque scenery. There are sometimes fallen trees along the route, which provide some excitement during the rafting trip.
In the search for interesting and beautiful places in Poland for the weekend, it naturally comes to mind to “drop everything and go to the Bieszczady”. And it’s not such a bad idea at all – Bieszczady trails will give you a break from the crowds of tourists, and unusual attractions will make you remember your time spent in the Bieszczady Mountains for a long time to come.
Thinking of the main Bieszczady bases, Cisna, Sanok, Wetlina, Ustrzyki Gorne come to mind. In Cisna you can hop aboard the peculiar Bieszczady Forest Railway train, which takes you along a narrow track in the footsteps of those who once used the railroad for forestry work. Today it’s a huge tourist attraction, which even has a working steam locomotive in its inventory!
The Bieszczady Mountains attract visitors with their extensive grasslands, including Polonina Carynska, Polonina Wetlinska and Polonina Bukowe Berdo, where you can hike in unity with nature. As part of the Wooden Architecture Route, you will see many wooden Orthodox churches characteristic of the Bieszczady Mountains.
Klodzko is a city in the southern part of Lower Silesia, located on the Klodzka Neisse River. It is not only a natural base for the Klodzko spas of Polanica Zdroj, Duszniki Zdroj and Kudowa Zdroj, but also a tourist destination in its own right. The center of Klodzko is full of climate streets surrounded by architecturally interesting buildings.
Overlooking Klodzko is the well-preserved Klodzko Fortress, a 16th-century system of fortifications protecting the city and region. You can explore the above-ground tourist route and descend into the underground labyrinths. Also interesting is Klodzko’s Market Square, with its magnificent town hall, and the Underground Tourist Route (Podziemna Trasa Turystyczna), which you will take under the centre of Klodzko.
The Klodzko Basin abounds in mountain corners and has interesting attractions. Here you’ll find the Table Mountains (Góry Stołowe), which I’ll describe below, and the Snieznik Massif (Masyw Śnieżnika) on the Polish-Czech border.
You will regenerate your strength in one of the spa towns (Kudowa Zdrój, Duszniki Zdrój, Polanica Zdrój), where you will stroll through the spa parks and drink the healing water.
BEST PLACES TO SEE IN LOWER SILESIA ON YOUR PHONE
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pol: Góry Stołowe
One of the most unusual attractions of the Klodzko Valley and this part of Poland is the Table Mountains, full of rock formations, sometimes as flat as a… table Table Mountains. The highest peak of this mountain range, Szczeliniec Wielki, is a mountain that you will climb up steps and then melt into beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Tourists visiting the Table Mountain National Park are also eager to peek into Bledne Skaly (Błędne Skały), a rock labyrinth located right next to the border with the Czech Republic. You can look at this mountain range, among others, from the recently opened vantage point on Guzowata in Radkow.
While hiking in the Table Mountains you will come across interesting rock formations – Skalne Grzyby, Radkowskie Skały. In Wambierzyce, known as the “Silesian Jerusalem,” which is a popular destination for Catholic pilgrimages, you will visit the magnificent basilica (Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and walk the Stations of the Cross scattered around the village. Something for the body (hiking) and the spirit (Catholic, at least).
I visited the capital of Lublin a bit by accident, but after a few hours in Lublin, it turned out to be one of the most interesting cities in this part of Poland and an ideal destination for a weekend city-break trip. There are enough monuments for at least 2 days of sightseeing – although a day trip will also give you a lot of satisfaction.
Visiting Lublin in one day, you will get to know every corner of the compact Old Town without rushing. In addition, you will reach the Lublin Castle towering over the city, and then have time to stroll along the Litewski Square.
Krakowskie Przedmieście Street is worth a look – it is Lublin’s representative street with compact buildings, along which the city’s representative buildings are located. The street leads directly to Lokietek Square with the Krakowska Gate, which opens up Lublin’s Old Town to tourists. In the central square, you will notice the Crown Main Tribunal (Główny Trybunał Koronny), the former highest court of appeal of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom.
Looking for good hotels in Lublin? Check available hostels, hotels and apartments in Lublin. Choose a place close to Old City to explore city conveniently.
Nowa Ruda is a town in Lower Silesia that is rarely mentioned among the most popular tourist destinations for Polish tourists. In my opinion, however, it is one of the most interesting destinations in this part of Poland – especially for lovers of mountains, historical transformations and architecture blended into mountainous surroundings.
In the past, the tone of Nowa Ruda’s life was set by the activities of the Lower Silesian Coal Basin. When the basin was liquidated and the mines closed in the 1990s, life escaped from Nowa Ruda for a while. But fortunately, that life is returning to the town with the influx of more tourists interested in the history of the Owl Mountains and the area.
There is a Tourist Coal Mine in Nowa Ruda, which, without powdering reality, shows tourists how demanding and dangerous the miners’ work underground was. The Nowa Ruda mine was one of the most dangerous in the world and claimed many lives in its history.
Nowa Ruda boasts a charming Market Square with a sizable Town Hall and Stillfried Castle, a stately St. Nicholas Church, and many historic buildings befitting its mountainous surroundings. You can look at the city from the lookout towers on St. Anne’s Mountain and All Saints’ Mountain, but also from the Nowa Ruda coal mine’s heap, which you’ll find in the middle of town.
Do you like fairy-tale climates with a fog-covered lake and a castle looming in the background above the tree line? You don’t have to look for such attractions in Scotland – we have it in Poland, in Lower Silesia. In search of interesting places to see in Poland, I invite you to Bystrzyckie Lake.
Bystrzyckie Lake is an artificial reservoir built by submerging the picturesque village of Silesian Valley. Nowadays, you can walk along the shore of the lake to the dam in Lubachow, thanks to which this reservoir exists. Once you get around the lake, a 30-minute hike up the hill will take you to the mysterious Grodno Castle.
It is said that Grodno Castle may have been one of the hiding places where the Nazis hid their treasures in the last months of the war. The treasures were never found – they may not have existed or become well hidden and remain a mystery. It is no secret, however, that a one-day trip to Bystrzyckie Lake would be an ideal idea for exploring the unusual corners of Poland.
pol: Pieskowa Skała i Maczuga Herkulesa
I have already mentioned the Eagle’s Nest Trail (Szlak Orlich Gniazd). Particularly noteworthy for inquisitive tourists is the Pieskowa Skała Castle, located in the Prądnik Valley, north of Kraków, with the Hercules Mace beside it. Pieskowa Skała Castle was built in the 14th century on the orders of the one who “found Poland wooden and left it brick”, i.e. King Casimir III the Great.
During the castle’s construction, a natural cliff falling into the Prądnik River was used – that’s why Pieskowa Skała looks so picturesque and is such a tasty morsel for tourists. Crews from well-known Polish film productions, including the series Janosik and Stake More Than Life (Stawka większa niż życie), have appeared at Pieskowa Skała.
Maczuga Herkulesa is a rock formation made of limestone, which nature gave the shape of a giant mace. In the past, this distinctive rock was a challenge for climbers, but since the protection of the surrounding nature by the Ojcow National Park (Ojcowski Park Narodowy), climbing the mountain is no longer possible.
Walbrzych has not always been associated with greenery and relaxation in nature. As recently as the 1990s, the main city of the Lower Silesian Coal Basin was teeming with industrial life, and tourists visited much less frequently. The face of this city, surrounded by mountains and rich in various attractions, including post-industrial ones, is changing strongly.
Fortunately, Walbrzych is getting better at its new role. Its incredible location in the embrace of several mountain ranges, two landscape parks – Książański and Sudetów Wałbrzyskich, the Książ Castle, recognizable in Europe, and its post-coal heritage are considerable tourist assets.
For lovers of mountain hiking, Walbrzych is a great starting point for trips to the Kamienne Mountains and the Walbrzyskie Mountains. It’s also close to the trails of the Owl Mountains, to the Grodno Castle towering over Bystrzyckie Lake and to the observation towers built on Chelmiec and Borowa.
Walbrzych’s former coal power is recalled by the “Old Mine”, a science and art centre occupying the site of the former Julia Coal Mine. Walbrzych can also boast Poland’s only Porcelain Museum, which occupies the Albertich Palace with over 10,000 exhibits.
The accommodation base in Wałbrzych and surrounding towns is getting better. In addition to hotels in Wałbrzych, you can stay in nearby spa towns – Jedlina-Zdrój or Szczawno-Zdrój.
pol: Kościoły Pokoju w Jaworze i w Świdnicy
Swidnica and Jawor have become internationally recognized precisely because of these monuments. Thinking of an unusual place to see in Poland? You have just found them. The Churches of Peace in Swidnica and Jawor are priceless monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. When visiting this part of Poland, visit the charming and underrated Swidnica.
Emperor Ferdinand III allowed only three churches of peace to be built in the Habsburg hereditary principalities in Silesia – in Jawor, Glogow and in Swidnica. Only perishable materials could be used for construction: wood, sand, straw and clay.
The temples could not resemble a church in shape and had to be located no closer than “the distance of a cannon shot from the city walls.” Churches under these restrictions were built in the second half of the 17th century and nothing heralded that they would survive unscathed for more than 350 years.
The record-breaking Church of Peace in Swidnica can accommodate up to 7,500 worshippers, making it the largest wooden church in Europe. As many as 27 entrances lead to it. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2001, holds the title of Monument of History, and National Geographic named it one of the 7 new wonders of Poland.
Pieniny is a border mountain range that is increasingly listed among the ideal destinations for a cheap weekend getaway in Poland. Visitors can enjoy varied mountain trails, the picturesque Czorsztyn Lake with its magnificent dam, castles and the legendary Dunajec river rafting. Nature is protected by the Pieniny National Park, which exists in the area.
I recommend climbing to the top of Trzy Korony, taking a look at the pine tree that is over 500 years old (unfortunately damaged during a rescue operation with a helicopter) at the top of Sokolica, visiting Czorsztyn and Dunajec castles in Niedzica. Take a look at Szczawnica and stroll through the centre of this town.
The legendary Pieniny attraction is, of course, the Dunajec rafting, which is led by rafters (pol: flisacy) who have passed down the profession from generation to generation. Rafting on a rafting boat from Sromowce Niżne to Szczawnica or Kroscienko will allow you to see the Pieniny Mountains from the river’s perspective and listen to the rafters’ stories.
A natural base in the Pieniny Mountains is Szczawnica, where you can stay overnight. In Szczawnica, the historic spa architecture is worth noting. It’s a pleasant place for a starting point for trips to the Pieniny Mountains.
The main accommodation base in the Pieniny area is Szczawnica. You can also look for good places to stay in Sromowce Niżne and Sromowce Wyżne.
pol: Zamek Czocha
In front of you is Czocha Castle – another of Lower Silesia’s legendary castles and the star of several TV productions. The castle’s picturesque location on a bend of the Leśniański Lake, formed on the Kwisa River, makes it an ideal place for a cheap weekend getaway in Poland.
Czocha Castle was built in the 13th century to protect the Silesian-Lusatian borderland. However, the most interesting thing about Czocha Castle was during World War II, when a secret Abwehr cypher school may have operated here. Following this lead, Boguslaw Wołoszanski’s novel “Twierdza szyfrów” was written, and later a successful film adaptation of it in the form of the Polish series “Tajemnica twierdzy szyfrów.”
A network of underground corridors of unclear purpose was discovered at Czocha Castle, and secret passages connected the castle rooms. This has raised associations for some tourists with Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter stories. There are also several hypotheses about the walled-off halls, which are still supposed to be full of valuables.
After World War II, Czocha Castle fell into disfavour and degraded increasingly. Emigrants from Greece put the “dot over the i” in this by breeding in the castle’s knight’s hall…. pigs. Fortunately, they managed to halt the castle’s decline, brought it to restoration and created another gem on the map of Poland for tourists.
Ślęża is a lonely mountain located near Wrocław. Being the centrepiece of the Ślęża Landscape Park (Ślężański Park Krajobrazowy), the mountain fills up every weekend with hundreds of tourists who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city here. This mountain is a former site of pagan cults, and stone statues and sites of probable pagan temples can still be found on its slopes.
Although Ślęża measures only 718 meters above sea level, it stands out about 500 meters above the level of the surrounding plains. This makes it appear much higher, and this great prominence allows it to be seen even from distant points in Lower Silesia. At the top, you will find PTTK Tourist House, the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a little near the top – a viewing tower with Lower Silesia as if on your hand.
A small number of tourists heading to Sleza, however, choose to visit Sobótka, a small town located at the foot of the notorious Sleza. Dominating the town’s landscape is the 15th-century Gothic St. James Church. At the base of the church’s tall tower, you’ll find an embedded stone sculpture of a Romanesque lion, which protrudes slightly beyond the tower’s outline.
Also worth a visit is the Slezno Museum, where there is a lapidarium, an exhibition of stone sculpture fragments and architectural elements with the Sobotczanska Column – a cult boulder probably dating from the Neolithic era. And if you fancy a glass of local wine after your hike, there is the Celtica Winery in Sobotka, which occupies the Old Gasworks building.
It’s time for an interesting attraction in Poland of the somewhat mysterious kind. In inconspicuous-looking forests hide secrets on which the fate of wars depends. The secret Nazi explosives factory Alfred Nobel Dynamit Aktien-Gesellschaft, hidden in the forests of Nowogrod Bobrzanski, was an essential part of the Nazi arms industry during World War II.
The DAG Krzystkowice produced explosives that could be used for further production or just to fill the ammunition created at other plants. Some 25,000 forced labourers living in a branch of the Gross Rosen concentration camp in Rogoznica were involved in the construction and subsequent work of the DAG complex.
Today, more than 200 buildings have been counted as part of this explosives factory, but conservative estimates say that during the war, there may have been even more than 500. The total area of the land that the DAG complex occupied is as much as 35 km2.
In short – there is a lot to walk around. Remember that the area is not suitable for sightseeing. It’s full of holes and dangers you must be aware of. Let go of this attraction if you don’t feel confident in such terrain.
Get ready for travel to Poland
1. Accommodation: book early to save money and find the most beautiful places to stay.
2. Currency exchange: you can use your bank card, but much cheaper is the free Curve card.
You’ve just learned about a long list of interesting places and attractions in Poland worth visiting for a day, weekend or longer trip. It turns out that you don’t have to go abroad to have a great time while travelling. Poland for a weekend offers so many possibilities that you will need months or years to pass all of them. I wish you a successful exploration and tour of Poland!
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