Poland travel guides

Things to do

Things to Do in Poznań

What to see in Poznań on foot, from the goats that butt heads on the town hall clock at noon to the cathedral island where the Polish state began, the Enigma museum and the Stary Browar.

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Where to Stay in Gdansk: Best Areas

A practical breakdown of where to base yourself in Gdansk, from the Main Town and Granary Island to cheaper rooms in the Old Town, Wrzeszcz and Sopot.

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Where to Stay in Zakopane: Best Areas

Zakopane is small enough that no base is truly wrong, but the gap between a room on Krupowki and one on the western slopes changes the shape of a trip. Here is what each area gives you and what it costs you.

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The Cheapest Cities to Visit in Poland

Lodz, Katowice, Lublin, Torun, Bydgoszcz and Bialystok cost noticeably less than Krakow, Warsaw or Gdansk, and accommodation explains most of the gap. Here is how far your money goes in each, with rough 2026 ranges.

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Amber in Gdansk: Where to Buy and How to Spot Fakes

Gdansk has cut and sold Baltic amber for centuries, and its workshops carry everything from museum-grade inclusions to moulded plastic. Here is where to see it, where to buy it and how to check a piece without damaging it.

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Where to Drink in Krakow: Bars and Nightlife

Krakow splits its drinking between the Old Town's cellars and Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter where the night runs longest. Here is where to go for vodka, craft beer, cocktails, wine and a river view.

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Skiing in Poland: Resorts, Season and How It Works

Poland's ski season runs from roughly December to March across three southern mountain areas, with terrain that suits intermediates and families far better than experts. Here is how the resorts, passes, hire and costs actually work.

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Thermal Baths in Poland: Where to Soak

Poland's thermal baths, the geothermal termy, are concentrated in the Podhale highlands around Zakopane, with smaller spa centres scattered across the rest of the country. Here is how a visit works, what to pack and when to avoid the crowds.

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Driving to Poland: Routes, Borders and Costs

Poland sits inside Schengen, but checks returned on the German and Lithuanian borders in 2025 and run until at least October 2026. Here are the main routes, the documents and kit your car needs, what the remaining tolls cost and how long the drive really takes.

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How to Get to Zakopane

Almost everyone reaches Zakopane by bus from Kraków, a road journey of roughly two to two and a half hours, though direct trains are now competitive. Here is how the buses, trains, airports and mountain roads actually work, and how to get from town to the trailheads.

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Polish Vodka: Types, Brands and How to Drink It

Polish vodka comes in two families, clear czysta and flavoured smakowa, and it is drunk cold, neat and with food rather than mixed. Here is what the labels mean, which names matter and how to order without looking lost.

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Krakow vs Prague: Which to Visit?

A fair comparison of Krakow and Prague for a short city break, covering old towns, sights, food and beer, crowds, cost and day trips, with a clear verdict for each type of traveller.