Travel Guides
Poland travel guides
Long, useful guides to the places worth your time, written to be read start to finish.
All travel guides to Poland
Best of
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.
Thematic
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.
Thematic
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.
Thematic
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.
Thematic
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.
Best of
Best Restaurants in Krakow
A practical guide to eating in Krakow across every budget, from cash-only milk bars and Plac Nowy zapiekanki to traditional Polish dining rooms, Michelin-starred kitchens and the cafes and bars of Kazimierz.
Thematic
A Guide to Pierogi: Types and Where to Eat Them
Pierogi are Poland's signature dumplings. Here are the classic fillings, the difference between boiled and fried, and where to eat them well.
Itinerary
How Many Days Do You Need in Krakow?
Two days covers Krakow's Old Town and Kazimierz, three lets you add Wieliczka or Auschwitz, and four or more opens up day trips into the surrounding region.
Thematic
Is Poland Worth Visiting?
Poland is an easy yes for most travellers: distinctive cities, walkable history, better food than its reputation, real mountains and coast, and prices still below most of Western Europe.
Thematic
First Time in Poland: Everything You Need to Know
A practical first-timer's overview of Poland: which cities to choose, how many days to stay, getting around by train, money, language, safety, food and the best time to visit.
Thematic
Wawel Castle Visitor Guide
A practical visitor guide to Wawel in Krakow: the Royal Castle State Rooms and Private Apartments, the Cathedral and Sigismund Bell, the Crown Treasury and Armoury, and the Dragon's Den, plus how the separate timed tickets work.
Thematic
How to Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow
A practical guide to visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial from Krakow, covering how to book a free timed entry pass, when a guided tour is required, transport options and what to expect on site.