We use cookies. Privacy Policy

🎒 NEW 39 Backpacker Guides Live — SE Asia, South America, Europe & more · From £12/day
← All Backpacker Guides
🎒 Backpacker Guide
🥟
EuropeHistoryFoodArchitecture

Poland

Medieval cities, extraordinary history, world-class vodka and the best value in Europe.

Eastern Europe
🥟 Pierogi Culture🏰 Medieval Cities🌲 Białowieża Forest🎵 Chopin & Culture

Backpacking Poland

Poland is the best value destination in Europe right now. Warsaw has one of the most extraordinary post-war reconstruction stories in the world — the entire Old Town was rebuilt brick-by-brick from wartime photography after being 90% destroyed. Kraków is perfectly preserved medieval Europe. And the Tatra Mountains offer serious hiking and skiing at a fraction of Alpine prices.

£30–£50/day avg daily budget
Key Info
Polish Złoty (PLN)Polish (English in cities)Type EDrive Right
10% at restaurants — round up for taxis
Weather
Best: May–Sep
Summer (Jun–Aug) — festivals, outdoor markets and long evenings
Spring and summer are the best times. Christmas markets in December are excellent.
Health
Tap water safe throughout Poland — good quality
No vaccines required
Transport
PKP Intercity trainBolt appTram
✈️ WAW Warsaw Chopin / KRK Kraków John Paul II
PKP Intercity trains between Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk and Wrocław are fast and cheap.
Emergency
👮 Police997
🚑 Ambulance999
🔥 Fire998
The Highlights

8 Things to Do in Poland

01
Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau — the most important historical site in Europe, requiring a full day
02
Kraków Old Town and Wawel Castle — the UNESCO medieval centre is perfectly preserved
03
Warsaw Rising Museum — the most powerful World War II museum in the world
04
Wieliczka Salt Mine near Kraków — underground chapels carved entirely from salt
05
Białowieża Forest — the last primeval forest in Europe, home to European bison
06
Gdańsk old town and the shipyards — where Solidarity was born and the Cold War began to end
07
Tatra Mountains at Zakopane — hiking and skiing at a fraction of Alpine prices
08
Eat pierogi, żurek (sour rye soup) and bigos at a milk bar (Bar Mleczny) — authentic and very cheap
Want It All Planned?

Get a free Poland itinerary

Tell us how long you have and we'll build a complete trip plan.

// Book Activities

Book before you go

Curated via GetYourGuide — sorted by quality not commission.

Affiliate link — same price for you. Disclosure →

Insider Knowledge

What Most Guides Don't Tell You About Poland