Travel

Exploring Eastern Europe: Poland

With war in Ukraine, many people worry about how safe it is spending their holidays in central and Eastern Europe. Fortunately, neighboring Poland has been spared fighting. We look at what the country has to offer.

The capital: Warsaw

The Polish capital since 1596, Warsaw boasts a historic center that will leave you spellbound. Much of it, however, had to be rebuilt, due to extensive damage caused by occupying Nazi troops in World War II. The old town was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 1980 as an "outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century."
Remembering the Warsaw Uprising

This memorial commemorates the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, which saw Poles revolt against the occupying German army in a desperate attempt to liberate their city. The 63-day uprising was ultimately unsuccessful, leaving 180,000 people dead. After capitulating to German troops, the occupiers went about systematically destroying much of Warsaw.
1,000 years of Jewish life

Poland was home to some 3 million Jews before the outbreak of World War II; its capital was a vibrant center of Jewish life in Europe. The Museum of the History of Polish Jews shines a light on this past, documenting medieval Jewish settlements in the region, the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto, and much more.
An architectural gem: Krakow

Krakow, unlike many other Polish cities, was spared destruction in World War II. It was an intellectual and cultural epicenter until the late 16th century. Today, visitors can admire much of its Romanesque and Art Nouveau architecture preserved in its original form. Krakow's main square, with the imposing Saint Mary's Basilica, is an absolute must-see.
Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau was Nazi Germany's largest concentration and extermination camp. The site, located some 70 kilometers southeast of Krakow, epitomizes the unspeakable atrocities committed by Hitler's regime. Some 1,1 million people died at the camp. Today, the site is home to a museum and memorial research center.
The Masurian Lake District

Poland is a top destination for lovers of the great outdoors. The idyllic Masurian lake district, for instance, is a beautiful region to relax and unwind. This unique landscape emerged during the Ice Age. Over 100 nature reserves have been set up in this region to preserve this lush environment, among them a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountains, in southern Poland, form part of the larger Carpathian Mountains that arc through central and eastern Europe. A large section of Poland's Tatra Mountains runs along the border with Slovakia. Either side are protected national parks, crisscrossed by several hundred kilometers of hiking trails.
The Baltic Coast

During the summer months, scores of holidaymakers flock to Poland's 750-kilometer-long coast. This is no surprise. With fine beaches, vast nature reserves, tranquil villages, and storied Hanseatic cities, there is plenty to do and see. The beach near the village of Rewal (pictured) is a particular favorite.
Gdansk

For hundreds of years, Gdansk remained Poland's biggest port city. Indeed, it was considered one of Europe's wealthiest and most beautiful cities in the 16th and 17th century. Many of the old town's stunning buildings date back to this period. Today, the city of Gdansk is a veritable tourist magnet. It's steeped in history, too.
The legendary Solidarity trade union

Gdansk has been at the center of key historical events. It was the scene of the first battle in World War II. And it was here that Solidarity union leader Lech Walesa headed a strike at the Lenin Shipyard in 1980, calling for democracy and liberty in Communist Poland. Today, a museum tells the story of Poland's trade union and civil resistance movement.
Solidarity with Ukraine

When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Poles were quick to take in refugees and express solidarity with their besieged eastern neighbors. Throughout the country, anti-war protests, like here in Krakow, are a common sight. So far, Poland has received some 2 million Ukrainian refugees.

The capital: Warsaw

The Polish capital since 1596, Warsaw boasts a historic center that will leave you spellbound. Much of it, however, had to be rebuilt, due to extensive damage caused by occupying Nazi troops in World War II. The old town was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 1980 as an "outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century."
Remembering the Warsaw Uprising

This memorial commemorates the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, which saw Poles revolt against the occupying German army in a desperate attempt to liberate their city. The 63-day uprising was ultimately unsuccessful, leaving 180,000 people dead. After capitulating to German troops, the occupiers went about systematically destroying much of Warsaw.
1,000 years of Jewish life

Poland was home to some 3 million Jews before the outbreak of World War II; its capital was a vibrant center of Jewish life in Europe. The Museum of the History of Polish Jews shines a light on this past, documenting medieval Jewish settlements in the region, the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto, and much more.
An architectural gem: Krakow

Krakow, unlike many other Polish cities, was spared destruction in World War II. It was an intellectual and cultural epicenter until the late 16th century. Today, visitors can admire much of its Romanesque and Art Nouveau architecture preserved in its original form. Krakow's main square, with the imposing Saint Mary's Basilica, is an absolute must-see.
Auschwitz-Birkenau

Auschwitz-Birkenau was Nazi Germany's largest concentration and extermination camp. The site, located some 70 kilometers southeast of Krakow, epitomizes the unspeakable atrocities committed by Hitler's regime. Some 1,1 million people died at the camp. Today, the site is home to a museum and memorial research center.
The Masurian Lake District

Poland is a top destination for lovers of the great outdoors. The idyllic Masurian lake district, for instance, is a beautiful region to relax and unwind. This unique landscape emerged during the Ice Age. Over 100 nature reserves have been set up in this region to preserve this lush environment, among them a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountains, in southern Poland, form part of the larger Carpathian Mountains that arc through central and eastern Europe. A large section of Poland's Tatra Mountains runs along the border with Slovakia. Either side are protected national parks, crisscrossed by several hundred kilometers of hiking trails.
The Baltic Coast

During the summer months, scores of holidaymakers flock to Poland's 750-kilometer-long coast. This is no surprise. With fine beaches, vast nature reserves, tranquil villages, and storied Hanseatic cities, there is plenty to do and see. The beach near the village of Rewal (pictured) is a particular favorite.
Gdansk

For hundreds of years, Gdansk remained Poland's biggest port city. Indeed, it was considered one of Europe's wealthiest and most beautiful cities in the 16th and 17th century. Many of the old town's stunning buildings date back to this period. Today, the city of Gdansk is a veritable tourist magnet. It's steeped in history, too.
The legendary Solidarity trade union

Gdansk has been at the center of key historical events. It was the scene of the first battle in World War II. And it was here that Solidarity union leader Lech Walesa headed a strike at the Lenin Shipyard in 1980, calling for democracy and liberty in Communist Poland. Today, a museum tells the story of Poland's trade union and civil resistance movement.
Solidarity with Ukraine

When Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Poles were quick to take in refugees and express solidarity with their besieged eastern neighbors. Throughout the country, anti-war protests, like here in Krakow, are a common sight. So far, Poland has received some 2 million Ukrainian refugees.

Date 16.03.2022
Number of pictures 11
Author Anne Termèche
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Travel

Exploring Eastern Europe: Poland

The capital: Warsaw

Remembering the Warsaw Uprising

1,000 years of Jewish life

An architectural gem: Krakow

Auschwitz-Birkenau

The Masurian Lake District

The Tatra Mountains

The Baltic Coast

Gdansk

The legendary Solidarity trade union

Solidarity with Ukraine