📍 Poland

POLAND ESSENTIALS: MEDIEVAL CITIES, BALTIC COAST AND TATRAS

Gothic spires piercing gray skies, amber glowing in market halls, shepherds guarding mountain pastures. Poland, layers of resilience and beauty.

≈ 18
Days
1937
Km
10
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Wander through Warsaw, then taste gingerbread in Toruń and explore Gdańsk through merchant streets. Reach Wrocław and its islands, before ending in Kraków, royal and vibrant city. An itinerary crossing Poland north to south, between heritage, rivers and lively squares.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Warsaw

rebuilt old town phoenix from ashes

🔍

Discover

1
Old Town of Warsaw reconstructed after the war, UNESCO miracle.
2
Royal Castle and Castle Square with its Sigismund Column.
3
Warsaw Uprising Museum to understand recent history.
🎯

Activities

Walk along the Royal Route to Łazienki Palace.
Dinner in a traditional tavern in the center.
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Next stop
Distance: 297 km
Travel time: 4h15
2
Day

Torun

gothic gingerbread copernicus birthplace charm

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Discover

1
Old Town of Toruń, perfectly preserved medieval city.
2
Copernicus' birthplace and planetarium.
3
Gothic Town Hall with panoramic view.
🎯

Activities

Tasting of Toruń gingerbread, ancestral specialty.
Night stroll on the medieval ramparts.
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Next stop
Distance: 169 km
Travel time: 2h25
3
Day

Gdansk

amber harbor hanseatic merchant grandeur lives

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Discover

1
Długi Targ and colorful Hanseatic architecture of Gdansk.
2
St. Mary's Basilica, the largest brick church in the world.
3
Amber Museum on the cobbled Mariacka street.
🎯

Activities

Cruise in the historic port.
Tasting of Goldwasser, local liqueur with gold flakes.
4
Day

Gdansk

amber harbor hanseatic merchant grandeur lives

🔍

Discover

1
Malbork Castle, colossal Teutonic brick fortress.
🎯

Activities

Visit to Sopot and its wooden pier, the longest in Europe.
Swimming on the fine sand beaches of the Baltic.
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Next stop
Distance: 324 km
Travel time: 4h38
5
Day

Poznan

colorful market square goat clock tower

🔍

Discover

1
Old Market Square with the Renaissance Town Hall.
2
Poznań Cathedral on Ostrów Tumski island.
3
Neo-Romanesque style Imperial Castle.
🎯

Activities

Goat show at the Town Hall at noon.
Trendy Jeżyce district, street food and cafés.
Student nightlife in downtown pubs.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 189 km
Travel time: 2h42
6
Day

Wroclaw

bridge city dwarves hundred islands grace

🔍

Discover

1
Wrocław's Rynek with its colorful houses and Gothic Town Hall.
2
Saint John the Baptist Cathedral on Ostrów Tumski island.
3
Racławice Panorama, monumental circular fresco.
🎯

Activities

Hunt for krasnale dwarfs, the city's mascot.
Four Denominations Quarter and multicultural architecture.
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Next stop
Distance: 270 km
Travel time: 3h52
7
Day

Krakow

wawel castle cloth hall trumpet call

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Discover

1
Main Market Square of Krakow, beating heart of the royal city.
2
St. Mary's Basilica and its altarpiece by Veit Stoss.
3
Wawel Hill with castle and cathedral of the kings.
🎯

Activities

Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, places of memory and cafés.
8
Day

Krakow

wawel castle cloth hall trumpet call

🔍

Discover

1
Wieliczka Salt Mine, sculpted underground cathedral.
2
Schindler's Factory Museum, moving testimony.
🎯

Activities

Klezmer concert in Kazimierz.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 67 km
Travel time: 58min
9
Day

Oswiecim

auschwitz memorial solemn remembrance witness

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Discover

1
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, essential place of reflection.
🎯

Activities

Time for personal reflection.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 108 km
Travel time: 1h33
10
Day

Zakopane

tatra gateway highlander culture wooden villas

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Discover

1
Krupówki, lively street at the foot of the Tatras.
2
Wooden church of Jaszczurówka, mountain architecture.
🎯

Activities

Cable car to the summit of Kasprowy Wierch.
Tasting of grilled oscypek and mountain dishes.
Thermal baths under the stars.
11
Day

Zakopane

tatra gateway highlander culture wooden villas

🔍

Discover

1
Lake Morskie Oko, alpine pearl set in the mountains.
2
Kościeliska Valley with its waterfalls and caves.
🎯

Activities

Panoramic hiking in the Tatras.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 189 km
Travel time: 2h42
12
Day

Czestochowa

jasna gora black madonna pilgrimage heart

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Discover

1
Monastery of Jasna Góra and Black Madonna, major pilgrimage site.
2
Monastery museum with religious treasures.
🎯

Activities

Participation in a service or religious chants.
Eagle's Nests Trail in the Krakow Jura.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 189 km
Travel time: 2h42
13
Day

Lodz

industrial rebirth art nouveau film heritage

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Discover

1
Piotrkowska Street, 4 km artery lined with industrial palaces.
2
MS1 Art Museum in a textile palace.
3
Manufaktura, cultural complex in a former factory.
🎯

Activities

Visit to the bohemian Off Piotrkowska district.
Street art in industrial courtyards.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 135 km
Travel time: 1h56
14
Day

Warsaw

rebuilt old town phoenix from ashes

🔍

Discover

1
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
2
Wilanów Palace and its baroque gardens.
🎯

Activities

Praga district and street art.
Final shopping at Hala Mirowska market.
15
Day

Warsaw

rebuilt old town phoenix from ashes

🔍

Discover

1
Palace of Culture and Science, panorama of modern Warsaw.
2
National Museum and Polish art collection.
🎯

Activities

Farewell dinner in a modern gastronomic restaurant.
Night stroll along the illuminated Vistula.
Night stroll along the illuminated Vistula.

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🛡️ Travel advice - Poland

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather with mild temperatures (15-23°C), blooming landscapes, and longer days. Ideal for city exploration and outdoor activities without summer crowds.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather (18-25°C) with peak tourist season, highest prices, but best conditions for festivals, hiking, and outdoor experiences. Long daylight hours perfect for sightseeing.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent weather (12-20°C) with beautiful fall colors, fewer crowds, and moderate prices. Great for cultural tourism and photography.

Winter (November-March): Cold weather (-2 to 5°C) with potential snow, Christmas markets, and cozy indoor culture. Lowest prices, fewer tourists, magical winter atmosphere.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 14 and 22 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Poland?

Central European gem with rich history, beautiful cities, and authentic culture. Experience medieval towns, traditional cuisine, and genuine Polish hospitality. The country offers cultural depth with natural beauty and historical significance. Poland provides authentic European experiences with cultural richness and historical importance.