Janine Kelso takes you on a tour of Poland, the former communist state that’s now pulling in over half a million British tourists a year
Although it still has some bleak buildings left over from the communist era, which ended in the 1980s, Poland has had a dramatic revamp since then. It is now a hip destination for travellers seeking history, culture and a buzzing nightlife.
Cracow has been hailed as the new Prague, thanks to its beautiful buildings and trendy club scene but, unlike the Czech capital, it has yet to become overrun by tourists and stag parties. In fact, many bars in Cracow have implemented a ‘no stag party’ policy.
So-called ‘red’ tourists, meanwhile, can follow the country’s communist trail by visiting towns such as Szczecin, spitting distance from Berlin, or Warsaw, which
offers dedicated communist tours.
According to the Polish National Tourist Office, which plans to strengthen its relationship with the trade by launching an online training scheme for agents this month, 517,000 UK tourists visited Poland last year – a 22% increase compared with 2006.
Acting director Ewa Binkin said Poland’s real attraction is that it has escaped the marks of globalisation.
“Everyone who goes to Poland comes back and says: ‘Wow!’” she said, adding: “Go to Poland for an authentic holiday experience.”
Warsaw
Although most of the Polish capital was destroyed during the Second World War, it was revamped by architects seeking to recapture its former glory. It is a town of contrasts with its fancy old-style buildings clashing with grey apartment blocks.
It’s not as pretty as Cracow, but has much to offer in terms of art and culture. In fact, a recent Post Office survey hailed Warsaw the cheapest European city for a cultural weekend away.
A trip to the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra costs just £10.28, while the Polish National Opera Ballet costs £24.12 – 25% less than you would pay in London.
Cracow
A top tourist draw, this historic city is Poland’s cultural capital. Cracow was Poland’s only town to remain standing during the Second World War as the German governor had his headquarters here. The city has an impressive central market square and the beautiful Wawel Castle, which sits atop a hill.
Most visitors to Cracow will take a day trip to the former Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz, a sobering experience. Another popular tour is to the salt mines in Wieliczka, which date back to the Middle Ages. The web of chambers is filled with sculptures, chandeliers and even chapels carved out of salt.
Cracow offers fantastic nightlife, with scores of bars and restaurants – the cobbled streets of the Kazimierz district are particularly. And if you like Cracow, consider visiting the lesser-known Wroclaw, which also enjoys a vibrant club and bar scene.
Gdansk
The Hanseatic port town of Gdansk has 1,000 years of rich history. Home to a Gothic-style town hall, the city’s narrow streets are lined with picturesque houses and boutiques.
Known as the world’s amber capital, Gdansk is a major centre for the mining and processing of this pretty mineral, renowned for its healing properties. The city has a raft of amber galleries where shoppers can buy high quality one-of-a-kind pieces of amber jewellery.
The Baltic coast offers a range of seafood such as herring, cod, salmon, eel and flounder. Try the local tipples such as Goldwasser, a clear liqueur with gold flakes or Piolunowka, similar to absinthe.
The nearby coastal towns of Gdynia and Sopot also merit exploration for their shopping, scenery and tourist attractions.
Zakopane and the Tatras Mountains
This mountain resort offers great skiing during the winter and hiking and camping opportunities in the summer. In the past, most tourists to the region have been from Poland or eastern Europe, but Brits are starting to visit here now.
The entrance to Tatra National Park is close to the centre of Zakopane and includes a number of easy-to-follow walking trails. Visitors should watch out for bears that live in the park.
Poznan
Poznan is the latest Polish city to attract international visitors thanks to new direct flights from Ryanair and Wizzair. Top sights include a beautiful old market square, a Gothic cathedral, art deco houses and 20 museums, which range from art to war memorabilia.
Sample packages
Regent Holidays offers a 10-day Highlights of Poland tour for £645 per person with flights, transfers and three-star accommodation.
Kirker Holidays offers three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Amadeus hotel in Cracow for £457 per person, with flights and transfers.
Cox and Kings offers an 11-night tour for £1,299 per person in August, featuring Warsaw, Mikoajki, Great Masurian Lake District, Gdansk, Torun, Wroclaw and Cracow. Price includes flights, transfers and accommodation.
Suggested itineratries
Four days
- Spend a long weekend in Cracow, making excursions to the salt mines and Auschwitz
- Wroclaw also makes a great short break destination. Its huge Market Square is full of boutiques and quality restaurants
- Suggest Warsaw or Poznan for alternative weekend breaks.
One week
- Begin in the historical port town of Gdansk
- Take a train to Turun, whose medieval streets are crammed with Gothic buildings
- Travel on to Warsaw and explore the city
- Spend a few days in Cracow
- Finish in nearby Zakopane where you can ski or hike, depending on the season
Two weeks
- Start in Warsaw
- Explore the medieval town of Kazimierz Dolny
- Visit the coastal cities of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot to shop for clothes and amber jewellery
- Spend a few days sightseeing in Poznan
- Travel on to Wroclaw
- Go to Czestochowa to see the shrine of the Black Madonna
- Finish in Cracow
Poland travel facts
- Flying time: London to Cracow, 2.5 hours
- Airlines: British Airways, Central Wings, easyJet, Jet2, KLM, LOT Polish International Airlines, Ryanair, Sky Europe, Wizzair
- Tour operators: Abercrombie and Kent, Cox and Kings, Cresta Holidays, Eurobreak, Gold Medal, Inghams, Kirker, Page and Moy, Regent Holidays, Thomas Cook, Thomson
- Currency: Zloty
- Visa requirements: None
- Jabs: None
- Weather: Winters are cold, while summers are hot with temperatures of 25C-35C
- FCO Advice: Tourists are warned not to walk alone late at night and to use official taxis in Warsaw.
