From Underground Chapels to Alpine Lakes: 8 Incredible Places to Visit in Poland

A 45-minute drive southeast from the lively Gdańsk beaches, past the bucolic Polish countryside, takes you to Malbork Castle, a sprawling 13th-century Teutonic castle and one of many historic places to visit in Poland.

Surrounded by deep moats and a series of defensive walls, the impenetrable complex offers visitors hours of deep exploration. Most striking are the architectural details of the restored interiors of the Church of the Virgin Mary—it sustained significant damage during the war—and St. Anne’s Chapel, the burial site for the order’s Grand Masters that sits directly under the church.

Built by a military order of monks known as the Teutonic Knights, Malbork serves as the perfect example of a fine red Gothic-style brickwork castle. To get a true sense of the impressiveness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site—one of the largest brick tourist attractions in Poland—head to the east bank of the Nogat River for a larger-than-life viewpoint.

Just 20 minutes from Kraków and more than 1,000-feet below ground, you’ll find one of the world’s oldest salt mines: the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Discovered in medieval times, the mine’s salt production continued until the mid-20th-century, producing approximately 223,769 tons annually at its peak.

Officially recognized as a UNESCO site and winner of Google Maps’ Golden Pin award, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the popular tourist attractions in Poland. Today, a series of winding passages, intricately carved underground chapels, sculptures, and galleries made entirely of salt welcome visitors on their Poland vacation to this unique subterranean enclave.

The mine is also one of the best places to visit in Poland for halotherapy—a health practice first discovered by Polish salt miners in the early 19th-century.

When it comes to hiking the great outdoors and spotting wildlife in their natural habitats, Poland’s diverse landscape is a treasure trove for hidden earthly gems.

For a glimpse of nature that’s relatively untouched by man for centuries, head east to Białowieża National Park. Straddling the eastern border with Belarus, this 25,988-acre UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is home to Europe’s last remaining primeval forest that once used to cover most of northern Europe.

Your Poland vacation is nothing short of incomplete without spotting some European bison—a once-extinct species, approximately 25% of the world’s total now call this isolated forest home.

From the imposing spires of Saint Mary’s Basilica to the iconic red-tiled roofs of the Royal Wawel Castle, Krakow’s historic center is an architecture lover’s dream—Gothic, Renaissance, and intricate Baroque styles are all on display at this enduring Poland tourism spot.

Admire the colorful facades from the Main Market Square, Europe’s largest market dating back to the Middle Ages. Dominating its center is the Cloth Hall, the former site of Krakow’s successful cloth trading industry. Shop for souvenirs on the ground floor before heading upstairs to view impressionist and symbolist paintings at the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art.

In the winter, this UNESCO site transforms into a vibrant outdoor Christmas market—an unmissable place to visit in Poland. Scores of wooden stalls house local artisans selling everything from warm woolen apparel and handcrafted Christmas ornaments to steaming glasses of mulled wine and traditional Polish sweets like krówka and gingerbread.

When it comes to underrated places to visit in Poland, the Masurian Lake District takes the cake. With nary another international visitor in sight, the area serves as an ideal base for experiencing many of Poland’s diverse outdoor offerings. Known for its verdant hillside, complete with fertile agrarian land and quaint townships, the Masurian Lake District certainly lives up to its moniker: “land of a thousand lakes.” There are, in fact, over 2000 of them.

An extensive system of canals and inlets connects the lakes with each other, making lake-hopping a favored summertime activity. Beat the summer heat by setting sail on Śniardwy. The more adventurous can set off down the Krutynia River Trail, a lush 67-mile winding trail that passed through several nature reserves, two canals, and 20 different lakes.

Earning a coveted Google Map’s Golden Pin, the Living Museum of Gingerbread is one of the most sought-after epicurean tourist attractions in Poland. Sitting primely in Toruń’s historic center, the museum connects visitors to the town’s storied culinary past as a flourishing hub for commercial gingerbread production.

A guided tour includes a culinary lesson into the town’s medieval way of making gingerbread, which makes use of specially crafted wooden molds to shape and bake the classic treats.

Traditionally made during the holiday season, gingerbread, or piernik in Polish, are spiced cookies flavored with ginger, cinnamon, and other warm spices. In Toruń, however, the tradition dates back much further, to the Middle Ages—the town’s oldest known gingerbread recipe is said to have first appeared in medical manuscripts as a remedy to soothe uneasy stomachs.

Situated in southern Poland on the border with Slovakia, Tatra National Park is a vast expanse of land made up of craggy peaks, glacial lakes, hiking trails, ski slopes, roaring falls, endemic wildlife, and rare alpine flora—in short, it’s the perfect addition to your outdoorsy Poland vacation itinerary.

Recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve and home to the country’s highest mountain range—the Tatras—the park is the perfect symbol of Poland’s topographical diversity. A 5-mile hike, past the thundering roar of the Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza waterfall, takes you to Morskie Oko Lake, a stunning glacial lake located 4,500-feet above sea level. This natural wonder—which translates to the Sea Eye—is a popular tourist attraction in Poland known for its crystal clear waters, population of trout, and impeccable views of the imposing rugged mountain peaks.

If you’re looking to experience Polish cuisine on your Poland vacation, head straight to the country’s capital, Warsaw. Home to a thriving dining scene, this culinary city is a guaranteed paradise for food lovers whether you’re in the mood for centuries-old classics like pierogis, żurek or borscht or contemporary Polish fare—Concept 13, a rooftop restaurant atop the Vitkac department store, is an excellent example of this.

Several food markets, such as the landmark Hala Mirowska, exist throughout the city selling everything from fresh produce and cured delicacies to popular street foods and classic Polish specialties. For a taste of the latest trends in Poland’s culinary scene, head to Hala Koszyki. Housed in a historic Art Nouveau building, this early 20th-century food hall is filled with gourmet restaurants, bustling bars and cultural exhibitions.