Poland Travel Guide

Poland, the ninth largest European country, welcomes visitors with its traditional customs and crafts, well-preserved medieval castles, high-rank universities and friendly people. You can have a direct flight to Warsaw from Ankara, the capital of Turkey.

General Info

Capital

Warsaw is the capital of Poland. It is the largest and most populated city in the country. ¨Warszawa¨, as locals call it, is economically prominent for the European Union, being the sixth most populated city within EU borders.

Official Language and Popular Phrases

The official language in Poland is Polish. Having several consonants together in a word, it needs some practice to pronounce. Here are some popular phrases in Polish:

• Dziękuję - Thank you
• Dziękuję - Excuse me.
• Dobry wieczór! - Good evening
• Miło mi Cię poznać - Nice to meet you!
• Przepraszam, ile to kosztuje? - Excuse me, how much is this?
• Czy można płacić kartą? - Doı you accept a credit card?

Location

Situated in Central Europe, Poland covers a part of the North European Plain. Geographically it is bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, Slovakia and Czechia to the south and Germany to the east. The Baltic Sea covers the northern coastline of the country. Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Gdansk, Lublin, Wroclaw, Katowice and Szczecin are the largest and most popular cities for travelers of Poland.

Population

The population is over 38 million people according to the records of the 2022 census. 96.9% of this population is Polish, with Ukrainians and migrants increasing. Poland has an aged population and birth rates are decreasing steadily.

Local Time

Poland is accepted in the Central European Time zone, which is an hour ahead of Greenwich time. According to daylight saving time, the difference is +2 hours between March and October.

Currency

Zloty, abbreviated as PLN, is the local currency used in Poland.

Climate

Poland has a moderate transitional climate. Both maritime and continental climatic features can be observed in the country. Four seasons are seen throughout the year. The average temperature is expected to be between 2 and -3 degrees in December and January, the coldest months, while in July and August, the average temperature is expected to range from 13 to 24 Celsius. It is not surprising to see snowy and freezing days in Warsaw in winter and very hot daytime weather in mid-summer.

Landscape and Vegetation

This Central Eastern European country is fascinating with its long strands of mountains - the Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains to the south and sandy Baltic beaches to the north. In general, Poland's landscape is formed by lowlands and forests in the middle. There are more than 1300 lakes all over the country. You can see the eastern European sub-taiga in the northeast, whereas forest-steppe vegetation is mostly observed in the southeastern parts.

Government Type

The governing body of Poland is known as a unitary parliamentary representative democratic republic. The President is the head of execution. The country is divided into 16 administrative regions, called voivodeships. This province-like system has its own districts. Poland has been one of the 27 member states of the European Union since 2004.

Economic Resources

Poland has an industrialized, mixed economy Service sector and industry cover 85% of the economic sources. Coal, silver, natural gas and copper, lead, salt and amber are important natural resources contributing to the economy.

Transportation in Poland

Poland is accessible via direct flights to Warsaw. There are two international air hubs in the city. Warsaw Chopin Airport and Modlin Airport. Chopin Airport is located 10 km to the southwest of the city. Cheap flights to Poland arrive at and depart from the busiest hub. You can take a local bus, train and taxi to reach the city center. Trains run every 15 minutes to Warsaw. There are direct trains to Lodz from the airport. Bus lines 175, 188 and N32 (night bus) take passengers directly to Warsaw. Airport transfer is also available if your hotel confirms it with your booking. You can buy cheap flights to Poland from Ankara Esenboğa Airport with Pegasus.

Accommodation in Poland

You can find both luxury hotels and B&B accommodations in Poland. In the capital, travelers usually prefer hotels and hostels near OldTown, Zoliborz and the City Centre. You can find student housing around university campuses. For the best deals, check Pegasus accommodation pages.

Traditional Dishes and Popular Restaurants in Poland

Polish cuisine includes various flavors inspired by Baltic, Jewish and European recipes. In Poland, you mustn't miss the chance to try the top 5 tastes:

• Pierogi - rolled out doughs filled with savory or sweets
• Golabki - cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat cooked with onions and mushrooms
• Bigos - pickled cucumber in Polish style
• Placki Ziemniaczane - potato pancakes with grated onions
• Zrazy - a Medieval recipe of slowly cooked beef served with red cabbage

Places to Visit in Poland

There is a wide variety of places to visit in Poland. If you need some less-known spots to explore, here are some tips.

• The Teutonic castle in Malbork is noted as the largest castle in the world by land area. Built in the 13th century, the Teutonic castle and its fortress are recorded among UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine and Underground Salt Cathedral stand with their 800-year-old history in Poland. You can take a salt mine tour from Krakow and see its salt chandeliers, chambers and salt chapel 135 meters below the ground.
• You can see the heaviest European bison in Bialowieza Primeval Forest and National park. The animal weighs about 600 kg.
• The only European desert is located in Pustynia Bledowska in Silesia province of Poland.
• You can visit and even have lunch at the oldest restaurant in Europe. Piwnica Świdnicka is known as the oldest restaurant from 1275 and still serves in Wroclaw today.
• You should walk around the rebuilt old town of Warsaw to admire how Poles regarded their own history.

Things to Know Before Visiting Poland

There are interesting facts about Poland for visitors who plan to explore remarkable figures:

• Vodka, a famous alcohol drink in Eastern Europe is claimed to get originated in Poland. Its name was first seen in Polish court records in 1405.
• One of the original Gutenberg Bibles is exhibited in Diocesan Museum in Pelplin in Poland.
• Warsaw was totally destroyed during World War II. The Polish capital was rebuilt according to its original shape with the guidance of Bernardo Bellotto’s paintings after the war.

Emergency Numbers in Poland

112 is the common European emergency code. In Poland, you can also dial these numbers below:

• 981 road assistance
• 997 police
• 998 fire brigade
• 999 ambulance

Holidays in Poland

Public holidays in Poland are declared every year regarding the national memoirs and religious days. Labor Day and Constitution Day are celebrated in the first week of May. Pentecost Sunday on May 28 is also a holiday. In November, All Saints’ Day and Independence Day make trips available for family gatherings. December 25 and 26 are public holidays due to Christmas and St. Stephen’s Day.

When to Go to Poland?

You can always find a reason to visit Polish cities and destinations. The best time to visit Poland is any month coinciding with these traditional week-long festivals around. Here are a few suggestions:

• Jewish Culture Festival in Warsaw, Grzybowski Square
• Zielona Góra Wine Festival in Zielona Gora in September
• Baltic Days of Jewish Culture in Gdansk in June
• Saint Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk Old Town in August

Visa Requirements to Visit Poland

Poland is a Schengen area, meaning you must have a Schengen visa to enter the country. For a visa, you must have a valid passport or travel document, a filled-in and signed application form with two photos, and proof of visa payment. The officials may also require health insurance and proof of accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Poland

• How do I get to Poland?

You can buy a cheap ticket to Warsaw and travel to nearby metropolis cities via train and bus.

• When should I visit Poland?

The center of Poland may be colder in winter but you can have a cheap flight to Poland near Christmas Eve and New Year. Most tourists prefer late spring, summer and early autumn to enjoy open-air pirates and celebrations.

• What hand does traffic run in Poland?

The driving lane is on the right side, just like in the majority of EU countries. Be careful with traffic lights, pedestrian lanes and cyclists in Poland while driving along crowded streets.

• What is good to buy in Poland?

Poland is the home of various handicrafts and wooden crafts. For souvenir shopping, go to the local market in Warsaw to find hand-woven tablecloths, wooden chess boards, amber bracelets, rings and accessories. Salt lamps and Polish ceramic kitchenware will also satisfy you with their artistic value and prices.