Poland

Why Poland

Poland confuses those who have never set foot there. We expect a grey destination, marked by the wounds of history, and we discover old towns of staggering beauty, Christmas markets that put those of Vienna or Prague to shame, and a comfort gastronomy that makes you want to stay an extra week.

What makes Poland unique is precisely this paradox: a country that has lost everything (80% of Warsaw razed to the ground in 1944, six million dead) and which has chosen to rebuild everything identically, stone by stone, façade by façade. To walk through Warsaw's Stare Miasto or Krakow's Rynek is to walk in a work of collective resistance that Poles call, with sober pride, "our second reconstruction".

Nature completes the picture: the Tatra Mountains, on the Slovakian border, offer authentic alpine relief two hours from Krakow. Lake Morskie Oko, surrounded by peaks at more than 2,000 meters, is one of the great natural images of Central Europe. And the windswept Baltic coast has a melancholic and wild charm that lovers of Nordic landscapes will appreciate.

When to go

Poland is a four-season destination, each with its own proposal.

Spring (May-June)is the great season of the circuit: mild temperatures between 15 and 25°C, flowery cities, lively terraces without the summer crowds. This is the ideal time for Krakow and Gdansk, which are living their most beautiful days.

Summer (July-August)is the high season, with pleasant temperatures (25-27°C in Warsaw) and maximum crowds at the major sites, including the Rynek in Krakow. Plan accommodation in advance. The Baltic coast is very popular with Poles and German tourists.

Autumn (September-October)rivals spring for the quality of the trip: the golden lights on the old towns, the crowds that decrease, the prices that drop. The temperature is still pleasant in September (18-22°C), then the freshness rises in October.

Winter (December-March)is the low tourist season, but not without charm: the Christmas markets in Krakow and Warsaw are among the most beautiful in Europe, and Zakopane becomes a lively ski resort. Pack warm clothes: Temperatures regularly drop below zero in Warsaw in January-February.

How much does it cost

Poland is one of the most affordable destinations in Central Europe. For individual trips, plan between 60 and 110 euros per day all inclusive (accommodation in a 3-star hotel or apartment, meals in local restaurants, transport, museum entrances).

A meal in a traditional restaurant costs 8 to 15 euros for a dish and a drink. A tram or city bus ticket costs less than 1 euro. The major museums are accessible: the entrance to the Warsaw Uprising Museum costs about 10 euros, the entrance to the Wieliczka mine about 40 euros.

Organized tours start at around 920 euros per person for 7 days (excluding flights). A return flight from Paris to Krakow or Paris to Warsaw costs between 80 euros in low season and 250 euros in high season. Poland is still 30 to 40% cheaper than France or Germany for an equivalent level of comfort.

The currency is the Polish złoty (PLN): 1 euro ≈ 4.33 PLN (August 2026). Credit cards are accepted everywhere in cities, cash remains useful in markets and villages.

Where to go

Poland can be visited in a great arc, from the historic south to the maritime north: from Krakow, the gateway to Gallician culture, to Gdansk, the former Hanseatic city facing the Baltic.

Krakowremains the must-see city. Its Rynek Glówny, the largest medieval square in Europe, and its Wawel Castle dominate a city that has survived the wars almost unscathed. An hour's drive away, Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine are excursions that leave a lasting impression.

Warsawsurprises with its modernity. Completely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt identically, its old town is classified by UNESCO not for its age, but for its testimony to the reconstruction. The Museum of the Uprising is an extraordinary emotional experience.

Gdanskis the most beautiful city in the north: its colourful Hanseatic facades lined up along the Motlawa, its role in the birth of the Solidarity movement and its proximity to the sea make it an irreplaceable stopover.

Wroclaw, a Silesian Krakow, seduced by its bridges, its bronze gnomes hidden in the streets and a Rynek of rare size.Zakopaneand the Tatra Mountains offer the natural counterpart of the cities: hiking, cable car and breathtaking Lake Morskie Oko.PoznanandToruncomplete the portrait of an intact medieval Poland.

Our itineraries

In pictures

Practical advice

Formalities

French nationals enter Poland freely with their national identity card or passport. No visa, no minimum validity period of the document required. For English-speaking travelers outside the EU, Poland is in the Schengen area: stay of up to 90 days without a visa.

The border with Belarus has been subject to a partial exclusion zone since 2024: it does not apply to standard tourist routes.

No vaccinations are mandatory. The tick-borne encephalitis vaccine is recommended for hikers spending time in the forest.

Getting around

The intercity train (PKP Intercity) is the mainstay of the circuit: Krakow-Warsaw in 2 hours 20 minutes, Warsaw-Gdansk in 2 hours 50 minutes. Tickets can be booked on pkp.pl, in Polish or English. Inexpensive if purchased in advance.

Express buses (FlixBus, PolskiBus) are even cheaper but slower. In the city, public transport (tram, bus) is efficient and accessible with a ticket for less than 1 euro.

Car rental is recommended to explore the Tatra Mountains from Zakopane and the Polish countryside. The motorways (A1, A2, A4) are paid but in good condition. Beware of the many fixed speed cameras.

Avoid unofficial taxis near airports: Bolt, Uber and FreeNow are available in all major cities, with fixed and controllable prices.

Culture and uses

Poland is a Catholic country deeply attached to its traditions: Sundays remain quiet days, and some shops still close on Sundays in medium-sized cities.

Polish is a complex language (Latin alphabet but very particular pronunciation), but English is well understood in Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk, especially among the under 40s. A few words of Polish (dziękuję = thank you, dzień dobry = hello, przepraszam = excuse me) are always appreciated.

Tipping is not compulsory but welcome: 10% in restaurants, rounded up for taxis. Poles are not offended by the lack of tips, but sincerely appreciate the gesture.

Polish gastronomy is worth a look: pierogi (filled dumplings, available in sweet and savoury versions), bigos (sauerkraut and meat stew), żurek (sourdough soup served in a bowl of bread), grilled kielbasa and Polish vodka (to be consumed in moderation, as it should be).

Frequently asked questions