Matador's Ultimate Guide to Poland

Colorful, surprising, and affordable, you'd be remiss to skip Poland ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Poland]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to Poland Hi all, [Poland is full of color]( from the pastel buildings of Poznan to the bright greens and blues of Tatra National Park and the colorful street art of seldom-visited Lodz. Find a [St. Martin’s croissant]( take a walk in Old Town Krakow, and see historic sites in Warsaw from Sigismund's Column - one of the oldest secular monuments in northern Europe - to the newly restored Royal Castle. Dark tourism in Poland is hard to avoid, as it's home to some of the bleakest World War II sites. It's important to remember but Poland is much more than its somber history. If you are enjoying a [road trip through Eastern Europe]( don't skip Poland. Its resilient people, significant history, beautiful countryside, and delicious comfort foods make for a memorable trip. [EXPLORE POLAND]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Kraków]( 9 Sights That Make Kraków the Most Beautiful City in Poland While the Second World War brought destruction to all other major cities in Poland, the buildings of the city of Kraków in the south of the country largely escaped the fighting and bombings. In 1978, the entirety of Kraków’s old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, a clear indicator that travelers should not skip this city. Here are nine sights that prove Kraków is the most stunning city in Poland. [READ MORE]( [Poland]( 11 Amazing Things To Do in Poland That Will Get You Stoked To Visit When visiting Europe, few travelers go farther east than the now-super-popular Czech Republic and Croatia. Case in point: Poland. Despite being a member state of the European Union since May 2004, the country still does not make it to many itineraries as travelers fear visiting a dreary country — an erroneous cliché that seems hard to shake for former USSR states. Those in the know, however, are well aware that Poland is a stunner — Gdańsk and Kraków alone would make anyone weak in the knees. So, if you want to make your trip to Europe a little less predictable, but still fill it with amazing architecture and outdoor experiences, consider these 11 amazing things you can do in Poland. [READ MORE]( [Warsaw Museums]( Warsaw Museums You Need To See on Your Next Visit To Poland's Capital Warsaw museums generally fall into two categories: historical and hysterical. Poland’s capital plays host to a surprising number of specialty museums with fun themes ranging from neon signs to Polish vodka (although Zagreb will always be Europe’s niche museum mecca). But for a city as storied as this one, it’s no surprise that the most popular Warsaw museums commemorate Poland’s rich history. [READ MORE]( [Kraków]( How to Spend the Perfect Day in Krakow, Poland Krakow, Poland, is a captivating destination that seamlessly marries history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a truly remarkable place to visit. With its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the stunning Wawel Castle and the historic Old Town, Krakow offers a glimpse into Poland’s rich heritage. Here's the perfect itinerary for a memorable experience in this beautiful Polish city. [READ MORE]( [Lodz]( Why Lodz, Poland, Is the Next Big City for European Travel With its dull manufacturing history, Lodz is usually skipped over in favor of Polish cities like Krakow and Warsaw. But this hipster hub with its intriguing architecture, museums, big city parks, and rich history, is now bursting with creativity. For a window into Polish food, culture, and art — without the crowds and prices of the country’s better-known cities — check out Poland’s third-largest city. Here’s every awesome thing you can do in Lodz that proves it’s the next big city for European travel. [READ MORE]( [Kraków Airbnbs]( The Coolest Airbnbs in the City Center of Krakow, Poland  The city also boasts a vibrant arts scene, with numerous museums and galleries, including the world-renowned Schindler’s Factory Museum. Krakow’s culinary scene is equally enticing, offering a delightful array of traditional Polish dishes and international cuisine. These Krakow Airbnbs put you in the heart of it all. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Poland]( The World’s Deepest Pool Just Opened in Poland, and It’s Freakishly Amazing The pool that just opened in Poland might be a perfect way to get over your fear of the deep end — or it could be your biggest nightmare. Deepspot, located south of Warsaw, is officially the world’s deepest pool, holding around 213,000 gallons of water and going as deep as 148 feet below the surface. Deepspot has underwater caves, a shipwreck, and fake ruins for divers to explore, as well as a simulated “blue hole” — the deepest point in the pool. [READ MORE]( [Warsaw]( Why Warsaw Is Europe’s Most Underrated City Warsaw likely isn’t the first European city topping your bucket list. You’re probably more keen to gorge on pasta in Rome, gaze upon precious artworks at the Louvre in Paris, or party the night away at the clubs in Berlin. But most people don’t realize that in the heart of Eastern Europe, Poland’s capital has all the food, art, culture, and nightlife you crave — just without the throngs of tourists and exorbitant prices. You’ll also find stunning castles juxtaposed against impressive modern architecture, hear an array of languages spoken by both young and old, and interact with a diverse population that’ll make you feel welcome in their home. [READ MORE]( [Hiking in Poland]( 4 Eastern European Cities With Easy Access To Spring Trekking Mid-to-late spring is an optimal time to get over there because the tourist flocks that swarm Europe during the summer months are still bundled up around the fireplace back home. From cities in Poland to Montenegro, these urban destinations offer easy access to stellar spring trekking as early as April. Just don’t forget some crampons and trekking poles — you’ll likely encounter snow and ice in some areas this time of year, especially if you’re summiting a peak. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [Warsaw]( Warsaw Is a Must-Visit for Vegetarians. Here’s Where To Eat Meat-Free in Poland's Capital City. Both local and international restaurants in Warsaw cater to plant-based eaters. You’ll find tons of vegan and vegetarian establishments, but even in restaurants that serve meat, you’ll often find a variety of apps and mains centered on fresh, seasonal produce. Warsaw is one city where meat-free eaters need not worry about cobbling together a full meal out of sides like cabbage salad and pickles. Here are 15 vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Warsaw that everyone will love. [READ MORE]( [Open-faced sandwiches]( Open-Faced Sandwiches Are a National Obsession in Poland for All the Right Reasons In Poland, open-faced sandwiches are called kanapki (or kanapka when you’re talking about one). Though you might not be blamed for assuming this dish is similar to a light snack — after all, the name comes from canape, the French word for a small, bite-size appetizer — kanapki are actually a full meal, and are prepared at pretty much any time of the day. [READ MORE]( [LGBTQ Guide]( The Ultimate Guide To LGBTQ Travel in Eastern Europe There are easier places for LGBTQ travelers to explore, but what you’ll find here is a region of Europe that is culturally rich, complex, and illuminating. Here’s the lowdown on seven popular countries that are — despite their flaws — worthwhile travel destinations, ranked from the least to the most gay-friendly places in Eastern Europe. [READ MORE]( [Treblinka]( Visiting a Concentration Camp Is Not Just an Excursion. It’s a Lesson in Humanity. Going to Treblinka isn’t like any other tourist attraction. Even for trained guides, the experience isn’t easily consumed, digested, or regurgitated to friends and family. You can’t predict what it will be like from pictures and movies, and no two people will process it in quite the same way. And that’s what makes it special. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Airbnb in Krakow]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Twitter X]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States