Planning a Poland itinerary can be a bit overwhelming when you consider both the vastness of this Central European nation and all of the incredible places to visit. From the Baltic Sea to the north to the High Tatras to the south and everything in between, Poland is filled with fascinating, beautiful and historic places to see and things to do.
Spending 7 to 10 days in Poland is a great way to see a good portion of the country, visit some of the more popular tourist sites and cities and even venture a bit away from the typical visitor’s trail. So if you’re interested in planning a trip to this fascinating European nation, then hopefully this route through Poland will help guide you into mapping out the ideal itinerary for you!
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How Many Days in Poland?
Before figuring out where to go and what to do while you’re there, many visitors wonder how many days to spend in Poland in order to get a good feel for the country, see a diverse range of places and not use too much precious holiday time.
In general, if you want to plan an entire route through the country are are interested in visiting more than one or two cities, then plan to spend at least 7 days in Poland. Seeing Poland in one week can be a bit rushed, but you will still be able to visit a variety of places and get a real feeling for the nation.
If you have more time, then 10 days in Poland is really ideal. This will allow you to visit even more destinations and also get quite a holistic view of the country.
Seeing Poland in 10 days is great if you have the time because you are able to see the capital and spend time in Krakow while also being able to head all the way up to the Baltic coast.
Getting To & Around Poland
Poland is a massive country located in Central Europe and there are lots of ways to arrive here depending on how you plan to travel. Most major cities in Poland, for instance, have international airports with plenty of connections to other cities in Europe and beyond.
The largest and highest traffic in Poland is Warsaw Chopin airport, which makes Warsaw a logical starting point for your trip to this country – especially if plan to travel to Poland from further afield.
Poland is, however, easily reached overland from neighbouring countries. There are both bus and train connections to major Polish cities from all of the bordering countries so if you’re tacking on a trip through Poland as part of a larger trip in Central Europe or Eastern Europe itinerary, it’s very easy to do this. You can view schedules here.
It can also be tough to figure out how to get around Poland once you’re there. The itinerary outlined below can be done entirely using public transit and it’s definitely not essential to hire a car. In fact, it can often prove to be more of a hindrance when you factor in trying to find parking in dense, pedestrianised city centres.
Poland has an extensive bus and train network that easily connects major cities and localities. And once you’re in said cities, most are quite easily navigable on foot. Otherwise, Polish cities have great public transport networks that are simple to use should you need them.
7 to 10 Days Poland Itinerary
Day 1 – Warsaw
Begin your time in Poland by exploring its capital city. Warsaw was largely destroyed during World War II, however, the old town was meticulously reconstructed to maintain its former grandeur and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spend your first day in Warsaw exploring the old town and the historic Royal Castle. Here, you can learn a lot about Polish history and enjoy a range of beautiful architectural styles. It also can be worth taking a walking tour of the old own to get a bit more historical context.
The Royal Castle is one of the restored historic buildings in the old town of Warsaw and was once the official residence of the Polish royals. Today it’s a large complex with lots to explore.
One of the highlights is definitely heading to the top of the observation tower where you can get beautiful, panoramic views of the Old Town and the city as a whole. This is absolutely one of the best things to do in Warsaw as you’re exploring the historic centre.
Aside from the castle, in the Old Town, you can also take in the beautiful cathedral and simply get lost in the gorgeous, cobbled streets. It’s a great introduction to Warsaw and to Poland as a whole.
Where to Stay in Warsaw
Hotel Reytan – Mid-range visitors beginning their trip to Poland will love this 3-star hotel in the centre of the city. They have a range of great rooms available and a good location for exploring Warsaw.
Hotel Polonia Palace – This luxury hotel is perfect for travellers looking for an upmarket stay in Warsaw. They have plenty of plush amenities and a great location for seeing the highlights of the city
GO Apartments – These fully furnished apartments are a great option for those who want their own flat while visiting Warsaw. There are several apartments to choose from and all are well-located in the capital.
Oki Doki Old Town Hostel – This hostel is a great option for those travelling on a budget in Warsaw. They have a range of dorms and private rooms along with a good social atmosphere to enjoy.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Warsaw hotels!
Day 2 – Warsaw
Spend day 2 getting to know Warsaw just a little bit better – perhaps by spending a bit of time in some museums, lounging in some of the city’s green spaces or taking in a cool district away from the old town.
Consider taking the time to visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum where you can learn about Polish resistance to Nazi Germany during the Second World War. This is a great museum where you can spend a few hours. It’s worth noting that this museum is not about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which was a different event in the city.
You can also choose to chill out in Lazienki Royal Park which is one of the largest green spaces in the Polish Capital. This is especially nice to visit in the warmer months when everyone wants to take advantage of the nice weather. Foodies should consider taking a pierogi cooking class or a food tour to learn more about Polish cuisine!
And if you want to venture a bit from the beaten tourist trail, consider heading to the cool Praga district located across the Vistula River. This is a hip and gentrifying neighbourhood which has a lot of interesting places to visit.
Day 3 – Krakow
On day three, get an early start and head south from Warsaw to charming Krakow – one of the most popular and best places to visit in Poland. There are several direct trains daily between these two cities and you can expect the journey to take around 2.5 hours.
Once you’re in Krakow, spend your first day exploring its beautiful Old Town either independently or by joining a walking tour.
Krakow is one of the few major Polish cities that wasn’t destroyed during World War Two and, therefore, retains all of its historic charm and hasn’t had to have the reconstruction that cities like Warsaw had to.
Along with enjoying the gorgeous Old Town, make sure to head to Wawel Castle, as well. This historic castle is packed with history and it is the perfect place to explore.
End your day by gorging yourself on one of Poland’s favourite cheap eats – pierogi! Or you can try and seek out a classic milk bar, where you can get traditional food at very low prices.
Where to Stay in Krakow
Q Hotel Kraków – This mid-range hotel is a good choice for those looking for a central and comfortable hotel in Krakow. They have a range of good rooms and also breakfast available in the mornings.
PURO Krakow Kazimierz – This is a great luxury option for those looking for a plush stay in Krakow. They have a range of trendy rooms and plenty of cool amenities along with a central location.
Mundo Hostel – Perfect for budget travellers and those after a social atmosphere, this highly-rated hostel has both private rooms and dorms available along with common areas and social activities.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Krakow hotels!
Day 4 – Krakow
Spend your second day in Krakow taking the time to dig a bit deeper in the city and heading outside of the Old Town to the cool Kazimierz district.
This was the old Jewish quarter of Krakow and there is a large amount of Jewish history here. Today, however, it is quite a cool area with a lot of hip cafes, shops, bars and restaurants to check out.
You can also opt to visit Oskar Schindler’s factory. Well-known from the Spielberg movie Schindler’s List, here you can learn about the history of this factory and the countless Jewish lives that were saved when they were employed here.
Of course, no visit to Krakow is complete without taking the time to stroll through Planty Park, a beautiful green space in the centre of Krakow. It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the vibes of the city in a beautiful location.
Day 5 – Krakow
Spending three nights in Krakow will also give you the opportunity to head out on a day trip from this historic city.
For those who are interested, one option is to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. Located only a bit away from the centre of Krakow, this is a harrowing and sobering experience that can really put into perspective the horrors of the Holocaust. It should not be visited lightly.
To visit Auschwitz, you can get there independently via either local bus or train and join a guided tour once there, however, it is generally recommended to book this in advance. Alternatively, you can also book a guided day tour from Krakow, which can be a lot easier. Expect to spend several hours at the museum.
Another popular option for a day trip is to the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This is a fascinating place to visit within easy reach of the Polish city. These stunning salt mines are home to an underground chapel and are filled with ornate decorations and statues that are entirely carved by salt.
Again, visitors can get to the mines from Krakow independently via both local bus and train and you can join a group tour once you are there.
Alternatively, you can join an organised day trip and not have to worry about transport. Either way, make sure to bring a jacket as it can be chilly once down in the mines!
Day 6 – Wroclaw
Get another early start on the morning of your sixth day and hop on a train to the beautiful city of Wroclaw – the journey should take about 3 hours.
Located to the west of Krakow and the capital of the Lower Silesia region, Wroclaw is Poland’s fourth-largest city and it is an absolute joy to explore – it also sees only a fraction of the visitors compared to Warsaw or Krakow.
As quite a small city, you can see a good portion of the highlights within the confines of a day so once you arrive, it’s time to hit the town and start exploring! Wroclaw is a fascinating city that is set upon a network of islands on the Oder River and a lot of your day will be spent criss-crossing over lovely footbridges and taking in some pretty island parks and historic places.
Begin your exploration of Wroclaw in the Market Square before wandering around some other areas of the historic centre. As you explore, keep an eye out for the little gnome statues you will see dotted around the city – these are iconic to exploring Wroclaw!
Make sure to climb the tower of St Elizabeth’s Church to get great views over the city, visit the Wroclaw Market Hall and indulge in some local produce before wandering over to Cathedral Island – the oldest area of the city.
Where to Stay in Wroclaw
Europeum Hotel – This hotel in the old town is a good place for mid-range visitors to Wroclaw. There are plenty of chic rooms available along with breakfast on offer in the mornings.
PURO Wrocław Stare Miasto – Centrally located in the old town, this hotel is an excellent luxury option in Wroclaw. Along with a range of lovely rooms, there is a great breakfast and other amenities for guests.
Grampa’s Hostel – This cool hostel is perfect for those looking for a budget or social stay in Wroclaw. They have good common areas and clean facilities along with a trendy location.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Wroclaw hotels!
Day 7 – Poznan
Day 7 is where you have a choice – no matter if you’re only spending a week in Poland or if you’re following the 10-day itinerary, consider heading to lovely Poznan on your seventh day.
For those who are only planning a one-week itinerary, then you can easily visit Poznan as a day trip from Wroclaw – it’s only about 1.5 hours on the train and the old town and city centre is so small and compact that you can easily see all of the highlights within the confines of a few hours.
For those spending 10 days in Poland, then plan to spend the night in Poznan. It makes for a great place to break up the journey onto Gdansk (our final stop) and it’s very much worth visiting – it’s just that lovely!
Once you’ve arrived in Poznan, spend your time wandering around the historic old town. Like many cities in Poland, there is a delightful main square, plenty of interesting museums where you can learn about the history – such as the Museum of the Wielkopolska Uprising and the Poznan Uprising Museum. You can also visit gorgeous churches like the Poznan Fara and a royal castle. There are also some great places to eat and beautiful parks – such as Citadel Park – to visit.
Much like Wroclaw, there is also a Cathedral Island in Poznan which is home to the city’s Gothic cathedral and is a small island in the Warta River.
Where to Stay in Poznan
B&B Hotel Poznan Old Town – This is a great mid-range hotel in the old town of historic Poznan. They have breakfast in the mornings and an unbeatable location for exploring the city.
PURO Poznan Stare Miasto – Luxury travellers will love this trendy hotel in Poznan’s Old Town. There are plenty of chic rooms along with a great location and plush amenities for guests to enjoy.
Platinum Apartments Aparthotel – This aparthotel is a good choice for travellers wanting a flat when visiting Poznan. There are several different apartments to choose from along with a great location for exploring the city.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Poznan hotels!
Day 8 – Gdansk
For those with 10 days to spend in Poland, make the final destination of your itinerary the historic port city of Gdansk. Located on the Baltic in Northern Poland, Gdansk is a delightful city to visit and a highlight on any trip to this lovely nation.
This is another day where it’s best to get an early start as the train takes about 3 hours from Poznan. Once you arrive in Gdansk, hit the ground running and take the time to start exploring the beautiful historic centre of the city.
Start at the Long Market, which is the main square in Gdansk. There are a lot of beautiful buildings here and it is absolutely charming to explore. Make sure to head to St Mary’s Church and climb to the top of the bell tower to get incredible views over the city.
Then, wander along the banks of the Motlawa River where there are plenty of open-air cafes and bars where you can enjoy a drink while people-watching.
Better yet, take a cruise of the Motlawa and enjoy the historic sites and cityscape of Gdansk from a different vantage point!
Where to Stay in Gdansk
Celestin Residence – This mid-range hotel is located in a central part of Gdansk and is perfect for seeing the highlights of the city. There are lots of different rooms to choose from to suit all kinds of visitors.
PURO Gdańsk Stare Miasto – Luxury visitors will love this modern hotel. There is a great, central location, chic rooms to choose from and plush amenities on offer to guests.
Dom & House – These apartments are a good choice for those after a furnished flat during their time in Gdansk. They have a range of apartments on offer and plenty of other great perks on the property.
Hostel Mamas & Papas – If you’re looking for a good hostel option, this one if a great choice. They have a number of room options and good common areas to meet other travellers.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Gdansk hotels!
Day 9 – Gdansk
Spend your first full day in Gdansk digging deeper in the city and taking in some of its famous museums.
The most famous museum in Gdansk is undoubtedly the Museum of the Second World War. Here, plan to spend a few hours learning about the history of World War Two, taking in some artefacts and understanding the impacts of the war on the world today.
Another popular museum to visit in Gdansk is the Amber Museum. This one is a bit more lighthearted than the WWII museum and it highlights Gdansk’s historic importance as a trading post for amber.
And for those who are interested in learning a bit more about Gdansk and Poland as a whole under the communist regime, then consider heading to the European Solidarity Centre, which is another fascinating museum that you could spend a couple of hours in.
Day 10 – Gdansk
On your final day, it’s a great time to take a day trip from Gdansk. There are a few options available depending on what you’re interested in.
First off, you could opt to visit what claims to be le largest castle in the world – the UNESCO-listed Malbork Castle. A gorgeous 13-century fortification that was once home to the Teutonic Knights, this is located within easy reach of Gdansk and is perfect for those who are fans of beautiful European castles as this one is particularly impressive!
It is possible to visit Malbork via train from Gdansk if you want to go independently, however, there are also organised tours available.
Another great option is to visit the nearby town of Gdynia, also located on the Baltic. There are lots of fascinating museums to visit in Gdynia – including the Naval Museum and the Museum of Emigration. If the weather is fine, you could also simply spend your time lounging on the gorgeous, white sand beach.
Gdynia is easily reached via train from Gdansk and it’s definitely worth heading over there if this little city interests you.
This is an excellent way to end your Poland trip. From Gdansk, you can easily get a train to Warsaw and head out of the country from there. Otherwise, there is also an airport in Gdansk that does have routes to several different destinations across Europe and beyond.
Have More Time?
If you have more time to spend, then you could opt to spend a bit more time in Poland itself. Obviously, there are plenty of other cities and regions to visit in Poland beyond what we’ve covered in this itinerary such as Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains, Lodz in Central Poland or Katowice near Krakow.
You could also continue on from Poland after your tenth day. From Gdansk, it can be worth heading into Lithuania and exploring the beautiful Baltic Countries.
Alternatively, you could head west into Germany or south to visit the Czech Republic. The options really are endless as this region has so much to offer visitors.
Planning the perfect Poland itinerary is no easy task when you consider just how much there is to see and do in this beautiful country. From historic cities to imposing castles, Poland is a wonderful destination that is truly a joy to explore.
Are you planning to visit Poland? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!
