Why visit
Poland covers Kraków's medieval core, Warsaw's rebuilt Old Town, Gdańsk's Baltic harbor, Tatra mountains, and Europe's most affordable major cities.
Country · Europe
Poland
historyfoodculturecity
At a glance
Location
52.0°, 20.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
312,679 km²
120,726 mi²
Country population
38.3 million
122/km²
Subregion
Central Europe
Currency
Polish złoty (zł)
PLN
Dial
+48
Language
Polish
Demonym
Polish
Internet
.pl
UN
Member state
ISO code
PL / POL
Where in the world
52.0° · 20.0°
Poland
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Did you know
- Poland has 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: including Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Białowieża Forest.
- Warsaw was 85% destroyed in WWII and rebuilt from 18th-century paintings: the reconstructed old town is itself a UNESCO site for the restoration effort.
- Pierogi come in ~200 varieties; the popular potato-cheese "ruskie" variant actually originated in what is now Ukraine, not Russia.
Bordering Poland
Traveler notes
- Kraków + Warsaw + Gdańsk covers history, modern, coastal in 10 days
- Schengen visa
- Pierogi, żurek, and bigos are the country's comfort food
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Warsaw, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Signature travel cities in Poland
Explore more
Frequently asked about Poland
What is the capital of Poland?
Warsaw is the capital of Poland.
What currency does Poland use?
Poland uses the Polish złoty (zł), ISO code PLN.
What languages are spoken in Poland?
The primary language is Polish.
Is Poland landlocked?
No, Poland has a coastline.
What countries border Poland?
Poland borders Belarus, Czechia, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine.
What is the international calling code for Poland?
The calling code is +48.
When is the best time to visit Poland?
May–Sep. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Europe destinations
Rotterdam
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Utrecht
Utrecht is Amsterdam 30 minutes south, without the crowds. Oudegracht canals with wharf-level cafés, Dom Tower, and a more Dutch-feeling old center.
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Tallinn
Tallinn has a UNESCO medieval Old Town. 14th-century walls, Toompea Castle, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. And a surprisingly hip Telliskivi Creative City.
Riga
Riga has the world's largest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture, a UNESCO old town, Central Market in old Zeppelin hangars, and Jūrmala beaches nearby.
Vilnius
Vilnius is Baltic baroque. Gates of Dawn, Vilnius Cathedral, the Republic of Užupis (a self-declared artists' micro-state), and Trakai's lake castle nearby.