Are you looking for the best cities to visit in Poland? Then, this article is for you. I have collected the top destinations in this beautiful Central European country. Use this list as inspiration for planning your next visit. From seaside Gdańsk to historic Krakow, vibrant Warsaw and romantic Wroclaw, here are the 10 best cities to visit in Poland in 2025.
1. Krakow
Best for historic Old Town and nightlife
Why: Krakow is the best city to visit in Poland for first-timers. Okay, I might be biased as I live here. But believe me, this town in the Lesser Poland region has everything to hook you up on Polish food, sights and culture. Its UNESCO-protected Old Town is among the most beautiful in Europe with an imposing Wawel Castle, atmospheric streets filled with Baroque houses and plenty of museums. Then, you have a rich Jewish heritage in Kazimierz district and Schindler’s Factory Museum. That’s all for the day.
During the night, Krakow becomes an epicenter of good times with an endless supply of dive bars, thematic pubs, live music venues and clubs. In other words, you won’t regret coming here. Moreover, you might fall in love with Krakow (just as I did).
2. Warsaw
Best for WW2 history and skyscrapers
Why: there’s an eternal rivalry between Warsaw and Krakow. Think of it as a Madrid-Barcelona or New York City-Los Angeles kind of juxtaposition. Warsaw offers big city life’s beat while Krakow is about slow travel savoring. The Polish capital greets you with one of the highest skylines in Europe including the highest actual building in the EU (Vaso Tower). You won’t find a traffic light in Krakow’s city center while Warsaw lives in constant movement.
But Warsaw isn’t a business-first, soulless megalopolis. It’s a place with a rich, often very tragic history. During the WW2 the majority of Warsaw was burned to the ground by the Nazis and the remarkable Old Town with a Castle you see today is a result of an impressive reconstruction effort. Also, you’ve got some of the most interesting museums in Poland here such as POLIN, MSN Warszawa, Chopin Museum as well as palaces like Lazienki and Wilanow.
3. Gdańsk
Best for the Baltic coast and Hanseatic architecture
Why: Poland is a seafaring nation. Gdansk is its most prominent port. For travelers, it’s also a perfect gateway to the long and gorgeous Polish Baltic Coast. You will start by marveling at the colorful Old Town with lots of red-brick buildings and the scenic Motlawa River promenade. Be sure to check out the Museum of WW2, a superb contemporary museum that uses modern technology for better immersion. I love the Przymorze district as a base as you have direct access to Baltic Sea beaches and cheaper accommodation prices than in the center.
4. Wroclaw
Best for fairytale charm and affordable city break
Why: Wroclaw is cool, affordable and charming. Oder River gloriously flows through the Old Town as romantic bridges connect many islands and form one of the most enticing historic cores in Poland. Although I’ve been to Wroclaw more than 50 times, I love coming back. The Market Square is as beautiful as they come with rows of colorful houses, a grandiose Cathedral and numerous cafes and restaurants. Keep an eye out for little krasnale (gnomes) statues. There are over 800 dwarves around the city today to the delight of locals and tourists.
5. Zakopane
Best for gorgeous nature and mountain hikes
Why: Zakopane is the mountain gateway of Poland. The High Tatra Mountains set the scene here with craggy peaks and plenty of outdoor fun to discover. The town is both a perfect day trip from Krakow and a fantastic idea for a fresh air-filled break. The hiking trails start directly from the city center, there are plenty of spa resorts for a relaxing retreat and you’ve got a Gubałówka funicular taking you to some of the most breathtaking panoramas in the region. You can easily reach Zakopane by bus or train from every major Polish city.
6. Poznań
Best for relaxing exploration and food
Why: Compared to Krakow, Warsaw or Gdansk, Poznań remains an underdog of Polish travel. And that’s what makes it a perfect city for immersing in Polish culture and food. I have always loved Poznan for its laid-back atmosphere, plenty of well-priced food options and picturesque Old Town. Taking about local foods, you can’t leave without trying the legendary rogal świętomarciński (or St. Martin’s croissant). Often, that’s my primary reason for visiting this city in western Poland. The croissant is EU-protected and comes with white poppy-seed filling. Also, it’s huge. Yummy. By the way, Poznań has one of the most photogenic Market Squares in Poland, so yet another great reason to come.
7. Łódź
Best for industrial history
Why: Łódź isn’t the prettiest of Polish cities. It’s also the only major town without a Market Square. For many years, it had a reputation for being ugly, not interesting and plain boring. Today, it’s very far from reality as Łódź becomes one of the most vibrant and cool destinations in Poland. A city of rich industrial heritage, it embraced its grittiness and managed to transform itself into an electrifying hub for creativity. Its cinema school is among the most respected in Europe, its main street (Piotrkowska) is filled with magnificent architecture, its culinary scene is booming. If you were to visit one museum here, make it EC1 Łódź, a modern immersive experience inside the former power plant.
8. Sopot
Best for beaches and seaside fun
Why: While Gdansk is a big port town, Sopot is a relaxing seaside resort and one of the best cities to visit in Poland for the sea. Dominated by elegant wooden villas, it is perfect for a Baltic Sea break. During summer, its gorgeous white sand beach becomes an epicenter of Polish beachgoing. It also has some of the most exclusive properties and restaurants attracting the wealthy Polish crowd. Make sure to visit Orłowo, a small sea town minutes away from Sopot for a dramatic cliff and a wooden molo.
9. Toruń
Best for preserved Gothic Old Town
Why: After Krakow, Toruń is the best place to visit in Poland for meticulously preserved historic core. Here, it’s all about the Gothic architecture. You will see many red-brick buildings, stroll through charming old streets and taste the most popular local delicacy – the piernik (or gingerbread). Also, Toruń has a spectacular Vistula River panorama and one of Poland’s most beautiful cathedrals: St. Johns’ Cathedral.
10. Lublin
Best for authentic Polish experience
Why: Lublin can’t compete with Krakow or Wroclaw for visitors. It remains an underdog even by Polish standards. But I would strongly recommend coming here for a picturesque Old Town with a beautiful Castle, Baroque architecture and affordable restaurants. Also, it’s a great base for exploring gems of Lublin Voivodeship such as the UNESCO-protected “ideal town” Zamość and the enchanting riverside town Kazimierz Dolny. Definitely, one of the most best cities to visit in Poland in 2025.
Pavlo is an experienced travel writer published by CNN, BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, The Irish Times, Time Out, DK Eyewitness and Lonely Planet. He’s been writing about Poland for 9+ years.