Poland Itinerary for 10 to 15 Days with Local Insights & Tips

Morning: Arrive in Krakow and check into your hotel. Begin your exploration in the historic Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe. Visit St. Mary's Basilica and listen to the hourly trumpet call from its highest tower.

Afternoon: Explore the Wawel Castle, a historic castle residency located on Wawel Hill, and visit the Wawel Cathedral, where many Polish kings are buried.

Evening: Dine in the Jewish district of Kazimierz, offering a mix of traditional Jewish fare and modern Polish cuisine.

Day Trip: Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, a sobering reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. In the afternoon, tour the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its deep underground network of tunnels, chambers, and chapels carved from salt.

Morning: Visit the National Museum in Krakow, which houses an extensive collection of Polish painting and sculpture. Explore the Czartoryski Museum to see Leonardo da Vinci's ‘Lady with an Ermine’.

Afternoon: Stroll through the Planty Park, a scenic park that encircles Krakow’s Old Town, and enjoy a relaxing coffee at one of the many cafés.

Evening: Enjoy a concert or performance at the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre, an architectural gem and one of Poland’s most important theatres.

Morning: Travel to Zakopane, a town at the base of the Tatra Mountains known for its wooden villas styled in the unique Zakopane architectural style. Check into your hotel and explore the local market for handmade crafts and cheeses.

Afternoon: Take a cable car ride to the top of Kasprowy Wierch for stunning views of the Tatras.

Evening: Dine at a traditional highlander inn, trying regional dishes like oscypek cheese and grilled trout.

Day Trip: Spend the day hiking in the Tatra National Park, exploring trails that lead to scenic lakes, waterfalls, and mountain peaks. Popular routes include those leading to Morskie Oko, the largest lake in the Tatras.

Morning: Visit the wooden churches of the region, part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, showcasing the unique wooden architecture of the Carpathians.

Afternoon: Relax in one of the many thermal pools in the area, such as those in Chochołów Thermal Baths, which use mineral-rich waters sourced from the mountains.

Evening: Return to Zakopane and enjoy a final evening in the mountain air, possibly attending a live folk music performance.

Morning: Travel to Wrocław, one of Poland’s most beautiful cities, known for its bridges and beautiful Market Square. Begin your visit at the Market Square, exploring the colorful buildings and visiting the Old Town Hall.

Afternoon: Explore the Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski), the oldest part of the city, with its beautiful cathedrals and historic buildings, illuminated by gas lamps at night.

Evening: Take a leisurely boat ride on the Oder River, seeing the city from a different perspective.

Morning: Visit the Panorama Raclawicka, a massive panoramic painting depicting the Battle of Racławice, a key event in Polish history.

Afternoon: Explore the UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall, a landmark of early modernist architecture, and stroll through the nearby Szczytnicki Park.

Evening: Enjoy the vibrant dining and nightlife scene in Wrocław, particularly around the Market Square.

Day Trip: Visit Książ Castle, the third largest castle in Poland, nestled in the Wałbrzych hills. On the way back, stop by one of the Wooden Peace Churches in Swidnica – a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Morning: Travel to Gdansk, a key maritime city with a rich history. Start your visit at the European Solidarity Centre, detailing the history of the Solidarity movement.

Afternoon: Explore the beautiful Old Town of Gdansk, visiting the Long Market and the stunning St. Mary’s Church.

Evening: Walk along the Motława River embankment, enjoying the medieval port crane and vibrant atmosphere.

Day Trip: Visit Malbork Castle, the largest castle in the world by land area and a masterpiece of medieval fortification. In the afternoon, head to Sopot, a nearby seaside resort town, famous for its long wooden pier stretching into the Baltic Sea.

Day Trip: Explore the Hel Peninsula, a narrow 35km long sand bank peninsula, known for its beautiful beaches and quaint fishing villages. Enjoy biking, windsurfing, or just relaxing on the beaches.

Morning: Travel to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Begin exploring Warsaw by visiting the historic Royal Route, with stops at the Royal Castle and the Wilanów Palace.

Afternoon: Visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum, dedicated to the uprising of 1944, and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

Evening: Explore the vibrant nightlife and dining options in Warsaw, perhaps in the Praga district or along the Vistula boulevards.

Morning: Visit Łazienki Park, the largest park in Warsaw, which houses a palace, an amphitheater, and a monument to Frédéric Chopin.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at the Copernicus Science Centre, one of the most advanced and extensive science museums in Europe.

Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant, sampling dishes like pierogi and bigos (hunter's stew).

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Take a final stroll through Warsaw, visiting any last-minute sights or doing some shopping at local boutiques.

Departure: Head to Warsaw Chopin Airport for your departure flight, taking with you memories of the rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes of Poland.