Pass The Passport

Places / Europe

Poland

Visited

At a glance

Region
Central Europe
Capital
Warsaw
Population
36.4 million (2025)
Area
312,679 km²
Languages
Polish
Currency
Polish złoty (PLN)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+48
Visited: Poland

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Before you go

Overview

The Republic of Holland is a country situated in Central Europe. It has 16 administrative regions. Amongst the European countries, it is the fifth most populous.

The recorded a population of 37.97 million in 2019 and covers an area of 312,679 km2.

Its capital and largest city is Warsaw. Warsaw historical Old Town is listed amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Other urban cities are Lodz, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk and Szczecin.

History

The country was restored as an independent state after the end of the First World War in 1918.

During the Second World War, it was also invaded by the Germans, who later left after their defeat.

Food & culture

The Polish culture is influence by western civilization demonstrated through its art, music, literature and philosophy.

The main crops include sugar beets, cereals, oats, potatoes, fodder crops, tobacco, fruits, flax and hops.

The popular dishes are Bigos stew, pork loin kotlet, pierogi, mushroom soup and sour cucumber soup.

Wildlife

The main wildlife animals include wild boar, European bison, European wolf, roe deer, polish fox, white-tailed eagle and white stork.

Festivals & events

The events conducted in the country include National Independence Day on 11th November, Jewish Culture Festival, The New Year’s Eve, Eastern Celebrations, Juwenalia and Zielona Gora Wine Festival.

Things to see

People visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Wieliczka that has lasted since the Neolithic era where sodium chloride was harvested from.

There is also the Wawel Royal Castle at Krakow that was the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Other places to visit are Krakow Old Town, Warsaw Old Town, Gdansk Old Town, Bialowieza Forest, Auschwitz Museum and Malbork Castle.

Interesting facts

The official language is Polish.

Majority of the population is Roman Catholics.

The constitution of Poland is amongst the oldest in the world.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Poland

2 of 18 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Poland

From 3 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

December 2023 Gdansk

Gdansk

Whole trip gallery
  • Tall colourful gabled townhouses in green, red and yellow against a grey sky.
  • An elevated view over Gdańsk's red rooftops and church spires stretching to the horizon.
  • A platter of fried calamari rings, mussels, prawns and corn on the cob on a wooden table.
  • Looking out over the rooftops and spires of Gdańsk.
  • A long red brick building with arched windows in Gdańsk.
  • The ornate Dutch-style facade of the Great Armoury in Gdańsk.

November 2023 Poznan

Poznan

Whole trip gallery
  • Christmas market stalls and a lit tree under trees strung with fairy lights at night.
  • A row of narrow, brightly coloured historic townhouses on Poznań's Old Market Square.
  • A historic building lit up with festive projections at night in Poznań.
  • Two bronze goat statues butting heads in front of a building in Poznań.
  • A busy Christmas market at night in Poznań with a big wheel behind.

November 2021 Wroclaw

Wrocław

Whole trip gallery
  • Spires and red roofs across the river in Wrocław.
  • A towering red brick Gothic church in Wrocław.
  • Two small bronze dwarf statues lounging on the pavement beside a brick wall.
  • Brick churches with spires beside a river, a green iron bridge and railings covered in padlocks.
  • Two narrow historic houses joined by an archway, with a tall brick church tower behind.
  • A small bronze dwarf statue with a printing press in Wrocław.
  • Three bronze dwarfs wearing red and white ribbons on cobbles in Wrocław.
  • The twin brick spires of Wrocław Cathedral against a blue sky.

Plan your trip to Poland

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Poland

None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.