PLACES TO VISIT IN 7 DAYS IN POLAND
Poland is an underrated gem in Eastern Europe, offering a wealth of culture and sights that are sure to captivate any traveler. Known for its affordability, lively cities and towns, and lovely scenery, it’s no wonder why Poland has become more popular in recent years.
So if you haven’t added Poland to your bucket list, then you should. One week in Poland is a good amount of time, so explore some of the main sights.
While it’s impossible to explore all of Poland in 7 days, I’ve put together a Poland itinerary that will give you a taste of the country’s highlights, without feeling overwhelmed.
How to Get Around Poland
Though Poland is one of the largest countries in Europe, you can easily get around by public transportation. I got around mostly by train while in Poland and loved it.
Of course, you could also rent a car and explore Poland at your own pace. But, whether you drive or take the train, the cities are quite spread out, and you need to plan in enough travel time.
- Public transportation is extensive and reliable and prices for trains are reasonable.
- While there are buses, I recommend trains for longer distances. However, buses are often even cheaper (though much slower).
- However, I also enjoy taking trains because, even though the views are not always scenic, you can see more of the country than if you fly or drive yourself.
- Also, within the cities mentioned on this Poland itinerary, it is easy to get around on foot. By public transportation, a car is not really needed (not needed at all, actually).
While I do not see a need to rent a car, you can find the best rental deals here.
PLACES TO VISIT – 7 DAYS IN POLAND ITINERARY
You can start your trip in Wroclaw, Warsaw, or Gdansk, as this Poland itinerary will cover these three cities (plus Krakow at the end as an alternative city to visit).
1,5 DAYS IN WROCLAW
This one week in Poland itinerary starts in Wroclaw. I strongly suggest spending 1,5 – 2 days in this beautiful city that is also very rich in history.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR WROCLAW
Wroclaw is a must-see destination! The old town is a charming labyrinth of quaint cobblestoned alleys that will transport you to another era.
And the central market square is simply breathtaking! I felt l like I was in a fairytale with vibrant buildings, painted in cheerful shades of green, yellow, and pink.
Wroclaw is located in the west of Poland – on the Oder River. It is the country’s fourth-biggest city and an important industrial, commercial, and educational hub.
I actually visited it as a kind of university exchange program and loved this lively and lovely city with quite some beautiful places to explore.
It was actually the first Polish city that I had visited myself, and it somehow reminded me of my hometown of Bremen (Germany) with pretty buildings. Though many buildings were destroyed in World War II, they have been rebuilt. I can’t even imagine how this colorful city looked a few decades ago.
Most of the attractions are in the old town, so getting around on foot is the best way to explore the city. You could also use public transportation – buses and trams – to get around.
- Like Gdansk and Warsaw, it is easily reachable via train. It may be less famous and not as big as the other two, but it is still charming.
THINGS TO DO IN WROCLAW
With this Poland itinerary, you won’t get the chance to see each and every sight but it is enough time to discover the main of Wroclaw´s attractions.
- Market square
- Town hall
- Salt Square
- Witches Bridge
- Ossolineum
- Ostrow Tumski Wroclaw
- Of course, also watch out for the dwarfs in Wroclaw! Once you are there, you will know what I am talking about.
WHERE TO STAY IN WROCLAW
I think 1.5 to 2 days is a good amount of time to spend in Wroclaw before exploring more places in Poland.
2 DAYS IN WARSAW
Looking to explore more of the stunning country of Poland? You’re in luck – from Wroclaw, the capital city of Warsaw is just a 4-hour train ride away! So you’ll have plenty of time to sit back, relax, and take in the scenery along the way. Plus, traveling by train means you won’t have to deal with the stress of driving.
WARSAW TRAVEL TIPS
With about 1.8 million residents, Poland’s largest city is located in east-central Poland and stands on the Vistula River – and is such an underrated city.
The Warsaw Uprising in 1944 was a devastating event that left over 85% of the city’s historic center in ruins. However, the citizens of Warsaw refused to let this destruction define their city’s future and they rebuilt the Old Town.
From the beautifully restored churches to the grand palaces and bustling marketplace, the Old Town of Warsaw is truly a remarkable sight to behold.
You may have heard some negative things about Warsaw, but believe me when I say that this city is far from boring. I’ve heard some of my Polisch friends say Warsaw is “ugly” but after visiting myself and chatting with other travelers, I can say: don’t believe the rumors. Give Warsaw a chance – you may be pleasantly surprised.
In fact, two female travelers I met went as far as to say they preferred it to Krakow! Plus, with all the history in Warsaw, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Looking to explore the heart of Warsaw in just two days? I’ve got you covered with a super detailed post on how to make the most out of your time in the city center, including top museum visits and travel tips around town.
I recommend staying in or near the old town so you can explore the main sights on foot. However, you will probably need public transportation for day 2 (to see the museums). Public transportation in Warsaw is quite good, and you can rely on it – it is also quite affordable.
THINGS TO DO IN WARSAW
Here are activities you can see in 2 days in Warsaw.
- Royal Lazienki Museum and Park
- Royal Route
- Old Town Observation Tower
- Royal Castle and Castle Square
- Old Town and Old Town Square
- Chopin Museum & Concert
- Palace of Culture & Science
- Multimedia Park
- Uprising Museum
- Warsaw Ghetto
- POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
- Check out my 2-day Warsaw itinerary for more tips.
WHERE TO STAY IN WARSAW
2 DAYS IN GDANKSK
Looking for another must-see destination in Poland? Look no further than the enchanting city of Gdańsk! While it may take some time to make the journey from Warsaw, trust me when I say that it is a trip you won’t regret.
With its rich history and stunning architecture, Gdańsk is an absolute must-visit. Your one-week Poland itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a stop in this magical city.
GDANSK TRAVEL TIPS
Welcome to Gdańsk – a quaint city that boasts breathtaking sights and charming architecture. Though not as large as Warsaw, Gdańsk is a hidden gem in Europe. This city has a rich history, and it was even the first attacked by Germany during WWII.
Visit Westerplatte, where the war started, to pay your respects. Despite being demolished during the war, Gdańsk’s main street was reconstructed with attention to detail and now shines brighter than ever before.
Discover the beauty beyond Long Lane in Gdańsk! Two days will allow you to uncover even more hidden gems this city has to offer. Despite its war-torn past, Gdańsk still proudly boasts a rich history that you can experience through its many historical sights.
The good news is that most of the must-visit spots are just a short walk away from each other. So, you can put on your comfy shoes and enjoy a leisurely stroll while taking in the beauty of the place.
Although Gdańsk is stunning, you may not need to stay here for too long. You can comfortably spend two days exploring the city. But, if you’re someone who loves to discover every nook and cranny, then you can stretch your stay to know everything that this place has to offer.
However, if you’re planning on visiting Westerplatte or Sopot (and the beautiful Baltic Sea), you may need to add an extra day and need to take a boat or train ride. Trust me, it’s worth it! These two destinations are perfect for spending a fun-filled day, admiring scenic views, and soaking up the local culture.
THINGS TO DO IN GDANSK
- Long Street/Dluga Street and Long Market
- Main Town Hall
- Fountain of Neptune
- Long Riverfront (Dlugie Pobrezeze)
- The Crane
- Mariacka Street
- St. Mary Church
- World War II Museum
- Westerplatte
- Sopot: For some time at the beach – even in the colder months – I highly suggest visiting the Baltic Sea, which you can easily reach from Gdańsk.
Check out my 2-day Gdansk itinerary to find out more.
- 3 days is a good amount if you‘d like to spend more time at the beach, but the Baltic Sea is not like the Mediterranean Sea – the water is colder.
WHERE TO STAY IN GDANSK
1,5 DAYS IN KRAKOW
As mentioned, I have yet to visit Krakow myself. I have heard many great things about the city. Still, on my recent trip to Poland, I actually heard a couple of solo female travelers saying they liked Warsaw better than Krakow as it is less touristy and has more attractions and places to visit.
Either way, Krakow, the second biggest city in Poland, is much closer to Warsaw and Wroclaw than Gdansk. If the ride all the way up to the north of Poland does bother you, then you might consider visiting Krakow instead of Gdansk. Personally, I absolutely loved Gdansk and am more than happy I did not miss out on it.
So, it is up to you if you want to skip Gdansk and head to Krakow instead and spend 2 days there. I suggest visiting Gdansk.
Extra: Auschwitz (1 Day)
One main reason that I would suggest visiting Krakow over Warsaw is the proximity to Auschwitz. Auschwitz was the biggest concentration camp in Europe. It was a complex of over 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi Germany – more than 1.1 million people were killed during World War II.
It is now open to visitors. People can learn about the horror and how the people, including women and children, were murdered.
I once visited a concentration camp, and I can say this: it is intense. While I haven’t visited Auschwitz (yet), I am sure it is not easy to digest. But Poland and its people were some of the most affected by World War II, and though it is also about beautiful cities and towns, it is also about history, especially about World War II.
You could visit easily from Krakow, but even from Warsaw, as a day trip.
CONCLUSION: ONE WEEK IN POLAND ITINERARY
A one week Poland itinerary should definitely include visits to Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Gdańsk. These destinations offer plenty of sights to see and attractions, including colorful and historic buildings and fantastic architecture.
I hope this one week in Poland itinerary has helped you find out about the best places to visit and see – in quite a short amount of time. 7 days in Poland is surely not enough to see the main sights and places, but this itinerary allows you to see a lot while not getting stressed (at least I hope so).