Cities of Interest in Poland

In Kołobrzeg you can enjoy a beach holiday and beautiful beaches. It is a cosy harbour town where you can easily go for a walk and enjoy life in the beautiful town. The city is rich in history, having existed since the 10th century. In addition, there have been many historical events in the city, such as the Thirty Years' War and the Second World War. There are a number of buildings and monuments in the city - the cathedral and the town hall are must-sees. In the summer, the long sandy beaches turn the town into a paradise and people flock there.

Koszalin is located in Poland, on the Baltic Sea, and is often called the "Green City" as there are several parks in the city and there is plenty of forest and nature around the charming town. Find a holiday with Risskov and plan a summer or winter holiday to the beautiful area around Koszain. The town also has a number of museums, and beautiful buildings. So there are great opportunities to go for a walk in Koszalin. There are also several options if you want to do some shopping around the city. In the city centre there are shops for every taste, or you can go to the shopping centres Atrium Koszalin or Galeria Emka.

Koszalin is just 13 kilometres from the Baltic Sea, where you can enjoy a swim at the beautiful beaches. Find a holiday with Risskov and get away to Poland with the whole family and child-friendly hotels.

The historic capital of West Pomerania goes by the name of Stettin or Szczecin in Polish. The city is located right where the Oder River flows into the Baltic Sea. For hundreds of years, Szczecin has been a city at the crossroads of roads running from east to west, up to Scandinavia and down to southern Europe. This has certainly influenced the city's development and today Szczecin is a centre of trade and industry, education and culture and although the city has changed a lot over the years, it remains a very attractive city with a cosy atmosphere and both charming and exciting sights and impressive architecture, which include the National Museum, the Cathedral and the impressive Ducal Castle.

Along the square runs a red dotted line which is a tourist route. Follow the line and discover the main sights of Szczecin. The walk can take a few hours, especially when exploring the Old Market Square. The route starts near the main railway station, Dworzec Glowny PKP, and leads to 42 attractions.

Once in the centre of Gdansk, visitors are not far from the many cultural gems this city has to offer. Take the Royal Road, Dluga and Dluga Tart, where along the route are several beautiful merchant houses and historic buildings, all beautifully decorated with the Gothic Town Hall, which also houses the City Museum, as the icing on the cake. Speaking of heights, there's actually a reason why buildings in Gdansk are both tall and narrow, it's simply because taxes are calculated based on the width of the plot.

This beautiful and friendly city has so much history, architectural masterpieces and experiences for all ages that it's best explored over a few days.

There is also a rich cultural life, theatres, operas, bars and nightclubs, just take a walk down the pedestrian street Monte Cassino. There are also rumours that Sopot, just outside Gdansk, is a busy place during the summer months. There are also many good shopping opportunities, specialist shops, and the large Galeria Baltycka shopping centre has over 200 stores with a huge range of goods. In the inner city, along the cobbled streets, there are also several charming jewellery shops as well as other art stores, so do take the chance to browse around.

Olsztyn lies on the Lyna River, but within Olsztyn's city limits lie no fewer than 15 lakes in a landscape formed during the last Ice Age. As a result, the lakes are very beautiful and there are great opportunities to take some walks in the beautiful countryside that surrounds both the city and the lakes.

The old town with the castle complex and the beautiful St. Jakobs church from the 14th century certainly deserves a visit. The church is included in the "Gothic Route through Europe", which also includes Haderslev Cathedral, and the church is considered to be one of the best preserved brick buildings from the Gothic period in Poland. The castle is today the seat of the Warmia and Mazury Museum, which has several very interesting exhibitions covering both archaeology and art. There is also a quite exceptional collection of religious icons, if that is of interest. There are also several events held at the castle throughout the year, but you might want to ask at the hotel reception, it would be a shame to miss a romantic "soiree" at the castle.

Olsztyns grew big and strong in the 19th century and even became the capital of Warminsko. A new town hall in the Dutch Renaissance style appeared, as well as several courthouses and beautiful buildings, not to mention the neo-Gothic churches, especially St. Mary's. St Joseph's Church.

You can also visit the planetarium and astronomical observatory, housed in the old water tower, where on a cloudless day you can see the entire sky. There's also a great view of the beautiful city.

The small town of Reszel lies about 110 km south of the Baltic Sea and almost borders Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania. To give an idea of distances, it is about 250 km down to Warsaw.

Reszel was originally a settlement built by the Bartians, an ancient Prussian tribe who were also among the last pagans in Europe before the Nordic Crusades forced them to convert to Christianity. The Nordic Crusades were organised by the kings of Denmark, Sweden and the German Order of the Sword and took place in the 11th and 12th centuries, when the Baltic tribes along the southern and eastern shores of the Baltic Sea were targeted in the religious war that ravaged most of Prussia. The Swedish and German wars against the Orthodox kingdoms east of the Baltic coastal areas are also considered part of the Nordic Crusade, and here it was in particular the German Order or the Brothers of St Mary's Hospital, which was transformed into an order of knights and priests in 1199, which had Eastern Europe as one of its main fields of activity. This was also true of Reszel, which in 1241 suffered the misfortune of being invaded and overcome by the German Order. In 1466 the town changed owners again and this time it came under the Polish royal family. After Poland was partitioned in 1772, the castle passed to Prussia, which converted it into a prison. In 1806 and 1807 both the town and the castle were destroyed by fire, but more on that later.

We jump forward to 1920, after the end of World War I, when, as a consequence of the Treaty of Versailles, elections were called in Mazury and Warmia, the area where the hotel is located. The vote was on which country the region should be incorporated into, Germany or Poland - when the votes were counted, only 2.1% had voted for Poland and Mazury and Warmia promptly passed to Germany. It lasted only one more world war, however, and at the Potsdam Conference in 1945 it was decided that the city should again belong to Poland.

A small town of around 5,000 inhabitants, it has been a throwing-ball for centuries, but nevertheless there is a big heart beating in the idyllic and well-maintained Reszel. The main attraction of the town is certainly the castle, which was built by the Teutonic Order. To be precise, it was Bishop John I of Meisen who started the construction in 1350. It was later completed by Henry III of Sorborn in 1401, so it must have taken a while to finish. Nevertheless, construction continued in 1505, when Bishop Łukasz Watzenrode launched a gigantic project to strengthen the castle's strategic position by, among other things, building more fortress walls. The bishop's nephew happened to be Nicolaus Kopernicus, the famous Polish astronomer, doctor and civil servant, who therefore often frequented the castle's halls.

As mentioned earlier, the castle was completely destroyed by fire in 1807 and when it was rebuilt it lost much of its medieval character. The southern part of the castle was converted into a church, and since then it has been the site of art workshops and various art exhibitions, and since 2001 the castle has functioned as a hotel with an art gallery and its own castle museum.

In 1811 Barbara Zdunk was sentenced to death for witchcraft and for burning the castle in 1807. The trial dragged on for three years and caused great controversy, as there was obviously no evidence or witnesses. There were also many differences of opinion over guilt, but nevertheless a final verdict was reached in Königsberg, now Kaliningrad, Russia. Zdunk was sentenced in the usual way to die at the stake outside the town of Rößel, where she was imprisoned. She was burned, but suffocated before the pyre was set on fire. A sad fate, but on the other hand she was the last woman in Europe to be convicted of witchcraft, even though in legal terms the sentence had little value. Instead, it was probably the Prussian rebels who had started the fire, but there was also talk that it might have been a platoon of Polish soldiers who had started the fateful blaze that had such fatal consequences for both the castle and the town.

But back to today's Reszel. From the hotel it is only a few minutes walk to the centre, which belongs to the old town. Here you'll find restaurants, bars, galleries and small shops selling a little bit of everything, and you'll no doubt find a bargain here, whether it's cigarettes, Slivovitz or something else entirely, but take a stroll around and explore the town first before putting your efforts into finding the perfect gift to take home. For very reasonable money, you can enjoy a hearty meal at one of the restaurants in town, and if you fancy a pizza, there's also a pizzeria just around the corner.

The city of Giżycko has a lot to offer. Take a stroll around the cosy town and sit down in one of the pubs for a bite to eat.

You can also visit Feste Boyen, a 19th-century fortress. It is one of the best preserved monuments in Poland from the 19th century and is an impressive experience.

In Giżycko you will also find the 14th-century Teutonic Castle, which has been of great strategic importance for almost all its years - most recently during World War II. Today the castle serves as a hotel.

Finally, the city has the swing bridge, which is quite special! It's a swing bridge that doesn't go up, but instead turns to the side. What's even more impressive is that the bridge can be handled by a single person, who can turn the 20 metres and the 100tons or so the bridge weighs! The bridge dates from 1860, and is one of two in the whole of Europe!

The Polish town of Slubice has just under 17,000 inhabitants and is located right on the German/Polish border near the German city of Frankfurt (Oder). In fact, Slublice was a suburb of Frankfurt (Oder) until 1945, but today the two cities function independently and are located in separate countries on either side of the Oder River, which also forms the land border between Germany and Poland. However, a bridge across the river links the two towns, so it's easy to make a trip to Slublice in Poland, where you can pick up a bargain at one of the popular markets.

Looking for a contrast to city life, Sopot, adjacent to Gdansk, is a nostalgic but modern seaside resort. The spa town is used for recreation and leisure. About half a kilometre away is Sopot's main attraction, the wooden bridge where boats to Gdyna and Gdansk dock. In addition to bars and cafés, there is the Waldoper with an open-air stage for opera performances in the picturesque countryside and, in summer, an open-air cinema.

Ustronie Morskie is a town in northwestern Poland, about 14 km from Kołobrzeg. This is the seat of the local council, but there is also a spa and a 10 km long sandy beach. Along the scenic cliffs you'll find a promenade, perfect for long strolls. The village centre, with its many restaurants and shops, invites you to shop and stroll. An international hiking trail also passes through Hankehagen, making it an ideal destination for an affordable family holiday or a weekend of relaxation and fresh experiences.

The village of Grzybowo (Gribow) is located about 6 km west of Kolobrzeg directly on the Baltic Sea. It is surrounded by a 7 km long bay with a real dream beach. The water temperature here is several degrees higher than in Kolobrzeg. The Kolobrzeg lighthouse can be seen from far away. On the promenade in the village you will find small pubs, cafés, restaurants, kiosks and small shops.

The small village of Dzwirzyno is located on the coast, close to long beautiful sandy beaches. At the end of Dzwirzyno is the fishing harbour where you can buy delicious fried fish, smoked eel and salmon.

The Polish town of Miedzyzdroje is located in the north-western part of the province of Vorpommern on the German border on the island of Wolin. From the south and east, Miedzyzdroje is surrounded by hilly forests that are part of the Wolin National Park. The northern part of the town offers beautiful sandy beaches, including one of the best on the Baltic Sea. In the town there are many historical buildings, a cultural centre, a spa park, a brewery stretching as far as 395 m and much more.

Visit the promenade, Poland's Hollywood. In the summer of 1995, Polish film stars began having their handshakes cast on the famous seafront. There are also plenty of opportunities for walking nearby.

The port town of Jarosławiec is a holiday resort on the Baltic coast and an ideal destination for a seaside holiday or a long weekend on the Baltic Sea coast. Here you will find a beautiful sandy beach and can swim in the Baltic Sea. Visit the 33-metre high lighthouse and enjoy the beautiful view. Stroll around the village, where there are small restaurants, cafés and shops. The area has beautiful scenery with lots of woodland and also has several good cycle paths. You can also take a boat trip from the harbour.

Mielno is located on the southwestern end of Lake Jamno, close to the Baltic Sea, about 12 km from the town of Koszalin. The main attraction is the clean, fine sandy beach. On the beach there is a 3 km long walk along the water. There are also many cafés, restaurants and shops.

Whether you are looking for relaxation or an active holiday with water sports, the Baltic Sea and Jamnos will cater to your needs. Jamno is one of Poland's largest lakes and offers kayaking and windsurfing. Equipment can be rented in the yacht club "Tramp". In summer you can go by boat from Jamno to Unieście.

The city is lively with many entertainment options such as outdoor concerts and street performances. It is also in this city that "The International Winter Swimming Enthusiasts' Rally" takes place.

Krakow is a city that effortlessly blends medieval charm with modern energy, making it one of Poland’s top destinations. Its stunning Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the breathtaking Main Market Square, where you’ll find St. Mary’s Basilica and the historic Cloth Hall. Nearby, Wawel Castle and Cathedral offer a glimpse into the country’s royal past, while the winding streets of Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, are filled with trendy cafés, galleries, and historical sites.

Katowice, a rapidly evolving city in southern Poland, is a fascinating mix of industrial heritage and modern creativity. Once known for its coal mines, today it shines as a cultural and business hub, with striking contemporary architecture and a lively arts scene. The iconic Spodek arena, resembling a UFO, hosts major concerts and sporting events, while the revitalized district of Nikiszowiec offers charming historic streets with red-brick buildings. The city is also home to the Silesian Museum, where underground galleries showcase the region’s rich past. Whether you're exploring local cafes, enjoying music festivals like OFF Festival, or strolling through the green spaces of the Valley of Three Ponds, Katowice has plenty to offer for a unique and exciting visit.

Kazimierz, once the heart of Kraków’s Jewish community, is now one of the city’s most atmospheric districts. Its blend of history, culture, and modern creativity makes it a fascinating place to explore. Walk through its cobbled streets to find centuries-old synagogues, such as the Old Synagogue and Tempel Synagogue, alongside hip cafes, art galleries, and independent boutiques. The district is known for its thriving nightlife, with cozy bars and live music venues. Plac Nowy is a hotspot for local street food, including the famous zapiekanka, a Polish-style open-faced sandwich. By day, Kazimierz offers rich history; by night, it transforms into one of Kraków’s liveliest areas.

Kraków's Main Square (Rynek Główny) is the beating heart of the city, where history, culture, and vibrant street life come together. This expansive square, one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, is surrounded by stunning landmarks like the Gothic-style St. Mary's Basilica, the iconic Cloth Hall, and the Town Hall Tower. It’s a perfect spot to explore local shops, enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes, or take in the lively atmosphere with street performers and market stalls. Whether you’re admiring the architecture, visiting the underground museum, or simply people-watching, Kraków's Main Square offers an unforgettable experience full of charm and energy.

Elblag is a historic port city in northern Poland, and is known for its beautiful old town where the architecture forms a combination of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles. After being damaged during the 2. World War II, it was decided in 2000 to reconstruct and today it stands with the same splendour as it had before the war. During a stroll around the old town, you should definitely take a look inside the beautiful St Nicholas Cathedral and the city's museum of archaeology and history. You can also enjoy a boat trip on the canal, taking in the city from a unique angle.