Poland · best-of list
15 Top Things to Do in Poland
All 15 things to do our route editors picked in Poland, across 3 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect sights and experiences, with Kraków contributing the most (6).
Our curated picks
15 things to do in Poland, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Kraków 6 picks
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Kraków · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Former Nazi German death camp, now a memorial to over 1.1 million murdered people.
Tip: Book entry online; allow a full day and dress respectfully.
Photo: File:Auschwitz I (22 May 2010).jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0
Kazimierz
Kraków · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Historic Jewish district with synagogues, cafés and the Plac Nowy market.
Tip: Visit the Remuh Synagogue and its old cemetery.
Photo: Adrian włodarczyk · Google
Main Market Square and Cloth Hall
Kraków · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
One of Europe's largest medieval squares, centered on the arcaded Cloth Hall.
Tip: The Rynek Underground museum lies beneath the square.
Photo: Kuba Ku · Google
Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
Kraków · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Museum on Kraków under Nazi occupation, in Schindler's former factory.
Tip: Timed entry; book ahead.
Photo: Jennifer Boyer · CC BY 2.0
St. Mary's Basilica
Kraków · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Gothic church with Veit Stoss's carved altarpiece; a trumpet call sounds hourly from the tower.
Tip: The altarpiece opens daily at 11:50.
Photo: Michał Skarbiński · Google
Wawel Royal Castle
Kraków · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Hilltop castle and cathedral where Polish kings were crowned and buried.
Tip: State Rooms tickets are limited; buy online.
Photo: Leif Arne Storset · CC BY-SA 3.0
Wieliczka 5 picks
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tourist Route
Wieliczka · On our Kraków & the Tatras route + 1 more
Guided route through carved salt chambers, lakes and galleries up to 135 m deep.
Tip: Expect 800 stairs; tours run in English throughout the day.
Photo: Michal Tobolar · Google
Bochnia Salt Mine
Wieliczka · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Poland's oldest salt mine, with an underground boat ride and long wooden slide.
Tip: Less crowded alternative to Wieliczka.
Photo: Kj · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chapel of St. Kinga
Wieliczka · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Underground church where chandeliers, floor and reliefs are all made of salt.
Tip: Seen on the Tourist Route.
Photo: Szyb Św. Kingi · Google
Niepołomice Royal Castle
Wieliczka · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Renaissance hunting castle of King Casimir the Great with an arcaded courtyard.
Tip: Pair with a walk in nearby Niepołomice Forest.
Photo: kacper 86krk · Google
Tyniec Benedictine Abbey
Wieliczka · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Clifftop 11th-century abbey above the Vistula with a small museum and a monks' shop.
Tip: Walk or bike the Vistula path out from Kraków for the best approach.
Photo: Opactwo Benedyktynów w Tyńcu · Google
Zakopane 4 picks
Gubałówka
Zakopane · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Funicular to a ridge with a full panorama of the Tatras.
Tip: Grilled oscypek cheese is sold at the top.
Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car
Zakopane · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Cable car to 1,987 m on the Polish-Slovak border ridge.
Tip: Book a time online and bring layers.
Photo: Kasprowy Wierch - Stacja Dolna PKL S.A. · Google
Old Church and Pęksowy Brzyzek Cemetery
Zakopane · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Wooden 19th-century church and cemetery with carved highlander grave markers.
Photo: Kościół MB Częstochowskiej w Zakopanem · Google
Tatra Museum
Zakopane · On our Kraków & the Tatras route
Museum of Podhale highlander life, nature and art.
Photo: Margoz · CC BY-SA 4.0
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the things to do in Poland?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 15 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Poland has the most things to do on this list?
Kraków has the most (6 of 15), followed by Wieliczka (5) and Zakopane (4).
Are any of these free?
3 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Kazimierz, Main Market Square and Cloth Hall and Old Church and Pęksowy Brzyzek Cemetery. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Poland
Top things to do nearby
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.