HISTORIC CITIES. TIMELESS STORIES.
Poland
Discover Poland’s royal cities, medieval castles and resilient cultural heritage. From Warsaw’s reconstructed Old Town and Kraków’s royal landmarks to Hanseatic ports and Gothic trading towns, explore a country shaped by centuries of history.
A LAND OF ROYAL CITIES AND RESILIENT HISTORY
Discover Poland Through the Ages
From the beginnings of the Piast state and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth to the partitions, wartime devastation and the peaceful transformation of 1989, Poland’s story lives on in its historic streets, castles, cathedrals and museums.
EXPLORE BY DESTINATION
Discover Poland’s Destinations
Warsaw
Warsaw’s reconstructed Old Town, Royal Castle and powerful museums tell the story of Poland’s capital, its wartime destruction and remarkable rebuilding.
Kraków
Explore Kraków’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, Wawel Royal Castle, medieval market square and centuries of royal, Jewish and cultural history.
Gdańsk
Discover the Baltic trading city of Gdańsk, with its colourful Long Market, historic shipyards and landmarks of the Solidarity movement.
Wrocław
Wander Wrocław’s picturesque Market Square, Gothic churches, Cathedral Island and remarkable architectural heritage along the Oder River.
Toruń
Explore Toruń’s remarkably preserved medieval centre, Gothic town hall, riverside walls and the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
POLAND THROUGH THE AGES
A Brief History of Poland
From the Christianisation of the early Polish state to the flourishing Commonwealth, the partitions of Poland, the Second World War and the return of democracy, Poland’s past remains visible in its remarkable historic places.
966
Baptism of Poland
Duke Mieszko I accepts Christianity, a key milestone in the emergence of the Polish state.
1385
Union of Krewo
A dynastic agreement lays the foundations for the Polish–Lithuanian alliance.
1795
Third Partition
Poland disappears from the European political map after successive partitions.
1918
Independence Restored
An independent Polish state re-emerges after the First World War.
1939–1945
Second World War
Nazi Germany invades Poland in 1939; occupation, destruction and the Holocaust leave profound scars.
1989
Democratic Transition
Round Table talks and partially free elections accelerate the end of communist rule.
Royal & Medieval Poland
Piast and Jagiellonian rulers shaped a landscape of Gothic cathedrals, royal castles and flourishing medieval cities.
The Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth became a major European state with a distinctive parliamentary and multicultural heritage.
Memory & Resilience
Museums, memorials and reconstructed city centres reflect the impact of partition, Nazi occupation, the Holocaust and post-war reconstruction.
PLAN YOUR POLAND TRIP
Everything You Need for Poland
Plan your history-rich journey through Poland, with ideas for places to stay, guided tours, car rental, flights and journeys between cities.
Hotels
Find a place to stay near Poland’s historic old towns, royal castles and cultural landmarks, from atmospheric boutique hotels to welcoming guesthouses.
Tours & Activities
Explore Polish royal residences, UNESCO-listed historic centres, museums, memorials and medieval landmarks on expert-led tours.
Car Hire
Explore Poland at your own pace, including castle routes, historic market towns, national parks and countryside heritage sites.
Flights
Compare flights to Poland’s international airports to start your journey through the country’s historic destinations.
Trains & Buses
Travel between Poland’s historic cities by rail and bus, connecting major hubs with smaller cultural destinations.