Traveling Poland: Krakow, Bialystok, & Warsaw
When planning a trip to Europe, most of us think of the glitz and glam of Western Europe. Although western Europe is undeniably gorgeous, other countries are left in the dark and don't receive the love that they deserve. For example, Poland.
Homemade dinner by Monique's ciocia (aunt).
Poland is my favorite country in Eastern Europe, and one of my favorite travel experiences in Europe. Eastern Europe has a reputation for being overly stern and cold-hearted, but Poland didn’t fit that stereotype to me.
Poland has so much to offer travelers: delicious peirogies, premium vodka, hard-hitting history, charming cities, and affordable currency for all. Seriously, can we talk about its currency? It’s unbelievably cheap in comparison to the rest of Europe. So before you book your 5th visit to Italy, consider Poland as your next trip or add it to your next European adventure.
KRAKOW
A beautiful medieval city with rich culture and historical significance. According to legends, Krakow was founded on the defeat of a dragon. Aside from its mythical roots, it was also the central site of the Nazi General Government during World War II. Not only does Krakow allure history buffs, but also attracts foodies and party-goers. The city is a harmonious balance of old city charm and 21st century modernism.
STAY: Mosquito Hostel
Mosquito Hostel is still one of the best hostels I've ever stayed at, and hopefully it's still as good as it was in April 2013. Located in the center of the beautiful historic old town—all the main sights, restaurants, and bars were all within walking distance (there’s a 24/7 peirogie spot down the block, please go there as much as you can).
Mosquito felt more like a boutique hostel rather than cheap dormitories. The hospitality, cleanliness, and location were excellent + the extensive breakfast spread was incredible.
The staff was very accommodating and always planned a daily group activity for guests. We had a blast partying with the hostel for the 2 nights we joined. Partying in Krakow was one of the best nightlife experiences I had in a European city. Mostly because drinks are dirt cheap and the Polish know how to make a good vodka.
$35/ per night: Double room with private bathroom
EXPLORE: Historic Centre
Historic Old Town & Jewish Quarter
Located walking distance from our hostel. The vibrant, old city charm was similar to Poland's Eastern European siblings. You'll find families, couples, teenagers, and tourists strolling around the square. The old town holds a lot of history, and there are a plethora of restaurants and bars/clubs that come alive at night.
Wawel Castle
For centuries, the castle was the residency for Polish kings. Now it's Poland's most prestigous art museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a gorgeous castle representing nearly all European architectural styles. After walking through the old town, make sure to head towards the castle to catch the sunset.
DAY TRIPS: Wieliczka Salt Mine & Auschwitz
Wieliczka Salt Mine
125 PLN ($36) for 4-hour tour with transport, tickets, and guide
The salt mine dates back to the 13th century and it was only in 2007 when they discontinued the salt production. It's now one of Poland’s most popular historic monuments. The salt mine consists of tunnels, statues, and chapels all carved out from rock salt by miners. It’s really neat and apparently you can host parties here for a really hefty price. Quick tip: don't be one of those tourists who gets easily convinced to lick the salt wall...
Auschwitz Concentration Camp
115 PLN ($34) for 6-hour tour with transport, tickets, and guide
Every person should experience Auschwitz in their lifetime. It's an extremely heartbreaking experience walking through the grounds of the largest concentration camp in WWII. We should all learn from the devastation and cruelty that took place in Auschwitz, and never forget the lives that were taken so early. It will humble you to pieces and shine a different life perspective on you. I'm pretty sure I called my mom after the tour to remind her that I love her.
Photos Courtesy of Monique
BIALYSTOK
There’s nothing like staying with a family during travels. It’s really the best way to genuinely experience a country. My grad school roommate, Monique, was from Poland and I had the opportunity to tag along with her to her hometown of Bialystok!
Bialystok is a charming Polish city and the largest in northeastern Poland. It was once an importance center for the light industry which was the reason for its substantial growth in population. Most of the people residing in the city are of polish or eastern european decent so i stuck out like a sore thumb. Nonetheless her family welcomed me with open arms and I was instantly treated like family. Both filipinos and polish people are equally obsessed with Pope John Paul II so it's really easy to get along.
With Monique's family!
EXPLORE: Bialystock Farm, Kosciuszko Market Square, & Branicki Palace
Farm in Bialystock
We drove to a beautiful farm in the countryside about an hour away from Monique's aunt's house. We had lunch at the farm's restaurant and I had the opportunity to taste some real Polish delicacies such as borscht and horseradish. After lunch, we walked around the grounds and took a bunch of pics!
Kosciuszko Market Square & Branicki Palace
Monique's cousins brought us to the square on our last night for drinks. Similar to other European cities, there was a lot of outdoor seating so we hung out there. After a few drinks, we walked to the Branicki Palace. It was too late to go inside so we admired the palace from the gates.
WARSAW
We only had a few hours to check out Warsaw before our flight. We met up with Monique’s cousin who was studying at a university in the city. Warsaw was definitely the most “cosmopolitan” out of the 3 cities we visited. There were a lot of students and professionals residing in the city. But I’m glad we spent most of our time in Krakow and Bialystok!
Thanks Monique for the amazing Polish adventure!
As I emphasized earlier Poland has so much to offer travelers: delicious peirogies, premium vodka, hard-hitting history, charming cities, and affordable currency for all! Don't be surprised when Poland charms you with its Eastern European magic just like it did to me.
What other activities would you add to a trip to Poland? What other countries in Europe do you consider underrated?
