Best of Poland Grand Tour
Poland is a beautiful and diversified country.
Thanks to its central geographical location, Poland has been at the centre of the biggest historical events for over 1000 years. You will find here many historical monuments, enchanting old towns, palaces, museums, memorial sites after the First and Second World Wars. You will also taste the rich Polish tradition, legends, customs and famous Polish hospitality.
In this trip we would like to show you Poland in a nutshell, the most important places worth seeing.
We believe you will desire to come back for more!
Please remember:
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If you have more or less time, we will adapt our program to your requirements.
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Each point of the tour (including the city of arrival and departure) can be modified to suit your needs and interests.
Learn more about the full program below...
Warsaw
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival in Warsaw – transfer from the airport/railway station to your hotel. Accommodation and free evening.
Day 2 Warsaw
Walk around the Old Town. We will visit Royal Route with St. Cross Church, where the heart of Fryderyk Chopin rests, The Royal Castle and Maria Skłodowska-Curie's house in the New Town.
Lunch at our favorite pierogi bistro. In the afternoon, you will learn about the former Warsaw Ghetto and Umschlag Platz and visit Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews. In the summer season, in the evening we can small boat cruise on the Vistula river and on weekends you can experience multimedia fountain shows at the boulevard.
Overnight in Warsaw.
Day 3 Warsaw
Today we will see a gem of architecture of the socialist realist style - the Palace of Culture and Science.
In good weather, you can take the elevator to the 30th floor and admire the panorama of Warsaw, also accessible in the evening.
You will visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum. Some say that you cannot understand Warsaw citizens and the history of modern Poland until you learn the background and history of the Warsaw Uprising.
In the afternoon, tour of the Łazienki Park: Royal Palace on the Water and gardens.
In the winter season you can admire the Royal Palace in Wilanów, where spectacular multimedia shows with history in the background take place.
Overnight in Warsaw.
Optional:
If you have more time we can go from Warsaw for a day trip to Żelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin or Kazimierz Dolny, a picturesque town, a favorite weekend place of Polish bohemia.
For those for whom the history of the Holocaust is important, we can organize a tour to Treblinka, WW2 death camp.
For nature lovers we also recommend the Bialowieza Forest, one of the last and largest immense primeval forest, where almost 1000 bison live in the wild and a visit the charming Podlasie region with extraordinary regional cuisine and a wonderful museum of Orthodox art in Suprasl, in the east of Poland. We need an extra 2 days for this part of the trip.
Warsaw
Day 4 Lublin
Arrival at Lublin before noon.
We will start with the history of Lublin and visit the Lublin Historical Underground Route and the Trinitarian Gate, from which you can see the panorama of Lublin. We will walk through the historical (over 700 years old!) streets of the old town, we will visit the oldest Dominican church in Lublin, where there was a relic of the Holy Cross (stolen in 1991).
In the Museum at the Castle you will find out where the burnt imprint of the blacker paw on the judges' table came from.
Lovers of Byzantine culture will be delighted by the frescoes in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity.
Folk art lovers can visit the 19C Polish village in the Lublin open-air museum.
History enthusiasts may be interested in visiting the Museum at Majdanek Concentration Camp.
In the summer season Lublin abounds in street attractions, the biggest event of which is the Carnival of the Magicians.
Overnight in Lublin.
Day 5 Zamość/Rzeszów
After breakfast you will go to Zamość - a gem city of the Renaissance.
Walk through the Zamość Old Town (UNESCO-listed). You will also visit the oldest pharmacy in Poland from 1609, the Synagogue from 1610 and the beautiful Town Hall. In the summer season, at noon, from the balcony of the tower town hall trumpeter plays the bugle call, but only in three directions of the world. According to tradition, the founder of the city, Jan Zamoyski, did not like Krakow and forbade blowing the horn in that direction.
Tonight we will reach Rzeszów.
Dinner in a traditional Polish restaurant with regional cuisine.
Overnight in Rzeszow.
Day 6 Rzeszów/Łańcut/Kraków
After breakfast, we visit the Palace in Łańcut, one of the most beautiful, magnificent and best-preserved magnate residences in Poland. After the war turmoil and the looting of private property by the communists, the palace and its interiors miraculously survived intact. Apparently, thanks to the cunning of the last administrator, who hung a huge inscription on the gate that the palace became the property of the state during the liberation of the country by the Bolsheviks from the Red Army.
Lunch on the way to Krakow.
In the afternoon we will focus on the Old Town in Krakow: we will visit the majestic Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Church with the monumental wooden Altar of Wit Stwosz from the 15C, we will drive a horse cab in Krakow's enchanting streets.
We recommend a dinner in the legendary restaurant Wierzynka at the Market Square. In 1364 this restaurant hosted kings and rulers of Europe at the invitation of the Polish king Casimir the Great.
Overnight in Krakow.
Lublin
Day 7 Kraków/Wieliczka Salt Mine
Before noon we will have a tour of the Wawel Castle. It is the seat of Polish kings in 11-16 C. It is worth seeing the Sigismund Chapel, where the ashes of the most eminent personalities and kings rest, as well as climbing the church tower and touching the Sigismund Bell. The bell weighs over 12 tons and is hand-operated by 8-12 people. The bell rings on the most important holidays, as well as at moments important for Krakow, Poland and the world (e. g. after the fire of Notre Dame in Paris).
At the Castle we will admire the richness of royal chambers with an unprecedented collection of tapestries. After the outbreak of WW2, the museum custodian ordered the evacuation of valuable objects. As a result, they travelled a long way through Canada to return to their place in Krakow after the war.
In the afternoon, we take a tour of the salt mine in Wieliczka. The underground route lasts about 3 hours. It is the largest salt mine in the world, and is so perfectly preserved. Underground we will see beautiful chambers carved in salt, unique salt sculptures, underwater lakes and almost 3km of winding corridors. It is an unforgettable encounter with the history of miners' work and old mining equipment. Wieliczka has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.
Evening at you leasure.
From spring to autumn you can take a boat trip on the Vistula and enjoy the majestic Krakow from a different perspective.
Overnight in Krakow
Day 8 Kraków
Before noon we will visit Kazimierz, an old Jewish district with a perfectly preserved Old Synagogue, the only active synagogue Remuh and one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe. There is also a historic mikvah, which is a ritual bath. We will walk along the streets of Kazimierz and eat the best zapiekanka in the city on the New Square in the so-called Okrąglak market.
In the afternoon we go to the Schindler's Factory Museum, where Steven Spielberg's film Schindler's List was shot.
Evening free.
Overnight stay in Krakow.
Day 9 Zakopane
You cannot feel the climate of Polish folklore more than in the highest Polish mountains - the Tatra Mountains and the capital of the Tatra Mountains - Zakopane. The only place in Poland where you can take a picture with a legendary white bear (for a suitable fee for a bear, of course). The cable car will take you to the top of Gubałówka, from which you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the mountains. If you wish, in the winter time, you can ski from there.
On Krupówki street you will meet traditionally dressed highlanders, numerous stalls with local delicacies, including oscypek (smoked sheep cheese, link) and souvenirs. In the inn we will be warmed up by the famous local so-called tea with "electricity" (i. e. with spirit) and we will eat local delicacies made of lamb.
For a rest we go to thermal baths, special pools, where the water is 32-36 degrees and even in winter you can relax outside.
Return to Krakow in the evening.
Overnight in Krakow.
Optional:
If you have more time we can go from Krakow for a day trip to Czestochowa to the monastery on Jasna Gora. It is a cult place for Polish Catholics, where the most famous painting of the Black Madonna, the Queen of Poland, is located. According to the Roman Catholic Church, numerous miracles and healings took place over the centuries in front of the painting. Every year, Czestochowa is visited by walking pilgrims from all over Poland (some people go to Czestochowa from a distance of up to 2 weeks). On August 15th, the monastery celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We can also go to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyła, the Polish Pope John Paul II, and walk along his favorite paths in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (on the UNESCO list).
Day 10 Auschwitz
Before noon we will go to Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Please note! This place is not for children under the age of 16.
The tours are guided and lasts about 4 hours.
There is also a security check in place.
We'll go to Wroclaw in the afternoon.
Overnight in Wroclaw.
Kraków
Day 11 Wrocław
Wroclaw is one of the most beautiful cities in the West of Poland. In winter there is a great Christmas market here, and in summer you can sit in one of the dozens of charming pubs in the Old Town and taste the specialties of Polish cuisine and enjoy the local beer. For the smallest and not only, the attraction may be the search games for Wroclaw dwarfs.
We will get to know the history of Wroclaw, visit Centenian Hall (on UNESCO's list) or the unusual Hydropolis Museum, where we will learn more about the water world.
In the late afternoon we will go to Poznań.
Overnight in Poznan.
Optional:
If you have more time and are interested in the history of WW2, we can go from Wroclaw for a day trip to the Riese complex. It is one of Hitler's most closely guarded secrets, where an underground city and constructions with monumental tunnels were built, which allegedly reached Nazi golden train. Read more about Riese Code.
Day 12 Poznań / Gniezno / Biskupin
Poznan is the capital of Wielkopolska with over 1000 years of tradition.
In Poznań, just like in Wrocław, everything must be reliable and on time. Poznań residents are known for their respect for money. Before they spend the zloty, they will see from every side whether it is really worthwhile to spend it.
After breakfast we will visit the Old Town in Poznan and the Town Hall.
Then we will go to Gniezno, the first capital of Poland prior to Krakow and Warsaw. We will see an unusual monument of Romanesque art in Poland with 12 C - Gniezno Doors cast in bronze with historical scenes on reliefs.
Later we will go to Biskupin settlement from 8C BC (!!!!). This unusual discovery took place only in 1933, when the water level in the Bishop's Lake significantly decreased and the inhabitants begun finding various historical objects. The archaeological works started before the above mentioned 2 and lasted for several decades. Now you can see what conditions our ancestors lived in. As far as the scale of the discovery is concerned, this place can be compared to Pompeii in Italy.
Tonight we will go to Toruń.
Overnight in Toruń.
Wrocław
Day 13 Toruń
Toruń is famous for at least two reasons.
First, here is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, the author of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium and the groundbreaking heliocentric theory from 15/16C (the one which moved the Earth and stopped the Sun).
Secondly, Toruń's Gingerbreads, whose recipe has been closely guarded since the 13th C, almost like the Coca-Cola recipe. In the gingerbread factory we will learn about the rituals associated with baking gingerbread, see the original manufacture and buy delicious gingerbread, which you can take with you to the country (supposedly the older the gingerbread the better)
We will also visit the historic Old Town (on UNESCO's list).
We'll go to Malbork in the evening.
Overnight in Malbork.
Day 14 Malbork
Malbork is an unusual fortress. The largest Gothic Teutonic Castle in the world, which construction began in 1270. This is where the Grand Master's headquarters were relocated from Venice. During the tour we will get to know interesting stories about people and life in those times. You will probably be surprised by the fact that the bed of a decent knight (for those times) was only 160 cm long!
In the afternoon we will go to Gdańsk. In the evening, a walk through the charming Old Town and the Moltava Quay, where stands the famous port crane and at the same time the water gate of Gdansk with 15C – Żuraw in Gdansk.
In summer, at the turn of July and August, the famous Dominican fairs are held, where you can feel the atmosphere of a medieval city.
Overnight in Gdańsk.
Toruń
Day 15 Gdańsk / Westerplatte
This day will be dedicated to history.
We will start with Westerplatte, the peninsula on which the WW2 began with a shot from the German battleship Schlezwig-Holstein. You can choose to visit the WW2 Museum, the historical museum in Gdansk, Artus Court or the Amber Museum.
In the afternoon, we will focus on the contemporary history.
The Solidarity Movement and the overthrow of communism in the world, which has its cradle in the Gdańsk Shipyard. We will also visit the Solidarity Museum, devoted to the history of the Solidarity workers' movement, the anti-communist opposition in Poland and other countries of the Warsaw Pact.
Overnight in Gdansk.
Day 16 Sopot
In the morning we will go to Sopot. It is a cult seaside resort for Poles, just like Brighton for the English or Saint Tropez for the French. We will walk on the longest wooden pier in the world, watch the marina with yachts, enter the lighthouse to admire the coastline of the Gdansk Bay and have a cold beer or prosecco on the famous Sopot street - called Monciak.
In summer you can go to the beautiful sandy beach and see if the Baltic Sea is really as cold as they say.
Only in Sopot you can eat fish caught the same morning by local fishermen. We know a place like this!
For those who are interested we offer a hydrofoil trip to Hel, the most beautiful peninsula in the Baltic Sea, with white pure sand and unusual hospitality of local residents - Kashubians.
If you like the organ music of Bach, Handel or Mozart, you can go to the concert in Oliwa Cathedral, where you can find one of the largest organs in the world with almost 8000 pipes, 5 manuals and 1 foot keyboard. In the summer, concerts are held every hour and lucky people can admire the artistry of the performers during the International Organ Music Festival.
Overnight in Gdansk
Day 16 Departure
Transfer from your hotel to airport/railway station in Gdansk.
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Best of Poland Grand Tour using
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