Splendid  Poland holidays & tours

The best time to visit Poland is during spring and autumn, from around mid-April to June and September to October, when the weather is pleasantly warm and there’s a good chance of dry days. You can also enjoy some beautiful colours in the scenery during the autumn. During the peak summer months, it can get very hot which is less pleasant for exploring the cities, and often very crowded. During the winter months, temperatures drop below zero and you can expect snow – great for winter sports, while the Christmas market in Krakow is one of the most magical in Europe, but otherwise not the best months to plan your Poland holidays. 

The top tourist attractions in Poland are a mix of city attractions and scenery, with plenty to appeal to those who love history and the outdoors. In the cities, Warsaw’s Old Town, the beautiful historic centre of Krakow and smaller cities such as Wroclaw are all unmissable when you’re planning Poland holidays. Krakow is also a good base for exploring the unusual Wieliczka Salt Mine, along with the moving Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Beyond the cities, the Baltic coast is ideal for those who love wide open sweeping beaches, while there’s some glorious countryside in the Masurian Lake District and the Tatra Mountains, including around Zakopane. The 13th century Malbork Castle is the largest in the world, while Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world. 

Currently, UK citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Poland for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page.

The currency in Poland is the zloty, which divides into 100 groszy. Coins include 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 groszy, as well as 1, 2 and 5 zloty, while bank note denominations include 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zloty. The lower denomination coins have very little value although they are still in circulation. Poland is not yet part of the Eurozone and Euros are not accepted. Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are easy to find in urban areas.

Yes, Poland is a great destination to visit with children. You’ll find some great family-friendly attractions in the major cities, especially Warsaw, while the fairytale architecture of Krakow is also certain to appeal to younger visitors. Family is important to Poles, so children are welcome as you travel, with added family-friendly benefits such as children’s corners in restaurants along with kids’ menus. You can also head to the beaches along the Baltic coast on Poland holidays, as well as exploring the countryside, including hiking and walking in the Tatra Mountains.

Polish is the official language of Poland, and spoken by the vast majority of people in the country. English is widely spoken across Poland, especially in cities and major tourist areas, with the younger generations being taught some English in schools.

There’s a wide network of efficient trains, trams, and buses, so public transport in Poland is generally a good option and an easy way to explore on your Poland holidays. Fast trains run between the main cities, but there are regional and local train routes, along with a string of bus companies covering local and regional areas, often serving areas in the countryside which are outside the train network, plus national routes. The main cities also have reliable bus and tram networks, as well as a metro line in Warsaw.

Polish cuisine is often not well-known outside Poland, but there is a wide range of tempting food and drink to try during your Poland holidays. Pierogi is one of the best known, little dumplings often with a savoury filling including meat, cheese, potatoes and mushrooms, although sweet options are available as well. Krokiety are similarly varied, a type of Polish croquette made from thin pancakes with savoury or sweet fillings, which are then deep fried to crispiness. Many traditional dishes are hearty and filling, perfect for chilly Polish winters, including gulasz, a creamier version of goulash, and bigos, a stew mixing meat, mushrooms and sauerkraut, as well as potato pancakes (placki ziemniaczane) and bright red borscht, a beetroot soup served with sour cream and dill. Finish with a sweet treat such as makowiec, a poppy seed cake, and wuzetka or WZ cake, a dessert that’s a speciality in Warsaw, made from chocolate sponge sandwiched together with cream. You’ll have plenty of choice of Polish vodka and beer, but look out for kompot as a non-alcoholic alternative, made using a whole variety of summer fruits combined with sugar, water and some spices, served cold.

Yes, Poland is generally cheaper than most of Western Europe, so you’ll find lower prices in restaurants and at tourist sites. Popular tourist cities such as Krakow tend to be among the more expensive destinations to visit on Poland tours, but even the capital Warsaw is comparatively cheap, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for a budget-friendly European holiday.

Attitudes in Poland tend to be traditionally conservative, with respect shown to elders, while manners are also considered important. Learning a few basic words of Polish – such as dzień dobry (good morning), tak (yes), nie (no) and dzięki (thanks) – is always appreciated. Talking to someone with your hands in your pockets is considered rude, while you would also be expected to stand up to greet someone. Around 75% of Poles are practising Roman Catholics so social attitudes tend to be conservative, and you’ll be expected to dress appropriately when visiting churches or other religious sites.

Tipping isn’t mandatory but it is customary to leave a tip in Poland unless you’re unhappy with the service. It’s usual to leave around 10-15% in restaurants and to round up the total in cafes and bars. Tour guides and drivers will appreciate a small tip (we include recommended amounts for tour managers, drivers and guides in our useful information packs, which you’ll receive after booking). Remember that porterage is included in our Poland guided tour, so there’s no need to tip for bags.