Beyond the Wedding: Explore Poland’s Highlights

Planning to spend more time in Poland after the wedding? Wonderful idea! Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or an outdoor enthusiast, here are some of the best places and experiences to consider. If you plan to travel by train let us know - we’d be happy to help with the best options. Another choice is to rent a car at one airport and drop it off at another. The road connections are good so this should work well.

Warsaw

We recommend a walk along Krakowskie Przedmieście to the Old Town. Wander along the cobbled streets of Castle Square, explore the Royal Castle, and take a look at the colorful townhouses. Don’t miss the Barbican and the peaceful "New Town" area, filled with cozy cafés. This is where we went for our first face to face date :)

Relax in the Royal Łazienki Park: A serene escape in the city, perfect for a leisurely walk, spotting peacocks, or enjoying a free Chopin concert on chosen summer days. You can take a gondola ride across the lake, offering beautiful views of the Island Theatre, the Palace on The Isle and it's serene setting. We did this on the day Andrew proposed :)

Vistula Boulevards: Unwind by the river with great views, food trucks, and drinks. While you're there, don’t miss the nearby Copernicus Science Centre, an interactive museum perfect for curious minds. You can explore fascinating exhibits, enjoy the planetarium, and experience science in a fun and engaging way!

Warsaw Uprising Museum: A must-visit for history buffs, this powerful and immersive museum tells the story of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising through interactive exhibits, personal stories, and moving displays. It’s an emotional experience that offers a deeper understanding of the city’s resilience.

For food:

Polish: the EATERY
Italian: Culinaria Italiana (cozy, antiquarian vibe, run by Italians, amazing octopus and the best tiramisu ever); Madonna (very cool and equally controversial design, better for bigger groups)
Food halls: Fabryka Norblina (great space with live music and multiple food and bar options including our favourite cherry vodka place. Walking distance from the Uprising Museum); Elektrownia Powiśle (cool space very close to the Copernicus Centre)

Gdańsk

Take a stroll through Gdańsk’s beautiful Old Town and soak up its charm. Walk along the vibrant Long Market, surrounded by colorful merchant houses and lively shops. Discover the quaint Mariacka Street, famous for its amber jewelry and cobblestone allure. And be sure to check out the iconic Gdańsk Crane!

Gdańsk has some beautiful, long beaches perfect for a day of relaxation. If you're up for it, you can take a leisurely stroll along the coast to Sopot, a charming seaside town with a gorgeous beach and the famous wooden pier. It's a bit of a walk. If you're not in the mood for a long trek, you can always rent a bike :) Or spend time in one of the beach bars - always nice!

Boat rides are our thing so we can't leave it out of recommendations! Take a boat ride along the Motława River to enjoy views of Gdańsk’s waterfront and landmarks like the Gdańsk Crane. You can also opt for a longer cruise to Westerplatte. For a unique experience, try sailing on a Gdańsk Galar, a traditional wooden boat once used by fishermen. These tours offer a glimpse into the city’s history and provide a charming way to explore the river and the shipyard.

If you are into history we recommend going to Malbork Castle. It's just an hour from Gdańsk and it's the largest brick castle in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gdańsk has good museums too! Museum Of The Second World War and European Solidarity Centre are both worth seeing. For ship and engineering fans - step aboard the SS Sołdek, a ship turned into a floating museum at the Motława riverfront.

For food:

We reeeeeally like Bar pod rybą and their baked potatoes. Omnomnmnom
If you prefer food halls Słony Spichlerz would be a great choice!

Kraków

Explore the historic streets of Kraków’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of charm. Fancy a walking tour? Don't miss St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall and Wawel Royal Castle! If you're a history buff, check out the Rynek Underground Museum which offers a look into Kraków’s medieval past with fascinating exhibits.

Just a short trip from Kraków, the Wieliczka Salt Mine offers an incredible underground adventure and is a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deep below the surface lies a maze of tunnels, chambers, and breathtaking sculptures, all crafted from salt. A true highlight of Wieliczka is the Chapel of St. Kinga, a gorgeous underground church with sparkling chandeliers, detailed altars, and intricate carvings—every detail made of salt. You’ll also come across hidden lakes and hear fascinating stories about the mine’s history, which stretches all the way back to the 13th century.

Stroll through Kazimierz, Kraków’s vibrant Jewish Quarter, known for its bohemian vive, rich history and cozy cafés. Visit historic synagogues, the Galicia Jewish Museum, and enjoy the area’s buzzing nightlife. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Bansky Museum in Kazimierz. It's an engaging, interactive and thought provoking space.

If you get tired of sightseeing step into the Museum of Illusions, where mind-bending exhibits and optical tricks will leave you questioning reality:)

For food:

Wrocław

Wrocław’s Old Town is a must-see, with its lively Market Square, colorful buildings, cozy cafés, and the stunning Town Hall. Take a stroll, soak in the atmosphere, and keep an eye out for the nearly 1000 quirky little dwarfs hidden around the city. They-are-the-cutest!

Another walk we recommend is through the Cathedral Island, Ostrów Tumski, Wrocław’s oldest district, where you’ll find the stunning the Bridge of Love, Wrocław Cathedral and beautiful views of the Odra River.

We highly recommend visiting the Afrykarium in Wrocław ZOO. It's a one-of-a-kind exhibit dedicated to the ecosystems of Africa. Our favourite part of it is the oceanarium with its massive underwater tunnel, where you can get up close with aquatic animals like hippos, crocodiles, and diverse fish species. The exhibits are designed to replicate the natural habitats of these animals, creating a visually stunning experience. And the penguins there... omg, they are ALMOST as cute as Borys.

Another cool thing to see is Hydropolis. It's an interactive water-themed exhibition housed in a 19th-century building. It offers an immersive experience exploring the mysteries of water and its importance to life on Earth. Visitors can engage with exhibits on aquatic ecosystems, water conservation and even space missions involving water. And it's cooler than it sounds! :D

Honorable Mentions

We don’t want to overwhelm you with too many choices. That said, there are some places so amazing — including Ewa's absolute favorite spot on Earth — that we simply cannot resist sharing them with you.

1.Warmia & Mazury are at the very top of our list. Known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes, this region is a sanctuary of natural beauty, offering unmatched peace and tranquility. It’s ideal for outdoor adventures like kayaking or stand-up paddling. It might be trickier than it looks, but just look at Andrew effortlessly gliding across the water in style! What a show-off ;)

2. Sandomierz holds a special place in our hearts as the town where we first met during Aga and Santi’s wedding. It’s a lovely little place, conveniently located on the way from Warsaw to Kraków, and worth a visit for its true charm.

3. Białowieża Forest is another amazing place, especially for nature lovers. As one of Europe’s last and largest primeval forests, it’s home to ancient trees and a diverse range of wildlife, including bison - the biggest animal in Europe. It’s also a fantastic spot for bike rides, where you can cycle through the forest and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. Whether you’re hiking or biking, Białowieża Forest is awesome.

4. The Tatra Mountains offer some of the most dramatic landscapes in Poland. From challenging mountain trails to relaxed walks among alpine meadows, there’s something for everyone. Zakopane, the town at the foot of the mountains, is the perfect base to explore this stunning region.