Poland

Information and Tourism

Situated in central Europe, Poland has well and truly lifted its head from its communist shackles and rebuilt itself as an independent and inviting member of Europe. Poland is edged to the north by the Baltic Sea and is also surrounded by a series of significant countries, such as the Czech Republic, Germany, the Russian Federation and the Ukraine.

Poland is brimming with sights to see and attractions to enjoy. These include more than 100 ancient castles, countless timber-built churches, medieval villages and towns, and beautiful forests. The scenery around the Baltic coast is a definite highlight in Poland, along with the peaks of the Tatra Mountains and the high concentration of historic buildings in Warsaw, the Polish capital.


Warsaw has become a leading tourist destination in Poland and is at its busiest between mid-spring to early autumn, when holidaymakers arrive in their droves. The 14th-century Royal Castle on the Zamek Królewski is one of the most visited sights in Warsaw, along with its winding back streets around the Old Town area (Stare Miasto), and its endless array of historical and national museums.

Although a holiday in Poland is no longer the bargain break that it once was, this is still a relatively inexpensive country. However, accommodation costs can vary greatly according to quality. Places worth visiting include the historic port city of Gdansk, the cosmopolitan cities of Kracow and Poznan, the northern town of Malbork, and the many national parks, such as those at Bialowieza and Tatra.

	WORLD GUIDES TO POLAND
	World Guide to Krakow, Poland Krakow may only be Poland's third-biggest city, but it has actually become the country's premier tourist destination. The city of Krakow really does leave the other Polish cities way behind in terms of tourism and offers many architectural gems.
	World Guide to Lodz, Poland Lodz is an enormous city, being Poland's third-biggest after both Warsaw (the capital) and Krakow. Tourists tend to visit Lodz for many different reasons, with highlights including its rich movie heritage and Art Nouveau buildings.
	World Guide to Warsaw, Poland A fairly youthful city when compared to more historic cities in Poland, Warsaw is the country's progressive capital city and is well-known for its cultural scene. Warsaw is home to countless theatres, along with a number of restored castles and palaces.
	World Guide to Wroclaw, Poland Poland's fourth-biggest city, Wroclaw is a notable educational centre and features no less than ten universities, which between them accommodate over 100,000 students. Wroclaw comprises a series of islands and boasts around 100 bridges.

Poland Information and Fast Facts

• Country: Poland (Polska)
• Area: 120,000 square miles / 310,800 square km
• Population: approximately 39,000,000
  
• Capital city: Warsaw (Warszawa)
• Language: Polish
• Currency: Zloty (PLN)
• Country dialling code: +48
• Religion: various religions

Map of Poland