Coming from a Polish girl, visiting the country that brought me such a culturally rich childhood was a dream come true. I grew up Polish dancing at my local club in my hometown and have always dreamed of seeing the country myself. Luckily, just last year I was able to go and these are five reasons why you need to visit as well.
It has a lot of history and is rich in culture. Poland has 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites from towns like Warsaw and Krakow to the Bialowieza Forest. If you are a history junkie, you’ll never get bored in this country. From breathtaking medieval castles to museums about historic battles and Polish Jews, there is something for everyone. Of course, this is where the infamous concentration camp, Auschwitz Birkenau is located as well. Along with history, I can personally say this country is one of the most humble and proud countries I’ve visited. Perhaps it’s because I’m Polish myself so I was surrounded by things I grew up with in America but in Poland, there are many things that hold significant meaning. Whether it be Folklore patterns to Amber, the country has many traditions to share.
The food is mouth-wateringly delicious. Whether it be potato pancakes, Golabki (cabbage rolls) or my personal favorite, Pierogi. For dessert, you can enjoy pączki – a doughnut or sernik – a cheesecake. Sort of along the lines of the rich culture aspect, Polish people love their food. My family has recipes that have gone back generations that we still make for holidays. When you visit Poland, you know you’re getting the genuine and made with love by the local Babci (Polish grandma).
It offers a wide variety of scenery. If you want to see fairy-tale forests, mountains that tower high into the clouds, relaxing beaches, big cities or country fields – Poland offers it all and much more. It’s the perfect destination to cross everything off from a short weekend trip to a ski adventure. Tatras are perfect for nature lovers and big cities like Warsaw or even small ones like Wroclaw are perfect for those who want a bustling lifestyle.
It’s a very affordable country. When I say affordable, I truly mean it. I flew there from Rome, Italy where I was living at the time and only paid 40 euros for a plane ticket and roughly 30 euros for a hotel for one night. Additionally, food, merchandise and even Ubers are cheaper than most European countries. I took a 40 minute long uber for 6 dollars and paid for a vintage watch that I later found out was worth a lot for 2 dollars. With that being said, I must preface that I visited a smaller city so if you visit the capital or another big city, the prices will soar slightly but it is still notoriously a cheaper destination.
Polish people know how to party. This might not appeal to everyone but it’s important to note that whether it be a holiday, a wedding or a Saturday at a club, Polish people don’t mess around. They know how to drink and often stay out late. Much like famously known party cities like Barcelona, this is an underrated destination for late nights. Once you’ve enjoyed the club until last call, you can have a great time at fast food destinations or indulge in some hangover cures.