What are the best city breaks in Poland?

The best city breaks in Poland will depend on what’s top of your to-do list when you get there, but places like Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk and Lodz are a great place to start. These destinations have a good mix of cultural and historical highlights, and each one offers something different – from capital-city sights in Warsaw, to Baltic Sea beaches in Gdansk.

We’ve covered four of the best city breaks in Poland based on things to do in each location, seasonal special events and foodie highlights. When you’ve booked your trip, don’t forget to sort your Travel Money by buying Polish zloty before you go*.

City breaks to Warsaw

A city break to Warsaw puts Poland’s vibrant capital city at your fingertips, so it’s a great place to start if you’ve never visited the country before. As Poland’s biggest city it also has the highest concentration of famous sites to see, so your itinerary will be a long one.

Things to do in Warsaw

1. Walk through Old Town Market Square. Reconstructed between 1948 and 1953, Starego Miasta is the oldest part of the city and it’s well deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status. 

2. Follow the Royal Route. Starting from the Royal Castle, passing Lazienki Palace and ending at Wilanow Palace, this walking route ticks off the city’s main landmarks in one stretch.

3. Visit the Neon Museum. This collection of Cold War-era neon signs – the biggest in the world – makes for a seriously Instagrammable stop-off. It’s housed in the Palace of Culture and Science.

Special seasonal events in Warsaw

Winter is a great time to visit Warsaw’s Christmas market, which fills the Old Town Market Square from the end of November until the end of December. There are ice rinks spread across the city, too, and the Royal Route is lit up with Christmas illuminations.

Best places to eat in Warsaw

Warsaw has no shortage of restaurants, which range from budget to Michelin-starred, but its food halls are ideal if you can’t decide what you fancy eating. Located in various areas of the city, each one offers multiple dining options in one space – so everyone in your group can choose something different if they want to.

City breaks to Krakow

The official capital of Poland until 1596 and the country’s second-biggest city, Krakow is another great choice for a city break. Further south than Warsaw, it’s one of Poland’s oldest cities and it draws visitors in with a mix of culture and history – all set along the picturesque banks of the Vistula River.

Things to do in Krakow

1. Explore the main Market Square, Rynek Glowny. It dates back to the 13th century and is one of the biggest medieval squares in Europe, surrounded by shops and cafes and overlooked by the huge Cloth Hall.

2. Visit Wawel Castle. Set on a hill overlooking the Vistula River, this former royal residence is  considered one of the most important sites in Poland. Visit at night in winter to see the surrounding gardens lit up with atmospheric lights.

3. Wander through the Kazimierz district. The Old Jewish Quarter is the place to go for independent cafés and street art, and it’s only a 15-minute walk from the centre of the Old Town. If you’re planning to hop on public transport instead, it can be handy to carry some cash.

Special seasonal events in Krakow

Summer is festival season in Krakow, and open-air concerts are a big feature. One of the most popular is the Wianki Festival in June, which mixes live music with ancient midsummer traditions – like floating pretty flower wreaths on the Vistula River.

Best places to eat in Krakow

Milk bars, or ‘bar mleczny’, are traditional Polish cafes that serve cheap, hearty meals – and you’ll find plenty of them in central Krakow. Expect Polish dishes like pierogi, filling stews and warming soups, all cooked to traditional recipes.

City breaks to Gdansk

If you want to team a city break with a beach break, Gdansk is a good option. This city sits on northern Poland’s Baltic Sea coastline, so you can swim and sunbathe in the summer months, and sightsee all year round.

Things to do in Gdansk

1. Stroll down Dlugi Targ. Known as the Long Market, this historic street is the heart of Gdansk’s Old Town, lined with colourful facades and cafés and home to the photogenic Neptune Fountain. The locals throw coins in for good luck, so you might want some Polish zloty to hand.

2. Explore the Motława River waterfront. This scenic promenade is lined with amber shops, restaurants, and landmarks like the medieval port crane, Zuraw.

3. Climb St. Mary’s Church Tower. One of the largest brick churches in the world, Bazylika Mariacka has a 78-metre-high tower that gives widescreen views of Gdańsk from the top.

Special seasonal events in Gdansk

Gdansk is known as the World Capital of Amber, and hosts AMBERIF – an international amber and jewellery fair – every spring and autumn. It’s one of the biggest jewellery events in Central and Eastern Europe and draws an international crowd.

Best places to eat in Gdansk

Thanks to its coastal location, Gdansk has a collection of waterfront restaurants with fresh seafood dishes on the menu. Long Waterfront is a good place to start, and dishes like Zupa Rybna – fish soup – and herring rollmops are a staple.

City breaks to Lodz

Want a city break that’s a bit more off the beaten track? Lesser-known Lodz, which is about a two-hour drive from Warsaw in central Poland, has been dubbed ‘the Manchester of Poland’ and is considered a hub of creativity and culture.

Things to do in Lodz

1. Wander down Piotrkowska Street. This long, lively boulevard is packed with colourful buildings, street art, bars and cafés. It’s perfect for people-watching and photo-taking.

2. Check out Manufaktura. Once a huge textile factory, this red-brick complex now mixes shops, museums, restaurants and galleries.

3. Ride the ferris wheel at Lunapark. Set in a leafy park, this old-school fairground goes big on retro charm and makes a nice change from city sightseeing.

Special seasonal events in Lodz

Lodz Summer Festival fills the streets on the last weekend of July to celebrate the city’s birthday. It lasts three days, features concerts from both Polish and international artists on multiple stages around the city, and brings in a huge crowd.

Best places to eat in Lodz

If you fancy sampling some authentic street food, pick up a zapiekanka while you’re in Lodz. A toasted, open baguette topped with ingredients like mushrooms, cheese, and ham, this budget-friendly food is available from street food stalls around the city. It’s a good idea to have some Polish zloty to hand, as smaller vendors may not accept card payments. For more info, take a look at our Polish currency guide and find out how much it costs to visit Poland on average.

How to buy Polish zloty from M&S Travel Money

Tempted by a Polish city break? Order your Polish zloty for Click & Collect from your nearest participating M&S store*. 

* T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.