Poland, a beautiful country located in Central Europe, is a greatly underrated touristic destination. Poland is filled with picturesque landscape and historic monuments from its glorious past. Among the European countries, it is one of the most reasonable and affordable destinations.

LanguageThe official language of Poland is Polish, though English, German and Russian are also commonly spoken, especially in larger cities.

Some essentials to know before you visit the country…

Visas All travelers need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival in Poland.

Being a member of the Schengen Agreement, there are no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented this treaty.

UK citizens are permitted to stay in Poland for up to 6 months without obtaining a visa.

Most of the European citizens as well as USA, Canadian can stay in Poland for up to 90 days without a visa.

Registration in PolandEveryone who visits Poland have to register within the first 48 hours of their stay.

Most of the Hotels do this automatically at their registration or the reception desks but do make sure from your end that this procedure is done at the earliest.

Polish currency Poland is not in the Eurozone and so have their own local currency unit Zloty (Zl).

Foreign currency can be easily exchanged at banks or hotels. However, banks deduct a flat-rate commission per transaction, which can be expensive.

In Poland, you will find many kantors (private banks); they are ideal for currency exchanges and deal with all major currencies. They don’t even charge commission and offer better rates than banks.

Important phone numbers to keep handy Ambulance: 999 Emergency: 911 Emergency (dialing from mobile phone):

112 Fire: 998 Police: 997 Road Assistance: 981

Polish foodPolish food is definetely worth trying. Their food is mostly meat-and-potatoes style, often served with a variety of salads.

Some yummy traditional foods not to be missed are the dumplings. They are called 'pierogi' and come with various kinds of fillings like pork meat, or cabbage and mushrooms, cheese and even fruit.

Barszcz, their delicious beetroot soup, is yet another traditional delicacy, which is a must try for everyone.

Beverages in PolandThe country is Europe's third-largest beer maker and produces some great brew. There are hundreds of brands and varieties of vodka available in Poland.

But remember, there is a strict ban on drinking in public places in Poland!

Places to stay

You can either choose from various traditional hotels according to your budget and travel schedule or family-owned pensjonaty (bed & breakfasts) that can be found in many regions of Poland.

CastlesFor people who love to explore the history through castles, Poland should be one of their top destinations.

Castles, such as the Royal Castle in Warsaw or Krakow’s Wawel Castle, are the most hot tourist spots.

Malbork Castle is also huge and well-preserved. You are sure to spend minimum half-a-day exploring this beautiful castle.

Other must-see sitesSome of the beautiful cities in Poland that are worth a visit are Poznań , Kraków, Gdańsk and Wrocław.

Warsaw’s Old Town Market Place, was largely destroyed during the World War II. However, it was reconstructed almost immediately after the war and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Definitely worth a visit!

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, located on the outskirts of Krakow, is one of its kinds and yet another must-see place. Dating back to the 13th century, the former industrial site is now a subterranean museum and has dozens of ancient sculptures carved from salt.

Poland’s vibrant cities, the lakes and forests from her scenic countryside and other tourist attractions – makes this country a must see for all travel enthusiasts!

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