Things to see in Poland

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When sightseeing around Poland you'll find all the hallmarks of European charm in abundance: alpine mountains, historic buildings, resplendent lakes, lush meadows, untainted beaches and, as a less-than-rosy bonus, the setting for some key events from the Second World War.

The capital of Warsaw was the first city to fall to Hitler and had to be almost completely rebuilt after the 1944 invasion. Parts of the Old Town were built to replicate the city as it had stood in the 17th and 18th centuries and is the site of the Historical Museum of Warsaw, a salute to the city's violent past.

About two hours north of Warsaw is the Bialowieza Primaeval Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is one of the last remnants of the European primeval forest. Further north we find another rare vestige of olden Europe, the Gothic Castle in Malbork, the largest and most impressive brick fortress in Europe. There are several other wooden and stone churches, temples and other constructs throughout Poland's vast and glorious countryside, which can be chartered by bus or train.

An overview of the must-sees of Poland would not be complete without a mention of the most significant landmark of the country's violent past, Auschwitz - Hitler's biggest and most notorious concentration camp.

Old Town (Starego Miasta)

The busy Old Town provides the historic focal point of Warsaw, having been rebuilt in the original 17th and 18th Century style following the almost total destruction of the city during the war. The picturesque Old Market Square (Rynek) is at the centre, surrounded... see full details

Historical Museum of Warsaw

The History Museum is one of the best of Warsaw's impressive array of museums. Its three storeys are crammed with fascinating exhibitions, covering every aspect of Warsaw's history and life from its beginnings to the present day, and there are old photographs, clippings and... see full details

The Royal Way

Known as the Royal Way, this two-and-a-half mile (4km) route stretches from the Royal Castle in the Old Town to the stately King's Palace at Wilanów on the outskirts of the city. It is the most important thoroughfare, bisecting the central city from north... see full details

Westerplatte

Westerplatte, situated at the entrance to the harbour and just a few kilometres from the city of Gdañsk, is where World War II broke out on 1 September 1939. The Polish garrison held out against the attack for seven days before surrendering to... see full details

Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress: it is the world's largest brick castle and one of the most impressive of its kind in Europe. Invited by the Polish Royalty to help suppress the pagan tribes in the area, the... see full details

Main Market Square (Rynek Glówny)

Dating from 1257, the Central Market Square was one of the largest squares in Medieval Europe, and remains the social heart of Krakow today. Surrounded by historic buildings, museums and magnificent churches, the impressive expanse of flagstones is a hub of commercial and social... see full details

Wawel

Overlooking the city is Wawel, a hill topped with the fascinating architectural complex that includes Wawel Castle and beside it, the gothic Wawel Cathedral. It was here that the Polish kings of the 14th to the 17th Centuries were crowned and buried, and it... see full details

Kazimierz District and the Old Synagogue

Once a separate town and now an inner suburb of Krakow, the Kazimierz quarter was the centre of Jewish religion, culture and learning, and the home of the city's large Jewish population before the war. Badly damaged during the Nazi occupation, with most... see full details

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Salt Mine at Wieliczka is a unique underground complex that has been in continuous use since its construction in the Middle Ages, and is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monument. The series of labyrinthine tunnels, chambers, galleries and underground lakes are spread... see full details

Prisoners awaiting release from Aushwitz

Auschwitz Memorial Museum

The Auschwitz concentration camp is actually made up of three camps - Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau and Auschwitz III. Together the complex forms the largest cemetery in the world, preserved as a sombre memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, and commemorating the hundreds... see full details

Sopot

Although the idea of a beach holiday in Poland might seem about as plausible as a ski trip in the Netherlands, the wonderful town of Sopot is sure to confound these preconceptions. Although still very much a well-kept secret on the mainstream tourist... see full details

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Things to see in Poland

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