Poland became our fifth stop on this whirlwind 7-country European adventure (catch the full itinerary here), and I’ll be upfront—this was definitely our shortest visit of the entire trip. This Poland winter travel guide might be unconventional since we basically drove through a small corner of the country and hit three cities in a single December day, which sounds absolutely crazy when I write it out like that!
But here’s the thing: even with such a brief winter taste of Poland, this country left a lasting impression that had me immediately planning a return trip. There’s something special about a place that can capture your heart in just a few hours, and Poland proved that sometimes the most unexpected stops become the ones you can’t stop thinking about.
Whether you’re planning a quick stopover or a longer Polish adventure, here’s what I learned during my whirlwind winter day in this captivating country.
Epic 7-Country Europe Adventure Series:
- Complete Itinerary & Travel Planning – What to do before you go, packing, accommodations, flights
- France Travel Guide – My first stop in the City of Light
- Germany Travel Guide – Castles, culture & incredible food
- Austria Travel Guide – Alpine beauty & fairy-tale villages
- Czech Republic Travel Guide – Medieval magic in Central Europe
- Poland Travel Guide – A brief but unforgettable taste ← You are here
- Belgium Travel Guide – Waffles, chocolate & medieval charm
- Netherlands Travel Guide – Canals, culture & Dutch delights
Poland Winter Travel Guide
Embarking on a journey through Poland is like uncovering a hidden gem in the heart of Europe, where
history, culture, and natural beauty converge in captivating harmony.
From the vibrant streets of Warsaw, echoing with tales of resilience and renewal, to the medieval charm of
Kraków’s cobblestone squares, Poland offers a rich tapestry of experiences waiting to be discovered.
Even though I only visited three cities in a single day, mostly driving through a small corner of Poland, I found myself immersed in a land where every corner tells a story.
Since my time in Poland was so breif, I suppose I don’t really have “tips” per se. I did feel safe in Poland,
every place spoke enough English, I only used a card to pay for food/drinks vs. cash, and if you talked to shop owners people were really friendly.
From the little bit I saw I would go back to see more for sure.
Places Worth Visiting
I visited Lubań, Czocha Castle (Sucha), and Zgorzelec.
I’m sure that there are more notable places to go and see in Poland. However, even these small towns were
very enjoyable for me and worked for what we were able to do with the limited time we had.
Czocha Castle (Sucha) Poland
My obsession with seeing castles continued as there was a magnificent castle in Poland that had been made
into a hotel. We parked right outside of the gates and simply walked in. If you were supposed to pay I have
no idea LOL. We spent about an hour looking around and taking videos/ pictures of the place. There’s not
much to see inside since it’s a hotel, but I was geeking out the whole time because it was just so cool.
Lubań Poland
Lubań was a small city. One in which you could easily see all of the city center in just a mere couple hours.
The skies were gray on this winter day, and not many people were out and about. The city looked a little ran-
down but I honestly loved the shabbiness of it! It felt homey or cozy versus sketchy if that makes sense — like a pair of well-loved worn out shoes.
We also happened to find the cutest coffee place with delicious coffee (and honestly it might’ve been my
favorite one from the entire trip). The owner Krystian, was such an awesome guy! Very knowledgeable about
coffee, super chill, and down-to-earth. If you get a chance to go into this town definitely stop at Cherries &
Berries and chat a bit with Krystian.
There’s also a very tiny pierogi place in Lubań, called Domowe Pierogi i Zupy, and it was DELICIOUS.
Seriously so good, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Zgorzelec Poland
We stopped in this town for some food and walked across the bridge and into Germany. I know Europeans
are used to having open boarders, but it was cool for me to be able to do that. We ended up spending more
time in Görlitz as it seemed better lit than it did in Zgorzelec, but I did like the Italian restaurant and the
bridge was cool.
Our brief but unforgettable taste of Poland had us eager for our next adventure, and Belgium was ready to surprise us in ways we never expected. What started as just another stop on our European journey quickly became one of the most delightful discoveries of the entire trip. From getting schooled on proper waffle etiquette by locals to wandering through medieval towns that looked straight out of a fairy tale, Belgium proved that sometimes the countries you know the least about end up stealing your heart completely.
Continue Reading: Belgium Travel Guide – Waffles, Chocolate & Medieval Charm →
