7 things you must see in Poland #travel #shorts #poland

7 things you must see in Poland

1. Krakow
One of the oldest cities in Poland, Krakow was already inhabited back in the 7th century. Because the city escaped most of the WWII destruction that fell on other Polish cities, Krakow's Old Town center still retains its stunning medieval architecture. The Wavel Castle and the historic district of Kazimierz — also known as the Old Jewish Quarter — in the area are both designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Krakow is home to around 40 urban parks, including 19th-century Planty Park, which covers an area of 21 hectares and forms a green ring around the city center, and the Lasek Wolski forest, which offers hiking and biking trails in a large woodland area just minutes from the city center.

2. Warsaw
Poland's capital was left in ruins after WWII — almost 85 percent of its buildings had been turned to ash or systematically razed by Nazi forces. As soon as the war ended, the city embarked on a massive effort to reconstruct its historic center using original plans. As a result, the Baroque and Renaissance merchant houses you see today are perfect replicas of the originals.

Although WWII also caused the loss of collections held by museums and palaces, the city is still home to over 60 museums today. In addition to art and history museums, Warsaw also offers some unusual choices, including the world's only Museum of Posters, a museum dedicated to the WWII Warsaw Uprising, a Neon Museum, and a Museum of Caricature.

3. Tatra Mountains
The Tatra Mountains and National Park form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, though most of the mountain range falls into Slovakia. Because there are no borders between EU countries anymore, it's now possible to hike between countries easily. The Polish side of the park has over 270 kilometers of hiking trails.

Poland's highest mountain, Rysy, is located in the Polish Tatras. At 2,500 meters, it's the highest Tatras peak in either country that can be climbed without a park guide. In addition, the park is home to over 600 caves, with the limestone cave system, Wielka Sniezna, being the longest (23 kilometers) and deepest (824 meters).

4. Bieszczady Mountains
The Bieszczady Mountains are a massive range that extends all the way to Ukraine and Slovakia. They are unique because of their polonyna (a type of mountain meadow) that only occurs in the Carpathian region. Because the valleys and meadows softly slope up and down — rather than being too steep — they are a perfect destination for hiking.

Polonyna Wetlinska, topping at 1,255 meters, is one of the most famous meadow trails — a picturesque, soft climb that shouldn't take more than two hours. At the top, a small guest house — the only one in the entire mountain range — offers snacks and drinks plus a warm bed for those who want to extend their adventure.

5. Ojcow
The tiny village of Ojcow, just 16 kilometers outside Krakow, is the gateway to Ojcow National Park. Poland's smallest national park at just 21.46 square kilometers, Ojcow is heavily forested and home to towering limestone cliffs, over 400 caves, and two river valleys. More than 500 species of butterflies inhabit the park — in spring and summer, they take over the trails and the flowering valleys and are a sight to behold.

The Trail of the Eagles' Nests, Poland's most famous tourist and hiking trail, connects 25 castles and watchtowers, including the Renaissance castle at Pieskowa Skala and the ruins of a Gothic castle, both of which fall within the park boundaries. There are also two museums in the park, including a branch of the National Art Collection.

6. Zalipie Village
The tiny village of Zalipie is best known for the folksy flower paintings that adorn almost every building in the area. This tradition started over one hundred years ago, when local women used a mix of powdered dye and milk to cover dirty surfaces with colorful designs.

Today, almost every cottage, barn, fence, and even Saint Joseph's church is painted this way — and so are many indoor spaces, including walls and furniture.

7. Torun
One of the oldest cities in Poland, Torun's history dates back to the 8th century. Because Torun wasn't bombed or destroyed during WWII, the city's medieval Central Marketplace and its many Gothic houses and wood-beam 16th-century buildings are still standing.

One of these houses is the birthplace of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, which has been converted into a museum about the scientist's life and work. The other must-see museum in town is Muzeum Piernika, dedicated to a type of gingerbread unique to Poland, where visitors can try hands-on baking.