Poland’s Golden Destinations awarded by Google Maps

Sixteen destinations in Poland have been awarded Google Maps’ coveted Golden Pin award! ?

The awards are handed out to the one top-rated destination in each of Poland’s 16 provinces, based on the opinions of Google Maps’ users.?

Here is the full list of 16 Golden Pin Destinations in Poland?

How many of them have you visited so far??

  • Marlbork?Malbork Castle, the largest brick castle in the world
  • Szczecin?Chrobry Embankment, the best place to capture the vast panorama of the Odra River and the harbour
  • Stańczyki?Stańczyki Viaducts, among the largest bridges in Poland
  • Bialystok?Branicki Palace, known as the Polish Versailles
  • Toruń?The Living Museum of Gingerbread, the first interactive museum in Europe and you can take part in the making processes of Gingerbread
  • Wroclaw?Africarium, the only themed oceanarium devoted solely to exhibiting the fauna of Africa
  • Międzyrzecz?The Miedzyrzecki Fortified Region, visit the museum of fortifications and the largest European underground bat refuge
  • Kozłówka?Zamoyski Palace and Museum, a picturesque rococo and neoclassical palace complex
  • Ujeździe?Krzyżtopór Castle, a majestic and magnificent ruin
  • Kraków?Wawel Royal Castle, the most historically and culturally significant site in Poland
  • Lodz?Rose Passage, the biggest wall decorated with glass mosaic in Poland
  • Poznan?Citadel Park, a picturesque national historic monument
  • Sanok?The Rural Architecture Museum of Sanok, one of the biggest open-air museums in Poland presenting 19th and early 20th century life in this area
  • Zabrze? Guido Mine, a must-see spot of the European Route of Industrial Heritage
  • Opole? Philharmonic of Poland, one of Poland’s leading Orchestras
  • Warsaw? Lazienki Royal Park, the largest park in Warsaw where the Palace on the Island is located
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A green city, Szczecin

Szczecin is the largest city in northwestern Poland, located near the Baltic Sea at only about 20 km from the German border. There is no better way to capture some of the glamour of the city than by taking a stroll on Waly Chrobrego Promenade with great views on the Oder river and beautiful architectural complexes along the way. 

To the south of the promenade, one can find the Pomeranian Dukes Castle which was originally built in 1346, St. James’ Church which is about 110 meters high, the historical Town Hall and the other attractions in the old town. To the northwest of the promenade, the picturesque Kasprowicza Park is the largest park in the city, situated in an idyllic valley sloping down to the Rusalka Lake. At the edge of the park, come to the incredible Różanka Rose Garden, which features over 9,000 fragrant roses of 99 varieties.

Szczecin boasts many historical sites which are well worth a visit. Not only that, but it’s also home to three vast local forests and one of the biggest lakes in Poland, Lake Dabie. A quarter of the city’s area is covered by water, you can enjoy both the natural scenery and the city sights by experiencing sailing, canoe or prefer motorboats, there is a lot of ways to discover the charm of Szczecin. 

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Katowice, one of the UNESCO Cities of Music

Katowice, one of the most vibrant and modern cities in Poland, is the gateway to Silesia and has no lack of appealing attractions. Situated on the banks of the small river Rawa, Katowice is a product of the industrial boom in the 19th-century that you can still find plenty of historical architectures that were built at that time. 

One of the highlights is the Industrial Monuments Route in Nikiszowiec district, which is a historical settlement that all made of the red brick and was only housing for mining families. This settlement consists of 9 buildings representing Silesian “familiok” architecture, each one has a square or triangle form with the level of floors limited to three, surrounding large inside courtyards. It is one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments and there is a big chance it is going to join UNESCO’s World Heritage List in the future. 

Katowice is also one of the most interesting musical cities in the world. It is home to the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and is also the place holding the biggest indoor blues festival in the world, Rawa Blues Festival. With its musical soul of the city, Katowice was named a UNESCO City of Music as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative in 2015.

Katowice is definitely the destination for cultural visitors, and it’s convenient to visit, less than an hour’s drive from Krakow.?

Photo by Polish Tourism Organization

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Polish Maldives

Known as “Polish Maldives”, Park Grodek is located in Jaworzno, 30 km east of Katowice. It is a spectacular place with lush greenery and a stunning lake, featuring the azure water, steep cliffs, and tiny islands, which make visitors feel almost as if they are going on an exotic holiday. Take a stroll on the winding wooden footbridge, admire the view of the lake with its bright blue turquoise water which is so crystal clear that one can see the bottom. Thanks to the convenient bike paths, here is also a popular destination for cyclists. If you are planning to travel to Katowice, don’t forget to stop by here to spend a pleasant time. 

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The Jewel of Warmia — Frombork

Malbork Castle is an outstanding example of a medieval fortress and was designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1997. With its unique gothic architectural complex and rich collections related to Malbork, the castle is well worth a visit. 

Known as “The Jewel of Warmia”,  Frombork is an enchanting town, situated on the northeast edge of coastal Poland. There are many historical sites, including the most interesting attraction, Formbork cathedral, which is a Roman Catholic church established by the Warmian bishops in the 13th century and located on the Cathedral Hill. 

✨ ? ? This medieval cathedral complex was classified as one of the highest class monuments, and it was also the home to the famous astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus who wrote the epochal work ‘On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres’ and spent the latter half of his life in Frombork. You can find Copernicus-related attractions everywhere in the town, among the most attractive is Nicolaus Copernicus Museum where you can learn more about his life and work. Stroll the cathedral hill, admire the beautiful views from the tower where he used to lodge, observe the rotary motion of the Earth at Foucault’s Pendulum in the Radziejowski’s Tower, which is the tallest building of the Cathedral Hill. 

Situated in the south-eastern corner of the Cathedral Hill, Bishops’ Palace is the most important building of the area. It’s the gem of gothic-baroque architecture decorated with fascinating stained glass windows, inside you can also view lavish baroque altars and stunning 17th-century organs made by Daniel Nitrowski which is one of the most famous organs in Poland.

With imposing Cathedral Hill and breathtaking sea view, Frombork is undoubtedly worth a visit.

photo by muzeum.frombork.pl

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Malbork Castle – The largest brick castle in the world

Malbork Castle is an outstanding example of a medieval fortress and was designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1997. With its unique gothic architectural complex and rich collections related to Malbork, the castle is well worth a visit. 

Known for its huge medieval castle, Malbork is a town in northern Poland founded in the 13th century by the Knights of the Teutonic Order. Malbork Castle was the headquarters of the Order, situated on a peninsula between two rivers. It is a classic example of a medieval fortress and the largest brick castle in the world. After several times of expansion,  the castle eventually covers over 20 hectares comprising a tripartite layout of the High Castle, the Middle Castle, and the Outer Bailey, separated by multiple dry moats and towers. The castle once housed up to 3000 “brothers in arms” and its largest chamber at 450 sq meters, no wonder it was recognized as the largest fortress built in the Middle Ages. During World War II, over half of the castle was destroyed. After the war, the castle has been mostly reconstructed and still remains the largest brick complex in Europe. 

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The largest wine festival in Poland is underway

?As summer starts to fade it’s time to start celebrating the upcoming golden autumn and harvest with tasteful foods and nice wine. The celebration of wine in Zielona Góra comes on each September for nine days and begins with handing the city-keys to the god of wine – Bacchus. This joyful and colorful feast is filled with concerts, many cultural events including the famous International Festival of Folklore and a spectacular parade, which have earned the city the title of Poland’s wine capital. You can not only taste delicious foods and unique wines from different regions in the wine feast, but you can visit the vineyard of wineries to learn about winemaking in Poland as well. During the festival, the whole city transforms into a huge wine-paradise, everywhere is filled with wine-themed things, even the air was perfumed with the attractive aroma of wines.

photo by finallylost

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It’s 40 years since Warsaw’s Old Town added to World Heritage List

Today is the 40th anniversary of Warsaw’s Old Town listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Considered one of the most famous tourist attractions in Warsaw, The Old Town was established in the 13th century and became the heart of the capital city after the late 16th century. It’s a charming place filled with medieval architecture. Take a stroll down the narrow and winding cobblestone streets, admire its colourful tenement houses and one of the most beautiful squares in Warsaw, The Old Town Square, where you can find a statue of the Warsaw Mermaid brandishing a sword and a shield standing in the middle.

During World War II, more than 85 % of Warsaw’s historic centre was destroyed by Nazi troops. After the war, with the support of the whole nation, a five-year reconstruction campaign by its inhabitants resulted in today’s meticulous restoration of the Old Town, with its churches, palaces and market-place. A town that was laid in ruins has become an architectural miracle today, it still breathes in Medieval atmosphere. Warsaw’s Old Town is not only an outstanding example of the reconstruction of the heritage on a unique scale in the history of the world but also an expression of the unity of Polish people and the determination of the nation.

If you are interested in visiting this spectacular city, contact us for your tailored trip to Poland.?

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Mushroom Picking in Poland

Golden Polish Autumn is the best time of year to pick mushrooms in the forest. Thanks to the abundant resource of forests, Poland is filled with porcini, milk caps, chanterelles and all kinds of mushrooms from September to early November. ????

It’s kind of like local seasonal activities that lots of families in Poland go mushroom picking in the forest at least once a year. It’s one of the Poles’ favorite pastimes as well, back to nature, surrounded by the beautiful sceneries and trying to find the hiding places of the tastiest ones. Mushroom is the gifts of autumn, you don’t need any permission to go picking, and there are no quantitative restrictions on how many mushrooms you can pick. But be careful not to pick the protected mushrooms, or destroy the inedible ones, you may get a hefty fine.

Poland has a long tradition of mushroom picking, and therefore mushrooms become basic ingredients for many traditional cuisines. There are many Polish mushroom dishes that have been invented, such as Mushroom soup with dried porcini, Sauerkraut & mushroom dumpling(pierogi), Hunter’s stew (bigos), and so on. If you don’t have much time to visit Poland then try some polish cuisines in a local restaurant would be an ideal option. ???

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Stunning Golden Autumn in Poland

If you’re familiar with Poland you must have heard of the term “Golden Polish Autumn”. It is a period of a few days sometime between the end of September and the beginning of October. In these short weeks, the burning summer begins to fade quickly, replaced by a colourful and cool autumn. ???

The colourful changing surroundings take place in all of Poland. During the season, the last green leaf faded, through yellow, into orange(hence “golden autumn”) and then gradually at the end red and brown. Together they weave the unique colour-changing coat for autumn. Only conifers can stay green and wait to become the first delightful ornament in the winter.

There is no better season to come and visit the Polish mountains, to admire its stunning landscape adorned with falling, colourful leaves. One of the best regions to see during autumn in Poland is the Bieszczady mountains, located in the most south-eastern part of Poland on the border with Slovakia and Ukraine. The most beautiful part of the mountain range is protected by the Bieszczady National Park, which is the third-largest national park in Poland. It’s mostly covered by forest and therefore is blessed with a variety of flora and fauna. 

While there you can take a hike to the highest peak of Bieszczady Poland surrounded by some dramatic mountain scenery, or walk along the wooden architecture trail filled with historical attractions and beautiful wooden churches.

By day, feast your eyes on peaceful nature, beautiful mountains, various wild animals and charming wooden Orthodox churches that date back to the year 1799. By night, you can also find the darkest place in Europe here, up to 7,000 stars may be seen by the naked eye at Starry Sky Park.

Golden Polish Autumn is truly beautiful, if you have any chance to visit Poland during autumn, do not miss it!?

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