Population: 38,192,000
Location: Poland, a Central and Eastern European nation, borders six countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and a Russian enclave, Kaliningrad Oblast. Its Baltic Sea coastline stretches for 328 miles. See a map of Poland for more geographic information.
Capital: Warsaw (Warszawa), population = 1,716,855.
Currency: Złoty (PLN), pronounced “zwoty” with a short o. See Polish coins and banknotes.
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) and CEST during the summer.
Calling code: 48
Internet TLD: .pl
Language and Alphabet: Poles have their own language, Polish, which uses the Latin alphabet with some additional letters, namely the letter ł, pronounced like English w. Therefore, kiełbasa is not pronounced “keel-bas”, but “kew-bas.” Locals generally also know a little German, English or Russian. German will be more easily understood in the west and Russian more in the east.
Religion: Poles are devoutly religious, with nearly 90% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. For most Poles, being Polish is synonymous with being Roman Catholic.
The best places in Poland
- Krakow: Krakow is the main destination city in Poland and enjoys a rich cultural calendar, as well as an extensive historical center that is known for its beauty and activity. Krakow has a large student population, which helps the city maintain a youthful vibe. Find out more about the must-sees in Krakow to decide what you can’t miss.
- Old Town Warsaw: Old Town Warsaw was resurrected from the ashes of WWII because of the enduring spirit of its community, rebuilding it brick by brick. This World Heritage site is a testament to Warsovian’s undefeated pride in his hometown.
- The Black Madonna of Poland: The Black Madonna of Czestochowa is the country’s most important holy relic and the impetus for regular pilgrimages to the monastery that keeps it safe. The icon itself is small, but its reported powers are great.
Poland facts
Visa information: Citizens of many countries, including the US, can enter Poland with only a passport. Visas are required if visitors intend to stay longer than 90 days. Three exceptions are Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine; Citizens of these countries require a visa for all visits to Poland.
Airports: Tourists will likely use one of three airports: Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN), Krakow-Balice John Paul II International Airport (KRK), or Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW). Warsaw Airport is the busiest and is located in the capital, where train and plane connections to other cities abound.
Trains: Poland’s train travel is not up to par with the rest of Europe, but it is developing. Despite this problem, train travel in Poland is still a good option for travelers who want to see multiple cities during their stay. An express train journey from Krakow to Gdansk via Warsaw takes about 8 hours, so travel time must be taken into account in any stay in Poland if train travel is used. There are longer and potentially less comfortable train rides when connecting to international cities.
The trains with a bad reputation are the night trains between Prague and other tourist destinations. Try to avoid six-person vans and get a private, lockable car.
Ports: passenger ferries connect Poland with Scandinavia along the coast. Transport specifically to and from Gdańsk is handled by the Polferries company.
Poland History and cultural facts
History: Poland first became a unified entity in the 10th century and was ruled by a series of kings. From the 14th to the 18th centuries, Poland and neighboring Lithuania were politically united. The constitution established in the late 18th century is a monumental event in European history. The next hundred years saw a Poland divided by those who would control its territory, but Poland was reconstituted during the First World War. Poland was badly affected by WWII, and today it is possible to visit some of the Nazi camps established there for the purpose of mass extermination of unfavorable groups of people, including Jews, Roma and the disabled.
In the 20th century, a communist regime with close ties to Moscow ruled until the 1990s, when the collapse of communism reverberated in eastern and central eastern Europe.
Culture: Polish culture is one of the country’s greatest attractions. From food to handmade gifts, traditional Polish costumes and annual holidays in Poland, this country delights all the senses with its rich traditions. See the culture of Poland in photos.
