The most beautiful cities in Poland, which places are worth visiting | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Kazimierz Dolny sits on the Vistula hills and is celebrated as Poland's most artistic small town
• Krakow's Main Market Square is the largest medieval market square in Europe
• Sandomierz, a city on seven hills, is known for its Gothic cathedral, underground route and UNESCO-listed old town
• Torun's Gothic old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus
• Zamosc was designed from scratch by Bernardo Morando and is a perfectly preserved Renaissance city
• Hel, at the tip of the Hel Peninsula, is reachable by a scenic railway line running between the Baltic Sea and Bay of Puck

You don't have to go to big metropolises to experience an unforgettable trip. The most beautiful small towns in Poland tempt with their tranquillity, atmospheric streets and proximity to nature. In the ranking of the most beautiful cities, it is these intimate pearls with historic buildings that are appearing more and more frequently.

Kazimierz Dolny - the city of artists' love

Kazimierz Dolny is one of the most picturesque Polish towns, attracting artists and tourists for years. Situated on the hills above the Vistula River, it delights with Renaissance houses, castle ruins and numerous art galleries.

It is worth coming here to taste the famous butter cockerel and admire the panorama from the Three Crosses Mountain. It is an ideal place for unhurried strolls along narrow streets, where the love of art blends harmoniously with the beauty of nature.

Sandomierz - a pearl in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship

Sandomierz is a city on seven hills in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship with historic buildings. In the city centre you will find, among others, the Gothic cathedral with unique polychromies, an underground tourist route and the Opatowska Gate with an observation deck.

The biggest attraction is the Old Town with its Town Hall - the city's showpiece - and stately townhouses. You can learn about history in the numerous museums, and fans of 'Father Matthew' will recognise many of the series' outdoor locations. The city is also famous for its film festival and great wines from local vineyards.

Biecz - the town with the Museum of the Biecz Land

Biecz is one of the most beautiful Polish towns, called "small Cracow" in the Małopolskie Voivodeship, with a rich history dating back to the 14th century. Fragments of the town walls, the Corpus Christi church with its impressive tower and the Renaissance town hall have been preserved.

In the town centre, it is worth visiting the Biecka Land Museum, which tells the fascinating past of the town and the region. Biecz' s biggest attraction is the Gothic tower called the "Polish Christopher" and the ruins of St. Matthew' s Church.

Lanckorona - a gem of Lesser Poland

Lanckorona is one of the most beautiful Polish towns in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship with a unique wooden market square. It is one of those towns in Poland which is so intimate that you can walk around it in an hour, but its charm makes you want to stay here for a whole weekend.

The ruins of a castle from the 14th century tower over the town, and the surroundings encourage cycling and active relaxation in natural surroundings.

Bystrzyca Kłodzka - a pearl in the Lower Silesian province

Bystrzyca Kłodzka in the Lower Silesian Vo ivodeship is a town with a ring of town walls, a stone Gothic bridge over a moat and a picturesque Old Town. It is a great starting point for trips to the Stołowe Mountains with their famous Petrified City.

The most beautiful old towns in Poland are not open-air museums, but lively, vibrant neighbourhoods where history meets everyday life. Both large cities and small towns in Poland boast old towns worth visiting.

Cracow - Old Town with the majestic Wawel Castle

Cracow's Old Town is an icon and one of the most beautiful places in Poland. The Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Church and the famous bugle call creates an unforgettable Gothic scenery that delights tourists from all over the world.

You can feel the real atmosphere of the city in the side streets of Kazimierz - the former Jewish district full of galleries and cafes. The majestic Wawel Castle towers over Cracow, and the green Planty Park surrounding the city centre on the site of the former walls is the perfect place for a walk in the footsteps of history. Check it out: City break from Cracow by train - cheap and quick trip ideas.

Toruń - a UNESCO Gothic pearl

Toruń is one of the few cities whose historic buildings survived the war. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Gothic townhouses and ruins of a Teutonic castle make Toruń a must-see. The city is famous for its gingerbread - a symbol of Toruń since the 14th century.

Zamość and Wrocław - two faces of beauty

Zamość, the "Pearl of the Renaissance", is a city designed by Bernardo Morando and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wrocław seduces with the Cathedral Island with its gas lanterns and the Gothic Town Hall on the Wrocław Market Square with the legendary Świdnicka Cellar. It is a city of bridges, a zoo and the Polish Theatre.

Poland's most beautiful coastal towns combine leisure with rich history, and the railway line makes them accessible without a car. These are some of the most beautiful cities in Poland that are worth visiting in summer and the low season. You can read about how to reach them in the guide: Trains to the sea - where to go and how to plan your trip?

Sopot - elegance on the Baltic Sea

Sopot is the most elegant seaside town in Poland and one of the most beautiful Polish resort towns. The longest wooden pier in Europe, Art Nouveau architecture and a vibrant city centre attract tourists all year round. The railway line from Warsaw allows you to get here by Pendolino in less than three hours. Sopot is not just about the beach, but also the Sopot Art Museum and a music festival.

Read also: Sopot - attractions and places to see at the Polish seaside.

Gdynia - a modernist city by the sea

On the seafront boulevard stands the Museum of Coastal Defence, and Kościuszko Square with the "Dar Pomorza" is the biggest attraction in the city centre. The Orłowski Cliff is a vantage point with one of the most beautiful panoramas on the Polish coast.

Kolobrzeg - a spa town with traditions

Kolobrzeg is a spa town with a Gothic collegiate****church (Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and wide beaches. The town is a great starting point with train connections to Poznań and Wrocław.

Ustka and Hel - seaside gems

Ustka is an intimate alternative - a fishing port with a picturesque promenade and beaches, ideal for nature lovers looking for quiet. Hel, a town at the tip of the Hel Peninsula, surrounded by the sea on both sides, deserves a separate mention. The railway line to Hel is an attraction in itself - the train travels along a narrow strip of land between the Baltic Sea and the Bay of Puck. A sealarium, a fishing museum and exceptional light make Hel the most beautiful place on the map of Polish seaside towns. Want to know more? Read: Hel - attractions to see and visit.

And for more seaside attractions, see the article: Attractions in Pomerania - interesting places worth visiting.

Choosing just ten of the most beautiful cities in Poland to visit is a thankless task, but if one had to create such a ranking of the most beautiful cities, it would look like this. These are the most beautiful Polish cities worth visiting first.

1. Kraków

The cultural capital with the majestic Wawel Castle and the unrivalled atmosphere of the Old Town. The city centre is vibrant at any time of the year, with St Mary's Church, the Cloth Hall and the Planty attracting millions of tourists. Discover the best attractions and sights in Cracow.

2 Gdańsk

A Hanseatic pearl with one of the most beautiful Old Towns in Europe and the World War II Museum. The colourful townhouses of Dlugi Targ and the city ' s main town hall create a scene to remember.

3 Wrocław

City of a hundred bridges with a bustling market square, zoo and magical Ostrów Tumski. The city is famous for its dwarves in the city centre and its rich cultural offer.

4. Warsaw

The capital city with the Palace of Culture and Science, the Royal Castle and the rebuilt Old Town, which is one of the most beautiful Polish symbols of the Renaissance. The city combines history with futuristic architecture - for more inspiration from the capital, reach out to: Warsaw - a ready-made travel recipe.

5. Toruń

A Gothic pearl with Copernican heritage and the best gingerbread in our country. The Old Town with its preserved city walls and St. Jacob's Church delights history lovers.

6. Poznań

The colourful Old Market Square, the legend of the goats and one of the best gastronomic scenes in Poland. The city centre offers both historic and modern attractions.

7. Zakopane

A must-see among the most beautiful mountain towns in Poland, where the wooden architecture and mountain panorama offer beautiful views of the Tatra Mountains. The city provides active recreation and rope parks.

8. Lublin

Lublin is experiencing its second youth - the Old Town is a delight, and the Lublin Castle with the parish church and the museum of icons are the most important sights of the city centre. In the 17th century, Lublin was one of the most important trade centres of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

9 Zamość

Zamość is a Renaissance gem on the UNESCO World Heritage List that deserves a separate visit. The city, designed from scratch by Bernardo Morando, impresses with the perfect symmetry of its market square and arcaded townhouses.

10. Kazimierz Dolny

Kazimierz Dolny, although small, rivals larger cities in Poland in charm. It is a city that proves that the most beautiful Polish towns do not have to be big to impress.

These 10 most beautiful cities in Poland to visit are an excellent starting point, but remember - this is only the beginning of a journey through Poland 's most beautiful towns and cities.

Poland's town halls are architectural gems - each one is worth visiting, and the question of which one is the most beautiful provokes heated debates among lovers of historical monuments.

• Zamość Town Hall - is a Renaissance masterpiece with fan staircase and slender tower - one of the most photographed town halls among Polish towns.

• Wrocław Town Hall - is a Gothic gem with an astronomical clock and the legendary Piwnica Świdnicka - one of the oldest pubs in Europe, operating since the 13th century. On the Wrocław Market Square, the Town Hall is the biggest attraction for tourists.

• The Main Town Hall in Gdańsk - impresses with its Gothic exterior and richly decorated interiors, which remember the times of the Union of Hanseatic Cities. Today, it houses a branch of the Gdańsk Museum, which tells the story of the tradition of this Hanseatic port.

• Poznań City Hall - with its renaissance loggia and famous goats, which clatter up the tower every day at twelve o'clock, is one of the symbols of the city and a favourite tourist spot.

• The Old Town Hall in Toruń - with its Gothic tower and exhibition on the city's history - attracts medieval enthusiasts from all over the world.

Each of these town halls has its own unique character, and a journey along their trail is a fascinating expedition through the centuries of Polish architecture, showing the most beautiful Polish cities from their most representative side.

Poland is a country of castles - from mighty royal residences to the ruins of hilltop watchtowers. Poland's most beautiful cities to visit offer not only charming old towns, but also impressive fortifications and defensive walls that remember **our country'**s turbulent history:

• Wawel Royal Castle - number one among Polish monuments. The Renaissance arcaded courtyard, the royal chambers and the cathedral, where Poland's rulers were crowned, form the heart of Polish identity. The exhibition of tapestries and the Crown Treasury are worth seeing.

• The Royal Castle in Warsaw - rebuilt after war damage, delights with its baroque interiors and an exhibition of Canaletto paintings documenting the appearance of the former capital. Right next to it rises the Palace of Culture and Science - an inseparable element of the city centre's panorama.

• Książ Castle - a mighty residence in Lower Silesia surrounded by terraced gardens, with a rich history dating back to the 13th century and mysterious tunnels from World War II.

• Malbork Castle - in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship stands the largest brick Teutonic castle in the world. The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the defensive walls and the ruins of the pre-castle castle form a complex worth spending a whole day on.

• Stargard 's defensive walls - one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications and town walls in Poland, with an impressive ring of towers around the Old Town.

• Paczków - in the Opole Voivodeship, nicknamed the "Polish Carcassonne", has preserved an almost complete perimeter of the city walls - a petrified city where time seems to have stood still.

• Cracow's Barbican - one of the most beautiful works of defensive architecture, a Gothic-Renaissance building protecting the city centre of Cracow and access to the Floriańska Gate.

Read also our guide: The most beautiful castles in Poland.

Poland is a country that can surprise even experienced travellers. Whether you choose a weekend trip to Kazimierz Dolny or Sandomierz, or plan a longer tour of Poland's most beautiful old towns - Cracow, Gdańsk and Toruń - each of these places will leave you with unforgettable memories.

If you want to travel around Poland's most beautiful cities, the most convenient means of transport will be the railway. You can comfortably reach both the seaside and the mountains by train, and travelling by train allows you to admire the landscape and avoid traffic jams. You can buy train tickets for your journey around Poland and Europe quickly and conveniently at polishtrains.eu and in the mobile app. Plan your route today!