7 Things You Can Strike Off Your Bucket List by Visiting Poland

Poland is the perfect Eastern European destination. Cheap flights there and a low cost of living means that for many people, spending a long weekend here is probably cheaper than it would have been at home! There are also cool vacation rentals, which means a place to stay is not a huge problem. However, you’re on holiday, so you don’t want to do the same things that you could at home, right? In this article, we’ll take a look at 7 things you can strike off your bucket list by visiting Poland. If you do even just one of these activities, you’ll make unforgettable memories of your trip to this beautiful country!

#1: Go to a Vodka Tasting experience

Let’s start with a really fun activity! Vodka is the national drink of Poland, so what better way to get to know the country than through its most popular drink? At a vodka tasting experience, you have the opportunity not only to pick your favorite vodka from 6 traditional offerings but to try typical Polish snacks with it too. Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will regale you with the history and funny stories about many aspects of Polish life, including its communist past! This part of the Polish history not known to everyone is definitely something international travelers “from the West” will give a lot to hear about and some of the stories can really blow your mind! Through XperiencePolsko, vodka tasting experiences are available in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wrocław, and Poznan.

Group of people at Vodka Tasting in Warsaw
Na zdraví!

#2: Learn to make authentic Polish pierogi

So, you’ve already tried the Polish national drink, it’s time to learn a little about the cuisine. How about schabowy, a breaded pork cutlet? Or zrazy, a meat roulade? If you’d prefer something without meat, you could always try your hand at gołąbki – cabbage rolls with a variety of different fillings! The piece de resistance of Polish cooking, however, is pierogi. You will miss them madly when you leave Poland, so why not take the recipe home? You’ll learn to make these delicious bite-size snacks and many more with a trained chef, surely an unforgettable experience. It’s true that a cooking class is one of the best ways to delve into the culture of a new country, and XperiencePoland can offer you a great one on your visit to Warsaw!

Pierogi before boiling at the cooking class in Warsaw

Make your own Pierogis with our Pierogi Master

 

#3: Take part in a legendary Polish Pub Crawl

This is a great option, especially if you’re travelling alone. Pub crawls are just about the easiest way to make friends, have a great night out, and party – Polish style. Each city has its own unique pub crawl, but some of the fun on offer includes drinking games, vodka trains, and free drinks for a certain period of time! You’ve got to remember that those party tours are run by true locals, both Polish and international and one important thing to know about them is that they will make you party like never before in the places which you should definitely not miss!

Big group of international people enjoying the evening on the party tour in Wroclaw
Pub Crawl in Wroclaw

Pub Crawls are great in whichever city you choose to do them, but if you have to pick just one, go for Krakow. The Old Town has one of the largest market squares in Europe, with cafes, bars, and clubs spreading out from there. There’s even an urban myth that Krakow has the highest concentration of drinking establishments in the entire world! We’re not sure that’s accurate but you certainly will be spoiled for choice. You can book a Pub Crawl in Gdaňsk, Krakov, Varšava, Wroclaw a Poznaň.

#4: Take a cruise along the Wisła River

Bucket list activities don’t always have to be full of high-adrenaline and excitement! Instead, enjoy a relaxing evening aboard a charming boat complete with leather sofas and cushions. Taking a cruise on the Wisła river is a memorable way to see Krakow or Warsaw. If you are planning a visit to the capital of Poland (Warsaw), there are so many choices of boats you can have! Starting with a wooden cute looking and nicely decorated canoe, through the modern minimalist style motorboats to a bigger type of ships for parties that can be hired privately and take up 20 or even 50 passengers on board. This is the perfect bucket list activity – especially if you’re traveling with your other half!  

If you’re travelling to Wrocław, you can also do a river cruise on the Odra. This is one of the best ways to see the City of Bridges.

 

Boat cruise in Wroclaw
Odra River in Wroclaw

 

#5: Visit Auschwitz

When visiting Poland, it’s important to learn about the history of the country too. One of the darkest chapters was undeniably at Auschwitz, the Second World War concentration camp. It’s a good idea to take a guided tour as you can learn from an English-speaking museum-certified guide about the site and each part of the location. Auschwitz is a bucket list experience, however, it’s not for everyone. Those who have visited often say that it is a sobering experience but very worthwhile. When visiting the concentration camp, please do be aware of the atrocities that happened here and behave in a respectful manner.

You can do a day trip to Auschwitz from either Krakow or Warsaw, and it’s possible to incorporate a tour of the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mines too.

 

Plot oddělující nacistický tábor Osvětim od vnějšího prostoru
Day Trip to Auschwitz

 

#6: Hunt dwarves in Wrocław

When you’re in a new city, it can be quite overwhelming when picking what to see, and you might get stressed if it seems you’re going to miss something out! That’s not the case with a dwarf hunting city game styled activity in Wrocław! Dwarves are strategically placed across the city meaning that you not only get to know the beautiful City of Bridges, but you have an absolute blast too! This is a competition against other tourists, so there’s a competitive element too. Those who discover the most dwarves win a prize!

A dwarf, symbol of Wroclaw in Poland guards the entrance of a small building, sleeping next to the door
Dwarf Hunting in Wroclaw makes you feel as a child again

 

#7: Have a last night of freedom before the big day

One of the biggest bucket list events for anyone isn’t on holiday. No, it’s their wedding day! It’s good to know then, Poland is one of the top destinations in the whole of Europe for a stag or hen weekend for one incredible last night of freedom! Whether you visit Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, or any of the other cool cities across Poland, there are so many activities on offer. For a VIP night out, why not take a limo ride around one of the cities? Top it up with a club package and you’ve got yourself a dream night at one of the top Polish clubs! If you’re feeling something a little more competitive and action-packed, then go-karting or laser tag could be a good option for you. If you’re looking for a really spooky experience, then try out the horror house!

Group of people at Vodka Tasting in Warsaw
From a bonfire at the beach to Limousine services

 

So, Poland awaits you…

So, that concludes our list of 7 things to strike off your bucket list by visiting Poland. I hope you’ve found the list helpful and your break is already starting to take shape! For more information on how to do these cool activities, check out our tours.

 

Author Trip101

Daniel Hall – Trip101

Travel writer, blogger, and English teacher interested in learning new languages and cultures and trying a cooking class everywhere I go! I also enjoy reading, writing, playing and watching football, and comedy. Trip101 is a one-stop guide for travel enthusiasts around the world offering the latest guides on different ways to travel and places to check out.