With its colorful, vibrant cities, majestic forests, mountains, rich history, and mouthwatering food, Poland is one of my favorite destinations. If it isn’t on your travel wish list yet, I think it should be. This itinerary covers what to do with 6 days in Southern Poland, including some of the top places to visit in the southwest of the country, in the region known as Silesia.
Discover Southern Poland in 6 days
Day 1: Old Town Kraków
We started our trip in Krakow, the old capital of Poland and one of its grandest cities. At its center lies what used to be the largest market square in Europe. Nowadays’s, souvenir shops occupy the halls where merchants once sold spices and silk.
In this main square (known as Rynek Glówny) I entered one of Kraków’s most iconic sites, St. Mary’s Basilica, a beautiful red brick church whose towers reach high up above the city. From the top of St. Mary’s tallest tower every hour of every day, a trumpeter plays a tune for the whole city to hear. The tune symbolizes the legend of the trumpeter of Krakow warning the city of an imminent attack by enemy forces.
Our tour was led by a history student from Krakow’s Jagiellonian University, the oldest university in Poland. She brought us down the royal way, a central road full of churches, elegant houses, and small palaces. We continue walking through the narrow winding streets passing old Synagogues, cemeteries, and the iconic passageway from Schindler’s List.
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Go out in Krakow’s most popular and hip District
The old Jewish district, Kazimierz, is now Krakow’s hippest and most popular neighborhood. It is full of moody bars and inviting restaurants. For lunch, we headed to Plac Nowy, a small square in the Jewish district where we tried the amazing “Zapienkanki”. This Polish bread is an open-face sandwich made on a baguette and loaded with cheese and toppings of your choice. It’s a simple, warming, and filling meal that you can walk around with.
Our day ended strolling the cobblestone streets of Wawel Castle. This large fortification sits in the middle of the city on top of a hill. It is also a beautiful place to see the sunset.
Day 2: Ojców National Park
On our second day, we decided to take a city break from Krakow and explore Poland’s forests. If you are itching for a nice hike, then Ojcow park will not disappoint. Only 15 kilometers from Krakow this park is a short drive away. As we approached the enormous limestone formations referred to as, “Hercules’ Club” and the “Hand of God” we were marveled by the colorful autumn scenery. For lunch, we stopped at a trout fishery restaurant with its own fish farm. We continued our drive and covered part of the Eagle’s Nest trail, a route with ancient castles dotted around the valley.
Day 3: Wieliczka Salt Mines
Wieliczka is the oldest salt mine in the world. In the 13th century, salt was considered one of the most valuable materials, referred to as “white gold”. Because of this, the city of Krakow became one of the wealthiest cities in Poland.
Walking into the tunnels, surrounded by rocks on all sides, felt like walking into a set from Lord of the Rings. We followed the guide down rickety elevators and downward sloping tunnels. We eventually entered a great hall to the underground salt cathedral, adorned with chandeliers carved out of salt hanging from the ceiling high above. The church holds weddings and weekly mass every Sunday. There are many more vast chambers, surreal rock formations, slides, and interesting secrets to discover in these mines.
Note: The air is quite cold deep down so make sure to come well dressed.
Day 4: Auschwitz Concentration Camp
Auschwitz concentration camp might not be a place you’d want to visit, but I think it is important and valuable to do so if you’re visiting Poland. What you read in books or see in documentaries and movies takes a new tone when seen in person. Seeing the piles of people’s belongings, from stacks of suitcases, cups, and bowls to their shoes was very impactful. It is one of those places you need to see for yourself and it stands as an important reminder of the dangers of extreme ideologies. It was a moving place, hard to experience but important to witness.
Day 5: Wroclaw
As one of Poland’s most popular destinations, Wroclaw (pronounced vrots-waf) also has a very rich historical past. Back in the day, Wroclaw was part of several territorial disputes. Contested between being a Polish city, then a Bohemian (pre-Czech Republic) city, and later on as an Austrian one too.
With its colorful golden-age townhouses and restaurants, Wroclaw has one of the most picturesque market squares in all of Europe. The city’s Old Town is a winding maze of cobblestoned streets that take you to the Cathedral of St. John, located in “Cathedral Island”. If you head at the right time you might catch the keeper lighting original old gas lights one by one.
Additionally, Wroclaw is also famous for its large gnome population. With over 300 gnomes scattered throughout the city, there is even an app that you can download to track your discoveries. The gnomes have become a symbol of freedom dating back to when the city was controlled by the USSR. As part of the underground Orange Alternative movement, gnomes slowly began appearing with a twist of silliness and fun against the oppressive conditions.
Day 6: “Church of Peace” in Swidnica
The “Church of Peace” is the largest wooden baroque church in the world. From the outside, it looks more like a big and unremarkable house. This wooden structure has a rich history baked into the why and the how of its construction.
As part of a peace treaty after the Thirty Years War (a religious war between Catholics and Protestants), the Catholic Poles had to allow the construction of a Protestant church in their lands. The Polish king begrudgingly gave his permission with a few caveats. The architect had to build only with perishable materials and be finished within a very short time frame. The Catholic Polish king hoped these measures would keep the church small and hard to maintain and eventually fall into ruin. Surprisingly, the construction of the church turned out to be a huge success ad to this day it remains a standing masterpiece.
As opposed to its drab exterior the interior of the church is very impressive, detailed, and elaborated with gold-plated baroque-style balconies and galleries.
Day 6.5: Ksiaz Castle
Just past the town where the church stands, you will find Ksiaz Castle nestled deep in a forest. As it was passed down through many noble families, the castle underwent several transformations. From Gothic to Baroque and later to Neoclassical styles. Giving it a unique look.
In 1941 the German state took over the castle and dug over two kilometers of hidden tunnels beneath the castle. Through these tunnels, the castle would be incorporated into a top-secret Nazi military compound hidden beneath the surrounding mountains. However, this project was never completed and after its evacuation, the castle remained in ruins for many years.
From its construction 800 years ago the castle has witnessed religious wars, been part of 5 different empires, and been subjected to 4 vastly different political systems. Thanks to restoration work you can now visit this beautiful castle and the surrounding gardens.
Getting Around Southern Poland
Ideally, you should begin your visit in either Krakow or Wroclaw as both cities have airports and also well-connected train lines. If you want to travel on your schedule or visit smaller off-the-beaten paths, then I recommend renting a car. However, a car might not be necessary if you decide to go by tourist bus to the main sights.
Where to Stay in Southern Poland
Poland is quite affordable! You can find high-quality accommodations at a fraction of the price compared to other European destinations. Since I was traveling with a group of friends we rented an apartment with multiple rooms in both Krakow and Wroclaw.
Did you Know
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Where to Eat in Southern Poland
- Located in Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter of Krakow, Plac Nowy, serves the best Zapiekanki in the city.
- Przystanek Pierogarnia serves the best Pierogi (Polish dumplings) in Krakow.
- The picturesque market square of Wroclaw offers a range of tasty, local, and fine dining restaurants.
- For the best local food make sure to check out the Bar Mlecznys (Milk Bars) in every town or city in Poland.
Want to explore more of Poland? Discover what to do with 7 days in Northern Poland
