Travel tips for Poland - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Poland is a part of the European Union, but the country has its own currency - the Polish zloty. A small coin is a Polish grosz.

2. You can exchange money for local currency at railway stations in special exchange points or in supermarkets, shopping centers, galleries, and tourist centers.

3. It’s better to move around the cities of Poland on public transport, including trams and buses. There is also a subway in Warsaw. In some cities, you pay for duration of ride.

Most romantic hotels in Poland

The best hideaways for couples in love, as well as top hotels for wedding and honeymoon.
Read further

4. Some stores in Poland are tax free, which allows to return the VAT tax when crossing a border. The cost of purchases should exceed 200 zlotys. You can receive money at the cash-desk of the return payments.

5. The Poles should be addressed with respect using words pan or pani. If you know the name or a position held, you need to add them while talking. Only relatives and close friends call each other by name.

6. Poland is a religious country. Christmas celebration is taken with all responsibility, and, therefore, it is worth to visit its large cities at this time.

7. Pickpockets can be met in busy tourist places. It’s better not to carry a large sum of money with you. The original documents should be left in hotels. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. Telephones booths may be seen on the streets of Polish cities. To make a call, you must first buy a special card. You can do that in the news stall or at the post office.

9. If you want to ride a taxi, you have to order a car in advance. It is difficult to grab a car on the street. Ride sharing is not practiced in the country. Prices on private driver services are greatly inflated.

10. The majority of Poles understand English, but they will rather agree to help if you can say a few phrases in Polish.

11. Servings at local restaurants are usually so large that you can order one dish for two.

When and where to 'hang out' in Poland - festivals and celebrations

Poland is a deeply religious country, and therefore, its residents have a special attitude towards such holidays as Christmas and Easter. The whole …
Read further

12. Tips in cafes and restaurants can be left at your discretion, but foreign guests are encouraged to thank the waiters for their work with a small reward.

13. If you buy jewelry in Poland, it must be declared at the customs.

14. The first medical aid in Poland is free of charge. Doctors are also obliged to help a person in an emergency state without payment. However, the further treatment will have to be paid for.

15. Buying goods in the markets, it is necessary to bargain with local sellers.

This collection of travel tips for Poland is protected by the copyright law. You can re-use the content, but only under the condition of placement of an active link to www.orangesmile.com.

Poland guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Poland

Colorful and unique places in Poland

Christ The King

From the series “The Most Grandiose Statues and Monuments”

Monuments that can be considered as sites of world significance can be found in Poland too. One of these landmarks is located in Swiebodzin, where travelers will have an opportunity to see the world's largest statue of Jesus Christ. The Christ the King or Pomnik Chrystusa Krola is located to the south-eastern part of the city. The height of the sculpture is 33 meters. Construction of the statue was initiated by one of the local priest named Sylvester Zawadzki. He made a proposal to build a unique monument in 2001. Only ten years later, the new iconic landmark appeared in Swiebodzin. The statue is made of reinforced concrete; its weight is about 440 tons.

One of the main features of the sculpture is a gilded crown on the head of Christ. During construction, the project was repeatedly … Read all

Narrowest House in the World

From the series “The Most Bizarre and Fancy Living Houses”

The closest house in the world can be found in Warsaw. The search for this attraction can take a while. In an unusual construction, which is literally pushed into 'between two high-houses', one can not immediately recognize the dwelling-house. The author of the unusual project was the Polish architect Jakub Schesny, who has succeeded in constructing the modern, comfortable house on the smallest surface.

The maximum width of the house is 122 cm, and the minimum - 72 cm. Despite the modest width, the house was equipped with all necessities. The depth of his rooms reaches 7.5 meters, so one could place the modern furniture, the household technology and even the decor elements in the house. The narrowest house in the world is three storey and has the bathroom, the living room, the rather … Read all

Morske Oko

From the series “The Highest Mountain Lakes of the Planet”

The Morskoe Oko Lake, located in the Polish Tatra Mountains, is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake is located at the height of 1 395 meters above sea level, its maximum depth is more than 50 meters. The pine forests surrounding the lake are so wonderful that they approach the people of rank since ancient times. On the shores of the lake, Pope John Paul II liked to recover. Especially for him was an asphalt path to the lake with the length of more than 10 km.

Currently, the small hotel is located on the shore of the lake. All guests can spend a few days in this wonderful area. Many tourists strive to visit the picturesque spots in the spring. It is a matter of the fact that the mountain slopes surrounding the lake are covered with the numerous crocuses and fine whites … Read all

All unique sightseeing Poland

Advices for popular cities of Poland

Krakow

1. The amount of tips in local cafes and restaurants estimates 10%, but leaving a smaller sum is also acceptable. 2. Students are advised to purchase a special ISIC card, which allows you to get discounted rates for various excursions. Typically, the cardholder can save up to 50% of cost. 3. During summer holidays many campuses work as hotels. They will be a real help for those who want to save on accommodations, as there are not many hotels in the city. 4. market Square is the best … Read more

Warsaw

1. Savvy travelers should pay attention to hotels that are located away from the center of the city. They differ not only by very reasonable prices, but also by their fairly modest services. There is a small campground near the central bus station in Warsaw. 2. Travellers who plan to visit religious sites should select their clothes more carefully. People wearing too bright or revealing clothing may not be allowed to enter many churches. 3. Photography and video shooting are permitted in … Read more

Poznan

1. Travelers who arrive to the railway station “Poznan Main” and plan to use taxi service need to remember one important feature. They can call taxi to main entrance absolutely free in every newspaper kiosk, which is located on the station’s territory. 2. High point of touristic season is period from the beginning of May to the end of September, this time there are a lot of interesting national celebrations and holidays in the city. It is recommended to book the hotel for this period … Read more

Wroclaw

1. If you plan to rent a car, it is recommended to take into account that it’s rather difficult to find a free parking space in the city. The majority of parking lots are paid, and so you must purchase a special parking ticket before you use them. These tickets can be purchased either from special agents or in special electronic machines. 2. In addition to the national currency some restaurants and shops may accept payments in U.S. dollars. As a rule, large shopping centers and … Read more

Gdansk

1. Travelers, who plan to book a guestroom in midscale and upscale hotels of the city, are recommended to ask the hotel’s staff to provide them with a city map and a guide. They will make your rest in the city even easier and more comfortable. This service is available in all three stars hotels and higher. 2. Travel guides can be obtained not only in hotels, but also in numerous information outlets that are marked as «Informacja Turystyczna». You can find such outlets in every district … Read more

Lodz

1. Local people hold in highest esteem the religion. For travelers who opt for visiting religious sights the outfit is of greatest importance. It should not be bright and revealing, women should necessarily cover their heads before entering the territory of any ecclesiastical building. Photo and video cameras are not desired in these places. 2. The city has a well developed and branched public system of transportation. One can easily cruise the city by bus, trolleybus or tram. All the stops … Read more

Katowice

1. Despite the fact that the local cuisine is considered rather simple and popular, there are really rare exotic treats "not for everybody”. When you visit restaurants dedicated to the national cuisine, it is worth asking a waiter all the questions you’re interested in. The local staff is used to a large number of tourists and will certainly advise on all aspects of the dishes they serve. 2. Do not forget to leave tips in local restaurants. As a rule, the amount of tips should be from … Read more

Lublin

1. The city has a railway station where high-speed trains bound for neighboring countries every day. Lublin also has regular bus connections with many states. 2. The main types of public transport in Lublin are buses and trolleybuses. Tickets for public transport can be purchased at all newsstands. At some major stops, ticket machines are also available for passengers. 3. Taxi services would be advantageous for large groups of tourists. Taxi fares are quite affordable, but keep in mind … Read more