Despite having seen so much pain and damage during WWII, Poland continues to be a fascinating location to visit. Cobblestone streets and exquisite architecture coexist with communist-era structures and delightful Gothic churches in these fascinating historic towns.

There are fantastic restaurants everywhere, and there are plenty of busy nightlife venues all around the nation. The different landscapes that surround Poland's biggest cities lend still additional alternatives to visitor itineraries, including gorgeous mountains as well as charming beach resorts.

1. Zakopane

If you enjoy the outdoors, Poland's most famous mountain resort is a terrific spot to relax on the lower slopes of the Tatras. Zakopane is an excellent place to go trekking and skiing, however, it may get congested in the summer and winter.

Zakopane, however, is definitely worth a visit, with charming wooden homes dotted around the city, and the gorgeous surroundings only add to the city's allure. Many artists, poets, authors, and painters have sought inspiration here in the past due to its wonderful character.

2. Gdynia

Gdynia's growth really truly took off until the government established a deep-sea port here in the 1920s, therefore the building has a distinctively Modernist air to it.

Gdynia offers a lengthy shoreline with several nice promenades and waterfronts to explore, in addition to the great beaches. There is some amazing nightlife as well as some exquisite eateries to check out in Poland's second-largest harbor.

3. Lodz 

Lodz, the country's third-largest city, features gloomy and crumbling streets and buildings due to its industrial heritage, German occupation, and communist control. However, there is reason to be optimistic, since a large reconstruction effort has resulted in the emergence of retail malls and commercial complexes among the ruins of the past. A pleasant pedestrian street currently runs through the city's center.

This eclectic blend is fascinating to see, and there are some hidden jewels strewn among the old industrial buildings. The city's monuments and cemetery are now a sad and painful reminder of Lodz's once-thriving Jewish community for tourists interested in Jewish history and heritage.

4. Katowice

Katowice is a relatively modern city that owes its current status to its placement at the heart of fourteen cities in its area of Poland, as well as the 19th-century industrial boom. As a result, it serves as a business and cultural hub for the region, despite the lack of historical landmarks due to its recent development.

Katowice is definitely worth a visit, with a variety of restaurants, pubs, and cafés to select from, as well as some fascinating cultural institutions, and excellent transportation links to the surrounding region.

5. Lublin

Lublin has sufficient resources for you to come and visit. There are several lovely townhouses in this area.

Many pubs, restaurants, cafés, and clubs, as well as various cultural attractions, can be found in the country's largest city in the southeast. Because it was a prominent center of Jewish scholarship, Lublin was once sarcastically referred to as the "Jewish Oxford." Lublin also has a number of noteworthy places relating to its Jewish history that are worth visiting.

6. Torun

This delightful city, located on the Vistula, is an incredible treat to roam about — its calm streets seem a world apart from Poland's more famous tourist sites. Torun's Gothic old town, a walled city, contains some wonderful buildings for visitors to see.

Unlike many other cities in Poland, it escaped WWII largely unharmed. You'll discover charming atmospheric cafés and restaurants tucked away among its meandering alleyways, as well as sights and pictures associated with two of Torun's claims to fame: Nicolaus Copernicus, who was born here, and the famed gingerbread that originated in the city.

7. Poznan

Poznan is a wonderful city to visit, with lots of activity and a youthful vibe. The capital of Wielkopolska, its old town boasts a wealth of historical sites as well as wonderful museums.

Because of the city's significant student population, the city's restaurants, pubs, and clubs are bustling, but the trade fairs staged in Poznan draw a completely different crowd. There are excellent transport connections from here to explore the local area.

8. Gdansk

Gdansk's turbulent history has given it a distinct personality and appearance, unlike any other city in Poland. Because of its vast harbor, affluent merchants who came to trade left their imprint, and because of its strategic location, Teutonic Prussia and Poland formerly battled over it.

As a result, there are many different architectural styles on display, and Gdansk's post-World War II reconstruction greatly contributed to this. Its cobblestone lanes are surrounded by charming old churches and exquisite buildings, while intriguing museums sit alongside shops, restaurants, and cafés, making it a popular tourist attraction.

You may unwind in one of the beautiful beer gardens or enjoy a boat tour from the dock. You may easily explore other parts of the Baltic shore from here.

9. Warsaw

A mishmash of different architectural styles, Gothic churches, fantastic museums, and modern edifices can be found among the drab gray concrete buildings of the communist era.

Warsaw has many distinct aspects to it, with beautiful parks and interesting areas to explore. The nation's capital is a pleasant and intriguing city to visit, with a variety of wonderful, inexpensive restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Head to the top of the dominating Palace of Culture and Science, which looms over the little buildings below, for a spectacular perspective of Warsaw.

10. Krakow

Krakow's beautiful Historic Town is captivating, with magnificent churches and old buildings along with its charming squares. In fact, Rynek Glowny, the city's largest market square, is the largest in Europe. The old royal capital is a famous tourist destination with plenty to see and do, with Wawel Castle being one of the highlights.

Throughout the city, there are several restaurants and pubs. If you grow weary of touring the historical buildings and magnificent museums, there are infinite possibilities for amazing nightlife here. The historic Jewish neighborhood, with all of its synagogues, is a melancholy place to visit, and many people come to Krakow to see Auschwitz, which is a disturbing but necessary experience.