Poland Route: Krakow, Tatras, Gdansk and Auschwitz Memorial

Explore Poland's most iconic destinations across 2,419 km, from Krakow's medieval Wawel Royal Castle and Main Square to the Tatra Mountains' Morskie Oko Lake, the Baltic coastal town of Sopot with Europe's longest wooden pier, and Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science. The route includes Gdansk's Old Town, Malbork Castle, the Masurian Lake District, and Auschwitz Memorial.

Mode
Places
Start
Krakow Old Town
End
Gdansk Medieval Old Town
Stops
18
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Krakow Old Town — Medieval city in southern Poland founded in the 7th century
  2. Wawel Royal Castle — 14th-century fortress overlooking Krakow
  3. Main Square (Rynek Główny) — Medieval market square in Kraków surrounded by Renaissance arcades, merchant halls, and historic townhouses reflecting centuries of Polish architectural heritage.
  4. Saint Mary's Basilica — 14th-century Gothic church in the corner of Main Square
  5. Kosciuszko Mound — 112-foot earthwork with panoramic views of Krakow and Vistula River
  6. Zakopane Gateway to Tatras
  7. Morskie Oko Lake — Mountain lake in the Tatra range on the Polish-Slovak border
  8. Auschwitz Concentration Camp Memorial — WW2 historical site and memorial located one hour from Krakow
  9. Sopot & Baltic Sea — Elegant seaside resort on the Baltic coast featuring a historic wooden pier, sandy beaches, and Belle Époque villas.
  10. Europe's Longest Wooden Pier — Europe's longest wooden pier extending into the Baltic Sea
  11. Malbork Castle — Largest castle by land area in the world, located on the Nogat River one hour from Gdansk
  12. Masurian Lake District — Most visited lake region in Central Europe, located in northeastern Poland
  13. Three Crowns & Niedzica Castle — Gothic fortress overlooking the Dunajec River Gorge in the Pieniny Mountains, accessible via dramatic raft tours through limestone canyons.
  14. Palace of Culture and Science — 778-foot tall iconic building, 5th tallest in the EU
  15. Warsaw Old Town — Historic center and crown jewel of Warsaw
  16. Sopot — Baltic Sea coastal town established in the 8th century, known as the Polish Riviera
  17. Sopot Pier — Europe's longest wooden pier extending into the Baltic Sea
  18. Gdansk Medieval Old Town — Historic port city with medieval architecture on the Baltic coast

Useful for your trip

Transport
Zakopane is located about a two hours drive from Krakow and is the best town to access the Tatra Mountains.
Tip
To visit Morskie Oko Lake, take a bus from Zakopane to the base and complete a 16 kilometer round trip hike to reach the scenic lake.
Transport
Auschwitz Concentration Camp Memorial is located about one hour's drive from Krakow.
Transport
Sopot is located on the Baltic Sea and Gdansk is just a 15 minutes drive from Sopot.
Transport
Malbork Castle is about one hour's drive from Gdansk, located in the town of Malbork on the river.
Tip
The Masurian Lake District is located in northeastern Poland and is home to over 2000 lakes, making it the most visited lake district in central Europe.
Timing
Zakopane is ideal for skiing during winter months and for hiking into the Tatra Mountains during summer months.
Transport
Wroclaw is located in western Poland about three hours drive from Krakow.
Tip
The Main Square (Rynek Główny) in Krakow is the largest medieval town square in all of Europe and dates back to the 13th century.
Tip
Warsaw's Old Town was almost completely destroyed during World War 2 but was miraculously restored and made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Video on this route

Top 10 Places To Visit In Poland - 4K Travel Guide

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