2 Must-Visit Cities for Families in Poland

While family travelers flock to 2023’s “it” European destinations like Greece and Italy, travelers in the know set their sights on places under the radar but offering just as much fun and adventure without overwhelming crowds and costs. One such place is Poland, where families can experience a vibrant culture, rich history and enough fun to create a vacation the whole family will always remember.

Poland’s cities and villages are full of great sites and experiences, but two in particular are great places to start planning for a family vacation. Gdansk, situated on the Baltic Sea along the country’s northern border, stands out as one of the most important cities for families to experience when visiting Poland.

Known as the place where World War II started and the place where communism in Central Europe began to fall, the significance of Gdansk is unmistakable. This 1,000-year-old city combines its unique history with beautiful, Old World brick Gothic architecture and modern attractions like the underground Museum of the Second World War and Hevelianum, an interactive exhibition space promoting learning and exploration.

Krakow, another must visit for families, is one of the country’s largest cities and one of the best places for families to discover Poland’s unique heritage. With a quarter of the country’s museums located in Krakow alone, it is easy to get lost in history, but there is plenty more to entice adventurous families, like a thriving food scene that earned the scene the title of European Capital of Gastronomic Culture in 2019. Sampling treats like an obwarzanek Krakowski, a braided bagel that holds the distinction of the city’s signature street food, lets the family discover the city’s multifaceted identity through food.

Be sure to balance out the family’s historical and cultural tour of Krakow with a side trip to Energylandia, Poland’s largest amusement park. Just an hour away from the city by car, Energylandia offers 123 different rides and a variety of zones like Family Zone, Dragon Zone, Extreme Zone and Fairytale Land to ensure there is something for everyone.