South Poland: Krakow, Wroclaw and the Tatra mountains

Each year, millions of visitors come to see the famous Jasna Góra Monastery, home to the revered icon of the Black Madonna. Founded in the 14th century, the monastery is both a religious sanctuary and a national symbol of faith and resilience. In 1655, Jasna Góra resisted a Swedish siege, making the icon a symbol of hope and Polish identity. Pilgrims from across Poland and abroad travel here, especially around August 15, the Feast of the Assumption.

Known for its countless bridges, islands, and colorful buildings, Wrocław is often called the “Venice of Poland.” With its rich and multicultural history, it is a vibrant cultural hub full of character. The historic Market Square (Rynek), with its Gothic town hall, is a lively place filled with cafés and street performers. Scattered throughout the city are small bronze dwarf statues, a playful tribute to the anti-communist movement of the 1980s.

Katowice is the largest city in Upper Silesia and Poland's main industrial centre. A rich cultural life with theatres, the Silesian Museum and Philharmonic Orchestras and the concert hall caters for a population of about 300,000 in the city and 2 million if the surrounding cities of the Upper-Silesian Metropolitan Union are taken into account. The Spodek concert hall is emblematic of the city, appearing in many postcards and other images.

Located in the very middle of Silesia on the banks of the small river Rawa, Katowice's mix of modern and historical architecture, easy access to the Beskids and other Silesian cities makes it a top visitor destination.

Stroll across the enormous medieval market square, one of the largest in Europe, where the majestic St. Mary's Basilica and the historic Cloth Hall form the backdrop for street musicians and cozy terraces. Every stone in the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, tells a story. Get lost in the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter Kazimierz, where authentic cafés, vintage shops, and street art surprise you.

Zakopane is a very popular winter resort and summer getaway town in the Tatra mountains on the southern tip of Poland. It became a climatic health resort and as well as cultural spot in the 1880s. Many Polish writers and artists visited Zakopane at the turn of the 20th century. Stanisław Witkiewicz developed the so-called still popular in the Polish mountains.