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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
<!--Please, do not promote your own pictures in here--> <!--Please, do not promote your own pictures in here-->
{{Infobox {{Infobox
|above=Tourism in Poland | above = Tourism in Poland
|subheader='''Poland's top ten urban destinations'''<ref name="tripadvisor">{{cite web |url=http://www.tripadvisor.ca/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g274723 |title=Top 10 Destinations – Poland |work=Travelers' Choice 2013 (Winners) |publisher=TripAdvisor.ca The world largest travel site |accessdate=20 December 2014 |author=TripAdvisor |pages=1 of 10 |quote=''Travelers' Choice'' 1.Krakow, 2.Warsaw, 3.Wroclaw, 4.Poznan, 5.Bialystok, 6.Sopot, 7.Zakopane, 8.Lodz, 9.Szczecin, 10.Gdynia.}}</ref> | subheader = '''Poland's top ten urban destinations'''<ref name="tripadvisor">{{cite web |url=http://www.tripadvisor.ca/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g274723 |title=Top 10 Destinations – Poland |work=Travelers' Choice 2013 (Winners) |publisher=TripAdvisor.ca The world largest travel site |access-date=20 December 2014 |author=TripAdvisor |pages=1 of 10 |quote=''Travelers' Choice'' 2014 Update: 1.Krakow, 2.Warsaw, 3.Wroclaw, 4.Poznan, 5.Bialystok, 6.Sopot, 7.Zakopane, 8.Lodz, 9.Szczecin, 10.Gdynia.}}</ref>
|subheaderstyle=background:#A6D4E9 | subheaderstyle = background:#A6D4E9
|image=] | image = ]
|caption=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> Royal palace at ] on the ] river, UNESCO World Heritage Site | caption = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> royal palace at ] on the ] river, UNESCO World Heritage Site
|image2=] | image2 = ]
|caption2=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ], UNESCO World Heritage Site | caption2 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ], UNESCO World Heritage Site
|image3=] | image3 = ]
|caption3=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ] in the ] | caption3 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ] in the ]
|image4=] | image4 = ]
|caption4=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ] | caption4 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ]
|image5=] | image5 = ]
|caption5=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> Szczecin's waterfront | caption5 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> Szczecin's waterfront
|image6=] | image6 = ]
|caption6=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> Poznań Market Square at night | caption6 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ] at night
|image7=] | image7 = ]
|caption7=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> The ''Winter Capital of Poland'', view from ] in the ] | caption7 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> the ''Winter Capital of Poland'', view from ] in the ]
|image8=] | image8 = ]
|caption8=], 1.8 million visitors annually<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wroclaw.pl/zoo-i-afrykarium-we-wroclawiu-z-5-mln-odwiedzajacych |title=Afrykarium odwiedziło 5 mln osób |access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> | caption8 = ] attracts 1.8 million visitors annually.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wroclaw.pl/zoo-i-afrykarium-we-wroclawiu-z-5-mln-odwiedzajacych |title=Afrykarium odwiedziło 5 mln osób |access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref>
|image9=] | image9 = ]
|caption9=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> red-brick Lloyd Palace and marina on the ] | caption9 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> red-brick Lloyd Palace and marina on the ]
|image10=] | image10 = ]
|caption10=],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> historic lighthouse restored to its former glory | caption10 = ],<ref name="tripadvisor"/> ] restored to its former glory
<!--only up to "image10" is accepted by template --> <!--only up to "image10" is accepted by template -->}}
}}
<!--Beginning of article--> <!--Beginning of article-->
] is a part of the global tourism market with constantly increasing number of visitors. '''Tourism in Poland''' contributes to the country's overall economy. The most popular cities are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ] and the historic site of ] – A German ] concentration camp in ]. The best recreational destinations include Poland's ], ] coast, ] (the highest mountain range of ]), ] and ]. ]'s main tourist offers consist of sightseeing within cities and out-of-town ], business trips, qualified tourism, ], mountain ] (]) and ] among others. ] is a part of the global tourism market with constantly increasing number of visitors. '''Tourism in Poland''' contributes to the country's overall economy. The most popular cities are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], the ] and the historic site of ] – a German ] concentration camp in ]. The best recreational destinations include Poland's ], ] coast, ] (the highest mountain range of ]), ] and ]. ]'s main tourist offers consist of sightseeing within cities, ], ]s, business trips, ], ], qualified tourism, mountain ] (]) and ] among others.
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|caption=* Foreign tourists in tourist accommodation establishments by country<ref name="stat.gov"> (PDF file, direct download 8.75 MB), Główny Urząd Statystyczny (]), pp. 174–177 / 254. Warsaw 2015.</ref>
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==Overview== ==Overview==
{{multiple image {{multiple image
| direction=vertical | direction=vertical
| header=Other Poland's top rating destinations<ref name="Touropia">{{cite web |url=http://www.touropia.com/tourist-attractions-in-poland/ |title=10 Top Tourist Attractions in Poland |work=Touropia "best of" lists |publisher=Touropia |year=2013 |accessdate=26 November 2013 |author=The Touropia Team}}</ref> | header=Other Poland's top rating destinations<ref name="Touropia">{{cite web |url=http://www.touropia.com/tourist-attractions-in-poland/ |title=10 Top Tourist Attractions in Poland |work=Touropia "best of" lists |publisher=Touropia |year=2013 |access-date=26 November 2013 |author=The Touropia Team}}</ref>
| header_background=#A6D4E9 | header_background=#A6D4E9
| width=300 | width=300
| image1=Auschwitz HD 01.PNG | image1=Auschwitz HD 01.PNG
| caption1=] concentration camp,<ref name="touristrack">{{cite web |url=http://www.touristrack.com/10-famous-tourist-attractions-poland/ |title=10 Famous Tourist Attractions in Poland You Must Visit |work=Central Europe |publisher=TourisTrack.com |accessdate=26 November 2013 |author=Touristrack}}</ref> UNESCO World Heritage Site | caption1=] concentration camp,<ref name="touristrack">{{cite web |url=http://www.touristrack.com/10-famous-tourist-attractions-poland/ |title=10 Famous Tourist Attractions in Poland You Must Visit |work=Central Europe |publisher=TourisTrack.com |access-date=26 November 2013 |author=Touristrack}}</ref> UNESCO World Heritage Site
| image2=Białowieski Park Narodowy03 23a.jpg | image2=Białowieski Park Narodowy03 23a.jpg
| caption2=] at ],<ref name="Touropia"/> a ] and ] | caption2=] at ],<ref name="Touropia"/> a ] and ]
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}} }}
{{see also|List of World Heritage Sites of Poland|List of Historic Monuments (Poland)}} {{see also|List of World Heritage Sites of Poland|List of Historic Monuments (Poland)}}
⚫ Poland, especially after joining the ] in 2004, became a place frequently visited by tourists. Most tourist attractions in Poland are connected with natural environment, historic sites and cultural events. They draw millions of tourists every year from all around the world. According to Tourist Institute's data, Poland was visited by 15.7&nbsp;million tourists in 2006, and by 15 million tourists in 2007,<ref name=it> {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130416150135/http://www.intur.com.pl/warsztat.htm |date=16 April 2013 }} Source: Instytut Turystyki, 2008.</ref> out of the total number of 66.2 million foreign visitors.<ref name="intur.com-przyjazd">{{cite web | url=http://www.intur.com.pl/przyjazd.htm | title=Przyjazdy do Polski (Foreign visits to Poland) | work=Statistics | publisher=Instytut Turystyki | year=2008 | accessdate=31 December 2012 | author=GUS | language=Polish | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225182832/http://www.intur.com.pl/przyjazd.htm | archivedate=25 December 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2012, Poland was visited by 13.5&nbsp;million foreign tourists (those who came during ], but did not stay overnight, were not included in official statistics).<ref name="newseria.pl">{{cite web | url=http://www.newseria.pl/news/pierwsze_efekty_euro_2012,p455486441 | title=Pierwsze efekty Euro 2012. Resort turystyki przewiduje wzrost liczby turystów w 2013 r. nawet o pół miliona | author=Katarzyna Sobierajska, Ministry of Tourism | work=Live interview | publisher=Agencja Informacyjna ''Newseria'' | year=2012 | accessdate=31 December 2012 | language=Polish}}</ref> In 2013, Poland was visited by 15.8&nbsp;million tourists. In 2016, the number of arrivals to Poland amounted to 80.5&nbsp;million. 17.5&nbsp;million of this number are arrivals considered for tourism purposes (with at least one night's stay).


In the 21st century, Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe,<ref></ref> frequently visited by tourists.
⚫ ===Natural environment===
⚫ {{see also|List of national parks of Poland}}
⚫ Poland has a diversified natural environment, which is relatively unaffected by human development. Visitors are attracted by mountains, sea-coast, forests and the lake reserves. Among the most popular destinations are: ], in which is the highest peak of Polish (]) and the famous ]; ], ], ], ], ], ] in ], ], ], and many others.


Poland, especially after joining the ] in 2004 and acceding to the ] in 2007, became a place frequently visited by tourists. Most tourist attractions in Poland are connected with natural environment, historic sites and cultural events.
⚫ The first Polish tourists were ]s traveling to ]s both within Poland and abroad. The development of commercial tourism began in the 19th century. The most popular regions were mountains, especially the ], explored for example by ]. In 1873, the ] and in 1909 the ] were established to organize and develop tourism. The 19th century was also the time of the rapid appearance of ] resorts, mostly in ], ] and along the ] coast, with some of them associated, since 1910, with the ]. After Poland ] in 1918, Polish tourism boomed, and was encouraged by the government. The first professional Polish ], ], was founded in ] in 1923, followed in 1937 by ] tourist organization and tour operator.

⚫ According to Tourist Institute's data, Poland was visited by 15.7&nbsp;million tourists in 2006, and by 15 million tourists in 2007,<ref name=it> {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130416150135/http://www.intur.com.pl/warsztat.htm |date=16 April 2013 }} Source: Instytut Turystyki, 2008.</ref> out of the number of arrivals 66.2 million.<ref name="intur.com-przyjazd">{{cite web | url=http://www.intur.com.pl/przyjazd.htm | title=Przyjazdy do Polski (Foreign visits to Poland) | work=Statistics | publisher=Instytut Turystyki | year=2008 | access-date=31 December 2012 | author=GUS | language=pl | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225182832/http://www.intur.com.pl/przyjazd.htm | archive-date=25 December 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2012, Poland was visited by 13.5&nbsp;million foreign tourists (those who came during ], but did not stay overnight, were not included in official statistics).<ref name="newseria.pl">{{cite web | url=http://www.newseria.pl/news/pierwsze_efekty_euro_2012,p455486441 | title=Pierwsze efekty Euro 2012. Resort turystyki przewiduje wzrost liczby turystów w 2013 r. nawet o pół miliona | author=Katarzyna Sobierajska, Ministry of Tourism | work=Live interview | publisher=Agencja Informacyjna Newseria | year=2012 | access-date=31 December 2012 | language=pl}}</ref> In 2013, Poland was visited by 15.8&nbsp;million tourists. In 2016, the number of arrivals to Poland amounted to 80.5&nbsp;million. 17.5&nbsp;million of this number are arrivals considered for tourism purposes (with at least one night's stay). In 2019, Poland was visited by 21.4&nbsp;million tourists, making it the '''18th''' most visited country in the world.


==History== ==History==
⚫ The first Polish tourists were ]s traveling to ]s both within Poland and abroad. The development of commercial tourism began in the 19th century. The most popular regions were mountains, especially the ], explored for example by ]. In 1873, the ] and in 1909 the ] were established to organize and develop tourism. The 19th century was also the time of the rapid appearance of ] resorts, mostly in ], ] and along the ] coast, with some of them associated, since 1910, with the ]. After Poland ] in 1918, Polish tourism boomed, and was encouraged by the government. The first professional Polish ], ], was founded in ] in 1923, followed in 1937 by ] tourist organization and tour operator.
⚫ After ] all tourist organizations were ] by the new ] government. The Polish Tatra Society and Polish Sightseeing Society were combined into ] and most of the tourist infrastructure was handed over to the newly created Workers Vacations Fund (FWP). Tourism was limited to the ] countries. This was the era of governmentally-founded tourism, characterised by mass but low-standard tourism. A typical sight was a holiday campground with small ]s managed by one of the state-owned companies. Holidays for children and teenagers were organized by ]. After the ] much of the infrastructure was ], although many company-owned resorts were downgraded because of their unprofitability. The early 1990s saw the foundation of many new tour operators. Some of them prevailed and strengthened their position on the market, being able to compete with multinational tour operators like ], or ] with branches in Poland.


⚫ After ] all tourist organizations were ] by the new ] government. The Polish Tatra Society and Polish Sightseeing Society were combined into ] and most of the tourist infrastructure was handed over to the newly created Workers Vacations Fund (FWP). Tourism was limited to the ] countries. This was the era of governmentally-founded tourism, characterised by mass but low-standard tourism. A typical sight was a holiday campground with small ]s managed by one of the state-owned companies. Holidays for children and teenagers were organized by ].
⚫ ==Tourist destinations==

After the ] much of the infrastructure was ], although many company-owned resorts were downgraded because of their unprofitability. The early 1990s saw the foundation of many new tour operators. Some of them prevailed and strengthened their position on the market, being able to compete with multinational tour operators.

⚫ ==Natural environment==
⚫ {{see also|List of national parks of Poland}}
⚫ Poland has a diversified natural environment, which is relatively unaffected by human development. There are 23 ] in the country that meet the criteria of the ]. Visitors are attracted by mountains, sea-coast with wide sandy beaches, and forests, lakes, rivers. Among the most popular destinations are: ], in which is the highest peak of Poland (]) and the famous ] (old trail in the style of ]); ] with ] (440&nbsp;km from ] to ]), ], ], ]; ], ], ], ] in ], ] and many others.

⚫ ==Popular tourist destinations==
⚫ <!-- Please expand this section by replacing raw list with comprehensive prose, and do not place 'hidden' intewiki links in here.-->
* ] of ] * ] of ]
* ] * ]
* ] (most frequently visited attraction in Poland<ref></ref>) * ] (most frequently visited attraction in Poland<ref></ref>)
* Old Town in ] * Hunting on the ]
⚫ * ] including ] with ]; ] with ]; ], ]<ref>Narodowy Instytut Dziedzictwa, {{in lang|pl}}</ref>
* ] in ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] in the port city of ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]

===Historic buildings and places===
⚫ <!-- Please expand this section by replacing raw list with comprehensive prose, and do not place 'hidden' intewiki links in here-->
* ] * ]
⚫ * ] including ] with ]; ] with ]; ], ]<ref>Narodowy Instytut Dziedzictwa, {{pl icon}}</ref>
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
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* ] * ]
* ] and its ] * ] and its ]
* ] in ]
* ] in the ] * ] in the ]
* ] in ]
* ] complex * ] complex
* ] * ]
* ] with sluices * ] with sluices
* Benedictine Abbey in ] * Benedictine Abbey in ]
* ] Palace
* ] shared with Germany * ] shared with Germany
* ] * ]
* ] Cathedral * ] Cathedral
* ] in ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* Historic town of ] * Historic town of ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] in ] * ] in ]
* Seaside resort of ] * Seaside resort of ]
* ] * ]
* Historic town of ] * Historic town of ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* Spa town of ] * Spa town of ]
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* Spa town of ] * Spa town of ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] in Tum * ] in Tum
* ] Palace * ] Palace
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* ] * ]


====Castles==== === Castles ===
{{see also|List of castles in Poland|Trail of the Eagles' Nests}} {{see also|List of castles in Poland|Trail of the Eagles' Nests}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}} {{div col|colwidth=22em}}
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*] *]
*] *]
*] *]
*] *]
*] *]
*] *]
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
;Kraków ;Kraków
* ] * ]
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
;Wrocław ;Wrocław
* ] * ]
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
⚫ * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* Off Cinema Film Festival
* ]
;Tricity ;Tricity
* ] in ] * ] in ]
* ] * ]
* ] in ] * ] in ]
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* ] * ]
* ] * ]
;Katowice
* ]
* ] in ]
;Other ;Other
* ] Film Festival in ] * ] Film Festival in ]
* ] in ] * ] in ]
* ] in ] * ]
* ] * ]
⚫ * ] in ]
* ] Festival of Contemporary Painting<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zpap.szczecin.pl/festiwal_polskiego_malarstwa_wspolczesnego/ |title=Festiwal Polskiego Malarstwa Współczesnego |publisher=ZPAP Szczecin}}</ref> * ] Festival of Contemporary Painting<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zpap.szczecin.pl/festiwal_polskiego_malarstwa_wspolczesnego/ |title=Festiwal Polskiego Malarstwa Współczesnego |publisher=ZPAP Szczecin}}</ref>
* Two Riversides Film and Art Festival in ]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dwabrzegi.pl/en/about-the-festival/ |title=ABOUT THE FESTIVAL |access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref> * Two Riversides Film and Art Festival in ]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dwabrzegi.pl/en/about-the-festival/ |title=ABOUT THE FESTIVAL |access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref>
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==Tourist resorts== ==Tourist resorts==
]]]
There are dozens of sea resorts on the coast of ] like ] Island, located close to the German border and the coast of ]. In southern Poland there are resorts for skiing and hiking in the ] mountains, which is part of the ] mountain range. Karkonosze includes the tourist centres of ] and ]. Other famous resorts for skiing and hiking include in ]: ] in the ]; ], ], ], ] in the ] or ] and ] in ] mountains. There are dozens of sea resorts on the coast of ] like ] Island, located close to the German border and the coast of ]. In southern Poland there are resorts for skiing and hiking in the ] mountains, which is part of the ] mountain range. Karkonosze includes the tourist centres of ] and ]. Other famous resorts for skiing and hiking include in ]: ] in the ]; ], ], ], ] in the ] or ] and ] in ] mountains.


In the vicinity of ] lies a tourist resort that offers a blend of mountainous terrain and an aqueous environment, with ] in the centre.
==Holocaust and Shtetl tourism==
{{Main|Holocaust tourism|POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews}}
* – shtetl routes of the Polish, Belorussian and Ukrainian borderland


==Christian pilgrimage== ==Christian pilgrimage==
{{Main|Christian pilgrimage}} {{Main|Christian pilgrimage}}
It's estimated that 13% (of the 1.8&nbsp;million in 2005) of visitors of the ] arrive from abroad.<ref></ref> ] was visited by 3.6&nbsp;million of pilgrims from 78 countries in 2014.<ref></ref> It's estimated that 13% (of the 1.8&nbsp;million in 2005) of visitors of the ] arrive from abroad.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.przewodnik-katolicki.pl/Archiwum/2006/Przewodnik-Katolicki-39-2006/Diecezja-Wloclawska/E-mail-z-Lichenia-Zagraniczni-pielgrzymi | title=E-mail z Lichenia: Zagraniczni pielgrzymi }}</ref> ] was visited by 3.6&nbsp;million of pilgrims from 78 countries in 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.jasnagora.com/news.php?ID=9071 | title=Biuro Prasowe Jasnej Góry - Jasnogórskie Sanktuarium w Roku 2014 }}</ref>


==Transport in Poland== ==Transport in Poland==
], ]]]
{{main|Transport in Poland}} {{main|Transport in Poland}}
Tourist infrastructure and facilities are abundant, especially in larger cities and in major tourist resorts. In large Polish cities, urban ] is very well developed.
] – one of the biggest ] in Poland: ], ], ] and ] connections, an inter-city public transport, a city bus and ] network and ]]]

Since the ] ] has improved significantly. There is acceptable tourist infrastructure, especially in larger cities and in major tourist resorts. Most major Polish cities (e.g. ], ], ], ] and ]) have international airports with connecting services with the ] in ]. Intercity connections are offered by ] ], ], local trains (], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]) and ]'s, ] as well as many smaller companies. There are also ] connections to other countries provided by various companies (inter alia ]). Connections by ferry to ] and ] through the ] are for example from ], ] and ] (inter alia ]).
The biggest cities (], ], ], ] and ]) have international airports with connections with many European cities and with the ] in ], which is the main hub of ].

Intercity connections are offered by ], ], ], ], ], local trains (], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]) and ]'s and many bus companies. There are also ] connections to other countries provided by various companies.

Connections by ferry to ] and ] through the ] are for example from ], ] and ] (inter alia ]).


== See also == == See also ==
* ] ({{lang-pl|Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze – PTTK}}) * ] ({{langx|pl|Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze – PTTK}})
* ] ({{lang-pl|Górskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe – GOPR}}) * ] ({{langx|pl|Górskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe – GOPR}})
* ] ({{lang-pl|Tatrzańskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe – TOPR}}) * ] ({{langx|pl|Tatrzańskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe – TOPR}})
* ] * ]
* ] * ]

Latest revision as of 19:53, 26 October 2024

Tourism in Poland
Poland's top ten urban destinations
Kraków, royal palace at Wawel on the Vistula river, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Warsaw, Old Town Market Square, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Wrocław, The Old Town Hall in the Market Square
Gdańsk, St. Mary's Church
Szczecin, Szczecin's waterfront
Poznań, Poznań Market Square at night
Zakopane, the Winter Capital of Poland, view from Gubałówka in the Tatra Mountains
Wrocław Zoo attracts 1.8 million visitors annually.
Bydgoszcz, red-brick Lloyd Palace and marina on the Brda
Kołobrzeg, historic lighthouse restored to its former glory

Poland is a part of the global tourism market with constantly increasing number of visitors. Tourism in Poland contributes to the country's overall economy. The most popular cities are Kraków, Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Poznań, Szczecin, Lublin, Toruń, Zakopane, the Salt Mine in Wieliczka and the historic site of Auschwitz – a German Nazi concentration camp in Oświęcim. The best recreational destinations include Poland's Masurian Lake District, Baltic Sea coast, Tatra Mountains (the highest mountain range of Carpathians), Sudetes and Białowieża Forest. Poland's main tourist offers consist of sightseeing within cities, historical monuments, natural monuments, business trips, agrotourism, bicycle touring, qualified tourism, mountain hiking (trekking) and climbing among others.

Overview

Other Poland's top rating destinationsAuschwitz concentration camp, UNESCO World Heritage SiteEuropean bison at Białowieża Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere ReserveWieliczka Salt Mine, with 1.2 million visitors annuallyMedieval Malbork Castle in Malbork, northern PolandMasurian Lake District, with more than 2,000 lakes. Pictured: marina in Mikołajki resort town See also: List of World Heritage Sites of Poland and List of Historic Monuments (Poland)

In the 21st century, Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe, frequently visited by tourists.

Poland, especially after joining the European Union in 2004 and acceding to the Schengen Agreement in 2007, became a place frequently visited by tourists. Most tourist attractions in Poland are connected with natural environment, historic sites and cultural events.

According to Tourist Institute's data, Poland was visited by 15.7 million tourists in 2006, and by 15 million tourists in 2007, out of the number of arrivals 66.2 million. In 2012, Poland was visited by 13.5 million foreign tourists (those who came during Euro 2012, but did not stay overnight, were not included in official statistics). In 2013, Poland was visited by 15.8 million tourists. In 2016, the number of arrivals to Poland amounted to 80.5 million. 17.5 million of this number are arrivals considered for tourism purposes (with at least one night's stay). In 2019, Poland was visited by 21.4 million tourists, making it the 18th most visited country in the world.

History

The first Polish tourists were pilgrims traveling to shrines both within Poland and abroad. The development of commercial tourism began in the 19th century. The most popular regions were mountains, especially the Tatra Mountains, explored for example by Tytus Chałubiński. In 1873, the Polish Tatra Society and in 1909 the Polish Sightseeing Society were established to organize and develop tourism. The 19th century was also the time of the rapid appearance of spa resorts, mostly in Sudetes, Beskids and along the Baltic Sea coast, with some of them associated, since 1910, with the Polish Balneology Association. After Poland regained independence in 1918, Polish tourism boomed, and was encouraged by the government. The first professional Polish tour operator, Orbis, was founded in Lwów in 1923, followed in 1937 by Gromada tourist organization and tour operator.

After World War II all tourist organizations were nationalized by the new communist government. The Polish Tatra Society and Polish Sightseeing Society were combined into Polish Tourism-Sightseeing Society (PTTK) and most of the tourist infrastructure was handed over to the newly created Workers Vacations Fund (FWP). Tourism was limited to the Comecon countries. This was the era of governmentally-founded tourism, characterised by mass but low-standard tourism. A typical sight was a holiday campground with small bungalows managed by one of the state-owned companies. Holidays for children and teenagers were organized by Juventur.

After the fall of communism much of the infrastructure was privatized, although many company-owned resorts were downgraded because of their unprofitability. The early 1990s saw the foundation of many new tour operators. Some of them prevailed and strengthened their position on the market, being able to compete with multinational tour operators.

Natural environment

See also: List of national parks of Poland

Poland has a diversified natural environment, which is relatively unaffected by human development. There are 23 national parks in the country that meet the criteria of the IUCN. Visitors are attracted by mountains, sea-coast with wide sandy beaches, and forests, lakes, rivers. Among the most popular destinations are: Tatra Mountains, in which is the highest peak of Poland (Rysy) and the famous Orla Perć (old trail in the style of via ferrata); Sudetes with Main Sudetes Trail (440 km from Świeradów Zdrój to Prudnik), Karkonosze, Table Mountains, Owl Mountains; Białowieża Forest, Lower Silesian Wilderness, Bieszczady, Dunajec River Gorge in Pieniny, Pojezierze Mazurskie and many others.

Popular tourist destinations

Castles

See also: List of castles in Poland and Trail of the Eagles' Nests

Cultural events

Further information: Culture of Poland
Warsaw
Kraków
Wrocław
Poznań
Tricity
Łódź
Katowice
Other

Tourist resorts

Wrocław's dwarf

There are dozens of sea resorts on the coast of Baltic Sea like Wolin Island, located close to the German border and the coast of Pomerania. In southern Poland there are resorts for skiing and hiking in the Karkonosze mountains, which is part of the Sudetes mountain range. Karkonosze includes the tourist centres of Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba. Other famous resorts for skiing and hiking include in Carpathian Mountains: Zakopane in the Tatra mountains; Szczyrk, Krynica-Zdrój, Ustroń, Wisła in the Beskids or Szczawnica and Krościenko in Pieniny mountains.

In the vicinity of Low Beskids lies a tourist resort that offers a blend of mountainous terrain and an aqueous environment, with Lake Rożnów in the centre.

Christian pilgrimage

Main article: Christian pilgrimage

It's estimated that 13% (of the 1.8 million in 2005) of visitors of the Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń arrive from abroad. Jasna Góra Monastery was visited by 3.6 million of pilgrims from 78 countries in 2014.

Transport in Poland

Pendolino ED250, Wroclaw Main Station
Main article: Transport in Poland

Tourist infrastructure and facilities are abundant, especially in larger cities and in major tourist resorts. In large Polish cities, urban public transport is very well developed.

The biggest cities (Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk and Szczecin) have international airports with connections with many European cities and with the Frédéric Chopin International Airport in Warsaw, which is the main hub of LOT Polish Airlines.

Intercity connections are offered by PKP Intercity, Polregio, Arriva RP, Leo Express, RegioJet, local trains (Koleje Dolnośląskie, Koleje Śląskie, Koleje Małopolskie, Szybka Kolej Miejska, Pomorska Kolej Metropolitalna, Koleje Mazowieckie, Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna, Koleje Wielkopolskie) and PKS's and many bus companies. There are also coach connections to other countries provided by various companies.

Connections by ferry to Sweden and Denmark through the Baltic Sea are for example from Gdańsk, Gdynia and Świnoujście (inter alia Polferries).

See also

References

  1. ^ TripAdvisor. "Top 10 Destinations – Poland". Travelers' Choice 2013 (Winners). TripAdvisor.ca The world largest travel site. pp. 1 of 10. Retrieved 20 December 2014. Travelers' Choice 2014 Update: 1.Krakow, 2.Warsaw, 3.Wroclaw, 4.Poznan, 5.Bialystok, 6.Sopot, 7.Zakopane, 8.Lodz, 9.Szczecin, 10.Gdynia.
  2. "Afrykarium odwiedziło 5 mln osób". Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  3. ^ The Touropia Team (2013). "10 Top Tourist Attractions in Poland". Touropia "best of" lists. Touropia. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  4. ^ Touristrack. "10 Famous Tourist Attractions in Poland You Must Visit". Central Europe. TourisTrack.com. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  5. Polska jednym z najbezpieczniejszych krajów w Europie
  6. Information about tourism in Poland (in Polish). Archived 16 April 2013 at archive.today Source: Instytut Turystyki, 2008.
  7. GUS (2008). "Przyjazdy do Polski (Foreign visits to Poland)". Statistics (in Polish). Instytut Turystyki. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  8. Katarzyna Sobierajska, Ministry of Tourism (2012). "Pierwsze efekty Euro 2012. Resort turystyki przewiduje wzrost liczby turystów w 2013 r. nawet o pół miliona". Live interview (in Polish). Agencja Informacyjna Newseria. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  9. Zoo Wrocław – lepsze od Wawelu i Wieliczki
  10. Narodowy Instytut Dziedzictwa, "Wrocław – zespół historycznego centrum." (in Polish)
  11. "Festiwal Polskiego Malarstwa Współczesnego". ZPAP Szczecin.
  12. "ABOUT THE FESTIVAL". Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  13. "E-mail z Lichenia: Zagraniczni pielgrzymi".
  14. "Biuro Prasowe Jasnej Góry - Jasnogórskie Sanktuarium w Roku 2014".

Further reading

  • Kaszynski, Tadeusz, Through Europe to Poland by Car, 1st and rev. ed., New York City, 1968
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