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Poland is well known for its affordable accommodations and going out on a small budget is not a problem at all. This is one of the reasons that Poland is a favourite destination for tourists that prefer to enjoy their holiday in style and comfort without having to break the bank. Few people know that Poland has a long history of luxurious hotels and accommodations with some of the hotel accommodations dating back as far as the 17th Century. We have listed the top 10 luxury hotels that are absolutely worth the stay while visiting Poland.

Hotel Rialto – Warsaw

Rialto Hotel in Warsaw
Source: Rialto Hotel

Located right in the city center of Warsaw the Rialto Hotel boost luxury. From the moment you walk through the Arto Deco decorated main entrance you are welcomed into an oases of comfort. The first boutique hotel of Poland offers an intimate atmosphere, a refined cuisine and highly attentive service as you can expect from a 5 star hotel. Catering both leisure and business travellers the hotels amenities include a fitness center, Luxury spa and Hammam.

Prices from: 414 PLN / 99 EUR per night

Rezydencja Nosalowy Dwór – Zakopane

Rezydencja Nosalowy Dwór in Zakopane
Source: Rezydencja Nosalowy Dwór

This hotel is for the more frequent Poland visitors or for those of you that like to visit a less well-known part of Poland. When most people think of winter sports in Europe they will instantly think of the Alps. Hotel Rezydencja Nosalowy Dwór is situated in the beautiful city of Zakopane, well known for the surrounding Tatry Mountains. The Tatry mountains are the highest mountains in Poland and snow is guaranteed. The hotel is the ultimate base for a proper ski holiday. In close proximity of the slopes, this luxury hotel offers standard rooms of 28m2 including sofa, lounge chair, flat-screen tv and walk-in shower. Once you had enough of relaxing in your room you can always enjoy one of the hotels many amenities including swimming pool, spa, restaurants, kids playground (indoor or outdoor castle).

Prices from: 435 PLN / 104 EUR per night

Grand Hotel – Kraków

Grand Hotel in Krakow
Source: Grand Hotel

With its classic 19th-century exterior and interior the Grand Hotel in Kraków does complete justice to its surroundings. Located in the city centre of Kraków with its medieval buildings this hotel makes you literally go back in time and experience the good old days when Poland was the dominating power in Europe. Upon arrival, you are welcomed by an interior existing of marble, wood and endless carpets that provide a warm and welcome feeling. The rooms provide a relaxing hide-away but if you prefer to mingle with the other hotel guests you can do so in the free accessible sauna or go for a lavish dinner in the highly recommended restaurant. No matter your activities over the weekend, your choice for the Grand Hotel makes your stay worthwhile.

Prices from: 644 PLN / 187 EUR per night

Hotel Bristol – Warsaw

Hotel Bristol in Warsaw
Source: Hotel Bristol

If you are a fan of classical buildings and mid-century contemporary interiors than look no further. The Hotel Bristol in Warsaw offers exactly this. From the exteriors pillars to the marble floor, staircases and pluche seatings, this hotel boost luxury as you imagine. Situated next to the presidential palace it provides a great base from where to further explore Warsaw in style. Warsaw itself provides a mixture of old scenic buildings and new high-rise glitter and glamour skyscrapers. Obviously the hotel comes with a swimming pool, full spa, massages and offers a private check-in desk.

Prices from: 764 PLN / 183 EUR per night

Sheraton Sopot Hotel – Sopot

Sheraton in Sopot
Source: Sheraton

Although we love to promote independent less well-known boutique hotels the first well-known hotel chain could not miss in this list. The Sheraton hotels are the definition of luxury and their hotel in Sopot is no exception. Overlooking the grand pier of Sopot the hotel is ideally located next to the beach. Sitting on a large plot the hotel offers private beach beds and bars. With temperatures in Sopot exceeding +25C during the summer you only have to worry about enjoying the sunshine. Once you had enough of the sun and decide to move indoors you can go for a swim in the indoor pool, relax in the spa/hammam/hot tub or go for a full body massage to fully relax before you start exploring the menu of one of the two Restaurants.

Prices from: 518 PLN / 124 EUR per night

Hotel Blow up Hall 5050 – Poznan

 Blow Up Hall Hotel in Poznan
Source: Blow Up Hall Hotel

Down the rabbit hole meets rockstar paradise. This luxury hotel offers a quirky interior that reminds us of Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland. The hotel is built into the old brewery of Poznan, an area that in recent years has been regentrified and currently comprises a state of the art shopping mall, boutique restaurants and a large outdoor park. With an industrial exterior, the hotels interior provides a completely different vibe. Long black and white tiles combined with edgy leather fauteuils and glossy black walls set the scene for a rockstar stay in Poznan. Each hotel room has its own style so it might as well be that you are presented with walls covered in leather and completely glass bathroom walls. With a complimentary spa and onsite laundry and dry-cleaning service, your wardrobe will be ready to shine during the wild nightlife Poznan has to offer.

Prices from: 405 PLN / 97 EUR per night

Hotel Monopol – Wroclaw

Hotel Monopol in Wroclaw
Source: Hotel Monopol

In the middle of the city centre of Wroclaw and only a few minutes walk to the Old City, Hotel Monopol is the ideal accommodation for your visit to this picturesque city. The main market square is only a couple of 100 meters away and this is where you can explore the many great restaurants and bars Wroclaw has to offer. We would definitely recommend a visit to restaurant Pod Papugami where you can experience fine dining and cocktails in a jazzy atmosphere. Once you head back to your hotel you will have the chance to fully recover in the swimming pool, spa & wellness centre or do a nightcap on the rooftop overlooking the Old Town. Finally, it’s time to retire to your room which is neither a punishment. All rooms offer a large comfy bed, marble designer bathrooms, tv and relax fauteuils.

Prices from: 600 PLN / 144 EUR per night

Quadrille – Gdynia

Quadrille in Gdynia
Source: Quadrille

Calling on all travellers that like to go off the beaten track in style. Located in the North of Poland at the Gulf of Danzig hotel Quadrille is only 15 min drive from Gdansk but you will feel completely isolated thanks to the vast land the hotel sits on. With its classical facade hotel Quadrille is the ideal hotel for a romantic get away. As with all hotels in this category you will be offered access to a swimming pools, wellness spa including hammam and steam room. Want to sweat first before hitting the spa? No problem, with a onsite personal trainer and Yoga classes the hotel offers you all facilities to get in optimal physical and mental shape.

Prices from: 483 PLN / 116 EUR per night

Palac Sulislaw – Grodków

Palac Sulislaw
Source: Palac Sulislaw

Ever wondered how it is to live in a Polish castle? Palac Sullislaw provides you the possibility to go back in time and live like the former aristocracy of Poland. The palace is located in the middle of nowhere and is the ultimate place to retrieve yourself from the daily routine and city life. Situated 20km of highway A4 between Krakow and Wroclaw it is the perfect accommodation for a one-night stay if you travel between the two cities. While your staying at the palace you can join the traditional polish cooking class, do hiking or cycling or retire yourself in the private library.

Prices from: 475 PLN / 114 EUR per night

Hotel Unicus Palace – Kraków

Hotel Unicus Palace in Krakow
Source: Hotel Unicus Palace

Save the best for last. Hotel Unicus Palace is a different kind of palace than the previous one but it’s an absolute pearl in the old town of Kraków. The mid-size hotel has a grandeur exterior and refined contemporary interior that boosts class and luxury. Dark grey floor tiles, combined with mid-century design furniture set the tone in the communal areas such as the restaurant and rooftop bar overlooking the old city. The rooms are finished to the highest standard and fitted with comfy chairs, spacious bathroom and large comfortable bed.

Prices from: 570 PLN / 137 EUR per night

Who would’ve thought a decade ago that Poland would not only host a few big music festivals but practically and geographically redefine summer raving in central Europe as we know it? There are now countless exciting festivals that can fulfil the needs and dreams of music fans across the world. And the best part is that in Poland festival tickets are cheaper and more accessible than in most other European countries so you can enjoy the best performances for less.

Top 10 music festivals in Poland

Here is the list of the hottest Polish music festivals this summer.

#10. Orange Warsaw Festival

Where: Warsaw – Służewiec Racecourse
When: 1 – 2 June, 2018
What – Line-up: Sam Smith, Dua Lipa, Florence + The Machine…
Tickets: 2-day ticket – 399zł / 2-day VIP ticket – 899zł

The Orange Warsaw Festival largest Polish urban city festival will be held during the first weekend of June. The Orange Warsaw Festival takes place only 15 minutes from the city centre, at the Horse Race tracks – one of the most renown festival locations in Poland. Going up for its 11th edition, the festival manages each year to feature a line-up of world-class performers. In the ten previous editions, the Orange Warsaw Festival was attended by over half a million music fans and more than 120 artists. This year is promised to be even bigger and better with the like of – Sam Smith, Dua Lipa, Florence + The Machine just to mention a few big names. To see the full line-up and buy tickets check out the Orange Warsaw festival website.

Good to know: Entrance to the festival terrain requires you to exchange your ticket for wristbands The exchange point will be located on Horse Racetrack Służewiec near entrance gate from Puławska Street and will be open on:
May 31st: 1pm-8pm
June 1st: 1pm-1.30am
June 2nd: 2pm-1.30am

orange festival

#9. Etno Port Festival

Where: Poznań – ZAMEK Culture Centre in Poznań
When: 7 – 10 June, 2018
What: Music from around the world
Line-up: Music artist from around the world – Ukraine – Corsica – South Korea – and many more
Tickets: 7 – 50zł per performance

One of the most exciting and colourful festivals in Poland will also see its 11th edition this year. Best known for its diverse range of artist the Etno Port festival is a must go to festival for anyone interested in other cultures and adjoined music style. With world-class artist from South-Korea, Israel, Ukraine, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, Mongolia, Jordan and Palestine, the city of Poznan truly transforms into a cultural melting pot. Over and above the 15 concerts taking place over the four days of the festival, there will also be music workshops, a dance party, educational activities for children and young people, as well as meetings combined with film screenings.

#8. Live Oświęcim Festival

Where: Oświęcim – Mosir Stadium
When: 14 – 16 June, 2018
What: Latin, indie-pop, rock, Electronic
Line-up: Santana, Alvaro Soler, Europe, Totemo…
Tickets: from 119zł per day

At first sight, it may look controversial, but Live Oświęcim Festival was actually established to move away from the negative connotations of Oświęcim as a location of the Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi camp during the Second World War. Darek Maciborek, the founder of the festival, wanted to create an event that would build peaceful relations beyond cultural and state borders where there is no place for anti-Semitism, racism, and other forms of xenophobia. His idea happened to be so successful that this year Live Oświęcim Festival will host Elton John. The rest of the line-up looks pretty exciting as well: John Newman, Dawid Podsiadlo, Perfect, Piotr Rogucki, Krzysztof Zalef Zalewski and many more. For more information see the website.
oswiecim festiwal

#7. IMPACT Festival

Where: Kraków – Tauron Arena
When: June 26, 2018
What: Rock – Expect big names
Line-up: Ozzy Osbourne, Bullet for My Valentine, Galactic Empire…
Tickets: 235zł – 505zł

One of the youngest festivals in Poland. Due to its incredible line-up, the Impact Festival managed to already fully grown into an established yearly recurring event. During its previous 5 editions, it saw acts from the likes of Rammstein, Aerosmith, Korn, Stereophonics, 30 Seconds To Mars, Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, Kasabian, Godsmack, Paramore, Slipknot and many others.
orange festival

#6. Tauron New Music Festival

Where: Katowice – Culture Zone
When: 28 June – 1 July, 2018
What: EDM, dance, funk, hip-hop
Line-up: 47Soul, Alex Niggeman, Baasch, James Holden & The Animal Spirits…
Tickets: 2 -day ticket: 269zł

Started in 2006, this music festivals early editions took place in the defunct Wilson shaft of the ‘Wieczorek’ coal mine. The festival was founded by a group of friends that decided it was time to start their own dance festival and also played some sets themselves during the initial edition. After two editions in Cieszyn, the team decided in 2009 to stay loyal to their roots and permanently host their yearly returning festival in Katowice. The festival terrain is located near the former coal mines. This region has been transformed into the lively cultural place under the name “Culture zone” and boasts an energetic music scene.

Good to know: The festival hosts a camping for Friday-Saturday. Festival Tickets + Camping pass costs 319zł

Tauron music festival

#5. Open’er festival

Where: Gdynia – Kosakowo Airport
When: 4-7 July, 2018
What: Pop, Rock, Dance, EDM
Line-up: Arctic Monkeys, Bruno Mars, Depeche Mode, Gorillaz…
Tickets: 4 -day ticket: 579zł

A proper introduction is redundant for the most popular festival of Poland and one of the most well-known Festivals across Europe. We believe it is the combination of an impeccable line-up and its brilliant location, that makes this music event attract over 120.000 festival lovers each year from across the world. Located at the seaside you can enjoy a full weekend away from the best music while dipping your toes in the sea water. You can enjoy the beaches of the Baltic Sea and chill on the beach during the day and immerse in the world of the best music during the evenings. This year is going to be huge as the line-up contains Arctic Monkeys, Bruno Mars, Depeche Mode and Gorillaz to name a few.

Good to know: The festival hosts a camping which can be booked for 125zł for the whole weekend.

#4. Rock Legend Festival

Where: Dolina Charlotty – Dolina Charlotty Resort & Spa
When: 20-21 July, 2018
What: Rock legends
Line-up: Bryan Ferry, Billy Idol…
Tickets: From 160zł per day

Set in a beautiful and unique amphitheatre in Dolina Charlotty, Rock Legend Festival is something for real rock fans. This festival has seen some true legends performing on its stage Stars such as the one and only Carlos Santana, Deep Purple, The Sisters of Mercy, Marillion and Mike & The Mechanics have all paid a visit to this unique festival. This year’s initial line-up seems promising as well. Check out the full line-up here. Rock Legend Festival website.

rock festival

#3. Audioriver Festival

Where: Płock – Kosakowo Airport
When: 27 – 29 July, 2018
What: Alternative music, House, Techno, EDM
Line-up: MJ Cole, Rampue, Ben Klock, Bono…
Tickets: From 160zł per day

Audioriver is one of the leading music festivals in Poland and a one of a kind event. This is where you can see the key figures from the World of house, techno and drum & bass as well as big headliners fusing electronic sounds with pop, rock and hip-hop. Audioriver merges many Worlds and each of them is equal. Scene’s giants are as important as niche experimenters. A fan that has been visiting Audioriver for years is equal to a beginner on the electronic scene.

#2. Katowice OFF Festival

Where: Katowice
When: 5 – 8 August, 2018
What: Alternative music – non-mainstream
Line-up:
Tickets:

Recommended by The Guardian, OFF festival is an alternative to the mainstream summer festivals. The music policy at this music event is one that encompasses many genres with one thing in common – the acts and artists generally go against the contemporary grain, swerving mainstream likeability for cool class. This means that the event generally plays host to just a few well known European names and more than makes up the numbers with crazy bands and up and coming talent.

off-festival

#1. Krakow Live Festival

Where: Krakow – Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego
When: 19 – 20 August, 2018
What: Rock, Hip-hop, R&B
Line-up:
Tickets:

Live Music Festival started off promoting hip-hop, R’n’B and pop. Yet in the following years, more and more bands cater to the tastes of rock fans. The festival hosted the greatest stars of and now it became an event that gathers fans of all music genres. Massive Attack, Sia, Damian „Jr. Gong” Marley, Cage The Elephant and The Neighbourhood are the hottest who will perform at Kraków Live Festival 2016. To see the full line-up and to buy tickets check out the website.

live festival

If you ask a Polish person what they like the most about Christmas they may say family time, being off or Christmas atmosphere, but the truth is that is all about food. Christmas Polish food is festive, very traditional and exceptionally good. And the most exciting of all is the Christmas Eve meal. Dishes served on the 24th are made only once a year and the recipes used to make them are often family secrets that are passed down from generation to generation. The preparation of the Christmas Eve feast can take days. Rules are strict, the workload is high, but the reward is absolutely worth it.

If you are spending your next Christmas with a Polish family or you want to cook something different this year this ultimate guide to Polish Christmas food is for you.

Polish Christmas Eve dinner

In Poland, the 24th of December is probably the most important day of Christmas and therefore the most effort goes into the preparation of the Christmas Eve dinner. The tradition says that there must be exactly 12 dishes (including desserts) on the table and everyone has to try every each of them. Thanks to that the whole year (12 months) is going to be happy and successful.

Traditional Christmas soups

Christmas beetroot soup

What is served that evening depends very much on the region, but there are also a lot of similarities. What you can be sure of is that there will be no meat on the table. Until the midnight mass, the lent is still on so Christmas Eve dinner is all about fish, winter vegetables, and wild mushrooms.

The dinner starts with a soup. The most common choice is clear, bullion style beetroot soup served with small dumplings stuffed with cabbage and mushroom (here is the recipe if you fancy trying making it yourself). Other options are fish soup or wild mushroom soup. Both quite light and clear. The main purpose of the soup is to start the digestion process and allow you to eat more later. Let’s face it, you need to eat 11 more dishes that evening!

Christmas fish dishes

The biggest star of the evening, and that can surprise many people, is carp. This fish is not eaten in Poland on any other occasion but for some weird reason, it became Christmas Eve staple. If you want to watch something quite disturbing you can google how people used to keep live carps in their bathtubs and kill them just before the Christmas dinner. This custom died out with the end of communism and thankfully now carps are sold dead and even filleted. Carps are prepared in many different ways: fried, roasted, in gelly (yes, you read it correctly) as a soup or in the traditional Jewish way.

Another really important fish on the Christmas Eve table is herring. Pickled and prepared with onion or plums it’s a quite popular choice for busy people who can buy it prepared and ready to be eaten. Other families prefer it in cream or as a part of a potato salad.

Fish in any shape or form is Polish Christmas classic

Last but not least white fish like cod or hake is very often fried or roasted and served as another choice. Poland has some funny communistic dishes that became part of the tradition and one of them is Greek style fish dish that has nothing to do with Greece. White fish is fried and then roasted with grated rooted vegetables like carrot and parsley and tomato concentrate (all those things were available during communism) and served proudly on the Christmas table. It may not be Greek, but it is delicious so don’t be shy to try it.

Other Christmas Eve hits

Pierogi are one of the most popular Christmas Eve dishes
Pierogi are one of the most popular Christmas Eve dishes

Thankfully for people who don’t like fish, there are other specialities. Pierogi stuffed with wild mushroom or cabbage (or a mix of both), fried with onion can please even the most sublime palate. Going with the cabbage theme, lots of families prepare cabbage cooked for hours with wild mushroom and a bit of sauerkraut for the right balance of flavours. In different regions cabbage is cooked with peas. And if you are lucky you may even have a chance to try both.

Cakes and Christmas Eve desserts

Kutia

If you fancy something a bit sweeter you should try Kutia. Tradition Kutia is made of wheat berries, poppy seeds and honey, but very often walnuts, raisins, almonds and other dry fruits are added. It’s a lovely sweet dish that can give you a break from other quite heavy dishes.

There couldn’t be a Christmas Eve dinner without a big portion of a Christmas cheesecake or a poppy seed cake. As with many other dishes on this list, every family has its own special recipe, but you can be sure one thing. This is going to be one epic cake.

Last on the list is Christmas compote, a non-alcoholic drink made of dry fruits (plums, apricots, and apples) cooked in a water with sugar. It’s served cold and helps with digestion.



When deciding where to live in Poland, many factors are in the eye of the beholder. What about affordable housing, low cost of living, access to well-paying jobs, good schools for your children, and quality healthcare. Other aspects may include proximity to family, climate, politics and opportunities.

Poland is quite a large country with a lot of diversity in scenery, opportunities and quality of life. There are many unique regions that could make your Polish experience really different depending on where you decide to live. To help you with your decision (or if you haven’t settled in permanently yet, perhaps help you to change your mind) we’ve prepared our ranking of the top 7 best Polish cities to live and work in.

#7 Słupsk

slupsk

Population: 95,274
Voivodeship: Pomeranian Voivodeship

Słupsk, probably the most open-minded and tolerant city in Poland is governed by Robert Biedroń, a Polish LGBT activist. Biedroń won the mayoral elections in 2014 and secured 57% of the vote, becoming the first openly gay mayor ever in Poland. His attitude, ideas and initiatives gained him a huge number of fans and help Słupsk to become a modern and great city to live in.

If the environment, tolerance and equality are close to your heart, Słupsk is a great choice for you. Proximity and easy access to Tricity means that you won’t have problems with finding a job and can enjoy big city life whenever you feel like it. And when you are done with making money and going out, you can relax in Słupsk which offers tranquillity and access to nature. What more could anyone ask for?

#6 Warsaw

warsaw1

Population: 1.711 million
Voivodeship: Masovian Voivodeship

Fusing tradition and desire to remember its history with modernity and innovation, in recent years Warsaw has become one of European’s prime cities. It is also known as the Phoenix city as it was almost completely destroyed during WWII and with the help of the nation, was rebuilt from scratch. The spirit and energy of those times are still present and admired by millions of tourists who visit the city every year.

As with any capital, Warsaw offers well-paid jobs and access to all sorts of opportunities. The job market is especially attractive for foreigners, with lots of international companies looking for English and German speakers. Thanks to the abundance of theatres, museums, galleries, bars, restaurants and vibrant nightlife, you will never be bored.

Loads of opportunities and possibilities, obviously come with a price tag. The high cost of living, expensive housing (in comparison to other Polish cities) and constant busyness. In the end, Warsaw is no different to any other European capital and if you don’t like big city life you are not going to enjoy living in Warsaw.

If you’re interested in Warsaw check out what to do and see in Warsaw.

#5 Toruń

torun

Population: 204,847
Voivodeship: Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship

Medieval and charming Toruń ranks high on almost every urban quality of life list and it’s not a surprise as this architectural treasure escaped destruction during the World Wars and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the hometown of Nicolas Copernicus who had a great influence on his city – Toruń’s university is one of the best, especially in science subjects like physics and chemistry.

If you like smaller cities with unique architecture and relaxing vibe Toruń is the one for you. Perfect place to have a family and settle down or just to slow down a little bit. And if you are not ready for a calmer life you should definitely visit Toruń just to experience its beauty and charms. Don’t forget to try famous gingerbread which is the local speciality.

If you’re interested in Toruń check out what to do and see in Toruń.

#4 Gdańsk

gdanks

Population: 460,354
Voivodeship: Pomeranian Voivodeship

Situated in the North of Poland, on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Gdańsk is one of Poland’s most modern cities. A thriving centre of culture, science, sports and entertainment, the city has a unique feel that sets it apart from the other Polish destinations. Created by centuries of maritime ebb and flow as a port city, Gdańsk played a very important role in the collapse of communism and often is referred to as the “city of freedom”.

Every year Gdańsk wins in rankings for the happiest place to live in, with 79,2% of its population feeling content with their life. Beautiful beaches, good weather and lively city centre must contribute to this impressive result. If you’re interested in Gdańsk check out what to do and see not only in Gdańsk but also in Gdynia and Sopot (Trojmiasto).

#3 Kraków

krakow

Population: 759,131
Voivodeship: Lesser Poland

City of legends and magical places, Kraków is Poland’s old capital and a perfect place to settle down. The old market square is breathtaking and often is voted to be the best one in the world (last time in 2013 by Lonely Planet). The city centre is full of historical attractions, museum, bars, restaurants and shops tucked away down the old narrow streets.

Kraków is probably the most touristic of all Polish cities and locals are used to foreigners who they really like and make an effort for. Proximity to the Tatra Mountains means that you can go skiing or hiking every weekend without any hassle. And of course, finding a job as a foreigner is quite easy as Kraków is a big city with the vibrant job market.

If you’re interested in Kraków check out what to do and see in Kraków.

#2 Poznań

Poznan (source: wikimedia.org)

Population: 552,393
Voivodeship: Greater Poland Voivodeship

City of business, trade and huge student population, Poznań has a distinctive vibe, quite independent of tourism. Buzzing any time of the day and night, Poznań is full of restaurants, pubs and clubs. Do to the entrepreneurial spirit Poznań citizens, the city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Poland (around 2% at the moment) and therefore a great place to look for a job, even if you don’t speak Polish yet.

Poznań is situated only a 2.5h drive away from Berlin which makes it a great spot to travel from and explore. Thanks to its vibrant job market the city is very attractive for foreigners and next to Wrocław, one of the most favourite destinations for expats to settle down.

If you’re interested in Poznań check out what to do and see in Poznań.

#1 Wrocław

wroclaw

Population: 631,377
Voivodeship: Lower Silesian Voivodeship

Full of life and character, with magnificent architecture and vibrant colours, Wrocław is one of expats most favourite cities in Poland to live and work. Because of the presence of many rivers, islands and over 200 bridges, the city has a growing reputation as the Venice of the North. European Capital of Culture 2016 and one of the host cities during Euro 2012, has over 100 bars and clubs, open often almost 24h a day. Wrocław is definitely a city of action, events and fun and it appeals to people looking for those qualities.

Wrocław attracts not only people but also big companies that are looking for skilled employees who speak multiple languages. Lots of them are looking for native speakers which makes Wroclaw the perfect place to live for expats. And a big community of foreigners is always a bonus if you are looking for friendly people in a similar situation.

If you’re interested in Wrocław check out what to do and see in Wrocław.



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Halloween in Poland

We bet that you’ve been told by your friends that there is no such thing as Halloween in Poland. Well, partly they are right, as you won’t find any day called that in the calendar. But we have our own traditions connected to this date. At the same time, more and more Poles (especially young ones) celebrate Halloween. So the big question is – what can you expect from Halloween in Poland?

Traditional Halloween fun

If you live in a big city, you may be invited to a Halloween party in a club or a Polish friend’s home. What should you do? Of course, have fun! Nearly all clubs in Poland have a Halloween Party on October 31st. Choose a costume which is going to be scary and eye-catching, then prepare yourself for a lot of frightening fun!
On your way to a party you may see dressed up children playing trick or treat. Even though not every door opens, they are not discouraged. Children knock on the door of each family just in order to get some sweets or scare their friends. The next day at school they will swagger in and boast about how many sweets they got and who had the best costume (and of course, we, as mature and responsible people, who dress as vampires just because we can, will be talking about the bloody shots which made the night (un)forgettable, while at the same time humming Thriller by Michael Jackson and thinking about that the werewolf/were-she-wolf that was rather good company).

What happens in Poland instead of Halloween

The next two days, the 1st and 2nd of November, are national holidays (unfortunately not because people need to have time to recover from the previous days’ Halloween party hangover). The 1st and 2nd of November are very important days – All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In Poland most people travel to the places where their relatives were buried. They meet at the graves, pray for those who are gone and talk about good things they did. It is a serious celebration having nothing in common with a happy Halloween. It is time to be with the closest people and think of those who are no longer among us. If you’ve never thought of going to the cemetery at night (we hope you didn’t!) you should consider it on All Saints’ Day. It is absolutely breathtaking – thousands of candles, flowers and a magical (not scary at all) atmosphere.

As you may notice, there is quite a contrast between Halloween as you might know it and the Polish ‘Halloween’, but most Poles do not associate celebrating Halloween with betraying their ancestors (although some Catholics see celebrating Halloween as something inappropriate and don’t do it). Old Christian Tradition coexists with American’s Halloween and even though they are contrasting, it seems almost impossible that one of them would defeat the other. If you are about to experience this period in Poland for the first time you should prepare for a new cultural experience. We hope you will find it, maybe not the most fun, but at least interesting.

If you are a big fan of Halloween you may enjoy another Polish festivity – Andrzejki (St. Andrews Day) which happens every year only a few weeks after Halloween.



Authentic Polish hunter stew recipe

Preparation time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Serves: 6 people
Difficulty level: cooking marathoner

Ingredients

  • 1,5 kg of sauerkraut
  • 2 finely chopped onions
  • 2 tablespoons of oil
  • Piece of typical sausage (cut into slices)
  • 250 g of boneless beef (cut into cubes)
  • 250 g of veal (cut into cubes)
  • 100 g of bacon (cut into cubes)
  • 150 ml of red wine
  • 3 tablespoons of tomato concentrate
  • 1-2 handfuls of dried mushrooms
  • 1-2 handfuls of prunes
  • 2 bay leafs
  • 3 seeds of allspice
  • 1 teaspoon of marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • Salt and pepper

What to do

Start with washing the sauerkraut and then squeezing out all the liquid you can. Put it in a biggest pot you can find and pour boiling water over it. Add prunes, bay leaves and allspice. Then simmer it all for at least 50 minutes (wait until the cabbage is tender). Meanwhile, soak dried mushrooms in boiling water and leave it. The first checkpoint is behind you, keep going!

Fry the onion until golden. Then add sausage to it and fry for a while longer. In a separate pot (you need a pile of cooking tools and a lot of space but at that point, you probably already know that) boil 1 litre of water. Throw the beef, veal and bacon into the boiling water. Cook for 20 minutes and drain off the meat. You are passing by the second checkpoint, the toughest part is over.

When sauerkraut is soft, add drained off and cut mushrooms, meat and sausage with onion. Cook it all for about 20 minutes, without a cover. If it is too much water, drain off a little. This dish loses a huge amount of water, but what to do – this is what happens during a marathon. Anyway, the third checkpoint is all yours, don’t give up!

Next, pour in the red wine and boil for another 15 minutes. It is all about fluids, so you can drink the rest of the bottle. Season it with marjoram, cumin, salt and pepper. Toss tomato concentrate and heat up. Stir it all, it’s a great exercise for your arm muscles. If it’s too dry, add the water left after soaking the mushrooms.

If you want your hunter stew to be even more delicious, you can leave it cooking for another hour, but you have to keep stirring and pouring water when it gets too dry. By the way – once you’re happy with the final result you can put it inside the bread bowl to make it even tastier!
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Traditional beetroot soup recipe

Preparation Time: 60 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Difficulty level: Cooking Ninja

Ingredients

  • 2 kg of cooked beetroots
  • 2.5-liter of meat – vegetable stock
  • 1 medium onion, chopped and fried in one tablespoon of butter
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 -4 teaspoons allspice
  • a few grains of black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of balsamic

Meat and/or vegetable stock:

  • 300 g of meat – beef is perfectly fine
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • salt and pepper
  • a handful of dried mushrooms
  • parsley
  • two carrots

What to do

First you have to prepare the beetroots so they are ready to be a part of something bigger. In our opinion, it’s the best to wrap them in aluminium foil and roast them in the oven (for 1,5 hours) at 190 degrees. They should be soft after that time and ready to rock and roll.

The second thing you need is the meat and/or vegetable stock. Pour about 2.5 litres of cold water into the pot. Boil it for about 50 minutes after adding salt and pepper, garlic, carrots and parsley. When the time has elapsed add the mushrooms and keep cooking for another 20 minutes.

When you have the two main ingredients ready – the real magic begins. Cut beetroots into slices and add them to the stock. Boil for about 10-15 minutes, add the bay leaf, allspice, black pepper and balsamic oil and cook it for another 10 minutes. The last thing you have to do is put the pot with the soup into the fridge and leave it there for about 7 hours or overnight. Congratulations, you’ve just made your first beetroot soup. Isn’t it delicious?!

Smacznego!

How to prepare Polish pierogi with our traditional recipe

Preparation Time: 60 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Difficulty level: No need to call your mother

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 400 g of flour
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup warm water

Filling:

  • 750 g potatoes
  • 250 g of cottage cheese
  • 2 onions
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 tablespoon of oil
  • salt and pepper
  • What to do

    Peel the potatoes and boil them in salted water. Further improve your peeling skills with onion then chop it and fry it in butter with some crushed garlic. Combine it with the cottage cheese and potatoes. Don’t forget to season it with salt and pepper! After you’re finished with the filling (you’ve probably eaten half of it by now) it’s time to play with the dough.

    Mix flour, yolks and water with salt and knead it for about 5 minutes. Roll it out so the dough gets very thin. Don’t give up now! We’re almost home! Take a glass and cut circles out of dough.

    Apply a teaspoon of stuffing and try to close the dough around it with your fingers so you get a dumpling-like shape. Make sure the corners are closed properly, otherwise the filling will come out during boiling and your dumpling will be deformed and sad.

    When you’re done with forming, put them all into a pot of boiling water and cook them until they start floating on the surface. To finish you can top them with oil and fried onion.

    Smacznego!

    Of course, we will not force you to apply for Polish citizenship, but if you feel at home in Poland and decide to stay here for while you might want to acquire a Polish citizenship. If you feel “polished” enough, let us help you to obtain this. Below, you will find all the information regarding becoming a Polish citizen. Right here, right now.

    Ways of obtaining Polish citizenship

    Polish citizenship can be acquired in the following ways:
    1. By law
    2. By recognition as a Polish citizen
    3. By granting the Polish citizenship
    4. By restoration of Polish citizenship
    Great that you can obtain your polish citizenship via four different ways, but how does it work and which way suits me best? We will stretch this for you in a plane and simple language so you can make the right decision, let’s get to the point.

    1. The acquisition by law

    According to the law, if your mother or your father holds Polish citizenship, you get one as well. If your parents are unknown or don’t hold any citizenship and by any chance, you were found or born on the territory of the Republic of Poland – the rule stays the same. A child adopted by a person that is a holder of Polish citizenship acquires it as well, but only if the adoption process has been completed before the child turned 16. As a result, the child is considered to possess a Polish citizenship from the very start of their life.

    2. By recognition as a Polish citizen

    The recognition is always at the request of a foreigner or at the request of their legal representatives in case they are not adult yet. There are many ways to be recognised as a Polish citizen and by saying “many ways” we really mean it.

    1. You have to live continuously in Poland for at least 3 years, your stay is based on an establishment permit, an EC residence permit if you are considered as a long-term resident or based on a permanent residence permit – by that we mean having a regular income in Poland. Legal income.
    2. You have to live continuously in Poland for at least 2 years but first, you have to find a lovely person you want to marry (and wants to marry you!) and you have to remain in that state for at least 3 years.
    3. You have to live continuously in Poland for at least 2 years and you have to hold a refugee status granted by the Republic of Poland.
    4. You are a foreign minor, and one of your parents residing in the territory of Poland holds Polish citizenship.
    5. You have lived here for at least 10 years continuously and legally in the territory of the Republic of Poland, your stay is based on an establishment permit, an EC residence permit if you are considered as a long-term resident and you have a stable and regular income within the Republic of Poland as well as a legal title to the occupied living premises.
    6. You have lived here for at least 2 years and you have just found out that you have some Polish origin you’ve always dreamed of.

    3. The granting of Polish citizenship

    If the President of the Republic of Poland really likes you or thinks you deserve Polish citizenship for whatever the reason is, the only thing you have to do is to submit a written request or make your legal representatives to do it if you are a minor. As soon as the President signs the papers, the citizenship is acquired.

    4. The restoration of Polish citizenship

    What’s important, the procedure of the restoration of Polish citizenship only applies to you if you’ve lost it before the 1st of January 1999. The first thing you have to do is to fill out the application form which can be found here.
    You also have to attach a couple of documents to the filled out application form:

    1. Documents proving identity and citizenship.
    2. Evidence of change in name, if this occurred.
    3.The documents proving the loss of Polish citizenship.
    4. Photograph of the applicant (it’s probably you).

    When you’re done, simply send the form to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or deliver it to the Consulate of Poland if you’re abroad and wait for the good news. And that’s basically it!

    If the polish citizenship is a bridge too far and you would like to obtain a polish residence permit we advise to visit the article that explains how to obtain polish residence permit.



    Any expat, after fulfilling the specified assumptions (related in particular to the previous stay in Poland), is able to apply for the granting of one of two long-term permits: a settlement permit or a long-term resident’s EC residence permit. Both permits are unlimited in time.

    The permit to settle

    The permit to settle can be given only to a foreigner who fulfils one of the following criteria:
    1. Has been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years and, who directly prior to the submission of the application, has stayed uninterruptedly on the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least 2 years based on the residence permit for a fixed period.
    2. Is a minor child of a foreigner who has a permit to settle and was born in the territory of Poland.
    3. Directly before submitting the application has stayed uninterruptedly in the territory of the Republic of Poland for not less than 10 years based on the permit for tolerated stay on the provision of protection to foreigners on the territory of the Republic of Poland or for the period of 5 years in connection with obtaining the refugee status or supplemental protection.
    4. Is a child of a Polish citizen and remains under his/her parental authority?

    In order to obtain a permit to settle you need to go to The Office of Voivodeship (Urząd Wojewódzki) and bring a few documents listed below. The costs of issuing a permit to settle are 640zl plus 50zl for a residence card.

    Required documents:
    1. 4 copies of the application for the permit to settle filled out in compliance with the instruction.
    2. 4 up-to-date, colour photographs, dimensions: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm.
    3. Valid travel document (3 photocopies).
    4. Documents confirming the required uninterrupted stay in Poland.
    5. Certificate about the fulfilment of tax liabilities towards the State Treasury.
    6. Current confirmation of registration for temporary residence.
    7. Legal title to occupy the apartment in which the applicant stays or intends to stay.

    Additional required documents:
    In case of marriage to a Polish citizen:
    1. The current copy of the marriage certificate
    2. Photocopy of the personal identity card of the spouse
    3. In the case of joint children – copies of birth certificates
    In case of the minor being a foreigner’s child who has a permit to settle and was born in the territory of the Republic of Poland:
    1. Copy of birth certificate
    2. Copy of the decision on granting the permit to settle or residence card of the statutory representative
    In the case of the child of Polish citizen being under his/her parental authority:
    1. Copy of birth certificate
    2. Copy of personal identity card of the statutory representative.

    The resident card issued after granting a permit to settle is valid for 10 years.

    EC-long term residence permit

    EC-long term residence permit can be issued to a person who has been residing in Poland for a minimum duration of 5 years and who has had stable and regular income and is as well covered by health insurance.

    The residence permit can’t be obtained by:
    1. Person who stays in the territory of the Republic of Poland in order to study or receive vocational training
    2. Person who has the permit for a tolerated stay, asylum, refugee status granted in Poland or benefiting from supplemental or temporary protection
    3. Person who applies for the refugee status or for asylum
    4. Person who is an “au pair” or seasonal employee, or is delegated by the service provider in order to provide transnational services or service provider who provided transnational services
    5. Person who stays illegally on the territory of Poland
    6. Person who was detained, put in a guarded facility or is an arrest for the purpose of deportation.

    In order to obtain a permit to settle you need to go to The Office of Voivodeship (Urząd Wojewódzki) and bring a few documents listed below. The costs of issuing a resident permit are 640zl plus 50zl for a residence card. The resident card issued after granting a residence permit is valid for 5 years.

    Required documents: 1. 4 copies of the application for the residence permit for the long-term resident of the EC filled out in compliance with the instruction WE
    2. 4 up-to-date, colour photographs, dimensions: 4.5 cm x 3.5
    3. Valid travel document (3 photocopies)

    Additional required documents: 1. Documents confirming the required uninterrupted stay in Poland.
    2. Documents confirming the stable and regular source of income sufficient to cover the costs of living for the applicant and family members supported by him/her.
    3. Documents confirming health insurance taken up.
    4. Documents confirming the amount of the costs of residence.
    5. Confirmation of registration for temporary residence.
    6. Legal title to occupy the apartment in which the applicant stays or intends to stay.

    If you are so far advanced that you would like to stay permanently in Poland, it could be that you would like to obtain full polish citizenship. Our page on how to obtain Polish citizenship provides a quick guide to speed up your process.

    In the process, you may be called in to confirm some information or to clarify some facts. There is nothing to worry about and usually, it doesn’t happen.



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