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Pretty, picturesque, and perfect.

Those are the three words that come to mind when I think of Poland.

I mean, what's not to love? The country is full of old medieval castles, colorful architecture, and really delicious food. More pierogies, please!

But the thing is, most people visiting Poland only check out Warsaw or Krakow. And while these cities are popular for good reason, it's the small cities in Poland that are more charming and authentic. While these may not be small in terms of population or size, they are much less known among tourists.

That being said, if you want to get right off the beaten path and experience the tiny towns of Poland, scroll down to the end of the post for some recommendations. I guarantee that you'll want to check out all of these beautiful Polish small towns during your next adventure abroad.

The sea might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Poland but Gdansk is a city that shouldn't be missed! It’s a historic port town on the Baltic sea, packed full of beautiful architecture, really cool museums (which are free on Tuesdays), and gorgeous amber jewelry.

You should definitely visit Westerplatte (the site where World War II began) and take an afternoon trip to Malbork Castle. I highly recommend taking this Malbork Castle guided tour, as you can learn about the castle’s history from a local guide and it includes roundtrip transport from Gdansk.

In total, you should plan to spend at least 3 nights in Gdansk, which will give you enough time to explore the Tri-City area, including Gdynia and the lovely seaside town of Sopot. All of which are navigatable via a local commuter train.

Where to Stay in Gdansk:

Celestin Residence - A guesthouse tucked into a medieval building, right in the center of the old town. Rates start at 35€ per night.
Craft Beer Hotel - A modern hotel in a restored baroque brewery building, just a 10-minute walk from the main station. Rates start at 50€ per night.

Best Things to do in Gdansk:

Take a walking tour of the historic old town
Visit the Stutthof Concentration Camp
Try local eats on a food tour with a local expert

To escape the crowds, head on over to the walled city of Torun in Northern Poland. The town is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and is brimming with gorgeous Gothic architecture.

Get lost in the cobble-stoned streets of the old town, take photos of the quirky monuments scattered around, and be sure to try some of the world-famous Torun gingerbread! I'm honestly still dreaming of that stuff. You can easily take a day trip to Torun from Warsaw or Gdansk, but you might want to spend a night here and enjoy having the place all to yourself!

Where to Stay in Torun:

Hotel Gotyk - A hidden gem of a hotel in the pedestrian zone of Torun. Rates start at 40€ per night.
Hotel 1231 - A modern hotel in a converted 13th-century mill tucked at the edge of the old town. Rates start at 70€ per night.

Things to do in Torun:

Visit the house and monument of Nicolaus Copernicus
Take a photo in front of the Leaning Tower of Torun
Try some of the city’s famous gingerbread - it’s been around since the Middle Ages

To be frank, Poznan isn't exactly what I would consider a small town. In fact, a lot of the places on this list are mid-sized cities. But in my opinion, they're not very well-known among international tourists.

Poznan has everything you could ever want in a city: an Instagram-worthy town square, a beautiful lake, and a Gothic castle. Give yourself at least two nights to explore the city. Be sure to snap a selfie with the billy goats at Town Hall and grab a St. Martin's croissant - it's the local specialty!

Where to Stay in Poznan:

Rosemary’s Hostel - A Roman Polanski-themed hostel with private rooms directly in the pedestrian old town. Rates start at 30€ per night.
City Park Hotel & Residence - An upscale hotel in a 19th-century red-bricked building only 5 minutes from the city center. Rates start at 50€ per night.

Best Things to do in Poznan:

Take an electric shuttle bus tour covering the main sights
Go on a food tour of Poznan with a local guide
Enjoy a bike ride around Malta Lake

It's easy to fall in love with Wroclaw - a city full of colorful architecture, quirky little dwarves, and magnificent street art.

Due to its convenient location close to the Czech Republic, Wroclaw is often a transfer point for tourists traveling between the two countries. But I think it's definitely deserving of a couple of days on its own.

Make sure you visit the oldest part of the city on Cathedral Island and get out to enjoy one of the many parks. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for any dwarves - there are over 350 of them scattered throughout the city!

Where to Stay in Wroclaw:

B&B Hotel Wroclaw Centrum - A pleasant chain hotel situated between the train station and the old town with good amenities. Rates start at 40€ per night.
Herbal Hotel Wroclaw - A hotel in a former 17th-century monastery with a beautiful herb garden minutes away from the old town. Rates start at 70€ per night.

Best Things to do in Wroclaw:

Go on a guided tour of the old town in an electric shuttle
Make friends on a pub crawl with free drinks.
Take a day trip to Adrspach, the filming location of the Chronicles of Narnia.

For me, Rzeszow is a city full of surprises.

In all honesty, I didn't expect much of the city prior to my arrival but as it turns out, Rzeszow is an elegant town with a lot of great sights. It's a big transport hub for those en route to Ukraine, which is why I ended up here myself.

Rather than just quickly passing through, I recommend spending at least one night here to enjoy the beautiful boulevards, Rzeszow Shopping Mall, and Rzeszow Castle. Plus, there are some great cheap eats here too!

Where to Stay in Rzeszow:

Hotel Forum - A simple hotel located inside the commercial district, only minutes away from the old town. Rates start at 56€ per night.
Hotel Rzeszow - An upscale hotel located inside the main shopping center with amazing views of the old town. Rates start at 80€ per night.

Things to Do in Rzeszow:

Explore the grounds of Lubomirski Castle and up the old fortification walls
Walk through the Lisia Gora Nature Reserve
Visit the old cemetery to feel like you’ve been transported back in time

Often referred to as Krakow's little sister, Tarnow is a quiet yet beautiful small town in Poland. You can easily spend a few hours strolling around the recently restored Old Town. Honestly, the city features the same charm and medieval atmosphere as Krakow - just without the crowds and inflated prices.

Although it can certainly be done as a day trip, I suggest spending at least one night in Tarnow. You'll appreciate having the place to yourself!

Where to Stay in Tarnow:

Aparthotel Zakatna B&B - An industrial-chic guesthouse with private suites and apartments situated on the edge of the old town. Rates start at 35€ per night.

Things to do in Tarnow:

Walk up Saint Martin’s Hill for a scenic view of the city
Visit the mausoleum of General Józef Bem in Strzelecki Park
Drive to the nearby village of Zalipie to admire the country houses painted with flowers

No trip to Poland is complete without a stop in Zakopane! This gorgeous town is nestled in the heart of the Tatra Mountains, making it the perfect base for a winter ski trip or a summer getaway.

I'll admit, the city can be quite kitschy and crowded at times, but you need to experience Poland's best mountain resorts and wooden chalets for yourself.

You can take a day trip from Krakow to Zakopane. I recommend this one because it includes transport from your hotel, wine tasting with cheese, a funicular ride, and entry to a thermal spa. With so much to do in town, you could easily spend a couple of nights here.

Where to Stay in Zakopane:

Willa Mavi - A gorgeous wooden guesthouse nestled in the mountains, located a few minutes from the town. Rates start at 40€ per night.
Czarna Willa - A cozy guesthouse just steps away from the main strip and ski lift. Rates start at 50€ per night.

Best Things to do in Zakopane:

Visit the Tatra National Park
Eat a slice of the famous cream cake from Samanta Cafe
Take a sleigh ride through the snow and warm up with a bonfire

7 More Small Towns in Poland to Vist

Okay, so not all of these places might be considered small towns, but these are what I consider to be hidden gems in Poland. If you're the type of person who likes to get right off the beaten path - here are **7 other amazing small towns in Poland** that you should consider visiting:

Zamosc - A UNESCO world heritage town from the 16th-century town with Italian-style architecture and original fortification walls.
Kazimierz Dolny - A charming town in the hills beside the Vistula River with sweeping views, old tenement houses, and a number of art galleries.
Zalipie - This remote village is known for its unique flower paintings, which can be seen all over town - from the walls of houses to the furniture within them and everything in between.
Klodzko - A historic town close to the Czechia border with a massive fortress, old cobblestone streets, and a quiet river. Although I have yet to visit, the photos remind me of a miniature Prague.
Swidnica - One of Poland’s hidden gems, this pretty town is home to a beautiful old town square, many streetside cafes, and the UNESCO-listed Church of Peace.
Boleslawiec - A medieval town with beautiful architecture known for its ceramic production and close to the historic Castle Kliczkow.
Olsztyn - A gothic town surrounded by a series of small lakes, home to a number of green spaces and historical sites including the Warmia Chapter Castle.

The Best Small Towns in Poland