3 or 4 nights each in Warsaw, Gdansk, and Krakow?

I have only been to Warsaw briefly in 1996, so I'm not up to date on its latest offerings, but I would not feel guilty about allocating less time there. Since Warsaw was pretty well flattened during the war, it's Old Town charm is all recreated.

Joseph, the Lonely Planet Guide is much more useful for Poland than the RS guide. More info on smaller towns and places to see in those cities. I have not been to Gdansk, but Warsaw and Krakow are both walkable and full of things to see. I think three nights is minimum since your first day doesn't really count. I would plan the itinerary based on your most convenient flight schedule, i.e, if flying in and out of Warsaw, spend 2 nights there on each end. I would suggest stopping in Czestochowa on the way from Warsaw to Krakow. Sandomierz is a nice small town worth a visit, and Kazimierz Dolny is a good day trip destination.

Also, I suggest you google up the "In Your Pocket -Warsaw", and "In Your Pocket - Krakow" guides. These are free downloads that give you a ton of info on restaurants, sights, nightlife, etc.

I spent one week in Poland, split between Warsaw and Krakow. I wish I had spent four or five nights in each of those places. Haven't been to Gdansk.

Definitely use an additional guidebook. The RS guides are good for turn-by-turn directions and self-guided information, and very good on pointing out cultural history, but concentrate on depth in a few locations rather than a survey of many cities. Lonely Planet is my favorite.

I loved Warsaw and cannot wait to go back. In addition to the usual tourist sights, there are several other important things to do: a side trip to the Majdanek camp memorial, a visit to the Warsaw Rising Museum (required for school children, apparently; lots of interactive exhibits), and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising memorials, including the new Jewish museum, can easily fill your original four days.

One major daytrip from Krakow would be to Auschwitz-Birkenau. This is also required for students, the guide I had informed me. Krakow is a charming city.

Thank you Laura, Stan, and Zoe for your comments and recommendations. These are very helpful.

If you want to visit as well as some places off the beaten track, consider your itinerary with Poland Just Now website. There are plenty of bus and train connections between main cities. You can also rent a car.

All 3 places are wonderful. I would do the 4 days in each place. Warsaw has alot to offer and pretty parks too. Krakow is the most touristy but has the original buildings still. I was in Gdansk last year and it was so interesting and now the new Solidarity Museum is open. Enjoy all 3 cities!

Hi,

Like Warsaw and Krakow you'll find Gdansk also very walkable. I was there in 2003 on my second trip in Poland, stayed in a Pension in the old town, a very good location from which to walk all over. All three cities are worth 5-7 days of visiting. Krakow escaped war destruction, basically survived intact. Warsaw was obliterated especially the old town. Gdansk was Danzig, the former West Prussian province capital, suffered damage and destruction by air and artillery bombardment in 1945. The old town went through some remarkable restoration, you can see some of these buildings go back to the Middle Ages.

Re..a day trip from Gdansk. Go to Malbork (Marienburg), direct rail connection from Gdansk. The castle was the largest of its kind in Europe, also partially damaged in 1945, a fascinating place to spend the day with a nice restaurant too. When I was there in 2003, I saw signs explaining German-Polish architectural cooperation at the official level, restoration, etc as it pertained to Malbork.

Actually Danzig was the former East Prussia capital (not the West Prussia).

That was Königsberg, the former capital of East Prussia, which the Soviets /Russians have had as Kaliningrad since 1945.

Sorry Fred, my mistake.

Try to build your itinerary with Poland Just Now site. You need to choose both NE and SE part of Poland on the map (Gdansk - Warszawa and Warszawa - Krakow).

I have somewhat of a bias because I grew up in Warsaw. My only advice is don't underestimate Warsaw - there is more to do there than just the Old Town. Check out "things to do under" tripadvisor Warsaw and see what activities appeal to you. Time spent in museums could easily stretch your time and there are plenty of museums (and other attractions) to see. I would also highly recommend a walk in Lazienki Park. I have to warn you that August will likely be hot - coupled with some potentially crazy thunderstorms.

Get a book devoted to Poland if you can - the best of Eastern Europe may be too thin. The In Your Pocket guides are excellent and available on the web for all three cities.