8 nights Trip - Suggestions Needed - If Poland and Copenhagen can be done in 8 nights

We spent a month in Poland included 5 nights in Krakow and 4 in Gdansk. I think 2 in Poznan. I don't think you have enough time for more than two cities in Poland let alone Copenhagen. Unfortunately, the cities you mention have crowded old towns.

I’ve been to Poland three times. It is a very large country and so much to see and do! Eight nights is only enough for maybe two cities in Poland or one city in Poland and Copenhagen. Remember that travel between locations often eats up most of a day. Since you prefer smaller cities, you might like Krakow or Gdansk more than Warsaw.

Train travel is easy within Poland. If you have your heart set on going to Copenhagen (another destination worth several nights), I would suggest flying. Flights from any of Polands’s main cities only take about 1-1/2 hours, so if you leave early, you would still have most of the day in Copenhagen. I’m not sure how long a ferry would take.

Do you live in Manchester? If so, I would plan a separate trip to Copenhagen. If you live in the US or Canada and are finishing up a trip, then I think it's doable to fly into Gdansk and out of Copenhagen. I couldn't figure out the ferry, but it seems like it would be quite scenic, at least at the beginning and end. I would say 3 days Gdansk, 4 days Copenhagen with the one-day ferry journey. Of course, flying is an option, as well.

Hi Jules,Renee,Gerry..

Thanks for responding..Yes I am based in Manchester, but as I have a limited time Schengen Visa valid until Sep'26, hence wanted to cover as much as possible.

But yes, open to stay only in Poland. I am ok with crowds, but would like to avoid cities, need to have charm/vibe of Old town..

In case of 8 nights from 20th to 28th June, could you recommend 2 or 3 cities that must see, with more scenic beauty and old town charm

Gdansk looks beautiful, but in case I plan flight into Krakow spend 3 nights, would it be possible to cover 3 cities. I don't want to be in a hurry to cover as many places as possible but again don't want to miss out on places.

I'm a little confused. We did really love Krakow, but it is a city, and it does attract many tourists.

If I was going to Poland with just 8 nights, I think I would stay in Gdansk and Krakow. Gdansk being a Hanseatic league city, is quite different than other Polish cities, IMO. There is a lot to do in both cities, and there are possible daytrips from each city.

I agree with Jules that Krakow and Gdansk would be good options for a short trip. Although they are cities, they are not nearly the size of Warsaw. Kraków’s wonderful old town area is original because it was not destroyed or damaged during WWII. Gdansk also has a lovely old town area and boosts two really great museums, one about WWII and the other about the Solidarity movement.

Warsaw was completely flattened during WWII so everything, including its “old” town, has been rebuilt. Still, I enjoyed my time there a lot. The old town is lively, there are some excellent museums, as well as beautiful parks. But with your short time and lack of interest in cities, this might be a third choice for you.

I recommend you get Rick Steves guidebook “Snapshot: Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk”. It will give you excellent advice and suggestions for a short visit to these three cities.

In 2017 my wife and I spent 9 nights in Poland: Wroclaw (2 nights), Boleslawiec (2), and Krakow (5). We enjoyed all 3 cities, which ranged in size from large (Krakow) to small (Boleslawiec).

We flew into Wroclaw, our first stop. We had a rental car to travel between locations, but there is a direct train (~2hrs 50min) between Wroclaw and Krakow. There is also a direct train (~1hr 30min) between Wroclaw and Boleslawiec.

Our trip report might be useful reference: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/poland-wroclaw-boleslawiec-krakow-aug-2017-part-1-of-2

Thanks Jules,Renee,Geoff

Based on the insights, I am looking at finalising on 3 cities - Krakow/Gdnask and Wroclaw - And Leave Copenhagen for another time.

Looking at these locations, makes sense to either start/land from manchester into Gdansk or Krakow, and fly out from Krakow or Gdansk to Manchester - north to south or vice versa..

Thinking of 20-24 Krakow (4nights), 24-26th Wroclaw (2 nights) , 26-29th (3 nights) Gdansk - Thereby extending my stay by another day (20-29th June).
If I start/land in Gdansk will still keep the number of nights to the ones mentioned above. and fly out from Krakow.

Could you suggest must do's in each of these cities? Would train journey be better compared to a rental car?

Thanks Again

Could you suggest must do's in each of these cities?

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/poland/gdansk

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/poland/krakow

I've been to Poland seven times in the last 12 years and just recently (last week) visited Copenhagen and Gdansk. I STRONGLY recommend you drop Copenhagen. First, it is so expensive. We have been there before, but during the May holidays, it was so dirty! Trash strewn all over. Maybe from the holidayers? The sidewalks also were not always in good repair.

Krakow and Gdansk can be equally crowded. Try to do most of your sightseeing Sunday through Friday afternoon, as the hen and stag parties with young people descend on the bigger cities on Friday and Saturday nights..

Gdansk has the "look" of a Hanseatic League city like Copenhagen. It is stunning. The trains and buses in Poland are so good that I wouldn't rent a car. We have stayed in the St. Florian's Suites in Krakow, which is near the train station and the old town, but have also rented a single apartment. If this is your first time in Poland, you might appreciate a hotel unless you are used to apartment stays.

Use Rome2Rio to get an idea of the travel flow. If possible, I would spend two days in Gdansk (one taking the train to Malbork), three in Wroclaw, and three in Krakow. I could almost be a tour guide in Krakow, since I've seen many of the sites a few times.

One thing in Wroclaw: take a day trip (let someone else do the driving) and go to see Ksiaz Castle and the Church of Peace in Swidnica. What an amazing day that was! I believe we used Viator for that. Wroclaw is also stunning with a very different (German) history.

Ask questions if you need.