A Month in Poland, best city to set up base?

Boy, that's tough. Like you said, it's a big country. How committed are you to one base? We were in Poland for almost a month. We traveled entirely by train. Krakow is lovely and there is a fair amount to do within an hour or so. Gdansk, heavily influenced by the Hanseatic League, has a much different feel from Krakow also would be a good base with a lot to do within an hour travel. And then there are very picturesque and fascinating cities in western Poland. You could consider Wroclaw and Torun, as well. Both Wroclaw and Torun have many possible day trips--Poznan, Bydgoszcz, Gneizno. I think you need to watch some videos (RS and Youtube) and look at a guide to narrow down possibilities.

How about Warsaw? It's in the center of the country, with great transportation links.

First-class opportunities for music and opera. Less touristy than Krakow or Gdansk, so the chance to have a more authentic experience.

Warsaw is a great idea in terms of it being the center of the country and with a lot of cultural offerings. We didn't love Warsaw, however. It's huge (1.9 million people) and everything is new or reconstructed. It's at least two hours away from a lot of the really interesting cities with gorgeous, historic architecture. It was also more expensive.

What really makes this post difficult is, at least IMO, no one city that would be good to base for a month that would allow you to really get a good taste of the country. Off the top of my head, it'd be a shame to miss the architecture, WWII museum and the Solidarity museum in Gdansk. Krakow's Jewish ghetto and the Schindler museum are very moving and important. Wroclaw and its university and a day trip to Swidnica and its church of peace. All these places are at least 2.5 hours from Warsaw.

Thanks everyone! After rethinking this, I have decided to start in krakow and work my way up to Gdansk stopping in Katowice, Wroclaw and some other small cities. I think I may forgo Warsaw this time, but may try to hit it on the way back.

If you all have any restaurant or hotel recommendations, things or places that are a must see, please let me know!

Here is a link to my trip report. We started in Krakow and went clockwise around the country:

Here is a link to my trip report https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/poland-trip-report

Jules , thank you!

Additionally, I’m considering starting in Gdansk and working my way down as I need to be in Budapest at the end of November. So many choices! lol

Warsaw is really rich in museums and other sights related to WWII and the Cold War. The city has a wide variety of well-priced restaurants. While it's large and busy, it is less touristy than Krakow and Gdansk.

Why Katowice?

I think your re-thinking is a good idea. Ha!

I spent a month in Poland in Sept. 2022, Gdansk to Krakow. And there is much more to see than I covered. But in case it helps, here’s a link.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/poland-north-to-south

Why Katowice?

Undiscovered gem, with a burgeoning art and culture scene, and excellent daytrip options? I visited last year and was impressed with how the city has reinvented itself. Here's my trip report

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/krakow-daytrip-report-underrated-upper-silesia

Acraven is right, there is a whole range of restaurants. I should have said I found hotels more expensive. Its not that I disliked Warsaw. I liked it. Its just that I'm not a huge city person and found the other towns enchanting.

If you want a big city, then I would suggest Warsaw.

If it's a smaller place, then I would go along with Katowice, ....very convenient in exploring the interesting Upper Silesian region and also as a spring board into Lower Silesia.

I passed through Katowice years ago, ie, in 2001 en route to Berlin. Interesting as I had never seen coal before sitting on a railcar as our train pulled in.