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Southern Poland Itinerary - April 2025

"Hi, I'm planning a trip for my parents to Poland in April (next month), focusing on the Easter holiday. They'll be arriving from Rome on April 8th. They are experienced travelers in Western and Central Europe, but this will be their first time in Poland.

Travel Style & Preferences:
"Rick Steves" style, but prefer a slower pace (3-4 nights per location).
Comfortable with public transit and driving in rural areas.
Want to explore rural areas by car, with a significant stay in Krakow.
Would appreciate recommendations for unique or local lodging options, and would like to experience castle-like accommodations where possible.

Proposed Itinerary:
-Wrocław (3 nights): Arrive evening of April 8th.
-Świdnica/Jelenia Góra/Książ Castle/Project Riese/Fischbach Castle (3 nights): Rent a car and explore the region, including possible Palm Sunday services at the Churches of Peace.
-Katowice/Chorzów (1 night, optional): Visit the Upper Silesia Ethnographic Park or Auschwitz (can be cut, Auschwitz could be visited from Krakow).
-Ojców National Park/Ogrodzieniec Castle/Skała (3 nights): Explore the area by car.
-Kraków (5 nights): Drop off the rental car, explore the city, Easter markets/weekend, possible Wieliczka Salt Mine and/or Auschwitz.
Train to Prague (approx. April 25th).

Questions:
Is it a significant omission to skip Warsaw on this trip?
Is spending 2 days near Zakopane advisable in April (considering potential cold/snow)?
Opting to save Gdansk/Torun for future trip.

"Thanks for the input! I appreciated the advice I received 1.5 years ago for my own Poland trip. I tried to follow up on the post, but it was closed. We had a great time using the excellent suggestions!"

Posted by
4215 posts

Looks good to me! Southwest Poland is my favorite part of the country so you are visiting a lot of places I've been to (and highly recommend). A few initial thoughts:

Personally I don't think Warsaw is necessary, especially if the focus of your trip is southern Poland.

I've been to the Zakopane area in April and there was still light snow + flurries, not terribly pleasant.

I assume you are aware that Poland bassically shuts down over Easter?

Around Świdnica I'd try to dip into the Kłodzko valley region, a lot to see and do there.

If you have spare time around Katowice I'd suggest a stop at Pszczyna to see the Baroque town + historic German Chateau

Between Katowice and Krakow is the Medieval Monastery of Tyniec, very impressive and one of the oldest in Poland.

Hope this helps :)

Posted by
18 posts

That certainly helps – thank you! I'll look into the suggestions and incorporating them.
We're concerned about holiday closures. Based on our research, Kraków seems like the best option for Easter weekend, as most sites are only closed on Sunday and Monday (with some Jewish sites potentially open).

We're considering an alternative: reversing our trip: start in Krakow, moving west and spending Easter weekend at Książ Castle, which has an Easter weekend promotion with events and meals. We'd end in Wroclaw. What would you recommend?

Posted by
5092 posts

All I will say is that Carlos helped me immensely on my trip and has great suggestions.

And Warsaw would fit well with Gdansk and Torun if that trip were to happen later. I had been to England 4 times before I ever went to London. There is rarely enough time for everywhere, so you just have to make your choices. And I love Krakow.

If you are looking for unique places to stay, here are a couple that I loved (NOT fancy or castle-like at all!).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TNuiVDmjRn5QfsyQA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy: In Swidnica on the grounds of the Peace Church
And
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aS7aUxp2Vd7XprM89?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy: Klezmer Hois in Krakow

But read reviews carefully. I would more than happily stay again at either but they ARE unique.