As you know, Poland shares borders with 7 different countries – and today we will take a closer look at those voivodships that lay closer to… Germany! They are not wildly acknowledged, but they do have a rich history – and some really great sights! Let’s find out more about them!

Zachodniopomorskie

Cliff and beach in the Wolin National Park

Western Pomeranian voivodeship has access to Baltic Sea and abuts German land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. What should you see once you are here? First of all, Woliński National Park located on the Isle of Wolin. The beautiful cliffs surrounding the island will make you feel like you are in the finest parts of Ireland! Another national park you must visit is Drawieński NP – it is one of the most amazing pieces of wilderness in Poland. Its water cascades, long lines and narrow creeks will carry you to a Disney fairy tale!

Rafting in a canoe in the Drawieński National Park

If you are a fan of big, sandy beaches – you should definitely stop by Świnoujście – it is a city and a seaport on the edge of the Baltic Sea and Szczecin Lagoon. For a small history lesson in this area, you can go to the Underground City – a military facility, which in fact is a net of secret corridors that connect shelters hidden under the sand dunes!

Sunset over the lighthouse in Świnoujście

Lubuskie

Lubuskie is one of the least recognized counties in Poland, but it would be a big mistake to simply dismiss it! Do you know that here, in a small city called Kostrzyn and Odrą (eng. Kustrin) the biggest and most important rock music festival in Poland takes place?
Pol’and’Rock Festival (formerly called Woodstock Festival Poland as it has been modelled upon original Woodstock festival from the 1969) has been organized every summer since 1995, always at the turn of July and August (remember that it is worth to prolong your Erasmus semester for a month to travel around in great weather!) and it brings hundreds
of thousands of rock music fans each year!

The audience carry the young woman on their hands during a concert on Pol’and’Rock Festival, Kostrzyn, Poland.

But if you are not all about noise and crowd, it doesn’t mean you need to give up on Lubuskie! You can also make your trip there about Park Mużakowski (UNESCO object) created in 1815 on behalf of one of the German Princes. If you go there in September, you can also take part in a wine festival in Zielona Góra, the county’s capital!

Mużakowski Park

Wielkopolskie

Greater Poland is the cradle of Polish culture – the first historical capital of
Poland was located on the lands that belong to this province! Gniezno became the capital in the 10th century (when Poland was recognized as a state) but the history of this town dates back to 8th century! Definitely check out Gothic Gniezno Cathedral and the Old Town.

Reconstruction of the defensive shaft and gate to the Lusatian settlement in archaeological museum in Biskupin, Poland.

If you are into history, you may want to also see Biskupin – a real-size model of fortified settlement from late Bronze Age (technically Biskupit lays in Kujawsko-Pomorskie county, but it is only 40 km from Gniezno.) Going to both places is a memorable experience! Don’t forget about the capital of Greater Poland – Poznań! Take a photo of the two mechanical Goats installed on the tower of Poznań City Hall that appear every day at noon to butt against each other– it is a must!

Poznań market square

Another must is coffee with Rogal Marciński (St. Martin’s croissant with poppy-seed filling is a speciality of Poznań). When you’re hungry- hungry, go for pyry z gzikiem – a very simple and very typical dish of this region: a potato with a special quark with sour cream and chives! Amazing if accompanied by a shot of V.!

St. Martin’s croissant with poppy-seed filling is a speciality of Poznań

Hope we got you interested in this part of Poland! In the next article, we will move towards the centre of the country: closer to the current capital. Stay tuned and check out other articles!

Check also: #1 North