I had the pleasure of backpacking through Poland for a month and can truly say that Poland is now one of my favorite destinations! I had such a great experience, that I had to write an entire blog post all about Central Europe’s most underrated backpacking gem: Poland. From old towns to the towering Tatra Mountains and Baltic coastlines to dark tourism of war crimes, Poland has it all.
There are five must-visit stops for anybody backpacking Poland: Kraków, Zakopane, Wrocław, Gdańsk, and Warsaw. Poland is also super safe, well-connected by trains and buses, and full of budget-friendly eats and stays which makes it the perfection backpacking trip.
1. Backpack Krakow – The Soul of Poland
I can go on and on and on about Krakow. It was definitely my favorite city in Poland and I even extended my stay because I enjoyed it so much. If there is just one city you must see in Poland, it is Krakow.
Krakow’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Wawel Castle, St. Mary’s Basilica, and the iconic Market Square (the largest plaza in Europe). The Jewish district of Kazimierz offers indie cafes, street art, and somber reminders of the past with Schindler’s Factory and nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau (a truly sobering experience) and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
W ith so much to see, my absolute favorite place in Krakow is Lake Zakrzowek. An easy 25-minute walk or tram from downtown Krakow. It is the perfect way to cool off if you travel Krakow in summer time after a long day of site-seeing.
Backpack Krakow Hostel Recommendation:
Greg & Tom Party Hostel
This award-winning hostel blends comfort with social vibes. Daily free dinners and nightly pub crawls make it easy to meet fellow backpackers, while staff go above and beyond to help with itineraries. I have NEVER seen a hostel give away so much free food before between breakfast, dinner (which wasn’t your typical pasta dinner; it was full of meat options), snacks, candy, beer and fruit all day long. To be fair, yes the hostel is a party hostel, but it wasn’t crazy. They bar crawl got all participants out of the building by 10pm.
🏡 Address: Pawia 12/7, Kraków
🌐 Greg & Tom Party Hostel
Backpacking Krakow Tip:
With so much site-seeing to do in Krakow. The main part of the city has 3 popular city walking tours of Old Town, the Jewish Quarters, and the Dark Tourism Night Tour, Krakow has the most walking tours I've ever done in one city. Bring around a Collapsible Water Bottle in your bag so you can see all that Krakow has to offer.
(Lake Zakrzowek in Krakow)
2. Backpack Zakopane – Into the Tatra Mountains
When I first saw the Tatra Mountains, I thought I was in the Alps. Why hasn't anybody every told me that Poland has such stunning mountains!!
Just a 2.5-hour bus ride from Krakow, Zakopane is Poland’s mountain escape. It’s known for wooden chalets, hiking trails, and cozy highlander culture. If you visit in summer, trek to Morskie Oko or hike the Ridge Trail for views of Slovakia. In winter, it transforms into a ski hub with hot thermal baths.
Backpack Zakopane Hostel Recommendation:
Good Bye Lenin Hostel Zakopane
Set in a traditional wooden house, this backpacker favorite feels like a cabin retreat. It’s quiet, surrounded by nature, and perfect for unwinding after a day of hiking. Really Zakopane only has 2 hostels to choose from Good Bye Lenin Hostel which is right by the trails and another that is in the main part of town.
🏡 Address: Chłabówka 44, Zakopane
🌐 Good Bye Lenin Hostel
(Tatra Mountains of Zakopane)
3. Backpack Wrocław – A Hidden Architectural Gem
Often skipped by tourists, Wrocław (pronounced VROTS-wavf - this took me forever to get correct) is a surprise standout. With over 100 bridges and river islands, it’s dubbed the “Venice of Poland.” Explore the Market Square, chase the 300+ hidden dwarf statues around town (which is really fun), and enjoy the student-fueled nightlife.
I was really happy that came to Wroclaw as it still has a lot of beautiful antique architecture as Krakow but without so many tourists.
Backpack Wroclaw Hostel Recommendation:
Grampa’s Hostel
Located close to the Old Town, Grampa’s is cozy, affordable, and has a well-equipped kitchen and chill common area. It's known for a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
🏡 Address: pl. Św. Macieja 2/1, Wrocław
🌐 Grampa’s Hostel
Backpack Wroclaw Tip:
Wrocław’s charm lies in wandering. When I was in Wroclaw, it rained a lot and supposedly rain is very common there. So pack a Fold Up Raincoat and a Backpack Waterproof Cover.
4. Backpack Gdansk – Seaside History Meets Modern Cool
This port city on the Baltic Sea is dripping in maritime charm and WWII history. Walk along the Royal Way, visit the WWII Museum, and take a boat to Westerplatte. In summer, Gdansk’s beaches and nightlife rival any Mediterranean hotspot.
As beautiful as Gdansk is, it can be kind of "out of the way". It added a lot of extra time to my travels as there isn't a good way to get there. I even met people who flew from other cities in Poland to Gdansk because it isn't easily connected. Keep this in mind while you plan your trip.
Backpack Gdansk Hostel Recommendation:
The Mamas & Papas Hostel
Warm and inviting, this family-run hostel feels like home. It’s a little outside the city center, but that adds to its charm. They offer free breakfast and are super helpful with tips.
🏡 Address: Biskupia 5, Gdańsk
🌐 Mamas & Papas Hostel
Backpack Gdansk Tip:
Dry off from Baltic sea breezes with a Quick-Dry Travel Towel, ideal for beach days or hostel showers.
(Beautiful architecture of Gdansk)
5. Backpack Warsaw – A Capital Rebuilt
Often misunderstood, Warsaw has grit, glamour, and deep resilience. Bombed to near-complete destruction in WWII, it was meticulously rebuilt. Today, you’ll find neon-lit nightlife, cutting-edge museums, and a café scene that rivals Berlin or Prague. The Warsaw Uprising Museum and POLIN Museum are must-visits. Warsaw may not have the architectural charm of Krakow, but the fact it was rebuilt and beautiful truly shows Poland's resilience.
Backpack Warsaw Hostel Recommendation:
DREAM Hostel Warsaw
Modern, clean, and directly in the Old Town, this hostel feels more like a boutique hotel. The café downstairs is a great coworking spot if you're mixing travel with remote work.
🏡 Address: Krakowskie Przedmieście 55, Warsaw
🌐 DREAM Hostel Warsaw
(Poland seriously has some of the best food!)
Backpack Poland - Getting Around
Poland is well-connected by PKP trains, Flixbus, and Polskibus. You can book most intercity trains online, and buses are cheap and reliable. For shorter routes like Kraków to Zakopane, local buses are the way to go.
If you use an app like Omio to compare trains, please note that not all the Polish trains are published on this app. So it is best to also google the trains between cities.
Backpack Poland Route
- Day 1–4: Kraków – Explore Old Town, Kazimierz, and take a day trip to Auschwitz
- Day 5–7: Zakopane – Hike the Tatras, soak in thermal baths
- Day 8–10: Wrocław – Chill in cafes, find dwarves, visit Ostrów Tumski
- Day 11–13: Gdańsk – Dive into seaside life and WWII history
- Day 14–16: Warsaw – Finish with capital culture, museums, and nightlife
This two-week route is well-paced, but you can easily extend it depending on your travel speed.
Backpack Poland Beyond
Poland is not only an incredible destination in its own right, it’s also a perfect springboard for exploring more of Central and Eastern Europe. Once you’ve wrapped up your route in Warsaw, (or Krakow going the other direction), here are two exciting options to extend your backpacking trip:
→ From Warsaw to the Baltics: Head to Vilnius, Lithuania
From Warsaw, you can hop on a direct bus to Vilnius, Lithuania in about 8 hours via Flixbus or Lux Express. Vilnius is the start of the Baltic trifecta (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) and offers charming Old Town streets, hipster bars, and historical sites like the Gediminas Tower and the KGB Museum. Plus, it’s one of the most budget-friendly capitals in Europe.
This route sets you up perfectly to continue north through Riga and Tallinn, making it an ideal continuation for backpackers who want to keep heading deeper into Eastern Europe or toward Scandinavia.
→ From Krakow to Prague, Czechia
If you're doing this route in reverse and ending in Kraków, consider crossing over into Prague, Czechia, just 6 hours away by train or Flixbus. Prague needs no introduction... it's a city of fairy-tale castles, gothic architecture, and riverside beer gardens. For me, it was actually the cheapest to fly from Krakow to Prague than taking a bus or train (a quick up down). Prague also connects easily to the rest of Central Europe, like Vienna, Budapest, or even Germany if you're looping back west.
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