Poland's vibrant capital, Warsaw, is the country's largest city and the epicentre of Polish commerce and culture. It offers an abundance of museums, clubs and concert halls, as well as the widest array of eating options. It's a major transport hub, and even if you're not planning a long stay, chances are you'll change trains here or arrive at/depart from one of the city's airports. Warsaw was levelled during World War II by occupying German soldiers and rebuilt in the 1950s and '60s in bleak Soviet-style. Modern touches added since communism fell in 1989 have softened the edges, however, and the passing decades have lent that old Soviet architecture a more hip, retro gloss.

Many Polish cities are centred on an attractive Old Town, but none compare to Kraków for effortless beauty. As it was the royal capital of Poland until 1596 and miraculously escaped destruction in WWII, Kraków is packed with appealing historic buildings and streetscapes. One of the most important sights is Wawel Castle, from where the ancient Polish kingdom was once ruled.

Many visitors pair a trip to Kraków with a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum & Memorial – or as it's known officially the 'Auschwitz-Birkenau: German Nazi Concentration & Extermination Camp' – in the town of Oświęcim. More than a million Jews, as well as large numbers of ethnic Poles and Roma, were systematically murdered here by occupying Germans during WWII. Both the main camp at Auschwitz (Auschwitz I) and a larger outlying camp at Birkenau (Auschwitz II), about 2km away, are open to the public and admission is free (though if arriving between 10 am and 3 pm from May to October, a guided tour is compulsory). A visit is essential to understanding the Holocaust, though the scope and nature of the crimes are horrifying and may not be suitable for children.

Poland's eastern metropolis of Lublin admittedly lacks the grandeur of Gdańsk or Kraków but does have an attractive Old Town, with beautiful churches and tiny alleyways. It's a natural jumping-off point for exploring south-eastern Poland. Thousands of students make for a lively restaurant, bar and club scene.

Zamość (zah-moshch) is pure 16th-century Renaissance - the splendid architecture of its Old Town escaped serious destruction in WWII and was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1992. This impressive Italianate Renaissance square (exactly 100m by 100m) is dominated by a lofty, pink town hall and surrounded by colourful, arcaded burghers' houses.

Zakopane, 100km south of Kraków, is Poland's main alpine resort, situated at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. It's a popular jumping-off spot for trekking and mountain hikes, as well as Poland's best ski resort. The busy high street, ul Krupówki, is a jumble of tacky souvenir shops, bars and restaurants, but away from the centre, the pace slows down.

When citizens of beautiful Kraków enthusiastically encourage you to visit Wrocław, you know you're onto something good. The city's gracious Old Town is a mix of Gothic and baroque styles, and its large student population ensures a healthy number of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The main draw is the city's magnificent market square, the Rynek, dotted at the centre by the old Town Hall (Stary Ratusz).

Poznań is the cultural, economic and transport hub of Wielkopolska. It's strongly associated with the early formation of the Polish kingdom at the turn of the first millennium, and Poland's first ruler, Mieszko I, is buried at Poznań Cathedral. These days, Poznań is a vibrant university city. There's a beautiful Old Town, with a number of interesting museums and a range of lively bars, clubs and restaurants.

Poznań City Card (1 day/35 zł), available from the city information centres, provides free entry to major museums, sizable discounts at restaurants and recreational activities, and free public transport.

Pomerania is an attractive region with diverse drawcards, from beautiful beaches to architecturally pleasing cities. The historic port city of Gdańsk is situated at the region's eastern extreme, while the attractive Gothic city of Toruń lies inland.

The port of Gdańsk grew wealthy during the Middle Ages, linking inland cities with seaports around the world. That wealth is on display in the form of a bustling riverbank, mammoth red-brick churches and a gleaming central square. Gdańsk's major sights are situated in the Main Town (Główne Miasto). Much of what you see, including the dazzling palaces that line the central promenade, Long St (ul Długa), was rebuilt from rubble after the bombardment of WWII.

Toruń escaped major damage in WWII and is widely considered the best-preserved Gothic town in Poland. The city is known around the country for the quality of its gingerbread and, indeed, with its handsome, red-brick churches and elegant, intricate facades, Toruń resembles nothing more than a beautifully crafted gingerbread cookie.