My First Trip to Poland: The Good, The Bad, and the Pierogi

Every trip has its highs and lows, and my first adventure to Poland was no exception. I spent most of my time in Krakow(with a side visit to charming Wroclaw) and came home with a suitcase full of memories, a belly full of pierogies, and a few stories that still make me laugh.

So let’s break it down—the stuff I didn’t love and the things that made me fall for Poland harder than I fell on the cobblestones in Market Square.

The Things I Didn’t Like (Let’s Just Get These Out of the Way)

1. Pay Toilets 🚽

Look, I get it—bathrooms cost money to maintain. But paying to pee feels like a cruel joke after downing Polish beer. Which leads me to…

2. Polish Beer 🍺

This might get me in trouble, but Polish beer didn’t quite hit the spot for me. Maybe I’m spoiled, maybe my taste buds are picky, but let’s just say I wasn’t smuggling bottles home in my luggage.

3. Lack of Deodorant on Trams 🥵

Public transit in summer should come with a warning sign—or at least a complimentary stick of deodorant. Enough said.

Now, the Things I Loved (And There Were Many)

1. The History and Old Architecture 🏰

Krakow and Wroclaw are like walking through an open-air museum. The churches, chapels, castles, and even the random little alleyways are dripping with history. Every corner feels like it has a story—and I wanted to hear them all.

2. Market Square in Krakow 🕍

If there’s a heart of Krakow, this is it. Market Square buzzes with life, history, and enough pigeons to make you feel like you’re in a Hitchcock movie (in a good way). It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours people-watching, shopping, or just soaking in the atmosphere.

3. Pierogies and Krakow Pretzels 🥟🥨

Poland knows how to do comfort food. Pierogies are little pockets of happiness, and those Krakow pretzels? Perfect for a quick snack between sightseeing (or to soak up that questionable beer).

4. Castles Galore 🏯

From Wawel Castle in Krakow to smaller gems scattered across the country, the castles make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale. Minus the dragons… unless you count the dragon statue outside Wawel that literally breathes fire.

5. The People 🤝

Polish people were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Even when my Polish vocabulary began and ended with “dzień dobry,” locals went out of their way to help me out.

6. Trains to Other Cities 🚆

The train system made exploring outside Krakow a breeze. Comfortable, reliable, and scenic—it made hopping over to Wroclaw both easy and enjoyable.

7. Polish Vodka 🥂

Okay, so Polish beer wasn’t my thing. But vodka? Absolutely! Smooth, flavorful, and definitely something I’ll miss.

8. Finding an English Brewery in Krakow 🍻

Just when I thought I was doomed to mediocre beer, I stumbled upon an English brewery in Krakow. Let’s just say it felt like finding an oasis in the desert. Cheers to that!

9. Planty Park 🌳

This ring-shaped park that wraps around Krakow’s Old Town is the perfect place for a romantic stroll, a quiet bench break, or just pretending you’re a local on your way to somewhere important.

Sure, there were a few quirks—like shelling out coins for a bathroom break or surviving tram rides without air freshener—but overall, my first trip to Poland was an absolute win. Between the history, the food, the friendly people, and the unexpected finds, it’s a place I’d happily return to (and I’d even give the beer another try).

Krakow stole my heart, Wroclaw charmed me, and Poland left me already planning my next visit. Just… I’ll pack my own deodorant, thank you very much. 😉