Why not discover all this by bike? Hardly any other country has invested as much in the development of cycling infrastructure in recent years as Poland. Six EuroVelo routes alone criss-cross the country: the Central Europe Route runs through the southern cities of Krakow and Rzeszów. The international Iron Curtain Trail, which connects memorials to the Cold War era, follows the country's northern coastline and passes the Gdansk shipyards, the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, among other places. The Polish sections of the Baltic-Adriatic route, which runs from the northern Polish city of Gdansk to Istria, and those of the European capital route (from Ireland to Moscow in peacetime) are currently being planned and are already passable in parts.

In time with the pedals

In addition to the European routes, there are numerous local ones: In the east, the almost 400-kilometre-long Podlaski Szlak Bociani leads through no fewer than four national parks, including Białowieski, where you'll find one of the last remaining primeval forests in Europe (and where European bison are sometimes spotted).

One of the most famous cycle routes in the country is the Vistula Cycle Route, which leads from Gdansk via Warsaw to Krakow. This approximately 1,000-kilometer route along the majestic river not only runs through some of the country's most beautiful natural landscapes, but also through historic towns where centuries-old architecture meets modern culture.

The new Mazurska Petla Rowerowa runs for 300 kilometers through the land of the Masurian Lakes. Here, in the east of the country, there's an idyllic landscape with more than 2,000 lakes framed by rolling hills and dense forests. The Masurian Lake District is a paradise for cyclists who want to enjoy tranquillity and unspoilt nature far away from the tourist crowds. The route is excellently developed with numerous service points, viewing towers and information boards. In the north, the route connects to the Green Velo - the longest cycle route in Poland at 2,000 kilometers. In total, the network will cover more than 20,000 kilometers. You simply have to come back!