7 non-touristy cities to discover in southern Poland

Poland, a beautiful and still a bit underrated country in Central Europe. Although it was an off the beaten path destination for years, it is changing fast now. Every year more and more foreign tourists visit Polish cities. In the south of the country, Kraków and maybe Worcław are the most popular city break destinations. You can read about these places in almost every travel guide. However, what if you would like to see more than just these popular tourist spots? In this blog post, I present you a list of 7 non-touristy cities in southern Poland, where you will feel the local atmosphere and see what everyday life looks like.

1. Gliwice.

Gliwice Market Square, Poland
You have a flight to Katowice Airport and you’re wondering what interesting things to see nearby? Visit Gliwice, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in this part of Poland. Be sure to go to Market Square and take a walk around the small Old Town, where you will find many lovely restaurants and cafes. You can also visit the Palm House, the famous Radio Station and stroll the streets of Gliwice, where there are many historic tenement houses and beautiful old churches. If you would like to read about this city or just see more photos, check out my blog posts: Top 10 things to do in Gliwice, Poland, and 22 winter photos to inspire you to visit Gliwice, Poland. You can get to Gliwice from Katowice Airport by bus AP1, the ticket costs PLN 14 (3-4 euros) and the journey takes about an hour.

2. Prudnik.

The Market Square in Prudnik, one of the most beautiful non-touristy cities to discover in southern Poland
If you would like to visit some small pretty town and hike in the mountains, Prudnik in southern Poland will be a perfect destination. Just look at this beautiful Market Square with the Baroque-Classicist City Hall building in the middle! Impressive, isn’t it? There are also other interesting places to see, such as the Wok Tower, city walls, beautiful Archangel Michael Church and city park. After visiting Prudnik, you can go to the nearby Opawskie Mountains. Do you see them in the picture? They are on the left. If you want to read more about this place, check out my blog post: A trip to the Opawskie Mountains, Poland.

3. Paczków.

Paczków, one of the most amazing non-touristy cities to visit in Poland
Paczków is a small town in southern Poland, which is often called the Polish Carcassonne. This is because Paczków fortifications are the best-preserved monument of urban defensive architecture in Poland. There are many architectural gems and monuments that are hundreds of years old! The best things to see in Paczków are its medieval Old Town, defensive walls, the Gothic Church of John the Evangelist and the house of the city executioner (Dom Kata). There is also one of the few vineyards in this part of the country in Paczków, so if you would like to try Polish wine, you can do it here!

4. Głuchołazy.

Głuchołazy, a secret place to visit in southern Poland
If you are in Prudnik or the Opawskie Mountains, it is also worth visiting the nearby Głuchołazy. This small town was once a health resort, where patients were treated with hydrotherapy. The best things to see in Głuchołazy are the Market Square and the Old Town with a checkered urban layout modeled on a Roman military camp. You should also look at the Church of St. Wawrzyniec, the Upper Gate Tower and take a walk around Parkowa Góra, where there is a historic lookout tower.

5. Tarnowskie Góry.

Tarnowskie Góry, one of the most beautiful cities in Silesia, southern Poland
Tarnowskie Góry, a hidden gem of southern Poland. The city is located only 20 km from Katowice Airport, 30 km from Gliwice and Katowice. You can see here both the beautiful Old Town and the fascinating world of underground corridors and tunnels. Did you know that Tarnowskie Góry has the longest underground boat flow in Poland? If you are here, be sure to take a boat ride through the underground corridors of the Black Trout Adit or the Historic Silver Mine. Amazing experience! Don’t forget to visit Market Square and take a stroll along the streets of the Old Town. The history of Tarnowskie Góry dates back to the 16th century and there is a lot of interesting architecture to see.

6. Katowice.

Katowice, Poland - a non-touristy city to discover in southern Poland
This city is different from the others I mentioned here. In Katowice, you won’t find the medieval Market Square surrounded by historic tenement houses or the charming old town. However, the capital of the Upper Silesian Industrial District has many other things to offer. Did you know that the first skyscraper in Poland was built in Katowice? What’s more, in this city you will find many fascinating modernist buildings and interesting street art. Don’t forget to see the Spodek sports and entertainment hall while in Katowice. The International Congress Center, the building of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Silesian Museum and the historic mining settlement of Nikiszowiec are also must-sees.

7. Racibórz.

Racibórz, one of the best non-touristy cities to discover in southern Poland
Once, this city was a real architectural gem, but after World War II it was almost razed to the ground. Bricks from demolished buildings were used to rebuild the capital of Poland, Warsaw. Today, located about 50 km from Gliwice, Racibórz is not the same city it once was, but it is certainly worth a visit. If you have a car and some free time, it’s worth taking a ride here, because the road from Gliwice is very picturesque and leads through forests that hide many gems such as the Cistercian Abbey and the historic narrow-gauge railway in Rudy. Once in Racibórz, be sure to visit the Market Square and walk the streets of the Old Town. The architecture here is a real mix of different styles, but I think the city is still really charming. Don’t forget to visit Racibórz Castle and try Raciborskie beer from the local brewery.



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I hope you like the non-touristy cities in southern Poland that I mentioned and you will spend a nice time exploring them. The location of these places and the nearest airports can be found on the map above. However, if you have any questions about how to get there or what to see, you can leave a comment here as well as write to me on Instagram or Facebook. Do you like visiting off the beaten path places? What is the most beautiful non-tourist town you have seen in Poland?

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7 non-touristy cities to discover in southern Poland

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  21 comments for “7 non-touristy cities to discover in southern Poland

  1. November 8, 2019 at 8:01 am

    What a great list! I’ve yet to travel to even the main tourist centers of Poland, so I’m looking forward to the day I get to see those as well. However, towns like these are really what I look for when I travel, so maybe I can pair Kraków or Worcław with one of these beautiful gems. Prudnik looks especially enticing. Thanks for sharing!

    • November 8, 2019 at 10:39 am

      Prudnik is a real hidden gem! Once I published a photo of this city on Instagram, it was shared many times and even Polish people were surprised that Prudnik has such a beautiful Market Square and old town. It is a bit off the beaten path place and therefore still unpopular. But worth a visit if you want to have some authentic experience while in Poland.

  2. November 8, 2019 at 9:01 am

    Dzięki za Prudnik!

    • November 8, 2019 at 10:52 am

      Lubię to miasto i mam do niego duży sentyment. Prudnik i jego okolice na pewno będą pojawiały się jeszcze w przyszłości na moim blogu. 🙂

  3. Ana
    November 9, 2019 at 9:39 am

    What a comprehensive list of exploring some hidden gems in Poland. I haven’t got a chance to explore that part of the world yet, but I only knew of Warsaw and Kraków as the major cities to visit. How many days will you recommend exploring Poland?

    • November 9, 2019 at 12:33 pm

      Hi, Ana. If you want to see only top destinations like Krakow, Wroclaw, Zakopane, Warsaw, Gdansk, I think you need at least 2 weeks. If you would like to visit other places and go off the beaten path, hmm… You will probably need a minimum of 3-4 weeks for this.

  4. November 12, 2019 at 2:40 am

    Poland looks beautiful and I hope to get there one day, as I am hearing more and more about this country. These non-touristy cities seem so charming, especially Prudnik and Głuchołazy. Great post.

    • November 14, 2019 at 10:28 am

      Prudnik and Głuchołazy have a special place in my heart. I’m glad you like these cities.

  5. daniel
    November 12, 2019 at 11:54 am

    Great list!! As a traveler, I always love reading about posts that highlight the less touristy places to visit. I had no idea that Poland you have its name mentioned but I am thrilled to know that. I have yet to travel to Poland buy I honestly can’t wait to make my trip to Poland.

    • November 14, 2019 at 10:30 am

      Hello, Daniel. I hope you get to Poland soon and you’ll like it here.

  6. November 12, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    You’ve opened my eyes to new places to visit in Poland. I would like Prudnik so I could take in the Opawskie Mountains. Paczków looks cool and I’d love to try out the Polish wine. Tarnowskie Góry sounds like a beautiful place, didn’t know that it has the longest underground boat flow in Poland. Great write up!

    • November 14, 2019 at 10:31 am

      Prudnik is a charming little town. And in the Opawskie Mountains, there are former gold tunnels and many other hidden gems. You’ll like it there!

  7. November 13, 2019 at 12:07 am

    Yeah, I have legitimately never heard of any of these places, and I consider myself a reasonably well travelled individual! I love that, though, it’s a kind reminder that there’s so much more to discover in this world of ours!

    • November 14, 2019 at 10:32 am

      That’s right, there are so many beautiful places waiting to be discovered. I think it is so fascinating when traveling.

  8. Aleksandra
    November 16, 2019 at 11:52 am

    Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska, Pszczyna (Zgroda Żubrów, Park, Zamek), Katowice-Nikiszowiec, Chorzów (Wolności, Park Śląski) Siemianowice Śląskie (pałac donnersmarcków), Opole Zamek Moszna, Ząbkowice Śląskie (Krzywa wieża), Częstochowa (Jasna Góra), Jezioro Pilchowickie, Góra Ślęża, Kłodzko (Wiadukt), Srebrna Góra, Oleśnica, Przesieka, Zamek Czocha, Wiadukt w Bolesławcu, Rudawy Janowickie, Bielsko-Biała, Korbielów, Zamek Książ and Zakrzówek! 😉

  9. Leszko
    November 18, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    The castle brewery in Raciborz was officially mentioned for the first time already 1456, making it one of the longest working breweries in this part of Europe. However, the history of brewing beer might be much longer. In any case, it’s wort visiting, and–definityly–worth trying one of the beers they brew.

    Just one more thing — Raciborz was one of the historical capitals of Upper Silesia.

    • November 18, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      Thank you for your comment. I am sure that one day I will make a blog post only about Racibórz and I will definitely write more about the brewery.

  10. Jas
    February 7, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    I’ve been getting more into off-the-beaten path travels and these places are definitely gorg! Prudnik defs caught my eye the most with that beautiful contrast between the city and the mountains. Also, how are drone laws in Europe? Beautiful aerials you got!

  11. Tourist
    June 21, 2020 at 7:40 am