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It may often be overlooked in favour of neighbours Germany and the Czech Republic, but as it comes out of lockdown, Poland is aiming to capitalise on the growing number of would-be travellers itching for a last-minute summer vacay.
On June 13, the country officially reopened its borders to visitors from within the EU.
As part of its first phase of reopening, Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the country would welcome visitors from the EU’s 26 member states. Citizens or residents of the four European Free Trade Association countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) that are part of Europe’s passport-free Schengen travel zone are also allowed in. Travellers from the UK (currently in a one-foot-out-the-door transition period after it left the bloc in January) aren’t. There is no date set yet for travel from outside Europe.
Visitors won’t have to quarantine when they land, and as of June 6, most public-facing establishments have reopened. Bars and restaurants have been allowed to open (with social-distancing measures in place) for nearly a month now, while theatres and cinemas were allowed to welcome the public again from June 8 (though only at 50 percent capacity).
So the only question is: where to visit first? If you’ve already ticked off Berlin, then the cities of Gdańsk, Łódź and Kraków will make a brilliant, equally budget-friendly alternative. The woodland of the country’s interior is insanely lush. And don’t get us started on the pristine beaches that line the Baltic coast. Could this be Poland’s big tourism year?
Remember, many countries are still warning against all non-essential travel and some are quarantining all overseas arrivals, including their own returning citizens. Check all the relevant restrictions before you think about travelling.
When will you be able to travel again? Here’s what we know so far.
Where can you go on holiday right now? These are all the countries that have already reopened their borders.