About
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, and borders Lithuania and Russia to the northeast; Belarus and Ukraine to the east; Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south; and Germany to the west. The territory has a varied landscape, diverse ecosystems, and a temperate climate. Poland is composed of sixteen voivodeships and is the fifth most populous member state of the European Union (EU), with over 38 million people, and the fifth largest EU country by land area, covering 312,696 km2 (120,733 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Warsaw; other major cities include Kraków, Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań, and Gdańsk.
When things are closed
Upcoming public holidays in Poland. On these dates, expect banks, post offices, and government services to close. Many shops and museums close or run shortened hours; transit typically still runs.
Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny · Assumption Day
August 15, 2026
Saturday
Wszystkich Świętych · All Saints' Day
November 1, 2026
Sunday
Narodowe Święto Niepodległości · Independence Day
November 11, 2026
Wednesday
Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia · Christmas Eve
December 24, 2026
Thursday
Boże Narodzenie · Christmas Day
December 25, 2026
Friday
Drugi Dzień Bożego Narodzenia · St. Stephen's Day
December 26, 2026
Saturday
Cities (20)
Saved on my Poland lists
9 places
References4
These references support the changing or licensed material on this page. Personal notes and ordinary geographic facts are not footnoted individually. Entry rules can change, so verify them before booking.
- Travel practicalities. Entry, driving, electricity, water, and official application context. Related: Driving side, World Standards, CDC Yellow Book, WHO drinking-water guidance.
- Country background. Wikipedia summary may be clipped or paraphrased. Numeric baselines are cross-checked with Wikidata. Related: Wikidata, .
