Practical information for travellers in Poland

Living Conditions

Eating

Food Specialties

The most well known specialties in Poland are the following:
Barszcz: beetroot soup with small ravioli stuffed with mushrooms or meat.
Placki Ziemniaczane : potato fritters
Bigos: cabbage with pieces of meat, prepared over several days.
Szarlotka: apple cake sprinkled with cinnamon.
Makowiec: poppy seed cake

Drinks

Concerning drink and spirits, the Polish are very fond of vodka and beer; Zywiec, Okocim and EB are the most famous brands in Poland. There is not much Polish wine, so it is preferable to buy foreign wines. Tea is an institution and coffee is sometimes drunk Turkish-style.

Dietary Restrictions

There are no dietary restrictions in the country.

Paying

Domestic Currency

Polish Zloty

ISO Code

PLN

To Obtain Domestic Currency

Zlotys can be obtained in exchange offices, banks, and in major cities in ATMs.

Possible Means of Payment

Places where you can pay in foreign currency are rare.
In shops, restaurants, hotels, and cafés payment is made in cash or by credit card.

Speaking

Official Language

Polish

Other Languages Spoken

Polish belongs to the family of West Slavic languages (with Czech and Slovakian).
The most spoken foreign languages are German and English, but it is useful to know a few words of Polish to travel around the country, especially outside large urban areas.

Business Language

Depending on the type of company you contact, the geographical location and the sector of activity, it may be difficult to find someone who speaks English. Insufficient knowledge of English and German often makes it necessary to bring an interpreter. However, the younger generations are more likely to speak English and are studying and practicing it with increasing frequency.

Useful Resources

To Find a Job

Jobs.pl
Job Center
Career Jet
Praca Onet