Podlaskie reveals its diversity through its landscapes and experiences: from the Białowieża Forest to wetlands, walking and cycling trails, and a Tatar festival tradition. These varied themes offer several ways to plan your trip, without any single experience defining the region on its own.

Forest and water: different ways to discover nature

Białowieża National Park is located in Podlaskie Voivodeship and encompasses the central part of the Białowieża Forest. The Muzeum Przyrodniczo-Leśne is one of the park’s biggest attractions. So, alongside the forest landscape, a specifically named museum is a highlight of exploring this national park.

Wigry National Park has a total of 190 kilometers of designated, developed trails for walking and cycling. Both activities are available on the trail network. On the park’s waters where access is permitted, you can also explore the landscape by kayak, rowboat, sailboat or other non-motorized watercraft. The options are therefore quite distinct: on land, walking and cycling trails run through the park, while on the water, non-motorized craft take center stage.

One specific hiking destination in Narew National Park is the Waniewo–Śliwno footbridge. It can be reached on foot from either village. The bridge may be temporarily closed in unfavorable weather conditions, so check current access information before setting out.

Biebrza National Park is defined by a different kind of landscape: it encompasses an extensive wetland with marshes and peat bogs. Suwałki Landscape Park adds a distinct historical dimension. It was established in the late 1970s and is Poland’s oldest landscape park. This lets you distinguish between a vast wetland and a landscape park with a clearly established history.

Tatar tradition and river crossings

In Kruszyniany, behind the mosque, lies the mizar, a Muslim cemetery. Visitors can stroll among the graves, some of which are several hundred years old. The site thus combines a walk with the history of a religious place.

Kruszyniany is also the setting for Sabantuy, the Tatar ploughing festival. It is celebrated every year in August. For planning, it is a good idea to check the specific dates for the year in question.

On the Narew, you can cross the river in a traditional pychówka. The boat was once used for agricultural work. The pychówka thus brings together a traditional use and a specific way of crossing the river.

Poland in a broader context

Poland as a whole also offers a broader setting for nature and cultural interests. Poland’s national parks provide opportunities for secluded hikes, observing wildlife in its natural habitats and learning about the country’s history. Before visiting, it is worth checking the latest information on the rules in individual parks.

Polish cuisine also includes pierogi, popular throughout the country: these small dumplings come with savory fillings such as potatoes and cheese, cabbage and mushrooms, meat or vegetables, as well as sweet versions with quark or fruit. Bigos, sometimes translated as hunter’s stew, combines sauerkraut, various meats and a wide range of spices. This is part of the Polish culinary context and is not specific to Podlaskie.

Discover more destinations: Bielski, Łomżyński, Moniecki, Augustowski, Hajnowski, Białostocki, Grajewski, Suwalski, Kolneński, Sejny, Siemiatycze, Sokółka, Wysokie Mazowieckie, Zambrów.

For the broader travel overview: Poland.