About Poland

While travelling for medical treatment to AMEDS Centrum you definitely should take the advantage of visiting Poland – a country full of diversity and very rich history.

AMEDS Centrum staff will be happy to give you hints what to see and do at the time of your stay in Warsaw and Poland in general.

General information

The Republic of Poland is situated in the Central part of Europe. It is bordered by the Baltic Sea to the north-west along a 524-km coastline, by Germany to the west; the Czech and Slovak republics to the south; and Russia, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine to the east and north-east.

The people of Poland use the Polish language. The population, over 38.5 million strong, occupy an area of 312,700 square kilometers. Poland is the 9th biggest country in Europe, and 63rd in the world.

Currency  - Zloty (PLN)
Timezone - GMT + 1
Electricity - 220 Volt / 50 Hz ; continental sockets
Telephone - Countrycode : 48 (To call Poland)

Poland is administratively divided into 16 regions, suitable for every kind of activity.

Visa is NOT required for countries such as: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, European Union, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela.

Citizens of all other countries must obtain a visa in order to enter and stay in Poland legally. Please consult your local Polish consulate.

Polish cuisine

Polish cuisine features hearty and filling dishes, thick soups and sauces, potatoes, dumplings and different kinds of meat.
Today's Polish cuisine is not as heavy as it used to be as healthier foods slowly earn their place on the Polish table. But a tendency among Poles toward dishes rich in meat and fat still prevails, as much of the population is still learning the health consequences of such foods.

The most well-known Polish specialties include:

• pierogi (dumplings filled with meat, cheese, mushrooms and cabbage)
• pork cutlet
• bigos (sauerkraut and meat)
• soups: zurek, kapusniak (cabbage soup), pomidorowa (tomato soup), rosol (bouillon with dumplings), flaki (tripe), chlodnik,
• nalesniki (similar to French crêpes)
• pierniki (ginger bread)

Nowadays, you'll find a wide selection of ethnic restaurants in cities across Poland, offering every kind of food available from around the world, including Italian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Chinese, American, French, German, Mexican and many others. At home as well, Poles are widening their food selection to include both traditional Polish foods as well as influences from abroad.

The most interesting cities:

WARSAW

Poland’s capital and the largest city is Warsaw. It has a population of over  1,700,000.
The city can be perceived as full of contrasts.

A good starting point to getting to know Warsaw closer is by learning it’s history. It can be very well observed in the Warsaw Rising Museum located very close to Sobieski hotel. Those interested in the history of World War II will definitely be satisfied with this modern museum’s exhibition.

A definite must-do is visiting the reconstructed old part of the city. Walking the streets of the Old Town and New Town allows you to rest from the bustle of central city life.

The other highlight not to be missed are Łazienki Królewskie (the Royal Baths). This Park-Palace Complex is one of the most beautiful of this type in Europe. If you are in Warsaw in the Summer time besides seeing the Palace on the Island built for King Stanislaw August Poniatowski – Poland’s last monarch, you should definitely listen to a free Chopin live concert. Concerts are held twice a day on every Summer Sunday.

Not noticing Palace of Culture is almost impossible. Completed in 1955 as a ‘gift from the Soviet people’, the building is the embodiment of Socialist Realist architecture. It is still the tallest building in Poland and fulfils the role of a cultural centre accommodating theatres, museums, a cinema and a concert hall. The highest viewing platform in Warsaw, on the 30th floor, offers an excellent panoramic view of the city.

KRAKOW

It is an important centre of science with its renowned Jagiellonian University (est. 1364) - one of the oldest schools in Europe.

The old city centre of Cracow has been enlisted as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. And its exceptional atmosphere and flair attract thousands of tourists every year.

The city also offers a number of interesting tourist attractions what makes a visit to Cracow really worthwhile.

GDANSK

Nature-lovers will surely enjoy the golden sands of the Baltic coastal beaches in the north end. Gdansk is the biggest city in that area, part of the unique Tricity. The Tricity, an urban complex extending along the Bay of Gdańsk, including three neighboring cities. Each of the cities making up the Tricity offers a different atmosphere.

In Gdansk there is the largest Polish port. In 1980, Lech Wałęsa led the strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, which became the cradle of the Solidarity social movement. The trade-union leader went on to become the president of Poland and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

ZAKOPANE

Zakopane is the capital of the Tatras, Poland's winter capital and the pearl in the tourism world. It is poland's best known ski resort.

In the summer also offers excellent conditions for mountain hiking and climbing, as well as for many other activities.

Zakopane guarantees a perfect rest throughout the year.