Rzeszów is southeast Poland’s largest city. With a pretty Old Town and some impressive architecture, including unique churches and synagogues, it’s easy to while away few days in this relatively unexplored corner of Eastern Europe. Despite being the area’s main metropolis, it’s a breeze to cover the city centre on foot, making it ideal for getting lost and discovering hidden streets and alleyways.

Climate & best time to visit Poland

Poland has a temperate climate, with warm summers and winters that are not extremely cold. However, rain showers occur all year round, particularly to the west of the Carpathian Mountains and in the Masurian and Pomeranian Lake Districts. The far east of Poland is the exception: The climate here is continental, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters – ideal conditions for winter sports enthusiasts!

The best time to visit the High Tatras and Karkonosze Mountains is January and February, when the high altitudes around Zakopane and the Śnieżka peak (1,602 meters) offer excellent snow conditions.

Telephone
Country code: +48

Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.

Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.

Key Areas

Around the main town square (Rynek), there are a good number of small shops selling traditional Polish toys and handicrafts, perfect for souvenir hunters. The city centre also has a pedestrianised shopping area, centred on 3 Maja, with an array of excellent local boutiques and stores.

Markets

Rzeszów has one of the most vibrant flea markets in Poland. It takes place every Saturday and is ideal if you like trawling through bric-a-brac for hidden treasures. Just remember to show up early, as stalls tend to wind up around noon.

Social conventions

There are major differences between city life and life in the countryside. Rural communities are often more religious (Roman Catholic), and their lifestyles are much more traditional. People greet one another with a handshake; women will often receive a kiss on the hand.

The standard pleasantries are also expected, and hosts always appreciate a bouquet of flowers.

Clothing should be modest, but can also be casual. More elegant clothing is expected at good restaurants or for special occasions.

Smoking is prohibited in some public buildings, such as train stations.

Main emergency number: 112

There is the risk of contracting Lyme disease from ticks from April to October throughout Poland, especially in grasses, shrubs and undergrowth. The risk can be minimized by wearing clothing that covers the skin and by using insect repellent.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is also transmitted by ticks. The main provinces affected are Bialystok, Olsztyn, Suwalki, and Masuria, as well as the regions from Siedice to the Belarusian border, west of Krakow, and east of Poznan, Szczecin, and Gdansk. A vaccination is available for this disease.

Cases of hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur in Poland. A vaccination to protect against hepatitis A is generally advisable. For longer visits or visits involving close contact with the local population, or with children and young people, the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended.

IATA Travel Centre

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