Pomerania: Landscape Parks and Monastic Heritage

Two specific themes come to the fore when planning a trip to Pomerania: protected landscapes and historic monastic heritage. You can start your hotel search by asking which of these themes best fits your travel plans. Poland as a broader destination also provides a wider context for food and travel.

Landscape parks among rivers, forests and dunes

There are nine landscape parks in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, covering almost 168,000 hectares in total; seven of them lie entirely within the voivodeship’s borders. The Dolina Słupi Landscape Park was established in 1981 in the Słupia River basin and along its middle and lower reaches. Its purpose is to protect and preserve the balance of the area’s natural assets and rich cultural heritage. Nature and culture are therefore both part of its protection remit.

The Vistula Spit Landscape Park protects the wildlife and landscape of the Vistula Spit. Its defining features include primeval forests with diverse plant life, large longitudinal dunes where sea holly often grows, and wide sandy beaches. This offers a different perspective for trip planning than the Słupia River region: here, forests, dunes and beaches take centre stage.

The Słowiński National Park is another practical point of reference for hiking, with 131 kilometres of trails. As trail lengths may change, check the park’s latest information before planning your visit.

Monastic sites and history

The three most important post-Cistercian monastic complexes in the Pomeranian Voivodeship are Oliwa and Pelplin, former monasteries for men, and Żarnowiec, a former convent for women. These three places give cultural history a concrete place alongside the landscape themes. Their former functions differed: two were monasteries for men, while Żarnowiec was a convent for women.

Polish cuisine as a broader travel theme

Polish cuisine offers another perspective on the country as a wider travel destination. In Kociewie, Szandar is a traditional potato cake served hot with onions and a salad of pickled cucumbers. Pierogi, popular throughout the country, are small dumplings with various fillings: savoury options include potatoes and cheese, cabbage and mushrooms, meat or vegetables; sweet fillings include quark or fruit. Bigos combines sauerkraut, various meats and a range of spices.

Kopytka are elongated dumplings. They are served with meat sauces or stews, or on their own, sprinkled with sugar and drizzled with melted butter. Polish potato pancakes are usually served with savoury accompaniments; in some regions, they are also eaten with sweet cream and sugar. Polish broth is served with homemade noodles. Cheesecake, poppy seed cake and apple pie are considered the leading desserts; poppy seed cake is most often eaten at Christmas and Easter. These examples show how much the shapes, fillings and accompaniments of Polish cuisine can vary.

Planning activities and travel

Poland’s national parks offer opportunities for secluded hikes, observing wildlife in its natural habitat and learning about the country’s history. Check the current rules of the relevant park when planning a specific activity. As a nationwide guide to getting around, Intercity Express trains connect larger cities in Poland and do not stop at smaller stations. Check current connections and timetables before travelling by train.

If you explore other parts of Poland, nationwide information about food and rail travel can also help with your planning.

Discover more destinations: Starogard Gdański, Bytów, Słupsk, Puck, Wejherowo, Sztum, Kartuzy, Kwidzyn, Chojnice, Malbork, Kościerzyna, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Lębork, Nowy Dwór Gdański, Tczew, Człuchów, Sopot, Starogard County.