What To Buy In Poland

what to buy in poland
Kanika
Kanika 
Published
| 4 min read

Poland is a historic country going all the way back to 10th century. Its thousand-year legacy means that there is plenty of stuff to explore in terms of culture and heritage. Poland is the perfect destination for slow travel for its number of well-preserved architectural wonders adorned with Baroque, Renaissance and art nouveau overlays. From evocative ruins, to sprawling castles amid Carpathian ranges, the country is blessed with natural beauty that often goes unexplored due to its more glamorous cousins in the Central Europe. You will not only love the country’s architecture, but also its rich food that is made from local ingredients such as pork, cabbage, mushrooms, and onions. There is so much to experience in Poland that will leave an indelible mark on your memory. You can also bring back a slice of your adventure for your friends back home in the form of souvenirs. Scroll down to find out what to buy in Poland.

1. Bison Grass Vodka

Żubrówka Bison Grass
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bachelot Pierre J-P used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Bison Grass Vodka, also known as Żubrówka, is a Polish vodka with sweet and natural flavors. No trip to the country is complete unless you sip this sweet-smelling liqueur with nutty undertones. Mix it up with apple juice or make it into a sweet martini; its versatile taste can turn it into all kinds of cocktails. The herbal qualities make it a perfect candidate for your home bar. This is one of the most Polish things you can bring home from your trip, and the signature bison grass in the bottle only adds to its visual appeal.

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2. Sheep's Cheese

Oscypki
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Paberu used under CC BY-SA 2.5

Sheep’s cheese is a traditional cheese made from sheep’s milk and found in the Podhale region of South Poland. It is considered a delicacy in the country and also in several other parts of the world. If you are a cheese lover, you will love its smoky taste, creamy texture and rich flavor. The Polish shepherds live in the upper mountains for months to produce this cheese.

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3. Salt (Wieliczka Salt Mine)

Wieliczka salt mine
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cezary p used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Wieliczka Salt Mines go all the way back to the Middle Ages. Considered to be the primary source of salt in 13th century Poland, it also gained prominence to become a source of income as well. The salt mines are a work of art. After exploring this humongous mine, you can take back unique souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones back home. The kitchen salt and spices are a must-have item from your trip to Wieliczka.

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4. Kaszubka dolls

Polish Doll
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cadaverexquisito used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Poland has a rich history of traditional crafts and Kaszubka Dolls is one such offering that you must certainly consider adding to your list of souvenirs. These dolls are intricately handmade and dressed up in traditional Polish costumes to give it a charming and folksy look. These authentic creatures are the national craft of Poland, and are promoted by the country’s Ministry of Culture.

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5. Linen

Embroidered linen fabric
Source: Pikist

Did you know that Linen products have been a part of Polish culture for the longest time? This natural fabric is the noblest of all souvenirs that you’ll find in Poland. This fabric is environment-friendly and long-lasting. You can use linen fabric as tablecloths, napkins, and for various other purposes. This souvenir is simple yet elegant, that will last for many years and serve as a fine memory of your trip.

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6. Krówki ("little cows")

Krowki002
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kpjas used under CC BY-SA 3.0

How can you leave Poland without trying its homegrown fudge? Krówki, literally meaning little cows, is a staple sweet found across the country. This polish sweet has a solid texture, while the inside is soft and milky. These candies are the perfect take-home presents for the kids in your family. The ingredients are simple, but gives you an explosion of taste with each bite. The original recipe contains milk, sugar, butter, cream, and vanilla flavor. This not-so-sweet candy, hence can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

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7. Polish Beer

Jan Olbracht - piwa 2013
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Arvedui89 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Poland is famous for its craft beers and when you are out in the streets of Poland on a hot day, a cold beer is all you need to satiate that thirst and get rid of all exhaustion. The beauty of Polish beers is that they have a unique taste and aroma that any beer lover would enjoy. It is a sensory overload experience that you can give to your buddies who missed this trip with you. Besides, Polish beers are even considered one of the best for beer enthusiasts. This will make for a perfect souvenir for your bros back home!

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8. Amber

Polish Ambar Jewelry
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cadaverexquisito used under CC BY-SA 3.0

While Amber is popular across the Baltic regions, its craft workshops in Gdansk have gained immense traction over the years for its unique shine and finish. You can take home an authentic Amber from the bustling strip of Mariacka Street. From rings and bracelets to earrings and necklaces, you can find wide range of beautiful products made with Amber. Even though they may seem a bit pricey, but they are a perfect gift for that special someone that you should get from Poland.

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9. Polish Nesting Doll

Foire de Paris 2011 - Artisanat russe - 003
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Thesupermat used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Polish nesting dolls are such a cute and adorable souvenir. These handcrafted dolls are painted in traditional clothing. However, they can also be used to depict world leaders, cartoon characters, animals, etc. There are a wide variety of designs available in Polish nesting dolls — some are bright, some are plain, and some are embellished with gold paint. You can easily find these dolls in shops and local street markets.

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10. Pierniczki

Toruńskie pierniki 02
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bd161153 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Gingerbread is unanimously everyone’s favorite, especially Pierniczki. This Polish gingerbread comes from the little city of Torun, and is praised by everyone for its sweet taste. This treat has been around for centuries and for all the right reasons. So, if you want to take back the unforgettable taste of Poland, then Pierniczki is the perfect souvenir.

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Bring home the best of Poland

Poland has seen its fair share of turbulence in the past. As a result of its resilience and rich history, many craft and food items came into being that people from all parts of the world savor and take home. So if you are looking for unique things to buy in Poland, this list will help you choose the best gifts and wonders from central Europe.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Kanika Gupta, from New Delhi, India, is a passionate traveler driven by a quest for knowledge about the world. An avid reader, when not on the road, she immerses herself in books to expand her...Read more

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