Ba Lan

• Overcharging at some bars and clubs in tourist areas — always check prices before ordering.
• Fake taxi apps or unmarked taxis — use Bolt, Uber, or official taxi companies.
• Pickpocketing on crowded trams in Krakow and Warsaw — keep valuables secure.

• Good healthcare. EU citizens can use EHIC/GHIC. Private clinics in cities offer fast English-speaking service.
• Pharmacies (Apteka) are well-stocked and widespread.

• Routine vaccines only. Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine recommended for rural and forested areas.

• Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau with respect and solemnity — it's a memorial, not a tourist attraction.
• Try pierogi, żurek (sour rye soup), and Polish vodka.
• Poles are warm and hospitable — accept invitations to share food or drink.

• Don't joke about Poland's wartime history — it's deeply sensitive.
• Don't assume Poland is 'cheap' and broadcast it — it's disrespectful.
• Don't refuse a toast when offered vodka at a gathering — it's a sign of friendship.

Tip 10% at restaurants. Round up for taxis. Cash tips preferred even when paying by card.

Casual in most settings. Smart-casual for nicer restaurants. Dress modestly in churches.

Predominantly Catholic and deeply religious. Churches are active worship sites — behave respectfully. Sundays are family and church days in smaller towns.