11 BEST Places to Live in Poland (Updated 2023)
Untold culture, charming historic towns, off the beaten track destinations – Poland is quickly becoming a bit of a nomads’ dream.
Because it’s relatively unknown, with only a handful of famous towns, finding the coolest place for you may not be easy.
That’s where we come in. We’ve come up with a super handy list of Poland’s best towns and cities to live for digital nomads.
You may be looking for somewhere obscure and historical to inspire you, or you may want the lively nightlife of Kraków, whichever it is: we’ve got the city for you.
Let’s have a look, shall we?
Staying Safe in Poland
Poland may be a big country, but it’s also one of the safer countries on Earth. Serious threats and violent crime, especially against foreigners, won’t be likely to trouble you.
But no matter how safe Poland is, you CANNOT travel without travel insurance – and our favorite is Genki!
Genki offers two health insurance types, one travel health insurance, and one international health insurance.
Genki Explorer is your travel health insurance that covers you in Poland and in all countries in the world. Monthly subscriptions start as little as €39.30 and cover emergencies and medically necessary treatments while traveling.
Genki Resident is your holistic international health insurance that includes everything from emergencies, medically necessary treatments, preventive care, as well as alternative treatments, and much more.
Compare which Genki plan is best for you.
Check out our ultimate guide to Digital Nomad Insurance!
#1 Gdańsk
“A cool, fun and trendy city with a ton of restaurants, cafes and bars to hang out in, Gdansk is becoming a firm favourite amongst digital nomads!“
Monthly cost of living in Gdańsk
$1,273/month*
cost of rent in Gdańsk
$655/month*
Situated in northern Poland on the Baltic coast, the small city of Gdańsk has a lot to offer. Formerly known in German as Danzig, this city boasts a beautifully reconstructed medieval old town and a modern lifestyle for fascinating days wandering around and fun nights out.
If you want to live in Gdańsk, opt for a place in the modern waterfront area of town; the Maria CKA district is all about waterside living close to sights and plenty of amenities. Across from the main town is the residential area of Granary Island, a good option for budget accommodation if you’re thinking of a long stay.
Pros of Gdańsk
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Small city; easy to get around
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Vibrant digital nomad scene
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Plenty of wi-fi spots
Cons of Gdańsk
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It can get pretty pricey living here
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Gdansk can get quite busy with tourists
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Very cold in winter
Gdańsk is becoming something of a tech city. There are many tech and software companies with headquarters in this place, with plenty of start-ups on the rise.
High-speed internet connections, and a lot of good cafes to work in, make being a digital nomad here pretty good. Though more expensive than other Polish cities, you can still get a lot for your money in Gdańsk.
Digital Nomad Tip
Head to one of the many cool spaces in Gdansk to get your work done; Cafe Cukiernia Sowa, dating back to 1946, it’s a nice space. Cafe Furber is a chain you’ll get to know well around Poland!
#2 Warsaw
“The bustling capital city of Poland, Warsaw is where it’s at for everything from job opportunities to culture and lively nights out.“
Monthly cost of living in Warsaw
$1,530/month*
cost of rent in Warsaw
$845/month*
Warsaw is a modern city with all the high-tech, developed infrastructure that you would expect from a modern European capital; it’s even got a Google Campus, for god’s sake! It comes with all the benefits that make city living so convenient – things like Uber and even Uber Eats make getting around and eating out, simple.
It’s quite a spread-out city, but digital nomads should hone in the trendy, hipster-friendly neighbourhood of Plac Zbawiciela, or Mokotow, a vibrant central area that’s well connected.
Pros of Warsaw
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Great public transport going on here
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Loads of different things to eat
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Definitely a fun nightlife scene
Cons of Warsaw
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You could run out of things to do quite quickly
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Getting around the city takes time
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Most expensive place to live in Poland
Warsaw is actually more diverse than some other cities in Eastern Europe and features a selection of different cuisines on offer. Foodies take note: there’s a lot on offer here, from traditional Polish, and vegan food, all the way to Vietnamese restaurants.
Needless to say, being a city, the public transport in Warsaw runs the gamut from trams, metros and buses to a safe bike sharing system.
Digital Nomad Tip
Google Campus is a free coworking space in Warsaw – one of many locations they’ve got around the world. It’s got superfast internet, ergonomic furniture, and did we mention it’s free?
#3 Poznań
“Poznań is a beautiful city with a lot of history – combine that with a ton of museums and a buzzing nightlife and you can see why it’s a popular spot for nomads!“
Monthly cost of living in Poznań
$1,126/month*
cost of rent in Poznań
$543/month*
Poznań has definitely become a super cool place to be if you’re a digital nomad. Of course, it’s different to staying in a big city, but at the same time it’s not at all a small town; it’s something in between. That means this place strikes the right balance between chilled and fun.
An attractive city, Poznań has a great selection of areas to base yourself in. Stay in the Stare Miasto, the old part of town with its old square and a popular backpacking spot, too; or choose Wilda with its lush parks and jogging circuits.
Pros of Poznań
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Poznań is honestly super cheap
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Just big enough to get around easily
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Decent place from which to travel elsewhere
Cons of Poznań
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Some areas are a bit sketchy to walk alone
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Winter (from November till March) gets bitterly cold
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Maybe it's a bit too small for some people
Poznań is set in the west of Poland and as such is well located for exploring further afield. For example, you could be in Berlin in just two hours! Aside from that, this city – the fifth largest in Poland – has a high quality of living.
How could it not be great living in amongst all the Renaissance buildings, picturesque parks and modern conveniences?
Digital Nomad Tip
Head to Coworkingness for a bit of coworking fun; it’s a safe and laid-back collective coworking space with desks and places to make a few digital nomad buddies.
#4 Katowice
“A compact city with equal amounts of charm and cool, Katowice is a good option for a leftfield, off-the-beaten-track city base for a digital nomad.”
Monthly cost of living in Katowice
$1,086/month*
cost of rent in Katowice
$458/month*
Located in southern Poland, Katowice was previously known as an industrial city for its coal mines but is somewhat underrated for everything else. Much of the town has been newly regenerated and many of its old buildings now house new occupants – the Silesian Museum is housed in a former coal mine, for example.
For something a little more upmarket, you could choose to live in Giszowice, a garden city designed with families in mind with apartments set in former miners’ accommodation. There’s also the Osiedle Gwiazdy, a student area just a kilometre from the city centre.
Pros of Katowice
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Lots of outdoor space, e.g. pedestrian streets and parks
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Interesting modernist architecture to explore
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Seriously mad cheap accommodation to bag
Cons of Katowice
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The traffic here can get pretty awful
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Not so fun in the winter
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Not much on offer aside from creativity
Katowice is much more than just a historic mining city. Today this 11th-largest city of Poland is on the up. The newly developed Cultural Zone is where you’ll find international conference centres, as well as a spaceship (really) and a ton of Brutalist architecture.
If photography is your thing, then you should definitely get your Instagram account ready for some cool shots. You’ll be in good company if you’re creative; this chilled-out city is bursting at the seams with creativity and progressive thinking.
Digital Nomad Tip
There are meet-ups in Katowice, such as Chillout Meetup, where you can get to chat with other like-minded individuals about technology. Work at Krzywa12, a cool positive space run by talented people.
#5 Kraków
“Kraków is Poland’s second city and a place where digital nomads will never run out of history and cool things to see on days off.“
Monthly cost of living in Kraków
$1,340/month*
cost of rent in Kraków
$716/month*
Home to interesting museums, soaring medieval architecture, charming churches, and the largest market square in Europe, Kraków is Poland’s answer to Kyoto in Japan.
Complete with an old town, cultural events, the former Jewish Quarter, popping nightlife, bars, and a whole lot of things besides, you’ll never get bored here.
Kraków isn’t the biggest city, but still, you should probably base yourself somewhere near the old town, so that you’re close to all the action. Krododrza is a cool university district with its own scene going on, not too far from the centre of town.
Pros of Kraków
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So much history to explore here
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There's a very vibrant nightlife scene going on
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Modern and convenient city living
Cons of Kraków
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Kraków can get quite rowdy at night
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Petty crime and pickpocketing isn't unheard of
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Can get annoyingly crowded with tourists
Unlike many cities in Poland, Kraków wasn’t bombed in WWII. In fact, it was almost untouched – in terms of architecture that is.
Head over to the Jewish Quarter, or Kazimierz, to learn about one of the largest Jewish ghettos and the tragedy that unfolded; Kazimierz today is a creative enclave of boutiques and cafes.
Overall, Kraków is a vibrant city. There’s everything you need here to have a well-rounded life, from affordable trams and buses to beautiful parks and plenty of places to eat… and drink!
Digital Nomad Tip
There are some cool nomad-friendly workspaces in the city. Cluster Coworking, as well as ForkLog, offer free trial days. Or go for Cytat Cafe – a top spot with great coffee, breakfast and strong wi-fi.
#6 Lublin
“With a triple threat of creativity, academia and culture, Lublin is a hidden gem of a destination for digital nomads.“
Monthly cost of living in Lublin
$1,028/month
cost of rent
in Lublin
$485/month
Three hours by train from Warsaw, Lublin is often missed out on the Poland tourist trail – and that’s a good thing for you. Lublin’s old town is up there with the beauty of Kraków and Poznań.
Picture pretty coloured merchant’s houses, cobbled streets, little lanes and charming cafes to while away the afternoon with a coffee and a book.
When it comes to choosing a neighbourhood to live in Lublin, go for the Miasteczko Akademickie, which is the area around the city’s medical university. It’s safe, quiet and affordable.
Pros of Lublin
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A very affordable place to live
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Being a student city means good fun
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Some pretty tasty local dishes to try
Cons of Lublin
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It's quiet in summer when the students go home
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There are some dodgy areas to watch out for
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A bit old-fashioned sometimes... like time has stopped
Outside of Lublin’s old town, there are many museums, pleasant parks and castles to dip in and out of. Being not so visited as other places in Poland, Lublin manages to show off a truly authentic side to Polish life, with everything from the cuisine to the atmosphere making it a cool place to learn about the country.
There’s even a very decent public transport system to get you around, but you almost don’t need it; Lublin is compact enough that you can simply walk around this charming city.
Digital Nomad Tip
Want to get some work done? Head to Incubator Lublin. Complete with air hockey and hammocks to chill out in when you’ve had enough work. Free coffee & super fast wi-fi.
#7 Szczecin
“Well off the trail for most tourists, basing yourself in lively Szczecin means living amidst a mix of interesting architecture on Poland’s eastern frontier.“
Monthly cost of living in Szczecin
$1,097/ month
cost of rent in Szczecin
$511/month
Passing through many hands throughout history, from its native Pomerania to Poland, to Sweden, to Prussia, to Germany, and back to Poland, Szczecin is an interesting place with a whole lot of buildings to gawp at on your wanderings. Combine this with students, cheap eats and decent nightlife for a good nomad base.
When it comes to finding a place to live, the old town, the north area of Downtown, and Gumience all offer a high standard of living and are safe, beautiful areas to base yourself. All the amenities you could ask for are in walking distance.
Pros of Szczecin
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Most people speak English (not German)
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Urban bike scheme makes it easy to get around
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Szczecin is the greenest city in Poland
Cons of Szczecin
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Not as diverse as other cities in Poland
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Football fans can be overpassionate
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Things to shut down after 11PM
Szczecin is a laid-back city. It may students and a few good nights out to be had, but there’s enough of a chilled atmosphere that nomads can easily find a spot to perch and work for a morning or afternoon.
After that, it’s a case of simply wandering the streets for museums, gardens and local eats (deep-friend pasztecik szczeciński).
In terms of location, the eastern city of Szczecin is just two-hours’ train ride from Berlin, so if you ever need a dose of the German capital, you can get there easily.
Digital Nomad Tip
Corona Coffee has great internet, cool atmosphere, good coffee. There’s also Business Link Szczecin, located in a modern office building with superfast internet, on-site restaurant and free coffee – all with river views.
#8 Łódź
“With its roots in industry, the redbrick city of Łódź is fast regenerating into a digital nomads’ dream destination.“
Monthly cost of living in Łódź
$1,053/month*
cost of rent
in Łódź
$475/month*
The third largest city in Poland, Łódź was once one of the largest and multicultural industrial centres in Central Europe. Once busy with fabric manufacturers, workers and merchants, WWII changed all this.
Since the early 21st century, projects to revitalise the city have attracted international students and digital nomads alike.
Looking for a place to live in Łódź? You might want to base yourself close to Piotrkowska, a lively pedestrianised street packed with bars and restaurants. Otherwise, a student area like Politecknik might be more something you’re interested in – and cheaper, too.
Pros of Łódź
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Interesting history
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Polish film industry is based here
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Beautiful public parks
Cons of Łódź
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Some might think Łódź is ugly
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Boredom can happen
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Rowdy, thuggish football match behaviour
A lot of foreigners are drawn to Łódź for the universities, as well as job opportunities and low costs of living. It’s an affordable place to base yourself in Poland, but it also boasts great transportation, loads of free cultural events, and can be explored easily on foot.
This is an interesting place to explore a slice of Poland’s illustrious past, complete with street art, modern architecture and Jewish heritage. And, it’s true: Łódź is the centre of Poland’s film industry, too!
Digital Nomad Tip
CoSpot Zachodnia is the largest coworking space in Łódź and is decked out with leather sofas and parquet floors. Smack bang in the centre of town surrounded by bars and restaurants.
#9 Rzeszów
Monthly cost of living in Rzeszów
$969/month*
cost of rent in Rzeszów
$379/month*
The largest city in Poland’s southeast (but 18th overall), Rzeszów boasts some serious historic credentials. Its buildings, like the cathedrals, synagogues, market square as well as the old town as a whole, are well preserved – even by Polish standards! So if you’re looking history away from international tourists, here’s the spot.
A compact city that’s a pleasant place to live, the best place to base yourself in Rzeszów would be around the city centre, close to somewhere like the Market Square. This is close to all the sights as well as beer gardens and the nightlife, but it’s far from the rowdiness of Krakow.
Pros of Rzeszów
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Small and easy to get around
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Friendly locals
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Amazing historic architecture
Cons of Rzeszów
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Not a foodie's paradise
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Could be too small for some
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Not many nomads (or even backpackers)
Rzeszów is a pretty young city: the average age is 39. It’s a busy academic as well as an economic and cultural hub for the Rzeszów County as a whole.
And those who love nature, rejoice! There’s a ton of nature on the doorstep of Rzeszów, with the Carpathian mountains just a stone’s throw away from the town.
Inside the city itself, strolling the picturesque old town, exploring centuries-old underground tunnels, and visiting the Summer Palace are just a few of the things you can be getting up to.
Digital Nomad Tip
When it comes to working, get yourself to KWADRAT PODKARPACKA PRZESTRZEN KREATYWNA. It’s a mouthful, but this is a cool coworking space with interesting people and even training events.
#10 Wrocław
Boasting over 1,000 years of history, but with over 130,000 students, Wrocław is one of the youngest cities in the country making for a place that’s equal parts interesting and intense.”
Monthly cost of living in Wrocław
$1,299/month*
cost of rent in Wrocław
$668/month*
Close to the German, as well as the Czech Republic border, Wrocław is fast becoming a popular tourist destination, with backpackers particularly honing in on it.
That might be because of the progressive youthful vibes and good nights out here, but it’s probably to do with the charming buildings that make up the cityscape, too.
Pros of Wrocław
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Younger vibes
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Friendly; not a stressful place to live at all
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Some fun nights out to be had
Cons of Wrocław
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Pollution; the air quality can be bad
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Too many students (if you don't like that sort of thing)
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Fun can be distracting for actual work
Living in Wrocław means sharing the city with students for a youthful and energetic place to base yourself as a digital nomad. It’s something that will probably rub off on you!
Don’t worry though: Wrocław is also a safe, friendly city. You won’t have to be concerned with too much danger, making it pretty relaxed and easygoing.
Another pro: the food. There are many cool restaurants, Polish eateries, Chinese establishments, cafes, and trendy burger joints to hang out in – all of which are wonderfully affordable, too.
Digital Nomad Tip
Wrocław has some cool places to work in. These include centrally located IdeaPlace, which is a friendly spot to get some work done; clean, tidy and with fast internet.
#11 Toruń
“Often cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Toruń will wow any nomad looking for a postcard-perfect place to live.“
Monthly cost of living in Toruń
$957/month*
cost of rent
in Toruń
$348/month*
Set in the centre of Poland, Toruń is a stunner. With all its medieval magnificence, beautiful brick buildings, pleasant, walkable streets, plenty of history and even a Museum of Gingerbread to show off its 1,000-year tradition of creating the town’s famous gingerbread, there’s a lot to fall in love with here.
Finding a place to live in the peace and quiet of this city means looking in the Downtown district – or Osiedle Kochanowskiego. Right next to the old town, you’ll be in easy reach of restaurants, bars and all the historic sights, of course.
Pros of Torun
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This place is unbeatable in terms of beauty
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Get stuck into a calm pace of life
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Some classic, traditional food to try out
Cons of Torun
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Traffic through town gets quite bad
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The day-tripping tourists can get annoying
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Could get boring if you like more energy
The old town of Toruń is actually UNESCO-listed. It consists of an old city wall and comes complete with its very own leaning tower and a cathedral for good measure. There’s even a castle founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th-century. Needless to saw, Toruń is heavy on the history.
There may be quite a few tourists who show up, but it’s more of a day trip destination; they all disappear by the evening. Which is when you’ll be free to hit up local restaurants or one of its classic milk bars – perfect for trying traditional Polish food.
Digital Nomad Tip
Warsztat Office Coworking Toruń is a cool, easygoing place to work. There’s also the modern Exea Smart Space, which is a bright and colourful spacious joint that even serves up meals.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to live in all of Poland
Those were the best places to live in Poland. And what a choice!
There are some pretty amazing places to base yourself in this cool country. We’re pretty much in love with the historic towns and cities that make up this Eastern European country. Who knew there were so many?
Whilst you could base yourself in an obvious choice like the Polish capital, or Kraków, choosing somewhere lesser known, but still well connected, could mean a more interesting experience.
Whatever you choose to do and wherever you choose to go – enjoy it!
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