adminI’ll be honest – before this trip, I had never heard of Opolskie area. This small region in southern Poland sits quietly between Krakow and Wrocław, is often overlooked by travelers. But that’s exactly what makes me curious. In times of geopolitical tension, Poland might not top most travelers’ bucket lists. So I believe it’s time to shine a positive light on this side of Europe. Especially Poland, a country that I came to know last year as incredibly welcoming. A country with stunning landscapes and historical landmarks that haven’t been affected by mass tourism.
How to get to Wrocław
From Belgium, it takes just an hour and a half to fly from Brussels Charleroi to Wrocław. You can find the cheapest tickets here.
After a short flight from Charleroi to Wrocław Airport, our driver Maciej greets us with a “Belgian Bloggers Trip” sign and a big smile. The ride to Nysa offers the first glimpse of the Polish countryside. Golden fields, sleepy villages and forests glowing in autumn colors catch my eye.
Polish Hospitality
We start our stay in the Opolskie Voivodeship with a chocolate-making workshop at the Local Product Center in Nysa. Making our own chocolate and cookies from local ingredients is both fun and delicious, the perfect icebreaker.
After all that sweetness, a drink is more than welcome, right? Polish wines are on the rise. Due to climate change, the conditions for growing grapes in the country have become increasingly favourable. There are now over 500 registered vineyards covering some 750 hectares. The Polish wine market is also evolving in quality. Consumers are trading up, with premium and super-premium wines growing faster than average.
Knowing all this, our next stop, quite logically, is at a winery. Dom Charbielin is a beautiful winery surrounded by vineyards. We join a wine walk and taste regional wines while learning how winemaking in Opolskie has experienced a strong growth in recent years. And with a glass of wine like this, some local cheeses, bread and grape oil tasted absolutely wonderful!
We spend the night at Aspen Prime Ski & Bike Resort, a modern mountain retreat perfect for outdoor lovers. After a hearty dinner of traditional Polish dishes, I fell asleep with the peaceful sound of the wind in the trees.
Cycling and Castles
Cycling tour
The morning begins with a cycling tour through the rolling hills of Opolskie. We start at the resort in Podlesie. I’m relieved when I see a row of e-bikes waiting for us at the entrance. A little electric support is more than welcome in this hilly landscape!
We follow part of the cycling trail known as the “Witches’ Route”. This long-distance route is created to highlight the tragic wave of witch trials in the 17th century. Driven often by greed or revenge, hundreds of people – mainly women, but also children – were sentenced to death. In the 17th and 18th centuries, surviving as an independent, free-spirited woman with her own opinions was anything but easy!
Our route along the Czech border is also known as a gold mining area. In total, 6 tons of gold have already been extracted here. An estimated 5 tons are still waiting for brave prospectors. In the border town of Jarnoltowek, the World Gold Mining Championships take place every year!
We head back to the resort via a dam that seems a bit forgotten between the forests and fields. But nothing could be further from the truth. The dam is essential for the area. During periods of heavy rainfall, it prevents the lower-lying regions and houses from flooding.
Idylic lunch
After the bike tour, we hit the road again. We stop for lunch at Dębowe Wzgórze, enjoying local specialties like pierogi and wild mushroom soup. For cyclists and hikers, this region is a dream, quiet roads, nature all around and genuine hospitality.This place isn’t just a restaurant. There are also around 50 guest rooms and a banquet hall. A real gem!
Moszna Castle
Our next stop is Moszna Castle. Honestly, it took my breath away. With 99 towers and 365 rooms, it looks like something straight from a fairytale. Walking through its ornate halls and gardens felt like stepping back in time. No wonder this is the favorite backdrop for couples getting married in the area. The castle consists of three parts, built at different times. The history of this place is quite unique as well. According to our guide, the castle once simply served as a home – “a castle is really just a house for very wealthy people.” During the war, soldiers took up residence here. A few decades later it was used as a psychiatric hospital. Today, it’s not only a castle you can explore on guided tours, but also a hotel.
Not far from the castle, you’ll find a very special place: the Museum of Scrap Sculpture. It’s a small museum where artist Sebastian Kucharski showcases his creations. He turns scrap metal into the most imaginative figures, often inspired by movies. Many of his pieces will definitely ring a bell. His artworks are unique and sought-after all over the world. They’re not always static figures,to some of them actually move! I personally don’t need to be close to a jumping spider, but it is fascinating to see the creative construction behind it.
That evening, we reach Opole, the region’s capital. Dinner at Hotel Szara Willa is refined yet cozy, followed by an evening walk through the so-called Venice of Opole. Reflections of colorful buildings shimmered on the river, a scene that captured the region’s quiet charm.
The Soul of Opole
A city walk in Opole
We spend the morning exploring Opole’s Old Town, the Tenement House Museum and the iconic Piast Tower.
Opole is one of Poland’s oldest cities, yet it feels young and vibrant, full of students, art and history on every corner. Opole was a German city until World War II, after which it became part of Poland. Because more than 30% of the population still speaks German, you’ll still see the language appear in the streets today, for example on street name signs. The war left a dark chapter in Opole’s history, and you can still feel that here. One of the city’s two synagogues was destroyed during Kristallnacht. A monument and old photographs now offer a subtle yet unmistakable reminder.
These days, Opole is best known for something far more unifying: the city’s annual song festival. On the main square, you’ll even find a real ‘Walk of Fame.’ Every year, a new star is added to honor someone who has made a significant contribution to the music industry.
Want a beautiful overview of this city on the Oder River? Climb the 163 steps of the Piast Tower!
A perfect lunch spot is Grabówka (famous for its pancakes), next to the river.
Museum of the Opole Countryside
If you want to dive into the region’s past, head to the Museum of the Opole Countryside. In this open-air museum, wooden windmills and traditional cottages tell the story of rural life. The museum was created to give visitors a glimpse of what a Polish farming village looked like from the 18th to the 20th century. You’ll also get an insight into old crafts, such as a tailor’s workshop or the preparation of a type of flatbread typical for this region. And by the way, it tastes delicious!
Niemodlin Castle
We arrive at a second castle in the region, Niemodlin castle, and it’s buzzing with activity. The carp festival is in full swing. We take a moment to stroll past the stalls filled with local treats, a stage where local bands and choirs are performing their hearts out, and games all themed around carp. Our guide awaits us at the castle gate. The castle itself still needs some renovation work, but the stories make up for everything. The spooky ghost legends are absolutely spectacular and add a mysterious touch to the day! It’s definitely an intriguing place.
We end our evening in Hotel Zamkowy Młyn in Krapkowice, a cozy riverside hotel. Another delicious dinner with local specialties..
On the drive back to the airport, I realized how diverse Opolskie truly is. Within a few days, I’d experienced wine tastings, cycling, castles, historic cities and nature walks, all without crowds or stress. This region might be one of Poland’s best-kept secrets, and one worth sharing.
Travel tips
✅ Travel Tips for Visiting Opolskie
- Getting there: Fly to Wrocław or Katowice and rent a car.
- Where to stay:
- Aspen Prime Ski & Bike Resort – Outdoor paradise
- Hotel Szara Willa – Urban comfort
- Hotel Zamkowy Młyn – Riverside magic
- What to do: Cycling, hiking, castle tours, wine tastings, kayaking on the Oder.
- When to go: Spring and autumn for the best colors and temperatures.
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