As someone born in Poland but raised elsewhere, my relationship with the country lies somewhere between “tourist” and “native”. I travel there very frequently to visit family and, over time, I have grown to appreciate my souvenirs from Poland to a fault.
Whether you are going to Poland for the first time or you are a recurring visitor, these are things that I consider absolute “must buy”s from the country.
Table of Contents
1. Kabanosy
Kabanosy (plural for “kabanos” in Polish) are long, thin dried sausages. Every time I go to Poland, they are the number one Polish souvenir request I get from people. And I can understand why.
While I am not a big meat eater myself, I find it impossible to not snack on a kabanos or two when they are around. Kabanosy are made with an aromatic blend of spices that gives them a distinctive smoky flavor. This has earned them a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) classification.
You can find this perfect “grab and go” snack easily at any butcher or convenience shop in the country.
2. Matrioszki
Personally, I’m a sucker for nesting dolls, known as “matrioszki” in Poland. Matrioszki are popular all around Eastern Europe but are subtly different in every country.
Traditionally, they are comprised of five dolls, each smaller in size than the previous one, that can be stored within each other. They are a symbol of matriarchy, representing a chain of mothers carrying on a family’s legacy.
While they were originally created as a toy, these days they are seen as more of a collector’s item. They make perfect Polish gifts for the feminists in your life!
3. Vodka
A lot of people think of vodka as Russian, but the truth is it is Poland that is the ultimate home of vodka.
There are differences between Polish and Russian vodka. While the Russian drink is made from wheat, Polish vodka is made with rye or potatoes. Polish vodka has a sweet, distinct flavor that makes it go down particularly pleasantly. This is why it makes a great souvenir to take back home with you.
Try clear (“czysta”) vodka or choose between the many flavored varieties produced in the country, like apple and walnut. The famous Żubrówka containing bison grass (pictured above) is always a winner!
4. Ptasie Mleczko
If there was a classification for the “official chocolate” of a country, Ptasie Mleczko (which means “bird’s milk” in Polish) would definitely be it in Poland.
Ptasie Mleczko was developed in the 1930s by popular Polish chocolate brand E.Wedel. The brand has, since then, become deeply ingrained in the country’s psyche and has helped Poland earned a spot among Europe’s best chocolate-producing countries.
Ptasie Mleczko chocolates are little rectangular chocolate-covered marshmallows. The marshmallow flavors vary, ranging from vanilla to strawberry, caramel, and anything your heart desires! You are guaranteed to find a flavor you love.
5. Krówki
Speaking of “official candy”, if chocolate is not your thing, choose Krówki as a souvenir. Krówki translates to “little cows” in Polish, a name the candy gets from its iconic black and white wrapper.
These candies are the Polish equivalent of dulce de leche with the consistency of fudge. Made with milk, sugar, glucose syrup, butter, vanilla, and cream, they melt in your mouth.
You don’t have to go to a specialized store to find them. Just pop into any supermarket!
6. Amber
Amber is Poland’s national gemstone. Made from fossilized tree resin, it has been used in the country since the Neolithic period.
Today, you can find it in all Polish cities, mostly in the form of jewelry, handicrafts, and ornaments. But amber has many uses and can even be used in skin care products as its extract has anti-aging and antioxidant properties!
Since it is only a semi-precious stone, it makes for a lovely souvenir that won’t break the bank.
7. Wood carvings
Walking around Polish markets, it is almost certain that you will come across beautiful wood carvings.
From decorative figurines to walking sticks and practical kitchenware, the Poles have mastered the art of carving wood over many centuries. However, this folk art form is starting to slowly fade away in recent years with fewer and fewer young people specializing in it.
This is why a wood carving makes a great gift to take back with you. Not only will you have a beautiful item for your home, but you will also be helping to preserve an endangered tradition!
8. Inglot
In recent years, Poland has taken the world of cosmetics by storm. Inglot is a very successful Polish brand that produces color cosmetics and skincare products.
It was founded in south-eastern Poland in the 1980s to fill a gap in the country’s market. Since then, it has spread out to 80 countries around the world. Known for its high-quality products sold at great prices, Inglot is a favorite of many world-renowned makeup artists.
For the makeup lovers in your life, Inglot products will make a great gift!
9. Pickles
Once you go Polish pickle, you never go back. If you have ever tried the gherkins, in particular, you will agree: Polish ones are far superior to others. Pickles are a huge part of Polish cuisine and culture.
Back in the day, people used to make them by submerging barrels full of pickles in a river and returning to collect them the following spring! While this method is not that common these days, every Polish family has its own special secret recipe for pickling cucumbers and other vegetables, such as cabbage and beetroot.
Before you leave the country, do yourself a favor and grab a jar of the stuff!
10. Gingerbread
If you ever find yourself in Toruń, you must not forget to try the “pierniczki”. These are gingerbread cookies, which the city has a long history of producing.
Since the 13th century, gingerbread has been a very lucrative trade for the northern Polish city of Toruń. Today, you can find some of the oldest confectionary shops in the country there.
Buy some as a souvenir and have them with a nice cup of coffee. It’s a treat that gives Swedish fika a run for its money!
11. Oscypek Cheese
Another Polish PDO product, oscypek is a smoked cheese made in the Tatra mountains. In what is a rather complicated process, shepherds known as “górale” take it upon themselves to milk Polish mountain sheep three times a day to produce this cheese.
The cheese is smoked by the fire in the shepherds’ huts and, as a final touch, it is decorated with intricate designs.
As far as cheese goes, it really doesn’t get any more traditional than oscypek. Its unique look and flavor are bound to please anyone back home.
12. Wool products
While we are on the topic of Polish sheep, the country is home to a special breed called “owca Żelaźnieńska”.
This fleece of this hybrid type of sheep is what is used to produce the famous zelazna wool, which is sheared and spun in central Poland. Zelazna wool is famous for its excellent quality and for being light, and airy.
A hat, sweater, or slippers made from zelazna wool are a great choice of gift to keep you super warm and cozy!
13. Mushrooms
Polish cuisine uses a lot of mushrooms and you can find many different types growing in the country.
In fact, it could be argued that mushroom picking is somewhat of a national hobby and a great way to spend a day in the forest… if you know what you’re doing, of course!
A jar of marinated or dry mushrooms is a great souvenir to get from Poland. Try the boletus variety, which is used as filling in pierogi, or some chanterelles.
14. Wiśniówka
Wiśniówka is a Polish “nalewka”, i.e. an aged cordial. It is made of aromatic cherries combined with vodka or other refined spirits. It is very popular with older generations as an accompaniment for coffee or dessert.
But what surprised me on my most recent trip to Poland is how popular it is becoming with the youth as well. On a cold winter’s day, there’s nothing better than a warmed-up wiśniówka and the young Poles know where it’s at!
Grab yourself a bottle to enjoy with your friends and family back home.
15. Christmas decor
This may not be widely known, but those who visit Poland in the wintertime learn about it very quickly! The country has a long tradition of producing beautifully crafted Christmas ornaments.
Polish baubles are top-tier, made of high-quality mouth-blown glass, and hand-painted with master levels of artisanship.
If you choose to take some back with you, make sure to wrap them very well!
16. Pączki
Pączki are essentially Polish donuts. They may not seem so special, because, let’s face it, every country has its own version of donuts.
But the Polish ones contain a not-so-secret special ingredient: a splash of vodka.
All you have to do is try one and I promise you will be a convert. The traditional day to eat these donuts in Poland is Fat Thursday, but that never stopped anyone from having them on other days!
You can find them in Polish bakeries. Just eat them quickly when you get back home so that they are still fresh and moist!
17. Gnomes
If you have been to Wrocław, you will have undoubtedly noticed all the gnome statues scattered around the city. They can be found literally everywhere: in parks, in front of banks, post offices, cafes, and all sorts of other locations.
There are more than 600 of them in the city and they are all different too. Some are musicians playing the violin, others are gardeners… and there are even little dentist gnomes around! When walking around Wrocław, you have to keep your eyes open and watch when you’re going because you just might trip over one of them!
If this is your kind of vibe, I have good news for you. You can buy replicas as souvenirs. What better way to remember Wrocław than adorn your home with one of these little creatures?
18. Communist memorabilia
The country’s communist past is a sore point for the people of Poland. Most of those who were there during that time suffered greatly and have painful stories to tell.
However, there is also, paradoxically, a sense of nostalgia that surrounds that time. And a lot of visitors to the country are intrigued by this aspect of Poland’s past and want to know more about it.
Luckily for them, there are many communism-themed museums around the country and it is very easy to find communist-era mementos. From medals to pins, posters, and Lenin statuettes, you will not struggle to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Where to buy Polish souvenirs
There are many options for doing your souvenir shopping in Poland. Most cities have great open markets with kiosks where you can find all the traditional products. They also boast very contemporary malls.
But if you’re looking for boutique stores to do your gift shopping, you will also be spoilt for choice.
Pan tu nie stał in Łódź and Warsaw is the place to go for humorous, graphic products that pay homage to Polish culture. You will find anything from clothing to homeware and accessories there.
A fantastic place to go shopping in Kraków is Galeria Jagamakota. It features distinctly Polish quirky artifacts, posters, paintings, and other trinkets that will look amazing in your house.
Punca and Kacper Ryx Historical Shop in Kraków are two more must-visit destinations for Polish crafts, jewelry, and pottery with a traditional feel.
To buy quality amber souvenirs, head to the Museum of Amber of Gdańsk and you will not be disappointed.
If you are in Toruń, don’t forget to pop into Społem for some of the best pierniczki in the country.
Finally, for all your Polish food and drinks needs, visit Biedronka. It is one of the country’s leading supermarkets, where you can get anything from kabanosy to vodka and krówki.
Conclusion
Poland is a great place to shop for souvenirs.
Whether you are looking for something that will adorn your home forever or something that will end up in your belly very fast, one thing is for certain: you will not struggle to spend your money there!
Do you agree? What is your favorite thing you’ve bought from Poland?
