The Tour de Pologne is Poland’s annual professional men’s multiple-stage bicycle race. Here are some key details about this prestigious cycling event: Overview
- It consists of seven stages over seven days of racing, covering a total distance of 1,000-1,200 km.
- First held in 1928, it is one of the world’s oldest continuously running cycling stage races.
- Since 2005, it has been categorised as a UCI World Tour event, the highest level of professional road cycling races.
Notable Facts
- The race attracts professional cyclists worldwide and is broadcast to over 100 countries.
- Around 3.5 million spectators gather along the route to watch the race yearly.
- Four different jerseys are awarded: yellow (general classification leader), pink (mountains classification), white (sprints classification), and navy blue (most active rider).
- Only two riders have won the race while wearing the yellow jersey from start to finish: Józef Stefański in 1929 and Bolesław Napierała in 1937.
- Polish riders have won the most editions with 52 victories, followed by Belgium with 6 wins.
Significance
- It is considered Poland’s biggest annual sporting event, captivating the nation and inspiring future generations of cyclists.
- Over the years, the race has helped showcase talented young riders, with past winners like Alberto Contador and Remco Evenepoel going on to become Grand Tour champions.
In summary, the Tour de Pologne is a prestigious and long-running cycling stage race that draws top talent, huge crowds, and national pride in Poland each year.
Planning To Visit The Event
The downside to planning to go to spectate at the Tour De Pologne is that route of the event is not released until the month before. Poland has a total area of approximately 312,696 square kilometres (120,733 square miles). This makes it the 9th largest country in Europe and the 69th largest in the world.
They plan new routes each year to showcase the country, the 2023 edition started in Poznań after 16 years not covering that part of the country. So flight, rooms and car hire becomes a scramble.
Tourists on Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland.
Event Details
Official Website
Month
July/August
Number Of Days
7 days
Country
Poland
Entry Costs
Pro Riders/Teams Only
Currency
Euro: 1 = £0.86 (Check)
Visa Requirements
No
Carnets
What is a Carnet, The ATA Carnet, often referred to as the “Passport for goods”, is an international customs document that permits the tax-free and duty-free temporary export and import of nonperishable goods for up to one year
Hotel Cost
Range: ££ – £££££
Food Cost
££ – £££££
Weather
- Average Temp (Jun): 12C (54F) to 24C (75F)
- Hours of Sunlight: 7 hours
- Average Rain: 60mm to 77mm
Flights
- Daily
- Cost: £ – £££
Travel Advice
Useful Info
More Cycling Events
Visiting as A Spectator
Is it worth travelling to watch the Tour of Poland? Yes, it is worth the visit if cycling is in your bones. Even if you’re not an avid cyclist, travelling to Poland and immersing yourself in the culture and the event will give you many positive experiences.
We found that Poland has some amazing history, things to see and do, We thought a week would be enough to watch the cycling and take in the culture, but we felt that we had missed so much.
We cant wait to visit again and experience the culture, warmth and the food of the Polish people.
Getting There
Flights to Poland can be quite inexpensive but be aware from experience the cost of flights to Poland do go up once the Tour de Pologne route is announced.
Here are some of the departing flights from Manchester:
- Ryanair FR8308 departing at 5:40 PM, arriving at 8:55 PM, priced from £28 (round trip) will take 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Ryanair FR2141 departing at 12:35 PM, arriving at 4:05 PM, priced from £188 (round trip) will take 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- KLM KL1028 KL1337 departing at 5:55 AM, arriving at 1:35 PM, priced from £214 (round trip) will take 6 hours and 40 minutes.
- KLM KL1036 KL1339 departing at 5:30 PM, arriving at 11:05 PM, priced from £214 (round trip) will take 4 hours and 35 minutes.
- Lufthansa LH2505 LH1622 departing at 6:55 AM, arriving at 12:45 PM, priced from £227 (round trip) will take 4 hours and 50 minutes.
Things To Do
Car Rental
Renting a car is a great way to explore Poland, especially if you’re planning on visiting multiple cities or towns along the route of the Tour de Pologne. Here are some things to keep in mind when renting a car in Poland:
- Requirements: To rent a car in Poland, you must be at least 21 years old (the age may vary depending on the rental company) and have a valid driver’s license that has been held for at least one year. An international driver’s license is recommended but not always mandatory.
- Insurance: Be sure to inquire about the rental company’s insurance options. Basic insurance is usually included in the rental rate, but you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage for peace of mind.
- Costs: The cost of car rental in Poland will vary depending on the size and type of car you rent, the length of your rental, and the rental company you choose. You can expect to pay anywhere from €30 to €100 per day for a basic economy car.
- Pick-up and Drop-off: Rental cars can be picked up and dropped off at airports, train stations, and city centres.
Car Hire Companies
Public Transport
Public transport is a great way to get around Poland, especially in the larger cities. Here’s a breakdown of the different options:
- Buses and trams: These are the most common forms of public transport in Polish cities. They are generally reliable and affordable and can take you to most parts of the city. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at bus stops or the driver on board. Be sure to validate your ticket when you board the bus or tram.
Metro: Warsaw is the only city in Poland with a metro system. The metro is a fast, easy, and affordable way to get around the city. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at metro stations.
Trains: Trains are a good option for travelling between cities in Poland. Polish Railways (PKP) operates the national railway network, and there are a variety of train types available, including InterCity (IC), Express (EX), and TLK trains. Tickets can be purchased online or at train stations.
Here are some tips for using public transport in Poland:
- Plan your trip: Before you travel, take some time to plan your trip. Several websites and apps can help you plan your route and find the best way to get around.
- Purchase tickets in advance: If you are travelling on a long-distance train, purchasing your tickets in advance is a good idea. It will save you time at the train station.
- Validate your ticket: Be sure to validate your ticket as soon as you board the bus, tram, or metro. If you are caughtwithout a valid ticket, you will be fined.
- Learn some basic Polish: We found that a few basic Polish phrases can go a long way when using public transport in Poland. For example, “dzień dobry” (good morning), “do widzenia” (goodbye), and “proszę” (please) were always appreciated.
Buy Polish Train Tickets
Staying in Poland
The Tour of Poland happens between August 12th and August 18th 2024. Here are some hotels you can consider during these dates:
- Sheraton Poznan Hotel – Polished lodging offering eclectic dining & a vodka bar, plus an indoor pool & a 24-hour gym. Price: £70 per night.
- Novotel Szczecin Centrum – Bright rooms in a contemporary hotel offering a restaurant & a bar, plus a gym, a sauna & a pool. Price: £53 per night.
- Hilton Swinoujscie Resort & Spa – Contemporary quarters in a chic hotel with restaurants & sea views, plus a spa & an indoor pool. Price: £196 per night.
- Hyatt Place Krakow – Relaxed rooms & suites with smart TVs in a sleek hotel offering an eatery, bar & gym, all open 24/7. Price: £71 per night.
- Pensjonat Silverton – Informal rooms & suites with balconies, in an alpine-style guesthouse featuring a bright restaurant. Price: £24 per night.
Polish Cuisine
Polish food is known for being hearty and flavorful, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Here are some of the most popular Polish dishes that we like.
- Pierogi(dumplings): These are perhaps the most iconic Polish food. They are made with dough that is filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings, such as potato and cheese, sauerkraut and mushrooms, or fruit. They are then boiled or fried and served with a dollop of sour cream or melted butter.
- Zupa ogórkowa(sour cucumber soup): This is a light and refreshing soup that is perfect for a summer day. It is made with sour cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, and dill.
- Żurek(sour rye soup): This is a hearty and flavourful soup that is perfect for a winter day. It is made with fermented rye flour, vegetables, and sausage.
- Kotlet schabowy(breaded pork cutlet): This is a popular Polish dish that is made with a pork loin that is breaded and fried. It is often served with potatoes and a side of vegetables.
- Pączki(jelly doughnuts): These are sweet doughnuts that are filled with fruit jam and dusted with powdered sugar. They are a popular treat during Polish Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek), which is the day before Lent.
Cycling in Poland
Major cities like Warsaw, Gdansk, and Wroclaw have seen significant improvement in recent years with dedicated bike lanes. These are generally considered decent by cyclists.
Countryside:
- Rural areas tend to have cycling routes that utilize less busy roads and dirt tracks.
- National roads (marked with a red number on signs) are generally not recommended for cycling due to high traffic volume and speed limits.
Overall:
- Despite these improvements, there are still challenges. Existing infrastructure can be poorly maintained, blocked by parked cars, or serve pedestrians as well as cyclists.
- There’s a lack of dedicated cycling roads in many areas.
- Safety can be a concern due to driver behavior and speeding.
The good news:
- Cycling is becoming increasingly popular in Poland, and authorities are recognizing the need for better infrastructure.
- The EU is providing significant funding to support cycling investments, with Poland allocating nearly €800 million from the EU Structural Funds for the 2021-2027 period – the highest among member states.
- There are also long-distance cycling routes like the Green Velo, a nearly 2000 km route in eastern Poland, which is a popular choice for cycle tourists.
- Of course if you are planning to take your cycle to Poland make sure you take it in a Bike Box.
