Some places in Poland are difficult to describe in a single word. The northeastern most region of Podlasie is one of them. Here, cultures, religions and traditions intertwine, shaped by centuries of coexistence.
It is in this diversity — alongside the unspoilt landscapes and brightly painted wooden villages — that Podlasie’s distinctive charm lies. For travellers in search of authenticity and calm, it is a place that rewards unhurried exploration.
Where cultures meet
Podlasie is one of the most multicultural regions in Poland. For centuries, Poles, Belarusians, Lithuanians, Jews and Tatars lived here side by side, each leaving traces in architecture, cuisine and local customs.
In Kruszyniany and Bohoniki, historic wooden mosques still serve the Tatar community. The mosque in Kruszyniany, the oldest of its kind in Poland, is modest in scale but rich in atmosphere, with minaret towers topped by crescent moons. Next to them, Tatar cemeteries — known as mizars — offer a serene and symbolic reminder of centuries-old traditions.
Orthodox churches, both monumental and tiny, painted in vivid blues and greens, stand across the region, particularly near Hajnówka and Bielsk Podlaski. Catholic wooden churches share the same landscapes, while towns such as Tykocin and Orla still preserve traces of once-thriving Jewish communities, with many synagogues now serving as museums of Jewish life.
This overlapping of faiths and communities remains central to Podlasie’s identity.
The green lungs of Poland
Podlasie is sometimes called the “green lungs of Poland” for good reason. It is home to some of Europe’s wildest and most significant natural areas.
Białowieża Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shelters hundreds of animal species, including the European bison. Encountering this majestic creature in its natural habitat is an unforgettable experience, particularly on a guided walk with a local ranger.
Equally striking are Narew and Biebrza National Parks. Narew is nicknamed the “Polish Amazon” thanks to its maze-like network of river channels and floodplains, while Biebrza protects some of Europe’s last remaining natural wetlands, a vast expanse of marshes and peat bogs that play a vital role in biodiversity and ecosystem protection.
A paradise for birds… and those who watch them
With more than 270 recorded bird species, Podlasie is a dream destination for birdwatchers. Storks, cranes, lesser spotted eagles, ruffs and aquatic warblers can all be seen in the Biebrza and Narew river valleys.
Observation towers and boardwalks make birdwatching accessible without disturbing the wildlife. For many visitors, mornings here begin not with alarms but with a chorus of birdsong, awakening visitors to a new ornithological adventure in the wetlands.
It’s nature in its purest form — calm, attentive, immersed in the sights and sounds of the wild.
Folklore that lives on
Tradition in Podlasie is not confined to museums — it’s a living and cherished part of everyday life in towns and villages across the region.
Seasonal fairs and festivals, such as the Podlasie Bread Festival or International Festival of Folklore, often showcase music, dance and colourful costumes, while regional crafts markets display woven rugs, embroidered linen and pottery.
Traditional workshops are also popular with visitors. Locals teach Tatar pastry-making in villages such as Kruszyniany, the art of Easter egg (pisanki) decoration in Supraśl, or basket weaving and bread-baking in rural homesteads around Białowieża.
These are not only tourist attractions, but genuine opportunities to connect with local communities eager to keep their traditions and stories alive.
Flavours of many cultures
Podlasie’s culinary heritage mirrors its cultural diversity. Dishes are simple, hearty, and rich in aroma.
At mealtimes, you’ll often find babka ziemniaczana on the table – a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside potato bake — and kiszka ziemniaczana, a potato sausage filled with onion, bacon and spices and baked to perfection.
Standout Tatar specialities include pierekaczewnik, a spiral pastry filled with meat, cheese or apples, requiring hours of careful preparation. It’s a culinary symbol of hospitality and attention to detail, protected under EU law as a regional product.
Local farms and markets also offer smoked fish, Podlasie cheeses, homemade preserves and honey. Hospitality is also a hallmark of the region, with guests often invited to share meals, talk and celebrate together as if part of the family.
Quiet, but never dull
Podlasie may not be rich in gold, but it is wealthy in nature, culture and human kindness. It is a place that encourages slowness, mindfulness and respect — for the land, for history and for one another.
For many travellers, it is one of the last corners of Poland where you can feel the “real Poland”: a place of deep continuity where diversity endures, communities still welcome and landscapes still feel wild.
Podlasie does not shout; it whispers. This is your invitation to lean in and listen.
