Bialowieza Travel Guide

 
by kriskos1
 
  •   Bialowieza
    by kriskos1
  •   Bialowieza
    by kriskos1
  •   Bialowieza
    by kriskos1
  • entry gate of bialowieza national park
      entry gate of bialowieza national park
    by sphynxxs
  • Unikat restaurant, Bialowieza
      Unikat restaurant, Bialowieza
    by sphynxxs
 

Pro

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 The primeval forests, the bison, the beautiful nature 


Con

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 Mosquitos 


In a nutshell

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 Bialowieza – reminder of medieval forest of Europe. 

 

Explore Bialowieza

Things to Do  

Oldest preserved house

Oldest preserved house, Bialowieza

 Raimix Says:  It is counted as the oldest surviving building in Belowieza. Possibly it was built at the end of 19th century, when it was hunting place of Russian tsar. Actually house has traditional Russian looking style, with beautifully carved details. Such style appeared in this region... 

Former manor

Former manor, Bialowieza

 Raimix Says:  Some parts of former manor from Russian empire times still left in Bialowieza. It was built in the end of 19th century (1888) and was called as summer residency of hunting. The palace got burned at 1944, so nowadays here is the main building of Bialowieza national museum.... 

Forest of Bialowieza

Forest of Bialowieza, Bialowieza

 Raimix Says:  Forest of Bialowieza is one of the most preserved in Europe. It consists mostly of leafy trees. The most famous plants here – old and massive oak trees. The main symbol of this natural reserve is recently reproduced European bisons. Nowadays there are about 250 bisons in... 

Bialowieza National Park museum

Bialowieza National Park museum, Bialowieza

 Raimix Says:  Museum buildings seems to be new one, it was built instead of burned main palace of Tsar’s manor. The exhibition was extremely nice and modern. Actually the exhibits (mainly flora, fauna) were shown as copies of natural surroundings with special lights, targeted into places... 

Reserve of Bialowieza forest animals

Reserve of Bialowieza forest animals, Bialowieza

 Raimix Says:  Reserve nearby Bialowieza is made to demonstrate bigger animals of forest. It is as zoo – looking place, there is possible to see famous Europeans bisons, wolves, wild horses, boars, deer, foxes, lynxes and so on. The entrance of reservoir is full of sellers, who offer... 

The European Bison Show Reserve

The European Bison Show Reserve, Bialowieza

 evaanna Says:  This is an absolute must do when you are staying in Bialowieza as it may be your life chance to see a live European bison. There a few herds of bison living in the wild in the primeval forest on the Polish side of the border (450 animals altogether) but you are not likely to... 

go visit the bisons

go visit the bisons, Bialowieza

 sphynxxs Says:  Bialowieza National Park is Poland´s oldest national park, home of the largest bison population as well as of boars, wolves, deer etc. It is a "protected zone" which you may enter only with a guide/ranger of the national park for security reasons 

Biking

Biking, Bialowieza

 Jawnuta Says:  Biking in and around Bialowieza is an experience on its own. You will be able to move quickly and discover the place not only using your eyes, but also your ears and nose. Bialowieza has amazing sounds and aromas.We rented our bikes from a local place located in the... 

Folk Museum near Bialowieza

Folk Museum near Bialowieza, Bialowieza

 evaanna Says:  The Folk Museum near Bialowieza is a must see if you visit the area. It displays a number of traditional thatched cottages, a tiny chapel, some windmills, and other old farm buildings typical of the area. It's a living museum - a number of enthusiasts live there to... 

Hotels  

Bialowieski

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Restaurants  

KARCZMA U JANKIELA (Jankiel's Inn): Old Polish cuisine

KARCZMA U JANKIELA (Jankiel's Inn): Old Polish cuisine, Bialowieza

 gosiaPL Says:  We didn't have any meal there as it was booked for a wedding reception when we chose to go there on a Saturday evening. What a pity, it was only 10 minute's walk from our guesthouse!It is at the charming Soplicowo business and recreation complex in Bialowieza, built in the... 

Unikat: boar and wisent on the plate

Unikat: boar and wisent on the plate, Bialowieza

 sphynxxs Says:  in the typical wooden structure of houses in Bialowieza, this is one of the biggest restaurants, adjacenct to a guesthouse which is also quite cozy and centrally located. food is filling and of the hearty Polish kind that comes very welcome on a cold winter day boar pate 

Unikat: Your everyday place to eat

Unikat: Your everyday place to eat, Bialowieza

 Jawnuta Says:  The place is located in the middle of Bialowieza. Close to the museum and to the orthodox church.It has typical polish food. There is a large, bright room downstairs and nice outdoor garden at front and on the sides.They have a waiter service, but if you in a hurry you can... 

Bialowieza Towarowa: fancy, fancy

Bialowieza Towarowa: fancy, fancy, Bialowieza

 Jawnuta Says:  It is probably the best restaurant in 100 km radius.I remember it from my childhood as a train station with small ticket office and beautiful tiled furnace. I used to take a train from there to go to local town Hajnowka shopping with my grandmother. When I came back about 10... 

Carska Restaurant in Bialowieza: Run away from this restaurant-it is hell !!!

Carska Restaurant in Bialowieza: Run away from this restaurant-it is hell !!!, Bialowieza

 Mollydd Says:  I would like to write about dodgy restaurant.I wanted to have my wedding there.They were blackmailing me 2 weeks before my wedding.They almost destroyed my wedding.They ignored all the arrangments,gave me a list of food I haven't wanted without prices even.When I have asked... 

Shopping  

Stalls outside the Bison Reserve: After you have seen the bison
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4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

evaanna 1274 reviews
Local handicraft: a horse, a colt  and a cart.

The stalls and individual sellers just outside the Bison Reserve are well-worth a look.
Selling the local handicraft: handwoven baskets, embroidered table linen, objects made of straw or grass (very cute toy mice, for instance), they charge less than the city shops where you can also find some of these things. So get your souvenirs and presents while you are there. You'll pay much more for exactly the same products at the Cepelia shops.
In the picture: rather big samples of local handicraft outside the local bar.

What to buy: Local handicrafts, a special kind of grass repelling moths (zubrowka). Mind, the name Zubrowka is also a name for a famous Polish vodka with a few blades of this grass inside the bottle, so you should say "trawa zubrowka" when asking for just the grass.

What to pay: Real bargains!

Updated Jan 9, 2010

Address: Outside the Bison Reserve, Bialowieza

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Road Trip

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Local Customs  

Drink local beer!

Drink local beer!, Bialowieza

 gosiaPL Says:  Zubr is one of the two local beers coming from the Dojlidy brewery in Bialystok. You may find it is a bit on the stronger side with the 6.2% alcohol content but it's really nice!"Zubr" is the Polish word for "lowland bison" so it's the beer to try if you go to Bialowieza :-)... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Mind the Belarussian border

Mind the Belarussian border, Bialowieza

 evaanna Says:  While wandering around the primeval forest outside the strict reserve, be careful not to cross the border with Belarus or you might be in for trouble. Some stretches of the border look just like an ordinary path so better check on the map. Have your passport on you, just in... 

Make sure to drink the right beer!!!

Make sure to drink the right beer!!!, Bialowieza

 Jawnuta Says:  When traveling it is important to comply with general rules.So, while in Bialowieza make sure you are drinking the right beer.ZUBER beer is one of your choices.Please, make sure to be extra careful. You don't wan to be caught with let say.... a budwaiser.... That would be a... 

Favorites  

Watch the bison while you can

Watch the bison while you can, Bialowieza

 evaanna Says:  I haven't been to Bialowieza for a few years and it will now be even harder for me to get there as it is such a long way from Gdynia, where we moved two years ago. So I was thrilled to discover a website where you can watch the European bison when they come to feed in... 

Bialowieza in wintertime

Bialowieza in wintertime, Bialowieza

 evaanna Says:  I have never been to Bialowieza in the winter but this year my cousin went there with her friends for the New Year's Eve. They seem to have enjoyed it enormously, especially the bonfire and the fairytale scenery of the winter forest. See for yourselves as I have been given... 

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Map of Bialowieza