2 Best Sights in The Baltic Coast and Pomerania, Poland

In 1230, the Teutonic Knights arrived on the banks of the Vistula River and settled here, aiming to establish their own state on these conquered Prussian lands. The castle passed into Polish hands after the second Toruń Treaty in 1466 concluded the 13-year war between the Poles and the Order of Teutonic Knights. For the next three centuries, Malbork served as the royal residence for Polish kings during their annual visit to Pomerania. The castle was half-destroyed during World War II, after which the building underwent a major renovation. Two-hour guided tours offer the best way to see the castle; tours are available in English, and there's an English-language guidebook in the gift shop. You can easily see the castle on a day-trip from Gdańsk (several local companies offer organized tours), but there is a hotel on the castle grounds if you want to spend the night.

Szczecin still carries many reminders of its medieval heritage, including the grandiose castle, built on the left bank of Odra, which, due to its favorable defensive position, was inhabited as early as the 8th or 9th century. The oldest surviving parts date back to the 14th century and the reign of prince Barnim III. The clock tower dates from the beginning of the 16th century; later in that century, it was expanded by by prince Barnim X and again by Jan Fryderyk. Eventually, the castle grew to have four wings and a courtyard decorated with picturesque loggias, reminiscent of Wawel in Kraków. In the 17th century a fifth wing was added, creating a second narrow courtyard and a second tower (the bell tower, which, incidentally, offers the best panoramic view of the city). Today the reconstructed castle is a cultural center.