A trip to Bialystok isn't complete without learning about the city's most prominent residents, the aristocratic Branicki tribe. From the 1660s to the early 1800s, the family ruled over the area. Nonetheless, it was one couple, Jan Klemens and his wife Izabela, who contributed the most to the city's growth, specifically urban planning, and historic buildings in the city center. The Branicki Path, which includes the magnificent Branicki Palace, often referred to as the "Polish Versailles," provides a wealth of information about their colorful heritage. This splendid Baroque palace and its surrounding gardens are truly suited for a monarch, which is surprising considering that Jan Klemens came so close to being one. 

A stop at the town hall-that-never-was, with its crisp Baroque architecture and vibrant orange-tiled roof, is also included on the way. The structure was never used for its intended purpose and was only used for exchange on an intermittent basis. It now serves as the offices of the renowned outdoor Podlaskie Museum, as well as one of the city's Jewish Heritage Trail stops.

Jan Klemens Branicki's nucleus, incidentally, is interred in the city's oldest structure, the late-Renaissance former parish church. It is part of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is also Izabela's final resting spot, along with the minor basilica.

The Guest Palace, the Daughters of Charity convent of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Cekhauz/Armoury, the Old Hotel, and the Branicki Palace in Choroszcz are among the other buildings on the Branicki Road that were once part of the family's vast 18th-century estate.

Bialystok is, pardon the pun, a church lover's paradise. Visitors will be able to choose from two church routes starting in September 2019: the current Orthodox Church Route and the old Bialystok Church Route. Whichever route you take, you'll undoubtedly come to a halt at the Holy Spirit East Orthodox Church. It is the largest Orthodox church in Poland and one of the largest in Europe, with an exterior that is stunning and an interior that is nothing short of magnificent. It has Poland's tallest iconostasis and a one-of-a-kind giant chandelier in the shape of a majestic crown. The chandelier, which was installed in Minsk and has a diameter of six meters and twenty feet, wonderfully portrays the Holy Spirit falling to Earth. Try to see the apostles and saints in the stained-glass cuboids, and hope that the chandelier doesn't topple on your head – it weighs in at a whopping 1,200 kg/2,645 lbs.!

Regardless of the path you take, these sights are all worth adding to your bucket list: the Hagia Sophia Orthodox Church of Divine Wisdom, which was modeled after the Hagia Sophia in the former Constantinople (Istanbul); the Saint Sophia Orthodox Church of Divine Wisdom, which was modeled after the Hagia Sophia in the former Constantinople (Istanbul); The Muslim Prayer Building, which now serves as a mosque; and the Cytron Synagogue, which now houses the SLedzinski Museum, which exhibits objects from the renowned SLedzinski family.

The Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker is a little off the beaten path. It houses a reproduction of the well-known and respected Symbol of the Mother of God. Surprisingly, the original artwork was destroyed after the October Revolution in Russia.

The St. Roch Basilica stands out with its magnificent white and modern spire. The shrine is a landmark of Poland's restored freedom and an integral part of the cityscape of Bialystok. Climb the tower if you're feeling adventurous, and you'll be greeted with spectacular views of the capital.

Did you know that Esperanto originated in Poland? Not just that, but it emerged in Bialystok. Tourists who follow the Esperanto and Many Cultures Trail will hear about one of Bialystok's most popular natives, Ludwik Zamenhof, the language's founder(which, interestingly, he conceived in an attempt to facilitate contact among the many nationalities that came to work during the industrial boom). The Wooden Architecture Trail, the Bialystok Factory Owners Trail, and the Bojary Route are among the other activities available.

Before going on a street art search, make sure your camera or tablet is charged and that you're wearing comfortable shoes because there are some seriously amazing works strewn about the area. Girl with a Watering Can by Polish artist Natalia Rak is perhaps the most notable. The mural of a red-headed girl in traditional Polish dress watering a tree adorns the wall of the Chemistry Institute at the University of Bialystok and begs to be shared on social media. Other notable murals include Henryk Sienkiewicz, Rev. Michal Sopocko, and Ludwik Zamenhof, among others, and are all related to themes of tradition, ecology, tolerance, and multiculturalism. Instability, by Italian artist Francesco Camillo Giorgino, aka Millo, is another well-known mural. There are nearly 40 murals to see, so if street art is your thing, make sure you set aside enough time.

The city hosts a number of significant cultural activities, including the Podlasie Octave of Cultures International Festival of Music, Art, and Folklore, the Up To Date Festival, Modern Art Days, Autumn with the Blues, the ubrOFFffka International Short Film Festival, the International Festival of Puppet Theatre for Adults (the Puppet Metamorphoses), and the popular musical show, the Halfway Festival.

Warszawa (Warsaw):

It is the capital of Poland with an estimated population of 1.7 million people. The majority of Polish people migrate to the city for business and education. This is due to the higher education institutions with a vibrant spirit, and it is an important center for culture and sciences. 

After the city was destroyed entirely by World War II, it gained steady progress with years of communism. This helped the city recover in terms of its architecture and commercial structure, both of which are signified by the Palace of Science and Culture and the skyscrapers. 

Kraków (Cracow):

The city has stunning architecture and fine works of art which is a major tourist attraction. It was the ruling place of the royal family and the capital of Poland until 1596. 

As the first university of Poland, the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, is located in Kraków and is regarded as the cradle of Polish science. Kraków has more than 730,000 residents, and it is an important cultural and academic center. 

Wrocław:

It is the fourth largest city in Poland and the capital of Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk). There is a beautiful Old Town with a unique atmosphere that describes its history and location. It spreads across several islands and is surrounded by the Oder River and its tributaries on all sides. 

Gdańsk:

It is a major seaport in Poland and forms the Tricity Metropolis with Sopot and Gdynia along with a population of 750,000 people. Gdansk was an important Hanseatic city, owned by Poland and Germany alternately. This where World War II and the Polish Solidarity Movement began. 

Poznań:

It is among the oldest and largest Polish cities, and due to its Paris-Moscow route, Poznań is an important transport and trade center. Poznań has been the venue for the International Trade Fair since 1925. It also has a good number of universities and research institutes that contribute to its development. 

Łódź:

Łódź is an important city in Poland, and it was the textile-manufacturing hub. It has a Central Museum of Textiles with 19th-century machinery, fabrics, and handicrafts that were once a prominent part of the city’s trade and commerce. The Manufaktura complex, which was once a factory, was restored into a lively arts and culture center. 

Poland has numerous cities and universities that can make your time there worthwhile. Moreover, the value of a degree acquired from any university in this country is far greater than in other European regions.