Formerly known as Posnania, Poznan is one of Poland’s oldest cities. Its streets faithfully reflect the essence of Poland and how it was once the birthplace of the country, as well as a place where Polish monarchs spent their days. If you want to know all the things to do in Poznan, Poland, read on as we tell you all about the ancient capital on the banks of the Varta River.
As you may know, Passporter helps you create your travel itineraries quickly and easily. You can also draw inspiration from the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most and add them to your route.
What to see in Poznan?
Rinek Square: the main square in Poznan, Poland
We think there’s no better way to start your trip, than by taking in all that the main square of Poznan, Rinek Square, has to offer.
This medieval square has gone through phases of decay, having been partially destroyed during the bombings of World War II. Despite this, the restoration that has been carried out is a work to be commended and is a busy spot in the city, perfect for a drink after a long day of sightseeing.
The houses surrounding the square are built in a variety of architectural styles: Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance. As if these brightly coloured houses weren’t enough, scattered around the square you’ll find different sculptures dedicated to Roman gods.
From here you can start your tour of the various points on our list of things to do in Poznan. But we also recommend that you revisit the square at night. Seeing it illuminated by the lights and with the usual crowds is a worthwhile experience.
The City Hall of Poznan
Next to Rinek Square, we come across one of the most impressive town halls to see on our visit to Poland.
Although the original building was razed to the ground by a devastating fire, the restoration of this one is an impeccable job that is not to be missed on your trip to Poznan. The Renaissance style that characterizes this work is much appreciated by locals and visitors to the country.
The clock that crowns the main façade has a legend around it. The great banquet that was held on the day of the inauguration of this clock explains why there are two goats on the top, which mark 12 o’clock.
People say that, after the main course of the banquet, it broke down. The cook tried to replace it with two goats which escaped to the town hall building, thus inspiring the inclusion of the goats as an element to mark the noon and midnight bells.
This has meant that people often gather at midday to see these two goats come out to clash heads and mark the middle of the day. So, if you happen to be in the square at that time, we recommend that you go and see it.
Imperial Castle
Under the orders of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, this impressive neo-Romanesque castle was erected in the early 20th century, at a time when Poznan was under German occupation.
The building housed various institutions, including the University of Poznan, as well as serving as a residence for the President of Poland on certain occasions.
Today, the enclave is home to a cultural centre, which hosts a number of art exhibitions and is a highly recommended experience for lovers of painting.
We also recommend that, should you decide to visit, you climb to the top of the building, as the views are something to behold. You’ll feel like a member of high society.
The Church of San Estanislao
The Church of St. Stanislaus is one of the most beautiful things to see in Poznan, Poland and that is why, in addition to recommending that you see the Cathedral and Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, we could not fail to mention this church.
Built in a Baroque style during the 18th century, it once housed Jesuit monks, becoming in the process one of the most outstanding churches to see in Poznan and Poland, with its beautifully detailed façade and an interior that has nothing to envy on the outside either.
In the interior we find a series of outstanding elements, such as the impressive organ that fills the hall and the details and ornaments of golden colour that finish off the remarkable work of architecture of this church. Access to the Church of San Estanislao is free of charge and open all week long.
The National Museum of Poznan, Poland
Museum lovers are in luck, as the National Museum in Poznan houses a multitude of works by various renowned artists. Not only from Poland, but also from neighbouring countries and even works by Spanish artists such as Velázquez.
In addition to contemporary art exhibitions, the museum’s tour includes Romanesque and Gothic works, typical of the period in which many of the city’s monuments were built. There are examples of 15th-century Italian painting, as well as works of Flemish and Dutch influence.
One of the most recognizable works is by Claude Monet. It was missing for a long time and now has a home in this museum. Be sure to visit this museum, as it is a very culturally enriching experience.
The Cathedral and Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul
One of the oldest churches in Poland: the Cathedral and Basilica of St Peter and St Paul. This was the first cathedral in Poznan and Poland, erected in 968.
Interestingly, it is built on one of the islands formed by the Varta River, which flows through the capital of Poznan. Although some parts of the building have undergone renovations over the years, it has an air of an old building that takes you back centuries.
The cathedral’s façade, crowned by the two sober towers that accompany it, is intricately detailed Gothic style, a true architectural marvel.
Best of all: admission is free. If you take the opportunity to visit, wandering the adjoining streets is also a very good idea, as they add a lot of charm to the visit.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Poznan?
If you have more time to visit the area, we recommend that you check out the different places we have detailed below, as there is plenty to see in and around Poznan.
Lake Malta
Near the city, we find this lake that was created artificially, from the water of the Varta River that runs through the city of Poznan in Poland.
It’s one of the main green spots in Poznan and is a great place to relax, picnic or even play sports (as many locals do). If you’re visiting Poznan in its hottest season, a dip in the water is a great way to beat the summer heat.
Getting there is really easy, as you can either walk or take a bus, which will drop you off at the lake in just a few minutes. The truth is that it’s really easy and cheap to get there.
Torun
If you prefer to get a little further away from Poznan and visit another city in this beautiful country, we recommend you go to Torun. It’s one of the few cities that didn’t suffer so much from the ravages of World War II, so it retains the essence of Poland very faithfully.
Famous for its gingerbread, Torun is a beautiful city with a historic old town that’s not to be missed. It’s also the birthplace of Copernicus and you can visit the renowned astronomer’s house, where an exhibition gives a detailed account of his life.
We recommend you take the train from Poznan, which will take you to Torun in an hour-and-a-half journey, costing around €15.
Visit Poznan in 1 day
Poznan is a city steeped in history, with great castles and churches to discover. We’ve put together this short list to make your trip to Poznan much more enjoyable. Make sure you don’t miss out on all the must-see sights.
- Rinek Square
- The Poznan City Hall
- The Cathedral and Basilica of St. Peter and Paul
- The National Museum of Poznan
How to get to Poznan, Poland?
The most convenient option is to take a flight from the main cities in Spain. It will take you to Poznan Airport in Poland.
There are flights to Spain for around €150, at times like May, although you should bear in mind that most of them stop over in a city before arriving in Poznan.
Best Accommodation in Poznan, Poland
We have prepared a small list of accommodation, to make it much easier to find places to stay in Poznan:
- Old House Apartment Poznan: If you want to be centrally located with all the amenities and privacy, these flats are a great option. The price is around €50 per night.
- Hotel Stare Miasto Old Town: This charming and cosy classic-style hotel is perfectly located. It costs around €45 per night, so we’ve had to add it to the list.
- Moon Hostel: If you’re looking for a more affordable option, but without sacrificing comfort, this hostel is perfectly located and costs around €25 per night.
Where to eat in Poznan, Poland?
Polish cuisine is outstanding and not as well known as other cuisines. That’s why we don’t want you to leave without trying it. So, we’ve picked out a few places for you to enjoy:
- A Noz Widelec: A top-notch culinary offering, with everything Polish cuisine has to offer and more. The price is around €20 per head, and it’s a bit out of the centre.
- Rynek 95: A Poznan classic, just a few metres from the main square. A combination of local food and other cuisines, it also has a bar serving delicious cocktails. You can eat for around €20 per head.
- Na Winklu: A small place to eat spectacular pierogis. These small pasties, typical of Poland, are presented on the premises with various fillings and sauces to go with them. Price about €10 per head.
Tips on travelling to Poznan, Poland
- The currency in Poznan, Poland, is the Polish Zloty (PLN).
- If you are travelling from a country with another currency, we recommend that you exchange currency in advance.
- The best time to visit Warsaw is from May to September, when temperatures are milder.
- There is no Roaming in Poland, you can use the internet on your mobile phone without any problems.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel insured.
- In some parts of Poland, it’s frowned upon not to tip in restaurants.
How to organize what things to do on a trip to Poznan, Poland?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post.
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app. Recommend other travellers what to see in Poznan, Poland.
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Poznan
We recommend that you take the plane. It is true that you will have to make a stopover, but it is the fastest and most comfortable option. If you are in other parts of the country, for example Warsaw, the train is a very good way to get to Poznan.
The Polish Zloty is used in Poland. At the exchange rate, €1 is equivalent to 4,6 zloties.
No Comments