Travelling to Poland? Discover our selection of must-see places to visit in Poznań, the country’s flagship destination and historic cradle.
Poznań is the country’s fifth-largest city, nestled in the Wielkopolska region. Indeed, it was here that the Slavic tribes were unified in the 9th century, forming the first Polish state. Crossed by the Wartan River, Poznań today boasts a number of architectural treasures, including its historic center, its colorful facades and rynek, its market square reputed to be one of the prettiest in the country.
In addition to its heritage, Poznań is first and foremost renowned for its culture and art of living. If it’s considered a trendy destination by many, it’s because it’s halfway between Warsaw and Berlin (in every sense of the word), offering travelers an experience in its own right.
So, what’s there to do in Poznań? What’s not to miss? Follow the guide as we take you on a discovery tour of the so-called « hipster capital »!
1. Stare miasto, the historic center
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Vaflya
Visiting Poznań starts with one of its symbols: the historic center. Set around the market square, Stary Rynek has a welcoming face with its colorful houses. Although the area was destroyed during the Second World War, it has since been rebuilt to its original appearance: some of the mansions built for the city’s merchant elite are even period. In Stary Rynek, take time to stroll through the narrow streets and admire the architecture, before stopping off at the beautiful Baroque church of St. Stanislaus. For a gourmet break, be sure to try the famous St. Martin’s croissant, a specialty of the city and its region.
2. The Town Hall
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Grzejnik
With its Renaissance airs, the Ratusz Town Hall attracts crowds with a strange spectacle. Here, every noon, two pewter goats emerge from the top of the tower, blowing each other’s horns twelve times to the traditional accompaniment of a trumpeter. As you’ll learn when you visit Poznań, goats are a true symbol of the city. And with good reason: they have their own legend, well known to folklore fans!
3 The National Museum
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Ryszard Stelmachowicz
For art lovers, the city’s National Museum is recognized as one of the must-sees in Poznań. Known for its large collection of paintings by Polish and European masters, the museum houses works ranging from Antiquity to the present day. A more contemporary design section has also made its home here.
Its walls are home to the only painting by Monet to be preserved in Poland, La Plage de Pourville. For the record, La Plage de Pourville is not a painting like the others… And with good reason: it was stolen in 2000 and recovered 10 years later. The reason? By cutting out the frame, the thief had simply left his fingerprints!
4. Ostrow tumski, Cathedral Island,
Photo credit: Shutterstock / vvoe
Situated on an island between two branches of the Warta River, Ostrow tumski is home to the country’s oldest cathedral, St. Peter and St. Paul. Renovated several times over the years, it boasts a well-preserved Byzantine-style interior where several kings of Poland are laid to rest. After visiting the cathedral, head for the Porta Posnania museum: entirely interactive, it promises an instructive and entertaining interlude.
5. The Imperial Palace
Photo credit: Shutterstock / ysuel
Europe’s youngest palace! Built in 1910 for Emperor Wilhelm II, the Imperial Palace is now home to the Zamek cultural center and other institutions. If you’re wondering what to do in Poznań, in addition to guided tours, the Imperial Palace hosts a variety of shows and events throughout the year.
6. Stary Browar
Photo credit: Shutterstock / naten
Born as a brewery in the 19th century, Stary Browar is recognized as one of Europe’s most successful architectural conversions. Like the bricks and glasswork, many period features have been retained or reused under the philosophical 50/50 concept. A renovation story like no other, to be discovered during a guided tour of the premises.
In addition to its cultural heritage, Stary Browar is home to a shopping center with 200 stores and restaurants. A park, a club and an arts center also fill out this popular spot for locals and travelers alike.
7. Rodka
Photo credit: Flickr – peterolthof
Wondering what to do in Poznań for a typically local moment? Abandoned by visitors in favor of Stare miasto, the old district of Srodka is now enjoying a small renaissance. With its many cafés and restaurants, it’s a must for locals who enjoy meeting up for a drink.
Take advantage of your visit to sample local specialties and taste the city’s flagship vodka. Then admire the gigantic trompe l’oeil mural by artist Arleta Kolasińska. It’s well worth the detour!
8. The banks of the Warta
Photo credit: Flickr – Przemysław Turlej
A student city par excellence, Poznań also invites you to go out and relax. Nothing beats the banks of the Warta! Perfectly landscaped, they regularly host concerts and open-air cinema sessions, as well as bars and beaches. To visit Poznań is to take full advantage of its art of living!
9. Lake Malta
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Travelsewhere
Less than two kilometers from the city center lies Malta, a man-made lake renowned for its outdoor activities. Here, an artificial ski slope, summer tobogganing, kayak hire and a zoo welcome a cosmopolitan public. In the mood for a stroll? Hop on your bike and discover the specially laid-out paths!
Bars and restaurants are also available, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy a break with a view between two activities.
10. The Malta Festival
Photo credit: Flickr – Malta Festival Poznań
As mentioned above, Poznań’s cultural scene is a must. A local pioneer in the performing arts, the Malta Festival alone has held 29 editions. Every year, when summer rolls around, the Malta Festival takes over public squares and concert halls with an eclectic program. In 2020, make the most of your visit by attending the next edition of the festival: from June 19 to 26!
11. Other things to see and do in Poznań
Photo credit: Shutterstock / taranchic
A cultural and historical center with 42 museums, it’s difficult to draw up an exhaustive list of things to do in Poznań. So here are a few more ideas:
- The Museum of Musical Instruments: unique in Poland, this museum is one of the three largest in Europe in its category. With a rich collection of objects from the four corners of the globe, it’s an invitation to travel and discover.
- A match at the INEA stadium: this stadium is the home of professional soccer club Lech Poznań. In fact, this is where the famous » Let’s all do the Poznań » was invented a practice practised by fans who turn their backs to the pitch and jump on the spot, holding each other by the shoulders. For the record, Manchester United have even adopted this widespread tradition.
- Parc de la Citadelle: located north of the old town and inaugurated during Prussian rule, the park has seen many battles. Today, it is a historical landmark housing several museums linked to its military past. Popular with locals as a park, it hosts art installations and open-air cultural events.
How to get to Poznan
There are several options for visiting Poznań: by plane, train or bus.
The plane
While Poznań can be reached from several French airports, only flights from Paris and Beauvais are direct (average 3-hour flight). Another popular option: if you have the time, first stop over in Berlin or Warsaw before taking the bus to Poznań. From France, there are many low-cost airlines to Berlin or Poznań. Whatever your choice, beware of prices! Depending on the time of year, some fares go through the roof, simply because Warsaw, Berlin or even Poznań are so busy these days. So go for different options and gauge prices on flight comparison sites like Ulysse.
Once at Poznań airport, you can reach the city center, less than 10 kilometers away, in just a few minutes. For this, take the bus (lines 159 and 148 during the day and line 242 at night), private shuttles or cabs. If you want to make the most of Poznań and the surrounding area, you can opt for direct car rental by booking in advance or directly on site at one of the specialist agencies.
Train and bus
By bus
For more adventure, you can reach Poznań via the Flixbus network. Here, you’ll need to be more patient: allow around 24 hours for the journey, with a connection in Berlin or Wroclaw.
By train
The train journey is a little shorter, but it still takes around 16 hours to reach Poznań. There’s also at least one connection in Germany. If you’re already in Berlin or Warsaw (with a first flight from France), getting away to Poznań is easy! Poznań lies on the direct line between the two capitals.
Where to stay in Poznań?
In Poznań, all points of interest are within walking distance. Accommodation is mainly concentrated in the historic district of Stare Miasto. In particular, you can opt for Srodka for an authentic stay. On the other hand, there’s a wide range of accommodation to choose from: apartments, hostels, hotels… there’s something for everyone. In any case, don’t forget that Poznań is a student city, so choose your accommodation carefully! To do so, take a look at a hotel comparator. Use the map and juggle the options to find what you’re looking for. Or opt for Airbnb for a 100% local experience.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Poznań,pl