Poznan is a sophisticated small city in Poland. Even though it is compact, the city has stunning architecture and is well worth a visit. When I visited Poznan, I initially thought of finding a quiet city to relax in for a few days. However, after exploring the city, I discovered several interesting things to do in Poznan. That said, in this travel guide to Poznan, I’ll share some travel tips for your visit to this beautiful Polish city, which surprised me with its kindness and architecture.
Specifically, you’ll find info about how to reach the city, the best hotels in Poznan, and the things you must see while visiting. Moreover, I will also propose some great organized tours in the city and write some budgeting tips. Last but not least, in case you need more info, you can read my travel impressions from Poznan and watch a travel video straight below.
So, let’s start with this Poznan travel guide and the city’s must-sees.
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Travel guide to Poznan & the best things to do
How to reach Poznan
Reaching Poznań depends on your starting point. For example, the best option is the train if you visit Poznan from a nearby country like Germany. On the other hand, Poznan also has a small international airport, so it’s probably more convenient if you’re starting (for example) from the UK.
By airplane
The international airport of Poznan is relatively small, and there are just a couple of direct routes to the city. However, if you’d like to step foot in Poland and you’d like to start your tour from Poznan, flying is the way to go. While the network is small (you can see the route map here), many carriers offer tickets at fair prices. Moreover, Lufthansa flies to Poznan from Frankfurt and Munich.
You can find the best flight deals here.
By train
For neighboring countries, the best -and more sustainable- way to visit Poznan is by train. I traveled from Berlin to Poznan, and the journey was pleasant even though the train was old. Apart from that, the train ticket costs significantly less. That said, if you’re not that far from Poznan, make sure to check if there’s a train connection.
If you travel from Germany, check your train options here or use the search engine below.
By car
You can, of course, reach Poznan by car. Polish highways will bring you conveniently to the city, and if you’re on a road trip to Poland, you’ll stop there anyway.
As for Poznań itself, you won’t need a car to move around. Buses and trams are reliable, and the city center is easy to walk. Therefore, I would only recommend renting a car in Poznan if you are on a road trip through Poland or you’d like to use Poznan as a base and go on day trips. If that’s the case, you can find the best prices for renting a car in Poland here.
Where to stay in Poznan: the best hotels
Despite its compact size, Poznan has several hotels and accommodation options. In this section, I’ll share where (and why) I decided to stay and also the best hotels in Poznan.
Where I stayed in Poznan
I decided to stay in the wonderful Park Inn Poznan. Even though I usually try to stay in more affordable hotels, I thought of having some relaxing days in the city. I was constantly on the road for two months, and Poznan was the last stop. Therefore, I thought of exceeding my budget and having a nice place to sleep and work.
It proved to be an excellent choice. The Park Inn fulfilled all my expectations. The beds were comfortable, some rooms come with a small balcony, and the personnel was polite. If you need to work, the wi-fi is reliable, the breakfast delicious, and the hotel is next to the famous Market Square. I couldn’t ask for more. You can see the prices for Park Inn here.
The best hotels in Poznan
The highlight of Poznan is, hands down, the stunning Stary Rynek or Market Square (more in the following sections). Therefore, I highly recommend staying as close to it as possible. However, please keep in mind that prices might vary depending on the season. So, the best hotels in Poznan’s center are:
City Solei Boutique Hotel. In Poznan, luxury seems to be affordable. Even though it’s pricier than its competitors, the City Solei Boutique Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in Poland. Every room is decorated after a city (like New York or Kyoto), and the taste is exceptional. Just a few minutes away from Market Square, that’s probably the fanciest place you can stay in town. See prices and availability for City Solei.
Apartamenty Schoeps Residence. As close as you can be to Market Square, the Shoeps Residence is a fantastic stay for your accommodation in Poznan. Moreover, if you don’t want to spend that much on a hotel room, that’s probably the place to stay. The rooms are beautiful, and breakfast is included. See the Schoeps Residence.
Hotel Palazzo Rosso. This is a beautiful boutique hotel in the Old town center in Poznań, just a few steps away from Saint Stanislaus Church. Hosted in a renovated building rich in history, the Palazzo Rosso is 150 meters away from Market Square. Buffet breakfast included. See the Palazzo Rosso.
For all other accommodation options in the city please see here, or use the interactive map below.
Where to eat & drink in Poznan
Poznan has loads of options when it comes to dining. The area around Market Square is definitely the most touristy, but don’t expect loads of people if you visit off-season. The restaurants I visited and I can recommend in Poznan are the following:
- Restauracja Charlie’s. A decent restaurant-cafe to stop at Market Square. Warm atmosphere, good service, nice selection of dishes and drinks.
- Rynek 95. Another good option is straight at Market Square, and as the name betrays, its address is Rynek 95. I ate there the first night due to the proximity to my hotel. Tasty local dumplings (pierogis, a must in Poland!), a good cocktail list, and very friendly service.
- Pierozak. That’s a place dedicated to pierogis. If you are a fan of dumplings, look no further. Apart from the unique taste, all dishes are incredibly cheap.
- Dynx. A nice cafe-bar-restaurant in Śródka. Tasty coffee and an even more delicious lava cake.
- Weranda Caffe. That’s the place to go for brunch in Poznan. It offers a wide food selection and is in the Old Town, just a few meters from Market Square.
- Pijalnia Czekolady E. Wedel. A long name for sure. Straight at the Market Square, this place offers the sunniest veranda of the Stary Rynek and cocktails at fair prices. And, of course, a great selection of chocolates and sweets as the name betrays.
- Gramofon. A lovely cafe on Wrocławska Street, one of the most beautiful streets in the city. It specializes in crepes and pancakes and offers outdoor seating in the sunshine. I found it really lovely and very cheap. See Gramofon on Google Maps.
- An honorable mention goes to the restaurant of Park Inn Poznan. My last day in Poznan was also the last day of an exhausting period. Although I don’t eat in the hotels I stay in, I decided to do so in Poznan. The food in Park Inn is tasty but a bit more pricey. The environment is, however, excellent, and the personnel easy-going. Therefore, if you stay at Park Inn Poznan, give it a try.
The best things to do in Poznan, Poland
Any list of the best things to do in Poznan has to start from Market Square. While this is true, it doesn’t mean it’s the only attraction in town. In fact, you’ll find a couple of interesting places outside of the city’s center. So, in this section, you’ll find the nine best things to do in Poznan.
Stary Rynek or Market Square
The so-called Stary Rynek is the definite gem of Poznan, and it’s probably the reason why you decided to visit the city. This 13th-century square occupies a perfect square (141m x 141m) in the heart of Poznan. Walk around and observe the city’s evolution: Market Square is an architectural highlight, from the Town Hall to the fountains depicting ancient gods. The chances are that you will return more than once to this stunning spot: apart from its beauty, there are plenty of bars and restaurants.
What to see in the Stary Rynek
The most impressive building in the market square is the Old Town Hall. Regarding urban planning, the Market Square took its shape in 1253, with every side divided into 16 plots. Of course, the architectural evolution of the following centuries altered the style a bit. Most buildings are in Renaissance style, and despite the great fire of 1536, their style remains intact. However, nothing compares to the damage after the Battle of Poznan in 1945. Most of the buildings had to be reconstructed.
Last but not least, on every side of the square, you’ll see old merchant houses, known as kamienice.
The Mechanical Goats of the Town Hall
Every noon at 12:00 at the Town Hall, two mechanical goats are head-butting each other 12 times. Make sure not to miss the spectacle. It’s unique, and it has taken place since 1551.
As for the Town Hall itself, it houses the Historical Museum of Poznan. Here you can find everything about the city’s history since 1253 when it received its town status.
The Royal Castle of Poznan
This 13th-century residence houses today the Museum of Applied Arts. The building itself is beautiful, and you can enjoy stunning views of the city. There’s no entry fee to the Castle; you’ll only have to pay to enter the Museum.
Visit the Imperial Castle of Poznan
Don’t confuse the castles: this one is actually more contemporary, built in the 20th century for William II, the German Emperor. Nowadays, though, it hosts the Uprising Museum of 1956 and serves as a cultural center. The complex also has art galleries, restaurants, and a cinema. You can find more info about the Imperial Castle of Poznan here. Walking around its premises is among the best things to do in Poznan.
The Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski)
Slightly off the Old Town, you will come across Cathedral Island (Polish: Ostrów Tumski). As the name betrays, that’s where the striking Cathedral of Poznan stands. The hotel guys told me this is actually Poland’s oldest Cathedral, dating back to the 10th century. The building is truly impressive.
Straight after crossing the bridge, you will see a modern concrete building that seems incompatible with the scenery. That’s the Brama Poznania ICHOT, a center that shows Cathedral Island’s development and history using multimedia and interactive presentations.
Stroll around Śródka
Connected with the previous activity, one of the fun things to do is stroll around Śródka. This small artsy hood is a gem, and its colorful buildings are a pleasure to see. Furthermore, Śródka is the hood of the Cathedral island; therefore, you can combine a stroll with visiting everything on this side of Poznań.
There’s also a guided tour around Śródka, where you’ll learn many things about the hood and the Cathedral. You can see here the Srodka tour.
Park Cytadella
One of the most emotional things to do in Poznan is no doubt visiting the Park Cytadella. North of the Old Town (but easily accessible by public transport), Park Cytadella is where the Battle of Poznan took place in 1945. Nowadays, all you see is open space, including a Rosarium, but bits and pieces are reminding the War.
The most significant of all is The Unrecognized (Nierozpoznani). These are 112 two-meter tall headless statues wandering around and representing confusion. I found it both stunning and heartbreaking.
The famous Croissant Museum in Poznan
Every little city comes with an oddity, and for Poznań, that’s the Croissant Museum. If you find the concept interesting, then I can highly recommend the Croissant Museum as one of the things to do in Poznan. Believe it or not, Saint Martin’s Croissant is the signature delicacy of Poznan, and it comes with multiple layers and a specific way of preparation.
There are guided tours to the Croissant Museum like this one, and you can, of course, buy some croissants. Don’t miss it: it’s one of the unique things to do in Poznan.
Visit Lake Malta
Oddly enough, Poznan has a lake -in fact, an artificial one. Lake Malta (Polish: Maltański Reservoir) was formed in 1952 and owed its existence to the damming of the river Cybina. The lake is about 2.2 kilometers long and has a maximum depth of 5 meters. Moreover, you can find an artificial ski slope on the lake’s edge.
Selected tours & activities in Poznan
If visiting places on your own is not your thing, there are also a couple of organized tours. Offered in English by locals, these tours are great for meeting other people and seeing things you might have otherwise missed. Of course, as you know by now, Poznan is a small city, and the selection is limited. However, I thought of adding here the best tours in Poznan. These are:
Poznan food walking tour. I’m always interested in the local cuisine, and Poznan is a paradise for food lovers. This walking tour will take you around the city, and you’ll taste local dishes. Book your Poznan food walking tour here if you love food combined with stories.
Old Town Walking Tour. A local guide will walk you around Poznan sharing facts from the city’s history and forgotten tales. The tour usually lasts 3-4 hours, and you will learn everything you’d like to know about the city. Book a place in the Old Town Walking Tour here.
Old Town + Croissant Museum. If you’re curious to see the Croissant Museum, this tour is for you. Apart from an excellent tour around the city’s old town, you’ll also visit the Croissant Museum (ticket included in the tour’s price). See the prices for the Old Town + Croissant tour.
The Polish Beer tour. Last but not least, there’s also a beer tour for the beer lovers among us. Your guide will take you to 4 carefully chosen venues where you’ll have the opportunity to taste 11 different beers. Sounds fun? Book the beer tour here.
How to budget for Poznan
Poznan is a moderately priced city, and spending a few days there won’t cost you a fortune. On the contrary, you can stay in a nice hotel, have delicious meals, plus a drink at night without spending too much.
For example, the double rooms will most likely cost anything between 40 and 70 euros per night, depending on the season. To give you a better impression, the Park Inn was somewhere in the middle when I visited, off-season, the city. Additionally, a meal doesn’t cost that much either, and you should expect to pay between 12 and 16 euros per person (main dish and a drink). As for drinking in the fancy bars, they are also moderately priced.
That said, a solo traveler won’t need more than 85-90 euros per day, all included: hotel, food, drink, and tickets. On the other hand, if you are two people traveling, you might as well have a good time with 60 euros per person per day. Of course, if you want to splurge, then you’ll have to budget respectively.
In my opinion, Poznan deserves a visit, and it’s a must if you’re on a road trip to Poland. It’s more compact than Warsaw and definitely less crowded than Krakow. I would love to return soon to Poznan and explore it a bit more. Especially if you travel to Poznan from northern Germany, I think it’s one of the nicest trips you can have.
So, that’s it with the best things to do in Poznan and the guide to this beautiful Polish city. Have fun in the city, and let me know in the comments if you have any questions.
More about Poznan: Charming Poznan
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Last Updated on July 9, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos