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Poland is a magical country to explore with a lot more to offer than just Krakow and Warsaw and if you’re wondering what to do in Poznan, this up-and-coming destination in the western part of the country, you’ve come to the right place.
True to our mission – and desire – to uncover the charms of lesser-known destinations across Europe, we recently travelled to Poznan and have nothing but praise for this lively yet utterly picturesque student city.
Keep reading to find out what to do in Poznan and we’re sure this bijou city will become one of your favourite destinations in Europe.
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Where Is Poznan?
Located in western Poland near the German border, Poznan is the fifth-largest city in the country.
The Polish city is halfway between Berlin and Warsaw, making it an ideal stop if you’re planning to see the two capitals on the same trip.
Is Poznan Worth Visiting?
Although not as famous as other Polish cities, like Krakow, Poznan is the perfect place to visit if you’re into beautiful architecture, delicious local cuisine and the vibrant atmosphere that only a student city can offer.
How To Get To Poznan
By Air
You can get to Poznan by plane as there are many direct flights from several European cities. Poznan International Airport is less than a 20-minute drive from the Old Town.
You can use public buses to get from Poznan Lawica Airport to the city centre or book an airport transfer in advance, especially if you’re a large group or travelling with heavy luggage.
Check out our beginners’ guide to book a flight and find the best deals for your trip to Poznan.
By Bus
Poznan is well connected to other Polish cities and Berlin by bus. Buses are very convenient if you’re on a trip across Poland or if there’s no direct flight to Poznan from where you are.
In our case, to get to Poznan from Berlin, we jumped on a Flixbus. We then hopped on a Flixbus again to visit Lodz next. The bus ride from Berlin to Poznan takes about four hours.
The main bus station (Poznan Glowny) is part of the Avenida Mall. From there, a short tram ride will take you to the city centre. Check out all FlixBus routes that go to Poznan.
By Train
Another comfortable way to get to Poznan is by train. Poznan is connected to many cities in Poland and the neighbouring countries. The central railway station in Poznan is connected to the main bus station in Avenida Mall.
How Many Days in Poznan
Poznan is a popular weekend destination and we can confirm that. During our 5-day stay in Poznan, we witnessed a different city at the weekend compared to weekdays.
Poznan gets busy and lively during weekends, which is nice and uplifting, but popular spots can also be crowded.
Our suggestion is to spend at least three days in Poznan to see the main attractions and experience the city’s real vibe – not just its weekend ambience.
Best Time To Visit Poznan
Poland in winter doesn’t sound ideal, does it? Although we enjoyed Warsaw in winter in the past, it’s no secret that Polish cities are quite cold from November to March.
We visited Poznan in March and the weather was cold but not rainy, which is more important for us. That said, we recommend visiting Poznan from April to October when the temperature is higher and rainy days are fewer.
Where To Stay in Poznan
Poznan is a compact city with most of its top attractions in the Old Town. Hence, anywhere in or around the Old Town is a great place for your accommodation.
We stayed at Don Prestige Residence, a family-run hotel at the edge of the Old Town, a few minutes walk from the Old Market Square.
Apart from its vicinity to the heart of the Old Town, what we also liked about this hotel was that Polwiejska, the main shopping street, starts a few steps from the hotel.
This 4-star hotel features spacious and sparklingly clean rooms and offers a delicious, rich breakfast with Polish treats.
Travel Resources For Your Trip To Poznan
What To Do in Poznan, Poland – 16 Best Things To Do
1. Admire The Old Market Square
When in Poznan, the first thing to do is to wander around the iconic Market Square in the Old Town. Stary Rynek, as it’s called in Polish, is the heart of the city since the 13th century when Poznan was founded.
A large part of the Old Market Square was reconstructed in the Renaissance style during the 15th century. After World War II, Poznan’s main square was destroyed, but then reconstructed.
Some notable buildings on the square are the colourful Merchants’ Houses next to the Town Hall and the Weighing House behind it. The imposing Renaissance Town Hall is the main attraction of Stary Rynek.
2. Meet Poznan’s Goats at Noon
Make sure you stand in front of the marvellous Clock Tower at noon when two billy goats appear at the Town Hall’s turret and butt heads twelve times under the sound of a traditional bugle call.
The spectacle is as funny as it was back in the day when, according to the legend, the cook for a banquet burnt the deer meat he planned to serve for dinner and tried to replace it with the meat from two goats.
However, the goats escaped and ended up running to the Town Hall’s tower, butting heads and offering entertainment to the gathered people.
3. Learn The Secrets of Poznan’s Famous Croissant
We’re sure you’re aware of the renowned French croissants. But what about St. Martin’s Croissants, Poznan’s pride?
Totally different from the iconic French staple, a St. Martin’s Croissant is topped with sugar and nuts and filled with poppy seeds and more nuts.
Poznan’s horseshoe-shaped croissant is a protected product (PGI) dating back to the 19th century.
Back in the day, a baker wanted to honour St. Martin by giving croissants to the poor, establishing the delicious pastry as the city’s staple until today.
You can learn everything about St. Martin’s Croissants, as well as delve into the city’s rich history and dialect, during a unique interactive show at the Croissant Museum. At the end of the show, you will also taste the famous croissant.
In our opinion, it’s a unique experience you shouldn’t miss while in Poznan. Just book your spot in advance, as it tends to sell out quickly.
4. Crack The Code at The Enigma Cipher Centre
Poznan is home to several museums. However, if you had to choose just one, it should be the Enigma Cipher Centre.
You may have watched The Imitation Game, a film narrating Alan Turing’s life and work, but at the Enigma Cipher Centre, you’ll learn how the deciphering of the German machine started in Poznan.
The interesting museum tells the story of three genius Polish students who contributed to breaking the Enigma Code and formed the future of technology for decades to come.
The museum offers interactive tours with an audio guide and you’ll have the chance to decode messages as you go.
5. Step Inside a Pink Church
One of the best places to visit in Poznan is the stunning Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help dedicated also to St. Mary Magdalene and St. Stanislaus.
Tucked away in the quaint streets of the Old Town, the 17th-century church is a fine example of Baroque architecture, a mandatory stop for architecture lovers.
Similar to its astonishing pink facade, the church’s elaborate interior is equally impressive, featuring pink elements in the Baroque style.
6. Uncover The Hidden Relics of Another Church
A few steps from St. Stanislaus Church is Kolegiacski Square, where the Collegiate Church of St. Mary Magdalene once stood. The church was probably founded at the same time as Poznan in the 13th century.
After a series of unfortunate events, the church was demolished at the beginning of the 19th century.
Wander around and see some of the church’s relics like the bell, bricks or stained glass windows through the glass floor.
7. Explore Cathedral Island
A short walk from Poznan Old Town, Cathedral Island on Warta River awaits.
Called Ostrow Tumski in Polish, the island is an old part of the city. It was the site of one of the Ducal Palaces in the 10th century, before Poznan was founded.
Cathedral Island is the ideal place to explore on foot and visit one of Poznan’s main attractions, the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Dating back to the 10th century, Poznan Cathedral is Poland’s first Cathedral. At the Cathedral’s cellars, you can see the relics of the original 10th-century baptistery.
8. Walk Through Poland’s History
If you’re a history enthusiast, Porta Posnania is the right place to learn the history of Cathedral Island and Poland in a different way, with the use of multimedia and light effects.
But even if you’re not that much into history or you’re short on time, do walk along the bridge that connects Cathedral Island to Porta Posnania for a quick look inside the museum’s unique minimalist building.
9. Marvel at 3D Street Art
Poznan is dotted with several pieces of street art, creating a fascinating contrast with the city’s medieval flair.
Located in the Srodka neighbourhood across Cathedral Island, Srodka Tale Mural is probably the most impressive street art in the city.
Created in 2015, the 3D mural tells the story of this historic neighbourhood, which was a separate city until the 1800s.
10. Explore Malta Lake
A short walk from Poznan Old Town is the human-made Malta Lake. Named after the Knights of Malta, the artificial lake is a great place to stroll along the shore and relax after sightseeing.
Lake Malta is home to several attractions, like the exciting narrow-gauge train that runs along the lake. However, this fun ride is only available from April to September. Unfortunately, we missed it as we visited Poznan in March.
The train station is near the Srodka roundabout and the train runs all the way to the New Zoo at the other end of the lake. See the route and the schedule here.
11. Soak in a Thermal Bath
We may have missed the narrow-gauge train on Malta Lake, but we had a plan B: the nearby Malta Thermal Baths. The latter is the largest water complex in Poland that uses geothermal water.
With plenty of swimming pools and different activities, Malta Thermal Baths is the best place to spend your evening, no matter if it’s a cold winter day or a hot summer one.
We spent a few hours in the warmth of Malta Thermal Baths on a cold day and we can’t recommend it enough. Check out the different zones and tickets on their website.
12. See Photographs Through a Century-Old Machine
Taking and viewing photographs is common nowadays, but what about a century ago? In Poznan, you can see one of the few vintage devices for viewing photographs in 3D that are still operating in Poland.
Located in the Cultural Centre, the Poznan Kaiserpanorama hosts photo exhibitions that change every three months.
The 3D effect isn’t always impressive, but it’s worth popping in the Cultural Centre to see a device like this.
13. Go Shopping at a Former Beer Factory
Besides sightseeing, Poznan has a fantastic shopping district, too. Whether you love shopping or not, the shopping mall at the end of Polwiejka Street is a place you should add to your itinerary.
Stary Browar was a brewing factory from the 19th century until 1980. In the following years, a different company took over the old brewery to produce sparkling water instead.
In 2003, the old factory was converted into a shopping mall and art space. Step inside the mall and, even if you don’t want to buy anything, just marvel at the building’s industrial design.
14. Stroll Through History at Citadel Park
With many attractions to see as you walk through its green spaces, Citadel Park is one of the best places to visit in Poznan for history buffs.
The park used to be a Prussian fortress, which was destroyed during World War II. Nowadays, Citadel Park is home to two museums: the Poznan Army Museum and the Armaments Museum.
There are also war cemeteries, war monuments, recreational spaces and a lovely café where you can sit back and unwind.
To get to the park, take the tram from the city centre and get off at the Armii Poznan stop. Walk through the war cemetery to get to the top of the park.
Explore the park and don’t miss the enigmatic outdoor sculpture called The Unrecognised near the Museum of Armaments.
15. Enjoy The Views From The Royal Castle
Located on a hill close to the Old Town Square, the Royal Castle is a great place to enjoy views of Poznan’s historic centre.
The Royal Castle dates back to the 13th century and was reconstructed a few times throughout the centuries. During the Second World War, it was destroyed and then rebuilt to later house the Museum of Applied Arts.
Even if you don’t have time to visit the museum, it’s a nice place for a quick walk around its grounds.
16. Savour Poznan’s Famed Potatoes
Although we love Pierogi and we could literally live on them alone while in Poland, there’s a lot more to Polish food than just these iconic dumplings.
In Poznan, apart from the omnipresent Pierogi, you should definitely try as many potato-based dishes as you can.
Why? Because Poznan is considered Poland’s potato land. So much so that there’s even a Potato Museum in Poznan.
You’ve probably heard of Poland’s milk bars, these no-frills eateries where you can eat traditional food among locals.
In Poznan, you should look for a slightly different type, restaurants that serve potato-rich dishes that promise to fill not only your stomach but also your soul.
In Poznan’s local dialect, Pyra is the word for potato. At Pyra Bar, you’ll find more veggie potato dishes than you’ll be able to handle in one go, so make sure you don’t save it for your last dinner, like we did.
FAQs About Visiting Poznan
Is Poznan a walkable city?
Yes, Poznan is a compact city and you can explore the main sights on foot. Moreover, the city is flat with only a few uphill parts. Pavements are wide, making the city accessible to people with mobility issues.
Is The Poznan Card worth it?
The Poznan Card comes in one, two or three-day versions and includes free use of public transportation, free entrance to some museums and discounts at restaurants, museums and other facilities.
We used the 3-day Poznan Card to visit some of the attractions in this list of what to do in Poznan for free or with a discount, such as Kaiserpanorama, Enigma Cipher Centre and Malta Thermal Baths.
Although Poznan is easy to walk around, we also used public transport to move quickly from one point of interest to the other.
So, yes, we think that it’s worth buying the Poznan Card not only to save some money, but to experience the city in a hassle-free way, especially if the weather isn’t on your side during your trip.
What is Poznan famous for?
Poznan is famous for many things, such as the Renaissance Old Market Square, the mechanical goats butting heads every noon at the Town Hall Tower, the PGI St Martin’s Croissants, the delicious potato dishes and the oldest Cathedral in Poland.
Can I pay with Euros in Poznan?
No, although Poland is a member of the European Union, the official currency is Zloty (PLN). To pay in the local currency without worrying about exchange rates, use your Wise Card.
Although we spent a little less than a week in Poznan, we managed get to know the city well. It was also enough time for Poznan itself to make its way into our hearts.
Slow travel suits Poznan and this is why it’s a great destination for anyone mindful of sustainable travel.
Thanks to its compact size, vibrant vibes and delicious food, Poznan is one of those places that we’d like to go back to for more.
What about you? Now that you know what to do in Poznan, would you add it to your Poland and Central Europe itinerary?
WORDS & IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria
Disclosure: To facilitate us in writing this guide about what to do in Poznan, the tourism board of Poznan kindly offered us complimentary accommodation and two Poznan Cards. All opinions are our own, as always.