19 Best Things to do in Poznan, Poland

Poznan, the fifth largest city in the country, is one of the most interesting places to visit in Poland. This is where Polish statehood began, in the late 10th century, and even though the city went through turbulent periods over the centuries, it is still among the most important places in the nation’s history.

With the convenient location, halfway between Warsaw and Berlin, it’s very easy to visit Poznan and be enchanted with its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful architecture. There are so many amazing things to do in Poznan and its surroundings that a weekend might not be enough to check them all (but it’s definitely a good start).

I’ve been to Poznan many times, and while it’s not in my top three of favorite Polish cities, I definitely like it and enjoy returning there, always having a good time. If you plan a trip to Central Europe, Poznan is a solid stop on every Poland itinerary.

I put together a list of the best things to do in Poznan, based on my experience from numerous visits there, so you can use it for your trip to Poznan. Read on and have a wonderful time exploring Poznan. 

Things to do in Poznan

Admire the Old Market Square

The most beautiful place in the city, where you should start your Poznan sightseeing, is the Old Market Square. It’s the perfect structure, a square with 141-meter sides (the 3rd largest market square in Poland), dating back to the mid-13th century. In the past, as the name suggests, this was a busy, popular marketplace at the crossroads of trade routes. To this day, the vibrant atmosphere is very much present here.

The Old Market Square is surrounded by beautiful, colorful townhouses, many of which host restaurants, bars, and cafes. The most eye-catching buildings are the merchants’ houses from the 16th century, located in the middle of the square and smaller than the buildings around them, with arcades on the lower level.

Wander the place with a curious eye as there are many interesting details around: fountains, inscriptions, facades, the punishment post, and so much more. There are also some museums located here, such as the Military Museum, the Greater Poland Uprising Museum, and the Literary Museum.

The Old Market Square is a nice place to hang out, relax at one of the restaurants, and enjoy its vibrant atmosphere. In the merchants’ houses, you can find souvenir shops if you want to buy some things to bring back from Poznan. 

See the Town Hall

While Old Market Square is a fascinating place, one building stands out among the others. Poznan Town Hall is known as the most beautiful Renaissance building north of the Alps, and it surely is a stunning structure. Originally from the early 14th century, it was rebuilt in the mid-16th century in the Mannerist style, which you can still admire today.

It’s worth being here at noon, as that’s when you can see the most famous Poznan attraction – the goats. On the town hall’s tower, above the clock, there are two goats that butt heads twelve times every day. It’s such a fun thing to see. Speaking of goats, you can also see a sculpture of them at the nearby Kolegiacki Square.

Once you finish admiring the beautiful Town Hall, you can visit the History Museum of Poznan, located inside the building. Even if it’s not exactly interesting for you, it’s worth going there to see the historical Gothic cellars and the most impressive room – the Renaissance Hall. 

Wander around the Old Town

The Old Town in Poznan might be relatively small, but it surely is charming. It still has a medieval shape from the times the city was founded, with the Old Market Square right in the middle. Wandering around is a real treat, as the winding, cobbled streets with colorful townhouses are perfect for exploring. It’s impossible to get lost here, so you can just follow your intuition around and see what kind of interesting places you can find. 

Visit Poznan Fara

Even if you are not a religious person, you should definitely visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also known as Poznan Fara). Not only is it the second-most-important Catholic place in the city, but it is also a real masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture (one of the best examples of this style in Poland).

The place was built in the late 17th century, and fortunately, the turbulent years didn’t destroy the precious building. The interior is breathtaking, with so many fine details that you don’t know where to look or what to admire. Each Saturday at quarter past noon, there is an organ concert, which is a wonderful experience in these beautiful surroundings.

Try St. Martin’s croissant

Poznan is known for its local sweet treat – the St. Martin’s croissant. It’s especially popular around St. Martin’s Day – 11th of November – but you can try it anytime you’re visiting Poznan. The croissant is huge, packed with poppy seed filling, and topped with frosting and nuts. You can get it at numerous bakeries and cafes across the city. Don’t leave Poznan without eating at least one!

You can also learn more about the tradition and history of St. Martin’s croissants and even try to make one! There is a museum dedicated to this delicious treat – you can find it at the Old Market Square, opposite the Town Hall. 

Visit the Royal Castle

Even if the Royal Castle in Poznan played an important role in Polish history, the building you can visit today is fairly new, reconstructed only in 2010-2013. It dates back to the 13th century, but it was destroyed during the Swedish invasion (in the early 18th century) and then during the Second World War.

Despite the questionable historical value, it’s definitely worth visiting the Royal Castle. Inside, you will find an eclectic exhibition of Applied Arts from the Middle Ages to the present day. The real highlight is the view from the tower – you can admire the vast panorama of Poznan, with the Old Town right in front of you. There is no better viewpoint in Poznan than this one!

See the remnants of the city walls

Back in medieval times, Poznan was surrounded by city walls, built in the 13th century. The total length was 1725 meters, with the height of 7 meters (watchtowers were 11 meters), 32 oriels, and 4 main gates. Unfortunately, only a small part of it remained until this day.

One of the best places is the former Cannon Tower, located not far from the Royal Castle, at 23 Lutego Street. When wandering around the Old Town, you might also find 17 commemorative plaques built into the sidewalk to show where the city walls used to be. 

Visit the Cathedral

The Cathedral in Poznan is one of the oldest churches in Poland, dating back to the 10th century. It is also the oldest monument in Poznan. Some sources claim that the crucial event in Polish history – the Christianization of Poland in 966- took place here. The Cathedral, the oldest one in the country, was an important political center in the early Polish state.

Located on the Ostrow Tumski island, not too far from the center, it is definitely worth a little detour from the Old Town. The Gothic structure you can see today dates from the 15th century, though it was slightly rebuilt after the WW2 destruction.

Inside, you will find typical Gothic brickwork and a high-vaulted ceiling; there are also numerous examples of sacred art, some dating back to the 15th century. The Poznan Cathedral is also the burial site of numerous Polish rulers, including the first king of Poland, Boleslaus the Brave (who died in 1025). You will find his grave in the rear part of the Cathedral, behind the altar. 

While you are at Ostrow Tumski, it’s worth wandering around a little bit. Besides the Cathedral, there are a few other interesting buildings, such as the Church of the Most Holy Virgin Mary from the 15th century, the Psalmodists’ House from the 16th century, or the archbishop’s palace from the 14th century.

Learn more about the history of Poznan in Porta Posnania

One of the most interesting places to visit in Poznan, where you can learn more about the history of Poznan (and Poland), is Porta Posnania. It is located partly in Ostrow Tumski and partly in the Srodka district, with an internal bridge connecting the two parts.

The museum focuses on the history of Ostrow Tumski and how the early Polish state developed from this very place. The exhibition is very interactive, with multimedia installations, making the place less of a typical, boring museum and more of an institution that piques your curiosity about the topic. There are audioguides in different languages which help you experience Porta Posnania in the best possible way. 

Visit the Imperial Castle

The Imperial Castle is one of the most impressive buildings in Poznan. The grand palace was built during German rule in the early 20th century for the last German emperor, Wilhelm II (who helped design the palace). The building is a good example of the Neo-Romanesque style, which was believed to be the most “Germanic”, a symbol of the glory of the Holy Roman Empire. 

Today, the Imperial Castle works mostly as a cultural center and hosts numerous events. For a small fee, it’s possible to visit the interior and explore numerous grand rooms and corridors (some of them are really impressive, albeit often empty).

When the palace was finished, there were almost 600 rooms inside! Fortunately, with the ticket, you get a map so you can easily find the most important and beautiful ones! Be sure to wander around the courtyard, too, as it’s a very pleasant space; you can also look at all the fine architectural details of the Imperial Castle from there.

Stop at Mickiewicz Square

Once you are done with visiting the Imperial Castle, stop for a moment at the nearby Mickiewicz Square. It’s the heart of the so-called Imperial District, an urban project dating back to the German times in the early 1900s.

You will find here some of the grand buildings from that time (such as Collegium Minus and the Credit Land building) as well as important monuments of Adam Mickiewicz and the Poznań June 1956 Monument (commemorating protests that started in Poznan). At the corner of the square, you can visit Mickiewicz Park, which is such a nice place to relax in the middle of the busy city.

Have fun at the Enigma Cipher Centre

Did you know that Poles were the first people to break the Enigma machine cipher, used to protect communication, especially military ones, during World War 2? In Poznan, you can visit the interactive Enigma Cipher Center, dedicated to the machine and Polish cryptologists.

It’s such a fun place to spend some time in. Not only can you learn more about cryptography, but you can also try to break some ciphers or discover how to create hidden messages, too. While many of the interactive parts are designed for younger visitors, I also really enjoyed playing with ciphers. 

See the Freedom Square

The Freedom Square is where most of the important events in Poznan take place. However, on a regular day, this large area is rather empty, but it’s worth coming here nevertheless. In the past, it was a favorite spot for the city’s middle class, a place to observe others and be seen.

Still today, many beautiful buildings in different styles, dating back to the early 20th century, surround Freedom Square (mixed with newer and not-so-pretty ones). A recent addition to the place is the Freedom Fountain, which was built there in 2012. Even with its modern design, it still fits nicely into the area. 

If you like modernist architecture, there are some nice buildings in this style a few steps away from the Freedom Square. The most iconic one is “Okrąglak” – the 9-floor round structure opened in 1955 as the department store. To find it, follow the tram line from the Freedom Square in the direction of the Imperial Castle. 

Visit the Palm House

The Palm House in Poznan is the largest institution of that kind in Poland and one of the largest in Europe, with 12 pavilions and over a thousand plant species. It’s such a beautiful place and a great green escape; you don’t need to be a botany fan to enjoy it. 

Enjoy local parks

The Palm House is located in Wilson Park, which is one of many green areas in Poznan. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, there are so many great places, often not too far from the center.

The most popular one is Malta – a large recreational area with a big artificial lake, the zoo, and even a park railway to get around. I also really enjoyed the Citadela Park – the largest park in the city, created in the place of the former fort. Not only is it a perfect green oasis, but you can also find interesting things around, including sculptures by a well-known Polish artist, Magdalena Abakanowicz, and a military museum. 

Check out the riverside

Poznan is located on the Warta River, the third-longest river in Poland. It runs right through the center of the city, with some nice parks and walking paths along it. The riverside is a great place for a stroll in the middle of the city, but what makes it even better is KontenerART.

This is an independent artists’ initiative that created a cool hangout spot next to the Warta River. There are numerous cultural events and workshops, as well as a small beach, food, and drinks. KontenerART is open during the warmer months, from May to October, so be sure to stop by if you visit Poznan at that time.

Wander around the neighborhoods

While most of Poznan attractions are located in the central part of the city, not too far from each other, I recommend venturing a bit further to explore other areas of Poznan, too. There are some cool neighborhoods that are up and coming, popular especially among the younger generation. You will find there beautifully restored townhouses, some great cafes and restaurants, good street art, and an overall vibrant atmosphere.

Some of the best neighborhoods you might want to check out are Jeżyce, Wilda, and Śródka. Fortunately, all of them are located not too far from the center, so you can easily visit them during your Poznan trip. 

Enjoy street art

Poznan has one of the best street art scenes in Poland, with some exceptional works covering its walls. There are amazing murals as well as smaller pieces, so look around when you wander around the city, as you never know what you might find.

The most iconic work is the Srodka market square mural, a 3D piece focusing on the history of this neighborhood. It is truly spectacular, with all the details and multilayered look. 

You might also notice many works by the local artist Noriaki, featuring his distinctive character, Mr. Periscope. You might even have seen it in other places, but Poznan is his home. 

If you enjoy street art, I recommend the “Street Art Cities” app, which is a great help with finding the best works all over the world, including Poznan.

Go for day trips

Poznan is a wonderful city to explore, and you need at least two days to enjoy all the best things to do in Poznan. But if you have some extra time in your Poland itinerary, you can also use the city as a base for day trips around. There are some interesting places you can easily visit as day trips from Poznan.

Here are the best ones:

• Gniezno – the first capital of Poland
• Bydgoszcz – the underrated city with beautiful architecture, known also as the Polish Venice
• Torun – a beautiful city with the UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, full of Gothic remnants
• The Palace in Rogalin and the castle in Kornik
• Wielkopolska National Park
• Lake Districts near Poznan

Visiting Poznan – practical information

How to get to Poznan

Poznan is very well-connected with all the main cities in Poland: Warsaw, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Szczecin, Krakow, and more; there are also direct trains to Berlin and Prague. The city has its own international airport with flights to numerous destinations across Europe. 

How to get around Poznan

Most of Poznan attractions are located within walking distance of each other. If you need to go a bit further away, there is a good public transport system with trams and buses that cover the whole city (including going to the airport).

You can get a single ticket (valid for 15, 45, or 90 minutes), a 24-hour ticket, or a 7-day pass. Google Maps works well for checking routes and public transport schedules in Poznan.

Where to stay in Poznan

Since this is a popular tourist and business destination, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. I recommend staying somewhere near the Old Town so you will be close to all the main Poznan attractions. Here are some recommended hotels in Poznan:

• Aparthotel City Break (9.2/10)
• Palazzo Rosso Old Town (9.0/10)
• Saint Martin by Y3 Hotels (9.3/10)
• and many more!

Where to go next

From Poznan, you can continue your trip south to Wroclaw (and further to the Czech Republic or Krakow), west to Berlin, north to Gdansk, or east to Warsaw. There are also so many smaller, less popular yet still very interesting places you can visit in Poland that you can get to from Poznan. 

Further reading

I published many articles about Poland that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 37 Amazing Things to Do in Krakow, Poland
• 20 Great Places to Visit As Day Trips from Warsaw, Poland
• Visiting Auschwitz – How to Plan the Auschwitz Tour
• 17 Amazing Things to Do in Lublin, Poland
• The Complete Guide to Visiting Slownski National Park, Poland
• Visit Grudziadz – One of the Hidden Gems of Poland
• 19 Amazing Things to Do in Gdansk, Poland
• Visit Sandomierz, Poland – One of the Prettiest Towns in the Country
• Visiting Malbork Castle, Poland – the Largest Castle in the World
• 25 Amazing Things to do in Wroclaw, Poland
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in Central Europe and ask your questions there.

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