Poznan is the fifth-largest city in Poland and one of the oldest cities out there. The city probably has one of the most colorful old squares out there, with the beautiful traditional European houses of the Merchant Houses surrounding its iconic town hall.
Within this article, we will be highlighting all the beautiful places to visit, as well as the best things to do in Poznan, and all the information you need to have a great time there. Without further ado, here are the 8 best things to do in Poznan for solo travelers.
- Poznan Things To Do Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Poznan?
-
8 Best Things to Do in Poznan
- Stroll Around the Beautiful Poznan Old Town Square
- Check Out Poznan Town Hall and its iconic Billy Goats
- Learn the History at the Museum of the History of Poznan
- Admire the beauty of the Merchants' Houses
- Visit the Beautiful Poznan Fara
- Explore the Royal Castle of Poznan
- Admire the beauty of Poznan Imperial Castle
- Visit the Croissant Museum
- More Poznan Activities
- Poland Travel Video
- When to Visit Poznan?
- How To Get To Poznan?
- How to Get Around Poznan?
- What to Pack for Poznan, Poland?
- Further Reading for Poland
Poznan Things To Do Itinerary Map
8 Best Things to Do in Poznan
1. Stroll Around the Beautiful Poznan Old Town Square
Update: It looks like the entire Market Square is currently undergoing renovation until the end of 2023, according to our audience report.
Probably one of the prettiest parts of Poznan, the Old Town Market Square, is the first place you should definitely visit. Surrounded by some of the most colorful traditional houses out there, I think Poznan Old Town Market Square has got to be one of the most colorful town squares in Poland, and there are a lot of them here.
Poznan was founded in the 12th century, and the old town square has been the center of the city ever since. The square used to be surrounded by walls, but they were taken down when the city expanded in the 19th century. However, you can still see the remnants of them across the area.
- Blooms Boutique Hostel (Budget)
- Hotel Altus Poznań Old Town (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Sheraton Poznan Hotel (High-End)
- Private walking city tour in Poznan (3 hours)
- Poznan Old Town and Croissant Museum Private Walking Tour (3 hours)
- Private 3-hour Poznan Old Town Tour (3 hours)
That said, Poznan Town Square still retains its former grid of narrow cobblestone streets, preserving the square in its original orientation. This makes it a great place to imagine yourself back in medieval times.
While you are at the Town Square, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for all the colorful, accidentally Wes Anderson houses that are lined up perfectly around the square. I really meant it when I said this is the most colorful town square I've seen in the country.
Right at the center of all the beautiful architecture at Poznan Town Square is the historic Poznan Town Hall and the colorful Merchant House, which we will be visiting next. It is the heart of Poznan, and there is no better place to be to get your bearings when you first arrive in Poznan than here.
Where to Stay in Poznan?
2. Check Out Poznan Town Hall and its iconic Billy Goats
Standing right at the heart of Poznan is the iconic Poznan Town Hall that has been here since the foundation of Poznan in the 12th century when it was constructed, although it had a different form.
Nowadays, the Town Hall is in this beautiful mannerist architectural style that was quite prevalent in this part of Europe back in the 16th Century. The Town Hall features an ornate loggia and a clock tower with mechanical goats that perform one of the most famous shows in Poznan, the Billy Goats Butting Heads show.
Legend has it that in the 16th Century, one fine noon, a chef who was preparing a feast for the mayor and his guests wanted to cook goat's meat, and as he went to grab them, the 2 goats escaped, climbed all the way up to the top of the Town Hall, and started headbutting each other, amusing everyone, especially the mayor.
Since then, the head-butting goats have become the symbol of Poznan. Every noon, when the clock strikes 12, the mechanical goats come out and start head-butting each other, which they have been doing for more than 470 years!
Photos by Stanislaw.bochnak.
If you are around the Poznan Town Hall at noon, be sure to look up and witness this century-long fight at the top of the clock tower while enjoying a nice meal at one of the nearby restaurants.
3. Learn the History at the Museum of the History of Poznan
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Poznan and how the city stands in the world history of geopolitics, you can also drop by the Museum of the History of Poznan and take a deeper dive into the rich history of this part of Poland.
The museum is located inside the Poznan Town Hall, which makes for a great quick visit after witnessing the Bill Goats show at noon. Inside, you will find a permanent exhibition that highlights all the important events that took place in Poznan from its founding days in the 13th Century all the way to the end of WW2 in 1945.
It is a place worth visiting if you are a history buff. Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed due to COVID, but I'll keep this article updated when anything changes.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Private walking city tour in Poznan (3 hours)
- Poznan Old Town and Croissant Museum Private Walking Tour (3 hours)
- Private 3-hour Poznan Old Town Tour (3 hours)
4. Admire the beauty of the Merchants' Houses
Right by the Poznan Town Hall, you will see these colorful narrow houses lining up perfectly at the foot of the Town Hall. That is the Merchants' Houses, an old, beautiful relic of the past and a great example of Poznan's early commercial architecture.
Constructed in the 13th Century, the houses back then were made out of wood, and the local merchants used them to sell all kinds of everyday items like salt, candles, and torches. Then, in the 15th Century, the houses were replaced with narrow brick buildings with shops on the first floors and living quarters on the second floors.
After many years have passed, the Merchants' Houses still live up to their names, as you will find many local artists selling paintings, as well as other kinds of handicrafts, here. It is one of the most unique structures in the city, and I highly recommend you check it out when you are exploring Poznan Town Square.
5. Visit the Beautiful Poznan Fara
If I have to choose a single piece of beautiful architecture in Poznan for you to see that will blow your mind away, it would have to be the all-pink Poznan Fara.
Poznan Fara, also known as the Church of St. Stanislaus, is a Roman Catholic basilica and is considered one of the most exquisite examples of Baroque architecture in Poland.
Constructed in the 18th Century by Polish and Italian designers, this basilica is impressive from both the outside and inside, perfectly blending the Baroque architectural style and Roman designs, creating a unique piece of architecture we see today.
The exterior of Poznan Fara will immediately catch your attention when you see it on the horizon. Its massive scope and all-pink painted exterior make the church stand out from other churches you see in Poland.
The interior of Poznan Fara is also worth seeing, with its massive frescoes on the ceiling and the Corinthian columns often seen in churches in Italy. This is a great example of the Roman influences on its design.
If you want to see Poznan Fara and its stunning pink facade and the jaw-dropping interior, be sure to visit outside of the Holy Masses hours as the place is dedicated to prayers only during that time. The church opens every day from 6 AM to 7:30 PM, and it is free to enter.
6. Explore the Royal Castle of Poznan
The Royal Castle of Poznan may look new from the outside as it was renovated as recently as 2010. However, the castle has stood right at this exact location since the 13th Century, and it used to be the largest castle in the Polish Kingdom during that time.
The castle has endured various tragic events, from the burning in the 16th Century to the partitions that Poland faced in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
After the reconstruction is completed in 20146, the Royal Castle is now fully open to tourists and currently houses the Applied Arts Museum. You can also go up to the top of its tower for a stunning view over Poznan Old Town. The castle opens from 10 AM to 5 PM every day except Monday, and the entrance fee is 20 PLN per person.
7. Admire the beauty of Poznan Imperial Castle
Although most European cities often have one imperial castle that was used to rule the land, Poznan actually has 2 castles: the Royal Castle I previously mentioned and the Imperial Castle located just a little bit outside of Poznan's Old Town.
The Imperial Castle is one of the youngest castles in Europe, as it was only constructed in 1910 as the seat of power, housing German government bodies when they ruled the area.
Despite its name, calling it a castle, the building is actually a palace, and it was built in the Neo-Romanesque style, which is regarded as one of the best representations of the glory of the Holy Roman Empire back in the day. You can clearly see just how out-of-place the design is from the rest of the structures in Poznan.
Another interesting tidbit about the castle is that during the occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany, Hitler actually converted this place into one of his residences, decorating many of the rooms in the totalitarian style of the Third Reich.
Nowadays, the Imperial Castle is mostly used for entertainment and museums, and you can often find many summer events happening in the vicinity of the castle, from concerts to puppet shows.
8. Visit the Croissant Museum
If you are a big fan of croissants (who isn't?), you are going to want to visit the Croissant Museum, a museum just across the street from Poznan Town Hall. It features the history of the famous St Martin's croissant, as well as a baking lesson and croissant tasting.
St Martin's croissant is a croissant with white poppy-seed filling that is a culinary delicacy of Poznan, and they have been perfecting this awesome croissant recipe in locals' homes for more than 130 years.
If you love croissants as much as I do, you are going to love the Croissant Museum. The museum opens from 11 AM to 3:30 PM every day, and the ticket to see the croissant show in English is 29 PLN per person. You can also join a walking tour, which should also include the museum visit as well as other tourist attractions in Poznan.
When to Visit Poznan?
The best time to visit Poznan is during the shoulder seasons from late April to June or late August to September when the weather is relatively comfortable, the places aren't too crowded, and the prices of accommodation aren't too expensive compared to the peak season from June to August.
How To Get To Poznan?
If you are arriving in Warsaw from abroad and would like to get to Poznan, you can board one of the many buses from Warsaw Western Bus Terminal bound for Poznan. You can easily book the bus online here, and it should cost no more than 12 USD and take about 4 hours.
How to Get Around Poznan?
Most tourist attractions in Poznan are concentrated around the Old Town Area, and many of the places I mentioned here can easily be reached on foot, so you do not have to rely on any public transportation here.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Poznan, Poland?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Poznan, Poland:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Poland
I hope you found this Poland guide helpful. If you want to read more about Poland, here are a selection of articles you might enjoy:
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Poland? Check out this 2 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary for Poland.
- Planning a trip to Poland and not sure where to begin? Here are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Poland.
- Are you traveling to Poland as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Planning to visit Warsaw, the colorful capital city of Poland soon and not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Warsaw.
- Looking for the best photo spots in Warsaw, Poland? Check out: 8 Best Photo Spots in Warsaw.
- One of the most whimsical fairy-tale cities in Poland, Torun is a must-visit place if you like medieval towns and history. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Torun.
- Gdansk is one of the most beautiful port cities in Europe, full of surprising things to do and see. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Gdansk.
- Wroclaw is a vibrant alternative city to visit for those who seek places in Poland that are off the beaten path, and there are quite a lot of things to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Wroclaw.
- Planning to visit Krakow soon? Check out this travel guide: Top 9 Things to Do in Krakow, Poland that you should check out.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- You can also watch my Poland travel video here: "Poland Now" travel video.
- To see all the articles about Poland, visit my Poland Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Poland? How about Lithuania, Germany, or Hungary? Visit our Germany travel guide page, Hungary travel guide page, and Lithuania travel guide page for more.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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4 Comments
Dear Pete
I have a plan to visit Poland next year and fortunately I found your website. It is so informative, giving wonderful detail which is easy to understand and follow.
Thanks you so much.
Hey Jin, Thank you for the comments! I hope you found the guide useful!
The Market Square is currently a building site. Renovations are scheduled to go on until the end of 2023.
Oh, that's a shame! Thanks for the heads up! I've updated the content now. Appreciate it!