Things to do in Poznan, Poland for the First-Time Visitor!

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Here are some of the best things to do in Poznan for first time visitors including a walking tour of the Old Town to see the charming Merchant houses, exploring Cathedral Island and Śródka, and sampling traditional Polish cuisine which includes hearty dishes and plenty of vodka and beer!

Poznan was the third stop of our month-long trip through Poland and like Krakow and Wroclaw before it, the city proved to be yet another wonderful surprise – though, at this point, I’m not sure why we were even surprised!

I seriously think Poland may be one of the most underrated countries for travel in Europe just hiding in plain sight.

So once again, I’m happy to share our itinerary to what I think are some of the best things to do in Poznan on your visit.

Your travel guide to the best things to do in Poznan, Poland with views of the old square on a bright sunny day

Top tours in Poznan

  • Traditional Polish Food Tour – sample typical Polish appetizers, soup, main courses, and dessert as you explore Poznan’s old town.
  • Polish Beer Tasting Tour – try 11 different kinds of beer (popular, regional, and craft) along with some typical Polish appetizers.
  • Vodka Tasting Tour – taste different types of Polish vodka paired with appetizers while learning about Polish culture and traditions. 

Things to do in Poznan

Do a full loop around Old Market Square

I know I use a lot of superlatives, but I just have to say it, Poznan has one of the most beautiful town squares I have seen in all of Europe!

We somehow managed to book an AirBnB that was one block from Old Market Square, and I could not believe my eyes when we rounded the bend for the first time and I saw them standing there – the Merchant Houses, these little, narrow buildings that stand shoulder to shoulder, painted in bright colours and intricate patterns with pokey windows sticking out of the attic apartments.

Talk about looking postcard-perfect!

Visiting Poznan's Old Market Square with a range of colorful buildings in Poland
One of the most popular things to do in Poznan, Poland is to visit the Merchant Houses in the square to see colourful buildings with unique facades
The famous Merchant Houses in Poznan, Poland detailed view of the intricate facade of each building

But that’s not all; right next to the Merchant Houses, you also have the Town Hall, which is yet another impressive building. The first time I saw it, I mistook it for a church. After all, it’s not every day you see a Town Hall complete with a steeple, towers, and painted figures from the Ancient World, but that’s Poznan for you – ready to impress at every turn.

The Town Hall also has a mechanical clock of two goats butting heads, which draws crowds when the clock strikes noon, but I only found out about this after I left.

For a proper look at the historic old town and to learn more about the city’s history, you can book a 2-hour Poznan guided walking tour which is a great introduction to the city.

The Town Hall in Poznan almost looks like a church with its intricate detail and overall design in Poland

Enjoy the views from the Royal Castle

For views of the Old Town, we made our way to the Royal Castle which is in the west end of the Old Town.

The castle’s original construction dates back to 1249 and by the 14th century, it was the largest non-religious building in all of Poland. However, for a building that dates back that far back, the castle looks surprisingly new and that’s because between 2010-2016 it underwent a complete renovation.

A series of fires, sackings, and attacks, not to mention more recent events like WW2, had left the castle in pretty bad shape, but it’s now open to visitors.

Views of Poznan from the Royal Castle high vantage point views in Poland

Tip: I would recommend climbing the tower in the Royal Castle in the afternoon. We went in the morning, but the town is backlit at this time of day, so if you want good shots, it’s best to save that for later in the day.

Visit the Jesuit College and catch a church concert

Just south of the Town Square, we also visited the Jesuit College, which first opened its doors in 1573. Today it houses the City Council, so it’s not really open to visitors, but you can wander into the courtyard, snap some photos, and enjoy the cafe on site. It’s a stunning building and it’s worth a quick peek even if it’s just from the outside.

Then, just next to the Jesuit College, we found Fara Poznańska, a church done in the Baroque Style with the same pink and white colours as the college, and then once you set foot inside it’s a pastel dream with elaborate biblical scenes that would make any churchgoer gaze up and drift into a daydream.

One of our favourite things to do in Poznan was to get lost on foot where we encountered incredible views around every corner
Inside Fara Poznańska in Poznan where the details of the intricate design will blow your mind in Poland

The best part is that the church puts on classical music concerts. We just happened to wander into the church right when they were setting up, so we stuck around for a bit. According to their website, organ concerts are on Saturdays at 12:15 but you can double-check the schedule for updates here.

Enjoy a quiet moment at Frederic Chopin Park

Another cool little spot is Frederic Chopin Park, which is located directly behind the Jesuit College.

Chopin was actually from Warsaw, but he made a brief visit to Poznan so he’s commemorated with his own little park and a bust in the middle.

Poznan Chopin sculpture macro up close details at the local park in Poland
Garden views of the Chopin statue in Poznan with flower foreground and trees and buildings in the background in Poland

It’s a fairly small park, but perfect for a little break after a long day of sightseeing, with lots of benches under the cover of trees and a small flower garden. The park can be accessed just off of Wroclawska, a popular street for food and nightlife.

Enjoy the summer vibes at KontenerART

KontenerART was a really interesting surprise not too far from Poznan’s Old Town. Located on the banks of the Warta River, this space was part urban beach, art space, children’s playground, herb and spice garden, food cart central and outdoor bar.

That Backpacker Audrey Bergner posing alonside Cool art in KontenerART whilst visiting Poznan, Poland
That Backpacker Audrey Bergner and Nomadic Samuel enjoying a green escape in Poznan with nothing but smiles
Urban gardening at KontenerART with plants on display and artwork to match it in Poznan, Poland

What surprised me most about it was that you had young twenty-somethings listening to music and enjoying summer drinks on pallets, but then you also had families with young kids sharing the same space; parents were enjoying lunch from the food carts in the shade, and meanwhile, you had kids running around in the sand and making their own fun.

KontenerART seemed to draw people of all ages and no one was really bothered by the other, which was cool to see. I’m not sure how busy it is during the cooler months, but if you’re in Poznan during summer it’s worth a visit.

Wander over to Cathedral Island and Śródka

Just like Wroclaw, Poznan too has its own Cathedral Island, though with far fewer churches. The island sits right between two branches of the Warta River and is home to Poznan Cathedral, also known as the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. That being said, if you only have time for one church, I’d choose Fara Poznańska in the Old Town since the interior is far more impressive.

Visiting Cathedral Island in Poznan with distinct views from a distant vantage point

If you make it all the way to Cathedral Island, it’s also worth crossing one more bridge to reach the neighbourhood of Śródka. I really liked that this neighbourhood had a bit of an alternative vibe, and it felt more like a local’s go-to weekend spot as opposed to a tourist spot.

Also, check out the photo below and see if you can spot the mural. At first glance, that totally fooled my eyes.

Cool murals on buildings in the neighbourhood of Śródka, Poznan
Street art in the neighbourhood of Śródka in Poznan

Śródka appeared to have plenty of choices when it came to food, and all the restaurants and bars were packed when we wandered over there on a weekend. 

We really wanted to eat at Na Winklu which is famed for serving not only traditional steamed perogies but also the baked variety (they almost look like empanadas). Of course, there were no seats available, so a lesson learned: make reservations or be left wanting baked pierogi.

Where to eat in Poznan

Pierogi aside, here are a few other places we enjoyed eating at around Poznan:

Fat Bob Burger – Popular spot serving up juicy burgers, classic fries and homemade strawberry and kiwi lemonades.

Liczbańscy – Small little bakery around the block from the Royal Castle serving up delicious cakes, pastries and cappuccinos.

Jaglana – Healthy brunch spot that was both vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Sam had the chocolate buckwheat pancakes, I had shakshuka, and we both ordered fresh-squeezed juices. Their desserts also looked decadent!

Zindo Sushi – All-you-can-eat conveyer-belt sushi (or in this case floating sushi boats) for a set fee. It’s not the most authentic sushi I’ve had, but they kept the salmon sashimi coming.

That Backpacker Audrey Bergner enjoying a cup of coffee whilst cafe hopping in Poznan, Poland
Coffee and cake break in Poznan macro details from table level in Poland
Trying to befriend a long-haired German Shepherd sitting down on the sidewalk in Poznan, Poland

Where to stay in Poznan

We lucked out with an amazing apartment just one block from the town square. 

City Park Hotel & Residence – a 5-star hotel offering a mix of rooms and apartments set in an elegant 19th-century redbrick building.

PURO Poznań Stare Miasto – a 4-star hotel with modern rooms situated on the edge of the old town. It also features a restaurant with an open-air terrace garden.

Don Prestige Residence – a 3-star hotel set in the heart of the old town offering bright and spacious rooms.

Street art in Poznan on a gritty side street next to a door

Practical Tips, Neighbourhood Detours & Easy Day-Trips to Round Out Your Poznań Stay

Getting Around: Trams, E-Scooters & The Poznań City Card

ModeCostWhy (or Why Not)
PEKA Smart Card15 PLN deposit + pay-as-you-go taps (≈ 0.69 PLN/km)Best for three days or longer; cap on daily spend; valid on trams, buses, local trains.
24 h / 48 h paper ticket15 / 30 PLNUnlimited rides within city limits; buy at kiosks or green machines.
Bolt & Lime Scooters0.50 PLN/unlock + 0.80 PLN/minIdeal for riverside paths; helmets not provided—BYO.
Rower Miejski Bike ShareFirst 20 min free, then 0.10 PLN/minStations at Malta Lake, Cathedral Island; download Nextbike app.

Tip: If you plan museum hopping, opt for the Poznań City Card (1 day – 49 PLN, 2 days – 69 PLN). It bundles unlimited transport plus free entry/discounts to 40+ attractions—paying for itself after three rides and two museums.

Must-Taste Poznań Delicacies (Besides Pierogi)

DishWhere to TryBackstory
Rogal Świętomarciński (St Martin croissant)Rogalowe Muzeum behind Town Hall; watch, bake, eat.PGI-protected pastry stuffed with white poppy seeds, almond paste & citrus peel. Consumed by tonnes during 11 Nov street parade.
Pyry z gzikiem (Jacket potato + cottage-cheese chive dip)Pyra Bar (ul. Strzelecka 13)Greater Poland’s humble carb pride; “pyry” is local slang for potatoes.
Szneka z glancem (“snail” cinnamon bun)Cukiernia LiczbańscySpiralled yeast dough drizzled with sugar ‘glaze’—breakfast of champions.
Regional craft beersBrowar Słodownia taproom, 10 tapsLook for Miłosław Klasyczne or Fortuna Wiśniowa cherry ale from nearby Miłosław Brewery.

Vodka lover? Swap Żubrówka for Wściekły Pies (“rabid dog”) shot—raspberry syrup, vodka, Tabasco—served at student bar Dragon on ul. Zamkowa. The heat cuts the chill of an October evening.

Quirky Cultural Stops

  1. Enigma Cipher Centre – Interactive museum outlining how Poznań mathematicians first cracked Nazi codes before handing research to Bletchley Park. English signage excellent; book slots online (25 PLN).
  2. Croissant Museum – Equal parts baking demo and stand-up comedy; shows at 11:10/13:45 in English on weekends (25 PLN). Leave with powdered-sugar moustache.
  3. Poznań Palm House – Europe’s largest pre-WW1 glasshouse. Tropical butterflies hatch weekly; cafe serves matcha-latte under 18-m palms. Tram 9 drops you outside.

Annual Events to Plan Around

MonthEventWhy Go
JuneMalta FestivalAvant-garde theatre, open-air dance and lake-side film screenings.
JulyEthno PortWorld-music weekend; past line-ups include Tuareg blues icons Tinariwen.
November 11St Martin’s Day ParadeKnights on horseback toss candy; bakeries sell half a million protected-status croissants in one day.
2nd Advent weekendPoznań Xmas MarketVoted top 10 in Europe; huge ice-sculpting contest.

Book accommodation early during Malta or St Martin’s—room rates jump 30 %.

Effortless Day-Trips (≤ 50 min by Train/Bus)

DestinationTravel TimeHighlight
Rogalin Palace30 min bus 560Baroque mansion + 800-year-old oak forest; art gallery hosts Monets & Matejkos.
Kórnik Castle & Arboretum40 min train + 10 min walkFairy-tale water-castle, library of occult manuscripts, Poland’s largest magnolia grove (blooms April).
Gniezno30 min trainFirst Polish capital; twin-tower cathedral with bronze Romanesque doors depicting 12 scenes of St Adalbert’s life.
Wielkopolski National Park35 min regional train to Puszczykowo10 glacial lakes, stilted bog boardwalks, kayak rentals in summer. Pack a picnic of szneka buns.

The Jakdojade app (English interface) shows real-time regional rail and bus links; tickets can be purchased in-app with Apple/Google Pay.

Budget Breakdown (Per Day, Mid-Range Couple)

ItemCost (PLN)Notes
Double room Airbnb Old Town260Cheaper Fri-Sun than Mon-Thu due to business travellers.
Three daily meals + coffee break200Mix of cafe breakfast, market-hall lunch, sit-down dinner.
Transport (24 h ticket + e-scooter)25Walkable core means low spend.
Museums & tower climbs70Castle, Enigma, Palm House—all with student ID discounts.
Beers or vodka tasting60Two flights or six shots with snacks.
Total615 PLN (~€135)Easily trimmed under €100 by cooking breakfast and skipping tower fees.

Read more about Poland

Have you visited the city?
What were some of your favourite things to do in Poznan?

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4 Comments

  1. says: Renuka

    Beautiful! Poznan looks like a pretty city with all the fun things to do. I love the graffiti. It’s so impressive! I can imagine how much fun it must be to just roam around and admire quirky sights.

  2. says: Sheree

    I am yet to visit Poland but would love to, I even have a friend in Poznan so I really need to make the trip. Your photos are incredible!

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