Old Market Square
First-timersThe old town and the Town Hall.
Poznań city guide
Things To Do In Poznań
Between Berlin and Warsaw: a market square of painted merchants' houses, two mechanical goats that butt heads on the town hall at noon, and the island where Poland began.
3
Hostels in the city
7.9
Average, from 1,489 reviews
966
The baptism of Poland
12:00
The goats butt heads
2.5 h
To Berlin
Where Poland began
Poznań is one of the oldest cities in Poland. On Ostrów Tumski, an island in the river Warta, Mieszko I, the first ruler of Poland, is thought to have been baptised in 966, the moment usually taken as the founding of the Polish state, and the country's first cathedral was built there.
The city grew into a great trading centre, with one of the finest market squares in Poland, and spent more than a century under Prussian rule, which left an imperial district of grand buildings.
Today Poznań is a big, prosperous university and trade-fair city, relaxed and cheap. Two days is right, and it is a natural stop between Berlin and Warsaw.
Where to stay
The old town is compact. Stay near the Old Market Square.
Ostrów Tumski
HistoryThe cathedral island.
Jeżyce
Living like a localA district of cafés and old tenements, west of the centre.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Poznań
Start on the Old Market Square, surrounded by colourful merchants' houses, with the Renaissance Town Hall in the middle. At noon, two mechanical goats emerge from above the clock and butt heads twelve times; the crowd gathers a few minutes before.
Cross to Ostrów Tumski, the cathedral island, where Poland's first rulers are buried. Brama Poznania, an interactive museum, tells the story of the island and the founding of the state.
The Imperial Castle, built for the German Kaiser in the early twentieth century, is now a cultural centre. The Croissant Museum shows how the city's St Martin's croissants are made, with a show and a tasting.
Lake Malta, east of the centre, has walks, a ski slope and a summer beach. The Citadel Park, on the site of the Prussian fortress, has war cemeteries and museums.
Free things
Free things to do in Poznań
The Old Market Square and the goats at noon are free.
Ostrów Tumski, the cathedral and the riverbanks are free to walk.
Lake Malta and the Citadel Park are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Poznań
Poznań's speciality is the rogal świętomarciński, a St Martin's croissant filled with white poppy seed and almonds, protected by EU law and eaten in huge quantities on 11 November. Pyry z gzikiem, potatoes with quark and onions, is the local dish.
Milk bars and restaurants around the square are cheap. A meal is €8 to €15.
Nightlife
Going out in Poznań
Poznań has a lively student nightlife around the Old Market Square and the surrounding streets.
A beer is €2.50 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Poznań
The old town is walkable. Trams cover the rest.
The airport, Ławica, is close to the centre, with buses.
Trains reach Warsaw in about two and a half hours, Berlin in about two and a half and Wrocław in about two and a half.
Costs
What Poznań costs
Poznań is cheap. Dorms start around €10. A careful day is €35 to €45.
Prices rise during big trade fairs.
The currency is the złoty, not the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; use a bank ATM and decline the machine's currency conversion.
Safety
Staying safe in Poznań
Poznań is safe, with low crime.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Poznań
Castles and palaces in Greater Poland.
Kórnik Castle
A neo-Gothic castle on a lake, with an arboretum.
Gniezno
Poland's first capital, with its great cathedral.
Rogalin Palace
A baroque palace with a park of ancient oaks.
What's on
What is on while you are there
On 11 November the whole city eats croissants.
Staff pick
27 November
Jethro Tull
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Staff pick
27 November
Macy Gray
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8 October
Jon Anderson
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30 October
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook Show celebrates the iconic career of the legendary folk-rock duo through music and a storyline based on the biography…
1 December
Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience
Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience is a classic-era tribute band based in Los Angeles, performing a career-spanning, "best of" performance that takes the listener…
Hostels
Where to stay in Poznań
The top-rated places to stay in Poznań right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
May to September is best. St Martin's Day in November is the city's big day.
Jan
Cold
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Spring
Apr
Good
May
Excellent
Jun
Malta Festival
Jul
Warm
Aug
Warm
Sep
Good
Oct
Autumn
Nov
St Martin's Day
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in złoty locally; these are euro equivalents.
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- Beds—
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- Doing things—
Poznań travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Poznań worth visiting?
Yes, for the market square, the cathedral island and the city's relaxed atmosphere. It is an easy stop between Berlin and Warsaw.
When do the goats appear?
At noon, from above the clock on the Town Hall.
What is a St Martin's croissant?
A croissant filled with white poppy seed and almonds, protected by EU law, eaten especially on 11 November.
How far is Berlin?
About two and a half hours by train.
How many days do you need?
Two.
Is Poznań expensive?
No. It is cheap by European standards.
When is the best time to visit?
May to September, or 11 November for St Martin's Day.
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