Planning a Poznan itinerary is not something that is on everyone’s radar when visiting Poland. This small city in the west of the country is an absolute gem of a place – boasting a beautiful, historic old town and a fascinating history – and, for some reason, sees just a fraction of the visitors as places like Krakow or Warsaw.
If you’re looking for a wonderful little town to visit while getting off the beaten path in Poland, then consider planning out at least one day in Poznan.
You’re sure to be immediately charmed by the gorgeous architecture, learn something in one of its many museums and simply enjoy getting to know the broader Wielkopolska region.
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How Many Days in Poznan?
So you’ve decided to add Poznan to your Poland itinerary – but now you’re wondering how many days to spend in Poznan in order to do the city justice. This is a legitimate question – there is not a lot of information out there about the city.
In general, you likely only need one day in Poznan if you simply want to explore the old town and get a good feel for the city. It’s quite a compact little town, so you can cover quite a lot of ground within the confines of one day and still feel like you have a good feel for the city.
If you have more time, consider spending 2 days in Poznan. This will allow you to explore a bit more of the region and, perhaps head into the beautiful Wielkopolski National Park which is known for its beautiful, dense pine forests and lovely, tranquil lakes. In fact, if you’re a nature lover, giving yourself enough time to see Poznan in 2 days is a great option.
Regardless of how long you have to spend in this little Polish city, you’re sure to quickly fall in love with its charming cobbled streets and colourful architecture.
Getting To & Around Poznan
Despite being quite small, Poznan is actually quite easy to access from across Europe. Home to its own international airport, you can fly here for a unique city break or weekend in Poznan from a range of European destinations.
If you’re more interested in travelling overland, Poznan is also well-connected by bus and rail. For instance, you can reach the city in a few hours by direct bus from Berlin.
As a major city in Poland and the capital of the Wielkopolska region, Poznan is also directly connected to other cities in the country. You can reach it in about 1.5 hours by train, for instance, from Wroclaw – making it a great day trip destination from the Lower Silesian capital.
There are also plenty of direct bus and train connections to Poznan from cities like Gdansk, Krakow and Warsaw so it’s easy to get to from elsewhere in Poland. Click here to view schedules.
Because of its compact nature, Poznan is best explored on foot and if you’re spending your time in the old town, it’s unlikely that you will even need to use the public transport system.
However, if you find yourself needing to get around outside of your own two feet, Poznan does have a network of trams and buses that can get you around the city centre and beyond.
If you want to use public transit, you will find ticket machines aboard most trams and buses and also at most transit stops.
One Day in Poznan Itinerary
If you’re planning on seeing Poznan in one day, then your best bet is to spend the majority of your time in the old town. This compact area has a lot of history and if you want to explore it with more context, it can be a great idea to hop on a free walking tour.
Keep in mind that guides on these tours work for tips, so it’s important to pay what you think the tour was worth at the end. Alternatively, you could also book a paid walking tour of Poznan Old Town, as well.
Old Market Square
A logical starting-off point on any day exploring Poznan is its charming Old Market Square – known as Stary Rynek in Polish.
Dating back to at least the 9th Century, this is the main gathering point in the city and is the centre of the old town. Historically, this was the site of the city’s market – hence the name – and it’s still home to Poznan’s main Christmas market to this day.
In the square, you will find the ornate old town hall that is a focal point of the Poxnan skyline. The square is also lined with open-air cafes and other points of interest – along with benches making it a great place for some people watching.
It’s worth noting that, as of updating in October of 2023, the Old Market Square is under construction due to renovation projects but is expected to be completed for those visiting in 2024.
Museum of the Wielkopolska Uprising
Located in a beautiful 18th-century building, this little museum is an excellent next stop if you’re interested in learning more about the history of Poznan and it happens to be situated in the Old Market Quare.
Covering the events of the Wielkopolska Uprising in 1918-1919 that was part of the Greater Poland Uprising, it covers how this region fought to become an independent state after the First World War.
Though small, this museum is a great introduction to understanding modern Polish history and visiting is one of the best things to do in Poznan.
Royal Castle
After exploring what the Old Market Square has to offer, it’s time to head over to Poznan’s Royal Castle.
This beautiful building was first constructed in the 13th Century, however, it was largely destroyed during World War Two. However, it has been reconstructed to look exactly as it did before the war.
The castle was once a residence to the Polish royals. Today, however, it is home to the Museum of Applied Arts and a fantastic observation deck. The museum is home to a number of historic Polish and European paintings that can be worth it to browse, however, the real highlight lies in the observation deck.
Included in your entry fee to the museum is entry into the observation deck. Set atop a castle tower, you can get an incredible, panoramic view over Poznan from here and it’s well worth it.
Poznan Uprising Museum
A little bit further from the Royal Castle you will find Poznan’s other castle, also known as Zamek – or the Imperial Castle. This 20th-century castle doesn’t hold the historic importance of the aforementioned castle, however, it is home to the Poznan Uprising Museum, which can definitely be worth visiting.
Not to be confused with the 1918-1919 Uprising Museum located in the Old Market Square, this exhibition covers the events of Poznan’s 1956 uprising against the communist regime.
This is an excellent place to learn a bit about Poland under communism and the real human cost to those who tried to stand up against the government at the time.
Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Poznan Fara)
Along with castles, no visit to a Polish city is complete without taking in some beautiful churches, and you can’t go wrong with heading to the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This gorgeous Catholic church was constructed in the Baroque style in the late 17th Century and is an absolute joy to take in.
Ornate on both the interior and the exterior, it exemplifies the incredible architecture that you can see throughout Poznan. It’s possible to tour the church independently and, if it interests you, you can also pay to see the underground vaults of this building. It’s also possible to go on a guided tour of the church, as well.
If you’ve worked up an appetite after all of this sightseeing, then consider grabbing a bite to eat at Bar a Boo which is located nearby – they have great Italian food. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a Polish meal, Pierożak Pierogarnia is a good option for cheap and delicious pierogi.
Cathedral Island
Located adjacent to the Old Town is an island created between the two branches of the Warta River. Known as Cathedral Island – or Ostrow Tumski in Polish – this is home, unsurprisingly, to the beautiful Poznan Cathedral.
Known officially as the Archcathederal Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, the current cathedral was originally consecrated in the late 19th Century, though there has been a church of some sort on this location since the 10th Century.
In general, the Poznan Cathedral isn’t quite as impressive as the Baroque Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, however, it is still very much worth visiting and taking in. It’s also worth taking a bit of time to stroll around the Cathedral Island area and enjoy the beautiful cobbled streets and charming historic buildings that adorn this part of Poznan.
Citadel Park
As your final stop during your time in Poznan, take the time to head to one of this beautiful city’s many parks.
One of the best and biggest parks to visit is the massive Citadel Park – or Park Cytadela in Polish. Located at the site of an old 19th-century citadel, today it is one of the largest green spaces in Poznan.
If the weather is fine, take the time to have a leisurely stroll around this lovely area, find a bench and simply kick back and enjoy the laid-back vibes to be found here.
Have more time?
If you’re fortunate to have a bit more time to spend in Poznan, then use a second day to explore the broader Wielkopolska region and consider heading to the gorgeous Wielkipolski National Park.
Located only about 15 kilometres from the centre of Poznan, you can easily reach this park via public transportation if you haven’t rented a car during your trip to Poland.
There are plenty of different walking trails through the dense pine forests that it can be a great way to get away from some city life and enjoy a bit of natural scenery.
Otherwise, if you’d prefer to stay in Poznan, there are plenty more museums to visit that you may not have had time to head to while exploring the city on your first day.
Where to Stay in Poznan
B&B Hotel Poznan Old Town – Mid-range visitors to this lovely Polish city will love this hip hotel in the centre of Poznan. They have a number of modern rooms to choose from, a perfect location in the old town and a fab breakfast to enjoy each morning. Click here to check availability
PURO Poznan Stare Miasto – If you’re after an upmarket stay in Poznan, consider booking a room at this cool hotel in the old town. They have an array of plush rooms available along with countless great amenities available to guests. Click here to check availability
Platinum Apartments Aparthotel – These apartments are perfect for those looking for the best of both worlds – the convenience of a fully furnished flat along with the amenities of a traditional hotel. There are a number of flats to choose from all well-located for exploring the city. Click here to check availability
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Poznan!
Visiting Poznan is an excellent way to experience a small and beautiful Polish city in a short amount of time. There are a lot of great things to do in this city and it is the perfect place to visit to get a bit off the beaten tourist trail in this Central European nation.
Are you planning to visit Poznan? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!
A cool blog here Michael, I am glad you had fun in Poznan. Do you live or work in Poland or were just passing through? It’s my favourite country outside my own country (Northern Ireland). Safe travels.
Was just travelling there for a couple of weeks – it’s definitely got some fantastic destinations to visit so can’t wait to come back and see more! 🙂