During my trip to Poznan, I discovered a magical and unique city that I didn’t expect. I found myself enjoying the city much more than I initially thought and ended up doing many cool things there.
The decision to fly to Poznań alone came when I discovered that Roman was going on a four-day trip with his friends in May. I thought to myself and concluded that I’d rather be alone abroad than alone at home 🙂
So, I searched for the cheapest flight on his dates and found one to Poznań, Poland. I booked the flight ticket and then started researching what there is to do there and where to stay. Unfortunately, I didn’t find much information about Poznań and was even a bit disappointed about going there. The only thing that cheered me up was seeing photos of the old town—it looked beautiful. I found a cheap hostel, Retro Hostel, in a great central location with good reviews and booked a single room with shared bathrooms and showers. you can read what I did exactly every day in my post Amazing four-day itinerary for Poznan.
Rent a Bike
One morning after breakfast, I decided to rent a bike. There are bike stations scattered around the city, and you need to register on their website first (link). You take a bike from one station and return it to another anywhere in the city. Payment is based on the time from when you pick up the bike until you return it.
3D Mural on a Building
I rode my bike to a street with a 3D mural on a building. I got this tip from someone living in Poland via Instagram, and I loved her recommendation. The mural was truly stunning and unique (map).
The mural tells the story of the Śródka district in Poznań. Among the characters depicted are a prince, a trumpeter, a cat, and a butcher’s stall. In 2016, National Geographic Traveler selected the mural as one of Poland’s Seven New Wonders.
Malta Lake
Bike Ride Around Malta Lake Malta Lake in Poznań is a fantastic spot for recreation, offering plenty of attractions for all ages. The lake itself is beautiful, surrounded by a circular bike path, perfect for riding through the peaceful, green area. Along the lake, you’ll also find activities like year-round dry skiing, a small amusement park, bowling alleys, and more. It’s ideal for family outings or hanging out with friends. I especially enjoyed biking around the lake, and the views added so much to the experience (directions).
Train Ride to the Zoo
I parked my bike near the Maltanka train station (map), ordered iced tea at a nearby restaurant, and waited for the train to the zoo. Though you can bike there, I thought it would be nice to take the train. There’s a train every hour, and a one-way ticket costs about 6 PLN. The ride to the zoo takes about 15 minutes.
Zoo
At first, I wasn’t sure if I should go to the zoo, but I’m glad I did. The Nowe Zoo is safari-style, with large, fenced areas where animals roam freely—not confined to small cages. The zoo is well-maintained, with many spots to sit, relax, and enjoy the scenery.
The train back runs hourly at 10:30, 11:30, and so on.
Pro tip: Bring fruits and snacks. When I visited (mid-May), the restaurant was closed, and there was nowhere to eat.
Updated Entry Prices for 2025: Monday–Friday (March to October):
- Regular ticket – 45 PLN
- Discounted ticket – 30 PLN
- Family ticket – 80 PLN
Saturdays & Holidays (March to October):
- Regular ticket – 55 PLN
- Discounted ticket – 35 PLN
- Family ticket – 115 PLN
Special Dates (May 1 & 3, Corpus Christi, August 15):
- Regular ticket – 60 PLN
- Discounted ticket – 40 PLN
- Family ticket – 130 PLN
November–February:
- Family ticket – 35 PLN
- All visitors – 15 PLN
Check the zoo’s official website for up-to-date information.
Croissant Museum
Did you know Poznań is famous for its local croissants? There’s even a Croissant Museum where you can watch a short, fun show about the history and preparation of the famous pastry—and, of course, eat one afterward.
Shows are available in both English and Polish. I recommend emailing ahead to ask about the schedule for English shows. That’s what I did and ended up going to the 12:30 PM show. It’s light-hearted, great for kids, but fun for adults too.
Updated Info for 2025: English Shows:
- Year-round: Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 PM
- Summer (July–August): Daily at 2:00 PM
Prices:
- Ages 3 and up – 39 PLN per person
- Under 3 – 1 PLN
Small Market
Near the light rail station close to my hostel, there was a small market selling fruits, vegetables, and other goodies (market map). I noticed some fresh strawberries and berries, bought a mix for 10 PLN, and took them with me.
Botanical Gardens
I took the light rail to the botanical gardens, which are free to enter and beautiful. The gardens are huge, with plenty of benches where you can sit and relax.
Founded in 1925, the Poznań Botanical Garden serves as both a public park and a research facility for Adam Mickiewicz University. It features 8,000 plant species from different climates worldwide, spanning over 22 hectares. The garden is divided into sections like ornamental plants, ecology, and biology. It’s a perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring the city (directions).
Rusalka Lake
From the botanical gardens, I walked to the beautiful Rusalka Lake (map). If you enjoy biking, I recommend renting a bike and riding around the lake—it’s a fantastic area for cycling. I found a nice spot by the water, read a book and enjoyed the berries I bought earlier.
Imperial Castle and the Enigma Exhibit
One morning, I took the light rail to the Imperial Castle (map).
Built in the early 20th century for German Emperor Wilhelm II, the castle has served many purposes over the years. Today, it’s a cultural center housing museums, galleries, a cinema, and performance halls. The impressive architecture and rich history make it a must-visit, especially for history buffs.
Behind the castle, there’s an Enigma exhibit with a video telling the story of how Polish cryptographers cracked the Enigma code. It’s estimated that this breakthrough shortened WWII by two to three years, saving millions of lives.
Cytadela Park
Cytadela Park is the largest park in Poznań, where you can easily spend hours. It features playgrounds, a British cemetery, a war museum, commemorative sculptures, and Magdalena Abakanowicz’s famous “Unrecognized” statues.
Beer and Food Tour
Before my trip to Poznań, I searched for unique tours and found City Event Poznań, which offers food tours and beer tastings. I emailed the owner, Piotr, and he kindly arranged a private tour just for me. The tour combined food and beer tastings, and it was an unforgettable experience. I tried some unusual Polish beers—like hot beer with eggs and sugar!—and tasted many local dishes. Piotr was incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights about Poznań’s history.
Shopping
One of the perks of Poznań is how affordable it is, making shopping even more enjoyable. The city has a variety of shopping options, including Półwiejska Street, known for trendy shops and great deals.
Posnania Mall is one of the largest and most modern malls in Poznań, located near Malta Lake. It offers a wide range of shops, international and local brands, restaurants, cafés, and entertainment options like a cinema, arcade, gym, and even a spa. It’s perfect for a shopping spree and a fun day out.
Frédéric Chopin Park
This small yet charming park in the heart of the city is a peaceful spot with manicured paths, green trees, and benches. Dedicated to the great composer Frédéric Chopin, it’s an ideal place for a relaxing walk or a quiet break.
Royal Castle
Poznań’s Royal Castle dates back to the 13th century, built by King Przemysł II. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times, especially after WWII. Today, it houses a museum dedicated to Poznań’s and Poland’s history, featuring fascinating exhibits and offering panoramic views from the tower.
Recommended Restaurants in Poznan
Polish Dumplings
One of my favorite Polish dishes is pierogi, and the best place I found was the Pierozak chain. They offer a huge variety, and I tried five different flavors topped with sour cream and fried onions. Options include feta cheese, cabbage and mushrooms, spinach and cheese, duck, and more. They make everything fresh on-site, and it was delicious (directions).
Thai Restaurant
There was a Thai restaurant called Why Thai near my hostel with great reviews, so I decided to have dinner there. I ordered a classic Pad Thai with shrimp and a glass of white wine. They served rice crackers with peanut butter dip as a starter (yum!), and the Pad Thai was flavorful and filling. The wine paired perfectly, and I enjoyed my meal even though I was dining alone (directions).
Indian Restaurant – Update: Permanently Closed
I love Indian food, and when I stumbled upon Taj Mahal (map), I checked the prices and was pleasantly surprised at how affordable it was. I ordered Palak Paneer (a spinach and cheese curry) for just 16 PLN, along with rice and a veggie salad. The salad was delicious but a bit too spicy for my taste—next time, I’d ask for the dressing on the side. The Palak Paneer was so good I almost finished it all, despite being full halfway through.
Recommended Cafés in Poznan
Cozy Tea Café
I came across a cute pink café, Rozove Cafe, and couldn’t resist going in. They bake fresh cakes daily that looked amazing, but I was too full, so I just ordered herbal tea. It was delicious, and I enjoyed sitting there, reading a book, and relaxing (directions).
Great Breakfast Spot
One rainy morning, I searched for a good breakfast café and found Lavenda. It seemed like a popular spot for business people, with lots of suited-up guests, but the prices were still reasonable. I ordered avocado toast with poached eggs—it was delicious! I also had a cappuccino and read my book peacefully (directions).
Modern Café
One of the breakfast I had was at Jaglana Café, right near my hostel. It’s modern with excellent food and coffee. I ordered my favorite oatmeal with fruit, but they also serve sandwiches, salads, pancakes, and more. The cappuccino was perfect too (directions).
Café with Shakshuka
Update: Permanently Closed On my last day, I found a café serving shakshuka, which was exactly what I wanted. Razowa Café offers both regular and vegan shakshuka. I ordered the regular one, topped with cheese, and it was delicious. They served it with bread I really liked. They also have a variety of breakfast options, pastries, and sandwiches—a great spot.
More Tours in Poznan
Since my visit, more guided tours have become available in Poznań. Here are some options I found:
Tips for Traveling in Poznań
SIM Card
I bought a SIM card at a small grocery store on the left side before exiting the airport. The SIM was from Plus and cost only 2 euro (!!) — the cheapest I’ve ever paid for a SIM card. It lasted me the entire 4-day trip and worked perfectly.
How to Get from the Airport to Poznań City Center
I ordered an Uber for 6 euro (the great thing about Uber is that you can see the fare in advance). There’s also the option of taking a bus, but since the Uber was so cheap, I chose the taxi.
The Hostel I Stayed at in Poznan
I stayed at Retro Hostel, which has an excellent location. It’s close to public transport (trams and buses), there’s a supermarket nearby that’s always open, and it’s just a short walk to the heart of the Old Town, yet in a quiet area.
The hostel itself was very clean, with a kitchen for guests who want to cook. The shared bathrooms and showers were always spotless, and my room was basic but nice. On the first night, a group was making a lot of noise, and despite the staff’s efforts to quiet them down, it didn’t help much, so I didn’t sleep well that night. Thankfully, they left the next morning, and I slept well for the rest of my stay. One downside of the hostel is that you can hear everything happening in the hallway, so if someone is talking there, it’s noticeable in the rooms. I recommend bringing earplugs when staying in hostels — it solves this problem easily.
In Conclusion
During my trip to Poznań, I discovered a magical and unique city that I didn’t expect. I found myself enjoying it much more than I initially thought. I was pleasantly surprised by the many unique attractions, like the 3D mural on Śródka Street, the Croissant Museum, the botanical gardens, and the stunning lake with its circular bike path where I loved cycling. The food and beer tasting tour made the experience even more diverse and exciting.
Not only was Poznań super affordable, but it also offered everything I could ask for in a great trip — attractions, nature, history, shopping, and culture — all at my own pace and in a relaxed atmosphere.
I hope this post helped you! If it did, I’d love for you to leave a comment below. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments or reach out to me on my blog’s social media: Facebook or Instagram.
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