Poznań is the 5th largest city in Poland by population (after Warsaw, Kraków, Łódź, and Wrocław), and the capital of Wielkopolskie Województwo (province). The Warta river flows beautifully through the city (the second longest river lying entirely in Poland, after the Vistula). One of the oldest Polish cities, it was the cultural and political center when Poland was created in the 10th century. Gniezno (a city located 50 km East of Poznań) was the first capital city of Poland. Poznan is full of monuments, at the same time it’s a very modern, innovative, and… green city (30% of green areas). Top attractions for children include the New Zoo, Maltanka Miniature Railway, and Poznań Croissant Museum.

How to get to Poznań from Warsaw

By car: about 300 km and 3-hour drive via A2 highway (paid highway)
By train: direct trains depart every 1-2 hours, about 2h30m, click here to see the timetable in English
By plane: Poznań-Ławica Airport is located about 8 km from the Poznan center, you can get to the city center by bus or by taxi. There is a direct connection between Poznań and Warsaw Chopin Airport

Hotels in Poznań

HP Park Hotel, located next to Malta Lake (Jezioro Maltańskie). 650 m to Sports and Playing Center, 2 km to Maltanka Park Railway, 3,5 km to the Old Town
Novotel Poznan Malta, located next to a park. 500 m to Termy Maltańskie Aquapark, 1,2 km to Maltanka Park Railway, 3 km to the Old Town
Sheraton, located next to Poznan International Fair Center, has a small pool. 400 m to the Old Zoo, 2 km to the Old Town

Parking & public transport in Poznań

Poznan city center is a paid parking zone (free on weekends) Monday – Friday, 8 am – 6 pm. Within the paid zone, there are 3 areas with different parking fees (red, yellow, and green). You can pay in parking meters or through mobile payment systems (eg. http://info.mpay.pl/eng)
There are trams (the core of public transport in Poznan) and buses, no metro. Besides regular tickets, there are 10 and 40-minute time tickets, and tickets convenient in case of a weekend visit, like 24-hour (1 day) ticket, 48-hour (2-day) ticket, 72-hour (3-day) ticket or 7-day ticket. Click here to read details in English

Where to have lunch or coffee in Poznań

Click here to visit the official website of Poznan city (in English) that presents a list of family-friendly restaurants in Poznan

Things to do in Poznań

New Zoo (Krańcowa 81 Street) is open EVERY DAY. It’s located 5 km from the Old Town. Click here to read the basic info in English (opening hours, ticket prices, parking lot prices), and here to buy tickets online (Please note that during weekends there are really long lines. To skip the line, buy your tickets online and show them on your smartphone at the entrance – no need to have them printed, no need to wait in line). The New Zoo is like a huge forest – kids will love it. It’s definitely a must visit place in Poznań with kids. There is a free trackless train which makes it easy to explore the Zoo with children and strollers (5 stops). You will also find there paid ropes park and playground.
Old Zoo (Zwierzyniecka 19 Street) is open EVERY DAY. It’s located 2 km from the Old Town, 400 m from Sheraton Hotel. Click here to read the basic info in English (opening hours). Obviously, it’s smaller than the New Zoo and it’s visible that most of money and investments goes to the New Zoo. However, it’s nice, especially with smaller children – it’s more like a city park with animals. And the main advantage of the Old Zoo is that it’s FREE – so no need to worry about long lines, no need to plan your visit ahead. You will also find there paid ropes park and playground.

Maltanka Miniature Railway – a historic train that goes from Malta Lake (Maltanka Stop – you can buy tickets here) to the New Zoo (Zwierzyniec Stop – you can buy tickets here), about 3,8 km. In 2019 it operates April – September. Maltanka Stop: working days every hour 10 am – 7 pm. Read more, including schedule. Prices of one-way tickets: reduced ticket for children up to 16 – 4 PLN, regular ticket – 6 PLN, family ticket (up to 5 passengers, including 2 passengers over 16) – 18 PLN. Click here to see the Maltanka Stop location on the map.

Rogal Pastry Museum (Poznań Croissant Museum) is located in the Old Town. It’s called a museum but it’s rather a show presenting how to bake a Rogal Świętomarciński – delicious pastry called in English St. Martin’s Croissant (Rogal has a similar shape to a French croissant, however, you prepare Rogal with an addition of yeast). It’s lots of fun for kids who can participate in the process of baking. Once a day, at 1.45 pm, the show is held in English. It is recommended to email the Museum in advance to book a spot (muzeum@rogalowemuzeum.pl). Click here to visit the Museum website in English (info about location, opening hours, tickets).

Ostrów Tumski Island (Cathedral Island) – the only island in Poznań. Located 1 km from the Old Town, it’s where Poznań (and Poland) originated. Why is it worth visiting with kids? Despite being in the city center, it’s quiet here. Children will have fun walking on the small bridges, and the whole family can learn something in an interesting way – there are 2 relatively small museums worth visiting with children. Porta Posnania Museum (Brama Poznania) – audio guides in English available for kids (it’s a kind of a game for children during which they get to know the history of the island in a playful way). Click here to visit the Museum website in English. Archeological Museum Genius Loci – a small museum built in 2012 where you can explore Ostrów Tumski from the 10th century, including original wooden and stone structures. Click here to visit the Museum website in English. If you have some energy left, visit the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul – one of the oldest churches in Poland. The area of Ostrów Tumski is a perfect place to have a peaceful lunch (compared with usually crowded Old Town) – go to the direction of Śródka Street to find restaurants serving Polish and international food.

Water Park Termy Maltańskie If it’s raining or if you have more time, you can visit one of the biggest water parks in Poland, located close to Malta Lake, 3 km from the Old Town. It’s probably the first thing your kids will remember from your visit to Poznań;) Click here to visit the Park website in English.
Malta Lake (Jezioro Maltańskie) – an artificial lake, 2,2 km long, located 2 km from the Old Town. Malta rowing club organizes a number of rowing world events. Next to Malta, you will find amusement park – ski slope during winter time, and during summer time: a mountain coaster, summer toboggan run, mini golf, playground etc. Click here to visit the website in Polish.
Poznań Old Town If you happen to visit the Old Town at noon, look up at the Town Hall tower – 2 goats will appear, butting heads twelve times, you will also hear a trumpeter playing a bugle call.

Museum of Arkady Fiedler – Polish traveler and author of 32 books translated into 23 languages. The Museum is located in Puszczykowo (a small town located 15 km from Poznań Old Town) and is run by the writer family. The Museum collection includes many exhibits collected by Fiedler during his travels. Outside the Museum, there is a “Garden of Tolerance” where you will find exotic monuments, eg. of Aztec gods. The main attraction for kids – replica (1 : 1 scale) of a legendary “Santa Maria” ship of Christopher Columbus. Click here to visit the Museum website in Polish.

Kids in the City

Kids in the City – Your trusted guide to family life in Poland

Poznan (Poznań)

Poznan (Poznań)

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