The city of Lublin for a weekend

Lublin is a city in eastern Poland with a rich history, unique monuments, and excellent regional cuisine. It is the capital of the voivodeship and the eighth-largest city in Poland in terms of population. In recent years, Lublin has been increasingly mentioned on the list of the most essential attractions in Poland. It has the advantage over the largest cities in Poland that there are fewer tourists there, and a calmer atmosphere reigns on the city streets.

How to get to Lublin by train, by car, by bus, by plane

The city of Lublin is located in eastern Poland. It is the capital of one of the 16 provinces in Poland. Lublin’s location on Google Maps.

How to get to Lublin by train

The central railway station is called in Polish ‘Lublin Główny’ – the railway station in Lublin on Google Maps and train timetable.

The most popular direct connections include Warsaw (the shortest travel time: 1 hr 48 mins), Łódź (the shortest travel time: 2 hr 52 mins), Wrocław (5 hrs 29 mins), Katowice (4 hrs 40 mins), Toruń (4 hrs 09 mins), Kraków (3 hrs 58 mins), Poznań (4 hrs 42 mins).

How to get to Lublin by car

Approximate (depending on traffic) travel time from: Warsaw 1 hrs 50 mins, Wrocław 5 hrs, Poznań 4 hrs 45 mins, Kraków 3 hrs 30 mins, Gdańsk 5 hrs 30 mins, Katowice 4 hrs 15 mins, Łódź 3 hrs, Toruń 4 hr.

How to get to Lublin by plane

The Lublin Airport serves several domestic and international connections (including Dublin, London, Bergamo, Barcelona, Rome). Lublin Airport (in Polish: Port Lotniczy Lublin) is located in Świdnik, 13 km from the city center (location on Google Maps, website in English).

How to get to Lublin by bus

The central bus station is called in Polish ‘Dworzec Lublin’ or ‘Dworzec Autobusowy Lublin’ – the bus station in Lublin on Google Maps and the bus timetable. On the station’s roof is a viewing terrace and a playground.

After a significant renovation, the station opened in 2024, receiving numerous international architectural awards.

Photo source: Dworzec Lublin

Lublin Castle

Lublin Castle stands on a small hill adjacent to the Old Town. Built in the 12th century, it was rebuilt many times; in the 19th century, it received its current neo-Gothic form and served as a prison until 1954.

There are two preserved buildings dating back to the Middle Ages: the tower (donjon) was added in the 13th century in the Romanesque style (at the top of the tower, there is a viewing terrace from which you can admire the panorama of Lublin) and the 14th-century castle chapel in the Gothic style. The Castle Chapel of the Holy Trinity (Kaplica Trójcy Świętej), whose interior is covered with priceless paintings, is one of the most valuable monuments of medieval art in Poland and Europe.

The Underground Tourist Route in the Old Town

The Lublin Underground Route is almost 300 meters long and runs under the Market Square and the tenement houses of the Old Town. The route was created by connecting several Old Town cellars, whose history dates back to the early 16th century. The corridors and rooms are spread over three floors at a depth of 9 to 12 meters. 

Photo source: Lubelska Trasa Podziemna

The Lublin Open Air Village Museum

The Lublin Village Museum, picturesquely situated in the Czechówka River valley, is one of the largest open-air museums in Poland. The museum is open all year round (except for selected public holidays). A walk in the fresh air combined with a rest in a restaurant serving local delicacies.

Photo source: Muzeum Wsi Lubelskiej

Live Museum (interactive show) of Cebularz (local snack)

During an interactive workshop, visitors learn about the history of Lublin and regional traditions in a fun way and participate in making cebularz – wheat pastry with onion seasoned with poppy seeds. It’s a local snack originating from Jewish cuisine.

Photo source: Regionalne Muzeum Cebularza

Carnaval Sztukmistrzów – Festival of Modern Circus Street Art and Urban Highline

Carnaval is a festival of world-famous circus stars visiting Lublin every year since 2008. Street shows, theatre and circus performances, workshops, fire shows. During the event, there are performances by renowned, world-renowned formations and groups presenting the art of a new circus.

The event includes Urban Highline – the world’s oldest and largest highline festival. The highline walking festival combines an element of the city’s identity with a newly emerging discipline, slackline – all shows are located in the city center and its historical part.

Many events of the Festival are free and available at your fingertips, as they take place in the city’s streets, squares, and plazas. Some events are ticketed and can be seen in the Circus Tent or the theater.

In the festival program on the website, each performance has a suggested age for the audience. You can find events dedicated to children using the filter in the program tab.

Photo source: Katarzyna Anna Kubiak, Natalia Ogloszka, Carnaval Sztukmistrzów

Things to do outdoors in Lublin

Things to do indoors in Lublin

Visiting Majdanek Museum – Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp

Museum on the site of one of the largest Nazi concentration camps built during the German occupation of Poland in World War II, with buildings, photographs, and personal belongings of prisoners.

The museum covers 90 hectares and contains approximately 70 historical sites, including gas chambers, a crematorium, and execution ditches.

Before visiting Lublin and the Majdanek Camp memorial, it is worth watching “A Real Pain” (Prawdziwy Ból), a movie starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin (more about the film on IMDb). They are American cousins who take a trip to Poland to honor their deceased grandmother. Part of their tour involves visiting Lublin and the Majdanek camp.

Visiting charming historic towns near Lublin: Kazimierz Dolny, Zamość, Sandomierz

A trip to Lublin can be combined with a visit to picturesque small towns in the area with a rich history and offer for tourists: Kazimierz Dolny (50 km), Zamość (80 km), Sandomierz (120 km).

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