The things to do in Poznań – discover the city where centuries-old tradition meets a modern vibe

The city of Poznań is a perfect weekend city break in Poland with your family. Poznań is full of monuments, but at the same time, it’s a very modern, innovative, and green city (30% of green areas). Try delicious Poznań pastry (rogal), visit two zoos, take a photo with the fighting billy goats, and learn about the origins of Polish history.

The city of Poznań (pronunciation: poz-nan) is the 5th largest city in Poland by population (after Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and Łódź), and the capital of Województwo Wielkopolskie (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 of Poland when it was established in the 10th century. Gniezno (a town located 50 km east of Poznań) was the first capital city of Poland.

How to get to Poznań by car, by train, or by plane

The city of Poznań is located in western Poland. It is the capital of one of Poland’s 16 provinces (wojewódzwo wielkopolskie – Wiekolopolska region). Poznań’s location on Google Maps.

By train

The central railway station in Poznań is called Poznań Główny in Polish (location on Google Maps). It’s located in the center of Poznań (Dworcowa 2 Street), about 2 km from the Old Town. The most popular domestic direct connections include Warsaw (the shortest travel time: 2 hrs 24 mins), Kraków (4 hrs 54 mins), Wrocław (1 hr 18 mins), Gdańsk (2 hrs 43 mins), Łódź (2 hrs 38 mins), Katowice (3 hrs 44 mins), Lublin (4 hrs 43 mins).

By car

Poznań is well connected with other cities in Poland. Approximate (depending on traffic) travel time from: Warsaw 3 hrs, Kraków 4 hrs 40 mins, Wrocław 2 hrs, Gdańsk 3 hrs 10 mins, Łódź 2 hrs 20 mins, Katowice 3 hrs 40 mins, Lublin 4 hrs 30 mins.

By plane

Poznań has its international airport located 8 km from the Old Town: Poznań-Ławica Airport, website in English, location on Google Maps. How to get from Poznań airport to the city center? A municipal bus number. 159 will take you to the city center – the last stop is called Poznań Główny, which is the central railway station. You can buy tickets from the machine (cash or card) next to the stop (bus no. 159’s timetable and list of stops). Other buses from the Airport include bus no. 148 and a night bus no. 222. The ticket is being validated upon purchase. You can also take a taxi waiting outside the terminal, it takes about 20 minutes to the city center.

Attractions in Poznań that both adults and kids will enjoy

Poznań Old Market Square and goats – the symbol of the city

Poznań Market Square is a vibrant center of the city, full of historical sites and monuments, but also packed with restaurants and cafes. It’s the third-largest market square in Poland, after Kraków and Wrocław. Sixty percent of all buildings were destroyed during the Second World War, but they were meticulously reconstructed after 1945 to their original state. The Square is full of picturesque 16th-century merchant houses.

If you happen to visit the Old Town at noon, look up at the Renaissance Town Hall (Ratusz) tower – 2 white figures of goats (koziołki) will appear, butting heads twelve times, and you will also hear a trumpeter playing a bugle call. It’s a nice tradition; however, please note that for smaller children, it can be challenging to notice the goats since they are relatively small.

The fighting billy goats are the symbol of Poznań. The legend states that two goats escaped from the kitchen helper, who had planned to roast them for the city feast in the mid-16th century. The goats luckily managed to escape to the Town Hall tower. A nice souvenir from Poznań would be a photo with two goats – at Plac Kolegiacki / Kolegiacki Square (location on Google Maps), just 250 meters from the Market Square, you will find a monument of the goats. It’s allowed to sit on the goats and take a photo.

Famous Poznań pastry – rogal and Saint Martin Croissant Museum / Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania

A Rogal Świętomarciński – delicious pastry, a symbol of Poznań, 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). The filling is the most essential part and includes white poppy seeds, almonds or other nuts, vanilla, raisins, and ground dates or figs. Rogal Świętomarciński is included in the list of regional heritage products protected by the European Union. To produce the rogal, you need a special certificate granted by the Poznań Pastry Chefs and Bakers Guild.

Rogal Pastry Museum (Poznań Croissant Museum) is located in the Old Town. It’s called a museum, but it’s a show presenting how to bake a Rogal Świętomarciński – a delicious pastry called in English St. Martin’s Croissant. It’s lots of fun for kids who can participate in the process of baking. 

The shows are available in English. You will see available times when you buy a ticket online. There is also an option to book an exclusive show in English, German, or French  (including evening shows) via email:  muzeum@rogalowemuzeum.pl.

Two zoos in one city! Including one free

New Zoo / Nowe Zoo

The New Zoo (founded in 1974) is like a huge forest, located in a hilly forest area with six large ponds. There is a free trackless train which makes it easy to explore the Zoo with children and strollers (the train has 5 stops). You will also find there a paid ropes park and a playground. During weekends and holidays there are long lines to the ticket office. To skip the line, you can 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. Children under 3 years old have free entrance. Click here to read the basic info in English (opening hours, ticket prices, parking lot prices), and here to buy tickets online. The New Zoo is open every day, including all bank holidays.

Old Zoo / Stare Zoo (free entrance)

The Old Zoo is smaller than the New Zoo which can be nice especially with smaller children – it’s more like a city park with animals. 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 a paid ropes park and a playground. The Old Zoo is also open every day, including all bank holidays.

Maltanka Miniature Railway / Kolejka Parkowa Maltanka

Maltanka Miniature Railway is a historic train that goes from Malta Lake / Jezioro Malta (Maltanka Stop – you can buy tickets here) to the New Zoo (Zwierzyniec Stop – you can buy tickets here), about 3,8 km. It operates April – September (at weekends every half an hour and on weekdays every hour). If you travel with children, it’s the best way and the most fun to get to the New Zoo with Maltanka. Maltanka’s website, information about new season schedule and timetable from March.

Ostrów Tumski Island (Cathedral Island) and Porta Posnania Museum

Ostrów Tumski is the only island in Poznań, it’s where Poznań (and Poland) originated. Why is it worth visiting? Despite being in the city center, it’s quiet here. You 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). 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. 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 Market Square area) – 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 it’s too cold or too hot to stay outside, you can visit one of the biggest water parks in Poland, located close to the Malta Lake / Jezioro Malta. It’s probably the first thing your kids will remember from their visit to Poznań;)

Photo source: Termy Maltańskie

Malta Lake / Jezioro Maltańskie

An artificial, 2,2 km long lake. Malta rowing club organizes a number of rowing world events. Next to Malta, you will find an amusement park – a ski slope during winter time, and during summer time: a mountain coaster, a summer toboggan run, mini golf, a playground, etc. Click here to visit the website in Polish.

“HistoryLand” – history of Poland presented in Lego bricks

HistoryLand is a museum where the history of Poland is presented on interactive Lego mock-ups (10 mockups to show historical events, monuments made in 1:50 scale, all made of a million Lego bricks). The exhibition is interactive: video mappings adapt to commands and bring Lego models to life, VR headsets, sound effects, illuminations, and animations. Other attractions include a Lego playroom, workshops and tours for kindergartens and schools, birthday parties, and a Lego store.

You can book a guide to tour the Museum. The service is available for individual customers and groups. The guides speak in Polish, English, and Italian. A guide requires an extra payment. Contact the Museum to schedule a guide: +48 530 903 053, bok@historyland.pl.

Photo source: HistoryLand

Ropes Park in the city of Poznań [Western Poland]

Photo source: Pyrland Park Linowy

Museum of Arkady Fiedler / Muzeum-Pracownia Literacka Arkadego Fiedlera 

Arkady Fiedler was a Polish traveler, journalist and an author of 32 books translated into 23 languages (eg. ‘Squadron 303’, ‘Orinoco’, ‘White Jaguar’). The Museum is located in Puszczykowo (a small town located  16 km from Poznań Old Town) and is run by the writer family. The Museum collection includes many exhibits collected by Fiedler during his travels (to Mexico, Brazil, Madagascar, Africa, Canada, United States and other). 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. The Museum website in Polish.

Escape rooms in Poznań

EscapeLandia Escape Rooms in Poznań

Find a Way Escape Rooms in Poznań

DreamScape Escape Rooms in Poznań

Key To Be Free Escape Rooms in Poznań

Escape Arena Escape Rooms in Poznań

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