The 9 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 very modern, innovative, and… green city. Try delicious Poznań pastry (rogal), visit 2 zoos, take a photo with the fighting billy goats, learn about the origins of Polish history.

Why Poznań is worth visiting

The city of Poznań (pronunciation: poz-nan) 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).

How to get to Poznań

By train

The main railway station in Poznań is called in Polish Poznań Główny. It’s located in the center of Poznań (Dworcowa 2 Street), about 2 km from the Old Town. The most popular domestic connections include Warsaw (the shortest travel time: 2 hrs 53 mins), Krakow (4 hrs 57 mins), Wrocław (2 hrs 21 mins), Gdańsk (2 hrs 57 mins), Gdynia (3 hrs 24 mins), Łódź Kaliska (3 hrs 56 mins), Łódź Widzew (3 hrs 11 mins), Katowice (3 hrs 52 mins), Lublin (6 hrs 30 mins).

By car

Poznań is well connected with other cities in Poland. Approximate (depending on traffic) travel time from: Warsaw 3 hrs, Krakow 5 hrs, Wrocław 2 hrs 20 mins, Gdańsk 3 hrs 45 mins, Gdynia 4 hrs, Łódź 2 hrs 10 mins, Katowice 4 hrs 10 mins, Lublin 5 hrs.

By plane

Poznań has its own international airport (Poznań-Ławica Airport) located about 8 km from the Old Town. How to get from Poznań airport to the city center? A municipal bus no. 159 will take you to the city center – the last stop is called Poznań Główny – it’s the main 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). 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

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 biggest market square in Poland after Kraków and Wrocław. 60% of all the buildings were destroyed during the Second World War but were meticulously reconstructed after 1945 to their original state. The Square if full of picturesque 16th-century merchant houses, and 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, 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 difficult to notice the goats since they are relatively small.

The fighting billy goats are the symbol of Poznań. The legend says they were two goats who escaped the kitchen helper who planned to roast them for the city feast in the middle of the 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 (the location on the map), just 250 m from the Market Square you will find a monument of the goats – it’s allowed to seat on the goats and take a photo.

Rogal Pastry Museum / Saint Martin Croissant Museum / Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania

Stary Rynek 41/2, entrance from Klasztorna 23 Street (Old Town area)

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). The filling is the most important part of it and includes white poppy seeds, almonds or other nuts, vanilla, raisins, ground dates or figs. It’s lots of fun for kids who can participate in the process of baking. 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.

The shows in English are available every Saturday and Sunday at 1.45 pm; in the summer season (July, August, September) every day at 1.45 pm. It is recommended to email the Museum in advance to book a spot. The Museum website in English (info about location, opening hours, tickets etc.).

New Zoo / Nowe Zoo

Krańcowa 81 Street (about 5 km from the Old Town)

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

Zwierzyniecka 19 Street (about 2 km from the Old Town)

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

Next to Rondo Śródka / Śródka Roundabout and Malta Lake (about 3 km from the Old Town). Click here to see the Maltanka Stop location on the map

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

Gdańska 2 Street (about 1,5 km from the Old Town)

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

Termalna 1 Street (about 3 km from the Old Town)

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;)

Location: Termy Maltańskie, Termalna 1 Street, 61-028 Poznań, about 3 km from the Old Town (location on Google map).
The Termy Maltańskie Water Park has 18 sports and recreational swimming pools (outdoor and indoor) with a total water surface area of 5,000 m². Two outdoor geothermal pools have water extracted from a depth of 1,306 meters.
Other attractions include an outdoor beach, 11 pool slides, 2 playgrounds, a paddling pool
300 meters from the water park is the Novotel hotel (website in English).
Website in Polish. Facebook page.
Our tips in English on visiting the city of Poznań for a weekend getaway or longer.

Photo source: Termy Maltańskie

Malta Lake / Jezioro Maltańskie

About 2 km from the Old Town

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]

Location: Pyrland Park Linowy, ul. ul. Baraniaka / Chartowo, 61-313 Poznań (location on Google map). The park is located near Lake Malta.
There are 5 routes of varying difficulty in the park and zip lines. Children’s route for children from 3 to 11 years old. Green route – the easiest of the rope courses (13 obstacles at a height of 4 m, admission from 6 years of age). Yellow route – 422 m long, 8 m above the ground, duration: 1 – 1.5 hours, admission from 12 years of age. Black route – a real challenge, recommended for athletic people, 17 obstacles, duration 1 – 1.5 hours, admission from 16 years of age.
A special zip line course – perfect for people who like zip lines and adrenaline. 18 sections in the treetops with a total length of almost 600 m. Highest point: 17 m above the ground! Speed up to 40 km/h. Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours. Entrance from the age of 16 (or from the age of 12 but only together with an adult).
Zip lines. High zip line – long descent 2 x 70 m on the rope, admission from the age of 12. Low zip line – 3 diagonal descents on the rope, admission from the age of 6.
Website in Polish. Website in English. Facebook. Instagram.
Contact: +48660048901, biuro@pyrlandpark.pl.
Our tips in English on things to do in the city of Poznań.

Photo source: Pyrland Park Linowy

Museum of Arkady Fiedler / Muzeum-Pracownia Literacka Arkadego Fiedlera

Słowackiego 1 Street, 62-041 Puszczykowo (16 km from Poznań)

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.

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Escape rooms in Poznań

EscapeLandia Escape Rooms in Poznań

Location: EscapeLandia, Poznań, Lechicka 59 Street (location on Google Maps).
Ten rooms for children and adults, with different difficulty levels – the difficulty level of the room can be checked on the website.
Example room/scenario: “Jaś i Małgosia”/”Hansel and Gretel”. A mushroom-picking trip sounds like the beginning of an interesting adventure! When you decide to go back home, every tree starts to look the same… You come across a strange, colorful cottage; it might be worth going there and checking what’s inside. If careful, you can approach the cottage and knock or call out to see if anyone’s inside. If no one answers, it’s still worth being cautious, but you can decide to go inside to investigate.
Languages: all rooms (except “Skrzynia Czarodzieja Harry”) are available in English.
Offers for birthday parties and school groups are available.
Website in Polish. Facebook.

Find a Way Escape Rooms in Poznań

Location: Find a Way, Poznań, Małe Garbary 2 Street (location on Google Maps).
Five rooms for children and adults, with different difficulty levels – the difficulty level of the room can be checked on the website. Family-friendly rooms: “Wyspa Tajemnic”/”Island of Secrets”, “Western Dziki Saloon”/”Western Wild Saloon”, “Wiedźmowa Księga”, and “Śladami Harry’ego”.
Example room/scenario: “Wyspa Tajemnic”/”Island of Secrets”. A small, lonely island lost somewhere in the ocean is your whole world – you know no other life. The island’s only inhabitants are you and your Chief, who is like a father to you. You owe all your skills to him. For some time now, however, you have had a strange feeling that he is hiding some secret about your shared small homeland. The only way to find out is to visit his cottage – of course, in his absence. What secrets will you discover?
Languages: all rooms (except “Wiedźmowa Księga” and “Śladami Harry’ego”) are available in English.
Offers for birthday parties and school groups are available.
Website in Polish. Facebook. Instagram.

DreamScape Escape Rooms in Poznań

Location: DreamScapey, Poznań, Święty Marcin 43 Street (location on Google Maps).
Four rooms for children and adults, with different difficulty levels – the difficulty level of the room can be checked on the website.
Example room/scenario: “Koneser”/”Connoisseur”. Take on the role of special agents, code, and cipher crackers, and take on the challenge. Can you outsmart the Connoisseur, bypass his security system, steal the valuable painting, and obtain evidence of the fraud? Be careful not to set off the alarms and not get caught. If the Connoisseur realizes someone is on the trail of his fraud, he will move the painting to another location.
Languages: two rooms are available in English: “Koneser”/”Connoisseur” and “Zemsta Umarlaka”/”The Dead Man’s Revenge” (for participants aged 14+).
Website in Polish. Facebook.

Key To Be Free Escape Rooms in Poznań

Location: Key To Be Free, Poznań, Ratajczaka 26/2 Street (location on Google Maps).
Ten rooms for children and adults, with different difficulty levels – the difficulty level of the room can be checked on the website.
Example room/scenario: “Lądowanie na Księżycu”/”Landing on the Moon”. The year is 1969. You’re about to have a chance to be the first to walk on the moon. Your goal is to take a giant leap for humanity – the world is watching you. But it won’t be that easy. There are a lot of tasks ahead of you to complete to complete this mission. But what if it’s all just a planned hoax…? An escape room for both children and adults.
Languages: all rooms (except “Kancelaria”, “Alicja w Krainie Czarów”, and “Chata Ogra”) are available in English.
Offers for birthday parties and school groups are available.
Website in Polish. Facebook.

Escape Arena Escape Rooms in Poznań

Location: Escape Arenae, Poznań, Krauthofera 55 Street (location on Google Maps).
Three rooms: two family-friendly rooms and one room for participants aged 13+ (“Ostatnie Rozdanie – Jaskinia Hazardu”/”The Last Deal – The Gambling Den”).
Example room/scenario: “Galaktyka Tajemnic”/”Galaxy of Mysteries”. A room inspired by Star Wars. As secret agents of the Rebellion, you are given a mission on which the entire galaxy’s fate depends! The Hutts and the Empire are planning a galactic attack to crush the Resistance once and for all. Your task is to infiltrate Jabba’s home planet and recover the secret plans for the attack. A space journey awaits you, but be careful – a bounty has already been placed on your heads!
Languages: all rooms are available in English.
Website in Polish. Website in English. Facebook. Instagram.