Why I think you should travel to Poznań, Poland

Poznań may not be on most people’s radars, but that’s no reason to overlook this fascinating city in Poland. I knew about it because my maternal grandfather’s grandparents emigrated from here to the States back in the 1860s. Roots-based travel is a passion of mine, so, naturally, Poznań ranked high on my bucket list.

I spent three days exploring Poznań earlier this year and realized I’d stumbled upon a true hidden gem.

What I discovered was a small, cozy city that boasted a great balance of rich cultural attractions and an uncrowded, laid-back atmosphere. Sure, I visited in the quiet off-season (March), but Poznań is the kind of place worth visiting any time of the year.

Here’s why I think Poland is a destination worth visiting, and why Poznań specifically, is a hidden gem that flies under the radar compared to its more popular counterparts.

Poland is a popular tourist destination

Overlooking view of Warsaw at night — *Warsaw is Poland’s largest and most modern city*

Poland is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Eastern Europe.

The country has a rich heritage and everything from bustling cities to alpine wildernesses. You could easily spend years exploring every nook and cranny. The economy is strong, too, and you’ll find every modern comfort and convenience you could want in its major cities.

But Poznań flies under the radar compared to Warsaw and Krakow

People walking in Fabryka Norblina at night — *An evening stroll in Warsaw’s trendy Fabryka Norblina area*

Warsaw is the main hub for getting in and out of Poland and has tons of attractions both historical and modern. It’s all the more remarkable considering the city was nearly leveled in World War II.

Krakow is the most popular tourist destination in Poland. It survived the war almost unscathed and preserves many gorgeous historic buildings. Other top-ranking Polish cities include Wroclaw for its architecture and Gdansk for its seaside charm.

I didn’t have time on my trip to visit Krakow, Wroclaw, or Gdansk. However, I loved my time in Warsaw. Still, I feel more comfortable in smaller cities off the beaten path. This is where Poznań impressed me.

Poznań often ranks in the middle of Top 10 lists for visiting Poland, but that’s where it’s charm lies

People walking at the Poznan’s Old Market Square — *Enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon at Poznań’s Old Market Square*

Poznań is Poland’s fifth-largest city by population. It usually ranks somewhere in the middle of Top 10 lists for tourists visiting Poland. It doesn’t feel as cutting-edge as Warsaw, and it’s not as glamorous as tourist hubs like Krakow, but it still has (more than) enough to make it worth a visit.

Its ‘“lower” ranking is a real strength, if, like me, you don’t like crowds or that overly touristy feeling that popular places sometimes have. Poznań is simply itself, with no need to put on airs to attract visitors.

Poznań is laidback, but never dull

Clear blue sky over the old buildings in Poznan — *Old buildings and new businesses line the streets of Poznań*

Despite having a population of over 1 million, Poznań has a cozy small-city vibe. This is especially noticeable on Sundays when, in Poland, all retail businesses close. Everyone is out and about, enjoying a day off, but it still doesn’t feel crowded.

Restaurants, bars, and cafes are still open, so this is a great time to get out and socialize. As an American, I appreciated seeing this “slower” pace of life instead of the usual 7-days-a-week grind.

It’s easy to blend in and just go with the flow of local life. Many people even speak at least a little English (although it never hurts to learn a little Polish, even if it is a hard language).

There’s tons of history & culture for a “smaller” city

The Fara Poznanska Basilica building from the outside — *The colorful Fara Poznanska Basilica is one of several cathedrals in Poznań*

The Fara Poznanska Basilica from the inside — *The interior of the Fara Poznanska rivals many of the grandest churches in Europe*

Poznań has one of the longest histories of any major city in Poland, stretching back to the 9th century. It served, briefly, as the capital of the fledgling Polish state and saw the construction of Poland’s first cathedral in 968.

Poznań’s Old Town area has a wide array of museums with exhibits covering everything from ancient Egypt to croissants.

I visited the Military Museum of Wielkopolska, an absolute must for military history buffs or families with boys. The signs are all in Polish, but you don’t really need explanations to show that Poland has a long, struggle-filled, yet resilient and heroic history.

There are also several venerable cathedrals near the Old Town, dating from the medieval and baroque eras. One of the most beautiful is the elaborately-adorned Fara Poznanska, built in the 17th century.

The Old Town Market Square is popular even in the off-season. Colorful buildings line the square, housing restaurants, bars, museums, and gift shops.

At the Poznań Town Hall at noon every day, two mechanical goats come out and butt heads. It may seem anticlimactic by modern standards, but it was quite a feat of engineering back when it got its start in 1551. Goats also feature heavily in local legends so you’ll see them adorning many souvenirs.

Poznań has plenty of modern conveniences but still feels “old” in a good way

Wi-Fi hub and charging station on a tram stop — *A convenient WI-Fi hub and charging station at a tram stop*

Despite its “smallness” Poznań has more than enough creature comforts and conveniences.

The ubiquitous Żabka convenience stores stand on many corners (a great place to grab a quick bite or drink!). There’s no shortage of great restaurants, either, featuring traditional Polish cuisine as well as international fare (especially around the Old Town Market Square).

The train station is built into a shopping mall with retail stores, restaurants, and coffee kiosks. Many intra-city tram stops have Wi-FI hotspots and charging outlets (always helpful when on the go!).

Poznań’s modern features never clash with or overpower its overall old, venerable feeling.

There are taller office buildings in the newer neighborhoods not far from the Old Town. Even these are surrounded by older buildings that speak to a time when brick and stone were the main building materials instead of steel and glass.

It’s easy and affordable to get around

View of the Poznan’s light rail — *Poznań’s light rail is a great way to reach farther-out attractions*

The next great thing about Poznań – the public transportation. The city has trams and buses connecting the city center with outlying neighborhoods. The trains and buses are punctual, clean, and cheap, but may get a little crowded at peak hours.

At the same time, Poznań is highly walkable. Most of the attractions are in the city center and you could walk from one end to the other of the larger “Old Town” area in about half an hour. The streets are clean and well-maintained, and Poznań is, overall, a very safe city to visit (of course, follow the same common sense practices you would anywhere else).

👉 Read Next: Where to Stay in Poznań

Poznań is a great last stop if you are heading west to other European countries

View of a Polish food on a plate — *A fond farewell to Polish food on the train from Poznań to Berlin!*

Poznań is just over 100 miles away from the border with Germany. If (like in my case) your itinerary takes you west from Poland, Poznań is a great jumping-off point.

A short train trip (~3 hours) will take you to Berlin, which has tons of outbound connections throughout Germany and Western Europe.

Train tickets, due to the international connection, are more expensive than those within Poland (I paid around 60€), but it’s still a good deal. It’s cheaper than flying (if you, like me, have a suitcase) and, best of all, you don’t have to go through security!

The food was also surprisingly good and much more varied (and tasty) than airplane food.

👉 Read Next: Why you should visit Dortmund, Germany

***

Poznań is just one of Poland’s many hidden gems. I didn’t have time to explore more of the country on this last trip, but what I saw in Poznań has boosted a return trip to Poland to the top of my bucket list!

If you’re looking for more ideas on where to visit in Poland, read my article on why Warsaw is my new favorite city.