Have you heard of Poznan in Poland? I hadn’t until planning my trip to Gdansk for the WITS conference, and I’m so glad I got to discover this lovely city. Poznan was my first taste of Poland and I loved it! Here is my pick of the best things to do in Poznan Poland.
Is Poznan Worth Visiting?
First of all, if you’re wondering if Poznan is worth visiting the answer is YES! When planning a trip to Poland you might automatically think of Warsaw or Krakow, or the pretty seafaring city of Gdansk. However, don’t miss Poznań!
I loved wandering the streets of the old town and marveling at the architecture – and I will be back to spend more time here. Unfortunately there were works going on in the old town during my visit which means that the whole of the Old Town Square is a building site, and work is scheduled to go on until summer 2023.
If you’re not sure how long to stay in Poznan there is plenty to see here for a nice weekend away, or even a day trip is enough to enjoy the highlights of the city. I’d suggest spending at least one night here and then continuing exploring the rest of Poland.
Top Things to do in Poznan
Take a Walking Tour
Joining a walking tour at the start of your visit is a great way to get the lay of the land in Poznan, learn something about the history of the city and pick up lots of tips for the rest of your stay.
Viator invited me to join a walking tour of Poznan and my guide Aleksandra took me for a two-and-a-half hour around Poznan – she was a mine of information! As we walked around Poznan she shared her vast knowledge about the city and its fascinating history.
We stopped at a café for a delicious hot chocolate and St Martin’s Croissant (more on that later), took a tram to Cathedral Island and spent the afternoon exploring Poznan. I love having someone who knows the city that well showing me around, we went into churches I would have walked right past and saw things I would have never known existed. Thank you Aleksandra!
Joining the tour will means you will get to experience most of the other items on this list (except the goats at noon and eating pierogi), so put your comfy shoes on and get ready to visit Poznan!
Stroll Around the Old Market Square
As I mentioned, there were works going on during my visit but even with the building site that I had to navigate I could still appreciate how lovely the Old Market Square could be. I’m told that approximately 90% of the Old Town was destroyed during World War II, and was rebuilt in the original style in the 50s and 60s.
Old Market Square is lined with colourful and ornately decorated buildings, In the centre of the square, you can’t miss the 16th-century Town Hall, with its clock tower stretching high above everything around it.
The row of brightly painted Merchant’s Houses alongside the Town Hall are some of the most famous buildings in Poznan. Since the 13th century, stalls selling herring, salt and candles were trading here.
When the houses were originally built in the late 15th and 16th centuries, buildings were taxed by the number of windows they had, so they were often very narrow and long to make the most of available space without adding extra windows!
See the Clock Tower Goats
Goats are a symbol of the city of Poznan, and they pop up in several places around the city – most famously in the clock tower, and one of the must-do attractions in Poznan is to go and see them. Every day at noon two small model goats appear from a little door above the clock, butt heads twelve times then disappear back where they came from.
Why goats? Legend has it that when the clock tower was rebuilt in 1561 after a fire, a feast was held to celebrate the event. A young boy was tasked with watching the roasting meat for the feast, but he grew bored and left his post to go and take a look at the new clock tower.
In his absence, the meat fell into the fire and burned to a crisp. On his return, the boy saw what had happened and fled in fear. As he ran he passed by a meadow with goats grazing, and thought he could save the day by replacing the spoiled food with goat meat so he stole two of the goats and brought them back to the Town Hall.
The goats however weren’t keen on this idea, and escaped from the boy, running riot in the Town Hall, butting heads and causing havoc. The guests at the feast thought this was hilarious and decided that the occasion should be marked with two model goats in the clock tower.
Stroke the Goats
I promise not everything to do in Poznan involves goats, but the sculpture of two goats butting heads is worth a look and if you sit on or stroke the goats you’ll have good luck – so give them a pat while you’re there!
The statue is in plac Kolegiacki and was created in 2002, so relatively recently, but they have become a fond favourite of locals and visitors alike.
When it’s cold you might find someone has put a scarf around their necks to keep them warm, or they might have flags draped over them for competitive football matches or political statements.
Thanks to my walking tour guide Aleksandra for the photo – I had to close my eyes to make sure the luck stuck!
Visit the Basilica
This gorgeous Baroque Basilica has one of the longest names I’ve ever seen – The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Mary Magdalene and St. Stanislaus. Luckily its more commonly known as Poznań Fara – the Parish Church or simply Fara which is much easier to remember!
The basilica is the most important Christian building in Poznan, along with the cathedral. It is impressive from the outside, and breathtaking on the inside. It is free to enter as long as mass isn’t going on – tourist visits aren’t permitted during mass.
Explore Cathedral Island
Once you’ve finished with the Old Town, head across the river to Cathedral Island. You can walk or hop on a tram to Rondo Srodka stop (make sure you buy a tram ticket first!). Don’t miss the Srodka Mural, a large 3D mural depicting life as it used to be in the city, complete with shops and a cat on the roof of one of the buildings.
From here, walk across Jordan Bridge (Most Jordana) to Poznan cathedral, a huge gothic building that towers above everything around it. Nearby are the remains of the oldest church in Poland, The Chapel of Dąbrówka which was built around 965 AD. The former walls of the chapel are marked out with a glass installation which is lit up at night.
There are several museums on Cathedral Island too, including the Archdiocese Museum which is home to the sword of St Peter, the oldest Polish relic in existence and the Genius Loci Archaeological Reserve, where you can learn more about the history of Poland and see a part of the defensive walls from the times of Mieszko I.
Foodie Things to do in Poznan
Like all Polish cities, Poznan has a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes, but I love trying traditional foods and local specialities while I travel. Here are two foods you must eat in Poznan!
Eat a St Martin’s Croissant
Poznan is also famous for its croissant – not everything is goat related! On my walking tour we stopped off at a cafe for a croissant and a coffee (I had an incredible hot chocolate) and my guide Aleksandra explained the legend behind this sticky, nutty, sweet pastry.
The croissant was traditionally made for St Martin’s Day on November 11th but it is now available all year round from specific bakeries who have a certificate showing they are making authentic St Martin’s pastries.
Official St Martin’s Croissants have to weigh between 150 and 250g and contain raisins, honey, nuts and poppy seeds. The pastry is rolled into the shape of a horseshoe, signifying the horse that St Martin is usually portrayed as riding. It is coincidentally the same shape as a French croissant but bears little resemblance to that pastry.
St Martin’s Croissants are quite heavy and dense and are quite a lot to eat, so share one if you can or save some for later! The bakery HP Cukiernia Hann Piskorska on the corner of the Old Town Square is a popular place to buy these sweet treats.
You can also try making your own at the Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania, the St Martin’s Croissant museum, although outside of summer it is only open on weekends for English sessions. In July and August shows take place daily.
Dine on Pierogi
Polish pierogi dumplings are probably the best-known food from Poland. There are several excellent pierogi restaurants in Poznan to try, or you’ll find them on the menu of most Polish restaurants in the city.
My favourite was Na Winklu on Cathedral Island, which has a menu full of tasty options for boiled and baked dumplings. You can other baked dumplings in portions of 3 or 5, and boiled dumplings in portions of 6 or 9 which is great for sharing, but for solo travellers I’d recommend the Mix of Baked Dumplings, where you can choose a mix of flavours.
Another fabulous place to try pierogi is Pierożak Pierogarnia. Here you can choose whatever flavour and however many pierogi you like from the menu of boiled dumplings, including Ruskie (cottage cheese, potato and onion), spinach and feta, cabbage with mushrooms and more.
While you’re waiting, watch the skilful staff make the dumplings with ease and speed you couldn’t have imagined!
If you’d rather make your own food, pick up ingredients from the outdoor market in Plac Wielkopolski. You can also check out some of the other food and drink things to do in Poznan:
I hope that this has convinced you that Poznan is definitely worth visiting on a trip to Poland, and that you have some ideas for the best things to do in Poznan. I only had a short time there so I’ve got a good excuse to come back!