24 hours in Poznan

Last updated: 15 July 2023

The plan was simple, just 24 hours in Poznan. Easy! We had a few museums in mind after our educational trip to the Solidarity Museum in Gdańsk. However upon arriving in the Old Market Square, with the setting sun hit the colourful merchant houses, the romance of the cobblestones and the fountains, the city completely captured my imagination.

What to see

Definitely start off in the Old Market Square, where the technicolor row of Budnicy houses will surely catch your eye. Spend some time appreciating the architecture, fountains and statues that guard each corner of this former fish merchants market. Keep an eye out for Pranger, less of a statue and more a 16th Century corporal punishment site.

Just before noon every day, crowds will begin for form outside the Town Hall. Cameras and phones at the ready, looking up, waiting for the clock to strike 12. When it does, the crowds will crane their necks to see above the clock, where the small doors will swing open and two head-butting mechanical billy goats will appear. Meet the beloved mascots of the city of Poznan.

Walk West from the Town Hall to find the Bamberka girl statue carrying two jugs for wine. It stands as a tribute to the original hard working inhabitants of the city. The fountain she’s standing on once poured wine from the spouts although this is sadly no longer the case.

Further afield is Freedom Square (Plac Wolności), a special place for locals. Formerly a site of protesting residents for demanding liberation.  Today in the open square stands the fountain of freedom and a monument to the oppressed.

For those with an interest in modern history and/or museums, the Historical Museum of Poznan^ located inside the Old Town Hall is worth a stop.

Inside the Culture Centre Zamek, you will find the 1956 Uprising Museum^. About 60% of the exhibits have an English translation so it’s worth at least an hour of your time. Don’t pass on the opportunity to see the memorial to the uprising shown below, just around the corner from the museum.  Made of steel, the two crosses each over 20m high, were unveiled on the 25th anniversary of the first rebellion against Soviet control in 1981.

For a bit of fun, head to the Poznan Croissant Museum for some hands on experience of making the famed St Martin’s croissant.

Something you can’t miss is the Lesser Basilica of St. Stanislaus. A prominent feature of the Poznan skyline, it is a great example of Baroque architecture. Established by the Jesuits in the 17th Century, the Basilica has free entry and a pipe organ recital daily at approximately 12:30pm. While you’re there, check out the marble looking columns around the nave and altar. While they appear to be made of marble, they are actually hollow and in-fact made from stucco, and just made to look like marble! Also inside, pop over to “light” a candle for Pope John Paul II, the first and only Polish Pope to date. Quirky fact that you’re in fact lighting an electric candle.

Where to eat

Poznan isn’t declared the foodie hub of Poland but it can certainly hold it’s own. Choices include a pitch black restaurant “Dark” serving a standard eight course degustation menu, or a “surprise” menu for anyone that’s game.

If you’re seeking authentic Polish cuisine, Bar Mleczny is a local milky bar that offers cafeteria style meals for very cheap prices. For more common international options, the usual suspects of Italian or American cuisines are available.

The Weranda cafe came highly recommended. Just down the street from the Basilica it appeared as both a cramped restaurant of mismatched furniture and a quaint courtyard out the back. Upon a visit, the menu was uninspiring and the service was abysmal so we left without dining.

Depending how long you’re in Poland, you may tire of the local food. While this establishment is not even remotely close to Polish cuisine, The Whiskey in the Jar on the North-Eastern corner of the Old Market Square is worth a visit. Serving steaks on lava rocks, scrumptious burgers and of course, whiskey in mason jars it’s a tempting menu if you’re seeking a break from the Polish staples of cabbage, potato and pork. Here the prices are very reasonable and the staff are friendly and conveniently bilingual.

For drinkers, Polish locals tend to drink one of two things, beer or Vodka. In Poznan there are several places where you can acquire a beer for less than 5zl (0.96 GBP/ 1.26 USD). Notable mention goes to Brovaria with craft beers on tap and brewed on site.

My favourite is Pijalnia Wodki i Piwa, the Soviet nostalgia bar in the Old Market Square. Walls adorned with military insignia and communist posters. The well worn bar stools that gently rock and sway, somewhat emulating their clientele. Here beer, vodka, water and tea all cost the same, 4zl. So for the low price of 16zl (3.09 GBP/4 USD) you can get 2 generous vodka shots of 40ml each and 2 beers. At those prices, a night out can easily get out of control!

Where to sleep

If you’re only spending 24 hours in Poznan, location is going to be very important when choosing a hotel.

While the city has an array of accommodation for every budget, we decided to stay in the centre of Rynek Stare at Hotel Palazzo Rosso. Situated on a quiet lane way with walking distance to the Old Market Square and a stumble to the trams that traverse across the city, it’s centrally located and we’ll serviced. Palazzo Rosso itself is nice but far from luxurious. It’s a solid three star choice for a medium budget traveller. An onsite restaurant, 24 hour hotel reception, bilingual staff, centrally located. Rooms don’t have air conditioning but windows can be opened to reveal a great view of the Basilica Minor.

Out of Poznan

Those travellers with access to a car or are prepared to hire a driver, should consider venturing out of town. Poznan has a quirky uniqueness about it. For the history buffs how about a Cold War relic appropriately titled the Mayor’s Atomic Bunker? This unassuming house in a residential neighbourhood holds a secret. It holds an underground atomic bunker that was built for the President of Poznan and the high municipal officials. Only declassified in 2000, this time capsule is on our hit list for the next visit to Wielkopolska.

Another slightly unconventional must see is one of just two registered meteorite impact sites in Europe and lie just 10km from Poznan. The seven Morasko craters can be found within the forest but still able to be seen, with the largest crater measuring 60m in diameter and a depth of almost 12m. The location is a challenge for those without a car, so we’ve also put this on the list for the next visit.

What else?

Visit Poznan kindly provided us with two Poznan City Cards for our 24 hours in Poznan. I had already had a look on their website but nothing quite beats sitting down with the 90 page booklet to assess the included or discounted attractions and food.

Reviewing our itinerary, I shuffled a few things to try and squeeze in more! With only 24 hours in Poznan you don’t have much time so you need to make the most of the time you have.

Exploring Poznan in 24 hours

Museums denoted with ^ have free entrance with a Poznan city card.