Poznan in Western Poland, also known under the former German name Posen, has a beautiful old town in the center that invites for a leisurely stroll, nice restaurants around the lively market square and beautifully restored historic sights. And you can enjoy all of that with fewer tourists than Gdansk or Krakow and at lower prices than what you’ll pay in Western Europe. Poznan’s location halfway between Berlin and Warsaw makes it easy to reach by train and great for a quick getaway or stopover!
Perfect Weekend Itinerary: After arriving at your hotel near the old town, you take off for a leisurely walk into the old town to soak up the city. The lively Market Square is a great place to watch people and get a sense of the people and their city. You’ll notice that there are a lot fewer tourists than in other cities this pretty – Poznan is still a less known gem. Get a table at one of the restaurants around the square, like the very nice Brovaria, and enjoy some local food in a relaxing atmosphere.
You’ll start your Saturday after a lazy morning with a Free Walking Tour of Poznan’s Old Town. The leisurely walk of about 1.5h through the old town is lead by a guide of Walkative, the same folks who offer tours of most major Polish cities. You’ll start the tour at the town hall with its unique clock that has fighting goats at the 12 noon mark – I bet you haven’t seen that before!
You’ll see some of the most beautiful buildings in town, like the Basilika held in red, and also get a glimpse into the difficult history of Poznan.
After your tour, you can go back and explore your favorite places in more detail, like the amazingly decorated inside of the Basilika:
If your appetite for history, is stilled, head to Stary Browar instead. This former brewery has been turned into a modern mall, to stunning effect. You’ll find all the modern brands and plenty of gift opportunities for loved ones at home. Stary Browar also has a nice deck with a number of restaurants to take your lunch!
How to get there & around: Poznan has an airport with a number of major airlines, as well as Low Cost Carriers Ryan Air and Wizz Air, giving you cheap access from around Europe. Poznan also has high-speed train connections to Berlin, Warsaw and other cities in Poland, making it easy to combine it with other destinations for a longer trip!
Uber is available in Poznan and should be less than $10 from the airport into town, even less from the train station near downtown.
The old town is compact and easy to explore on foot. Most of the places you’ll wan t to see are near the city center.
Where to stay: To make the most of your weekend and be able to see everything on foot, it’s best to stay near the old town. I stayed at the NH Poznan and it was a good base within 5 minutes from the market square.
Other options near the old town are the upscale Sheraton Poznan near the train station, the Novotel Poznan Centrum or the budget ibis Stare Miasto. The local chain property Puro Poznan is an upscale hotel very near the old town and there are a number of small, independent hotels and guest houses as well: You can find a comparison in the table below:
| Hotel | Category | Location | Chain/Rewards | Great for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Poznan | 5* | Train Station | Marriott Rewards | Transportation, Rewards |
| NH Poznan | 4* | Old Town | NH Rewards | Location, Value, Sight Seeing |
| Novotel Poznan Centrum | 4* | Stary Browar | Accor LeClub | Rewards |
| PURO Poznan Stare Miasto | 4* | Old Town | - | Location, Sight Seeing, Value |
| IBB Andersia Hotel Poznan | 4* | Stary Browar | - | Spa |
| Ibis Poznan Stare Miasto | 2* | Warta River | Accor LeClub | Value |
Hotels are very good value and often half of what a night in Vienna or Prague will cost you!
When to go: Poznan has typical Central European weather, with cold winters and hot summers. The best time to go is from May to September, when all the restaurants have outdoor tables and the old town is lively, without being too crowded! July and August are considered peak summer season with more visitors and higher prices.
Explore More: To get a “lay of the land” and see where all the hotels, restaurants and sights are, check out my map below and plan your perfect weekend itinerary in Poznan! Click on the box in the upper right corner for a full map! Where are you going to stay? What’s your number one thing to do? Or have questions – feel free to comment below and I’ll help with your trip!
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