If you’re looking for a short, inexpensive yet fulfilling European city break, Poznań, Poland, is an excellent choice. With its blend of history, culture, and fantastic food, it’s perfect for a 30-hour getaway. Here’s our ideal itinerary for making the most of your time.
Getting to Poznań
Take the first flight out of Luton on Saturday morning and arrive in Poznań bright and early. From Poznań-Ławica Airport, you have several transport options to the city centre. The easiest and most budget-friendly option is the public bus. Take bus number 159, which will get you to the main train station in about 25 minutes. Here, you can hop on tram 6 or 18 for a direct route into the Old Town. If you prefer a more comfortable and quicker ride, taxis and rideshares like Uber are readily available.
Where to Stay in Poznań
We enjoyed a comfortable and well-located stay at Dom Prestige Suites. It is an excellent choice, situated close to the Old Town. As well as being very affordable this hotel offers spacious and clean rooms. We particularly enjoyed the varied breakfast buffet, offering a selection of hot and cold dishes, including fresh pastries, pancakes, eggs, meats, and cheeses.
Morning: Poznań Walking Tour with Walkative!
We started our trip by joining a walking tour with Walkative!—a fantastic way to get an introduction to Poznań. Tours run at 10:45 AM , departing from Freedom Square (Plac Wolności). It is an easy walk and the tour covers key sights, including:
- Freedom Square – A historic site symbolizing Poland’s fight for independence.
- Royal Castle – Once home to Polish kings, now a museum and cultural centre, where you can get great views of the city from the top of the tower.
- Poznań Basilica – The oldest cathedral in Poland, with stunning Gothic architecture.
- Old Town Square – The heart of Poznań, featuring colorful merchant houses, bustling cafes, souvenir shops and a variety of restaurants.
- Goats at the Town Hall Clock Tower – At 12:00 PM and 3PM, don’ t miss the famous mechanical goats butting heads above the clock tower—a quirky tradition dating back to the 16th century. Legend has it that a cook burned a feast prepared for the mayor and, in desperation, stole two goats. They escaped to the clock tower, where they began fighting, amusing the towns people so much that they became a permanent fixture of the clock.
Lunch: Pierogi at Pierozak
After working up an appetite, we headed to Pierozak, a popular spot freshly making and serving delicious pierogi (Polish dumplings). Choose from a variety of savory and sweet fillings, such as traditional potato and cheese, duck or chicken. Alternatively opt for a sweet option like cherry or raspberry with sour cream.
Afternoon: St. Martin’s Croissant Museum
No visit to Poznań is complete without experiencing the St. Martin’s Croissant Museum. This interactive demonstration showcases the history and art of making the famous St. Martin’s Croissant (Rogal świętomarciński), a sweet, buttery pastry filled with white poppy seeds and nuts. This croissant has protected regional status and at the end you get some to try!
Explore Stary Browar
Mod afternoon we walked to Stary Browar, a unique cultural and shopping complex housed in a former brewery. This architectural masterpiece combines shopping, art exhibitions, and dining, making it an excellent spot for a mid-afternoon visit.
Evening: Drinks & Dinner at Bamberka
Return to the Old Town Square and enjoy a pre-dinner drink in or outside, one of the many cozy bars. Next, we headed to Restaurant Bamberka, a historic eatery specializing in traditional Polish cuisine. Located in a charming old building in the square, Bamberka serves classics like żurek (sour rye soup), pork with red cabbage, and chicken roulade.
Sunday Morning: Cathedral Island & Śródka District
We woke up early for breakfast and then enjoyed a peaceful morning walk through Poznan to Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski), home to Poland’s first cathedral. Don’t miss the Archaeological Museum, which is free on Sundays and provides fascinating insights into the city’s early history.
Stop for a coffee at Dynx, a trendy café known for its great brews and cozy atmosphere. Just across the river we visited Śródka District, famous for its stunning 3D mural, which depicts a scene from the neighborhood’s past and is a great photo opportunity.
Lunch: Polish Milk Bar Experience
We walked back into the main city and before heading to the airport, visited Pod Arkadami a classic Polish milk bar (bar mleczny). These traditional eateries serve very affordable, home-cooked Polish food. We enjoyed schabowy (breaded pork cutlet) with mash potato and coleslaw.
Departure
After lunch, catch a bus back to the airport for your late afternoon flight, wrapping up a fantastic 30-hour adventure in Poznań.
Are you looking for other city break ideas? Read our posts on Prague, Bruges and Athens. Alternatively Check our other blog posts!