Alex van Terheyden
- 4 min read

Poznan Poland - uniquely beautiful and worth your time and energy

Poznan Town Hall, Tourism Poznan Poland, Polish sights, Poland History

Poznan Town Hall found in the old market square

Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk - these are cities people tend to imagine when thinking of Poland or when they are considering visiting Poland. And yet Poland is much much more than these places, with a tremendous much more to offer. Each time I take a peek at this beautiful country I’m forever surprised and in awe at what an exceptional country it is. Recently I found myself visiting the beautiful city of Poznan. Not a city I had considered until recently but that was due to change when I realised I could get to Berlin from Poznan very easily.

At first, I simply used Poznan as a place to fly in and out of. Ignoring what it had to offer; as getting to Berlin (at least at the time) was more important. However, I came to realise that Poznan was a place that needed to be visited and absorbed for its own merits, not just used for its convenient airport and transport links to Berlin.

Poznan Arms Museum, Citadel Park Poznan, Soviet Mig

A MIG-15 in Poznan Arms Museum that can be found in Citadel Park.

In my latest video, which can be found on my YouTube Channel - The Wondering Englishman - I took it upon myself to see how much of Poznan I could explore in 24 hours. Should you be curious about that adventure - sit back with some snacks and enjoy. ,

Of course, I didn’t capture everything in Poznan in 24 hours - this would be nigh on impossible. It also means I have plenty of reasons to return in the near future when the time permits and flights are at the right prices. Poznan is located in west central Poland and came about in the middle ages. The city in recent years is known to the Poles as an important cultural and business centre, and one of Poland's most populous regions, with many regional customs such as Saint John's Fair (Jarmark Świętojański), traditional Saint Martin's croissants and a local dialect. Poznań is the fifth-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Poznan has a population just shy of 550,000 souls, and the Poznań metropolitan area which comprises of Poznań County and several other communities is inhabited by over 1.1 million people.

Soviet war memorial, Second world war Poznan, Statue Poland

A soviet war memorial that sits proud in Poznan

It is one of four historical capitals of medieval Poland and the ancient capital of the Greater Poland region. Poznań is a centre for trade, sports, education, technology and tourism. It is an important academic site, with about 130,000 students and Adam Mickiewicz University, the third largest Polish university. The city's other renowned landmarks include the National Museum, Grand Theatre, Fara Church and the Imperial Castle.

The name Poznań probably comes from a personal name Poznan, "one who is known/recognized", and would mean "Poznan's town". It is also possible that the name comes directly from the verb poznać, which means "to get to know" or "to recognize", so it may simply mean "known town". The city was first referenced in 970 AD. Although some historians suggest settlement was likely in this vicinity for much longer than that.

For centuries before the (an event that essentially is credited as the creation of the very first Polish state, the Duchy of Poland), Poznań was an important cultural and political centre of the Western Polans. It consisted of a fortified stronghold between the Warta and Cybina rivers on what is now Ostrów Tumski. The island where the Cathedral now stands.

Soviet Tanks, Poznan museum, War tanks. Things to do in Poznan

Old Soviet tanks sit proudly in citadel park outside the Arms Museum in Poznan

The city is dripping in over 1000 years of recorded history and I’m certain when more people dig further then will find even more history waiting to be found. A city that certainly gives historians and culture seekers a run for their money as they walk the cobbled streets and try to imagine all those that came before them.

Freemasons Poland, Freemasons Poznan, Polish Masonic history, All seeing eye

The "All seeing eye" can be found throughout Poznan - it makes you wonder who runs Poznan

From unique places to eat to fun places to drink; Poznan has something for everyone seeking out an alternative weekend destination. And because it's often not considered by many as the go-to destination, Poznan is reasonably affordable! From affordable comfortable central accommodation to affordable food, drink and excursions to museums. This place won’t break your budget and you will be left with a warm feeling about Poznan and a feeling that you have discovered something you must tell your friends about.

The last two times I stayed in Poznan I stayed at the B&B Hotel Poznan Old Town - which is located right in the centre and an absolute bargain when you consider Breakfast is included. On my second trip to Poznan, I stayed at accommodation - This was also incredibly central and ticked all the boxes when it came to providing comfortable accommodation with excellent value - both places I would happily stay at again for the right price. Of course, Poznan has hundreds of options - so bargains can be had if you shop around. Check out the accommodation map below just to give you an idea of what's on offer.

Janicki the poet, Polish Poet, Polish Writer

Janicki the writer and poet - one of the many fine statues found throughout Poznan

I am not sponsored by the Polish Government or any Travel Group, I simply have written this post as I enjoy travelling. Please do check out this blog for more independent travel ideas and my YouTube Channel. As always, videos can always be found on YouTube & Odysee. I use both as sadly YouTube is now censoring content whereas Odysee is for free speech.