The birthplace of the Polish nation, Poznan is a vibrant historic city in the heart of western Poland. Rich in culture and steeped in history, it is the ideal destination for history lovers and party-goers alike. It has an incredible nightlife, breathtaking street art and is a treasure trove of historic sites - from its dark, baroque churches to the gothic townhall - and its colourful medieval townhouses which make it one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. Our collection of the best places to stay in Poznan include a chic urban pad ideally placed for exploring the city by foot.

Your first port-of-call should be Old Market Square. Made up of elegant and colourful medieval townhouses that were heavily damaged during WWII, they were beautifully rebuilt and now the square buzzes with life. Check out the chic little cafes, charming old-fashioned bars and gourmet restaurants scattered about the square. Nearby is Klub Dragon, an awesome hybrid of sumptuous restaurant, cafe and basement jazz bar that also hosts raves well into the dawn - one of Poznan's best-kept secrets and most popular institutions. Throughout the Old Town, you will come across the dark and cartoonish street art of the famous (and unknown) Noriaki: monochrome stickmen painted on roadsigns, pavements and the walls of abandoned buildings.

Poznan is over one thousand years old, so it has a wealth of historic sights-to-see. This isn't really surprising, considering that it was the original capital of Poland. To find out more, be sure to check out the Town Hall, built in the 14th century - with its marvellous gothic facade and ornate entrance hall - and immerse yourself in the city's history at the Historical Museum of Poznan, which you can find inside. The City Church of St. Stanislav and Our Lady is the parish church of the Old Town, a beautiful structure of baroque design: while you walk beside it, you can often hear their famous organs playing. Another intriguing piece of history lies in the Imperial Castle. Built by the Germans in 1910, it is a neo-Romanesque palace that now houses two brilliant art galleries, not to mention a trendy cafe.

What not to miss

• Go for a ride on Europe's last steam-powered passenger train to Wielkopolska National Park.
• Buy clothes, flowers, shoes or fruit from the open-air market at Jezycki.
• Immerse yourself in the city's fascinating history at the Historical Museum of Poznan, housed inside the beautiful Town Hall.
• Visit the Imperial Castle and marvel at the gorgeous collection of modern art.
• Tour the work of the graffiti artist Noriaki, found littered around the city - especially the Old Town.
• Stroll past the cafes and boutiques of Old Market Square and stand agape at the colour and beauty of the old townhouses.
• Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to the City Church of St. Stanislav and Our Lady.

To start planning your trip to this fascinating city browse through our collection of the best places to stay in Poznan.

The best places to stay in Poznan

Urban chic

• Blow up Hall 5050: truly unique, this trendy modern hotel is ideal for artsy folk looking for a quirky holiday experience. The idiosyncratic rooms combine interactive art installations with hi-tech facilities and a fantastic restaurant.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• Fly to Poznan-Lawica Airport, (it takes flights from Edinburgh, Stanstead, Athens and Barcelona).
• If you want to rent a car we recommend contacting our partner Rentalcars.
• The summers in Poznan are clement and sunny, the temperature ranging from 12 to 25 degrees.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include Warsaw.
• Browse through our collection of the best places to stay in Poland.
• Or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Poznan