Poznań is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. I’ve been there for a while and this is going to be a bit of a long post. When you arrive in Poznań, the first thing you will notice is the atmosphere of young people. It is a hotbed of young people with many universities attracting students from all over the country and abroad. This shaped the city in a colorful and cheerful way. I’ll mention the most interesting things to see and visit, so I’m sure there’s something for you on my list too.

It seems unfair that Poznań is not more popular among tourists. This vibrant destination is located in western Poland, very close to Germany and Berlin, and stands out as a city of young people, with hundreds of thousands of students bringing life and energy to its streets. This is my favorite Polish city and it has many stories and is full of history where many cities can easily merge into the history of this city. I also visited very east part of the Poland – Białowieża so I can see difference.

What attracted me to Poznań was its city atmosphere, the friendliness of its people and the abundance of parks, green areas and lakes. Poznan is also the capital of the Wielkopolska region, and during my stay I explored almost everything this city has to offer. Some streets of Poznań have been renovated for the 2012 European Championship, which took place here.

Palm House (Palmiarnia Poznańska)

Do you want to feel the tropical atmosphere in Poland? Welcome to the Palm House where you can see exotic species from tropical climates. It was amazing to see a banana tree, different types of cacti, a real arabica coffee tree, African acacia, tropical lizards, caribbean birds and things like that. The place was opened in 1911 and is one of the most interesting places you can visit in this part of Poland.

Be prepared for humidity and it will probably be hot inside. Outside the place there is a nice cafe where you can rest.

Archaeological Museum

Can you imagine that there is a granite obelisk of Ramses II, from the Nineteenth Dynasty, in Poznań? It originates from the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt and once stood in front of the temple of the god Khenti-kheti, along with another obelisk. It was preserved and is now in the Cairio Museum. There are other ancient Egyptian artifacts such as coffins, papyri or drawings.

In this museum you can find many ancient metal coins and other artifacts found in this region of Poland. Also, there are pictorial stories about the old ways of life in agricultural Poland in previous centuries, together with the tools used for humans or animals, for work and tools for eating and drinking. Also, there are some tools for hair care etc., for fighting and such.

Malta Lake

Lake Malta is located in the city and can be visited on foot. If you go to Malta in winter or summer, you will find something for yourself there. During the winter there is a ski resort where you can enjoy winter sports. During the winter, there is a small train at the entrance to Lake Malta. There is also the possibility of bungee jumping near the lake if you are feeling brave. I like Malta Lake because its great place also for bicyicles or walking around.

Kornik Castle

It is not located in the city of Poznań, but it is easily accessible by public transport and is definitely worth a visit. This castle (which is also a museum) is inspired by the Arab style and is a very unusual building compared to other buildings you can see in this part of Europe. Inside this style castle, you can see so many old school furniture like chairs, tables, mirrors, sconces, doors that belong to past centuries and are now frozen in time. I really liked the old oak cabinets. There are lots of hunting trophies (yes, the old Polish aristocracy hunted a lot). Also, you can find some military swords and other military or hunting gear like hunting hats.

In the Museum (Castle) there are historical documents and pictures, such as the framed picture “Ratification of the Constitution” by Jean-Pierre Norblin de la Gourdine. The entire building inside has geometric designs and styles, including the floors. The building itself. The castle is surrounded by water, which makes it even more interesting. Today it is also used as a background for wedding photos.

There is a cafe and a restaurant near the castle. Also, there is a botanical garden (or just garden) with lots of flowers and trees. I was lucky enough to be here during the spring and see all the flowers.

Warta River

If it’s a sunny and hot afternoon, this is very likely to be the most popular place in the whole city that day. It is located right next to the University (Politehnika Poznańska). It’s one of few places in the city where drinking is alowed, many young people are comming here with barbaque to spend afternoon. In the background of the picture there is iconic Poznań Cathedral with archaeological finds of the first rulers’ tombs

Park Cytadela

If you love history and nature, you can find both in the Cytadela Park. It is one of the symbols of World War II, and it houses T-34 tanks and airplanes from 1943. The Cytadela Park was on the front line during the war, and several monuments were erected there. There is also a cemetery for Russian and Polish soldiers. I also liked the Military Museum, which contains many weapons, maps and collections from the war.

Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski)

This is an amazing place in Poznań and it’s very close to the old town, so it’s very easy to get there on foot. This building was destroyed in the Second World War and has now been restored. From the outside, the red bricks almost glow. I also liked the little park in front of the entrance. Inside, you’ll find plenty of little historical details about the city of Poznań. The walls are my favorite part of the Royal Castle because they have an amazing panoramic view. Poznań used to be very imporant city, with kings, in the history, and there is rivality between Kraków and Poznań about “real historical capital”.

Lusowo Lake

If you prefer friendly enviroment and kids-friendly swimming place, Lusowo Lake is great for it. On this sandy beach lake, there is life guards during the summer. Also, there is little “Aqua Park” there where you can play more with water. On this beach there are signs that alcohol is not allowed.

Poznan New Zoo

I really liked the New Zoo in Poznań, but I am aware that it is still a zoo. This zoo is a bit different as it is quite huge. There are many different animals like elephants, birds, wolves, peacocks, ducks. It was really nice to see the elephants there. Also, there are many areas for walking, including forest areas where a wooden bridge has been built. You can also see apiaries in that area. It’s a good idea to go there early in the morning.

Imperial Castle

Poznan was the capital of the Posen province in the Kingdom of Prussia. The grand structure was built for Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor, and that’s why it’s called the Imperial Castle. Standing at 75 meters high and covering 25,000 square meters, it was completed in 1910 as a symbol of German power and the city’s importance. The garden, inspired by the Alhambra in Spain (Granada), even featured a replica of the famous “Fountains with Lions.” Inside this, Cultural center now, there is many interesting things to see and I recommend to go there.

Rusałka Lake

It’s named after Slavic Mytological Creature. This lake is great for walking, running, or swimming. It’s nice to go there during the summer or during the winter. During the winter or off seasion, there is still few restaurants opened there. There is also parking next to the lake if you are going there with car. In the summer, it’s popular place for refreshing and swimming.