Poznań Guide: Culture and Entertainment in Poland

Today, Poznań is a vibrant city known for its energetic nightlife and a wealth of cultural experiences, from art galleries to diverse nearby attractions. The Polish city stands out as a cosmopolitan travel destination, boasting twinning agreements with many cities such as Brno (Czech Republic) and Toledo (United States).
Once in Poznań, don’t miss Ostrów Tumski—also called Cathedral Island—the birthplace of the city and home mainly to bishops, priests, and monks. You can reach Cathedral Island from the city center via tram (lines 4, 8, and 17) or bus (63). Begin your sightseeing tour with the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the first and, for centuries, the only cathedral built in Poland between 968 and 1000.
The tour continues with Our Lady Church, the Archbishop’s Palace, Akademia Lubrańskiego (founded in 1518), the Psalter House, and various canons’ houses dating mostly from the 17th and 19th centuries.
In the Stary Rynek, or Old Town Square, you can admire the Town Hall, the Church of St. Stanislaus and Our Lady Church, the former Jesuit College, the Royal Castle, the Franciscan Church, and the Gorka Palace.
Just a short walk from Cathedral Island is the area known as ‘Srodka‘—from the Polish ‘Środa‘, meaning ‘Wednesday’, historically the weekly market day.
In the Emperor’s Quarter, you’ll find the Imperial Castle. To discover the art of brewing, join a guided tour in the brewery on Szwajcarska Street. History buffs can learn about the origins of Poznań on Ludgardy Street by visiting one of only two interactive exhibitions of this kind in Europe. Train enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a journey aboard a vintage steam train to the Wielkopolska National Park.
Shopping in Poznań is easy, thanks to its modern malls, supermarkets, open-air markets, and visitors also find entertainment in the many nightclubs, especially around Stary Rynek.
In 2012, Poznań hosted matches of the European Football Championship, including games played by the Italian national team.