Poznań is one of Poland’s most dynamic and historically significant cities — a vibrant commercial and cultural hub in the west of the country whose magnificent Renaissance Old Market Square (Stary Rynek), with its famous mechanical goats that butt heads at noon on the Town Hall tower, is one of the most beautiful public spaces in Poland. As the historic capital of the Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) region and one of the oldest cities in the country — it was here that Poland’s first cathedral was built and the Polish state was effectively born in the 10th century — Poznań combines a rich medieval heritage with a thriving contemporary food, arts, and university scene that makes it one of Poland’s most rewarding city breaks.

Quick Facts: Poznań, Poland

• Best time to visit: May–September for outdoor café culture on the Old Market Square; June for the St. John’s Fair (Jarmark Świętojański); December for the Poznań Christmas market — one of Poland’s best
• Top attractions: The Old Market Square with the Renaissance Town Hall and its famous mechanical goats, Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski — the birthplace of the Polish state), and the Imperial Castle (Zamek Cesarski)
• How to get there: ~2.5 hours from Warsaw by train (InterCity); ~3 hours from Berlin; Poznań-Ławica Airport (POZ) has flights from across Europe
• Don’t miss: St. Martin’s croissants (rogale świętomarcińskie) — Poznań’s famous pastry filled with white poppy seeds, nuts, and dried fruit, protected by EU geographical indication

Poznań is a city older more than a thousand years situated on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of approx. 550 thousand (June 2009). It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań’s cathedral.

Poznań is now Poland’s fifth largest city. It is the historical capital of the Wielkopolska (“Greater Poland”) region, and is also the administrative capital of the Greater Poland Voivodeship province.

Modern Poznań is a vibrant metropolis and an important centre of trade, entertainment, industry, and education, and hosts regular international trade fairs. It was the host city for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2008, a key stage in the creation of a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. Poznań is a candidate city for European Capital of Culture in 2016. In Poznań will take place UEFA EURO 2012.

A student population of over 130,000 gives Poznań an incredible energy.

View Poznań – Lively commercial city with plenty of museums and great entertainment options in Poland in a larger map

Have you watched the goats on Poznań’s Town Hall or discovered Wielkopolska’s historic capital? Share your Poznań experiences in the comments! 🐐

Explore more Poland travel guides and historic European cities.