City break from Poznań by train - the best and cheapest destinations | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Gniezno, the first capital of Poland, is just a short train ride from Poznan and ideal for a half-day trip
• Leszno is famous for speedway, gliding, and the largest grass runway in Europe - unique in Poland
• Wroclaw is reachable in just over an hour from Poznan - a perfect full-day or weekend destination
• Torun, a UNESCO-listed medieval city, takes just under 2 hours from Poznan by direct train
• A direct train from Poznan to Prague runs without changes, taking around 6 hours each way
• Konin and Szamotuly are compact towns ideal for a quiet afternoon trip without an overnight stay

There is no shortage of places around Poznań that are ideal for day trips. These are options for people who want to get away from everyday life without a lot of planning and long journeys.

Have a free afternoon or a day without plans? You don't have to travel far at all to do something for yourself. Within a radius of 100 kilometres from Poznań, you will find cities ideal for a short getaway.

Gniezno - the first capital of Poland in an intimate setting

Gniezno is one of those cities that are worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. Gniezno Cathedral with Gniezno Doors, the historic centre and a walking route in the footsteps of St Adalbert form a coherent historical story. The city is compact and peaceful, making it the perfect place for an unhurried getaway from Poznań.

Leszno - the capital of speedway, gliding and aviation

Leszno is a city with a passion for air sports and motoring. It is here that Fogo Unia Leszno - one of the most successful speedway teams in Poland - operates. Leszno is also famous for gliding - the local airport is the largest grass runway in Europe and an important point on the map of air sports. Balloon festivals and air shows such as the Antidote AirShow are held here every year. After the sporting excitement, take a break in the city centre - a stroll through the market square, a visit to the Motor Museum or a coffee in one of the local cafés will help you catch your breath.

Konin - by the Warta River and with a history

Konin is a good place for a quiet day trip from Poznań. In the town centre you'll find the oldest road sign in Poland, dating back to the 12th century, and the Gothic St Bartholomew's Church with its beautiful polychrome paintings. The District Museum, housed in a 19th century granary, is well worth a visit and presents regional history, art and interesting temporary exhibitions. A stroll along the riverside boulevards is a good way to catch your breath, and the market square offers numerous murals, cafés and local patisseries.

If you can spare a whole day or plan an overnight stay, these destinations will allow you to feel the atmosphere of a real city break. Within a radius of 200 km from Poznań, you will find cities with atmospheric old towns, interesting museums and good cuisine.

Wrocław - City of meetings, bridges and dwarves

Wrocław is one of the most diverse destinations for a city break from Poznań. The bustling market square, the atmospheric Ostrów Tumski and the expressionistic Centennial Hall are just the beginning. A visit to the Afrykarium, a stroll along the Oder River boulevards, a visit to Hydropolis or a trip to the Sky Tower vantage point are all worthwhile. You will be accompanied on your walk by Wrocław's dwarves - there are more than 400 of them. The city impresses with its architecture, number of bridges and islands and friendly atmosphere.

Toruń - gingerbread and gothic city

Toruń is one of the most interesting destinations for a weekend city break from Poznań. The historic Old Town, listed by UNESCO, impresses with its Gothic architecture, narrow streets and atmospheric tenement houses. Nicolaus Copernicus' house, the Live Gingerbread Museum, the Toruń Planetarium and the ruins of the Teutonic Knights' castle are worth a visit. A stroll along the Vistula boulevard, a visit to the Centre for Contemporary Art or a panoramic view of the city from the Town Hall tower are all must-sees.

Zielona Góra - wine, promenades and an atmospheric old town

Zielona Gora attracts not only with wine, but also with the unique atmosphere of a city immersed in greenery and tradition. It is here, on the hills in the heart of the city, that vines grow, and the Wine Park with the Palm House offers not only a view of the skyline, but also contact with exotic plants. Elegant townhouses, the Museum of Lubuska Land and more than 60 Bachusik figurines - playful wine idols - await on the promenade, creating a trail ideal for a light stroll. It is worth planning a visit in September, when the city celebrates the Wine Festival - the largest wine festival in Poland, full of concerts, fairs and street bustle.

If you are wondering where to go on a city break from Poznań, it is worth looking not only at the popular destinations, but also at the less obvious ones. Thanks to train connections, you can easily visit cities with different atmospheres - from metropolitan areas to historic old towns and resorts.

Łódź - street art and industrial charm

Łódź is a city of contrasts that surprises at every turn. Piotrkowska Street - one of the longest commercial thoroughfares in Europe - is the vibrant heart of the city, full of cafes, shops and Art Nouveau townhouses. Right next door, there is the delightful Manufaktura - the former factory of Izrael Poznański transformed into a modern centre of culture, shopping and entertainment. An alternative atmosphere awaits in OFF Piotrkowska, full of design and culinary discoveries. Also characteristic of Łódź are the murals, which give it a unique, creative atmosphere. The Museum of Cinematography and EC1 are also worth a visit.

Bydgoszcz - tranquillity on the Brda River and a musical soul

Bydgoszcz captivates with its tranquillity, greenery and ubiquitous bodies of water. Spaces along the Brda River and the Bydgoszcz Canal invite strolls, and the Mill Island is one of the prettiest places in the centre - with parks, museums and a view of historic granaries. Above the river rises the modern edifice of Opera Nova, a symbol of the musical face of the city. Also worth seeing is the charming old market square, the Cathedral of St Martin and St Nicholas and a visit to the Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt - one of the more unusual attractions.

Gorzów Wielkopolski - a green city on the Warta River

Gorzów is one of those cities that surprise you with tranquillity, space and proximity to nature. There are green boulevards along the Warta River, ideal for a walk or a bike ride, and the Spring of Nations Park with its famous "Butterfly" fountain is a great place to relax. In the city centre, it is worth seeing the Gothic cathedral, visiting the Lubuskie Museum with its historic Granary and checking out the Gorzów Philharmonic - a modern, elegant concert hall. The city is well connected, has a balanced scale and an unexaggerated number of attractions, making it a great destination for an unhurried city break.

You don't need to book a flight or plan well in advance to get away and relax. With just a few hours on the train, you can find yourself in a destination that offers interesting attractions, friendly prices and a relaxed atmosphere. Below you will find tried and tested suggestions for a cheap city break from Poznań.

Szamotuły - a castle, a legend and the atmosphere of a small town

Szamotuły is a small but charming town whose biggest attraction is the Gothic Górków Castle with its characteristic Tower of Halszka - the heroine of a local legend. The castle interiors house a museum with interesting regional and ethnographic collections. A walk through the centre is a good opportunity to see historic churches, the market square and green recreational areas. An ideal place for a quiet visit and a short escape from the city.

Września - a place with a rebellious history

Września is a great destination for a trip lasting several hours. It is famous for the history of the school strike at the beginning of the 20th century - souvenirs of these events can be seen in the museum and in the city space. The city centre is well-kept and pedestrian-friendly, and the Children of Wrzesnia Park is a good place to relax. Września also attracts visitors with its cafés and peaceful atmosphere that allows you to slow down.

Puszczykowo - a green haven close to the city

Situated right next to the Wielkopolska National Park, Puszczykowo is one of the most accessible green destinations from Poznań. It takes a dozen minutes to get there by train, and a network of forest trails, cycle paths and picturesque areas along the Warta River await. The Arkady Fiedler Museum-Workshop, with its replicas of great geographical discoveries and exotic exhibits, is well worth a visit. This is a great option for a quick, active trip into nature - with culture in the background.

In addition to the previously mentioned destinations, it is also worth considering quick trips to towns such as Ostrów Wielkopolski, Grodzisk Wielkopolski or Inowrocław. Each of them has its own unique atmosphere, and at the same time allows for peaceful rest and unhurried sightseeing.

From Poznań, you can also comfortably travel much further - to Warsaw, Szczecin or the Baltic Sea. Simply choose an overnight train to start your day at your destination first thing in the morning and make the most of your time. For more ambitious travellers, international connections are also available. From Poznań, you can travel by train to Prague, among other cities.

A quick and successful city break from Poznań is a matter of good planning - and a few clicks. First choose the direction you are interested in, then check the available connections. When looking for trains, use the PolishTrains service - it makes it easy to compare departure times, prices and buy your tickets online, straight to your inbox.