Kujawsko-Pomorskie - tourist attractions for children and adults | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Torun's UNESCO-listed Old Town features Gothic townhouses, the Artus Court and Nicolaus Copernicus monument
• The Live Gingerbread Museum lets visitors bake and decorate their own gingerbread under expert supervision
• Biskupin is an open-air archaeological settlement preserving a reconstructed Iron Age Lusatian culture site
• Zaurolandia in Rogowo and Mega Park Rudnik are among the region's top family entertainment destinations
• Tuchola Forest and Lake Brodnica District offer outdoor activities including cycling, kayaking and hiking
• Train journey from Warsaw to Torun takes 2-3 hours; from Poznan under 2.5 hours

Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship has the advantage of being located in a more central part of Poland. As a result, local attractions can be enjoyed by people living in any region of the country. This is an ideal opportunity to organise a weekend getaway for yourself, for example.

Toruń

The primary city associated with the region is historic Toruń. Visiting it is an attraction even for a few days, as there is certainly plenty to do here. The most impressive sight is, of course, the beautiful, well-maintained Old Town, where you can stroll for several hours, stopping off at numerous attractions or enjoying a cup of hot tea in one of the many cafes. The Live Gingerbread Museum is well worth a visit. It is one of the best attractions for children in Kujawsko-Pomorskie. Not only will you taste delicious gingerbread here, but you will also be able to prepare it yourself under the supervision of professionals. Could there be a better attraction for children? In the Old Town in Toruń, visit one of the most famous leaning towers in Poland, the Town Hall, the Artus Court Cultural Centre, the District Museum with its Gothic Art Gallery, or the exhibition devoted to Toruń coins. The centre here is undoubtedly the monument dedicated to Nicolaus Copernicus. He is the most famous resident of this city. And if we are already talking about the great astronomer, another Kujawsko-Pomorskie attraction is the planetarium, where you can admire a full-size reflection of the sky. In this city with your children, be sure to also visit the Zoobotanical Garden. This combines the zoo with the plant world, creating a unique adventure.

Biskupin

What other interesting places in Kujawsko-Pomorskie are worth seeing? It is certainly the settlement in Biskupin. It is a small settlement of great historical and cultural value. It is here that the appearance of an ancient Lusatian settlement has been preserved and reconstructed. The discovery of this site was one of the most important events in Polish and European archaeology. Visiting the settlement itself is, of course, an interesting experience. But the exhibitions are also enriched not only by interactive additions, but also by the involvement of the museum staff. Thanks to them, you and your children will learn about former daily life in these lands. This is one of the cradles of Polishness, places that are eminently associated with our country, so it is worth everyone visiting Biskupin at least once in their lives.

Grudziądz

Grudziądz is a small town, so it is well suited for a day's sightseeing. Start your walk with a look at Grudziądz's granaries, for which the town is primarily famous. The mighty structures built on the steep Vistula bank were, on the one hand, meant to protect the town, but at the same time were used to store grain supplies at the time of their greatest popularity, when rafts were floated down the river from the south of the country. The defensive walls and the Water Gate also belong to the granaries. The view of Grudziądz from the other bank of the Vistula is also worth seeing, where the monumentality of the buildings can be fully appreciated. The small, but charming market square surrounded by colourful townhouses is an ideal place to rest for a while. Apart from granaries, Grudziądz is also famous for its lancers, which is why his statue and its companion could not be missing here. Boulevards with walking and cycling paths have been laid out along the Vistula. These are other interesting places in Kujawsko-Pomorskie which you can visit with the whole family.

Włocławek

Włocławek is a town in the Kujawy region that is also worth a visit. What can you do here? Be sure to take a walk along the Marszałek Józef Piłsudski Vistula Boulevards. They are about 1 kilometre long and stretch from Ogrodowa Street to Gdańska Street. Visit also the Museum of the History of Włocławek at 19 Szpichlerna St. It was created in the space of three interconnected tenement houses. Here you will see objects related to the history of Włocławek, also in the context of archaeology. The Ethnographic Museum, on the other hand, presents a pictorial history of agriculture in the area. The best vantage point, especially after dark to see the beautifully lit-up city and the mighty dam, is the viewing terrace, which you can reach via Obrońców Wisły 1920 roku Street. Here you will find benches, a fire pit and maps, all surrounded by pleasant green areas.

Bydgoszcz is a large city with something for everyone. At its core is the Mill Island, for it is the islands that the city is famous for. It features colourful Art Nouveau townhouses, most of them beautifully restored. Also there is the monument to the 18th meridian, which passes through the centre of the market square. Wondering what other little-known places in Kujawsko-Pomorskie are there? The Museum of Soap and the History of Dirt in Bydgoszcz certainly belongs to this group. Inside it, you will not only learn about this history, but also make your own soap in special workshops. Another such place is the Exploseum, arranged in a former nitroglycerine factory. It is, of course, dedicated to explosives and especially to Alfred Nobel, who created the factory. What else is there to do in Bydgoszcz? In the very centre of the city is Myślęcinek, an area with a zoo, amusement park, botanical garden, ski slope and stud farm. There could hardly be a better place for everyone to relax, regardless of gender or age.

Ciechocinek

Ciechocinek is undoubtedly one of Poland's best known health resorts. It is here that patients from all over Poland come to relax in one of the numerous sanatoriums. What is the secret of this place? It is undoubtedly the presence of brine graduation towers and a specific microclimate. Even if you don't want to take part in a full course, it's worth coming here for a walk or to enjoy some health-improving treatment. This is one of the most famous attractions in Kujawsko-Pomorskie.

The cool places of Kujawsko-Pomorskie are also connected with nature. These certainly include the Tuchola Forest, which is also partly located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. It is a huge forest complex where you can walk around all day and not meet anyone. You will find lakes and wetlands here. You can watch wild animals and admire the beautiful vegetation. Just breathe in the wonderful clean air and let yourself be carried away by the charm of this place. This area invites you to explore on foot, by bike or by canoe. There are far fewer tourists here than in other regions of the country, so you can take advantage of a really attractive and varied range of accommodation. Perhaps you are interested in staying in agrotourism? You are sure to find something suitable for families with children too.

Only 20 kilometres from Bydgoszcz, an interesting, almost unknown attraction in Kujawsko-Pomorskie awaits you. We are talking about the Bajka Cave in Gądecz. It is located in a ravine cut into the Lower Vistula escarpment. It is 19 metres deep and is accompanied by two other, slightly smaller ones. They were formed by the washing out of sandstone. This is a rarity in northern Poland, as rock formations of this kind are more common in its southern part.

In Kujawy, you can even find... pyramids. And these are true megalithic tombs from prehistoric times. Look for them in the villages of Wietrzychowice, Sarnowo and Gaj. The longest megalith is located in the latter village and is 115 metres long. This is something you absolutely must see when you are in the area, and another answer to the question: what to visit in Kujawsko-Pomorskie? They may not impress you with their height, as you have to look out for them among the trees, but they are older than those in Egypt, and this is already very impressive.

Another, no less interesting region is the Brodnica Lake District, which is not at all inferior in beauty to the nearby Masuria Lake District. It is a complex of over 100 lakes and huge forests, which simply encourage active leisure. Cycling, water sports, canoeing - this place looks like something out of a fairy tale, so it is no wonder that it is becoming increasingly popular. More resorts are therefore springing up where you can relax locally, even if you only have one weekend to spare.

Another landscape park worth visiting in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship is the one between Gostynin and Włocławek. These include lakes and forests, the king of which is the 300-year-old Jan oak tree. Together with nearby Lake Wikaryskie, they form a series of outdoor attractions, which are particularly worth a visit at the end of summer and in autumn, when berries and mushrooms rule here. Do you like communing with nature? Take a holiday in this less popular part of Poland.

Do you know what the highest peak in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship is? The answer to this question is not at all simple. In this region of the country, you will find the little-known Obkaskie Mountains, whose highest peak is Czarna Góra, 188.8 m above sea level. It is also the lowest peak among the 16 peaks which make up the Crown of Poland. No fooling - anyone can climb it, including children. The mountains were formed as a result of the activity of a terminal moraine and are currently covered by a pine forest.

If you are only slightly interested in Polish history, a place like Golub-Dobrzyń should be familiar to you. It is a post-Teutonic castle, well restored, inside which a lot of attractions await you. It dates from the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, and its four-winged, distinctive structure was created from a combination of fortified Gothic and ornate Renaissance architecture. It is one of Kujawsko-Pomorskie's most nationally recognised tourist attractions. Did you know that you can even stay overnight within the castle walls? There is a hotel inside, so you can find out for yourself if the legends of the White Lady haunting these walls at night have any reflection in reality.

Chełmno is sometimes called "the city of lovers". This name was not given to this medieval town particularly exaggeratedly. The relics of St. Valentine were discovered here several years ago. Since then, a veritable marathon of attractions and souvenirs connected with love between two people has begun here. It is believed that love professed here will survive anything. Chełmno, however, is much more than a mere marketing ploy. The original medieval urban layout has been preserved on site, which gives this town situated on the Vistula River its unique charm. Did you know that it is even called the Kraków of the North? Deservedly so - you will have to find the answer to this question yourself.

The ruins of the Teutonic castle in Świecie are another in a long list of Kujawsko-Pomorskie monuments. The Teutonic Knights built it in the 14th century and the Swedes destroyed it in the 17th century. Today, it is a well-protected and visitor-prepared ruin, giving an idea of the power of the monastic fortified buildings. There is no shortage of Teutonic monuments in Kujawy and Pomerania - why not take a tour along their trail?

What is worth seeing in Kujawy and Pomerania? Certainly the Kujawsko-Dobrzyn Ethnographic Park in Kłóbka, commonly known as an open-air museum. This is a place that history fans should definitely visit. Here you can experience first-hand what life was like for peasant families from the 18th to the 20th century. The park and palace complex is also the site of an exhibition by Maria née Wodzińska Orpiszewska and a nature education trail. All this is situated by a picturesque river - a good idea for a relaxing day in the sun.

In Bobrowniki in the Lipno district there are the ruins of a castle from the 14th century that are open to the public. The site has been in a poor state of repair since the 17th century. Only elements of the walls and tower have survived. The protruding fragments of armour are impressive and no true fan of history and ruins should miss this place.

Brześć Kujawski is another interesting place in Kujawsko-Pomorskie. It was here that Władysław Łokietek was born. The city itself was of royal origin. There is a Gothic church from the 14th century.

Still can't get enough of Kujawsko-Pomorskie monuments? One more is the castle in Radziki Duży from the 15th century. At present, it is more of a ruin to which admission is free. It was damaged already in the 17th century as a result of the Swedes' activity. However, even these preserved walls are very impressive. The Gothic fortress was built from a combination of fieldstone and brick. The residential house with a basement has survived to this day in the best condition.

Another castle on the map of Kuyavia is the one located in Radzyń Chełmiński. It is a Teutonic Commandery castle from the 14th century, with four wings, built on the shore of the Castle Lake. It has survived to the present day in fairly good condition, although it has not been rebuilt. The soaring walls with small windows, characteristic of the Gothic, give it a slender and gloomy character. Only the high castle has actually survived to this day, but it gives some idea of what the fortress used to look like. Unfortunately, its vaults have not survived.

Jura Park Solec Kujawski is certainly one of the magical places in Kujawsko-Pomorskie. In the park you will find a collection of 100 different types of dinosaur figures. Educational paths have been laid out along them. Because it is mainly science that this place is supposed to serve. It is a must-see for all lovers of prehistoric reptiles. Of course, there is also modern technology, for example in the form of a 5D cinema. This is what makes the journey into ancient times so exciting. The family will also enjoy the restaurant. It's a great idea to simply stay together in a pleasant environment and expand your knowledge at the same time.

In Rogów, between Bydgoszcz and Gniezno, there is Zaurolandia, Poland's largest park devoted entirely to dinosaurs. These are no ordinary figures, but real works of art created by sculptors specialising in palaeontology. No wonder, then, that all the details of their appearance and features are rendered with passion. The path that transports visitors to another land is two kilometres long. There is also a well-stocked souvenir shop, a playground and refreshments on site. The Kujawsko-Pomorskie dinosaur attractions are definitely the best in Poland.

What other attractions for children are there in Kujawsko-Pomorskie? It is certainly the narrow-gauge railway in Venice. Not only can you have the unique opportunity to ride such a small train, but you can also visit the museum where real locomotives and wagons used to transport passengers, goods and letters are presented. It is currently the largest open-air museum of its kind in Europe. On the other side of the museum are also the ruins of the Venetian Devil's castle (you can buy a combined ticket for both attractions). They are not large, but may appeal to children who like mysteries and old buildings.

Do you like legends? One of the magical places in Kujawsko-Pomorskie is certainly Lake Gopło, famous for the legend of King Popiel and the Mysia Tower. You can find the ruins of the tower in Kruszwica - it is a fragment of a castle. It is worth visiting this place not only for the scenic reasons. Equally important may be the pretext for telling the story of the beginnings of Polish statehood. Kruszwica, with its original urban layout, is by all means worth a visit.

The Rudnik Mega Park is an education and entertainment centre in the Grudziądz area. What can you find there? A Kansas City western town, a mobile dinosaur park, a Fairy Tale and Legend Land. Plus a mini zoo with animals you can interact with - in short, something for everyone, regardless of age. For this reason, it is one of the best attractions in Kujawsko-Pomorskie.

The Kujawsko-Pomorskie region will surprise you in more ways than one! See for yourself how many attractions await you here. It is impossible to get bored in Kujawsko-Pomorskie, and since it is not the most popular location in the country, you have the opportunity to taste real relaxation.

Remember also that you do not have to travel to most of these places by car. Check out your travel options with the PolishTrains search engine. You can also buy train or bus tickets there.

Which interesting places in Kujawsko-Pomorskie are your favourites? If you haven't had the chance to choose yet, be sure to pack for a trip. It is such a charming region that you will return to it again and again, each time discovering something new.