Poznań

Day 1: Old Town essentials and your first pours

Poznań’s compact Old Town makes an easy first day: cobbles, colourful merchant houses, and plenty of places to duck in for a brilliant pint. Pace yourself and get your bearings while learning the local etiquette that makes the beer scene so welcoming.

• Morning: Wander the Old Market Square and its side streets; pop into the tourist information point for maps and tram tips. If you fancy something sweet, try a rogal świętomarciński with coffee to fuel the morning.
• Midday: Be in front of the Town Hall clock for the famous mechanical goats at noon, then grab lunch nearby. Begin your craft journey at Dom Piwa just off the square—study the tap board, order by name or style, and don’t hesitate to ask for a small próbka if you’re unsure.
• Afternoon: Walk to Stary Browar (the arts-and-shopping centre in a former brewery) for a dose of design and a breather. If it’s warm, claim an ogródek piwny table outdoors; in winter, consider a Baltic Porter or even a piwo grzane to warm up.
• Evening: Do a relaxed mini-crawl: Piwna Stopa for something adventurous, then Ministerstwo Browaru on ul. Ratajczaka for a curated line-up (ask about Grodziskie for a regional classic). Tip: say na zdrowie with eye contact, and expect smaller measures (0.2–0.3 l) for stronger styles.

Day 2: Industrial legacy, Jeżyce vibes, and brewpub comfort

Today mixes old industry with creative neighbourhood life. You’ll see how mass-market and craft coexist, then settle into a brewpub for hearty food and lager excellence.

• Morning: Tram to Jeżyce for a local start around Rynek Jeżycki; grab breakfast and browse indie spots. Pop into Wściekły Chmiel (bottle shop with a few taps) to chat about new releases or pick up takeaways for later.
• Midday: Tour Lech Browary Wielkopolski’s visitor centre (book ahead); it’s a fascinating contrast to the small-scale craft bars and ends with a tasting. Non-drinkers will still enjoy the production story, and there are decent 0.0% options back in town.
• Afternoon: Stroll or tram to Citadel Park for greenery and public art, then make your way to Ułan Browar nearby. This is a great place to explore the current lager renaissance—try a flight comparing Pils, Helles, and Märzen.
• Evening: Head to Browar Szałpiw on ul. Święty Marcin for dinner and fresh house beers, from modern IPAs to classics. Tip: pricing is friendlier than Western Europe but varies—expect higher prices for specialty or high-ABV beers; pay individually at the bar.

Day 3: Cathedral Island calm and a locals’ night out

Ease into the day with river views and history before leaning into what’s new on the taps. If you’re visiting in late autumn, today is perfect for festival energy.

• Morning: Explore Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) and the interactive Porta Posnania museum, then stroll the Wartostrada riverside path. It’s peaceful in the morning, and cafés nearby make for an easy coffee stop.
• Midday: Head to Lake Malta for a walk or bike loop and a casual lunch; in summer, many lakeside places pour light, refreshing styles like wheat beers or fruited sours. In colder months, opt for robust porters and stouts with dessert or chocolate.
• Afternoon: If it’s November, dive into the Poznań Beer Expo at the fairgrounds—tastings, talks, and the country’s best breweries in one place. Otherwise, check bars’ social feeds for premieres or tap takeovers (Pinta, Funky Fluid, Nepomucen are frequent headliners); ask staff about ABV, IBU, and Blg to match body and sweetness to your taste.
• Evening: Slip into hidden gems: start with a quiet pint at Kolejka, catch a match at Podanie without sacrificing beer quality, and finish at Łazęga Poznańska for a bohemian vibe. Tip: trams run late and rideshares are cheap; consider a non-alcoholic craft option for the last round to keep pace comfortably.

By Air

• Poznań–Ławica Airport (POZ) sits about 7 km west of the city centre.
  • City bus links run to/from the centre and Poznań Główny railway station in roughly 20–30 minutes.
  • Taxis and ride‑hailing take about 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic.
  • Direct flights typically connect with Warsaw, London, Dublin and major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich (routes vary seasonally).
• Alternative airports:
  • Berlin Brandenburg (BER): around 3–3.5 hours to Poznań by train (S‑Bahn to Berlin Hbf + direct EuroCity to Poznań) or 2.5–3 hours by car.
  • Wrocław (WRO): about 2–2.5 hours by car; 2.5–3 hours by public transport (airport bus/tram to Wrocław Główny, then train).
  • Warsaw Chopin (WAW): roughly 3–3.5 hours by train to Poznań with an easy connection in Warsaw.

By Train

• Main station: Poznań Główny (central, integrated with the bus station and shopping centre).
• Operators: PKP Intercity (IC/EIC/TLK) for long‑distance; Koleje Wielkopolskie and Polregio for regional services. Long‑distance tickets include seat reservations.
• Typical journey times (fast services):
  • Warsaw: 2 h 30–3 h (frequent direct IC/EIC).
  • Berlin: 2 h 45–3 h (direct EuroCity).
  • Wrocław: about 1 h 55–2 h 15.
  • Gdańsk: 3–3.5 h.
  • Kraków: 4.5–5.5 h.
  • Szczecin: 2–2.5 h.
  • Łódź: around 3 h.
• Tickets: buy via intercity.pl, the KOLEO app, or station machines/desks.

By Bus

• Main station: Poznań Główny PKS (adjacent to the railway station).
• Operators: FlixBus and regional carriers offer frequent services.
• Typical journey times:
  • Berlin: 3.5–4.5 h.
  • Warsaw: 4.5–6 h.
  • Wrocław: 2.5–3 h.
  • Gdańsk: 4.5–5.5 h.
  • Kraków: 6–7 h.

By Car

• Key routes:
  • A2 motorway (tolled) east–west to Warsaw and the German border (Berlin via Świecko).
  • S5 to Wrocław and Bydgoszcz (links towards Gdańsk via A1).
  • S11 towards Piła and (in stages) south towards Upper Silesia.
• Approximate driving times (normal traffic):
  • Berlin: 2.5–3 h via A2 (tolls apply).
  • Warsaw: 3–3.5 h via A2 (tolls apply).
  • Wrocław: 2–2.5 h via S5.
  • Gdańsk: 3.5–4 h via S5/A1.
  • Kraków: 4.5–5 h via A2/A1/A4.
  • Szczecin: 2.5–3 h via S3/S11.
• Parking: paid zones around the centre/Old Town; consider park‑and‑ride with trams for central visits.