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Poland - Poznan and Wroclaw?

Has anyone been to either city? I think Poznan is a convention city, but they do have an old town. Recommendations from anyone on what to do and how much time to spend in either - or should we skip them?

Posted by
1078 posts

Wroclaw can't answer, however, have been to Poznan several times on business, and that's what kind of town it is.
When last there, preferred to take the train to Cracow rather than spend the weekend in Poznan or Lvov.
If no business reason, I would skip.

Posted by
276 posts

I've never been to Poznan, but Wroclaw is definitely worth a visit. Its main town square is almost as impressive as Krakow's and in fact, some of the buildings around the square are even prettier. There's not quite as much to see as there is in Krakow so a day or two is plenty. Wroclaw is a college town rather than a convention city, so it's very lively on the week-ends. (But don't worry, it's not like Padre Island during Spring Break or anything:) ) In fact, I read on the inyourpocket.com site that since Krakow is becoming the "new Prague", Wroclaw has become the "new Krakow". I don't know about that, but it is beautiful.

Posted by
990 posts

Poznan does have a lot of business travel, but it also has a really nice old town section, too. The "highlight" in the town square occurs every day at noon when two iron billy goats on the top of the market hall come out and head butt to mark the noon hour. (After Prague, it's pretty small potatoes, but a crowd gathers to watch the display.) The market hall itself has an intersting historic display, and the many cafes and restaurants in the square are great for relaxing and people-watching. There's a colorful military procession on horseback on Saturdays in the market square too. A guided walking tour of the old town gave us a good orientation to the town and its history, and includes a look at the cathedral and several other historic churches and buildings. Also, they still have a regularly scheduled steam train out to one of the outlying areas adjacent to the Wielkopolska National Park. We thought it was fun to take the train out there, do a bit of hiking, and take the train back. Poznan is worth a day or maybe two. ( I was there for a conference, so we were there for six days in all.) The Hotel Stare Miasto, just outside the old town square, is a terrific small hotel run by a couple of energetic women who are turning it into a nice boutique hotel. Great breakfasts, free wifi in the common area, and airconditioned comfortable rooms.

Wroclaw is stunningly beautiful--a cross between Prague and Krakow architecturally on a smaller scale. The peaceful cathedral island is lovely, the old town square and its flower stalls very photogenic, and the river and numberless bridges likewise attractive. We spent only one day there and I wish we had had the time to spend two. We ended up at a business class hotel using miles, so I can't recommend a small hotel, unfortunately.

Posted by
25 posts

Wroclaw is a lot better choice, it is bigger, the center is in better shape and has a lot to do, you can easily spend a couple of days exploring it!