Szczecin – A City Trip Off the Beaten Path

When you think of a city trip, well-known metropolises like Barcelona, Hamburg, or Prague probably come to mind, right? Then it's high time to consider a short trip to Szczecin!
Located on the western Oder River, this Polish city is perfect for a city escape away from the tourist crowds.
Here, you can enjoy the sights in peace — without the hustle, long waits, or large tourist groups.
This is what we imagine a relaxed city trip to be like!You’ll find all our recommendations, travel tips, and information about Szczecin in this post.

1. SIGHTS IN SZCZECIN

With around 400,000 inhabitants, Szczecin is Poland's seventh-largest city, offering an exciting mix of modernity and history.
To explore the old town and the main attractions, follow the 7-kilometer walking trail marked by a red dotted line.
The route includes about 42 numbered stops, each with multilingual information boards. A QR code on each board provides additional information about each site.

If you're arriving by train, your exploration starts right at the station, which is Stop Number 1 — the starting and ending point of the circular tour.

Our top 8 highlights on the tour:

1. The Hakenterrasse (Haken Terrace)
2. Szczecin Castle
3. The old town hall at Haymarket
4. St. James Church
5. The ornate Harbor Gate
6. Szczecin Philharmonic Hall
7. Loitz House
8. The artistic facades of old town buildings

For this tour, plan to spend at least half a day. More details about the "Red Trail" can be found at www.szczecin.eu.

If you've already visited other Polish cities, you may notice that Szczecin doesn’t have a classic market square.
While the typical marketplace with a town hall surrounded by charming historic houses is absent, Szczecin offers other exciting discoveries.

With the Szczecin Tourist Card, you can enjoy special discounts at numerous museums, restaurants, and cafes, and use public transportation for free.
Cards are available for 24 or 72 hours and can be purchased at all tourist information offices in the city.

Our tip: From May to September, there are free city tours every Saturday in German, English, and Polish. If you’d like to join, be sure to register with the tourist center in advance.

2. SZCZECIN – THE GREEN CITY

Szczecin is often called the "green city on the water" — and for good reason. Surrounded by the Oder River, Dąbie Lake, and the Szczecin Lagoon, the city is rich in natural beauty.
Szczecin also boasts numerous parks and green spaces.

Two of our favorites were the Kasprowicza Park, the largest in the city, and the Main Cemetery of Szczecin.
Kasprowicza Park features a beautiful rose garden, a large amphitheater, and a sprawling lawn perfect for relaxation.

A stroll through the main cemetery may sound unusual, but it’s truly worth it.
Nestled within a forest, it’s beautifully maintained, with lush greenery, a lovely fountain, and an impressive chapel.

If you have a bit more time in Szczecin, we recommend a trip to Lake Dąbie (Polish: Jezioro Dąbie).
The lake begins in the heart of Szczecin and stretches about 15 kilometers to the Szczecin Lagoon.
You can sail, enjoy various water sports, take walks along the shore, or simply relax in nature.
At sunset, the lake’s shore becomes especially enchanting as it bathes in a warm glow.

3. FOOD & DRINK

Polish cuisine may be hearty, but it’s incredibly delicious. Among the country's culinary highlights are the famous Polish pierogi. If it's your first time in Poland, don’t miss out on this treat. Pierogi are dumplings typically filled with savory ingredients like sauerkraut and mushrooms, cheese, or meat. Sweet versions, like strawberry-filled pierogi, are also popular.

You’ll find pierogi on the menu of nearly every restaurant. Other typical dishes include Bigos (a stew of sauerkraut, meat, and sausage), Żurek (a sour flour soup with sausage and eggs), and Barszcz (a well-known beetroot soup). Traditional dishes also include Kotlet schabowy (a pork chop similar to German schnitzel), Gołąbki (cabbage rolls with tomato sauce), and Rolada śląska z kluskami (Silesian roulade with red cabbage and dumplings).

For authentic restaurants, we recommend Pierogarnia Kaszubska, Karczma Pod Kogutem, and Ziemniak i Spółka.

For those with a sweet tooth, Pączki (filled doughnuts) and Sernik (Polish cheesecake) are must-tries.
We found the best pączki at the "Manhattan" market and the tastiest sernik at a small stall in the "Atrium Molo" shopping center. Unfortunately, neither stall has a website.

In terms of drinks, it’s no surprise that, aside from beer (piwo), vodka plays a central role. Żubrówka and Wyborowa are excellent choices in the mid-price range.
Żubrówka, a vodka with a distinctive blade of bison grass in the bottle, might already be familiar to you.

4. SHOPPING IN SZCZECIN

Szczecin is a true shopping paradise, offering something for everyone. In the heart of the city are two huge shopping centers, just a few hundred meters apart.
‍Galeria Kaskada offers over 140 shops, a large food court, and even a multiplex cinema.

Galaxy Centrum goes even further with over 170 stores, numerous restaurants, a cinema, a bowling alley, and a fitness center — perfect for a varied day out.

Other large shopping centers worth visiting include Outlet Park Szczecin, Galeria Handlowa Turzyn, Atrium Molo, Centrum Handlowe Ster, and Galeria Gryf.

If you’re only in town for the weekend, don’t worry — Szczecin’s shopping centers are open on Sundays.

For those who don’t want to spend too much time shopping in malls but still need groceries or drinks, you’ll find Żabka, Biedronka, and Netto stores on nearly every street corner.
These small stores are typically open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.

To shop like the locals, head to Manhattan Market. Here, you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, flower shops, bakeries with the famous pączki, food stalls, and a colorful selection of household goods and clothing that might feel a bit old-fashioned but offers charming insights into local style.

5. SZCZECIN’S NIGHTLIFE

Szczecin's nightlife truly comes alive along the Oder River in the summer. The warm summer nights, unique waterfront atmosphere, various drink stands, and lively bars make the riverside a perfect place to spend an evening. A highlight is the illuminated Wheel of Szczecin, an impressive Ferris wheel on Łasztownia Island that looks particularly beautiful at night.
The best view of the Ferris wheel is from the opposite bank on Jana z Kolna Street or from one of the many boats.

Several companies at the riverbank offer boat tours at various times — at night, at sunset, or during the day.
On weekends, you may even come across popular party boats, creating a lively atmosphere.

When temperatures cool down and riverside activities decrease, the nightlife shifts to the old town (Stare Miasto).
Cozy bars, restaurants, and clubs host a mix of locals and tourists, all enjoying the old town’s unique evening vibe.

6. GETTING TO SZCZECIN

One of the biggest advantages for travelers by car or train is Szczecin's convenient location near the German border, making it more accessible than other major Polish cities like Wroclaw or Poznan. Cities such as Berlin offer easy and quick train connections to Szczecin. If you’re coming from farther away, driving or a combination of train and air travel might be the best option.

Within Szczecin, however, you likely won’t need a car since the city is very pedestrian-friendly and most attractions are easily reachable on foot or by public transportation.
This makes exploring Szczecin particularly relaxed and hassle-free.

7. GETTING AROUND THE CITY

Despite its size, Szczecin is excellent for exploring on foot. For a more active approach, you can rent a bike at one of the many rental stations, all easily bookable online.
If biking feels too slow, the city has plenty of City E-Scooters available via the Quick App, making it easy to navigate Szczecin quickly and conveniently.

Of course, you can also rely on traditional public transportation like buses and trams for a stress-free journey.
We recommend avoiding driving in the city center, as most locations are within walking distance or accessible via the above options, and parking can be limited and challenging.

8. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS IN SZCZECIN

Szczecin offers a wide range of accommodations, from hotels and vacation rentals to apartments, hostels, and private rooms — often at an excellent price-to-value ratio.

We found the perfect choice with our centrally-located Scandinavian-style apartment in downtown Szczecin, which served as a fantastic base for our stay.
It even included free parking in the backyard. Check-in and check-out were seamless, managed via email with a door code, giving us flexibility without needing to rely on reception hours.

9. CURRENCY & PRICES

The official currency in Poland is the Złoty (PLN). Most stores and restaurants accept debit cards, so if you’re only in Poland for a weekend and your bank doesn’t charge international fees, it may be worthwhile to skip cash exchange. This way, you avoid ending up with leftover currency.

If you plan a longer stay or prefer cash, there are many exchange offices. Be sure to check the exchange rate, as it can vary significantly between offices.

Prices in Poland are generally lower, particularly for food, accommodations, cigarettes, and fuel. However, items such as drugstore products, sweets from premium brands like Milka or Lindt, and laundry detergent are often more expensive, sometimes even pricier than in other Western countries. In our experience, electronics in Poland aren’t significantly cheaper, so you shouldn’t expect major discounts on larger electronic items.

Just a 90-minute drive from Szczecin is the Polish coastal city of Świnoujście. If you’d like to spend some time by the Baltic Sea before or after your trip to Szczecin, Świnoujście is the perfect destination. Our post, „The Polish Baltic Sea – Travel Tips for Swinoujscie", offers extensive information on attractions, activities, and many reasons why a visit to this charming city is well worth it.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com‍
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com‍
• Discover the best accommodations‍
• The best Travel Guides for Szczecin
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Szczecin

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.