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Capital city of West Pomerania, Poland
Photo: włodi, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Szczecin, (pronounced Shchetsin, German: Stettin, Latin: Stetinum) is a maritime port city and the capital of Zachodniopomorskie in Poland. Many visitors to Poland are also unaware of Szczecin's architectural attractiveness, as the large parts of the city were designed by Baron Haussmann, the same man who designed the boulevards of Paris. Szczecin is Poland's third-largest port and much of its industrial base used to be a part of an important shipyard. But the city is not on a seaside, but rather on the river Odra (German: Oder), some 20 kilometres south of the Baltic Sea.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Zamek Książąt Pomorskich
Houses a museum, restaurants and cafes, and also houses tourist information office, you can get some free maps, pamphlets etc.
Stare Miasto
Jokingly referred to by locals as "Brand New Old Town" (its reconstruction only started in late 1990s and is ongoing), it has some nice houses rebuilt to original plans. Many shops, restaurants and cafes. There is a museum situated in the Old Town Hall.
Loitzs Tenement
Interesting tenement near the Old Town. Go from Old Town in direction of Castle, and you'll see it after about 20–30 m on the left side. It is painted flashy orange, you can't miss it.
Hakenterrasse
A promenade with great views on the Oder river and port. Many cafes are situated here. See the museum (Muzeum Morskie), situated just in the center of Waly which houses some artifacts from history of the city and has big collections of African and maritime artifacts.
St. Jacob's Cathedral
Large Gothic cathedral.
City park spreading through nearly all of the city. Behind the City Council.
Another city park, situated in the center of the city between Waly Chrobrego and Pazim/Galaxy.
Third-largest cemetery in Europe.
Largest in Poland. Two tours to choose: World War II or Cold War.
Oldest cinema in the world still in operation (est. 1909).
Something for railway fans, the only one of a kind in operation in Poland.
jezioro Szmaragdowe
Lake, artificial cave and forest area (Puszcza Bukowa) situated in Zdroje district. Many great views on the city and nice area for hiking and bike riding.
Palace under the Globe / Palace of Grumbkov
The building where two rulers of Russia (Catherine II and Maria Fiodorovna) were born.
Muzeum Techniki
Has nice collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, buses and trams.
Filharmonia im. Mieczysława Karłowicza w Szczecinie
Szczecin's symphony orchestra that has its origins in 1948. Since 2014 they perform in the prominent and award-winning building designed by the Spanish Studio Barozzi Veiga. If you don't have time for a concert, the building is also worth a visit.
A lake and birds reservation 20 km from Szczecin. There is bicycle path connecting Szczecin (Głębokie) with Pilchowo and Tanowo; you can also ride through the forest by fire roads if you have good map (topographic map preferred) and more rugged bicycle (it's quite flat but expect a lot of sand). Make sure to bring your own food and drink (but not alcohol) as there are no shops here.
Vegan & vegetarian. If you are on limited budget, order their "danie dnia" (dish of a day) and/or "zupa dnia" (soup of a day) which are always very affordable.
Brewery/bar that is popular with young locals for a drink, but also a great place for Polish food: Excellent żurek (sourdough soup) and pork neck with pickled cucumbers are to be found here, among other dishes.
Hip restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and modern European cuisine, more akin to what one would find in Berlin. The food is tasty and the staff friendly – a good choice if you're craving for something different.
Indian food.
Japanese.
Night club, live music and/or DJs on weekend nights.
Every day parties! Music: 1970s, 80s & 90s. Karaoke Nights, Student Nights, every weekend parties & afterparty till 06:00.
Funk, hip-hop, house, etc.
Something for blues (and rock) fans - live music, jam sessions, etc.
Very popular among the students; rock/alternative party every day, live music from time to time.
Pub belonging to Kana alternative theatre, popular among students and artists (and theatre visitors). Has free wireless Internet; ask the bar staff for the password.
Live rock music, karaoke, you name it.
Has its own microbrewery making lager and porter type beers.
Nice beer hall with good beer and cheap food. TVs on the wall show sports.
Szkolne Schronisko Młodzieżowe
Nearest gigamall from the German border.
The newest and the biggest shopping mall in Szczecin, best brands and spacious foodcourt.
Shopping mall. Many outlets of major brands.
By train
Polish State Railways (PKP) has connections to and from all major Polish cities.
By car
You can reach Szczecin by car from major Polish cities, including Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Wrocław, and also from Berlin.
By bus
Many international and domestic connections (see Poland#By bus).
By boat
Szczecin is on the banks of the Odra (German: Oder) and Regalica (branch of the Odra) rivers and Lake Dąbie, near the Szczecin Lagoon.
Public transport
Szczecin has extensive public transport network covered by trams and buses. See the maps (dziennej = by day, nocnej = by night, tramwajowej = trams) and schedules.
By train
If you want to go to or from the city centre (station name: Szczecin Główny) to districts of Dąbie, Gumieńce, Podjuchy, Zdroje, Zdunowo or Załom (or nearby suburban towns of Goleniów, Gryfino or…
By foot
). Look for the red line on the pavements - so called "red walk" which connects nearly all the attractions within the centre.
By car
Streets in Szczecin are (compared to other Polish cities) easy to navigate and not congested.
By bicycle
There is network of bicycle paths connecting the city center with the suburbs. You can take your bike on public transport for free (outside rush hours).
By taxi
Hail a taxi from the street or stand only in emergency or if very tired or drunk as it is much cheaper to call for one: ask locals for numbers or see taxi advertisements, they are nearly everywhere.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Szczecin(Glewice) · International · SZZ
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