Szczecin - city on the Odra
Szczecin is located on the lower Odra River at the estuary of the Szczecin Lagoon and Lake Damm. In Polish, the capital of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Szczecin was once a Hanseatic city, the residence of the Dukes of Pomerania and a fortress city of the Swedes and Prussians. Much of the city was destroyed during the Second World War and only later was it possible to rebuild much of it.
Today, Szczecin is the seventh largest city in Poland and has the second most important port in the country. Goods are transported from here across the Oder to the area around Katowice. The port is also connected to the Baltic Sea, making it an important transshipment point.
The city offers a wealth of historical and cultural sights that make a city trip worthwhile. A central highlight is the imposing castle of the Pomeranian Dukes. This Renaissance castle, which rises majestically above the Oder, offers a fascinating insight into the history of the region and today houses a cultural center with museums and exhibitions. The view from the castle’s towers is spectacular and offers sweeping views over the city and the river.
The old town of Szczecin has been carefully restored and offers a mixture of historical and modern elements. Here, visitors can visit St. Jacob’s Cathedral, which is known for its impressive architecture and viewing platform. A stroll through the streets of the old town leads to numerous cafés, restaurants and small stores selling local products.
Szczecin is also known for its parks and green spaces. Kasprowicza Park, one of the largest in the city, offers extensive walking paths, gardens and lakes that invite you to relax. The park is an ideal place for a leisurely afternoon stroll or a picnic.
The city also has a lively cultural scene. Numerous theaters, concert halls and galleries offer a wide range of events, from classical music to contemporary art. The Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra, housed in an architecturally outstanding building, is a must for music lovers in particular.
Another advantage of Szczecin is its proximity to the Baltic Sea coast, which is ideal for day trips.
Szczecin tips
One of the most beautiful and largest parks in Szczecin, Kasprowicz Park, is located just outside the Old Town area. A walk took us to the "Spinach Palace of Szczecin".
Szczecin is an interesting and exciting city that cannot be fully discovered in one weekend. If you like to take a look at the city, you should visit the lookout points in Szczecin.
Under the main railway station in Szczecin is the largest civilian bunker in Poland. You can visit it on a bunker tour in Szczecin and immerse yourself in an almost forgotten time.
More than 300,000 graves on more than 160 hectares, countless paths, monuments, gravestones and places of silence await you when you visit the Szczecin Main Cemetery.
Few buildings in Szczecin stand out as much for their architecture as the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic. The amazing building has been in the city since 2014 and guided tours of the building are offered at certain times.
Somewhat off the beaten tourist track, the Szczecin Museum of Technology and Communication is located in a former streetcar depot. Lovers of old vehicles, but also lovers of sewing machines and typewriters will get their money's worth here.
Szczecin is located in the northwest of Poland, just 130 kilometers from Berlin. You can get there really quickly by train, so a short visit to the Polish city on the Szczecin Lagoon is just perfect.
Book a tour
Overnight stay in Szczecin
We experienced that not all hotels are the same at Paul's Fantasia Boutique Suites in Szczecin. A small hotel run by the owner that took us into another world, so that we almost forgot about Szczecin.
Hotel Dana Business & Conference
Courtyard by Marriott Szczecin City
Paul’s Fantasia Boutique Suites
Novotel Szczecin Centrum
ibis Styles Szczecin Stare Miasto
Travel information about Szczecin
Arrival
By plane
The Polish airport Szczecin-Goleniów is about 40 kilometres from Szczecin. It is served by several international airlines. They mainly connect Szczecin with Norway, the UK and domestic Polish destinations.
From the airport, the train runs to Szczecin and Kolberg.
The nearest major airport is Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany, which takes about 3 hours by train. Gdansk airport is further away.
By train
Szczecin Główny is the main railway station in Szczecin. It is located in the centre of the city.
From Germany, local trains from Angermünde or Pasewalk with connections to Berlin or Lübeck travel to the city on the Odra. As only local trains stop in Szczecin, you can use national tickets to get there. But beware! The Brandenburg-Berlin Ticket and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ticket are also valid as far as Szczecin and on the Szczecin city transport system. The Schleswig-Holstein Ticket and the Quer-durchs-Land Ticket are only valid in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern up to the border with Poland.
For individual travellers, there is a special Berlin-Stettin fare from the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association.
There are direct connections within Poland to Poznan (2 1/4 hours) and Warsaw (5 hours), among others.
By bus
From Berlin, long-distance buses run to the central bus station in the city centre on pl. Grodnicki.
By car
Travelling from Germany is possible via Berlin on motorway 11 and A6 in Poland.
By boat
There are boat connections (excursion traffic) on the Odra and to Swinoujscie.
On foot and by bike
The Hanseatic Way connects Hamburg with Szczecin.
On the way...
Local public transport
There are 12 tram lines and several bus lines in Szczecin. They can be used with the same ticket. The trams mainly run on the left side of the Odra river.
The tourist tram is numbered 0 and the tourist buses are numbered 50 as well as 100. Buses with numbers beginning with 7 can be ridden free of charge, but they only run to the shopping centres.
People aged 70 and over travel free of charge.
On foot
The old town is not that big and can easily be explored on foot. If you want to see the most important sights, you should follow the Red Route, a circular route that is already painted on the ground at the main station.
By bike
Szczecin has a dense network of cycle paths, which can also be used to reach the suburbs. You can use city rental bikes for a fee from March to November. There are almost 90 stations available.
By car
There are many wide and well-maintained roads in Szczecin.
Parking
In the car parks of the shopping centres you can park for free close to the centre. In the centre, you have to pay parking fees at the parking machine, which depend on the zone and the length of the parking period. The red A zone is more expensive than the yellow B zone.
Park & Ride car parks are for people who want to transfer to public transport after parking. The car parks are free of charge and open 24 hours a day. There are 2 large P+R car parks:
- P+R Hangarowa: Crossing of the streets Eskadrowa, Leszczynowa und Hangarowa
- P+R Turkusowa: at the tram-bus turnaround loop „Turkusowa“
Best time to visit
Spring (March to May)
Temperatures gradually rise from an average of 5°C in March to around 15°C in May. These months are ideal for walks in the numerous parks and along the Oder. Spring is relatively dry, with an average of 8 to 10 days of rain per month.
Summer (June to August)
Temperatures average a pleasant 20°C, with July and August being the warmest months. These months offer the most hours of sunshine. There is an average of 10 to 12 days of rain per month, with rainfall often coming in the form of short showers.
Fall (September to November)
Temperatures are around 15°C in September and drop to 5°C in November. October can be a little rainier, with an average of 10 to 12 days of rain.
Winter (December to February)
Winter in Szczecin is cold, with temperatures often hovering around freezing point. Average temperatures are around 0°C in January. Snow is possible. There is an average of 10 to 12 days of rain, with precipitation often falling as snow.
Alcohol and Smoking
It is prohibited to consume alcohol in public places. An exception to these rules is Nabrzeże Celne. There, the consumption of alcohol up to 12% is permitted.
Smoking is not allowed in places of daily use, such as bus stops.
