Torun

Toruń a UNESCO monument and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Get to know it in person!

Toruń is one of the oldest Polish cities, with urban rights conferred to it in 1233. Its buildings are an extraordinary example of Gothic architecture and old artistic craftsmanship, and the medieval urban complex has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city is flourishing dynamically, investing in the development of science, tourism and culture. Nicolaus Copernicus, the best-known resident of Toruń, thanks to his astronomical achievements has permanently recorded this place in the history of the world.

Exploring the Area

Toruń is located on both sides of the Vistula River, surrounded by forests and picturesque scenery. Due to the history of the region and its relationship with the Teutonic Order, surrounded by Toruń there are defensive medieval castles towns, old castles and architectural monuments. The proximity of forests, lake districts and natural areas makes Toruń a great base for active recreation, and its central location allows you to visit the most important cities in the area. Unlike other Polish cities, Torun avoided destruction during World War II, thanks to which its original, Gothic architecture has survived in the original. The charm of cobbled streets is best appreciated by slowly wandering about the city streets, pausing a walk with coffee or a drink served in one of the many cafes and bars. The Old Town comes alive at night – the illumination installed at the monuments give them a completely different character than during the day. The play of light on the ancient walls makes an amazing impression, moving the observer into the mysterious dimension of history.

Eating and Drinking

Some of Toruń’s clubs, bars and restaurants are located in historic, Gothic cellars with a romantic atmosphere. In the city, we will eat Polish and international cuisine, and the obligatory point is to try local specialties – gingerbread and beer.

Toruń is well known for  far-reaching brewing traditions. In the 15th and 16th centuries, there were 90 masters of brewing in Toruń’s guilds. Nowadays, the traditions are supported by several urban premises where original Toruń beer is served. You can try several of its variations, each of which is based on a traditional recipe. The most characteristic is the spicy taste – referring to another traditional product from which Toruń is famous for all over the Poland – gingerbread. In past centuries, gingerbreads were often raised to the rank of an artistic product – with rich ornaments, sophisticated forms, they were treated as a form of a gift. In this way some of the Polish kings were distinguished during events important to the country, such as coronation or marriage. Nowadays, the secrets of making and decorating gingerbread are discovered by the visitors of the Gingerbread Museum – you can not only learn a lot about the product and its history, but also yourself to knead the dough and create your own souvenir sweet work! Toruń still boasts about the most popular gingerbread in the country, and local confectioners rely on old recipes and use the highest quality products available only in this region of Poland.

What to See and Do

Toruń has one of the largest number of world class monuments in Poland. The most popular direction of sightseeing in Toruń is through the Medieval City Complex, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It includes the Old and New Town (from the 13th century) along with the Teutonic Castle. The monumental buildings surrounding the Market Square are an example of the finest works of Gothic architecture, and the Patrician houses are one of the largest and best-preserved bands of Gothic residential architecture in Europe. It is worth including impressive sacred buildings in the sightseeing plan – in a soaring building, artfully decorated and graced with paintings.

Torun skillfully combines history with the present. The famous planetarium in Toruń is a tribute to the greatest Polish astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus, a revolutionary in the world of science and propagator of the heliocentric theory of the Universe. Shows taking place in the planetarium bring the guests closer to the secrets of stars and planets, taking them into a real intergalactic journey. Those interested can visit the city by following the astronomer’s footsteps: visiting his family home, then the Copernicus Chapel in which numerous souvenirs were gathered, finally stopping at the monument of Nicolaus Copernicus at the Old Town Square – the central place of Toruń.

If we want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, we can go for a pleasant walk along the Vistula Błonia. Over 50% of the area of Toruń is covered with plants and water, of which a large part is occupied by forests, parks and squares – some entered into the register of monuments, such as the Millennium Park or the Zoobotanical Garden.

Where to Stay

Toruń is a popular destination for one-day trips for tourists stopping in Gdansk. The city, however, has a good accommodation base, offering guests staying in hotels of well-known chains, cozy apartments or intimate, boutique hotels. It is worth checking especially the offer of the latter – the interior design and climate of many of them fits perfectly in the mysterious and magical atmosphere of Toruń.

How to Get Around

At a distance of 52 km from Toruń lies the airport in Bydgoszcz – unfortunately, it offers a very limited number of flights. The nearest airport, with connections to the majority of European cities, is located in Gdańsk – approx. 170 km from Toruń. Alternatively, you can use the airport in Poznan, lying closer – 165 km – but it is worse communicated with Toruń. Warsaw Chopin Airport and Modlin are at a similar distance – 220 and 175 km, respectively. You can reach Toruń by rail from all major Polish cities. Travel by car will be easy and fast, due to the location of Toruń at the meeting point of the most important transport routes in the country.

As with most historical cities, the most important monuments are best visited on foot – they are accumulated in a relatively small space. Toruń has a well-developed network of trams and bicycle paths run through the city. The bike can be rented privately or use a city bike network.

Highlights

Toruń is the perfect place for you if:

• you are a fan of art and architecture, especially this medieval one,
• you like to try traditional, local products,
• you are interested in historical events, including old history,
• you prefer places that offer diverse attractions for visitors,
• you like cities that have a rich night life and an interesting gastronomic offer.

Share this tour