Szczecin

Understand

The place now known as Szczecin was first mentioned in written history in 1st century when West-Roman historian Tacitus located East Germanic tribe of Rugians somewhere in the area; the Rugians left in the 5th century during the Great Migration. Sometime in the 8th century Western Slavic tribe of Pomeranians built their stronghold here. In 10th century the town was mentioned as "one of major in Pomerania" in Abraham ben Jacob's chronicle. In approximately 1080 its area was incorporated into Poland, but within eight years, the town was controlled by the Dukedom of Pomerania, and five years later, Denmark. In 12th century when its competitor, Wolin (also known as Veneta in medieval chronicles) declined Szczecin began to prosper from trade and became one of the major Baltic sea harbours. Its name was first recorded in 1133 as "Stetin". In 1181 Pomeranian dukes joined Holy Roman Empire. In 1243 Szczecin got city rights before it became member of the Hanseatic League in 1278. Until early 17th century the city was the capital of Pomeranian Dukedom, then in 1630 when local dukes died out it became part of Sweden, then Kingdom of Prussia, then for a brief period, due to Napoleon's conquests, the French Empire. Beginning in the 18th century, the city was a part of Germany and served as the "port of Berlin". During World War II the city was hit hard by Allied bombers; city centre, Old Town and industrial areas were destroyed. After the Soviet forces invaded Nazi Germany in 1945, according to Potsdam Conference agreements, Poland annexed all lands up to the Oder river, expelling the native German population and extending the border to include Stettin: Poland thus gained control of the city. In the 1980s, the city was (with Gdańsk) one of the birthplaces of Solidarity movement. An unusual feature of Szczecin is its urban planning, with many roundabouts and wide avenues. Stettin was rebuilt in 1880s using designs by Georges-Eugene Haussmann, who also did the urban planning for Paris. His design style is still being used for newly built (or modified) city areas. The maritime industry is still strong with a busy port and repair shipyard, and it is a centre of service industries in Poland. Szczecin is sometimes considered one of the most liberal Polish cities.

Tourist information Visit Szczecin website

Getting there

By plane 1 Solidarity Szczecin–Goleniów Airport (SZZ IATA) (is located almost 50 km from the city centre, near Goleniów.). LOT and a few low cost airlines operate here (updated Aug 2019) You can reach the airport by car (the journey may take up to 1 hour, depending on traffic), by taxi (about 120 zł), or by minibus – LOT operates a minibus to and from the airport for all LOT's flights (free of charge for passengers), leaving from LOT's office (al. Wyzwolenia 17) about 90 minutes before departure, and Interglobus has minibuses for all international flights. A railway service links the airport's terminal directly with Szczecin's main railway station and with Kołobrzeg. Due to Szczecin's proximity to Berlin, the latter's airport is a viable option to get to Szczecin. From Berlin, you can get to Szczecin by minibus (numerous Szczecin-based companies, including Atlastransfer and Interglobus, operate regular services to Berlin Brandenburg International airport at attractive prices), by car or by train in 2–3 hours.

By train 2 Szczecin Główny railway station. Polish State Railways (PKP) has connections to and from all major Polish cities. There are several trains daily to and from Warsaw – travel time on express or Intercity trains is less than 6 hours, but minor delays are not uncommon. To Poznań, travel time is about 2½ hours (from 40 zł), with frequent trains running throughout the day. There are also frequent trains to Świnoujście (2 hours). Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) has train connections from Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague and many cities in neighboring Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. One daily train is direct from Vilnius in Lithuania, taking 12 hours via Kaunas, Białystok, Warsaw and Poznań. The eastbound train sets off at 09:30 and may be shown as heading for Mockava on the border, where you change between European and Baltic-gauge railways. Due to the construction works of the rail tracks between Berlin and Szczecin, there are no direct trains between the cities until some time in 2027; coming from Berlin, you'll have to change to a replacement bus service or different train in Angermünde. Upon completion, travel time between the cities will supposedly be reduced to 90 minutes. The Deutschland-Ticket is only valid on the German side here. In the trains or rail replacements buses you get a border crossing ticket from Grambow to Szczecin for €2.50 or from Tantow/Angermünde to Szczecin for €3.60 from the ticket inspector or bus driver (updated Feb 2024) Valid German tickets from and to Szczecin including the entire public transport system in Szc

Getting around

Szczecin is split in two parts (Lewobrzeże and Prawobrzeże) named after their location on banks of Oder (Lewobrzeże = left bank) and Regalica (Prawobrzeże = right bank) rivers. The port is in between. City centre and most of attractions are situated in Lewobrzeże.

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. You can also install the timetables on your mobile phone: for J2ME compatible phones and Symbian: MPK Mobile, for Android and Windows Phone: Transportoid. Tickets are randomly checked by plain clothed inspectors; fines are severe and can be a major hassle. Tickets are available at all newspaper stands and you can buy them from the driver after 18:00. If you have an account in Polish bank you can also use your mobile phone. Rush hours are 07:00-08:00 and 16:00-17:00, night hours are between 23:00 and 05:00. Tickets for express buses are twice as expensive. You can change between lines freely as long you stay within time limit (the exception is changing from "normal" bus or tram to express bus). Remember to stamp your ticket immediately after you board the tram/bus. Prices (May 2025): 15 minutes 3.00 zł, 30 minutes 4.00 zł, 1 hour 6.00 zł, 2 hours 7.00 zł, 24 hours 15 zł, 5 days 46 zł. A family weekend ticket, for 21 zł, is valid on weekends for one or two adults with at least one child up to 16 years old. There are also tickets valid for 10 days, a month and a quarter. People aged 67 and over can buy tickets at half price, while people aged 70 and over travel free. Brandenburg-Berlin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, Schönes Wochenende and Brandenburg-Berlin Nacht tickets issued by Deutsche Bahn are valid for public transport operated by ZDiTM (trams and buses) in Szczecin. Monthly/quarterly tickets issued by ZDiTM are valid for DB trains within the city (Szczecin Główny-Szczecin Gumieńce). Lines:

0 - tourist tram line 1-11 - trams 50, 100 - tourist bus lines 51-244 - buses A, B, C - express buses 521-536 - night buses 7xx - free buses (to and from shopping malls) 8xx - replacement buses for trams Tourist lines (vintage trams and buses) operate in July and August on Saturdays and Sundays. The fare costs 5 zł for adults and 3.70 zł for children (paid to the driver). Line numbers: 0 (tram), 50 and 100 (buses).

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, G

See

1 Pomeranian Dukes Castle (Zamek Książąt Pomorskich). Houses a museum, restaurants and cafes, and also houses tourist information office, you can get some free maps, pamphlets etc. 2 Old Town (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. 3 Kamienica Loitzów (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. 4 Wały Chrobrego (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. 5 Katedra św. Jakuba (St. Jacob's Cathedral). Large Gothic cathedral. 6 Park Kasprowicza. City park spreading through nearly all of the city. Behind the City Council. 7 Park Żeromskiego. Another city park, situated in the center of the city between Waly Chrobrego and Pazim/Galaxy. 8 Cmentarz Centralny. Third-largest cemetery in Europe. 9 S-1 blast & fallout shelter. Largest in Poland. Two tours to choose: World War II or Cold War. Entry 15 zł. 10 Pionier Cinema. Oldest cinema in the world still in operation (est. 1909). 11 Railway suspension bridge on Regalica, Podjuchy district, ul. Szklana Huta. Something for railway fans, the only one of a kind in operation in Poland. 12 Emerald Lake (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. 13 Pałac pod Globusem (Palace under the Globe / Palace of Grumbkov), Pl. Orła Białego. The building where two rulers of Russia (Catherine II and Maria Fiodorovna) were born. 14 Museum of Technology (Muzeum Techniki), Niemierzyńska 18A. Has nice collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, buses and trams. Parisienne Sub-Urb: many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.

Do

1 Szczecin Philharmonic (Filharmonia im. Mieczysława Karłowicza w Szczecinie), ul. Małopolska 48, ☏ +48 91 4309510. 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. (updated Oct 2018) Football: Pogoń Szczecin play in Ekstraklasa, Poland's top tier. Their home ground 2 Floriana Krygiera Municipal Stadium (capacity 21,163) is 2 km northwest of city centre. See the panorama of Szczecin - from the cafe on top of Pazim building, just by Galaxy shopping center (admission free), from St. Jacob's Cathedral tower (paid admission) or from one of the towers of Pomeranian Dukes Castle. Take a trip through Szczecin's waterways and port - many boats go from the river bank near Wały Chrobrego. Kayak through the city and lower Oder valley.You can borrow one at Kąpielisko Dziewoklicz (ul. Autostrada Poznańska, public transport - bus No. 61, stop "Dziewoklicz") or any of the neighbouring towns situated by the Oder river - look for wypożyczalnia kajaków (kayak rentals) or kajaki (kayaks). See 3 dancing fountain near Teatr Pleciuga (ul. Wielkopolska). It might not be the most impressive fountain show in the world but it's nice eyecandy and it's free. The show lasts 30 minutes and starts every summer day at 21:30. 4 Świdwie (Drive from Szczecin through Pilchowo and Tanowo; just after Tanowo you will see "Świdwie" sign. After few kilometers of gravel road you'll arrive at small village Węgornik; there you will see another sign. Park your car, climb the tower (you can't enter the reservation without previous arrangement with its office) and enjoy the view.). 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. Free. (updated Oct 2025)

Events Juwenalia 16–20 May Baltic Rock Meeting 25 May - 3 June Dni Morza / Days of the Sea June Boogie Brain Festival October

Buy

Szczecin has many shopping malls:

1 CH Ster, ul. Ku Słońcu 67 (Gumience district), ☏ +48 91 486 90 41. 8:00-21:00. Nearest gigamall from the German border. (updated Jun 2025) 2 Galeria Turzyn, al. Bohaterów Warszawy 42 (in the center), ☏ +48 91 46 46 463. 8:00-21:00. (updated Jun 2025) 3 Galeria Kaskada, al. Niepodległości 36, ☏ +48 91 810 28 00. 9:00-21:00. The newest and the biggest shopping mall in Szczecin, best brands and spacious foodcourt. (updated Jun 2025) 4 Galaxy, al. Wyzwolenia 18/20 (In the center, near Kaskada), ☏ +48 91 48 39 137. 8:00-21:00. Shopping mall. Many outlets of major brands. (updated Jun 2025) 5 Outlet Park Szczecin, ul. Andrzeja Struga 42 (Prawobrzeże. Connected by 2 bus lines and 5 other a short walk away), ☏ +48 91 810 67 01. 10:00-21:00. (updated Jun 2025)

Eat

You will easily find fast food such as hamburgers, hot dogs, kebabs, pizza, etc., but for unique Szczecin snack try paszteciki (plural, singular is pasztecik), which are type of deep fried cake with meat or cheese and mushrooms filling. They taste best hot and combined with a cup of barszcz czerwony (red beetroot soup).

Budget 1 Turysta, Ul. Edmunda Bałuki 6a, ☏ +48 91 434 22 01. 7:30-18:30. (updated Jun 2025) 2 Zacisze Bar, Asnyka 19 (Niebuszewo district), ☏ +48 91 422 02 44. (updated Jun 2025) 3 Akademia Kulinarna, Mickiewicza 45. 9:00-17:00. (updated Jun 2025)

Mid-range 4 Amar, Śląska 9. M-Fr 08:00-18:00. 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. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Browar Stara Komenda, plac Stefana Batorego 3, ☏ +48 91 423 44 45, [email protected]. Su-M 13:00–22:00 (kitchen until 20:45), Tu–W 13:00–23:00 (kitchen until 21:45), Th–Sa 13:00–00:00 (kitchen until 22:45). 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. From 42 zł (mains). (updated Dec 2022) 6 Public Fontanny, al. Jana Pawła II 43, ☏ +48 91 489 48 99, [email protected]. M–Th 11:00–23:00, F–Sa 11:00–00:00, Su 11:00–22:00. 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. From 19 zł (bagels). (updated Dec 2022)

Splurge 7 Bombay, Partyzantów 1. Indian food. 8 Sake, ul. Rynek Sienny 2u, ☏ +48 535 125 988. Japanese. (updated Jun 2025) 9 Columbus, ul. Wały Chrobrego 6 (by Marine Academy), ☏ +48 91 489 34 01. (updated Jun 2025) 10 Colorado, ul. Wały Chrobrego 5 (by Polski Theatre), ☏ +48 91 488 19 21. (updated Jun 2025) 11 Karczma Polska, Lotnikow Square 3, ☏ +48 91 434 68 73. (updated Jun 2025)

Drink & nightlife

The majority of pubs and bars can be found in the old town (Stary Rynek) or around ul. Bogusława in the middle town area. Expect to pay between 6 zł and 8 zł for a large beer and around 6 zł for a 50-ml shot of vodka.

1 Alter Ego, Pl. Batorego 4 (under the red town house, near bus and rail stations), ☏ +48 505 919 501, [email protected]. 21:00-until the last customer. Night club, live music and/or DJs on weekend nights. (updated Aug 2024) 2 Boston Pub & Club, Niepodległości 22 (city centre). Every day parties! Music: 1970s, 80s & 90s. Karaoke Nights, Student Nights, every weekend parties & afterparty till 06:00. 3 City Hall, ul. 3 maja (near the railway station). 21:00-last customer. Funk, hip-hop, house, etc. 4 Free Blues Club, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 20 (Pomorzany District, trams 4, 11, 12), ☏ +48 914853161. 19:30-until the last customer. Something for blues (and rock) fans - live music, jam sessions, etc. 5 Hormon, ul. Monte Cassino 6, ☏ +48 914341303. 19:00-until the last customer. Very popular among the students; rock/alternative party every day, live music from time to time. 6 Piwnica Kany, Plac Piotra i Pawła 4/5 (across the main street from Pomeranian Dukes Castle, near Wały Chrobrego). 15:00-last customer. 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. 7 Rocker Club, Partyzantów 2 (The very city centre). 19:00-last customer. Live rock music, karaoke, you name it.

Local beer, local vodka Bosman beer is made by local brewery. There are variants with red (czerwony) and green (zielony) label, both are lager. You can buy it at most of general stores and some pubs. 8 Taverna pub, aleja Bohaterów Warszawy 111. Has its own microbrewery making lager and porter type beers. (updated Jun 2025) 9 Nowy Browar, ul. Partyzantów 2 (above the Rocker Club), ☏ +48 91 4335484. Nice beer hall with good beer and cheap food. TVs on the wall show sports. (updated Oct 2018)

Sleep

Budget 1 CUMA youth hostel (Szkolne Schronisko Młodzieżowe), Ul. Monte Cassino 19a, ☏ +48 91 4224761. 2 Hotel Arbet, Piesza 11, ☏ +48 91 4623137. 3 Hotel Migrand, Robotnicza 28/29, ☏ +48 914420960.

Mid-range 4 Campanile Hotel Szczecin, Ul. Wyszyńskiego 30, ☏ +48 91 4817700. 5 ibis Styles Szczecin Stare Miasto, Panienska 10, ☏ +48 91 851 38 00, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Apr 2016)

Splurge 6 Hotel Park, Ul. Plantowa 1, ☏ +48 91 4340050. 7 Atrium Hotel, Al. Wojska Polskiego 75, ☏ +48 91 4243532. 8 Radisson BLU, Plac Rodła 10, ☏ +48 91 3595 016, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Apr 2016) 9 Novotel, Al.3 Maja 31, ☏ +48 91 480 14 00, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Apr 2016) 10 Hotel Dana, Aleja Wyzwolenia 50, ☏ +48 91 820 7711, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Sep 2017)

Go next

On the mainland:

Police and its Jasienica district. Monuments from the Middle Ages, small marina in the Old Town on the Łarpia (Oder) River and World War II ruins of Hydrierwerke synthetic petroleum factory. Szczecin shares its public transport with Police and borders the town. You can go to Police by taking a public bus. Kamień Pomorski — sea resort and medieval town Kołobrzeg — sea resort and medieval town Trzęsacz — for Gothic church ruins Stargard Szczeciński — medieval town with a cathedral over a hundred metres high Międzyodrze (Lower Oder valley) — picturesque marsh area full of wildlife Nowe Warpno — quiet medieval town Trzebież — resort with big marina On the Wolin island:

Woliński National Park Game reserve of wisents 93-metres high Gosan cliff Kawcza Góra Mountain sea resort and port Świnoujście sea resort Dziwnów sea resort Międzyzdroje ancient town of Wolin (town)