12 Best Things to Do in Toruń: Our 2023 Travel Guide
Toruń, a city of just less than 200 thousand people found on the banks of the Vistula River, is often ignored by people traveling to Poland. Its location on the route between Warsaw and Gdańsk might just make it a city you pass by as you drive or take a train between the two. But this would be a mistake. I recently had the chance to visit Toruń for the first time, and it has lots to do, and is simply put, beautiful.
The main reason to visit Toruń is that, unlike many of its fellow Polish cities, it is extremely well preserved! While many Polish cities were razed to the ground during WWII, Toruń was spared, and what stays are many gothic buildings built with bricks hundreds of years ago, as well as stately townhouse like the replicas you can see in Gdańsk. As a former Hanseatic city, there is also much history in Toruń, as a former capital of Poland, and trade hub from which trade from Asia flowed.
Additionally, Toruń is the birthplace of two Polish icons: famed scientist and lifelong learner Nicolaus Copernicus, and Polish gingerbread! Both are reason enough to visit, as you can learn about the long history of both in Toruń. And while Toruń is still working on its tourism infrastructure, there is enough in place to make it a worthwhile stay.
At less than 3 hours away from Warsaw by train, taking a day or two trip to Toruń as an extra dip into Poland along with Warsaw is certainly possible! And Toruń stays relatively unknown amongst international tourists, so Toruń is still relatively less crowded. When I visited, it was mostly locals and a few Polish families here and there, making for an enjoyable day trip. So, read on to learn about what you should do in Toruń based on my (brief) experiences there. You will also find recommendations on restaurants, hotels, and general information on traveling to Toruń.
Toruń’s Top Attractions
1. Old Town
The central point of the city is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old Town, often called the Medieval Town. Toruń, once called Thorn by Teutonic Knights who built a castle here in the 13th century, has kept some of the buildings from ages past. While the original castle is ruined now, you will still see the brick Gothic style common in this part of the world, such as at the famous Malbork castle. Overall, you will have to go to the Old Town when in Toruń, as most of the attractions are found within its confines.
Just walking the streets is an enjoyable past time, but there are a few highlights for sure. One point of interest is the huge town plaza in the center of the city, which unlike some Polish cities, is not constantly under construction! There is much space to walk around, sit on a bench and relax, or grab some ice cream from a stand. Just off the square is St. Mary’s Church, a massive church built in the 14th century and once the highest hall church in Central Europe.
In the square itself is the Town Hall. Inside the Town Hall you will find a museum that tells the history of Toruń through artwork and artifacts from the city. However, as someone whose Polish is beginner level, there was not a huge variety of information available in English beyond what was on small signs next to some of the artwork.
However, I went on a free day, and that is what made it worth it. So, unless you are really interested in history, I would recommend skipping the museum and instead paying to go up the Town Hall Tower. I paid for this, and it was well-spent money. From the top you are treated to a panoramic 360-degree view of all Toruń. To the north you see St Mary’s Church and some apartment buildings harkening the residential part of the city. To the east and west you see the rest of the Old Town, and to the south, you see the Vistula River. It is a relatively difficult 170 steps to the top, so keep that in mind.
Overall, the Town Hall and tower is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day except Monday, and the tower will close in inclement weather. The tower and shows each cost 22 PLN, so if you want to do both it will cost you 44 PLN. The museum is free on Wednesdays, however.
A final interesting thing to do in the Old Town is take a statue tour. Admittedly, the statues are not hard to find, but there are a variety of cute statues to take pictures with. The most famous is the Copernicus Monument, home to many people taking pictures. You will also find a very popular statue of a donkey, a fiddler in a fountain, a little dog with a top hat, and a dragon. This is a good activity for photos, and to explore every corner of the Old Town.
Overall, if you are coming to Toruń, the Old Town is probably the reason, and if it is not, it should become the reason. You will spend most of your time here, and it is certainly time well spent.
2. Toruń Cathedral
This majestic Gothic cathedral, officially the Cathedral of St John, sits prominently in a quiet square not far from the town center. It is included as a special point of interest in the UNESCO billings. The church has gone through many different forms since originally being built in the 13th century, but the current rendition was built at the end of the 15th century.
The cathedral is full of history. You will find a historic baptismal font in which it is alleged that Nicolaus Copernicus was baptized. You will also find a 500-year-old 7-ton bell, once the largest in the region, found in the tower. Occasionally it rings, but its size means ringing it threatens the stability of the tower! There are also some famous Polish figures buried here.
Visiting the Cathedral is a must, as it is beautiful, and too close to the action to skip. I mostly just admired it from outside and took pictures. But you can go inside as well. However, unlike many churches, the interior is not entirely free. For free you can hang out in the back and take pictures through a metal grate, but if you want to get up close to what there is to see, admission costs 3 PLN. If you want to go up the tower as well, admission costs 6 PLN.
However, I think the better view tower is at the city hall, as you cannot see the cathedral from the cathedral itself, but the low cost means you can certainly afford to do both. But if you are on a budget, just admiring the cathedral from the back was enjoyable for me, as well as taking as many pictures of the exterior as I could. The inside is open from April to October from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM except Sundays and holidays.
3. Toruń City Walls
Toruń’s status as a city important to trade means that it has always been surrounded by some form of defensive structure, specifically walls. While the walls surrounding the city to the north are no longer present, you can still find the old city walls on the south side of the Old Town with an amazing view of the Vistula River. The walls stretch from end to end of the Old Town, with gaps and gates to get a peek at the river.
The walls also still have some remaining towers and gates, including the Leaning Tower, a popular spot for photos. While not as tall as the one in Pisa, it is still a unique picture and fun find. But the best part of the walls is that on a hot summer’s day, they supply good shade. Finding a restaurant along the wall and enjoying a cold drink is my number one recommendation. So, for a good walk, visit the city walls.
4. New Town Square
With the main feature of this town square being built in the 14th century, this “new town” is much older than most Polish cities “old town.” The New Town itself was founded in 1264, and compared to its counterpart of the Old Town, is much less busy. So, the New Town is a perfect place to take a break on a very tourist-filled day, or also a good place to find a restaurant or café that will be slightly less busy. This is an easy task as there are quite a few with views of the square.
Surrounding the New Town Hall in the middle are tenement buildings that used to be owned by some of the wealthiest townspeople. But the most interesting building is certainly the gothic beauty of St. James Church. This church was part of the pilgrimage route to the tomb of St James in Spain, and many people from the Baltics passed through on their way. Inside there is much gothic artwork, murals, and a Renaissance organ.
So, while the New Town Square does not have a lot to do, it is less busy, and still houses some beautiful buildings that illustrate history centuries ago. Come here to relax, buy a drink, or just to enjoy the beauty of Toruń.
5. Toruń Castle Ruins
Toruń, as a town partially founded by Teutonic knights, had a castle built for it, like the massive one found in Malbork. This castle was built originally in the 13th century, and was not a massive castle by any means, only housing a dozen knights at any given time. During an uprising, the citizens of Toruń tore down the castle in 1454. All that remains is what you can see today, which is a singular tower and the ruins. You can see the ruins while walking through the Old Town.
However, if you want to see the ruins up close and personally, an entry ticket is needed. The ruins are open from 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday to Friday, and 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday and Sunday, and closed Mondays. Tickets cost 20 PLN per person. However, do not feel the need to buy a ticket, you can see the ruins from some of the viewpoints in the city, as well as get a decent picture of them from near the entrance. But the ruins are a must-see for another part of Toruń’s interesting history.
6. The Living Museum of Gingerbread
Gingerbread is one of the most important products of Toruń. Toruń, being a merchant’s town, had access to exotic spices from Asia including ginger, and with local wheat and honey being abundant, gingerbread became an important product of Toruń. Eventually Toruń gingerbread became well-known across Europe. The Living Museum of Gingerbread tells you about this history in their exhibition halls. But you can also pay to take an hour-long course where you will make your own gingerbread and bake it, which is worth it if you have the time.
During the summer, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Gingerbread classes happen every hour on the hour. A ticket to just the museum costs 22.50 PLN. A ticket for the museum and a baking workshop costs 36.50 PLN. On Tuesdays, when the exhibition is free, you can buy a ticket for the workshop for 22.50 PLN. So, I recommend this as an intro to an important part of Toruń’s history!
7. Niewidzialny Dom
I am not saying this lightly, but this is one of the coolest museums I have been to. Translated to “Invisible House” in English, this museum offers you the opportunity to experience blindness. And I mean this literally. You will be led on a tour where you will have to learn how to use your senses of hearing and touch, as well as smell, to navigate, with the help of a blind tour guide. I cannot say much else, as the museum asks to not to describe your experience to keep the element of surprise when you visit!
If you would like to visit, which I really recommend, tours in English require prior email reservation. They were super responsive, and somewhat flexible on when. I would recommend inquiring at least a week before you plan to arrive. The Museum is open from 10 AM to 8 PM, and costs 33 PLN, but might cost a little bit more for the English tour. For more information on how to reserve, visit their website.
8. Toruń Planetarium
Nicolaus Copernicus was a famous astronomer amongst other things, so it makes since that his birthplace has a planetarium. Located just on the other side of St. Mary’s Church, the planetarium offers showings on all things related to the cosmos, with shows on Mars, stars, and everything in between. However, there are limited showings in foreign languages, but some are offered in English, Spanish, Russian, and German. If you do speak Polish, the showing at noon every day is free!
But if you are not able to speak Polish, just like the Invisible House, you will need to contact ahead of time for information on booking tickets in English, but they do offer 9 showings in English. Overall, this is a family-friendly activity, with certain shows being labeled as for kids. Tickets cost 23 PLN. For Polish showings, you can reserve your seat ahead of time on their website, but otherwise you pay for your ticket at the box office.
9. House of Nicolaus Copernicus Museum
Nicolaus Copernicus is easily Toruń’s most famous resident, and one of Poland’s most famous historical figures. Thus, like other Polish figures, he is revered highly, and his birthplace holds many monuments and museums dedicated to him. This museum, although potentially not where Copernicus was born, is one of the two houses that were owned by Copernicus’ family, so there is a chance he was born there. Regardless, the house tells the history of his life, studies, and family, in an engaging manner.
You will start in some kind of random exhibits that do not have signs in English (most exhibits have Polish, English, and German signage), that display some of the products throughout history that have had Copernicus as a mascot. You move upwards through the house seeing the rooms how they would have been, while learning about the Copernicus family, Toruń at the time, and Copernicus’ education. You end up in the attic, where you are treated to a light show especially interesting for children, but still fun for all ages.
I recommend visiting here, it is very interesting, even if you do not care about Copernicus that much, you can see what a person in Toruń’s life was like. You can visit the museum every day except some holidays from 10 AM to 6 PM. Tickets are also reasonably priced as well, at 22.50 PLN. If you want even more information, you can also rent an audio guide for 11 PLN. Overall, if you can only pick 2-3 museums in Toruń to visit, this should be one of them.
10. Vistula River Promenade
The Vistula River is Poland’s main river, and it is extremely beautiful and “wild” here compared to other cities through which the river runs, especially Warsaw and Kraków. The promenade is found just outside the city walls and stretches from the train bridge to Józef Piłsudski Bridge, which you can also walk across as an extension of the promenade. Across the river you will see no sign of the thousands of people who live across the river; instead, you will see tall trees and sandy beaches and sandbars in the river itself.
If you want to appreciate this stretch of the river even more, there are 40-minute leisure cruises leaving from the promenade. You will be treated to a beautiful panorama of the city and the ability to admire the bridges. Cruises are offered from May to September every day from 9 AM to 7 PM, with the possibility of sunset cruises extending the hours from Monday to Thursday. Tickets cost a reasonable 35 PLN, and I recommend taking a cruise if you have the time.
Just be warned that this area will get populated by large groups of school trips or summer day camps during the day, and people drinking at night, so it is not the most peaceful of places to admire the river. So, if you want some peace, take the river cruise, or venture to the next place on this list.
11. Kępa Bazarowa
Located on the south side of the Vistula River, this island area is a haven of nature in a city. But the main draw of this natural area is the views of the Old Town it provides. It takes only about 10 minutes after crossing the bridge to get to a viewpoint area that tells you what all the buildings are in your viewpoint. Walking down from there takes you to a dock from which you can take a very good picture of the city. You will also find beaches to relax on, although I do not recommend swimming because the river is fast and not necessarily super clean.
If you walk further through the park, you can have a quiet moment amongst the trees and birds. Walking to the west side of the bridge will take you to an area with picnic shelters and brick ruins where teenagers were hanging out when I visited. Just be careful in the summer as there are many high grasses which house ticks. But, if you are looking for a break from the city and want a nice, shaded walk, I recommend taking the 20-minute walk from the Old Town to Kępa Bazarowa.
12. Bydgoskie Przedmieście Neighborhood
While the Old Town is certainly nice, it does not illustrate what living in Poland is currently like, as most people in Toruń live in other neighborhoods. So, if you want to get an authentic experience of Poland, visit Bydgoskie Przedmieście. Located just west of the Old Town, you will find a mix of more recent architectural styles here, some from the Soviet era and some from the 19th century. Either way, the neighborhood is very authentic. You will be walking amongst locals doing their shopping and going about their day.
The neighborhood is also home to amazing green spaces, such as the massive Park Miejski which is a perfect place for a shade break. Or eat at a local restaurant in the neighborhood. When I was walking through, I felt more like I was in Poland than in the Old Town, and thus I recommend it highly. As there are trams running directly from near the Old Town to here, it is also well connected, so if you have some spare time, take a walk here to feel a more authentic Polish vibe.
Bonus: Dom Legend Toruńskich
Are you from another country but still speak Polish at a high level? This activity will only be a good one if you can speak Polish. This museum tells the legends of Poland and Toruń through live action performers. But these performances are only offered in Polish and are geared towards children. But if you have Polish-speaking children, I recommend this. Tickets cost 23 PLN.
Toruń Restaurant Recommendations
Toruń, like all major cities in Poland, has a wide variety of restaurants, both offering Polish fare and international cuisine. Many of the best restaurants are in the heart of the city. Although, some of these restaurants, especially those on the Old Town Square, should probably be avoided due to high popularity and weight time. Below you will find a mix of restaurants based on reviews and vibes to try when you visit Toruń:
- Chleb I Wino Toruń: Offers Polish and international classics. I ate at one of these in Gdańsk and the food is high quality and relatively affordable. There is also a huge drink menu, fancy atmosphere, and good food all around. Probably the only restaurant in the Old Town Square, I would say, is acceptable to eat at and is not overly touristy. Rated 4.7 stars by users.
- Restauracja Luizjana: This was the restaurant I had a chance to eat at on my trip. I chose to try it due to its unique culinary offerings for Poland, this being Creole cooking. So, you will find many types of burgers on delicious Brioche buns, barbecue, pulled pork, ribs, and other Louisiana delights, all as jazz music filters through this gem. It is a little from the center, so it is also a little less busy. Rated 4.5 stars by users and 4.8 stars by me.
- Pierogarnia Stary Młyn/Toruń: These pair of restaurants are the ones you will want to go to for a mostly authentic Polish experience, with an extensive list of Polish classics, including Pierogi. There are lots of delicious Polish desserts (my favorite), vegetarian options, local spirits and wine, and more. The “Toruń” location is housed in an attractive glass building with a view of some ruins, and the “Młyn” location is in an old mill in the heart of the city. Go to which is less busy. Rated 4.5 stars by users.
- Restauracja Toruń – Monka: This restaurant has classic dishes for picky eaters or families, with burgers and sandwiches, salads and soups, and delicious desserts. There are also some Polish classics for those wanting to get in touch with the local flavors. The location is also in a building with some history, and the vibes were positive when I walked by. Rated 4.6 stars by users.
- Loft79: For a classy experience, eat here. You will find an extensive menu full of European fare, including fish dishes and steaks, as well as a wide variety of soups and salads. There is also an enormous cocktail list, so coming here for just a drink is a choice. Rated 4.5 stars by users.
- Restauracja Musztarda: The restaurant I wish I had gone to if I had time. This restaurant offers extremely fancy hot dogs with lots of cool toppings. The menu is simple enough, but the cool hot dog combinations are a unique experience that will be hard to find elsewhere in Poland, and with affordable prices to boot in the city center, you should not skip here. Rated 4.6 stars by users.
Toruń Hotel Recommendations
Hotels in Toruń are certainly affordable, and mostly close to the city center. For this list, if it was not within a 15-minute walk of the center of the Old Town, I disqualified it from the list. All 7 of these hotels are good options, depending on your budget.
- Ibis Budget Toruń: For a classic budget hotel that can be found throughout Poland, including Warsaw, you cannot beat this hotel. You are close to the center and should get a clean and cozy room. Be warned that you may be with a large group of traveling Polish families, so it may not be quiet. You can get a room starting at 179 PLN per night.
- Hotel Mercure Toruń Centrum: For a slightly more upscale, but still budget choice, stay here. You will get a few more amenities, including a gym and restaurant, and have some modern touches sprinkled throughout your room. It is also close to the center, and starting from 220 PLN per night, you could do much worse.
- Copernicus Toruń Hotel: For a fancier experience at a prominent building in Toruń, stay here. This hotel is right on the banks of the Vistula River and offers a nice view of the river from your room. You will also have access to an outdoor pool when the season allows it. This will be your best choice for that later amenity, starting from 520 PLN per night.
- Hotel Solaris: For a lower cost hotel with some amenities available less likely to be full of families with screaming kids, stay here. Hotel Solaris is very close to the center, with a view of one of the many Old Town churches. You will have a snug, classy room with retro touches. And starting from 320 PLN per night, it is affordable too.
- B&B Hotel Toruń: Another budget option, this hotel offers some amenities included in its low price that makes it an attractive place to stay. These include an affordable breakfast, and flexible booking included. You are also close to both the bus station and the city center, and starting from 260 PLN, this budget hotel is a good deal.
- Hotel ETER: For a fancier experience, stay here. You will stay in a contemporary room called “chic” by users. You will also have access to a high-class bar, a sauna, and views of the New Town Square. Rooms here start from 450 PLN.
- Czarna Róża: For old style charm and an affordable price, stay here. The price includes river views (if you get the right room), a complimentary breakfast buffet, and a location central to everything Toruń has to offer. Considering it includes breakfast, 275 PLN per night and upwards is nothing to sniff at.
How do you get to Toruń?
Toruń’s central location makes it an easy place to get to in Poland. The closest major city is Bydgoszcz, which is also the closest airport. There are only a limited number of flights to this small airport, mostly from England and Ireland, but also from Warsaw, with Ryan Air. Then, it is a short 1-hour regional train ride to Toruń from there, but if you already in Bydgoszcz, do not skip it, it is one of the best cities in Poland!
My method of travel to and from Toruń was using FlixBus. There is a line between Warsaw and Gdańsk that runs quite often throughout the day at a very affordable price of between 30-40 PLN each direction, which is cheaper than the regular train ticket price. The bus leaves as early as 7 AM and takes about 4 hours each way. This bus line also stops at Warsaw Modlin Airport, so if you are flying cheaply, you can get to Toruń this way too.
There are also FlixBus lines from many other cities near Toruń. There is a FlixBus line from Łódź that takes about 2 hours, and you can connect to Toruń through Łódź from anywhere in Silesia, such as Katowice, or Wrocław. If you come from the west, Poznań is about a 3-hour bus ride away. From Poznań, you can connect to the Baltic Sea in cities such as Szczecin, or connect further out of Poland to Berlin, where you can get pretty much anywhere from there.
There are of course lots of trains running to Toruń from the various cities mentioned earlier. Trains can be as fast as 2.5 hours and cost as little as 80 PLN. Make sure that if you can, book your last stop as Toruń Miasto, to end up on the side of the river where everything is. If not, you will have to navigate from a quiet spot away from the city to the main part. But be aware that Toruń Miasto is under much needed renovations and has no facilities or ticket booths at present.
Finally, Toruń’s central location means it is easy to get to by car. There are major motorways that run between Warsaw and Gdańsk that go near to Toruń and mean that you can get to Toruń from Warsaw in 2 hours 45 minutes, and Gdańsk in 2 hours. Olsztyn, home to the beautiful lakes of Poland is 2.5 hours away, and Poznań is only 2 hours away by car. With a decent amount of parking, driving to Toruń is a great possibility, if you have your international driving permit!
How can you get around in Toruń?
Despite Toruń’s smaller size, Toruń has decent public transportation available. There are several tram routes that crisscross their way through Toruń that will take you pretty much anyway you want to go. Since most run east to west, depending on where you stay, it will not take long to get to the Old Town. Just be warned that during the summer, the trams do not run super often and do not run late, so you could get stuck far away from the center like I did if you are not careful.
In case you get stuck, there are many buses available, and bus stops almost everywhere. If you are arriving at the main train station, you will need to take a bus to get to the main part of the city. Overall, the trickiest part about tram and bus travel in Toruń is buying a ticket. The buses will also take you to the outskirts of the city or to some of the parks available. Additionally, at night, the buses are your only choice other than a taxi, as Toruń runs three different night bus routes.
Like many places in Poland, there is a Polish way of doing things that is not super tourist friendly. Thus, it is kind of a toss-up whether the bus or tram you will be on has a ticket machine or not. The one guaranteed place to buy tickets is at Plac Rapacki near the Old Town. From what I understand, Toruń is working on improving its tourism infrastructure at present, so soon you may be able to buy a ticket on every bus or tram.
How long should I stay in Toruń?
As I have mentioned quite a few times in this blog already, I did a day trip to Toruń. However, I am 23 years old, in relatively good shape, and was travelling on a budget. From Warsaw, I was travelling or exploring for 18 hours of the day. I understand not everyone can do that, and I would not recommend doing what I did from Warsaw by bus for the average traveler. However, if you choose to go by train or come from a city closer than Warsaw, a day trip might be possible.
So, I would instead recommend that the average person spend 1 night in Toruń and use the day before and after that stay to explore some of the city. If you really wanted to, you could spend 2-3 nights there, but that would make you an outlier of an international tourist and would take away time you should spend in the big three of Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk. Regardless, 1-2 days is enough, and Toruń is a worthy city to visit!
What else should I know about Toruń?
I know for some people that knowing where you can use the bathroom is important information. Having navigated this issue on my day trip, I am happy to provide this information! Throughout Toruń you will find some public restrooms available at different price points. The important thing is that many of these restrooms are cash only. For example, the bathrooms in the train station and bus station were each 4 PLN and were coin payment only. Some other public bathrooms cost 3 PLN, and some dirty looking ones in parks cost 2 PLN.
However, I found the cheapest and cleanest bathroom to be the one in McDonalds in the Old Town. The bathroom costs 2 PLN and is kept very clean and is open to the public without having to buy anything. Additionally, if you buy something, you can show your receipt from your transaction at the bathroom turnstile to get that 2 PLN refunded or removed from your bill. Just make sure to pay with a card to get that receipt. Overall, the easiest way to get a bathroom is at a museum or restaurant, where you will get free access with payment.
Safety-wise, be aware that some scams you might see in Warsaw and other places in Poland are also present in Toruń, but luckily at a much lower level. You will see the people with donation boxes for the war, and I still do not recommend donating to them. Donate online instead. Also, there was a guy offering to take pictures for people in front of the Copernicus statue but be aware the guy will ask for payment most likely! But it was very light overall, so do not worry about these things if you go!
Overall, Toruń is a lovely city that you should consider visiting if you are spending more than a few days in Poland. With the UNESCO world heritage sites, some decent nature, and many cool museums and things to do, you will not get bored if you spend a day or two here.
