Bydgoszcz

Bydgoszcz, Poland

With a charming old town and a stunning location on the banks of the Brda and Vistula rivers, Bydgoszcz can't fail to amaze visitors. Fascinating museums are housed behind beautiful facades, and scattered throughout the city. Bydgoszcz's musical scene is surprisingly vibrant: here you can enjoy professional opera performances and countless music festivals.

Population:

360,000

Currency:

Polish Zloty (PLN) 1 = 100 groszy

Emergency Numbers:

Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance: 112
Municipal Police: 986

Opening Hours:

Shops are generally open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm and Sat 10am-3pm. Supermarkets and shopping malls may stay open until 10pm. Shops open on Sundays at their own discretion.

Newspapers:

Gazeta Pomorska (local newspaper, www.pomorska.pl)
Express Bydgoski (local newspaper, www.expressbydgoski.pl)

Gazeta Wyborcza (national newspaper, www.wyborcza.pl)
Rzeczpospolita (national newspaper, www.rp.pl)

The City

Finding yourself in this six centuries old picturesque town, surrounded by two rivers, you might even think you're in Venice. The most scenic way to explore it is following the tree-lined Old Canal.
The town centre bristles with music and art. The Pomorska Philharmonic, Opera Nova, Theatre Polski and Centre for Art Exhibitions are only a few of the cultural institutions organising a plethora of concerts, performances, showcases and expositions throughout the year.
The outskirts are surrounded by lush green forests, which form the largest woodland area in Poland. Here you can also find protected and vast conservation areas which are now home to rare species of native flora and fauna.

Do & See

Bydgoszcz offers many interesting attractions due to its long history, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The past has left many traces around the city. You will find museums, beautiful gardens and cathedrals. Don't miss the Old Town Square, The City Walls and the canals around the city.

Dining

Among the specialities of the Kujawy region, where Bydgoszcz lies, you can find a delicious sour soup called “żurek”. Made with flour, it is initially prepared in the same way as sourdough, but the result is a creamy white soup with a tangy flavour. This and many other traditional regional dishes can be tasted in the many restaurants around town.

Cafes

Polish cuisine holds a rich choice of specialities for visitors to discover. However, the less adventurous visitors should not panic: Bydgoszcz is known for its delicious, entirely familiar and comforting pancakes, and the cafes prepare everything from salads to soups and desserts.