The Best Things to See and Do in Toruń, Poland

Toruń
Toruń | © Domun / WikiCommons

It’s as simple as this – Poland’s Toruń is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It comes as no surprise to learn that its Old Town is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Toruń was one of the few cities in the country which sustained no damage during World War Two, but the magic doesn’t end there. From famous astronomers to delicious biscuits to leaning towers, get exploring this wonderful city.

Stroll through the medieval Old Town

Toruń was awarded UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site status in 2007. Wander through the medieval Old Town, which is also named as one of the seven wonders of Poland. The best way to experience it is to walk the whole way through the Old Town and end up at the famous town hall. It reminds tourists of the town hall in Gdańsk, except the clock tower doesn’t have a slanted roof. A guided tour lasts around three hours and takes you to places such as Caesar’s Arch, St. Mary’s Church, the Copernicus Monument and the Holy Spirit Gate.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Rynek Staromiejski 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland +48 56 660 56 12

Torun’s Old Town

Explore the House of Copernicus

Poland’s famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born here in Toruń, and you can visit his old family home. This medieval house once belonged to the Copernicus family back in the 15th century. It is believed (but not proven) that Copernicus was born here. It was Nicolaus Copernicus that first proved the Earth rotated around the sun and that it was not the centre of the universe. The house is now a museum; check the website for opening times.

Mikołaja Kopernika 15/17, 87-100 Toruń, Poland +48 56 660 56 13

Copernicus House

Marvel at the Leaning Tower of Toruń

Welcome to Poland’s answer to Pisa – the Leaning Tower of Toruń is a medieval tower which tilts to the side. The top of the tower is 1.5 metres from where it should be due to the way it leans. You can find it on Pod Krzywą Wieżą street; it is one of the most important architectural sights in Toruń’s Old Town.

Pod Krzywą Wieżą 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland

The Leaning Tower of Torun

Attend a mass at the Cathedral of St. John

Head to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist for a mass. This is the main parish church in Toruń and dates back to the 13th century, when the original church was here. It is one of three Gothic churches in the city and contains many interesting works of art, including a painting depicting the crucifixion of Christ and the Last Judgement. The bell has been there since the 1500s and is the third largest bell in Poland. Check the timetable at the church or the website for mass times.

Żeglarska 16, 87-100 Toruń, Poland +48 56 657 14 80

St. John’s Church Toruń

Explore the Teutonic Knights Castle

The Teutonic Knights Castle in Toruń is one of the oldest structures of its kind. These days, you can tour the ruins of this castle, which dates back to the 13th century. Its handy location also occupies the area separating Toruń’s Old Town from the New Town. In comparison to nearby Malbork, the castle is small but well worth a visit.

Ulica Przedzamcze 3, 87-100 Toruń, Poland +48 56 621 08 89

Castle of the Teutonic Knights, Toruń

Eat at Bar Mleczny Pod Arkadami

Poland’s classic Milk Bar scene is alive and well in Toruń, which has a few of these local and traditional Bar Mlecznys. On Różana Street down near the river, you will find the cosy and traditional Bar Mleczny Pod Arkadami. Head inside for some cheap and cheerful traditional Polish food. You can try the local soups ranging from rosoł (chicken) to zurek (fermented rye soup) and the special Pierogi Ruskie (potato- and onion-filled dumplings). Wash it down with some homemade juice, known as kompot. Please note the venue is open only until 5 p.m. at weekends and until 7 p.m. during the week.

Różana 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland +48 56 622 24 28

Lunch at a Bar Mleczny

Tour the Far Eastern Art Museum

The House Under the Star is a well-photographed building which contains the Far Eastern Art Museum. Here you can see all sorts of items from the far east including Japanese swords, Chinese crockery, Indian sculptures and Korean art. It’s not a big museum but worth a peek; the building is instantly recognisable as there is a gold star on the roof.

Rynek Staromiejski 35, 87-100 Torun, Torun, Poland +48 56 660 56 16

House Under the Star

Learn how to make the unique local gingerbread

Toruń is famous for its special gingerbread, and you can get the full experience by visiting the Muzeum Piernika. You can take part in an interactive show during which you are taught how to make this traditional gingerbread. The museum opened in 2006 and has a shop where you can buy these treats direct from the source.

Rabiańska 9, 87-100 Toruń, Poland + 48 56 663 66 17

Toruń’s famous gingerbread

Understand the city’s history at the district museum

Toruń’s District Museum is located inside the old town hall from the UNESCO heritage walk. It is one of the oldest and largest museums in Poland. It dates back to 1595 as a building, where it has had many functions down the years. It has operated as a museum since 1965. Inside, take a walk through the history of Toruń and Poland, with exhibitions of art and craft from 1233 – 1793. There is a Royal Room which acts as a pictorial guide to the days when Poland had Kings and Queens. More recent Polish art is also present, in exhibitions of paintings and sculptures from the 18th – 20th century.

Rynek Staromiejski 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland +48 56 660 56 12

District Museum, Torun

Watch local speedway racing

Toruń has a huge stadium which is used for the town’s most popular sport – speedway. In a country where football is the dominant sport, you can watch the local speedway team KS Apator Toruń in action. They race motorbikes around the track, taking on rival teams from other Polish cities such as Unia Leszno and Sparta Wrocław. The venue hosts the national and international speedway in front of a capacity audience of 15,500.

Pera Jonssona 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland +48 56 651 80 66

Torun Speedway Stadium
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article