Ah, Lublin! A city that many only associate with being the capital of the Lublin Voivodeship and the largest Polish city east of the Vistula, but it hides true treasures within. It’s a place with a rich history and a unique atmosphere that, like Rome, sits atop seven hills. If you’re wondering what to see in Lublin, what to explore in Lublin, or what attractions await you in this magical ‘Goat’s Town’, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve prepared a complete guide for you that will help you discover the most interesting places in Lublin and its charming tourist attractions. I guarantee that Lublin, and what’s worth seeing, will surprise you at every turn – from the bustling Old Town, through the modern Centre for the Meeting of Cultures, to places for reflection. Lublin, its tourist attractions, await you! To fully experience all sides of the city, it’s worth planning your visit well.

The Old Town – The Heart of Lublin

We suggest starting your adventure in Lublin from a place that has immediately captured the hearts of many visitors – its beautiful Old Town. Few cities in Poland can boast such a compact and well-preserved Old Town. Although some might call it “Little Kraków,” Lublin has its own unique character that is simply worth seeing. It is here, among the Renaissance tenement houses and historic city walls, that you will most strongly feel the pulse of this city. You’ll find not only grand gates, such as the Krakow Gate or the Grodzka Gate, but also hidden alleys that we’ll tell you a bit more about later. Make sure you’ve got comfy shoes, because a walk full of discoveries awaits us!

A walk around the Market Square and surrounding tenement houses: history in stone and brick

When you step onto the Lublin Market Square through the Krakow Gate, your eyes will likely be drawn straight to the distinctive yellow building located in the centre of the square – the Crown Tribunal. But before we delve into its history, let’s look around! Lublin’s Old Town Market Square, laid out in 1317 by Władysław Łokietek, has the shape of an irregular quadrilateral. It’s worth noting the thoughtful layout of the market square within the medieval city structure.

This is the heart of the old city, bustling with life and hosting many cultural events, such as the famous Jagiellonian Fair. During this event, the entire Old Town transforms into a vast, colourful marketplace, attracting tourists and exhibitors from Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Hungary, and Slovakia. The Jagiellonian Fair usually takes place in August, but other interesting cultural events in Lublin can also be visited in October or November.

A walk around the tenement houses surrounding the Lublin Market Square is a real journey back in time. You can start with the Klonowice Tenement House (Rynek 2) with sgraffito depicting medallions of people associated with Lublin, such as Biernat of Lublin, Jan Kochanowski, Sebastian Klonowic, and Wincenty Pol. Pay attention to the narrow tenement house number 4, decorated with paintings from the legend of the devil’s paw – remember the story about the bribed judge, the widow, and the devil who left his mark on the table, from which Christ on the crucifix turned his head!

The tenement house at number 5 is the former seat of councillor Maciej Zess, and the Chociszewska Tenement House (Rynek 6) belonged to the Chociszewski family in the 16th century. On the portal of the Lubomelski Tenement House (number 8), you’ll find the family crest of Jan Lubomelski. The southern frontage, known as Wieniawski’s Side, is where the Musicians’ Tenement House (Rynek 16) stands out, featuring portraits of Henryk Wieniawski (who was born here!) and Jan of Lublin, the creator of one of the oldest organ tablatures.

The tenement house at number 17 is the Wieniawski Tenement House, belonging to Tadeusz Wieniawski. Henryk Wieniawski also probably lived here in his youth. On the tenement house at number 19, you’ll see paintings depicting scenes from the life of Jan Kochanowski. Don’t forget to peek around the Crown Tribunal building to see the Trinitarian Tower.

The Crown Tribunal: from royal court to wedding palace

The Crown Tribunal, the distinctive yellow building in Lublin’s Market Square, is a structure with a fascinating history. The present building replaced a wooden one that burned down in 1389. Originally, it served as the town hall, and from 1578, it became the seat of the Crown Tribunal – the highest court of appeal for the nobility from Lesser Poland (the second tribunal, as is known, was located in Piotrków Trybunalski). It was here, according to legend, that the famous Devil’s Court took place in 1637. You can imagine what life was like in this place centuries ago. Currently, the building houses, among other things, the Wedding Hall, but above all, it marks the beginning of the Lublin Underground Route. Its current appearance is due to a reconstruction in 1781 based on the design by Dominik Merlini, court architect to King Stanisław August Poniatowski (the same man who designed the Łazienki Park in Warsaw!). So, the building has undergone quite a transformation, hasn’t it?

Krakow Gate and Grodzka Gate: monumental entrances to the Old Town

In Lublin, we have two main, grand gates: the Krakow Gate and the Grodzka Gate. The Krakow Gate is one of Lublin’s most valuable monuments and its undisputed symbol. It was built along with the city walls in the mid-14th century at the initiative of Casimir the Great. It is located in a central spot in Lublin, on Łokietek Square, and opens up the Lublin Old Town to tourists. Today, the interior of the Krakow Gate houses the Museum of the History of Lublin, telling the story of the city’s past.

The Grodzka Gate, also erected in the 14th century, was sometimes called the Jewish Gate. It connected the Old Town with the Jewish Quarter, and today it connects the Old Town with Castle Hill. In 1785, thanks to Dominik Merlini and funds from Stanisław August Poniatowski, it underwent extensive reconstruction – this is evidenced, for example, by the inscription “SAR” (Stanislaus Augustus Rex) on the facade. During World War II, the Grodzka Gate served as a passage between the ghetto and the ‘Aryan’ part of Lublin. Today, the Grodzka Gate is the seat of the “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre”, which collects information about the Jewish residents of Lublin and attempts to restore the memory of a world that no longer exists. It’s a place for extraordinary reflection on history.

Lublin Archcathedral: a Baroque gem and history within its walls

Right next to the Trinitarian Tower stands the Lublin Archcathedral. The distinctive bell tower, the Trinitarian Tower, stands right next to the Archcathedral. The full name of this majestic church is the Archcathedral of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist. It is the most important and one of the largest churches in Lublin, considered a Baroque gem in the Lublin region. The imposing church was erected in 1604 for the Jesuits who arrived in the city, and its current appearance is largely the result of reconstruction after the destruction during World War II.

It’s worth stepping inside to admire the beautiful frescoes by Józef Meyer, court painter to August III of Poland, in the naves, or the paintings by Franciszek Lekszycki in the chancel. The Archcathedral also hides within it the Acoustic Sacristy, where the voice carries in an extraordinary way, the Treasury with valuable liturgical items, and the Crypts where the Lublin bishops are buried. Relics of saints are also often kept in churches. The main altar is the second largest wooden altar in Poland. Numerous monuments of sacred art can be admired here.

Trinitarian Tower: a bird’s-eye view of Lublin

Standing right next to the Lublin Archcathedral, the Trinitarian Tower is the highest historic point in Lublin and an excellent viewpoint. This Neogothic building, erected on the site of a former city postern gate, owes its name to the Trinitarian order, who were the owners of the adjacent cathedral. Its current appearance is the work of Antonio Corazzi. The tower is about 40 metres high. The Trinitarian Tower houses the Archdiocesan Museum of Religious Art.

But the biggest attraction is the opportunity to climb to its top. By climbing several hundred stairs (exactly 207, if we’ve counted correctly!), you’ll reach the viewing terrace, from which a spectacular panorama of Lublin stretches out. From this height, you’ll see the entire Old Town, the majestic Castle, the bustling Krakowskie Przedmieście, as well as more distant districts and buildings like the shopping centre or Czwartek Hill. Climbing the Trinitarian Tower is a great way to see the city from a completely different perspective.

Although, I admit, climbing all those stairs can be a challenge after a full day of sightseeing, the view definitely makes the effort worthwhile. Ticket prices in Lublin vary depending on the season or the type of attraction. For example, in August 2023, a standard ticket cost 15 PLN, and a concession ticket 10 PLN.

Lublin Underground Route: a journey through time beneath the city

A perfect complement to your visit to Lublin and a good way to consolidate your knowledge about the city’s history can be a walk through the Lublin Underground Route. This route, approximately 300 metres long, runs beneath the Market Square and the tenement houses of the Old Town, starting in the Crown Tribunal building and ending at the Square after the Parish Church.

It was created by connecting the Old Town cellars, which once belonged to merchants and were used to store goods for trade. A walk through this labyrinth is made more pleasant by city models, showing the stages of Lublin’s development from the 8th century AD, through the Middle Ages, up to the 16th century. The most memorable is the movable model depicting the great fire of the city in 1719. A walk through the underground helps you imagine the stages of Lublin’s development over the centuries.

It’s worth remembering that Lublin, thanks to permission to organise fairs, became an important trading centre, and the cellars witnessed its development. The route is accessible for children over 4 years old, and the temperature in the underground stays around 10 degrees Celsius, so it’s worth wearing something warmer. Many places, such as the Majdanek Museum or the Lublin Underground Route, are worth visiting with a guide to better understand their history. In the museums of Lublin, such as the Museum of the History of the City or the Museum of the Lublin Village, valuable exhibits are presented, telling the story of the region’s past.

Legends about the Lublin Pied Piper or the Stone of Misfortune (which is located at the corner of Jezuicka Alley and President Teodor Gruell Street, right next to the Trinitarian Tower, and served as the base for the executioner’s block) come alive during the tour, transporting us back to bygone times. Remember not to touch the Stone of Misfortune – apparently it brings bad luck, and luckily, touching it isn’t obligatory. Its history, connected with the executioner, an innocent man, a baker, his wife and his lover, and attempts to brick it into a church, and even being spared by bombings in 1939, only confirms its malevolent powers. You’ll even find a special plaque and the executioner’s mark warning you not to touch it!

House of Words: a story of printing and free speech

While strolling through Lublin, make sure you visit the House of Words at Żmigród Street 1 (the seat of the “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre”). This is an extraordinary artistic and educational venue, dedicated to printing and the written word, as well as popularising the reading of literature and poetry. The history of this place is closely linked to the “Popularna” printing house, which existed here in the first half of the 20th century and collaborated with the underground during the war.

Unfortunately, the printing house staff were arrested by the Gestapo and executed at Majdanek. In the old printing house, you’ll see the exhibitions “‘City of the Book’ – a story of the printed word” (lower part) and “‘The Power of Free Speech’ – a story of freedom” (upper part), telling the story of the art of printing and the significance of free speech, including the birth of the independent publishing movement in Poland during the communist bloc era. You can imagine what life and work were like in this printing house before the war.

The House of Words also runs educational programmes aimed at children and young people, and organises the Lublin Literary Meetings “City of Poetry”. It’s worth paying attention to the “‘Courtyard'” project at Żmigród 1 and Królewska 17 (opposite the Archcathedral), where the walls of the buildings and the murals have been painted with motifs from books – during our visit, the main theme was Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood. It’s a charming place that transports you into the world of fairy tales, and it’s really worth popping in there.

Old Town alleys: mysterious corners and residents’ stories

Lublin’s Old Town is full of hidden alleys and small squares that hide fascinating stories. On Jezuicka Street, the Gothic Tower, the last remaining tower of Lublin, has survived to our times. Built in 1341, it was placed under the care of the merchant guild. It was reconstructed in the 1980s.

But that’s not all! From the Square after the Parish Church towards the church of St Wojciech on Podwale Street, the stairs of Panas Alley lead. Named in honour of Professor Władysław Panas, a historian of literature and expert in Jewish tradition, a lover of Lublin, the alley was officially opened in 2006. At the end of this route, at the bottom, you’ll notice the lit Lantern of Memory. This lantern holds great significance, because at this spot, on the site of the former Jewish Quarter, a symbolic “eternal light” was lit to commemorate a world that no longer exists. This is connected with the memory mystery “Poem on the Place”. In old stories, you’ll learn what daily life was like in old Lublin.

The Jewish Quarter was located between Lublin Castle and Podzamcze. It was established thanks to a privilege granted by King Casimir the Great. Remember that until the 19th century, Jews were not allowed to settle within the city walls – this situation only changed with the regulations of the Russian partitioner. This district was tragically destroyed during World War II, and the entire street network was demolished on the orders of the German occupation forces. To honour the memory of the Jewish residents who co-created and developed Lublin through their work for several centuries, the Lantern of Memory was lit in 2004. Remember also the mentioned exhibition about Jewish Lublin at the “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre”, telling the story of the people who constituted ⅓ of Lublin’s population.

Another interesting place is Fish Square. Its name is linked to the function it once served – a market square where fish caught in the nearby Czechówka river were sold. There were also wooden buildings here – a public bathhouse and a brothel, run by the executioner (interesting places in Lublin to visit?).

The Square after the Parish Church and Grodzka Street are connected to Fish Square by one of the narrowest arteries in Poland – Ku Farze Street. If you’re interested in this part of Lublin, on its right side, you’ll find stairs leading down to Kowalska Street, where there was once an open channel, the Cloaca Maxima, collecting rainwater and waste from the Old Town. You can also sit in the shade of the trees in one of the small squares.

An initiative of the “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre” is also Hartwig Alley, named in 2004 in honour of the Lublin Hartwig family. This is a place that was repeatedly photographed by Edward Hartwig. On the risers of the stairs in this alley, you’ll find the work of Julia Hartwig, who was a poet. From this alley, stairs connect Kowalska Street and Fish Square. Once, the parish church of St Michael the Archangel dominated the Square after the Parish Church, in whose building the first Lublin parish was located, established during the reign of Leszek the Black. According to legend, Leszek dreamt of the Archangel Michael before the battle on the Narew river, where the Duke defeated the Yotvingians.

The church was dismantled in 1846 due to its poor technical condition by decision of the Tsarist authorities. Today, you can find a bronze miniature of the church on the square, and at the beginning of this century, the church foundations were uncovered and raised. A nice panorama of Castle Hill and Lublin Castle stretches out from the Square after the Parish Church.

In the building at Grodzka Street 7, adjacent to the Square after the Parish Church, my father worked, I know this well, as he was an archaeologist at the local Monument Conservation Workshop. On this street, you’ll also find a tenement house decorated with graphics by Lublin graphic artist Andrzej Kot. You can head towards Lublin Castle via Grodzka Street.

Beyond the Old Town – Lublin reveals its different face

Lublin isn’t just a charming Old Town. The city offers many other attractions worth seeing. Venturing a little further from the historic centre, you’ll discover Lublin’s modern face, places for recreation and contemplation. Get ready for another dose of experiences, because the attractions in Lublin don’t end with the Old Town.

Lithuanian Square: from drill square to bustling centre

Starting your exploration of Lublin from the Krakowskie Przedmieście side, walking from Lithuanian Square, you’ll come across its history. Lithuanian Square is located at the confluence of 3 Maja and Krakowskie Przedmieście streets and is the true heart of modern Lublin. Its history reaches far back – initially known as Drill Square, it was a place for meetings of Lithuanian nobility before the signing of the Union of Lublin in 1569 (commemorated by an obelisk designed by Stanisław Staszic) and the reception of the Prussian homage by Sigismund Augustus from the Prussian Duke Albert Frederick. In its tumultuous history, it also bore names such as Adolf Hitler Square or Józef Stalin Square. As my historian friend says, this square has seen more name changes than many a seasoned traveller.

Today, it’s a modern, open space attracting scores of interested visitors, especially in the evenings, thanks to the Multimedia Fountain. This fountain, in the shape of a large leaf divided by a five-metre causeway, makes quite an impression. Its equipment allows for water-light-sound shows, with images projected onto the walls of buildings or a water screen. It’s worth seeing shows such as “Union of Nations” (on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the Union of Lublin), “Angels of Lublin” (referencing the frescoes in the Holy Trinity Chapel at Lublin Castle), “Dream of the City” (a story about the history of Lublin), and “History of Lithuanian Square”.

The square features numerous monuments, including the Monument to the Union of Lublin, the Monument to the Constitution of 3 May, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, and the Monument to Marshal Józef Piłsudski. Around the square stand historic palaces, for example, the Baroque Czartoryski Palace (17th century, suffered significantly during World War II), the Lubomirski Palace (16th century, also known as Poradziwiłłowski, underwent significant reconstruction in the 19th century; before World War II, it served the Voivodeship Office, then UMCS, hosted the Institute of Political Science, and currently, there are plans to open the Museum of the Eastern Borderlands of the Former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth within it), and the youngest, connected by a gallery to Lubomirski Palace – the Gubernatorial Palace (19th century, built at the request of the Lublin governor, handed over to UMCS control after World War II). Although parts of Lithuanian Square have been fenced off due to renovations, it remains a central meeting place. It’s worth taking a closer look at the buildings around the square.

After viewing the buildings around Lithuanian Square, it’s worth taking a stroll along Krakowskie Przedmieście Street towards the Krakow Gate. This is the city’s most important street, which since the Middle Ages, constituted an entire district west of the Krakow Gate. After a catastrophic fire in 1575, the city authorities ordered the construction of brick houses. Following the establishment of the Crown Tribunal, magnates eagerly located their residences here. In the 19th century, Krakowskie Przedmieście transformed into the new city centre. Here, you’ll find the Church of the Holy Spirit (the oldest monument, rebuilt in 1608, it was originally founded in 1419), the New Town Hall (seat of the city authorities, erected on the site of a burnt-down monastery and church of the Discalced Carmelites, rebuilt after wartime destruction by Ignacy Kędzierski – from its terrace at noon, the trumpet call rings out), and the Hotel Europa building (19th century). It’s hard to resist the Bosko ice cream parlour, serving ice cream near the Krakow Gate (they’re truly delicious!). On Krakowskie Przedmieście, you’ll find many restaurants, cafes, and shops. Łokietek Square, which you’ll reach after walking along Krakowskie Przedmieście, is situated beneath the former 14th-century defensive walls, of which the Krakow Gate is a remnant. Łokietek Square also features the New Town Hall.

Museum of the Lublin Village: open-air museum full of tradition and history

A few kilometres north of the Old Town, in the river valley of the Czechówka, sits the Museum of the Lublin Village. This is one of the largest open-air museums in Poland, which remarkably presents the living conditions of the inhabitants of the Lublin region in a bygone era. Over 250 buildings have been moved here from all over the region, creating a faithful reconstruction of a former village and town.

The open-air museum is divided into sectors, reflecting the landscape and ethnography of different subregions of the Lublin region. You can get to know the architecture of over a dozen of them. You’ll thus get to know the architecture and traditions from regions such as the Lublin Upland, Roztocze, Powiśle, Podlasie, and Nadbuże. There are also manor and bourgeois sectors. An interesting sector is the reconstruction of a provincial Central European town with a market square, around which buildings that have been moved or faithfully recreated are gathered: a copy of the town hall from Głusk, a bell tower from Motycz, a house from Wąwolnica, a bathhouse, a school, or a pharmacy. Gems also include a Greek Catholic sacral complex with a church from Tarnoszyn and a windmill from Zygmuntów. You can imagine what daily life was like in these old settlements by visiting the individual houses and farmsteads with a guide or on your own.

Walking around the open-air museum, you can feel like you’re in the 19th or early 20th century. The Museum of the Lublin Village organises many interesting events, e.g., the Lublin Bread Festival or Midsummer Night with re-enactments and workshops. It’s a great idea for spending a day, especially with children – they can get into a real rocket in the UMCS Academic Town and the LSM district (which is nearby). A visit to the Lublin Village Museum can easily be combined with a walk around the neighbouring UMCS Botanical Garden. We took a bus, e.g., route number 18 from below Lublin Castle, to get to the open-air museum. In Lublin’s museums, such as the Museum of the History of the City or the Museum of the Lublin Village, valuable exhibits are presented, telling the story of the region’s past.

UMCS Botanical Garden: an oasis of green and quiet in the heart of the city

If you’re looking for a moment of respite from the city hustle and bustle and want to relax in the bosom of nature, the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Botanical Garden is the perfect place. Located in the Sławin district, it covers an area of over 21 hectares. It was established in 1965 partly on the grounds of a former manor farm.

One of the elements here is the reconstructed Kościuszko Manor House, which was once owned by Jan Nepomucen Kościuszko, the starost of Krzemieniec, and Tadeusz Kościuszko visited here twice. The garden showcases over 1600 species of trees and shrubs, as well as numerous flowerbeds and greenhouses. A visit here, especially in the warmer months, is a real pleasure. The greenery and quiet make you feel like you’re in Roztocze, relaxing in the shade of the trees, even though you’re in the heart of the city (which is quite surprising!).

Centre for the Meeting of Cultures: modern architecture and cultural events

The Centre for the Meeting of Cultures (CSK) on Racławickie Avenues is one of the most representative and modern places on Lublin’s map. Its construction took a very long time, starting back in 1974, which is why it was nicknamed “Theatre Under Construction” for years. Today, it’s an impressive building that is a hub for cultural events. It’s worth noting its modern architecture and the functionality of its spatial design.

Theatre performances are held here (CSK includes the Musical Theatre and the Philharmonic next door), along with film screenings, exhibitions, openings, and concerts. A characteristic element of the building is its green roof, known as the “Lublin Terrace”. You can walk on it, admiring the view of the surroundings, and even eat fresh wild strawberries or admire the flower meadows. Public cultural festivals are often held in front of the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures. CSK also hosts venues like Browar Zakładowy Wielokran and the Panie Przodem restaurant.

Zemborzycki Reservoir: water recreation and leisure activities

Although Zemborzycki Reservoir (created on the Bystrzyca river) is sometimes called the “Lublin Sea” (a bit of an exaggeration, if you ask me!), it is primarily a popular place for recreation and relaxation by the water, located within the city limits. By the Reservoir, there’s a recreational and swimming pool complex called Słoneczny Wrotków. Right next to it is the longest water ski lift in Poland, making the Reservoir an attractive spot for water sports enthusiasts.

You’ll also find sports equipment and floating gear rentals here, as well as a rope park with three difficulty levels, providing entertainment for the whole family. You can also eat well there, for example, at the atmospheric Portofino restaurant at Krężnicka Street 94. Another interesting activity is a kayaking trip down the Bystrzyca river, which ends at Zemborzycki Reservoir.

The route can be started from various locations, depending on the preferred trip length: Prawiedniki (about 2-3 hours), Osmolice (about 4-5 hours), or Piotrowice (about 6 hours). It’s a great way to see the city from a different perspective, that is, if you enjoy active leisure. If you’re planning to use water equipment, it’s worth booking in advance, especially during the season.

State Museum at Majdanek: the tragic history of the concentration camp

A visit to Lublin is also an encounter with tragic history. While in Lublin, you have a unique opportunity to see the State Museum at Majdanek, the oldest museum in Poland dedicated to the Holocaust. The Museum is located on the grounds of the former Nazi concentration camp KL Lublin, commonly called Majdanek after the Majdan Tatarski district. The decision to build the camp was made by Heinrich Himmler.

Majdanek operated from October 1941 to July 1944, and the museum was established shortly after its liberation in 1944. Approximately 150,000 prisoners of various nationalities (Jews – constituting a significant majority of the victims, Poles, Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians) from Poland, the Soviet Union, and Czechoslovakia passed through it. Prisoners were used as free labour for the SS and police, for the expansion of the Third Reich. Mass murder of prisoners was carried out at Majdanek; they died in executions and death camps. Although it is a difficult and moving place, visiting it is important for understanding history and paying tribute to the victims. Many places, such as the Majdanek Museum or the Lublin Underground Route, are worth visiting with a guide to better understand their history. In the museums of Lublin, such as the Museum of the History of the City or the Museum of the Lublin Village, valuable exhibits are presented, telling the story of the region’s past.

The dungeons in the Lublin Castle keep also commemorate those murdered in the prison that operated between 1944 and 1954 and was under the authority of Soviet forces and the Public Security Office, imprisoning Poles who resisted communist enslavement. Lublin Castle itself is a site with a rich history of castle life.

Culinary journeys through Lublin

No sightseeing trip is complete without discovering local flavours! Lublin offers many interesting places for food lovers. From traditional regional dishes to international inspirations – everyone will find something for themselves. In and around the Old Town, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafes, and venues, tempting with diverse flavours.

Regional Cebularz Museum: delicious pastries and interesting history

Since we’re in the Lublin region, we can’t miss the regional culinary symbols! A must-try item for visitors to Lublin is cebularz. This wheat flatbread with onion and poppy seeds, originating from Jewish cuisine, is so unique that it has been granted protection under European Union law as a Protected Geographical Indication (like our oscypek cheese). The history of cebularz is closely linked to Jewish bakeries, which had been baking this delicious flatbread since the 19th century.

To learn the history of this regional delicacy in an interactive form, make sure you visit the Regional Cebularz Museum at Szewska Street 4, near the Old Town. It’s a nice way to spend time for families with children – during an interactive show featuring the legendary Esterka and baker Franek, you’ll learn what life was like in old Jewish bakeries and how cebularz is prepared, and you’ll even have the chance to bake your own! (I admit, it smells absolutely amazing there).

Restaurants and eateries: from traditional cuisine to international flavours

Lublin truly has a lot to offer gastronomically. In and around the Old Town, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and venues, tempting with diverse flavours. If you’re looking for Jewish cuisine, you definitely have to pop into Mandragora in the Old Town – it’s a Jewish eatery that has gained great popularity.

There are also many restaurants in the vicinity of the Square after the Parish Church and Grodzka Street. An interesting option is Jezuicka 16 Ogród, serving plant-based cuisine, fish, and seafood in an atmospheric garden. Fans of Italian flavours, when in the area of the open-air museum, can try pizza at Pizzeria MOZZA – the taste is reminiscent of trips to the Dolomites!

In the vicinity of the Saxon Garden, it’s worth eating at Restauracja Spokojna2, which also runs its own bakery with the best cebularze and blueberry buns. On Krakowskie Przedmieście, apart from the mentioned Bosko ice cream parlour, you’ll find many other options. If you’re looking for a typically Irish atmosphere, we recommend Pub u Szewca. You’ll also find a few places in Fish Square.

It’s also worth trying local beer – Perła Brewery has its Perła Brewery Undergrounds (at Bernardyńska Street), where you can learn about the history of brewing beer in Lublin, initiated by Karol Rudolf Vetter in 1846. The brewery plant was moved to Kunickiego Street in 2001. There’s also an open-air cinema in the Perła Brewery courtyard. In the evening, you can check out clubs, e.g., Radość. And if you’re at the Market on Wileńska Street, apparently, they have the best waffles there! For culinary excursions, it’s also worth heading to the areas around Lublin: when going to Polesie National Park, make sure you have lunch at Hotel Drob in Urszulin. And in Roztocze, you can try trout in Bondyrz, delicious Italian pizza in Susiec, or a home-style lunch at Mama restaurant in Jacnia.

Attractions in the surroundings of Lublin

Lublin is an excellent base for discovering the beauty of the Lublin region and its surroundings. Many interesting places are within reach for a day trip. It’s a great idea to see more of this charming region. Towns closest to Lublin often hide interesting attractions.

Day trips: Kazimierz Dolny, Zamość, and Roztocze

From Lublin, you can easily reach a few real gems of the region. It will take you about an hour by car to get to Kazimierz Dolny on the Vistula – it’s an exceptionally atmospheric town, famous for its market square, parish church, castle, and the ruins of a tower, as well as numerous galleries and loess ravines (belonging to the Land of Loess Ravines). From Kazimierz Dolny, Janowiec Castle is just a stone’s throw away.

Another popular destination is Zamość, the “Pearl of the Renaissance”, located about 1.5 hours away by car. Its perfectly preserved Renaissance urban layout and fortifications make a huge impression.

If you love nature, Polesie National Park (approx. 1 hour drive) will delight you with its swamps and peat bogs (don’t forget about lunch at Hotel Drob in Urszulin!). Another popular region, perfect for a trip, is Roztocze – green, hilly areas with charming towns and beautiful nature. It’s also worth visiting Kozłówka Palace (approx. 30 min drive towards Lubartów), with beautiful interiors and a unique Socialist Realism Museum. Quiet Nałęczów, in turn, is a well-known health resort. Lublin as a base for trips to these places is a very convenient solution, although travelling around the area without a car can be, well, a bit more complicated. If you’re planning a longer stay in the region, it’s worth booking accommodation in advance.

Lublin: a city worth getting to know

Lublin is a city that pleasantly surprises and deserves more than just a quick stopover. Its history, dating back to the 11th century on Czwartek Hill, linked to the establishment of a castellany in Lublin in the 12th century and the granting of city rights by Władysław Łokietek in 1317 (although some sources suggest it occurred around 1257 during the time of Bolesław the Chaste), is incredibly rich. The city flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming an important trading and cultural centre (the famous Lublin fairs, where goods from Ukraine and Volhynia were traded). It was here in 1569 that the Union of Lublin was concluded, which united the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, giving rise to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Sejm proclaiming the Union convened at Lublin Castle, and later the Prussian homage took place here.

Unfortunately, the 17th century brought wars with the Cossacks, Swedes, and Russians, which destroyed the city. Interestingly, on 6/7 November 1918, Lublin became the capital of Poland for a few days, with the first government headed by Ignacy Daszyński.

Lublin is a city worth getting to know better. Its Old Town, Krakowskie Przedmieście, Lithuanian Square, Lublin Castle with its Romanesque defensive tower (keep) and the Holy Trinity Chapel (built by Casimir the Great, with paintings funded by Władysław Jagiełło), the Lublin Underground Route, the Archcathedral, the House of Words, the Majdanek Museum, the Botanical Garden, or Zemborzycki Reservoir – these are just some of the attractions that will make your stay unforgettable. In the museums of Lublin, such as the Museum of the History of the City or the Museum of the Lublin Village, valuable exhibits are presented, telling the story of the region’s past. So, is it worth coming here? Absolutely!

If you’re looking for accommodation in Lublin near the Old Town, there are plenty of hotels and hostels (e.g., Hostel Skłodowska near the centre). You can get to Lublin by direct train, for example, from Gliwice. Lublin Airport is located in nearby Świdnik, and buses to it depart from the bus station at the foot of Lublin Castle (e.g., a private company operates the routes). The train station is located over 3 km from the Old Town, but public transport (Lublin is one of only three cities in Poland with a trolleybus network, alongside Tychy and Gdynia) operates efficiently, and there are also city bikes. If you’re planning to travel by train, the train station is closer to the centre compared to the airport, but still requires using public transport. When planning your sightseeing, you can use available mobile apps dedicated to Lublin, which will help you discover the most interesting places and attractions.

Lublin, however, deserves a longer visit, during which you can see all its major and minor attractions. Although Lublin’s Old Town is undergoing a gradual transformation, it still brings joy and is adorned with works by Lublin artists, e.g., during the Night of Culture or the Carnival of Magicians. The “Grodzka Gate – NN Theatre Centre”, through its activities at the Grodzka Gate, the Underground Route, and the House of Words, tells the story of the city and restores the memory of its inhabitants. The green roofs of the Castle Terraces or the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures offer a view of the Old Town and the surrounding area. It’s also worth seeing the murals, e.g., by the Gothic Tower, inspired by the work of Braun and Hogenberg, or the one at Zamojska Street 47, depicting a 19th-century panorama of Lublin with General Zajączek’s entrance. Remember the acoustic chapel in the cathedral! It’s a city full of interesting places just waiting to be discovered. Some attractions in Lublin, such as a walk through the Old Town or Lithuanian Square with its multimedia fountain, can be visited for free. Lublin, a city worth discovering, will surely appeal to you.