Don’t Miss These Sights to See in Bydgoszcz, Poland

You’d be forgiven for never having heard of Bydgoszcz before. Even among Poland’s destinations, this city in central Poland is down the list of popular places. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the best cities in Poland, simply a lesser-known one. Visiting Bydgoszcz in the summer, it was a pleasant surprise to learn just how much the city had going for it. You won’t have much trouble finding sights to see in Bydgoszcz for a day or two, that’s for sure.

If you’re visiting Poland for the second or third time, Bydgoszcz is a great idea for a new destination to explore. In my reading before my visit, I got the impression that Bydgoszcz has been typically seen as an unappealing place. Based on my firsthand experience, that couldn’t be more wrong.

This city has plenty of scenic corners to it that are bound to have tourists happily snapping away. Plus, because of its lower tourism status, you may find that locals are more inclined to approach you and offer advice compared to somewhere like Warsaw. So is Bydgoszcz worth visiting? Definitely.

Brda Riverfront

To my mind, it’d be hard to start anywhere but the beautiful waterfront along the Brda River. Without question one of the best places to visit in Bydgoszcz, the riverfront here is home to some of the city’s most compelling landmarks. Take for instance the city’s iconic half-timbered granaries. These big old granaries date back centuries to when Bydgoszcz was a significant trade port and have thankfully been preserved.

Then there’s the immensely clever sculpture of a tightrope walker dangling over the river. Called the “Man Crossing the River”, it is a sculpture that commemorates Poland joining the European Union. Plenty to read into that if you so choose. The other buildings along the river capture your attention too, from the elaborate brick post office to the modern warehouse-shaped buildings. For me, this is the prettiest place in Bydgoszcz and reason enough to come.

Old Market Square

Next on the essential things to do in Bydgoszcz is the city’s main square, Stary Rynek. The Old Market Square is the core of Bydgoszcz’s Old Town and is lined with some pretty impressive buildings. Chief among those is the Town Hall, which unfortunately was masked by construction work when I visited.

Even still, the main square was constantly lively with pedestrians and plenty of bars around. From there, it’s best to simply wander and explore what the other parts of the Old Town have to offer.

Bydgoszcz Cathedral

Just a short walk through the streets of Old Town and you reach Bydgoszcz Cathedral. Thanks to its size, you likely noticed it well beforehand but it still makes an impression up close. Dating from the 15th century, this Gothic church and its gabled facade are easily spotted over the rest of the Old Town. The church is nicely tucked away from the old town and is quite serenely surrounded by trees.

The big reason why this church is amongst the most important Bydgoszcz sights though is what you find inside. Because, like me, you’ve probably never seen a church with a purple and gold interior before. That’s right, the walls in the church feature lavish purple walls and golden trim, including the detailed vaulted ceiling. There’s a lot to take in with the Bydgoszcz Cathedral, so you needn’t worry about it just being yet another European church.

Mill Island

If Bydgoszcz tourism is based around its stunning riverfronts and history, then Mill Island is the city’s perfect combination of the two. This historic island is bordered on one side by the Brda River and the other by a river branch that has locks and dams along it. Given its name, you can get what the island was once used for.

Old mills and granaries still dot the island, but recreation seems to be the focus now. Today, people relax in the green spaces or go paddling out in the river off the island. The island is also home to various modern museums and a great row of bars and restaurants can be found across from it to the south.

Museum of Soap and History of Dirt

People who like quirky or unusual attractions – you’re in luck. Bydgoszcz is home to the Museum of Soap and History of Dirt, which is exactly what it sounds like. Recommended to me by my host, this museum takes visitors through the history of hygiene and how soap is made.

I would tell you more, but it turns out this museum is so popular that I couldn’t even get on a tour when I was there. Even with up to four daily English-speaking tours, they were booked out for days! Summer school holidays may have been to blame, but I’d still consider contacting them in advance if you and your family want to go.

Gdanska Street

Not every sight in the city has to be monumental as proven by Gdanska Street. This major road through the city centre may not seem particularly noteworthy, but it has its moments. The first significant stop is the Poor Clares’ Church, a perfectly pretty church on the corner down near the riverfront. Associated with the Order of St Clare, the small church dates back to 1582.

Just a little further up you’ll spot the Hotel Pod Orlem, a notably grand building. Believe it or not, there’s a great long history to this 4-star hotel, but I’m not going to get into it now. Safe to say, this elegant building and the large eagle figure on its roof is a city landmark and worth a moment of your time.

Freedom Square

Just off Gdanska Street lies the most noteworthy square in downtown Bydgoszcz, Freedom Square. The rare park in this part of the city centre, there are a few things you’ll want to see here. The first are the striking buildings that sit across from the park, which clearly have been restored in previous years.

While there is also a church here, the Deluge Fountain is the thing that most people come here to see. This biblical fountain originally stood in the 20th century before being melted down for materials by the Germans in 1943. Because of the love for this fountain statue, the city had it rebuilt in 2014 and returned to Freedom Square.

Augusta Cieszkowskiego Street

One of the local recommendations I got in Bydgoszcz was to make sure I walked down Augusta Cieszkowskiego Street. I was told that it was one of the prettiest streets in the city and I was not disappointed. Part of a later expansion of the city, this street became a bit of a showcase for architects around the turn of the 20th century.

Along it, you’ll see a classic collection of apartment buildings, with no two designed alike. Some buildings have an art nouveau design, others neo-Renaissance or modernist. Despite that jumble, this street is a sight to behold and one you might not hear much about.

St. Vincent de Paul Basilica Minor

With more time on your hands, it’s worth making your way across town to see the huge St. Vincent de Paul Basilica Minor. One of the largest churches in Poland, the basilica is a modern addition to Bydgoszcz that has left its mark.

World War II had a profound impact on this church, as it was nearly complete when the war broke out. Even after all the destruction done to it, services were held there in 1945. Still, it took another 40 years for it to be finally finished. Visiting, be sure to see the immense bronze doors and the ceiling mosaic inside.

Visiting Bydgoszcz

To make the most of your Bydgoszcz visit, there are a few things to consider. I managed to time my visit poorly, with both a large sporting competition and a business convention happening at the same time. That meant I had zero luck finding a place to stay in any of the city’s many hotels, hostels and guesthouses.

But this is why I find Airbnb so great, as I was able to find an affordable room with a really nice host despite all this. My experiences with Airbnb hosts in Poland have all been really good, with people always looking to make me feel welcome.

As for getting to Bydgoszcz, the city is an easy place to reach by train. Frequent trains connect the city with better-known cities in Poland like Torun, Gdansk and Warsaw. I suppose you could even consider doing a day trip from Torun as it’s only 40 minutes away.

Have you ever had a Bydgoszcz travel experience? Which of these sights in Bydgoszcz look the most interesting to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.