Things to do in Szczecin: what to see in Poland's city on the Oder
Szczecin is a working port city on the Oder, close to the German border, and its history shows in the skyline: the Renaissance castle of the Griffin dukes of Pomerania, a Gothic cathedral whose tower tops 110 m, a Baroque Prussian city gate and the grand riverside terrace of Wały Chrobrego, built in the early 20th century when the city was German Stettin. It has been Polish since 1945, and two of its newest buildings — the Philharmonic Hall and the Dialogue Centre Upheavals — have won Europe's and the world's top architecture awards.
Below you'll find the ten places we'd put on a first-timer's list, a one-day route, a two-day plan with an optional day trip to the Baltic resort of Świnoujście, how to get here and the full catalogue of Szczecin attractions on tripto.pl. Opening hours and prices are on each attraction page — the National Museum's branches close on Mondays, and the air-raid shelter under the station has no individual visits on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Why visit
- Wały Chrobrego, a 500 m terrace above the Oder lined with buildings from 1902–1921, is free and open around the clock — come at sunset.
- A lift takes you up to the viewing deck on St James's Cathedral, about 56 m up, with the Old Town, the river and the port cranes below.
- Two award-winning buildings face each other across one square: the Philharmonic (EU Mies van der Rohe Award 2015) and the Dialogue Centre Upheavals (World Building of the Year 2016).
- Permanent exhibitions at the National Museum's branches are free on Saturdays.
- The Central Cemetery is a 172-hectare park and Poland's largest burial ground, and the green Emerald Lake lies within the city limits.
Top 10: what to see first
Our picks for a first visit — each with a short reason why.
Viewpoints
Chrobry Embankment in Szczecin
Szczecin
Wały Chrobrego (say "VAH-wee khro-BREH-go"), also called Chrobry Embankment or by its old German name, the Haken Terrace, is Szczecin's grandest viewpoint and the city's signature sight. Stately early-20th-century buildings line a terrace…
Free entry1. The riverside terrace once called Hakenterrasse, with the provincial government building, the National Museum and the Hercules fountain. Free 24/7; steps and ramps lead down to the quay.
Churches & monasteries
St. James Cathedral, Szczecin
Szczecin
The Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Szczecin (pronounced roughly "SHCHEH-cheen") is the city's mother church and one of the great brick Gothic landmarks of the Baltic coast. Its spire rises just over 110 meters (361 ft), making it the s…
2. A Gothic hall church with medieval triptychs and a 2008 organ. The tower deck is reached by lift; outside summer it opens daily 10 am–6 pm, adult ticket 19 zł (October 2026).
Castles
Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin
Szczecin
For centuries the Griffin dynasty, the dukes of Pomerania, held court on this hill above the Oder; later Swedish governors ruled from here, and the future Empress Catherine the Great grew up within its walls. The Castle of the Pomeranian D…
3. The Renaissance seat of the Griffin dynasty, rebuilt after 1945 and now a cultural centre with the exhibition “The Secret of the Griffins”. The courtyards are being modernised in autumn 2026.
Museums
National Museum in Szczecin – Main Building
Szczecin
The National Museum in Szczecin's Main Building sits right on the Chrobry Embankment (Wały Chrobrego), the grand riverside terraces that are the city's signature view. It is the flagship of the largest museum in Western Pomerania, and in o…
4. The main building on Wały Chrobrego: medieval Pomeranian art, the Dohrn collection of antique casts and full-size African village compounds. Its viewing tower is closed in 2026.
Museums
Dialogue Centre Przełomy (Breakthroughs)
Szczecin
The Dialogue Centre Przełomy (roughly "psheh-WOH-mih", meaning "Breakthroughs") is an underground branch of the National Museum in Szczecin, hidden beneath Solidarity Square. It tells the story of postwar Szczecin – from the moment German…
5. An underground museum below Solidarity Square on the protests of December 1970, August 1980 and the end of communism. The rippling square above is the building's roof.
Other
Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall, Szczecin
Szczecin
The Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin is the city's most famous modern building – a cluster of white, ice-like peaks that glows in changing colors after dark. Designed by the Barcelona studio Barozzi Veiga, it won the 2015…
6. The white, ice-like hall by Barozzi Veiga with a gold-leaf symphony hall. From October to December 2026 there are guided tours in English on Fridays at 2 pm (30 zł).
Museums
Szczecin Underground Routes (air-raid shelter)
Szczecin
Szczecin's Underground Routes take you into a World War II air-raid shelter hidden beneath the city's main railway station, Szczecin Główny. It is one of the largest civilian shelters in Poland, and in about an hour you can follow three se…
7. A 1941 air-raid shelter under Szczecin Główny station with routes on WWII, the Cold War and communist Poland — about an hour in total. Open Thu–Mon 12–4 pm in October 2026.
Old towns & squares
Rynek Sienny in Szczecin
Szczecin
Rynek Sienny – the Hay Market (roughly "RIH-nek SHYEN-nih") – is the oldest market square in Szczecin and the heart of its rebuilt Old Town. The square is dominated by the brick Gothic Old Town Hall with its lacy, stepped gable, and surrou…
Free entry8. The old Hay Market, the city's oldest square, with the Gothic Old Town Hall — now the Museum of the History of Szczecin — and townhouses rebuilt from the late 1990s.
Historic sites
Szczecin Central Cemetery
Szczecin
Szczecin Central Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Poland and the third largest in Europe, after those in Hamburg and Manchester. Its more than 172 hectares (425 acres) form a vast landscaped park with tree-lined avenues, fountains, stre…
Free entry9. Opened in 1901 and modelled on Hamburg's Ohlsdorf, it is a 172-hectare park with some 415 species of trees and shrubs, a historic trail and old German and Polish graves. Free, by tram.
Lakes
Emerald Lake (Jezioro Szmaragdowe), Szczecin
Szczecin
Emerald Lake (Jezioro Szmaragdowe, roughly "YEZH-oh-roh shmah-RAHG-doh-veh") is a flooded former chalk quarry hidden in the beech woods of the Bukowa Forest, on the eastern edge of Szczecin. It is famous for its green, emerald-tinted water…
Free entry10. A former chalk pit that flooded in 1925, now an up to 18 m deep green lake in the beech forest of Puszcza Bukowa. A loop with the viewpoint takes 1–1.5 hours; free all year.
Top sights on the map
Open the full map1-day itinerary
Morning: Harbour Gate and the cathedral tower
From Szczecin Główny station it's about 10 minutes on foot to the Baroque Harbour Gate and another 400 m to St James's Cathedral, whose tower deck opens at 10 am.
Places: Harbour Gate, Szczecin St. James Cathedral, Szczecin
Late morning: Hay Market and the castle
Walk a few minutes to the Hay Market and its Old Town Hall, then up Castle Hill. Allow about an hour for the courtyards and exhibitions of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle.
Places: Rynek Sienny in Szczecin Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin
Afternoon: Wały Chrobrego and the National Museum
From the castle it's a short walk to the terrace. Give the museum's permanent galleries 1.5–2 hours; it stays open until 6 pm Wednesday to Saturday and until 4 pm on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Places: Chrobry Embankment in Szczecin National Museum in Szczecin – Main Building
Late afternoon: Solidarity Square
About 15 minutes away, the Dialogue Centre Upheavals needs 1–1.5 hours. Opposite, the Philharmonic's foyer is open without a ticket Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am–6 pm.
Places: Dialogue Centre Przełomy (Breakthroughs) Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall, Szczecin
Evening: down by the Oder
Take the steps down to Bulwar Piastowski, with its maritime sculptures and the 1968 Sea Chronicle reliefs, and look back at the floodlit terrace. Or go back to the Philharmonic for a concert.
Places: Piastowski Boulevard in Szczecin Chrobry Embankment in Szczecin
2-day itinerary
Day 1: Old Town, castle and riverside
Cathedral, Harbour Gate and Hay Market
The cathedral tower from 10 am, the Harbour Gate and the Museum of the History of Szczecin in the Old Town Hall — free on Saturdays.
Places: St. James Cathedral, Szczecin Harbour Gate, Szczecin Rynek Sienny in Szczecin
Pomeranian Dukes' Castle
“The Secret of the Griffins” in the north wing and the castle terraces above the river. Part of the courtyards is under modernisation, so check what's open before you go.
National Museum and the quay
The museum on Wały Chrobrego, then down to Bulwar Piastowski for the classic view of the terrace reflected in the Oder at sunset.
Places: National Museum in Szczecin – Main Building Chrobry Embankment in Szczecin Piastowski Boulevard in Szczecin
Upheavals and a concert
The “City of Resistance – City of Protest” exhibition at the Dialogue Centre, then an evening at the Philharmonic. On Fridays until December 2026 you can also join an English-language building tour at 2 pm.
Places: Dialogue Centre Przełomy (Breakthroughs) Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall, Szczecin
Day 2: parks, the shelter or a trip to the Baltic coast
Jasne Błonia and Kasprowicz Park
A green square lined with 213 plane trees, the Monument to the Polish Deed and a walk around Lake Rusałka — 1.5–2 hours, by tram or bus to the City Hall area.
Central Cemetery or Emerald Lake
Either take the tram to the main gate of the Central Cemetery and follow the historic trail, or head to the east bank for Emerald Lake. In winter pick one and go in daylight — lakeside paths can be icy.
Places: Szczecin Central Cemetery Emerald Lake (Jezioro Szmaragdowe), Szczecin
Afternoon: the shelter under the station
Underground Routes take individual visitors Thursday to Monday, 12–4 pm, last tickets at 3 pm. The entrance is off platform 1 at Szczecin Główny; it's about 14°C inside, so bring a layer.
Or: a day in Świnoujście
Trains take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Walk the seafront promenade and the wide beach, then the spa park and the Sea Fishing Museum — see our Świnoujście guide.
Places: Świnoujście Seaside Promenade Świnoujście Beach Spa Park (Park Zdrojowy), Świnoujście Sea Fishing Museum in Świnoujście
Getting there
By air: Szczecin-Goleniów Airport is about 45 km from the centre. Its train stop is next to the terminal and the ride into Szczecin takes around 40 minutes; buses timed to flights and taxis are the alternatives.
From Berlin: the distance is about 150 km. Until 12 December 2026 the RE66 and RB66 trains between Angermünde and Szczecin are replaced by buses, with connections in Angermünde to RE3 trains to and from Berlin — check the current timetable before you travel.
By train within Poland: Szczecin Główny is the main station, about 10 minutes' walk from the Harbour Gate and 20 minutes from Wały Chrobrego. Direct trains run from Poznań, Warsaw and Gdańsk, among others.
By car: the city centre is a paid parking zone and spaces near Wały Chrobrego fill up fast, so park further out and walk.
Getting around: the Old Town, castle, terrace and Solidarity Square are all walkable. Trams and buses run by ZDiTM reach the Central Cemetery, Jasne Błonia and the Zdroje district for Emerald Lake. For a day by the sea, see our Świnoujście guide.
When to go
Spring to autumn is the time for riverside walks, Jasne Błonia and Emerald Lake; in autumn the beech forest and the plane trees turn gold. In the summer holidays (24 June–30 August) the cathedral deck stays open until 7 pm on weekdays and 8 pm at weekends.
Winter 2026/27: the National Museum's branches (main building, Museum of the History of Szczecin, Upheavals) keep year-round hours — Tuesday and Sunday 10 am–4 pm, Wednesday to Saturday 10 am–6 pm, closed Mondays — and are also closed on 1 and 12 November, 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 and 6 January. The cathedral deck opens daily 10 am–6 pm outside the summer, but may close in strong wind or icy weather. The station shelter publishes no separate winter timetable; in October 2026 it opened Thursday to Monday, 12–4 pm.
Closures and works: the National Museum's viewing tower is closed throughout 2026. At the castle the courtyards are being modernised and the north wing is still being rebuilt. A pier and viewing platforms are planned at Emerald Lake, so parts of the shore may be fenced off.
All Saints' Day: around 1–2 November the Central Cemetery is packed and Ku Słońcu street can be closed to cars — not the time for a quiet visit.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Szczecin?
One day covers the cathedral tower, the Hay Market, the castle, Wały Chrobrego with the National Museum and Solidarity Square with the Dialogue Centre and the Philharmonic. A second day lets you add the parks, the Central Cemetery or Emerald Lake and the air-raid shelter, or a day trip to Świnoujście on the Baltic.
Is Szczecin worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like architecture and history: Gothic churches, a Renaissance ducal castle, early 20th-century German civic buildings and two award-winning modern buildings are all within walking distance. Most of the outdoor sights are free.
How do I get from Szczecin airport to the city centre?
Take the train from the stop next to the terminal; the ride to Szczecin takes about 40 minutes. There are also buses timed to flights and taxis. The airport is roughly 45 km from the centre.
Can I get from Berlin to Szczecin by train?
Yes, but until 12 December 2026 the line between Angermünde and Szczecin is closed for works. Take the RE3 from Berlin to Angermünde and the replacement bus to Szczecin Główny, and check the timetable before you go.
What can I do in Szczecin for free?
Wały Chrobrego, Bulwar Piastowski, the Harbour Gate, the Hay Market, the cathedral interior outside services, Jasne Błonia, the Central Cemetery and Emerald Lake are all free. The National Museum's permanent exhibitions are free on Saturdays.
Are there English tours in Szczecin?
The Philharmonic runs English-language building tours on Fridays at 2 pm from October to December 2026. The cathedral parish offers guided visits and an audio guide; ask by phone for the languages available.
All attractions (14)
Castles
Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin
Szczecin
For centuries the Griffin dynasty, the dukes of Pomerania, held court on this hill above the Oder; later Swedish governors ruled from here, and the future Empress Catherine the Great grew up within its walls. The Castle of the Pomeranian D…
Old towns & squares
Rynek Sienny in Szczecin
Szczecin
Rynek Sienny – the Hay Market (roughly "RIH-nek SHYEN-nih") – is the oldest market square in Szczecin and the heart of its rebuilt Old Town. The square is dominated by the brick Gothic Old Town Hall with its lacy, stepped gable, and surrou…
Free entry
Churches & monasteries
St. James Cathedral, Szczecin
Szczecin
The Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Szczecin (pronounced roughly "SHCHEH-cheen") is the city's mother church and one of the great brick Gothic landmarks of the Baltic coast. Its spire rises just over 110 meters (361 ft), making it the s…
Landmarks
Harbour Gate, Szczecin
Szczecin
The Harbour Gate (Brama Portowa) is a Baroque fortress gate that now stands alone in the middle of one of Szczecin's busiest squares. The city's official tourism portal calls it the most impressive Baroque fortress gate in West Pomerania.…
Free entry
Cities & towns
Piastowski Boulevard in Szczecin
Szczecin
Before 1945 it was the main riverside street of the Old Town, where cargo was unloaded from ships. Today Piastowski Boulevard (Bulwar Piastowski), also known as the Sailors' Avenue (Aleja Żeglarzy), is the lower level of Szczecin's Oder wa…
Free entry
Museums
Dialogue Centre Przełomy (Breakthroughs)
Szczecin
The Dialogue Centre Przełomy (roughly "psheh-WOH-mih", meaning "Breakthroughs") is an underground branch of the National Museum in Szczecin, hidden beneath Solidarity Square. It tells the story of postwar Szczecin – from the moment German…
Historic sites
Szczecin Central Cemetery
Szczecin
Szczecin Central Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Poland and the third largest in Europe, after those in Hamburg and Manchester. Its more than 172 hectares (425 acres) form a vast landscaped park with tree-lined avenues, fountains, stre…
Free entry
Other
Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall, Szczecin
Szczecin
The Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin is the city's most famous modern building – a cluster of white, ice-like peaks that glows in changing colors after dark. Designed by the Barcelona studio Barozzi Veiga, it won the 2015…
Gardens
Jasne Błonia and Kasprowicz Park, Szczecin
Szczecin
Jasne Błonia (roughly "YAS-neh BWOH-nya", meaning "Bright Meadows") and Kasprowicz Park form Szczecin's best-loved green space: a broad lawn lined with rows of plane trees that flows into a large park around Lake Rusałka. Jasne Błonia is h…
Free entry
Lakes
Emerald Lake (Jezioro Szmaragdowe), Szczecin
Szczecin
Emerald Lake (Jezioro Szmaragdowe, roughly "YEZH-oh-roh shmah-RAHG-doh-veh") is a flooded former chalk quarry hidden in the beech woods of the Bukowa Forest, on the eastern edge of Szczecin. It is famous for its green, emerald-tinted water…
Free entry
Museums
National Museum in Szczecin – Main Building
Szczecin
The National Museum in Szczecin's Main Building sits right on the Chrobry Embankment (Wały Chrobrego), the grand riverside terraces that are the city's signature view. It is the flagship of the largest museum in Western Pomerania, and in o…
Museums
Museum of Technology and Transport in Szczecin
Szczecin
Inside a tram depot from 1913 in Szczecin's Niemierzyn district you will find Stoewer cars, Junak motorcycles, trams and Polish prototype vehicles that never went into production. The Museum of Technology and Transport – known locally as t…
90–150 min
Museums
Szczecin Underground Routes (air-raid shelter)
Szczecin
Szczecin's Underground Routes take you into a World War II air-raid shelter hidden beneath the city's main railway station, Szczecin Główny. It is one of the largest civilian shelters in Poland, and in about an hour you can follow three se…
Viewpoints
Chrobry Embankment in Szczecin
Szczecin
Wały Chrobrego (say "VAH-wee khro-BREH-go"), also called Chrobry Embankment or by its old German name, the Haken Terrace, is Szczecin's grandest viewpoint and the city's signature sight. Stately early-20th-century buildings line a terrace…
Free entry