Szczecin

Poland

Szczecin, (pronounced Shchetsin, German: Stettin, Latin: Stetinum) is a maritime port city and the capital of Zachodniopomorskie in Poland. The city has a population of over 400 000, with almost 800 000 living its metro area, and is one of the seven largest metropoles in the country. It lies in the northwestern corner of Poland, very close to the German border. It is easier to get to Szczecin from some parts of Germany, notable from Berlin, than it is from much of the Polish territory. For a significant part of its history, Szczecin was a part of Germany, and in other periods, of Denmark and Sweden.

Szczecin is Poland's third-largest port and much of its industrial base used to be a part of an important shipyard. But the city is not on a seaside, but rather on the river Odra (German: Oder), some 20 kilometres south of the Baltic Sea as the crow flies, and many more by road. Many visitors to Poland are also unaware of Szczecin's architectural attractiveness, as the large parts of the city were designed by Baron Haussmann, the same man who designed the boulevards of Paris.

The place now known as Szczecin was first mentioned in written history in 1st century when West-Roman historian Tacitus located East Germanic tribe of Rugians somewhere in the area; the Rugians left in 5th Century during the Great Migration. Sometime in the 8th century Western Slavic tribe of Pomeranians built their stronghold here. In 10th century the town was mentioned as "one of major in Pomerania" in Abraham ben Jacob's chronicle. In approximately 1080 its area was incorporated into Poland, but within eight years, the town was controlled by the Dukedom of Pomerania, and five years later, Denmark. In 12th century when its competitor, Wolin (also known as Veneta in medieval chronicles) declined Szczecin began to prosper from trade and became one of the major Baltic sea harbours. Its name was first recorded in 1133 as "Stetin".

In 1181 Pomeranian dukes joined Holy Roman Empire. In 1243 Szczecin got city rights before it became member of the Hanseatic League in 1278. Until early 17th century the city was the capital of Pomeranian Dukedom, then in 1630 when local dukes died out it became part of Sweden, then Kingdom of Prussia, then for a brief period, due to Napoleon's conquests, the French Empire. Beginning in the 18th century, the city was a part of Germany and served as the "port of Berlin". During World War II the city was hit hard by Allied bombers - city centre, Old Town and industrial areas were totally ruined. After the Soviet forces invaded Nazi Germany in 1945, according to Potsdam Conference agreements, Poland annexed all lands up to the Oder river, expelling the native German population and extending the border to include Stettin. Poland thus gained control of the city.

In more recent history, the city was (with Gdańsk) one of the birthplaces of Solidarity movement.

An unusual feature of Szczecin is its urban planning - many roundabouts and wide avenues. Stettin was rebuilt in 1880s using designs by Georges-Eugene Haussmann, who also did the urban planning for Paris. His design style is still being used for newly-built (or modified) city areas.

The maritime industry is still strong with a busy port and repair shipyard, and it is a center of service industries in Poland. Szczecin is sometimes considered one of most liberal Polish cities.

Castle Harbour Gate (Brama Portowa)

  • Pomeranian Dukes Castle. Houses a museum, restaurants and cafes, and also houses tourist information office, you can get some free maps, pamphlets etc.
  • Old Town. Jokingly referred to by locals as "Brand New Old Town" (its reconstruction only started in late 1990s and is ongoing), it has some nice houses rebuilt to original plans. Many shops, restaurants and cafes. There is a museum situated in the Old Town Hall.
  • Kamienica Loitzów. Interesting tenement near the Old Town. Go from Old Town in direction of Castle, and you'll see it after about 20–30 meters on the left side. It is painted flashy orange, you can't miss it.
  • Wały Chrobrego. A promenade with great views on the Oder river and port. Many cafes are situated here. See the museum (Muzeum Morskie), situated just in the center of Waly which houses some artifacts from history of the city and has big collections of African and maritime artifacts.
  • Katedra św. Jakuba. Large Gothic cathedral.
  • Park Kasprowicza. City park spreading through nearly all of the city. Behind the City Council.
  • Park Żeromskiego. Another city park, situated in the center of the city between Waly Chrobrego and Pazim/Galaxy.
  • Cmentarz Centralny. Third-largest cemetery in Europe.
  • S-1 blast & fallout shelter. Largest in Poland. Two tours to choose: World War II or Cold War. entry 15 zł.
  • Pionier Cinema. Oldest cinema in the world still in operation (est. 1909)
  • Railway suspension bridge on Regalica, Podjuchy district, ul. Szklana Huta. Something for railway fans, the only one of a kind in operation in Poland.
  • Emerald Lake. Lake, artificial cave and forest area (Puszcza Bukowa) situated in Zdroje district. Many great views on the city and nice area for hiking and bike riding.
  • Pałac pod Globusem, Pl. Orła Białego. The building where two rulers of Russia (Catherine II and Maria Fiodorovna) were born
  • Museum of Technology, Niemierzyńska 18A. Has nice collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, buses and trams
  • Parisienne Sub-Urb: Many historistic and art nouveau boulevards in Prussian pseudo-Parisienne style around Plac Grunwaldzki, Jagiellońska and Wielkopolska streets.

Pomeranian Dukes Castle. Houses a museum, restaurants and cafes, and also houses tourist information office, you can get some free maps, pamphlets etc.

Old Town. Jokingly referred to by locals as "Brand New Old Town" (its reconstruction only started in late 1990s and is ongoing), it has some nice houses rebuilt to original plans. Many shops, restaurants and cafes. There is a museum situated in the Old Town Hall.

Kamienica Loitzów. Interesting tenement near the Old Town. Go from Old Town in direction of Castle, and you'll see it after about 20–30 meters on the left side. It is painted flashy orange, you can't miss it.

Wały Chrobrego. A promenade with great views on the Oder river and port. Many cafes are situated here. See the museum (Muzeum Morskie), situated just in the center of Waly which houses some artifacts from history of the city and has big collections of African and maritime artifacts.

Katedra św. Jakuba. Large Gothic cathedral.

Park Kasprowicza. City park spreading through nearly all of the city. Behind the City Council.

Park Żeromskiego. Another city park, situated in the center of the city between Waly Chrobrego and Pazim/Galaxy.

Cmentarz Centralny. Third-largest cemetery in Europe.

S-1 blast & fallout shelter. Largest in Poland. Two tours to choose: World War II or Cold War. entry 15 zł.

Pionier Cinema. Oldest cinema in the world still in operation (est. 1909)

Railway suspension bridge on Regalica, Podjuchy district, ul. Szklana Huta. Something for railway fans, the only one of a kind in operation in Poland.

Emerald Lake. Lake, artificial cave and forest area (Puszcza Bukowa) situated in Zdroje district. Many great views on the city and nice area for hiking and bike riding.

Pałac pod Globusem, Pl. Orła Białego. The building where two rulers of Russia (Catherine II and Maria Fiodorovna) were born

Museum of Technology, Niemierzyńska 18A. Has nice collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, buses and trams

  • Szczecin Philharmonic, ul. Małopolska 48, +48 91 4309510. Szczecin's symphony orchestra that has its origins in 1948. Since 2014 they perform in the prominent and award-winning building designed by the Spanish Studio Barozzi Veiga. If you don't have time for a concert, the building is also worth a visit.
  • See the panorama of Szczecin - from the cafe on top of Pazim building, just by Galaxy shopping center (admission free), from St.Jacob's Cathedral tower (paid admission) or from one of the towers of Pomeranian Dukes Castle.
  • Take a trip through Szczecin's waterways and port - many boats go from the river bank near Wały Chrobrego.
  • Kayak through the city and lower Oder valley - if you don't have your kayak you can borrow one at Kąpielisko Dziewoklicz (ul. Autostrada Poznańska, public transport - bus No. 61, stop "Dziewoklicz") or any of the neighbouring towns situated by the Oder river - look for wypożyczalnia kajaków (kayak rentals) or kajaki (kayaks).
  • See dancing fountain near Teatr Pleciuga (ul. Wielkopolska). It might not be the most impressive fountain show in the world but still it's nice eyecandy and it's free. The show lasts 30 minutes and starts every summer day at 21:30.

  • Juwenalia 16–20 May
  • Baltic Rock Meeting 25 May - 3 June
  • Dni Morza / Days of the Sea June
  • Boogie Brain Festival October

Szczecin Philharmonic, ul. Małopolska 48, +48 91 4309510. Szczecin's symphony orchestra that has its origins in 1948. Since 2014 they perform in the prominent and award-winning building designed by the Spanish Studio Barozzi Veiga. If you don't have time for a concert, the building is also worth a visit.

Szczecin has many shopping malls:

  • Auchan - situated in Ustowo. Don't go there if you don't have a car, the place is totally pedestrian unfriendly.
  • Carrefour - situated near Media Markt (mall with electronics) in Pomorzany district. Open 8:00-21:00.
  • CH Ster - situated near Castorama (big shop for DIY builders) in Gumience district, nearest mall from the German border. Open 8:00-21:00.
  • CH Turzyn - another mall in the center. Open 8:00-21:00.
  • Kaskada - the newest and the biggest shopping mall in Szczecin, best brands and spacious foodcourt. Open 9:00-21:00.
  • Galaxy shopping mall - many outlets of major brands. Situated in the center,near Kaskada. Open 8:00-21:00.
  • Tesco - another one, across the street of the Carrefour mentioned above. Open 24/7.

Auchan - situated in Ustowo. Don't go there if you don't have a car, the place is totally pedestrian unfriendly.

Carrefour - situated near Media Markt (mall with electronics) in Pomorzany district. Open 8:00-21:00.

CH Ster - situated near Castorama (big shop for DIY builders) in Gumience district, nearest mall from the German border. Open 8:00-21:00.

CH Turzyn - another mall in the center. Open 8:00-21:00.

Kaskada - the newest and the biggest shopping mall in Szczecin, best brands and spacious foodcourt. Open 9:00-21:00.

Galaxy shopping mall - many outlets of major brands. Situated in the center,near Kaskada. Open 8:00-21:00.

Tesco - another one, across the street of the Carrefour mentioned above. Open 24/7.

You will easily find global favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, kebabs, pizza, etc., but for unique Szczecin twist on fast food try paszteciki (plural, singular is pasztecik) - which are kind of deep fried cake with meat or cheese and mushrooms filling. They taste best hot and combined with a cup of barszcz czerwony (red beetroot soup).

  • Turysta Milk Bar, Obrońców Stalingradu 6a (open 7:30-18:30)
  • Zacisze Bar, Asnyka 19 (Niebuszewo district)
  • Akademia Kulinarna, Mickiewicza 45 (open 9:00-17:00)

Turysta Milk Bar, Obrońców Stalingradu 6a (open 7:30-18:30)

Zacisze Bar, Asnyka 19 (Niebuszewo district)

Akademia Kulinarna, Mickiewicza 45 (open 9:00-17:00)

  • Amar, Śląska 9 (open Monday-Friday 11:00-19:00, Saturday & Sunday 12:00-17:00) - vegan & vegetarian. If you are on limited budget, order their "danie dnia" (dish of a day) and/or "zupa dnia" (soup of a day) which are always very affordable.
  • Camarillo, Mściwoja 8 - fusion
  • Green Way, Krzywoustego 16 (open Monday-Friday 10:00-21:00, weekends 11:00-19:00) - vegetarian

Amar, Śląska 9 (open Monday-Friday 11:00-19:00, Saturday & Sunday 12:00-17:00) - vegan & vegetarian. If you are on limited budget, order their "danie dnia" (dish of a day) and/or "zupa dnia" (soup of a day) which are always very affordable.

Camarillo, Mściwoja 8 - fusion

Green Way, Krzywoustego 16 (open Monday-Friday 10:00-21:00, weekends 11:00-19:00) - vegetarian

  • Bombay, Partyzantów 1. Indian food.
  • Chief, Rayskiego 16 - all kinds of sea food
  • Ładoga, Jana z Kolna - Russian
  • Sake, Piastów 1 - Japanese
  • Columbus - On Waly Chrobrego by Marine Academy
  • Chrobry, Waly Chrobrego 1B (by Provincial Government building, +48 914880163. Good Polish food. Chrobry is located under a dome supported by pillars. There is a bar and a two-story restaurant below ground and also serving upstairs between the columns with a view over the Oder. 40 zł for a main course.
  • Colorado - on Waly Chrobrego by Polski Theatre
  • Karczma Polska - Lotnikow Square

Bombay, Partyzantów 1. Indian food.

Chief, Rayskiego 16 - all kinds of sea food

Ładoga, Jana z Kolna - Russian

Sake, Piastów 1 - Japanese

Columbus - On Waly Chrobrego by Marine Academy

Chrobry, Waly Chrobrego 1B (by Provincial Government building, +48 914880163. Good Polish food. Chrobry is located under a dome supported by pillars. There is a bar and a two-story restaurant below ground and also serving upstairs between the columns with a view over the Oder. 40 zł for a main course.

Colorado - on Waly Chrobrego by Polski Theatre

Karczma Polska - Lotnikow Square

The majority of pubs and bars can be found in the old town (Stary Rynek) or around ul. Bogusława in the middle town area. Expect to pay between 6 zł and 8 zł for a large beer and around 6 zł for a 50ml shot of vodka.

  • Alter Ego, Pl. Batorego 4 (under the red town house, near bus and rail stations. 11:00-until the last client. Restaurant during the day, live music and/or DJs on weekend nights.
  • Boston Pub & Club, Niepodległości 22 (city centre. Every day parties! Music: 70s, 80s & 90s. Karaoke Nights, Student Nights, Every Weekend Parties & Afterparty till 6AM
  • City Hall, ul. 3 maja (near the railway station. 21:00-last client. Funk, hip-hop, house, etc.
  • Free Blues Club, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 20 (Pomorzany District, trams 4, 11, 12, +48914853161. 19:30-until the last client. Something for blues (and rock) fans - live music, jam sessions, etc.
  • Hormon, ul. Piłsudskiego (middle town area, +48914341303. 19:00-until the last client. Very popular among the students; rock/alternative party every day, live music from time to time.
  • Mezzoforte, ul. Bogusława (pedestrian area. Italian food restaurant during the day, DJ parties on weekends.
  • Piwnica Kany, Plac Piotra i Pawła 4/5 (across the main street from Pomeranian Dukes Castle, near Wały Chrobrego. 15:00-last client. Pub belonging to Kana alternative theatre, popular among students and artists (and theatre visitors). Has free wireless Internet (ask the bartender for the password).
  • Rocker Club, Partyzantów 2 (The very city centre. 19:00-last client. Live rock music, karaoke, you name it.
  • Royal Jazz Club, Mariacka 26 (near the Pomeranian Dukes Castle. 12:00-until the last client. jazz, all that jazz. Often live.
  • Tiger Club, Felczaka 9 (under the City Council Building, near the city park. Restaurant during the day, disco on weekends, live jazz every Monday.

  • Bosman beer is made by local brewery. There are variants with red (czerwony) and green (zielony) label, both of them are lager. You can buy it at most of general stores and some pubs.
  • Taverna pub has its own microbrewery making lager and porter type beers.
  • Nowy Browar, ul. Partyzantów 2 (above the Rocker Club, +48 91 4335484. Nice beer hall with good beer and cheap food. TVs on the wall show sports.
  • Starka is a special kind of seasoned vodka made by Polmos Szczecin distillery. There are variants which are 10, 18, 25 and 50 years old. You can buy them at Polmos store (situated corner of Jagiellońska and Bohaterów Warszawy streets); as you can guess, Starka is rather expensive (especially the 50-year-old one) and available only in limited amounts. You can also tour the factory, which is quite interesting, tasting Starka is included with the tour (email them for booking and information).

Bosman beer is made by local brewery. There are variants with red (czerwony) and green (zielony) label, both of them are lager. You can buy it at most of general stores and some pubs.

Taverna pub has its own microbrewery making lager and porter type beers.

Nowy Browar, ul. Partyzantów 2 (above the Rocker Club, +48 91 4335484. Nice beer hall with good beer and cheap food. TVs on the wall show sports.

Starka is a special kind of seasoned vodka made by Polmos Szczecin distillery. There are variants which are 10, 18, 25 and 50 years old. You can buy them at Polmos store (situated corner of Jagiellońska and Bohaterów Warszawy streets); as you can guess, Starka is rather expensive (especially the 50-year-old one) and available only in limited amounts. You can also tour the factory, which is quite interesting, tasting Starka is included with the tour (email them for booking and information).

Alter Ego, Pl. Batorego 4 (under the red town house, near bus and rail stations. 11:00-until the last client. Restaurant during the day, live music and/or DJs on weekend nights.

Boston Pub & Club, Niepodległości 22 (city centre. Every day parties! Music: 70s, 80s & 90s. Karaoke Nights, Student Nights, Every Weekend Parties & Afterparty till 6AM

City Hall, ul. 3 maja (near the railway station. 21:00-last client. Funk, hip-hop, house, etc.

Free Blues Club, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 20 (Pomorzany District, trams 4, 11, 12, +48914853161. 19:30-until the last client. Something for blues (and rock) fans - live music, jam sessions, etc.

Hormon, ul. Piłsudskiego (middle town area, +48914341303. 19:00-until the last client. Very popular among the students; rock/alternative party every day, live music from time to time.

Mezzoforte, ul. Bogusława (pedestrian area. Italian food restaurant during the day, DJ parties on weekends.

Piwnica Kany, Plac Piotra i Pawła 4/5 (across the main street from Pomeranian Dukes Castle, near Wały Chrobrego. 15:00-last client. Pub belonging to Kana alternative theatre, popular among students and artists (and theatre visitors). Has free wireless Internet (ask the bartender for the password).

Rocker Club, Partyzantów 2 (The very city centre. 19:00-last client. Live rock music, karaoke, you name it.

Royal Jazz Club, Mariacka 26 (near the Pomeranian Dukes Castle. 12:00-until the last client. jazz, all that jazz. Often live.

Tiger Club, Felczaka 9 (under the City Council Building, near the city park. Restaurant during the day, disco on weekends, live jazz every Monday.

  • Alter Ego, pl. Batorego 4
  • Brama Jazz Cafe, ul. Hołdu Pruskiego 1
  • City Council building, pl. Armii Krajowej 1
  • CH Galaxy, ul. Wyzwolenia 18
  • whole ul. Bogusława
  • every KFC outlet
  • every McDonald's
  • Książnica Pomorska (public library), ul. Podgórna 15/16
  • Szczecin-Goleniów Airport
  • Park Kasprowicza (city park), Jasne Błonia (whole area between City Council building and "Three Eagles" monument)
  • Piwnica przy Kanie, pl. św. Piotra i Pawła 4/5
  • Politechnika Szczecińska - Wydział Mechaniczny (Technical University of Szczecin), al. Piastów 17
  • Pub Colorado, Wały Chrobrego 1a
  • Uniwersytet Szczeciński - Wydział Nauk Ekonomicznych i Zarządzania (University of Szczecin), ul. Mickiewicza
  • Wyższa Szkoła Administracji Publicznej (Higher School of Public Administration), ul. Marii Curie-Sklodowskiej 4
  • Zachodniopomorska Szkoła Biznesu - Budynek A (West Pomeranian Business School), ul. Żołnierska 53

Szczecin used to be infamous in Poland for its organized crime, but these days are long gone - nearly all the gangsters are dead or in prison. Now it is a very safe city. However, you should stay away from some of its "bad" suburbs, like Gocław, especially after dark.

Be careful when crossing streets - jaywalking is a crime in Poland and the police often lie in wait for tourists crossing streets when the pedestrian crossing is on red. If stopped, claim that your money and passport are in your hotel and you may get away with it.

  • Cyprus, ul. Śląska 7, +48 91 4330766
  • Czech Republic, ul. Monte Cassino 27, +48 91 4237980
  • Denmark, ul. Piłsudskiego 1a, +48 91 4330930
  • Estonia, ul. Kurza Stopka 5/cd, +48 91 8123827
  • France, ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 4, +48 91 4761546
  • Germany, ul. Chodkiewicza 2a, +48 91 4850657
  • Kazakhstan, ul. Grodzka 14/14, +48 91 3264011
  • Mexico, ul. Energetyków 3/4, +48 91 4624371
  • Norway, ul. Niepodległości 17, +48 91 8121430
  • Slovakia, ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 4, +48 91 4890661
  • Sweden, ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 4, +48 91 4862673
  • United Kingdom, ul. Starego Wiarusa 32, +48 91 4870302

On the mainland:

  • Police and its Jasienica district — monuments from the Middle Ages, small marina in the Old Town on the Łarpia (Oder) River and World War II ruins of Hydrierwerke synthetic gasoline factory. Szczecin shares its public transport with Police and borders the town - you can go to Police by taking a public bus.
  • Kamień Pomorski — sea resort and medieval town
  • Kołobrzeg — sea resort and medieval town
  • Trzęsacz — for Gothic church ruins
  • Stargard Szczeciński — medieval town with a cathedral over a hundred metres high
  • Świdwie — for the birds reservation
  • Międzyodrze (Lower Oder valley) — picturesque marsh area full of wildlife
  • Nowe Warpno — quiet medieval town
  • Trzebież — resort with big marina

On the Wolin island:

  • Woliński National Park
  • Game reserve of wisents
  • 93-metres high Gosan cliff
  • Kawcza Góra Mountain
  • sea resort and port Świnoujście
  • sea resort Dziwnów
  • sea resort Międzyzdroje
  • ancient town of Wolin (town)