9 Awesome Things to Do in Torun for First-Timers

9 Best Things to Do in Torun

1. Explore Torun's Old Town Square

One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Torun is to explore the beautiful Old Town Square, the city's medieval hub that is home to some of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the city. These architectural wonders are rich in history and breathtaking to look at.

The old town square isn't very big, but it is packed with some really stunning structures, like all the colorful traditional houses surrounding it, as well as the red-brick structure of Torun's Town Hall, a bunch of history museums, and many hidden corners and backstreets that are sure to impress you.

There are also many statues and monuments that commemorate the great people of Torun, from Nicolaus Copernicus, whom we will discuss afterward, to the local legends like a statue of a raftman who was said to have been banished by the city. However, on his way out, he cursed the city to be flooded with frogs, which actually happened. Eventually, he returned to save the city and became a hero.

There are many awesome charms and small quirks like this that make Torun so whimsical to visit, in my opinion. The city doesn't get as much attention as other cities in Poland, but if you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path place to visit, this is the place to be.

2. Be blown away by the Sweeping View Over Torun at the Town Hall Tower

If you are looking for the best viewpoints over Torun Old Town Square, there is no better place to be than at the top of the Town Hall Tower, located right on the corner of the Town Hall building.

The tower is designed in this beautiful Gothic architectural style in the 13th Century, and it is considered to be one of the oldest towers of this kind in both Central and Eastern Europe, so you won't find any elevator to get up to the top.

To reach the top, you will have to climb up the 175 steps by yourself. However, once you get up there, you will be rewarded with a grand vista and a sweeping view across Torun Old Town. You will be able to spot all kinds of massive medieval structures perched throughout the city.

To gain access to the tower, you will need to pay approximately 21 PLN per person. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket together with the District Museum for approximately 35 PLN per person, which grants you access to both the tower and the exhibition. The tower is open from 10 AM to 4 PM daily.

3. Learn the History of the Teutonic Order and Torun's Medieval Past

The District Museum of Torun is one of the best places to visit if you want to learn more about the medieval history of Torun and Poland in general. This place served as the Teutonic Order's seat of power when they were colonizing Prussia, eventually forming the first Teutonic State in the 13th to 14th Century.

The District Museum is regarded as one of the oldest and largest museums in Poland, established all the way back in the 16th century as a place to store odd artifacts. Then, in the 1920s, it was converted into a city museum.

Inside the museum, you will find several rooms dedicated to many great people of Torun, like Copernicus, as well as many rooms full of artifacts, archaeological findings, and paintings that originated throughout the history of Torun.

It is a great place to learn more about the Teutonic Order and its conquest over this part of Europe between the 13th and 16th Centuries, from Poland all the way to Estonia. The museum opens from 10 AM to 4 PM every day except Monday, and it costs around 21 PLN to enter. You can also buy a bundled ticket with the town hall tower for around 35 PLN.

4. Explore the Teutonic Castle Ruins

Now that we have learned a bit about the Teutonic Knights from the District Museum, it is time to actually visit the once formidable Teutonic Order's seat of power at Teutonic Castle Ruins, a heritage site dedicated to preserving what's left of the original structure of the castle.

The Teutonic Castle is one of the first castles ever built by the order before it was razed down by an uprising in the 15th Century, and many of the remnants of the original structures can still be seen today.

There are permanent exhibitions at the castle that show you what life was like for the Teutonic Knights who resided there, as well as some beautiful structures like the Gdanisko Defence Tower and its walls waiting for you to see. If you are interested in the medieval history of this part of Europe, be sure to drop by the Teutonic Castle Ruins.

5. Visit the Monument and House of Nicolaus Copernicus

Many well-known scientists across ages are from Poland, and one of those scientists who was way ahead of his time was Nicolaus Copernicus. He came up with a theory that Earth was actually revolving around the Sun and not the other way around, and his hometown is Torun.

He is one of the most well-known Polish individuals in the world, and Torun commemorates that fact by building a beautiful monument of Copernicus right at the center of Torun Old Square, while turning Nicolaus Copernicus's old house where he was born into a museum dedicated to his work and discoveries.

As you can see, space is a big theme in Torun, and as some of you may know, I am a big space fan, and visiting the birthplace of one of the greatest astronomers was a dream come true. I even visited the Planetarium and went to one of the many shows there for fun. If you want to attend a show, be sure to check out the schedule from the official planetarium website.

6. Admire the Beauty of St. Johns' Cathedral

One of the most prominent structures in Torun is St. John's Cathedral, a Gothic church with a stunningly designed facade and a formidable clock tower built of red bricks that dates all the way back to the 14th Century.

The church is considered to be one of the oldest in the former Teutonic state, and it features a ton of beautiful artwork and constructions, such as the God's Finger Clock on its tower, the giant medieval bell, and many early Gothic pieces of art, some of which date back even before the church was constructed.

Since the cathedral is still used for religious ceremonies, you are only allowed to enter outside of mass hours, and it is only open to tourists in the summer from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM on weekdays and from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Sundays and holidays. The entrance fee is 3 PLN for the cathedral and 6 PLN for both the tower and the cathedral.

7. Stroll Along the Vistula River Promenade and Check Out Torun's Medieval Wall

The Vistula River Promenade is a beautiful, spacious promenade that hugs the ancient walls of Torun and the banks of the Vistula River. It is a great place to go for a stroll in the evening and enjoy the view of both the river and the medieval wall.

In the summer, there will be many people hanging out on the promenade, making it one of the best places to go people-watching or simply to escape from the bustling city behind and be among nature.

8. Visit the Leaning Tower of Torun

While you are strolling along Torun's Medieval wall, be sure to stop by the Leaning Tower of Torun, a construction planning failure that turned into a piece of art with its top displaced around 1.5 meters from its base, giving it its unique off-balance form.

Fun fact, the tower was actually built straight up when it was constructed in the 13th Century to defend against outside invaders. The tower started leaning slowly due to the foundation being built on loamy ground, causing it to slowly tilt.

The tower has since been converted into the Toruń Cultural Department, and the area has been preserved, just like the tower, to give tourists a glimpse of what it was like back in the day. It is probably the most medieval part of Torun, so if you love the fairy-tale vibe of medieval towns, be sure to visit the Leaning Tower of Torun.

9. Watch the Sunset Over Torun from the Other Side at Vistula River

Last but not least, if you are looking for the best sunset spot where you will be able to see Torun in its entirety as the sun sets behind it, the observation deck across Vistula River is one of the best places to be.

You can easily reach the deck by crossing the river on the Most im. Józefa Piłsudskiego bridge, and once you cross the river, walk east until you arrive at a platform where you will have a sweeping panoramic view of Torun right in front of you.

At dusk, you will also be able to see Torun as it turns on the lights, illuminating the streets and medieval churches across the city. It is one of the best places to watch the sunset, and I highly recommend you make it all the way there while you are in Torun.

When to Visit Torun?

The best time to visit Torun is during the shoulder seasons from late April to June or late August to September when the weather is relatively comfortable, the places aren't too crowded, and the prices of accommodation aren't too expensive compared to the peak season of June - August.

How To Get To Torun?

If you are arriving in Warsaw from abroad and you would like to get to Torun, you can board one of the many buses from Warsaw Western Bus Terminal bound for Torun. You can easily book the bus online here, and it should cost no more than 11 USD and take about 4 hours.

How to Get Around Torun?

Most tourist attractions in Torun are all concentrated around the Old Town Square, and every place I mentioned here can easily be reached on foot. So, you should have no trouble getting around Torun and enjoying all its awesome attractions.

What to Pack for Torun, Poland?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Torun, Poland:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Poland

I hope you found this Poland guide useful. If you want to read more about Poland, here are a selection of articles you might like:

• Looking for a complete itinerary for Poland? 2 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary for Poland.
• Planning a trip to Poland and not sure where to begin? Here are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Poland.
• Are you traveling to Poland as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in the winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Planning to visit Warsaw, the colorful capital city of Poland soon and not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Warsaw.
• Looking for the best photo spots in Warsaw, Poland? Check out: 8 Best Photo Spots in Warsaw.
• Gdansk is one of the most beautiful port cities in Europe, full of surprising things to do and see. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Gdansk.
• If you are looking to go off the beaten path in Poland, Poznan offers a great alternative to the usual touristy spots in Poland with its unique things to do and places to see. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Poznan.
• Wroclaw is a vibrant alternative city to visit for those who seek places in Poland that are off the beaten path, and there are quite a lot of things to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Wroclaw.
• Planning to visit Krakow soon? Check out this travel guide: Top 9 Things to Do in Krakow, Poland that you should check out.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• You can also watch my Poland travel video here: "Poland Now" travel video.
• To see all the articles about Poland, visit my Poland Travel Guide page.
• Looking for a place to go after Poland? How about Lithuania, Germany, or Hungary? Visit our Germany travel guide page, Hungary travel guide page, and Lithuania travel guide page for more.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.