From Wikitravel

Toruń [1] (Kashubian: Torń, German: Thorn) is a beautiful, medieval city in North-Western Poland, situated on the Vistula River. In all, as of the last census (2004), it has 208,386 inhabitants.

One of the capitals of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship (since 1999), previously the capital of the Toruń Voivodship (1975-1998) and the Pomeranian Voivodship (1921-1939), the city is located near the Geographic Center of Europe.

Toruń's medieval Old Town or Starowka is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Toruń is a birthplace of world famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. The house where Copernicus was born and the chapel where he was christened are still standing in the city. From Middle Ages town is known for its gingerbreads.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

There is an international airport in the nearby town of Bydgoszcz. Ryan Air [2] operates a daily service from the UK at budget rates.

More flights go from Warsaw: Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport [3]: For those travelling from Warsaw serviced by Polski Express. See also routes/timetables [4].

[edit] By train

The Polish State Railways [5] has train connections from Warsaw and Gdansk as well as Poznan, Łódź, Katowice and Olsztyn. Torun's railway station is situated on the other side of the river Vistula, meaning you will need to cross the bridge to get to the town. On foot this will take you about 35 minutes. There are usually taxis available, but riding a bus is also possible, although its departure spot may be a little confusing to find for newcomers. Here is how: Go out of the railway station building to your right and walk down through the pedestrians tunnel straight ahead and you will be there. The number on the bus is 22 or 27. You buy a ticket in a kiosk nearby the stop or from the driver when you enter it. Be aware that the bus driver probably won't understand anything but Polish. If you say Stare Miasto (meaning Torun's Old town; Stare=old miasto=town) you'll be ok.

[edit] By car

You can easily get there by car from Warsaw, Gdansk (A1) and Poznan.

[edit] By bus

Many international connections (see Poland::By bus).

[edit] Get around

All of the city attractions of Torun are walkable. There is plentiful public transport and taxis are cheap. Public transport include city buses, trams.

To get further afield car hire can be found for around 100zl a day.

[edit][add listing] See

• In 1473 the world famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Toruń. There is a museum dedicated to him and his work in the Old Town, ul. Kopernika 15-17.
• Toruń's medieval Old Town or Starowka is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, known as gothic pearl.
• Town Hall - located on Old town square (Rynek Staromiejski), one of the most beautiful gothic town halls in Europe. The tower of the building is opened for tourists.
• Torun Cathedral - Gothic church where astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was christened.
• Leaning tower - part of old Toruń defence wall system.
• Medieval granaries. There are lots of beautiful examples of granary architecture.
• Excellent panorama from left bank of the river Vistula.
• Toruń is famous for it's gingerbread. You can have a go at making your own in the traditional fashion at the gingerbread museum.
• Piwnice Radio Observatory [6], a radio observatory with two dishes (diameters: 32 metres and 15 metres) at Piwnice

[edit][add listing] Do

• See everything in the Starowka or Old town, including the Krzywa Wieża, Ratusz, both Old and New Town Squares, Dwor Artusa, just to mention a few.

• Town Hall. Visit town hall, Ratusz in Polish. Today museum locates there. Despite its many treasures it is however not too rewarding for foreign visitors as it is almost entirely explained in Polish. Translations are very sparse or non-existent. The Museum consists of Gallery of Gothic art, Exhibition of old Toruń 1233-1793, Exhibition of Toruń coins, Court hall, Hall of Polish kings etc. Town Hall tower is opened for tourists. Beautiful view opens to the old town and surroundings from the tower.

• Events, entertainment, culture in Torun - updated daily (also in English): [7]

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are many shops, boutiques in old town. You can buy there everything - clothes, souvenirs, jewellery, music, food, drinks, vegetables and fruits (on New Town market), etc.

• Galeria Copernicus, [8]. Large shopping centre, 40 min walk from old town.
• Dom Towarowy. shopping centre located in medieval house on old town square.
• Specialized gingebread shops "Toruńskie pierniki"

[edit][add listing] Eat

At warm time of the year Torun old town is full of street cafes, restaurants where you can eat or drink in open air enjoying medieval atmosphere. Some cafes locate on the bank of river Vistula, also two on boats on the river. Different dishes - traditional food and fastfood, drinks - beers, soft drinks and ice cream are offered there. If you are football lover there is lots of street cafes with TV, where you can see the game and drink good Polish beer.

• Torunskie Pierniki - Gingerbread biscuits are legendary in Torun. Must to try.
• "Manekin" restaurants - delicious, huge, nalesniki (filled pancakes) with a large choice of fillings for only about 10zl each. It can get quite busy at peak times, but you'll be warned if there will be a long wait. The staff are friendly and helpful and the restaurants have a nice ambiance. The restaurant on the old market square (Rynek Staromiejski) is particularly nice.

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[edit][add listing] Drink

Drinks from all over the world, including Polish beer and vodka, in the cities are many clubs and bars, including Pod Aniolem, Niebo, Togun, Grota, Beka, Kuranty, Szwejk and many many others.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are plenty of 3 star hotels in the city but not many luxury hotels. However you can rent a high quality four person apartment for only 300zl a night.

• Central Hotel, Hotel Pod OrŁem [9] - reasonably priced but sometimes noisy
• Heban Hotel
• Hotel Kopernik [10], Wola Zamkowa str. 16.

Orange Hostel is probably worth avoiding: the staff are impolite, there is noisy building work just outside and guests have been put in potentially dangerous situations due to staff negligence! (see discussion page for details)

There is also quite big camping open from 28th of April: [11] (location: [12])

[edit] Get out

• Chełmno - beautiful well preserved medieval town in 40 km north from Toruń.
• Chełmża - old small town with a lake beach. 15 km.
• Golub-Dobrzyń - former Teutonic Knights' Castle, 40 km east from Toruń
• Szafarnia - Frederic Chopin museum, 45 km east from Toruń
• Ciechocinek - famous Polish spa, 25 km south from Toruń
• Biskupin - archaeological reservation of the Lusatian Culture settlement (650-550 year BC), 90 km from Toruń

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