by Michal Dorcak

Created on: July 05, 2010   Last Updated: July 06, 2010

Szczecin, also known as Stettin, is a great place to visit during your holiday in Poland. It is the largest sea-port in Poland. However, Szczecin is a worthy travel destination for everyone. The city has a rich and very interesting history.

The history of the present-day old town began around the year 1243. That year, the stronghold was joined with two nearby settlements creating the town. It soon became a very important town as it was a center of Duchy of Pomerania until the year 1637. Even afterwards, it retained its importance until the present times. Today, the city has over 400 000 inhabitants and offers a variety of attractions for tourists. It does not matter whether you live near Poland or farther away, you should not skip this city if you decide to visit the country.

A lot of international tourists will probably arrive by plane at Szczecin-Goleniow airport. Though, the airport is located about 50 kilometers away from the center of the city. So, be prepared that you will have to get there somehow. The easiest way is to order a taxi or access the city by minibus. There are often minibuses waiting for passengers of international flights and they are free for them. Thus, getting to and from the airport should not be a problem for most tourists.

However, the city can also be easily accessed by train, car or a bus. This is especially true for tourists coming from Germany or other Polish cities and towns. Even tourists the other side of the world can come to Szczecin this way. Though, they would have to arrive at some other airport in Poland or nearby Germany. Also, the city can also be accessed by boat, but I would strongly recommend avoiding this travel possibility to everyone who is on the budget as the tickets are relatively overpriced.

Once you arrive at Szczecin, the best way to start a tour around the city is to visit some of its tourist information offices. You will find a lot of valuable information there. It will surely help you get the most out of your stay in Szczecin.

As for the accommodation, there are several hotels in the city. However, be prepared that these are mostly only 3-1 star hotels, pensions and hostels. It will probably be hard, if not impossible to find any luxurious accommodation. Though, this is probably an advantage for everyone who is on the budget.

Once you have arrived (and probably even found some accommodation) there is nothing to stop you from exploring the city. You should especially take some time to visit the old town. Apart from many interesting buildings, you can find a museum there. It is located in Old Town Hall. Another museum together with information office, restaurant and café can be found in the Castle of Pomerania Dukes. Of course, the city also offers many more interesting landmarks and parks.

When your hunger for cultural experiences is satisfied, you can go shopping in some of the city’s malls or wander through the shops on the streets. You can also refresh yourself at some of many restaurants, bars of cafes. It does not matter whether you are on budget of not, there are restaurants that will serve your needs.

To conclude, Szczecin is a very interesting travel destination. The city has long and interesting history and it offer beautiful sights that are certainly worth seeing.

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