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Toruń, Poland isn’t a city on many travelers’ radars, and that is a big mistake. Situated in North-Central Poland, about two hours via train from Warsaw, the city is small, charming, quaint and offers something new and interesting for visitors who look for something different in their journey. Wrapping around the quiet Vistula river, Toruń welcomes visitors with beautiful architecture, booming restaurants and cute hotels.
I visited Toruń for the first time recently and was impressed immediately with the energy. For such a small town, it has a buzz and feel all its own, and welcomed me with open arms. Spared by the chaos of World War II, Toruń offers an impressive array of UNESCO World Heritage sites, red brick buildings a walled city within the city and deep traditions, like making gingerbread – some of the best I’ve ever tasted. You can easily spend two days here and not be bored, but I would suggest three days to be safe.
While in Toruń, I visited the old town hall, Cathedral of John the Baptist, the Gingerbread Museum (my favorite) and the House of Copernicus – the mathematician and astronomer who realized it was the sun, not Earth, that was at the center of the universe. All these sites were interesting and fun to explore, but I loved the Gingerbread Museum – because, as a visitor, you are able to make your very own gingerbread with masters of the trade.
My favorite hotel in the city is Hotel Nicolaus, a new-ish property in a very old building that has been refinished, flawlessly, and offers modern, spacious rooms, a fantastic restaurant and bar. All the rooms here feature large flatscreen televisions, luxurious bedding and views of old town. It’s my favorite hotel in the city.
The best way, in my opinion, to arrive to Toruń is via train from Warsaw or Gdansk. Book your room at Hotel Nicolaus and be sure to visit all the sites I mentioned here. Allocate two to three days here and then head to the seafront town of Gdansk, and that will make a perfect visit to Northern Poland and the Baltic region. I can’t wait to return.
