Car & Van Hire - Poznan

As Wielkopolska’s capital, Poznan is a thrumming hub that attracts hordes of shoppers, students and business travellers throughout the year. Its regular trade fairs and academic community have made it an international destination with a diverse culture. It might be a trendy haunt, but it has more than its share of historical heritage.

The Polish nation arose from this very city, so its Renaissance attractions and museums can hold your interest for weeks on end. Wolsztyn Roundhouse is a charming way to launch a historical tour. It’s a fully operational locomotive depot with its own scheduled routes. If you love all things steamy, an antique train trip is on the cards.

The city has a museum for everything. There’s the Archaeological Museum for exploring the pre-industrial age, The Museum of Musical Instruments and, most importantly, the National Museum. This is the largest and oldest museum in Poland, and it houses relics dating back to the 16th century.

Being a tourist can work up an appetite, but that’s what the Poznan Feast Tour is for. You’ll visit three restaurants and experience the city’s most iconic dishes. Your personal tour guides will give you the historical background of every meal you taste. Poznan is known for its dumplings and meaty bigos: a stew with sauerkraut and vegetables.

Poland’s oldest city is famous for its bright buildings and fairy-tale architecture. The old Market Square is one of its most Instagrammable spots, so make sure you take a camera. The square covers a section of land that was once a medieval city, but today it’s known for its 16th-century architecture. Stop by the clock tower at noon when two mechanical goats appear as the city’s symbols.

Many of The Old Town’s buildings are beautiful examples of the Baroque tradition. Still, none are quite as impressive as the Basilica, which is one of Poland’s most important Christian churches. You can access it via Swietoslawska Street.

Poznan has several castles, one of which has been repurposed as the Applied Arts Museum. This historic gallery focuses on medieval craftwork, but it also exhibits furniture, fabrics and weaponry from across the globe.

As your trip draws to a close, you’ll want to do a little shopping. The Old Brewery has been turned into a mall and entertainment venue, so it’s the perfect spot for keepsake hunting. The building was modelled on a historic factory and won the Gold Pencil architecture award in 2003. 

Poznan experiences traffic jams, particularly when road works and accidents occur. Exit routes can be busy until 22:00 on summer weekdays, but the rest of the year, peak hour traffic filters away between 18:00 and 19:00. If you check your traffic updates before you drive, you can plan your routes.

The Western Ring Road has two express routes: the S5 south and the S11 north. There are also four junctions leading to Swadzim and Dabrowka. Trains might be tempting, but they’re slow and expensive, particularly when you factor taxi fares into the calculation. Poznan is also the least bike-friendly city on the EU index, so car rental in Poznan is the best way to experience everything the city has to offer on your own schedule.

The city accepts foreign driving licences for the first 185 days of your stay, so travel is decidedly easy. You’re required to carry your license, ID and registration papers, but bear in mind that the city doesn’t accept International Driving Permits. Local driving laws are intuitive and practical. The streets are narrow, but you’ll soon get used to them. The city roads are generally well-maintained, but look out for potholes on rural streets.

Trucks and agricultural vehicles are common, so take care with overtaking and keep your headlights on at all times. There’s a convenient breakdown service with English-speaking operators, so if your car misbehaves, you just need to dial 112. It couldn’t be easier.

The city’s busiest times fall between June and October. If you have the freedom to choose a quieter month for your trip, November and May are ideal. Both months allow you to skip the July and August heat waves.

Like most major cities, there is ample parking throughout the region for your van rental in Poznan. Poznan Central Parking is exactly that: central. It offers free parking for the first three hours and will connect you to pedestrian routes in all directions. The city centre has various lots, so if you’re at a loss, head towards the west of Warta, just south of Winogrady. If you’re exploring the eastern side of town, there’s another lot at 60-995 right on the banks of Lake Malta.