Centred around a beautifully preserved Old Town, Lublin is the largest Polish city east of the Vistula River. It flourished as a medieval trade hub en route between Krakow and Vilnius and has since established a reputation as a Polish centre for culture and higher learning.
Things to do in Lublin
Spend a day wandering through Lublin Old Town, which is one of the most important complexes of historic buildings in Poland. Marvel at the 14th-century Krakow Gate and see the Byzantine frescoes of the Holy Trinity Chapel before venturing underground to explore the passageways of Lubelska Trasa Podziemna. Elevated views across the Old Town’s pastel-coloured buildings are on offer from the Trynitarska Tower.
Dominated by a magnificent, Neo-Gothic facade is the Lublin Castle, which is one of the oldest preserved royal residencies in Poland. It was originally built in the 12th century as a wooden fortification and still exhibits its 13th-century stone keep, although much of the castle was reconstructed in the 1820s. Today, it is home to the National Museum in Lublin where you’ll find Polish paintings, decorative arts and ethnographic artefacts.
A short drive north-west of the city centre is the Lublin Village Open Air Museum, which showcases the cultural diversity and architectural traditions of the region. Located on the banks of the Czechowka River, it encompasses several historic buildings complete with period interiors and furnishings. Browse the artefacts related to daily life in Polish villages before saying hello to the resident horses, cows and pigs.
Getting around Lublin
Lublin Airport is a 15-minute drive from the city centre and has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect from Warsaw and Krakow to the Lublin railway station while both buses and trolleybuses travel throughout the city. The centre of Lublin is ideally explored on foot.