Guide to Szczecin
Polish Szczecin is located in the northwestern part of the country in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. It lies on the Oder River, which not far from Szczecin empties into the Baltic Sea (Szczecin Bay) on the border between Poland and Germany. This location makes Szczecin an important port city and the third largest port in Poland. A little over 406,000 people live in the city today.
Accommodation in Szczecin
The range of accommodation facilities in Szczecin (Szczecin) is very diverse. You can stay here in hotels of well-known global chains such as Radisson Blu Hotel, Novotel Szczecin Centrum, Ibis Szczecin Centrum. Among the most popular hotels in Szczecin are Hotel Centrum Zamek, Park Hotel. Apartments are a very widespread type of accommodation in Szczecin. Most of them are located directly in the city center or within walking distance. The cheapest accommodation in Szczecin is offered by hostels. The price per night for 2 people will cost you around 800 - 900 CZK. Among the hostels in Szczecin, we can recommend Gryf, City Hostel. You can find more than 600 apartments on our website.
History of Szczecin
The history of Szczecin dates back to the beginning of our century, already at this time the Germanic tribe Rugians was based here. In the 8th century, a fortress was built here by Slavic settlers. For a long time, Szczecin belonged to the Pomeranian dukes from the Piast dynasty. In 1243, Szczecin was granted city rights, and a few years later it also became a Hanseatic city (a union of German trading cities). Until the beginning of the 17th century, Szczecin was the capital of the Pomeranian Duchy. After the death of the last Pomeranian Duke, Bogislaw XIV, the city fell under the rule of Sweden for less than a century. After the end of the Northern War, Szczecin becomes part of Prussia. During the 19th century, the city begins to develop economically again. In 1843, a railway connection to Berlin was opened here, and in 1913 a navigable canal to Berlin was opened. After the end of the First World War, a part of Szczecin was leased to the former Czechoslovakia until 1957. During the Second World War, the city center, especially its old part, was heavily damaged by bombing. In April 1945, Szczecin was captured by the Russian army and subsequently passed under Poland.
Transport to Szczecin
You can get train or bus from Berlin - from there is a direct train connection to Szczecin (Szczecin Glowny station). The journey from Berlin by train takes 2 hours. Although Szczecin has Szczecin Goleniów Airport. You can then get around the city by city transport, which is provided here by trams and buses. During the summer months, you can see the city center from the historic tram, which runs here during the summer season (July - August).
Sights, attractions and activities in Szczecin
Although the historic center of Szczecin was heavily damaged during the Second World War, today most of the buildings in the center have already been repaired. Here you can see buildings with beautiful art nouveau architecture. The castle of the Pomeranian princes, the Loitz burgher house (Kamienica Loitzów) or the large Gothic cathedral of St. Jakub. A walk along the embankment of the Odra River with beautiful views of the river and the harbor is very pleasant. You can relax in one of the many cafes that line the promenade (Waly Chrobrego). Szczecin will also pleasantly surprise you with its abundance of greenery and parks (Kasprowicza Park, Zeromskiego Park). In the vicinity of Szczecin you will find one of the largest lakes in Poland, Lake Dabie. Thanks to good weather conditions, this part of Poland is a popular destination for yachting enthusiasts.