Torun – where MJ was born – Insider Top 5

Torun is a city in northern Poland famous for the fact that Nicolaus Copernicus was born here. It is also famous for its ginger bread. Finally, I was born here as well, not yet famous for it…perhaps one day 😉

Since I was born here, the below 5 tips are really from someone who is local and made sure to make a modern twist to the list, as Torun has been changing over the years, especially with some amazing restaurants popping up.

1. Old Town

The medieval old town is truly impressive, a fact recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will find the Copernicus statue here – a place where all the locals meet.

It is also a starting point for the main sightseeing locations, such as The Leaning Tower, Copernicus House or the Ginger Museum, as well as bars and restaurants. The old town is beautifully lit during Christmas as well, so that you can enjoy it in all seasons!

Address: 1 Old Town Market Square, Torun, Poland & http://www.visittorun.pl/250,l2.html

2. Philadelphia Boulevard

Torun is located on the Vistula River – the biggest river in Poland, crossing practically the whole country. The boulevard is called “Philadelphia” and is one of the main meeting points for the locals, especially in the summer.

The views are absolutely amazing (see featured picture at the top) and during the summer you can enjoy a beer on a “boat”. When we were young, we used to hang out here, so don’t wonder if you see a lot of young people seemingly doing nothing 😉

Address: Bulwar Filadelfijski, 87-100 Torun, Poland & http://cityguidetour.com/torun/philadelphia-boulevard

3. Szeroka 9

This restaurant is one of the best in Poland. I am profoundly happy that Torun has got a fine dining restaurant of this level. I have been almost 10 times already and I’ve been impressed every single time.

The food is gourmet and the wine selection impressive for a resultant in a relatively small Polish city. The prices are high for the locals, but very correct if you look at them from a global perspective. Certainly recommended for those who like fine dining, and those who want to spoil themselves a little 🙂

Address: Szeroka 9, 87-100 Torun, Poland & szeroka9.pl/en

4. Manekin

This is the most famous restaurant in Torun, which reached a cult-like following. Back in the day when I was young, going out to eat was not that popular and this restaurant changed it.

They serve the best pancakes in the world. You can go for a sweet option – which may seem more natural. However, for the last 10 years or so, my family and I have always been going for the non-sweet options. Plenty of choice. I recommend the main location in the city center (especially that it has just been renovated), however there are 2 more Manekins in town.

Interestingly enough, they also serve breakfast, including Eggs Benedict – as you can see on the picture above. They are very good value for money. Finally, when you go to other cities in Poland, including Warsaw, you will often see big queues outside Manekins, as they don’t take reservations. It certainly makes us, Torun-people, very proud 🙂

Address: Rynek Staromiejski 16, 87-100 Torun, Poland & www.manekin.pl

5. Kadr

Iconic bar that has been famous especially among the students. I have been consistently impressed by their bar, which has a wide selections of alcohols, including whisky. If you ask the barman to fix you a cocktail, you’ll be blown away. They really know their stuff.

For many of you who have not been to Poland before, or only visited Warsaw, Sopot or Krakow – you’ll be blown away by the prices. It is not unusual to find your favourite drink for around 2 euro. Really! Have fun! 🙂

Address: Żeglarska 5, 87-100 Torun, Poland & https://visittorun.com/en/content/kadr

To be sure, there are many more things to do in Torun than just those 5. You will find Museums, the ruins of Castles, as well as numerous gates and beautiful cobbled streets in Medieval, Gothic architecture. I put the above 5 to keep the consistency with other posts on the blog, however if you have any questions whatsoever – fire away! I will be more than happy to help!

To sum up – I consider Torun more beautiful than Warsaw. The above 5 items are must-dos, otherwise just stroll around the main areas of town and you’ll see everything in one weekend 🙂

Safe travels,

MJ

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