Lublin is one of the oldest cities in Poland, and its centuries-old tradition can be felt upon every step of a walk through the streets of the Old Town. The magical Lublin isn’t all about historical places though – it is also an interesting university city with very hospitable and cordial citizens.
We recommend to start sightseeing of Lublin at the Old Town. Through cosy, lovely, paved in cobblestone streets one can walk for hours, admiring facades of multi-coloured town houses. You can also sit by the table in one of the local cafes. If you are fascinated by history, walk through Brama Grodzka (The Municipal Gate) that used to be part of the city’s walls, pass by the Plac Zamkowy (the Castle Square ) and go towards Lublin Castle, which construction started in the 12th century. You will find there Lublin Museum, one of the oldest building in the city, which is in the form of a rounded tower (called donjon) and a chapel adorned with the Holy Trinity frescos. If you wish to see the city’s panorama, climb over 200 steps to get to the top of the Trinitarian Tower at Królewska (Royal) Street.
The second most important spot for citizens is Krakowskie Przedmieście, a boardwalk with shops, restaurants and cafes. Each year in August there is the Jagiellonian Fair taking place there, which serves as a four-day feast of traditional culture. By this boardwalk you will also find astonishing with abundant plants square – Plac Litewski (the Lithuanian Square) with very unique fountains that sparkle with many colours at night. It is a perfect place for a date. At Krakowskie Przedmieście 4 there is located the best ice-cream shop in the city – Bosko. It offers home-made ice-creams in intriguing flavours for 3 zlotys per portion – it is the favourite place not only of tourists but also locals.
Lublin was a multi-cultural city before the war. Alongside Poles, many Jews used to live there. That is why you can find there interesting restaurants serving Jewish cuisine, such as Mandragora located at Rynek 9 (Main Square). It is not only a very well-decorated spot, but also a tasty one. You can try there, among others, tench in sauce, Jewish caviar, garlic soup with matzo, livers in onion sauce or kreplach. Dishes in a bit different style, but also delicious, you will try in Pub Regionalny Św. Michał (Regional Pub of St. Micheal) at 16 Grodzka St. Order in that place St. Michael’s rib or “lubelski forszmak”, which is stew baked under pie. At street food trucks you can get “cebularz lubelski”, a leavened pie with stewed onion.
