Lublin

Lublin is a city in eastern Poland and the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 324 637 (2016). In the Renaissance Lublin played an important role in the life of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as a trade centre and as a city with military significance.



Understand
First mentioned in 13th century, Lublin reached its "golden age" in 16th century, when - due to its central location between Kraków (capital of Poland) and Vilnius (capital of Lithuania) - it was chosen as the place where the Union of Lublin was signed, effectively uniting the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for several centuries; see Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Due to its location at a crossroads between the rest of Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, the city was a melting pot of different cultures - an important centre of Christian reformation movement as well as Judaism. Between the 17th and 19th century, together with the rest of the country, it suffered a gradual decline.

During World War II the Jewish and Polish populations suffered heavy losses with many people being interned and killed at Majdanek, a Nazi concentration camp; see Holocaust remembrance. In 1939, the city's Jewish population numbered 42,380, nearly a third of the total population. The war and Nazi crimes reduced the Jewish population to a mere 4,553 by 1945. After the war, the city developed to be an important university site, with six state universities and a number of smaller ones. As well, the city served as Poland's post-war capital city for approximately six months after the Soviet occupation forces installed a puppet regime.

Today, Lublin is a beautiful mid-sized city with its own particular Renaissance style, called the Lublin Renaissance. If you're coming from Warsaw, a slightly-less-than-thorough day trip to Lublin can be achieved, if you rely on taxis versus public transportation. Most of the major sites are not that far from the train station by car, so taxis can be a fast, cheap, and efficient way to traverse the city.

By plane


You can also fly into either Warsaw, Kraków or Rzeszów. From there, you need to take a train or a bus to come to Lublin. From both Warsaw and Kraków airports, you can take commuter trains to the respective city's central railway station, where you can in turn change to a train to Lublin. Landing in Rzeszów, you need to rely on buses and coaches.

By train
The Polish State Railways have services from Warsaw and other major Polish cities (Wrocław, Kraków, Poznań, Łódź and Gdańsk). There aren't any fast InterCity connections provided to Lublin, but the train journey from Warsaw takes only 2 hours. Most trains start and end in.


 * Buses to the city center: 1 to the Kraków Gate (Brama Krakowska), 1, 34 to the Castle (Dworzec Gł. PKS), 13 to the Lithuanian Sq. (Plac Litewski); trolleybus to the city center: 150 to the Saxonian Garden (Ogród Saski).

By car
You can easily get there by car:
 * from Warsaw national road S17, E372 : Warsaw - Otwock - Garwolin - Ryki - Lublin (2 hr)
 * from Rzeszów national road S19 : Rzeszów - Nisko - Janów Lubelski - Kraśnik - Lublin (2 hr)
 * from Kielce national road 74, 19 : Kielce - Opatów - Ożarów - Annopol - Kraśnik - Lublin (2 hr)

Lublin has a ring road, and east-west as well as south north routes.


 * East-West Route (Trasa W-Z): aleja Warszawska - aleja Solidraności - aleja Tysiąclecia - aleja Witosa
 * North-South Route (Trasa N-S): aleja Spółdzielczości Pracy - Unicka - Podzamcze - aleja Unii Lubelskiej - Lubelskiego Lipca '80 - Kunickiego - Abramowicka

By bus
Many international connections - from the (Dworzec Autobusowy Główny) with Birmingham, Bradford, Bremen, Cologne, Flensburg, Freiburg, Geneva, Hamburg, Karlsruhe, London, Lviv, Lutsk, Mannheim, Paris, Rotterdam, Rome, Stuttgart, Venice, Vilnius and Zurich. Southern Bus Terminal (Dworzec Autobusowy Południe) is located right across the square from the Main Train Station. It is dedicated to regional lines.


 * The Main Bus Terminal is situated at the northernmost edge of the Old Town, just next to the castle. If you want to travel to other parts of the city center: to Lithuanian Sq. and Saxonian Garden take lines 5, 10, 18, 31, 57 (from the bus stop #2, at the main street just outside the terminal building); to Kraków Gate take lines 1, 2, 6, 11, 17, 22, 23 (from the bus stop #4, at the same side of the street than bus stop #2, but a bit farther left)
 * If you plan a longer stay, you may find this website useful.
 * See also: Poland - By bus

By bus or trolleybus
In the city centre or the Old Town you can easily reach every place worth seeing on foot. You can also use the public transport. It's worth to try a trolleybus ride, especially the "tourist" route 156 from the Majdanek Concentration Camp, near Old Town and Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva. The city has 50 bus lines and 8 trolleybus lines (served by MPK). There's also commercial city transport (buses with Komunikacja prywatna or AKL signs).

To use the public transport you should buy your tickets in a "kiosk" - such "kiosks" are usually found near bus stops - or on the bus (exact change required). The price system for MPK (municipal) buses is following: a single ride ticket costs 3.20 zł, students with ISIC identification pay 1.60 zł. You must validate your ticket immediately upon getting on the bus. Children below 4 can use public transport for free. When changing buses, you need to validate another ticket (they are valid only for one ride each). Of use to tourists, there are also 24-hour tickets (11 zł, 5.5 zł). Timetables for both can be found at the link above.


 * Routes 1-57 - normal buses
 * Routes 7x - mini-buses (suburban buses)
 * Routes 150-160 - trolleybuses
 * Routes Nx - night buses (tickets must be bought from the driver: 5.00 zł, 2.50 zł); available whole week

Routes to/from the Railway Station and the Central Bus Terminal are prone to pickpockets.

Trolleybus line for tourists
Every summer local city transport company runs special tourist trolleybus line. It's served by unique Soviet trolleybus ZIU, popular in the 70s and 80s in former communist countries in Europe. Tours start every Sunday from the bus stop near Kraków Gate (Brama Krakowska 02) at 14:00 and 15:30. During those journeys the passengers will see Majdanek Nazi Camp, Cathedral, some interesting sights in the Old Town and other attractions (all with virtual guide comments). Price: 5 zł for one ride.

By taxi
Taxi services are quite cheap, but it's good to know the local prices: Charges are higher after 22:00, on Sundays and public holidays.
 * 5.50zł starting fee and then
 * 1.76-2.20zł/km


 * Damel Taxi - +48 81 19626
 * Dwojki - +48 81 19621
 * MPT - +48 81 19191
 * Lublin - +48 81 19628
 * Echo - +48 81 19662
 * Rytm - +48 81 19667

Do not take taxis which are not at the taxi stands, especially near the Bus Terminal and the Railway Station. There are often non-regulated taxi drivers who overcharge. It's better to call one of taxi companies or take a taxi with one of above phone numbers displayed on the roof.

By bike
Lublin has a well-developed system of cycling infrastructure. There are over 80 km of segregated cycle lanes and paths in the city. The most common are bike paths independent of road traffic, however most of them are outside the Old Town and the city centre (map of cycle paths and lanes). You can rent a bike from early spring to the end of autumn (24/7) in a self-service system Lubelski Rower Miejski. It consists of 40 automatic rent stations and 400 bikes. First 30 minutes of a rent is 1 zł. Charge for next 30 minutes is 0.50 zł, every consecutive hour is 1 zł. To use the system, you should register online to get an account, make pre-payment (min. 10 zł) and then can rent bikes at any station (you must have a mobile phone to do it).

Main sights

 * PL Lublin Plac po Farze 01.JPG
 * Lublin Krakowskie Przedmieście 2009.jpg
 * Lublin Krakowskie Przedmieście 2009.jpg
 * Lublin Krakowskie Przedmieście 2009.jpg
 * Lublin Krakowskie Przedmieście 2009.jpg
 * Lublin Krakowskie Przedmieście 2009.jpg

Cinemas
There are 8 cinemas in Lublin. The biggest - Cinema City - has 8 screens (in Galeria Plaza, Lipowa 13 Street. Single normal ticket 16-20 zł) Alternative cinema "Bajka" (pron. Bayka), only one screen, but has often sophisticated repertoire, located at Radziszewskiego Street. Single normal ticket 12 zł, on Mondays 10 zł.

Events

 * International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)
 * International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)
 * International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)
 * International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)
 * International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)
 * International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)
 * International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)

Parks

 * Saxonian Garden (Ogród Saski), in the city center, near KFC restaurant. Established in 1837, one of the oldest city parks in Poland. Renovated in 2013.
 * Zemborzycki Lake - artificial lake, some restaurants and bars. It is possible to rent a boat or water skis.
 * Zemborzycki Lake - artificial lake, some restaurants and bars. It is possible to rent a boat or water skis.

Sport

 * Football: Motor Lublin were promoted in 2024 and now play soccer in Ekstraklasa, the top tier. Their home ground Arena Lublin (capacity 15,000) is 500 m west of the main railway station.
 * Hala Globus is a place where you can enjoy ice-skating. From the city centre take bus 26 or 31 or trolleybus 150, 152, 155 or 158.

Learn
You can study in one of the universities in Lublin. It's possible in all public high schools thanks to international cooperation (e.g. Socrates-Erasmus):

City shopping
The Old Town district offers plenty of small shops with souvenirs. Many shops with clothes, shoes, souvenirs are situated in the city centre on Krakowskie Przedmieście St. There are also Main Post Office, local divisions of biggest Polish and global banks. There is also trade city centre on Tomasza Zana St.



Shopping Malls

 * Galeria Olimp, Spółdzielczości Pracy Ave. 34, buses form city center - 17, 18, 31; over 130 shops with clothes and electronic equipment, also restaurants and bars
 * Plaza Center, Lipowa St. 13, city centre, over 100 shops with clothes, books, music, toys, also: club, cinema, restaurants and bars

Eat
Most restaurants are found in Old Town and in the city centre: Krakowskie Przedmieście St. (pedestrian zone called Deptak), Narutowicza St., Okopowa St. and Chopina St. You can choose among regional, Polish, Jewish, international, Spanish, Czech and Italian restaurants (the last one are especially common). There are also a lot of kebab bars with Turkish and Arabic fast food. Nadbystrzycka St., near Technical University is a centre of this type of bars. Also in every shopping centre you can find many restaurants, bars and fast food.

Traditional local food


The most known local food speciality is cebularz, a small, oven-baked flat bread topped with onion mixed with poppy seeds. The tradition of preparing it has existed since Middle Ages and is connected with Jewish cuisine. Cebularz probably originates from wheat flatbreads known in the Middle East which were brought to this part of Poland by Jewish immigration and modified afterwards. It is a very popular snack: One can buy it in every bakery or grocery in Lublin (it is uncommon to taste it in a restaurant or bar). Since 2014 cebularz has been registered within the European Union as a product with Protected Geographical Indication. The Lublin region is also famous for various kinds of pierogi. The local type is known as pierogi po lubelsku (or pierogi wiejskie). It is stuffed with a mix of cottage cheese, buckwheat groats (kasha) and mint. Look for restaurants with regional cuisine to taste them (Sielsko Anielsko, Rynek 17, Old Town). If you want to try Lublin regional alcoholic beverages (or buy Lublin-related souvenirs), you can choose among vodka, mead and beer. The most famous vodka produced here is Żołądkowa Gorzka, vodka with "bitter" (gorzka) in the name, but sweet in taste. Just like Żubrówka, it's a unique Polish product and definitely a must-try. The APIS company in Lublin is the oldest Polish mead-making factory in Poland. Among more than ten varieties of mead which are produced there, one (Staropolski Tradycyjny trójniak) is marked with an EU Traditional Speciality Guaranteed sign. Lublin also has a longstanding brewery tradition. The local beer called Perła Chmielowa (Hop Pearl) is a very tasty pilsner-type lager. You can also try beers in a micro-brewery situated in Old Town (Grodzka 15 Restaurant).

Drink
For drinking, head to the Old Town and its vicinity. That's where the most popular pubs are located. Even there, prices are low because of a large student clientèle. Pubs offer one or two varieties of draught beer (draft beer), usually only pilsner-type lagers. In the last couple of years some bars and coffee houses have opened up in the area west of the Old Town (in the direction of Ogród Saski). Unfortunately, in majority, pubs sell do not sell local beer. If you want to taste regional one ask for Perla. Prices: Big one (duże; 0.5 l) costs 6-10 zł, small one (małe; 0.3 l) is at 1-2 zł lower price.

Connect
Tourist information in Lublin provides current information on the sightseeing, tourist, cultural and recreational attractiveness of Lublin and the Lubelski Region. Contact with Tourist Information Centre: [mailto:infotur@loit.lublin.pl infotur@loit.lublin.pl] or. See also the web page:. There are three offices in the city center:
 * Old Town: Jezuicka St. 1/3, near Krakowska Gate, 10 minutes from Bus Station and 30 minutes (by bus: 1 ) from Railway Station; 09:00-18:00, Saturdays: 10:00-16:00, Sundays: 10:00-15 (Oct-Apr: 09:00-17:00, Saturdays: 10:00-15:00)
 * Old Town: Rynek 8 (Old Town Square), 8 minutes from Bus Station and 30 minutes (by bus: 1) from Railway Station;
 * City Center: Krakowskie Przedmieście, main street of the city, near KFC restaurant, 30 minutes (by trolleybus: 150) from Railway Station or 30 minutes (by bus: 10, 18 , 57) from Bus Station.

Internet
Access to Internet by Wi-Fi:
 * City Hall - Łokietka Square. Free.
 * Era Mobile - Krakowskie Przedmieście St.
 * Europa Hotel - Krakowskie Przedmieście St. Free.
 * Galeria Olimp Shopping Center - Spółdzielczości Pracy Ave.
 * Galeria Orkana Shopping Center - Orkana St. Free.
 * IBM - Żagiel Shopping Center - 1 Maja St.
 * Lublin University of Technology - Nadbystrzycka St. and Wapienna St.
 * McDondald's Restaurant - Krakowskie Przedmieście St.
 * Mercure Unia Hotel
 * Motel Na Rogatce - Sielankowa St., Sławinek. Free.
 * Na Strychu Pub - Głeboka St. Free.
 * Old Town Square - Free.
 * Orange Mobile - Krakowskie Przedmieście St.
 * Pizza Hut / KFC - Racławickie Ave.
 * Plac Litewski - Litewski Square, city center. Free.
 * Plac Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej - Maria Curie-Skłodowska Square - central place of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. Free.
 * Riley Snooker Club - Zygmuntowskie Ave. Free.
 * Saski Park and Leszczyńskiego St. Free.
 * Stolarnia Club - Stefczyka St., Bursaki. Free.
 * Victoria Hotel
 * Zemborzycki Lake - Free.

Help for foreigners

 * 🇺🇦 Ukraine
 * UK
 * 🇧🇷 Brazil
 * 🇩🇪 Germany

Stay safe
Lublin is generally considered a very safe city, both at day and at night, with police patrols frequent throughout the Old Town and in the city's student areas. Violent crime is quite rare in the city and elsewhere in Poland. Car theft has been an issue in the past, though common sense precautions can be easily taken. If an emergency should materialise, visitors can call the all-purpose emergency number 112 on their phone. For a better specification of the kind of emergency service being requested, people can dial 999 for an ambulance, 998 for a fire emergency, and 997 for the police.

Go next

 * Zamość - old town, often called "Pearl of the Renaissance", listed in the World Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO.
 * Kazimierz Dolny - charming Renaissance old town, located directly at the Vistula river
 * Kozłówka - a well-preserved palace and garden of an old, Polish noble family, now a museum
 * Chełm