Lunch at a Georgian Restaurant

By the time we stepped out of Copernicus’s house, we were extremely hungry. So, we did what seemed like the most sensible thing to do — head straight for lunch at a Georgian restaurant, Restauracja Serce Gruzji.

The Google reviews had promised good food, and thankfully, they weren’t wrong. We found a table outside, ordered a few dishes to share, and tucked into some delicious Georgian flavours — exactly what we needed after a morning of walking, exploring and taking in far more history than we had expected!

A Quick Stop at the Church of St. James (Kościół św. Jakuba)

While we were enjoying our lunch, we noticed a beautiful church right next to the restaurant. Obviously, that had to be our next stop! And honestly, this is one of the things I love most about travelling — having no plans, following your curiosity, and simply letting the day unfold. We hadn’t planned on visiting the Church of St. James, but there we were, standing in front of one of Toruń’s most beautiful Gothic churches.

Built in the first half of the 14th century as a parish church for the residents of Toruń’s New Town, St. James’s is considered one of the city’s finest examples of Gothic architecture. Its striking brick exterior caught my attention first, but it was the interiors that made me stop and look around.

Inside, beautiful artwork covered the walls, while the soft, quiet atmosphere brought a sense of calm that felt almost unexpected in the middle of a day of sightseeing. It was nearly 3 pm, and the church was almost empty. While Kasia and Sourav wandered around admiring the murals, I took my time to sit quietly and pray. There was something deeply peaceful about having that little moment to myself, surrounded by centuries-old walls and the fading frescoes.

A Sneak Peek at the Gingerbread Museum

When our day trip to Toruń was being planned, Kasia shared one more interesting fact about the place — gingerbread originated here! Naturally, that meant a visit to the Museum of Toruń Gingerbread had to be on our list.

Housed in what was once the oldest European gingerbread factory, the museum takes you through the delicious history of Toruń’s famous pierniki. It is packed with historic wooden moulds, old baking equipment and interactive exhibits that bring the city’s gingerbread-making tradition to life. What I loved most was that you can actually learn how gingerbread was made, try your hand at baking one yourself, and explore exhibits that transport you back to medieval Toruń.

We were a little short on time, so this was more of a sneak peek than a proper visit. But even the little glimpse was enough to convince me that Toruń takes its gingerbread very seriously — and perhaps leave me wanting to come back for a much bigger bite!

A Walk Around the Old Town Square, Trying Zapiekanki and Heading Back to Poznań

It was almost 5 pm when we walked into a Żabka to grab a coffee before making our way towards the Old Town Square. On the way, Kasia spotted her favourite snack, so we had to try it! “It’s the Polish version of pizza,” she explained, as we ordered our zapiekanki. And honestly, she wasn’t wrong! Crispy bread, melted cheese and toppings — simple, delicious and exactly the kind of snack you want while wandering around a new city.

A few minutes later, we found ourselves at Toruń’s Old Town Square. For centuries, this has been the heart of the city, once bustling with trade, tournaments, parades, and public announcements. Today, it is surrounded by some of Toruń’s most impressive landmarks, including the monumental Town Hall, Artus Court, and the beautiful House Under the Star. And here, you can’t miss the monument of Nicolaus Copernicus standing proudly in the square. After spending the day following his story around Toruń, seeing him here felt like a fitting way to end our visit.

By then, it was time to head back to the station. We had a train to catch back to Poznań, but I was leaving with a surprisingly full day in a city I hadn’t even heard of a few weeks earlier.

Why Should You Visit Toruń?

Honestly, I hadn’t even heard of Toruń until a friend casually added it to my Poland itinerary. And I’m so glad she did!

Toruń is the kind of city that doesn’t try too hard to impress you. You have a beautiful medieval Old Town, Gothic architecture, the story of Nicolaus Copernicus, centuries-old gingerbread traditions, charming streets, and plenty of little corners to stumble upon. But what I loved most was the feeling of simply wandering around and letting the day unfold.

It’s historic without feeling overwhelming, charming without being overly touristy, and small enough to explore at your own pace. Add some delicious food, a riverside setting, and the chance to bite into Toruń’s famous gingerbread, and you have plenty of reasons to put this underrated Polish city on your itinerary.

If you’re planning a trip to Poland, don’t just stick to Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk. Leave a little room for the places you may not have heard of yet. Toruń might just surprise you, as it surprised me.

How Much Time Should You Spend Here?

I’d recommend keeping at least one full day for Toruń. That gives you enough time to explore the Old Town, visit the main attractions, stop for some gingerbread, eat well, and wander around without feeling like you’re constantly racing against the clock.

I did Toruń as a day trip from Poznań, and honestly, it worked perfectly for me. However, if you’re travelling from farther cities like Kraków or Warsaw, I’d suggest spending at least one night here. There’s enough to see and do beyond the daytime sights, and quite a few things are happening in the city after dark — something we, unfortunately, didn’t get to experience.

So, Is Toruń Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! In fact, I think Toruń is one of those places that deserve a little more attention from travellers exploring Poland. With its beautiful Gothic architecture, signature red-brick buildings, medieval streets, and the Vistula flowing alongside it, there is something incredibly charming about simply walking around and seeing where the day takes you.

For me, though, the best part was discovering a city I had never even heard of before. I went because Kasia insisted we should, followed her lead, and ended up spending a day walking through the story of Copernicus, eating gingerbread, stumbling upon a beautiful church, and wandering through a city that felt wonderfully unhurried.

If you’re interested in astronomy, history or architecture, Toruń is an easy addition to your Poland itinerary. But even if none of those are particularly your thing, I’d still say: go. Sometimes, the places you don’t plan for end up becoming the ones you remember the most.

Frequently Asked Questions About Toruń: The City Where Nicolaus Copernicus Was Born

1. What are the best things to do in Toruń?
Some of the top things to do include exploring the Old Town, visiting the House of Nicolaus Copernicus, seeing the ruins of the Teutonic Castle, visiting the Museum of Toruń Gingerbread, admiring St. James’s Church, climbing the Old Town Hall Tower, and walking along the Vistula.

2. Is Toruń walkable?
Yes. Most of the major attractions in the historic centre are within walking distance of one another, making the Old Town particularly enjoyable to explore on foot.

3. What is the best time to visit Toruń?
Spring through early autumn is a lovely time to visit, especially if you want to spend time outdoors and enjoy walking around the Old Town. December can also be magical, with the medieval centre taking on a festive atmosphere.

4. Is Toruń expensive to visit?
Compared with many major European tourist cities, Toruń can be relatively affordable. Accommodation, food, public transport, and attractions are generally reasonably priced, although costs depend on the season and your travel style.

5. How do you get to Toruń?
Toruń is well connected by train with several Polish cities, including Poznań, Warsaw, Gdańsk, and Kraków. The city has two main railway stations, with Toruń Główny being the principal station for long-distance trains.

6. Is one day enough for Toruń?
Yes, especially if you’re visiting as a day trip and want to focus on the Old Town and its major attractions. But if you have the time, I’d recommend staying overnight — there’s more to Toruń than you can squeeze into one day.

You can also check out Visit Toruń, the official website, to know more about the place.

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