Szczecin often finds itself in the shadow of some of Poland’s more popular destinations, such as Warsaw or Kraków. Nonetheless, this port city (located just on the Poland-Germany border) is as well loved by German tourists as it is by locals, chiefly for its gorgeous riverfront and locally made beer and vodka.
Szczecin is as easy to get to as it is hard to spell. You can catch a bus from Berlin’s central bus station to central Szczecin for about $17 one way, and you’ll arrive in just over two hours.
Where to Stay: The Park Hotel is a little slice of luxury situated right in the middle of Szczecin’s Old Town, only a short distance away from pretty much everything in the city worth seeing — including that aforementioned riverfront.
Where to Eat: You won’t have to go far for this one: the Park Hotel’s restaurant is one of the highest-rated in the city and offers up a range of Polish and international dishes.
What to Do: The Szczecin Philharmonic hosts a number of events throughout the year, and the striking building itself is a wonderful example of Poland’s architectural eccentricity.
