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.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Lublin International Airport (LUZ IATA). With a train station inside the airport terminal providing quick and easy access to Lublin's rail network. Most flights are operated low-fare carriers Wizzair and Ryanair and the national airline company LOT.
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 2 Lublin Main Station.
- 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 3 Main Bus Terminal (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
Get around
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:
- 5.50zł starting fee and then
- 1.76-2.20zł/km
Charges are higher after 22:00, on Sundays and public holidays.
- 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).
See
Main sights
- 1 The Castle of Lublin and Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Zamkowa St. 9 (at the northernmost part of the Old Town, near Main Bus Station), ☏ +48 81 532 50 01. Jun-Aug: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-18:00; Sep–May: Tu Th-Sa 09:00-16:00, W Su 09:00-17:00). The castle of Lublin has been rebuilt in the 19th century in the neogothic style. Proceed to the yard to take a look at the 13th century Romanesque donjon and the Chapel of Holy Trinity. The Chapel is a must-see - its interior conceals unique Byzantine wall paintings dating back to 1418. If you have some more time, check out the interior of the museum - especially the Polish Paintings Gallery and the huge Union of Lublin painting by Jan Matejko. Adult 6.50 zł, student or child 4.50 zł.
- 2 Po Farze square. Square with the uncovered foundation of the 14th-century St. Michael church. A beautiful view on the castle.
- 3 Crown Tribunal (Trybunał Koronny), Rynek (Old Town Square). Built in the 1400s, it was the highest court in Lesser Poland.
- 4 St. Stanislas Dominican Basilica and Monastery, Złota St (go to the Market Sq., face the Crown Tribunal, pass it on the left and continue straight on for 200 m). One of the oldest churches in Lublin, built around 1253. Rebuilt into its current shape after a fire in 1575, in the style of Lublin Renaissance. Take a look at the various chapels, surrounding the church and opening to the inside.
- 5 Lublin Cathedral and Trinity Tower, plac Katedralny. 10:00—17:00 (October–April: only Sa Su 10:00—17:00). A unique baroque church with wall paintings. The tower provides a beautiful city panorama. For the tower: normal ticket 15 zł, students and children pay 10 zł. The cathedral is free.
- 6 Grodzka Gate, Grodzka St (take the street leading out of the castle towards the Old Town), ☏ +48 81 532 58 67, teatrnn@tnn.lublin.pl. 09:00-15:00. One of the original city gates, rebuilt in 1785. In the past also known as the Jewish Gate, as it separated the Jewish District from the Old Town. Entering the gate, there is a door to the «Brama Grodzka — Teatr NN», a cultural institution with a permanent exhibition, dedicated to common Polish-Jewish history. 5-12 zł.
- 7 Kraków Gate, Łokietka Sq. (in the very center of Lublin, follow Bramowa St. from the Market Sq. or Krakowskie Przedmieście until the end of the pedestrian zone). One of the two original city gates, built in 14th century in the Gothic style and then rebuilt during the Baroque period. A symbol of Lublin. The gate clock was in that same very place since 16th century. At noon, a trumpeter plays the city "Hejnał" from the balcony. Next to the gate, there is a small Lublin History Museum.
- 8 Krakowskie Przedmieście (begins at the Kraków Gate). Stroll along the nice pedestrian zone in downtown and have a coffee in one of the cosy restaurants along the way.
- 9 TV tower, ul. Rektora Henryka Raabego. It has a very unconventional design.
Religious buildings
- 10 Our Lady the Victorious Church, Narutowicza St. corner of Peowiakow (From Lithuanian Sq. take Krakowskie Przedmieście to the Galeria Centrum department store, then turn right.). A Gothic-Renaissance church donated by King Ladislaus Jagiello after his victory over the Teutonic Order Knights at Grunwald/Tannenberg in 1410.
- 11 St. Joseph Church and the Barefoot Carmelites Monastery, Świętoduska (From Kraków Gate follow Krakowskie Przedmieście and then take the first street right downhill.). Another great example of Lublin Renaissance style, built in the 17th century.
- 12 Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Kalinowszczyzna / Lwowska (A short walk away from the Castle, ca 10 min.). A Lublin Renaissance church & monastery built in 1621 by the Franciscan order monks and renovated in the beginning of the 19th century to create 3 floors (lower and upper church + attic with community rooms).
Museums
- 13 Majdanek State Museum (Państowe Muzeum na Majdanku), Droga Męczenników Majdanka 67 (bus no. 28 or 47; trolleybus no. 153, 156 or 158), ☏ +48 81 74 426 40, fax: +48 81 74 405 26, sekretariat@majdanek.pl. Tu-Su 08:00-16:00 (Nov-Mar 08:00-15:00). Former Nazi German extermination and slave labour camp.
- 14 [dead link] Skansen Museum (Muzeum Wsi Lubelskiej), al. Warszawska 96 (from city center take bus no. 5 , 18 or 20), ☏ +48 81 533 85 13, skansen@skansen.lublin.pl. Nov-Mar 09:00-15:00; Apr Oct 09:00-17:00; May-Sep 09:00-18:00. Adult 8.00zł, student or child 4.00zł.
- 15 Lublin Museum (Muzeum Lubelskie w Lublinie), Zamkowa St. 9 (near main bus station), ☏ +48 81 532 50 01. Jun-Aug: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-18:00; Sep-May: Tu Th Sa 09:00-16:00, W Su 09:00-17:00. Gallery with Polish historical and modern painting, plus folk and weapon expositions. Adult 6.50zł, student or child 4.50zł.
- 16 Lublin History Museum (Muzeum Historii Miasta Lublina), Łokietka Sq. 3 (near Krakowska Gate; bus nos. 1 , 2, 11 , or 17), ☏ +48 81 532 60 01. W-Sa 09:00-16:00, Su 09:00-17:00. Adult 3.50 zł, student or child 2.50 zł.
- 17 Gestapo Jail Martyrdom Museum (Muzeum Martyrologii Pod Zegarem), Uniwersytecka St. 1 (behind the main building of Catholic University of Lublin; bus nos. 5, 10, 13, 18, 31, 57 or trolleybus no. 150), ☏ +48 81 533 36 78. Free.
- 18 Wincent Pol Manor (Dworek Wincentego Pola), Kalinowszczyzna 13, St (near old Jewish cemetery; bus no. 1), ☏ +48 81 747 24 13. W-Sa 09:00-17:00, Su 09:00-18:00. Exhibitions concerning the life of Polish poet Vincent Pol and his hobby, geography. Housed in his former manor. 3.50zł / students, children: 2.50zł.
- 19 Jozef Czechowicz Literary Museum (Muzeum Literackie im. Józefa Czechowicza), Złota St. 3 (Old Town), ☏ +48 81 532 30 90. W-Sa 09:00-16:00, Su 09:00-17:00. Exhibitions concerning the poets and authors from Lublin city and the region. Adult 3.50zł, student or child 2.50zł.
- 20 [dead link] Under Fortune Cellar (Piwnica pod Fortuną), Rynek 8, ☏ +48 81 444 55 55, piwnica@lrot.pl. Everyday 11:00—19:00. 10 underground rooms with multimedia exhibitions about history; one is a former winery with unique Renaissance polichrome. 10/8 zł.
- 21 Lublin Underground Route (Lubelska Trasa Podziemna), Rynek 1 (the entrance at the southern side of Crown Tribunal), ☏ +48 81 534 65 70. May-Oct: Tu-F 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00; Sa Su 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00. Nov-Apr: M-F 14:00; Sa Su 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00. A unique system of underground cellars, basements and corridors originating from the 16th and 17th centuries. They served as storehouses when Lublin was a major trade center. A 250-m-long touristic route is available on a guided tours. 25/20 zł.
Do
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
- Lublin - City of Inspiration. Full schedule of main events in the city, available in Polish, English, Ukrainian, Belarussian and Spanish, but Event Section is the most complete in Polish, less in English and Ukrainian, and only basic information are in the rest versions.
- International Festival of Theater "Confrontation" (Międzynarodowy Festiwal Teatralny "Konfrontacje"). May
- Festival of Theater "Neighbors" (Festiwal Teatralny "SĄSIEDZI"). June
- [dead link] International Lublin Meetings of Theater of Dance (Międzynarodowe Lubelskie Spotkania Teatrów Tańca). November
- International Days of Documentary Movies "Bifurcation of Europe" (Międzynarodowe Dni Filmu Dokumentalnego "Rozstaje Europy"). March
- [formerly dead link] Festival of Fashion "Provocations" (Festiwal "Prowokacje").
- International Folk Meetings (Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne im. Ignacego Wachowiaka)
- Open City. Festival of Art in Public Spaces.
- Culture Night.
- Jagiellonian Fair (Polish, English, Ukrainian).
- Lublin Juggling Carnival (Polish, German, English).
- European Festival of Taste (Translator enabled).
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.
- 1 UMCS Botanic Garden, Sławinkowska St. 3 (near road to Warsaw and Skansen Museum; bus no. 5 , 18 or 20), ☏ +48 81 537 55 40, botanik@hektor.umcs.lublin.pl. April and September: 09:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-18:00; May and Aug 09:00-19:00, Sa Su 10:00-19:00; June and July 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 10:00-20:00; Oct-Mar 09:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00. Adult 5.00 zł, student or child 2.50 zł.
- Zemborzycki Lake - artificial lake, some restaurants and bars. It is possible to rent a boat or water skis.
Sport
- 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.
- Klub Tornado, ☏ +48 503 483 711, klub@tornado-paintball.com. every day: 08:00-20:00. Paintball.
- Ośrodek Sportowy-Rekreacyjny RELAND (Zalew Zemborzycki), From city center by bus take no. 40 or the special summer lines Marina or Dabrova, ☏ +48 81 745 63 43, reland@poczta.onet.pl. Water skiing. M-F 28 zł/hour; Sa Su 32 zł/hour.
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):
- Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS), Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 5 (Bus 13 or trolleybus 150 from the railway station , buses 10, 18 , 31, 57 from the main bus station), ☏ +48 81 537 54 10. Faculties: biology and Earth science, law and administration, mathematics, physics and computer science, humanities, economics, chemistry, pedagogy and psychology, philosophy and sociology, political science, arts
- Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), al. Racławickie 14 (near Saski Garden and UMCS, bus 13 or trolleybus 150 from the railway station , buses 10, 18 , 31, 57 from the main bus station). Faculties: theology, philosophy, law, canon law and administration, humanities, social science, mathematics and natural science
- Medical University of Lublin (UM - Uniwersytet Medyczny), al. Racławickie 1 (near Saski Garden, bus 13 or trolleybus 150 from the railway station , buses 10, 18 , 31, 57 from the main bus station), ☏ +48 81 53 200 61.
- University of Life Sciences in Lublin (UP - Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy), Akademicka St. 13 (southern part of the university campus, bus 11 from Main Bus Station), ☏ +48 81 445 66 77, poczta@ar.lublin.pl. faculties: agriculture, horticulture, veterinary medicine, biology and animal breeding, production engineering, food sciences and biotechnology
- Lublin University of Technology (Politechnika Lubelska), Nadbystrzycka St. 38d (on the bank of Bystrzyca River, bus 39 from Main Bus Station), ☏ +48 81 53 84 719, biuro.rn@pollub.pl. faculties: civil and sanitary engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, environmental engineering, management and fundamentals of technology, mechanical engineering
Buy
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.
- 1 LUBLOV, Królewska 13, ☏ +48 515 989 515. Su closed. Quirky and original Lublin-themed souvenir shop, you can buy postcards, mugs and posters here. The shop is somewhat hidden on a courtyard away from the main street.
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
- Centrum Handlowe im. Tomasza Zana (Tomasz Zan Shopping Mall), Zana 19 (buses from city center - 9, 11, 14, 57). M-Sa 09:00-20:00, Sundays 10:00-21:00. market E.Leclerc, shops with clothes, books, music, toys, also restaurants and bars; near MediaMarkt with electronic equipment
- Galeria Orkana, Orkana 16 (buses from city center - 10, 57), galeria@orkana.pl. clothes, perfumes, 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).
Budget
- 1 Pyzata Chata, Okopowa 5. Cheap, self-service restaurant with typical Polish food. Main course with soup 15-20 zł.
- Bar Polski, Rynek 19 (Old Town central square). Small self-service restaurant situated in a Medieval basement. This is a real budget one but you can't choose the dishes - they offer only one lunch set (main course with soup 15 zł). The menu changes every day.
- 2 Bosko, Krakowskie Przedmieście 4. This is by far the most popular ice cream place in the city. Queues are very common, even when the weather is not particularly hot.
Mid-range
- Old Pub Bar & Restaurant, 8 Grodzka St.
- [dead link] Ulice Miasta, Łokietka Sq. 3 (Right next to Kraków Gate), ☏ +48 81 534 05 92. Su-Th 10:00 - 23:00, F Sa 10:00-01:00. A nice restaurant with Polish cuisine and great ambience, in the cellar of the Kraków Gate. 30-40zł per main course.
- Mandragora, Rynek 9 (Old Town central square). Traditional Jewish cuisine. Soup 9-15 zł. Main course 20-50 zł.
- Sielsko Anielsko, Rynek 17 (Old Town central square). Very nice rustic-style restaurant with regional cuisine. Soup 7-10 zł. Main course 20-40 zł.
- Chata - karcma regionalna, Nadbystrzycka 16 (in the nearby of Lublin University of Technology, from the downtown a 10-15 min walk via Narutowicza St.). Very popular (during weekends reservation is necessary) rustic-style restaurant with traditional Polish cuisine. Soup 9-15 zł. Main course 30-40 zł.
Splurge
- Hotel Alter Restaurant, Grodzka 30 (Old Town, next to the Grodzka Gate). A restaurant in the hotel Alter (the only one five-star hotel in the region). New-style Polish and international cuisine. Soup 20-25 zł, main course 60-80 zł.
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.
- 1 Cafe Mari, ul. Artura Grottgera 8, ☏ +48 81 381 22 17, cafe.mari@wp.pl. Quite new place that is excellent for a quiet stop during the day while sipping tea, coffee or enjoying their cakes. approx. 8-11 zł for a tea or coffee.
- 2 Między Słowami, ul. Rybna 4/5, ☏ +48 508 217 014, kontakt@miedzy-slowami.com.pl. This place in the Old Town is a bar and library combined. Here you can read a chapter (or more) of one of their books and this when flavoring one of their many kinds of tea or coffee. There is a wide selection of books in English, in fact most of them are in English. They also have cakes. approx. 10 zł for tea or coffee.
- 3 Perłowa Beer House (Perłowa Pijalnia Piwa), ul. Bernardyńska 15A, ☏ +48 81 71 01 205. 14:00-00:00. May be open longer on Fridays and Saturdays, depending on the crowd.. This may be one of the most stylish places in Lublin to have a beer. Owned by the Perła brewery group (and located on the edge of the actual brewery) you are pretty close to the source. It may be no surprise that you can only get beers from this company here, but the wide offer of dark and light beers makes up for it. The place basically consists of one big oval-shaped bar. 8-12 zł.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Cent Hostel, ul. Ewangelicka 6, ☏ +48 665 777 030, recepja.centhostel@gmail.com. Dorm bed 45 zł.
- 2 [dead link] Folk Hostel, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 23, entrance from ul. Zielona, ☏ +48 887 223 887, info@folkhostel.pl. Dorm bed 45 zł.
- 3 Guest House Wytchnienie, ul. Powstańców Śląskich 15. Guest rooms in the Sławinek neighbourhood, some kilometres west of the city centre.
- 4 Hostel Lublin, ul. Lubartowska 60 (in the oldest district of Lublin, Czwartek), ☏ +48 81 747 44 07. Dorm bed 40 zł.
- 5 Pokoje Lublin, ul. Urocza 73, ☏ +48 515 802 266, kontakt@pokoje.lublin.pl. Single room 50 zł.
Mid-range
- Hotel Mercure.
- Hotel Victoria.
- Hotel Przystań, ☏ +48 81 744-10-97, info@przystan.lublin.pl.
- Hotel Europa.
- Hotel Huzar.
- Hotel Campanile.
- Hotel Bellis. Web site only in Polish.
- [dead link] Hotel Lwow.
- Hotel Korona.
- PZM Motel.
- Hotel Focus, al. Kraśnicka 80, ☏ +48 81 527 00 44, fax: +48 81 527 00 46, biuro@hotelfocus.pl. 150 - 330 zł.
Splurge
- 6 IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 56, ☏ +48 81 44 66 100, fax: +48 81 44 66 200, grandhotel@lublinianka.com. 260 - 710 zł.
- Hotel Waksman. Double 230 zł
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: infotur@loit.lublin.pl or ☏ +48 81 532 44 12. See also the web page: [dead link]. 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
- Consulate General of the Ukraine in Lublin (onsulat Generalny Ukrainy w Lublinie), (K), Kunickiego St. 24, ☏ +48 81 531-88-89, +48 81 531-88-01, fax: +48 81 531-88-88, gc_pll@mfa.gov.ua.
- British Consulate in Lublin, Beskidzka St. 9, ☏ +48 81 742-01-01, fax: +48 81 742-91-30, ukconsul@uren.com.pl. Serviced by the Honorary Consul Jan Danilczuk
- Honorary Consul of Brazil in Lublin, prof. Barbara Hlibowicka-Węglarz (Konsul Honorowy Brazylii w Lublinie prof. Barbara Hlibowicka-Węglarz), Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 4a, ☏ +48 81 537-26-29, barbara.hlibowicka-weglarz@umcs.lublin.pl.
- Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lublin, prof. Andrzej Kidyba (Konsul Honorowy Republiki Federalnej Niemiec w Lublinie, prof. Andrzej Kidyba), Rynek 7, ☏ +48 81 743-65-43, fax: +48 81 743-73-26, andrzej.kidyba@lfr.lublin.pl.
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