13 Things to Do in Torun: My Personal Guide to 1 Day in Poland’s Gingerbread City

Toruń is Krakow and Warsaw’s smaller, homier neighbor to the Northwest. It may not be as well-known as those classic destinations, but with its impressive charm, narrow bridges, and brick monuments, I instantly fell in love. It’s an excellent addition to your Poland vacation that shouldn’t be overlooked.

You can also easily get there from Warsaw or Gdansk, so you don’t have to go out of your way to add it to your Poland trip. 

You’re probably wondering, why should I visit some little Polish city I’ve never heard of before? Well, it’s not like it’s a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. Far from it. It’s surprisingly big, with about 200,000 people, and known worldwide for a gingerbread tradition that’s lasted hundreds of years. 

Plus, it’s one of Poland’s oldest cities, so there’s a ton of history to be explored and lots of things to do in Torun.

It also has a major claim to fame as the birthplace of famous astronomer Copernicus. If you’re interested in astronomy, this location is great for you. 

I’ve explored Torun top to bottom and given you the exact itinerary I followed. I highly recommend it—it gave me a good flow and allowed me enough time explore the many places I wanted to see. Plus, I’ll give you my honest opinions on what is and isn’t worth visiting. Like anywhere else, not everything deserves a slot on your itinerary. 

In this article, you'll find my top things to do in Torun, a map with a walking route, and the ideal 1-day itinerary to make the absolute most of your time here. Let’s get to it! 

 

Read more from my Poland travel blog.

 

 

What is Torun like?

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Old Town Hall and Artus Court on Rynek Staromiejski in Toruń, showing the city’s laid-back Gothic charm
 

Don’t envision somewhere medieval. Torun has more in common with Copenhagen or Amsterdam than Krakow or Tallinn. It has those artsy, laid-back vibes that reminded me more of Western Europe than other Polish destinations. 

Its energy is really different from anywhere else in Poland. It’s like you’re in some chic boho town without leaving Central Europe, that somehow also has gothic architecture.

A big part of Torun’s charm comes from the fact that it evaded all damage during World War II. Nothing against cities that were rebuilt after destruction, but there’s something remarkable about walking around a city and knowing a lot of the architecture you’re discovering is totally original.  

Speaking of which, it reminded me strongly of Ghent in Belgium, especially in the Old Town. 

It’s also easy to get around. Almost everyone my girlfriend and I met spoke pretty good English, so you can always ask for directions if you get lost.  

You can also see German-era heritage everywhere since the population was split 50-50 between Poles and Germans in the early 18th century. The city's history is probably a big part of why Torun doesn’t feel like other Polish cities. 

Let’s not forget that Torun is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So warm up your camera as almost every corner of the city is picture-worthy. Instagram will love it. 

 

A glance into the city walls

For a city this small, there is a surprising amount of things to do in Torun. I’ve listed my personal favorites here:

• House of Nicolaus Copernicus: the famous astronomer's birthplace, currently a modern, tech-savvy museum with fun astronomy facts.
• Church of Assumption of Virgin Mary: A stunning view to stop at for a quick addition to your itinerary.
• Torun Museum of Gingerbread: everything you need to know about gingerbread in one place—how it's made, the different varieties, and more. Plus, baking workshops. 
• Old Town City Center and Square: Both Old and New Town Market squares are home to lovely architecture your camera will thank you for.
• Teutonic Castle ruins: An authentic former castle from the 15th century with a rich history and a haunted atmosphere.
• Town Hall Tower: A steep hike will reward you with panoramic views of the city. Best to do in sunny weather.
• Leaning Tower of Torun: Poland's own Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is so slanted it's shocking how it still manages to stay upright.

 

Best things to do in Torun: 1-Day Itinerary

Map of a 1-day itinerary in Toruń Old Town, Poland where everything is within easy walking distance
 

Here is the exact itinerary I followed in Torun. I liked my flow because it felt smooth, so I recommend just following it. 

• Stop 1: Old Town Square (30 minutes)
• Stop 2: Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (10 minutes)
• Stop 3: Torun Gingerbread Museum (1 hour)
• Stop 4: (Optional) Invisible House (30 minutes)
• Stop 5: New Market Town Square (30 minutes)
• Stop 6: Teutonic Castle ruins (30 minutes)
• Stop 7: Mostowa Gate (20 minutes)
• Stop 8: St. Johns' Cathedral (10 minutes)
• Stop 9: House of Nicolaus Copernicus (1 hour)
• Stop 10: Town Hall Museum and Tower (45 minutes)
• Stop 11: Nicolaus Copernicus Monument (5 minutes)
• Stop 12: Artus Court (5 minutes)
• Stop 13: Leaning Tower of Torun (30 minutes)

 

Visiting Torun: How much time should I spend?

I recommend at least one full day for seeing Torun. That's enough time to manage getting to all the most interesting places and things to do in Torun without overexerting yourself. Alternatively, you could opt for a guided tour of Torun from Gdansk.

When I was planning my trip, I wasn’t sure how much time I’d need. Would one day be enough? Or would I breeze through the city in 2 hours? Now that I’ve done it, I can tell you that you’ll need at least 24 hours.

You can even spend two days in Torun if you’re looking to spread out your activities—there are enough things to do in Torun even for that. But if you’re short on time, just hit the most important places and save the rest for another trip. I plan to go back someday myself. 

Szeroka Street in Toruń Old Town
 

Here’s my exact experience step by step through my itinerary, with details showing you what to see and what to skip.

 

1. Soak in Old Town Square’s gothic architecture

The Old Town Market Square is the heart of the city and the ideal first stop for a trip to Torun. Visitors can get to a lot of the city’s main sights from here by foot. 

You can easily orient yourself in Torun based on the brick buildings. Where there’s brick, there’s something worth seeing. So it’s telling that Old Town Market Square is full of the impressive, classic Torun red brick that gives it a Nordic feel.

Honestly, Old town Torun has one of Poland’s prettiest squares. Keep an eye out for the red brick throughout all the city walls.

Old Town Market Square in Toruń: red brick everywhere 

 

2. Stop at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Toruń, Poland massive on the inside, a quick stop on your list of things to do in Torun
 

A quick three-minute walk from Old Town Market Square will get you to Mary's church, which is by far one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. For that reason alone, it’s worth a visit. 

Besides that, it’s really just a church. I recommend only staying 10 minutes or so before moving on to the next stop. 

 

3. Take in the smells at the Torun Gingerbread Museum

Welcome to the Toruń Gingerbread Museum in Toruń
 

Visitor information:

• Opening hours: 10 am–6 pm May through September, 10 am–4 pm October through April, closed on Mondays
• Price: 31zł
• Tip for an elevated experience: You can join a workshop in the gingerbread museum with a private guide

Six minutes by foot from the church brings you to the Museum of Torun Gingerbread, one of Torun’s two gingerbread museums. Yes, two. Torun is so big on it that there are two museums. It's a dream come true if you have a sweet tooth.

We went to the one on Strumykowa Street, located across from the Invisible House. It’s a pretty brick building that used to be, you guessed it, a gingerbread factory. 

Tickets cost 31zł (USD 9) and you can buy them online on the official website. 

The staff spoke English quite well, no complaints there. And most of the information is in English. There isn’t that much of it, though, so the visit won’t take too long—one hour maximum, easy to slot into your day. 

 

What to expect at the Torun Gingerbread Museum

Toruń Gingerbread Museum on Strumykowa Street
 

We learned about the history of Torun gingerbread, which, as it turned out sparked the city's industrial revolution in the 1800s. During that time, it was so profitable and popular that factories had to modernize to meet demand, prompting modern production in Northwest Poland and giving Torun the nickname “gingerbread city.” It’s still called that today and deservedly so. The whole city smells like it. 

It’s also been a staple of Torun for a crazy long time, even earlier than the 14th century. The first records of it in the city's past come from the year 1380. At the time, it was considered a luxurious delicacy and not a common snack. Funny how today you can find it pretty much anywhere in the city. 

We also learned about how Torun gingerbread is made and how many different varieties there are. This was really surprising to me since in the Czech Republic, we only have one. I also loved learning how it’s prepared, which was much more complicated than I imagined. This city is truly unmatched in this niche category. 

Inside the Toruń Gingerbread Museum—this city takes gingerbread very seriously

 

Fun fact: Torun gingerbread was well-beloved by Frederic Chopin, Poland’s most famous classical composer. 

At the end of the tour you can sign up for a gingerbread making workshop, but I’m not a crafts guy so we decided to skip this. This would be a great activity for a family with children, but it was just me and my girlfriend, so it wasn't a priority.

Next time I’m here, I plan to check out the second museum so I can compare the two. But I can't imagine what else there is to say about gingerbread. This was the first museum my girlfriend liked, though, so I’m sure she’ll want to see the other one too.

Tip: We asked a few locals where to find the best gingerbread and they pointed us to the Copernicus factory. I usually don’t like gingerbread, but I had to admit it was pretty good. 

Isn't that the most Torun thing imaginable—a Polish gingerbread brand named after the most famous Torunian?

 

 

4. Optional: Head to the Invisible House if you haven't visited  

Invisible House in Toruń, Poland: a pitch dark experience that forces you to use every sense except sight
 

Visitor information:

• Opening hours: Daily 10 am–6 pm (last tour usually starts around 5 pm; hours may vary seasonally)
• Price: 40 zł

If you plan to visit the Invisible House, this would be the time since it’s on the other side of the street from the museum. The idea is to give you the experience of what it feels like to be a blind person, so the whole thing is pitch-black and you have to rely on your other senses. 

We decided to skip it since I don’t see it as a unique thing to do in Torun. I’d also already visited it in multiple other cities, and they’re all mostly the same. 

 

5. Explore the New Town Market Square 

New Town Market Square in Toruń
 

Don’t be fooled by the name. The New Town Market Square is pretty old itself, established in 1264.  

There’s a Holy Trinity Church in the middle of it, which was okayish. 

Cooler though is the interesting statues. Torun is full of them, from a donkey to a merchant to a cute little dog. You can also make a wish on the golden eggs, which is a fun Polish tradition. 

Keep an eye out for Saint Jacob’s Church in the corner of the square. It’s one of the city’s prettiest sights, with an imposing tower of that signature red brick. It’s well worth stopping by for a few minutes. 

Don’t forget to take a look at the Church of the Holy Spirit. You might be thinking, really? Yet another one? But Torun has some seriously pretty Christian architecture. I wasn’t sick of them yet and trust me, I doubt you’ll be either. 

Tip: Stroll along Piernikarska Street for even more amazing buildings around.  

It’s also worth it to stop at Gdansko Gate, which is a quintessential gothic gate. Walking through it feels like entering Narnia. 

 

6. Get spooked at the Teutonic Castle ruins

Teutonic Castle ruins real 15th century remains with just enough creepiness to keep things interesting
 

Visitor information:

• Opening hours: April–September open daily 10 am–6 pm, and October–March open daily 10 am–4 pm
• Price: approx. 20–25 zł

Tickets cost 20zł (USD 6) and you can buy them either online or on-site. This is another thing to do in Torun that won't take long, as there's almost no information and some of it is only in Polish. Which is a bit of a shame as most of the other sights are fully in English. This one isn't as visitor friendly.

The castle has an interesting story. In 1454, it was destroyed by unsatisfied Torunians rebelling against the Teutonic Order. The remaining structure you can tour has quite a creepy ambiance. If you're into that kind of atmosphere, I'd absolutely recommend visiting in the evening as it becomes perfectly lit. There are also some mannequins there that scared the crap out of me, so be warned.

Considering that it has been in ruins since the 15th century, it's amazingly well-preserved. It was never reconstructed. What you're seeing is the real historical deal.

Because of the limited information, set aside 30 minutes maximum. Let's be honest, it's no Malbork in size. 

 

7. Walk along the Vistula River at the Mostowa Gate (Bridge Gate)

Medieval Toruń, gate edition: red-brick Old Town entrance vs. white Mostowa Gate by the Vistula. Same 15th-century purpose, totally different vibe.
 

This is one of the three remaining city gates that were constructed in 1432. Originally there were 11 serving as Torun's medieval fortifications.

It leads to the Vistula River, and strolling around this area gives you great views. We didn't get great weather unfortunately, so we weren't able to do this. But if you're luckier than we were, make space for it on your itinerary.

 

8. Be awed by St. Johns' Cathedral

The largest church in the city and impossible to miss—Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist
 

Visitor information:

• Opening hours: Cathedral is generally open daily 9 am–6 pm, and Tower is usually open 10 am–6 pm in high season, shorter hours in winter
• Price: Cathedral is for free, and Tower costs 20 zł (separate ticket)

You thought this city had big churches before? You haven't seen the biggest one yet. This is it—the biggest in all of Torun and one of the three biggest in Northern Poland. 

There's no other word for it than absolutely massive. Only Poland wouldn't be ashamed of having so many absurdly large ones.

The inside is just as massive as it looks on the outside. I particularly liked the brick altar. Besides that, the ornaments and interiors are surprisingly modest, so unless you intend to get down on your knees and pray you won't need longer than 10 minutes here.

Expect crowds here even during the off-season. This is a popular place.

 

 

9. Learn like an astronomer at the House of Nicolaus Copernicus 

Inside the House of Nicolaus Copernicus
 

Visitor information:

• Opening hours: April–September 10 am–6 pm and October–March 10 am–4 pm; closed on Mondays.
• Price: 30 zł

Copernicus is by far the most famous Torunian, so much like gingerbread, a stop here is essential for the full Torun experience. Even though it's one of Torun's biggest attractions, it's kind of a strange museum. You won't learn much about Copernicus himself. It's more focused on astronomy and Torun's history. You'd think at least half of the place would be dedicated to the guy that was born here...

Tickets cost 31zł (USD 9) and can be bought online or on-site at the ticket office. The museum is medium to large in size, but the visit is pretty quick since the information isn't that dense.

That said, the treasure is the man, not the house itself. Copernicus was a famous astronomer who first introduced the theory that the earth revolves around the sun, not vice versa. The house is just the place where he was born and spent the first few years of his life. It's a nice Hanseatic building, though, and one of Torun's historic tenement houses.

What to expect at the House of Nicolaus Copernicus Museum

Inside the House of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń, Poland—medieval living quarters and old merchant details
 

Today, it's a museum that's quite interactive and modern with a lot of high-tech exhibits. Kids would enjoy tinkering around in here. For me, there was a bit too much multimedia. Some of the exhibits didn't work properly.

Still, I learned interesting bits and pieces about ancient astronomy and, of course, about Copernicus himself. There's more information about the house and living in 15th century than about him, though, which was kind of disappointing. 

What I did take home about Copernicus is that he wasn't just an astronomer, but one of the first true renaissance men. His studies covered economics, law, philosophy, cosmology and others.  

Torun also has a separate planetarium, but I wasn't interested in astronomy enough to add it to my list. And it's another exhibit that's probably more geared toward children.

What struck me is how enlightened Poland was for those times and pretty much all in for science. This was the kind of environment that allowed a theory like Copernicus' to emerge. I wondered if it had happened if he'd been born somewhere else.

Fun fact: Copernicus came from a rich, prominent merchant family. His everyday life was pretty cushy.

The visit took me almost exactly one hour. Bear in mind that most museums in Torun close at 4 pm, so schedule accordingly.

 

10. Snap a photo at the Town Hall

Old Town Hall and Copernicus Monument on Rynek Staromiejski, one of the most iconic stops on any list of things to do in Torun
 

Visitor information:

• Opening hours: April–September 10 am–6 pm; October–March 10 am–4 pm; closed on Mondays.
• Price: Town Hall Museum 30 zł, Town Hall Tower 28 zł

Located in the Old Market Town Square, this is one of the biggest and most famous in all of Poland. Like many of Torun's other attractions, it was constructed in the 14th century. Local authorities governed from here and sometimes even Polish kings would drop by for a visit.

It's absolutely huge and stunning from the outside but kind of meh from the inside, so it’s skippable besides taking photos. I'd recommending stopping at the entrance and looking straight up to appreciate the overwhelming size.

Check out the paintings at the Town Hall Museum

This is mainly an art gallery, which isn't really my thing. There's a lot of paintings, and most of the signage is in Polish. So, strike two.

I thought it was just a museum. Nothing special, really. It's free on Wednesdays and otherwise 30ł . You can skip this one too in my opinion. 

Get your steps in at the Town Hall Tower

View from the Town Hall Tower in Toruń, Poland—red rooftops, church spires, and the Vistula River stretching into the distance. Worth the climb (and the stairs)
 

This is one of Poland’s best-looking towers from the outside. From the inside, it's kind of precarious—the stairs could use some maintenance so it was tricky to walk up.

It’s quite a hike and maybe a bit pricier for what you get at 28zł (USD 8), but the open-air views are fantastic. You mainly see Vistula and the Old Town. 

The weather we had was less than perfect, which kind of spoiled the view. Check the forecast before you go. Having a cloudless sky is key. 

 

11. Stop at the Nicolaus Copernicus Monument

Nicolaus Copernicus Monument—local legend, still orbiting the Old Town Market Square
 

The monument's watchful eye has been gazing down at the square for the past 170+ years.

Much like visiting his birthplace and museum, one of the key things to do in Torun is pay homage to its biggest star (pun intended). The inscription even reads, in Polish, “Copernicus, a Torunian.” So it’s worth at least snapping a quick photo of this monument. 

Bonus points if you get the sun in the background. Or the moon, if it's evening.

 

12. Envy the wealthy at Artus Court 

Artus Court—medieval money club, now just your backdrop
 

This is another worthy photo op of a historic 14th-century building. Here was the seat of the merchant guilds, so basically where Torun’s rich people hung out.

Good to add to the camera roll, not a time-killer. 

 

13. Admire the Leaning Tower of Torun  

The Leaning Tower of Toruń—medieval defensive tower that leans way more than you expect. I tried standing against the wall to test it out
 

We left this to the end of our day because it's located outside the center of Torun, but it ended up being one of the best things we saw.

It's a treasure of a site that reminded me of the famous one in Pisa. I've never seen a leaning tower from the late medieval period. Just...wow, overall.

Legend has it that it was built by a Teutonic knight to repent for his sins. It used to be part of Torun's fortifications, but now it's a fun building to stand next to and pretend to hold up.

Pro tip: Lean back on the tower's wall to get a sense of just how strange this building is. It leans much more than it seems at first glance in a way that feels almost impossible.

To be honest, I thought it was going to be pretty meh, but I was pleasantly surprised. There's even temporary art exhibitions on the inside.

 

 

Final thoughts: is Torun worth visiting?

Toruń, Poland—medieval Old Town, Copernicus, gingerbread, and surprisingly a lot to see. Definitely worth the stop
 

At first, I wasn't sure if Torun would have that many interesting places to see. But after visiting Toruń, I can confirm that there are lots of things to do in Torun. It's one of Poland's best hidden gems.

With lots of beautiful cathedrals, city walls made of signature red brick, and an Old Town photo-worthy from every angle, it would be a shame to overlook this destination.

As a quirky added bonus, I can now appreciate gingerbread much more. Honestly, I can't say I really thought about it too much beforehand, but now I see that it's a complicated candy that's an integral part of Torun.

Overall, Torun is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you like astronomy: you'll get to see where Copernicus spent the first years of his life and then check out a planetarium. Win-win.

Even if that's not up your alley, it's worth it just to see the architecture in a rare city untouched by World War II. 

I'm not big on going out and drinking, but I've also heard that as a student city, Torun's nightlife is also pretty good. 

 

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist

 

What is Torun famous for?

Torun is globally renowned for its gingerbread export and mastery of the craft. It's been known throughout centuries as the

 

Where is Torun?

Torun is located in Northwest Poland, accessible by train from Gdansk or Warsaw. Both train trips take about 2 hours. It’s also possible to drive, but it takes a bit longer: still about 2 hours from Gdansk, but about 2 hours and 45 minutes from Warsaw.

 

Torun meaning in English?

There is no direct translation of the name 'Torun' to English. The name's origins are thought to come from the Old Polish word 'tor,' meaning a path or a track. Another theory is that it comes from the Old German word 'thor,' meaning gate or passage. So when you’re there, don’t worry about an ‘English version.’ Just call it Torun.

 

 

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