Nickname(s):
"Paris of the North"
Demonym(s):
Szczecinianin
Founded:
1243
Democracy:
Developed:
European Union:
Schengen:
Euro:
National Capital:
RegionalState Capital:
Population (City):
396 000
Population (Urban):
-
Population (Metro):
777 000
Population Density (km2):
1 300
Population Density (mi2):
3 500
Largest city in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship
7th Largest City in Poland
Language:
Polish
Currency:
Złoty
Avg. Summertime High:
24 °C
76 °F
Avg. Summertime Low:
14 °C
57 °F
Warmest Month:
July
Coldest Month:
January
Avg. Wintertime High:
3 °C
37 °F
Avg. Wintertime Low:
-2 °C
29 °F
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Previously known as Stettin, and still referred to this name in Germanic languages, the West-Polish city of Szczecin offers historic buildings and sites related to the shared history between Germany and Poland. Visit the Ducal Castle, the 14th-century Cathedral, or take a long walk along the riverside and watch the city's maritime heritage. Lots of changes are going on in downtown Szczecin, and the city will likely be revitalized in the upcoming years.
Republic of Poland | Rzeczpospolita Polska
Poland
English
Polska
Polish
Region:
Northeastern Europe
Area:
312 696 km2
Ranked 69 out of 195
Population:
Population:
38 180 000
Ranked 38 out of 235
Urbanization:
60 %
Ranked 97 out of 194
Capital:
Warsaw
Population: 3 101 000
Largest City:
Warsaw
Population: 3 101 000
Major Cities:
Warsaw
Kraków
Łódź
Wrocław
Poznań
Economy & Development:
Human Development Index:
Very High
Ranked 35 out of 189
Inequality-Adjusted HDI:
Very High
Ranked 26 out of 189
GDP (PPP) Per Capita:
$41 685
Ranked 42 out of 225
Democracy & Freedom:
Democracy Index:
Flawed Democracy
Ranked 51 out of 167
Freedom House:
Free
96 points out of 100 possible
Press Freedom:
Problematic
Ranked 66 out of 180
Economic Freedom:
2nd Quartile
Ranked 59 out of 162
National Identity:
Independence Since:
1918
Independence From:
Unification
National Day:
11th of November
What Is Celebrated On The National Day:
This date is the anniversary of the restoration of Poland's sovereignty as the Second Polish Republic in the aftermath of the First World War from the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian Empires in 1918. Most of what is today Poland was part of Germany before the war. Some of the areas that were part of the Second Polish Republic are today no longer part of Poland. There are parts that today belong to Belarus, Lithuania, and Ukraine.
Facts & Codes:
Driving Side:
Right
-
Time Zone:
UTC +1 (CET)
Summer: UTC +2 (CEST)
Country Calling Code:
+ 48
-
Country Code:
PL
ISO 3166
Polish Voivodeship | Polski Województwo
West Pomeranian Voivodeship
English
Województwo Zachodniopomorskie
Polish
Woiwodschaft Westpommern
German
Region:
Northwestern Poland
Area:
22 905 km2
Ranked 5 out of 16
Population:
Population:
1 694 000
Ranked 11 out of 16
Population Share:
4 %
Of National Population
Capital:
Szczecin
Population: 777 000
Largest City:
Szczecin
Population: 777 000
Major Cities:
Szczecin
Koszalin
Stargard
Kołobrzeg
Świnoujście
Information:
GDP Per Capita::
-
-
Climate:
Oceanic Climate
Köppen: Cfb
Time Zone:
UTC +1 (CET)
Summer: UTC +2 (CEST)
Stare Miasto
Old Town
Ducal Castle
Seat of the dukes of Pomerania
Wały Chrobrego
Chrobry Embankment
I was looking for a place to stay a day in somewhere between Gdansk and Rostock, and the only city I could find was Szczecin. I didn't know much about the city, and it was not a city I dreamed of visiting. But after visiting I am quite happy that I did. I found it to be interesting and I enjoyed my stay. Like many cities in this part of Europe, it has seen better days. Szczecin, when it was named Stettin, was once a very important city in Northern Europe, but all the years behind the Iron Curtain caused it to decline considerably and it's only starting to regain itself in recent years.
Do I Recommend You To Visit?
If you are passing nearby, sure. As a day trip from Berlin, I would also recommend it. But it's not a "must-see" city.
Will I Come Back Again?
I can't see it happening.
Weather During My Stay:
Blue skies, sunny, and almost 30°C (86°F).
Best:
Wały Chrobrego.
Not As Good:
The city center was quite boring. It seemed like they were trying to revitalize it though so in a few years it could be more interesting.
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A cross outside of the Szczecin Cathedral (long name: "The Cathedral Basilica of St James the Apostle" or "Bazylika Archikatedralna Św. Jakuba w Szczecinie".
Szczecin Cathedral from the Ducal Castle.
The Ducal Castle was the seat of the dukes of Pomerania-Stettin of the House of Pomerania from 1121 until 1637.
Wały Chrobrego, or Chrobry Embankment, one of the main sights of Szczecin.
A building on Grunwaldzki Square (Plac Grunwaldzki) in the city center.
Zamenhof Square (Plac Zamenhofa), near Grunwaldzki Square. This was until very recently a normal intersection dominated by cars. It has since been partly pedestrianized, along with the nearby street Księcia Bogusława which is about to be turned into a pedestrian street with restaurants and shops.
Księcia Bogusława. This street is not finished and it felt a little slow currently with many of the storefronts empty. But I think it can become a great attraction with time.
The Ducal Castle as it is seen from Szczecin Cathedral.
Old Town Square. I found Szczecin Old Town to be quite small and unimpressive. There are other features of this city that I liked much more.
Take a stroll along the Bulwar Piastowski if the weather permits it!