Szczecin

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

Advertising

Number of Galleries

More Blog Posts

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.

Advertising

Szczecin Cathedral

A cross outside of the Szczecin Cathedral (long name: "The Cathedral Basilica of St James the Apostle" or "Bazylika Archikatedralna Św. Jakuba w Szczecinie".

Skyline of Szczecin Cathedral

Szczecin Cathedral from the Ducal Castle.

Ducal Castle

The Ducal Castle was the seat of the dukes of Pomerania-Stettin of the House of Pomerania from 1121 until 1637.

Chrobry Embankment

Wały Chrobrego, or Chrobry Embankment, one of the main sights of Szczecin.

Plac Grunwaldzki

A building on Grunwaldzki Square (Plac Grunwaldzki) in the city center.

Zamenhof Square

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

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.

Ducal Castle

The Ducal Castle as it is seen from Szczecin Cathedral.

Szczecin Old Town

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.

Bulwar Piastowski

Take a stroll along the Bulwar Piastowski if the weather permits it!