Poznan is unavoidably associated with its Renaissance Town Hall, which is widely regarded as the most magnificent north of the Alps. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful example anywhere. Among its many exclusive characteristics are adorable billy-goat figures that appear at noon to butt heads! Of note, Poznan has other attractions, such as Poland's only Monet painting and the delectable sweet treat known as St. Martin croissants. Make no mistake: this 1,000-year-old city on the Warta River is proud of its history – it also has its own dialect.

The croissants are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. Despite the fact that they are sold in several cake shops throughout the world, they can only be baked in the Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) area. What is the reason for this? Since they are a Protected Geographical Indicator, according to the European Commission. They can also be described as delectably moreish! The main filling ingredient is white poppy seeds, and they're often topped with icing. Made from Danish pastry dough according to a very strict recipe, the main filling ingredient is white poppy seeds, and they're often topped with icing. To give you an understanding of how important it is, the Poznan Croissant Museum is immersive. Through seeing an illustrated cartoon version of the "croissant history of Poznan," which is seen under the polychromed wooden roof of a Renaissance tenement in the Old Town Market Square, you will discover how this baked goodie became the sweet icon of the Wielkopolska province. Before you ask, yes, you do get to sample the world-famous croissants, and you can even help make them if you want. The museum is packed with the local Poznan dialect, which, while not widely heard today on the streets, was very prominent in the nineteenth century. It is a result of the Prussian division, as well as of the Bamberg pioneers who welcomed an invitation to Poznan about 300 years earlier. Here's a list of locations you shouldn't skip if you're visiting this awesome city.

The Croissant Museum's 500-year-old tenement windows look out onto the Town Hall, which has a three-tiered arcaded loggia on the front and a gallery of Jagiellonian king portraits on the top level. Make your tour at noon: the figures of two white billy goats butt heads every day at noon while a bugle call plays on a small stage immediately above the clock. According to tradition, the animals fled from a kitchen boy's knife centuries ago, just as he was about to make them into the main course for dignitaries celebrating the construction of the Town Hall's first clock system. The Market Square is surrounded by stunningly vivid Baroque-style tenements and has four fountains: one from the 18th century with a statue of Proserpine and three modern-day sculptures of Apollo, Mars, and Neptune.

Poznan residents often congregate in front of the Town Hall at the monument featuring the ominous figure of an executioner. The Bamberg Woman is infinitely more appealing to the eye. The well, which is partially shielded from view and features a statue of a woman in folk costume holding two large barrels of water, commemorates the period in the 18th century when immigrants from outside the River Oder, known locally as Bambers, selected the city as their new home. Poznan has a long and vibrant history as a city where Poles, Germans, and Jews coexisted peacefully.

Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski), located at the fork of the River Warta and its tributary, the Cybina, is the oldest part of the city. Since at least the 9th century, a strongly fortified town has existed here; some also say it is the birthplace of Poland. The glorious cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the country's oldest cathedral, still stands there today. Its vaults contain the remains of tombs, most likely those of Poland's first kings, Mieszko I and his son Boleslaus the Brave. Where else to hear about a city's ancient past than in one of the most cutting-edge structures? The dramatic white Porta Posnania Interactive Heritage Centre, which is accessible via a magnificent river-crossing footbridge, has won many architectural competitions and is one of the main sites along the Royal-Imperial Route.

This famous tourist path connects Cathedral Island to the Old Town and the city centre, and it's a perfect way to see the sights. The old Imperial Castle is one of the many things you'll find along the way. The early twentieth-century neo-Romanesque structure, which resembles a true mediaeval fortress, is believed to be Europe's youngest castle constructed for a crowned king. Within, the Zamek Culture Centre, which it houses, invites artistic personalities from a variety of fields to experiment in its rooms. The Poznan Uprising Museum (a branch of the Wielkopolska Museum of Independence), which took place in June 1956, is also housed here. In nearby Adam Mickiewicz Square, there is a memorial commemorating the bloody suppression of the first mass workers' uprising in communist Poland.

In Poznan, you would be spoiled for options when it comes to sports, recreation, and cultural events. Do you want to indulge in shopping therapy? The perfect location for a good old shopping spree is Stary Browar, which was named the world's best medium-sized shopping centre by the International Council of Shopping Centres in 2005. The massive red-brick complex blends shopping space with a futuristic sculpture and installation gallery. It also hosts a diverse range of cultural activities. Remove comfortable shoes because you'll be out for hours!

You won't be shocked to hear that the beautiful and man-made Lake Maltaskie ("Malta"), which is situated near the city's centre, draws huge numbers of water sports enthusiasts. There's plenty to do on dry land as well; the town has a year-round ski slope with lifts and a toboggan slide, as well as other sports-related attractions. The Malta Thermal Baths, one of Poland's biggest waterparks, will appeal to adults and children of all ages. For an exclusive experience, take the charming Maltanka Park Railway straight to the New Zoo, where you can see Siberian tigers, European bison, bears, and a variety of other wild animals.

If you like the tropics, the 100-year-old Poznan Palm House creates a hot and humid atmosphere as well as a thrilling trip to distant continents as you wander through lush foliage from various climate zones. The sound of running water, aquariums with tropical fish, and a diverse schedule of activities, including a fantastic night-time walk, add to the authenticity of the experience. The Palm House, which is situated in the Art Nouveau section of the Lazarz district, is also the site of many exhibits and concerts.

The Poznan International Fair centre, which is located next to the Poznan Gówny railway station, is nearby. It's just a short walk from there to Jezyce, a district made popular by Malgorzata Musierowicz's series of young-adult novels. The Borejko family in the books lived in one of the elegant tenement houses, and the Jezyce Market Square is still one of the places where you can hear the local dialect.

Beach in Pourville, the only painting by impressionist artist Claude Monet in any Polish collection, is on display at the imperial-looking National Museum, which is a must-see for art lovers. Meanwhile, the Museum of Applied Arts allows visitors to explore and even scent artefacts from the past. It's situated in a restored royal castle with a tower that offers a virtually unrivalled view of the Old Town.

The strikingly eye-catching Poznan Stadium, the first venue built for the UEFA Euro 2012 championship, is the last on the list of total musts. With a capacity of nearly 43,000, it is the home stadium of the KKS Lech Poznan football club, with whom Robert Lewandowski played between 2008 and 2010. It also acts as a concert and entertainment venue. On daily guided tours, the arena, and some of its generally obscure nooks, can be seen.

The cuisine! The local cuisine should not be ignored when visiting Poznan. After a day of sightseeing, it's time to sample some of the local fare, such as pyra z gzikiem (potato with cottage cheese dip) or something a little fancier, such as Poznan-style duck, which comes with tasty potato dumplings, baked apple, and red cabbage.

You may want to pick up some cult-status billy goat merchandise before you go. The goats have a reputation for being legendary! Maybe a pair of socks? For all kinds of souvenirs, stop by the PLOT Tourist Information Center at 59/60 Stary Rynek (Market Square). You can also get a Poznan Tourist Card here, which will make sightseeing in Poznan faster, cheaper, and more fun for you.

Warszawa (Warsaw):

It is the capital of Poland with an estimated population of 1.7 million people. The majority of Polish people migrate to the city for business and education. This is due to the higher education institutions with a vibrant spirit, and it is an important center for culture and sciences. 

After the city was destroyed entirely by World War II, it gained steady progress with years of communism. This helped the city recover in terms of its architecture and commercial structure, both of which are signified by the Palace of Science and Culture and the skyscrapers. 

Kraków (Cracow):

The city has stunning architecture and fine works of art which is a major tourist attraction. It was the ruling place of the royal family and the capital of Poland until 1596. 

As the first university of Poland, the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, is located in Kraków and is regarded as the cradle of Polish science. Kraków has more than 730,000 residents, and it is an important cultural and academic center. 

Wrocław:

It is the fourth largest city in Poland and the capital of Lower Silesia (Dolny Śląsk). There is a beautiful Old Town with a unique atmosphere that describes its history and location. It spreads across several islands and is surrounded by the Oder River and its tributaries on all sides. 

Gdańsk:

It is a major seaport in Poland and forms the Tricity Metropolis with Sopot and Gdynia along with a population of 750,000 people. Gdansk was an important Hanseatic city, owned by Poland and Germany alternately. This where World War II and the Polish Solidarity Movement began. 

Poznań:

It is among the oldest and largest Polish cities, and due to its Paris-Moscow route, Poznań is an important transport and trade center. Poznań has been the venue for the International Trade Fair since 1925. It also has a good number of universities and research institutes that contribute to its development. 

Łódź:

Łódź is an important city in Poland, and it was the textile-manufacturing hub. It has a Central Museum of Textiles with 19th-century machinery, fabrics, and handicrafts that were once a prominent part of the city’s the trade and commerce. The Manufaktura complex, which was once a factory, was restored into a lively arts and culture center. 

Poland has numerous cities and universities that can make your time there worthwhile. Moreover, the value of a degree acquired from any university in this country is far greater than in other European regions.