The 8 things to do in Bialystok

Are you planning to visit Bialystok? Discover our selection of unmissable places during a stay in this charming Polish city!

Located near the Belarusian and Lithuanian borders, north-east of Poland, Bialystok is the eleventh city of the country and the most populous in this region that is out of Europe. It was created as a private city of magnate Jan Klemens Branicki. The latter, great crown hetman, was known for its refined taste and its tedious balls. In the centre of the city it is possible to admire its baroque palace and its beautiful gardens. The great magnate also gave its character to the centre of the city. Under his leadership, the city hotel, the kindergarten, the Archives and many other buildings were built. Visit Bialystok will not leave you indifferent!

Unknown and far from the beaten paths, Bialystok is a pretty nice city to discover if you are travelling in this beautiful region of Podlasie. It is above all a wonderful starting point to visit the surrounding natural reserves, including the Białowieża Forest. You wonder what to do in Bialystok and what to see absolutely? With this top of the 8 essential things, you're sure you don't miss anything during your stay!

1. The Branicki Palace

Built in baroque style in the middle of the 18th century, the Branicki Palace was the residence of Jan Klemens Branicki , hetman and castellan of Krakow from 1689 to 1771. The latter was the richest and most powerful Polish aristocrat of his time!

This palace symbolizes perfectly the wealth of its illustrious owner. It is even considered to be Versailles de Podlachie even Poland! With its luxurious furniture and finishes, it is not less than the Wilanów Palace in Warsaw. In its gardens and parks, you can also discover an arsenal, an orangery and a pavilion for guests.

If you visit Bialystok, you can't miss this monument! After all, she received her status as a city after the construction of this castle.

2. The Course Esperanto and Jewish Heritage

Modeled by the richissimo Jan Klemens Branicki, the city changed in the 19th century with the industrial revolution.

Named the Manchester North , quantity of plants pushed through Bialystok. At that time, several peoples and their languages, all living together with their different cultures and religions. The city was indeed known for its large Jewish community, which formed at least half of the population. It is not a coincidence that Ludwik Zamenhof, from Bialystok, created the Esperanto. He even called his city true Tower of Babel !

World wars and the Second in particular brought their lots of misfortunes to Bialystok. Today, the Cours Esperanto and Héritage Juif (Jewish Heritage Trail) allows you to discover in a few hours the memories and remaining buildings of this time, as well as the history of this community. Visiting Bialystok is to go back to history.

3. Hotel de Ville

Located in the heart of the city, the Hotel de Ville de Bialystok is obviously a must. Built in the 17th century, it is at the crossroads of three major roads, one towards Choroszcz, the other towards Suraz and the last to the palace of the owners of the city. Along the Lipowa and Kilinskiego streets, you will discover the most important monuments of Bialystok. This is the ideal starting point to discover the city centre and follow the Jewish Heritage Trail.

Once devoured to administration and commerce in the city, the building now houses the Podlaskie Regional Museum. In this museum you will find rich ethnographic, archaeological and art collections from this historic European region. In its branch, the Historical Museum, you can also admire a huge 18th-century model of Bialystok. If you plan to visit Bialystok, do not miss these two museums.

4. The churches of Bialystok

After discovering the fantastic City Hall and its museums, take the time to visit Bialystok and admire the three main religious buildings of the city.

In front of the city hotel, you will find the beautiful and majestic Cathedral of the Assumption. Built with red stones, this three- nave church is 90 meters long and can accommodate up to 9,500 faithful. Both towers also reach 72.5 metres high! It is the main church of the archdiocese of Bialystok, which became basilica in 1985 by the decision of Pope John Paul II.

On the left of the city hotel, you can visit the Cathedral of Saint-Nicolas, a sublime Orthodox church. Even more to the west stands the Saint-Roch Catholic Church of Białystok. Built between 1927 and 1946 in a modernist style, it was designed by the famous Polish architect Oskar Sosnowski.

5. The Ludwik Zamenhof Centre

From the name of the inventor of the Esperanto, a native of Bialystok, this cultural centre offers visitors a permanent exhibition, several other temporary exhibitions, concerts, film screenings and theatrical performances.

Permanent exhibition Bialystok of Young Zamenhof presents the work of Luwik Zamenhof. Based on excellent audiovisual content, it allows to explore the past of Bialystok in a playful way. The exhibition is not just a succession of historical documents, but it immerses you in the particular atmosphere of this time. If you come to visit Bialystok and want to capture the unique history, you should not miss this exhibition!

6. The Lubomirski Palace and the Hasbach Palace

What to do in Bialystok? Discover more palaces, of course! The city is not just the sublime Branicki Palace. You can also admire the Lubomirski Palace and the Hasbach Palace. The two palaces are located southeast of the city. Today, with state buildings, it is always possible to admire its architecture.

The first was built by Baron Alexander Krusenstern in the mid-19th century in the neoclassical style. The second was the residence of the industrial Ewald Hasbach, owner of a nearby weaving plant. Built in the 1880s, the palace blends neo-renaissance French, Dutch and Tuscan styles. The two buildings are surrounded by a charming park.

7. The Forest of Bialowieza

On horseback in the Polish and Belarusian territories, this forest is one of the last primary forests in Europe. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and recognized as a biosphere reserve, it formed 10,000 years ago during the last glacial period.

Since then, it has remained away from most human influences. Indeed, this forest of Bialowieza is one of the last vestiges of the immense forest that once covered the north and the center of Europe! Once a place of hunting and king ownership, it can now be surveyed and discovered by travellers. If you come to visit Bialystok, you must take a trip to this forest! The park is ideal for hiking or biking, but also for sledging in winter.

In its heart, you will discover quantities of ancient trees and essences, mainly charms, oaks, alders and pines. Some of these trees reach a height of 50 meters! The forest is also home to a rich and rare mammal fauna: wolf, lynx, deer, wild boar, badger, gull, tarpans. More than two hundred species of birds, such as heather cocks, cranes, black storks and eagles, also live there. But the kings of this reserve are obviously the bison. They are the last in Europe to perpetuate peacefully in a natural space!

8. The Białystok Cultural Centre

Are you still wondering what to do in Bialystok?

So we recommend you to go to the Cultural Center of Bialystok for example! Created in 1975, Białostocki Ośrodek Kultury organizes more than 200 events, festivals and local activities each year. One of the most popular events is Days of Bialystok . This festival includes major cultural events such as jazz concerts, dance and theatre shows and outdoor events. During your stay in Bialystok, do not miss a tour in this center!

How to get to Bialystok?

From France to Warsaw

To reach Bialystok, you must first take the plane to Warsaw. On average, prices oscillate between 100 and 150€ for a return trip from Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse, among others. To gauge prices, you can visit our partner's website Ulysses . In a few clicks, the flight comparison selects the cheapest flights according to your departure dates.

From Warsaw to Bialystok

Once you arrive in Warsaw, you can easily reach and visit Bialystok by train . We recommend that you visit the site PKP JSC the Polish national railway company. The trains to Bialystok are numerous and the route only lasts 2:30 on average.

The station is close to the city centre and is easy to get there walk in a few minutes. Bus lines are also available to visit various locations in the city.

Where to stay in Bialystok?

If you want to visit Bialystok, know that you will not have any trouble finding hotels or Airbnb In town.

On the neighbourhoods, you are definitely recommended to sleep in the city centre. You will find most of the city's historical monuments and museums, as well as lots of bars and restaurants.

For a little adventure out of town, you can also accommodate one or two nights in the city of Tykocin , rich in a history and a very interesting heritage! There are hotels and charming apartments.