A short guide to Bialystok based on personal experience from more than 10 trips to this city. Finding accommodation, transport, shopping, attractions and food.
Bialystok This is an excellent choice for residents of the Republic of Belarus to relax on the weekend, change their surroundings and, at the very end, treat themselves to shopping. But most people perceive this city as a transit point, and more often as a city for budget shopping and nothing more.
Guide to Bialystok
Population the city has about 0.3 million people, and d ata reason unknown, but there are two dates competing for the titleIt turns out that these are 1320 and 1427.
How to get there
There are no regular flights to Bialystok, but you can always get here by train or bus from neighboring cities in both Poland and Belarus. There are several on this site detailed instructions by all types of transport to Bialystok both from Poland and Belarus.
Most likely you will be traveling from Belarus, so articles may be useful, and. The closer the city is to Bialystok, the lower the fare, but in any case it will not be more than 10-15 €.
For those who are in Poland, or rather in its capital Warsaw, there are also instructions. The cost of a bus ticket starts from 0.5 €.
Accommodation in Bialystok
We reflected our experience of staying overnight in Bialystok in two articles - the first is a hotel in which we were lucky to spend the night at the price of a hostel, and the second article is. Below is a small excerpt from each article, because this is a short guide to Bialystok.
Apartments for a day
To find accommodation for the night in Bialystok, I used the website, as I checked it dozens of times. There are most offers of private apartments here. To avoid any problems, it is better to choose housing with a large number of positive reviews, which will give an almost 100% guarantee of success.
Below are photographs of the apartment we rented in the city while staying here for two days, and more details about it in the article. If you are booking accommodation for the first time, do not forget to take advantage of the discount available after registration.
Hotels in Bialystok
If the option of private housing is not suitable for you, then the website will help you. With the help of this site you will find the best priced hotel and will not overpay for it. Plus, you'll save at least 20% with.
If you have any mistrust in this site, you can always use the one that has been proven over the years, through which you can also book both hotels and apartments.
Public transport
Bialystok is a modern European city, so public transport It runs regularly and on schedule. The residents of the city themselves may have complaints about it, but from a tourist point of view, transport can get to the main attractions and shopping centers without transfers.
The fare is 2.8PLN. Tickets are sold at newsstands and from the driver, but are more expensive at 3.6PLN. Kiosks are rare, so it is better to purchase tickets in advance at a kiosk at the station where they are always on sale. The sellers at the station kiosk understand Russian well.
- Today there are 48 bus routes in the city. The Bialystok public transport schedule can be found here.
- This is the best way to plan your travel around the city. The site has a mobile application, which will make the process easier.
- The fine for traveling without a ticket in Bialystok is 300PLN (70EUR).
More detailed and relevant information about public transport in Bialystok can be found in a separate article -.
Attractions
Bialystok has its own historical city center where there is a beautiful church, a market square and the palace of the former rulers of the city.More complete description with photographs of the sights of Bialystok and a walking route around the city is described in the stories - and.
Among the main attractions of Bialystok are:
- Branicki Palace
- Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Podlaska Opera and Philharmonic Theater
- Tadeusz Kościuszka Market Square
- Church of St. Roch
Museums
For museum lovers, the city will not be a disappointment and visiting most of them can take at least 1 day. Among all the museums, the museum of the famous Bialystok native Ludwig Zamenhof, who became famous as the creator of the universal language Esperanto, stands out.
Army Museum in Bialystok
- Address - Jana Kilińskiego 7.
- Admission for adults 7 PLN, for children 4 PLN, free on Saturdays.
Ludwig Zamenhof Museum
- Address - Warszawska 19. Admission for adults 8 PLN, for children 4 PLN, free on Sundays.
Historical Museum - branch of the Podlasie Museum
- Address - Warszawska 37. Admission for adults 8 PLN, for children 4 PLN, free on Saturdays.
Archbishop's Museum
- The address is Warszawska 48. The museum also includes a church archive.
Shopping
For residents of the Belarusian cities of Grodno and Minsk, the city of Bialystok has become synonymous with shopping. Comes here a large number of minibuses specifically for shopping tours.
If you choose a minibus for shopping tours, then you won’t have to think about finding a shopping center, since you will be taken to the main ones. But if you decide to organize an independent shopping tour, then it is better to familiarize yourself with the material, which tells how to get to the main shopping centers.
Addresses of the nearest shopping centers and supermarkets to the station
Galeria Alfa Shopping Center
- Address: Swietojanska, 15
- Official website - http://www.alfacentrum.com.pl/bialystok/rus/
Galeria Atrium Biala Shopping Center
- Address: Czeslawa Milosza, 2
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-20:00
- Official website - http://atrium-biala.pl/
Shopping center Galeria Jurowiecka
- Address: Jurowiecka 1
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-20:00
- Official website - http://galeriajurowiecka.com.pl/
Auchan Shopping Center (supermarket)
- Address: Hetmanska 16
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 07:00-22:00, Sun 09:00-20:00
- Official website - http://www.auchanhetmanska.pl/
For transit tourists, Bialystok will be an ideal shopping solution, as all the same well-known brands are represented here as throughout Europe. There is no need to waste precious time shopping in Europe, because almost everything can be bought on the way back in Bialystok.
Tax Free and VAT
Almost every store in Bialystok will issue VAT or TaxFree, which not every store in Europe or even Poland does. This will allow you to return up to 23% of your purchases. More details on how to return VAT and TaxFree can be found in the article.
If you plan to return to Bialystok, it is better to apply for VAT. In this case, the seller will return the entire amount of VAT in the receipt up to 23%. If you apply for TaxFree, there is no need to return to the seller, but then the intermediary agent (bank) will take a commission, which can sometimes be very significant.
Where to eat in Bialystok
After a busy program around the city with sightseeing and shopping, a guide to Bialystok would not be complete without such a very relevant topic - lunch.
Cafes and restaurants
Bialystok is not a tourist city, so there are not many similar establishments here. Those that exist are located in two places: Market Square in the city center and Cardinal Stefana Wyszyńskiego Street, which is located near the bus station. The cost of lunch in a cafe starts from 20-25PLN.
Dining rooms
In Poland, the concept of a canteen has been preserved, only here they are called Bar Mleczny. This is my favorite place in Poland for lunch and snacks. You can always order such Polish dishes inexpensively here National dishes like Zurek soup and Pies (dumplings). The cost of a set lunch in such canteens is from 12-15PLN.
The closest restaurant to the station is called Bar Merino, and its address is Grochowa 6.
Fast food
All fast food in the city is concentrated near bus and railway stations. Of the world's fast food brands, I only saw McDonalds, which is located near the bus station.
But besides this, we should not forget about such a common dish in Europe - Kebab. There are several of them near train stations, and they are also in almost every shopping center.
When ordering such a dish, do not forget about the peculiarity of Polish cuisine - a large amount of sauerkraut and pickled cucumbers. So if you don’t really like this, then don’t forget to tell the seller about it, otherwise you will most likely be served a Kebab half consisting of sauerkraut and cucumbers.
Bialystok is one of the most popular cities in Poland. You definitely won't be bored here. There are always a lot of tourists here. And this is not surprising.
After all, Bialystok has many interesting sights. These are historical buildings, a museum with a huge number of exhibits, and busy shopping centers. It even has its own unique cuisine. Overall, there is a lot to see here.
Bialystok – architectural sights
The city has a large number of historical buildings. The most interesting to visit are: the Town Hall, an ancient church, a historical museum, the Branicki Palace and other famous buildings in Poland.
The town hall was built around 1750. In the past, her role was rather modest. The tower of the building was used by firefighters for observation, and the building itself housed retail shops and small shops. During the war of 1941–45, the Town Hall building was practically destroyed, but then restored.
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary includes an ancient building from the 17th century and a relatively new one from the 20th century. The old building is made in the Baroque style. Its walls are painted with spectacular patterns. The building is well preserved.
The museum in Bialystok can be considered the most important attraction of the city. The building is relatively new and dates back to the 20th century. But the exhibits were moved here much later - in 1976. In the museum you can look at the richest collection of coins. In total, you can see about 35 thousand different exhibits here.
The Branicki Palace is one of the main attractions of Bialystok. It was built around 1730. The building itself is beautifully decorated, the interior decoration is very rich and luxurious.
And on the outside, everything is done with taste and scope. It has its own garden, pond, sculptures and lawns. In total, there are over 250 historical buildings in Bialystok, including 6 palaces, 10 churches, and over 80 other historical buildings.
Shopping in Bialystok is extremely developed. The largest clothing market in Poland is located here, and there are large shopping centers.
Visitors will be attracted by low prices, good quality of goods, and a large number of discounts. In the city you can buy clothes made in Europe, including those made in Poland itself. As well as various interior items, equipment, products and other goods.
Białystok is famous for its unique traditional dishes.
There are few places in the world where you can taste skillfully prepared sparrows, fried peacock, and salmon soup.
The presence of game in the traditional cuisine of Białystok is associated with the natural features of the region, with its forest cover. But these are gourmet dishes. But you should definitely try the sweet senkach pie, potato sausage and local borscht, which is prepared according to a unique recipe.
In general, there are a lot of interesting places in Bialystok. And if you decide to spend your holidays in Poland, then be sure to visit this unique city.
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Exhausted from hunting aurochs, Prince Gediminas knelt down by the stream and scooped up crystal clear water. “What a white drain! - he exclaimed. “We definitely need to build a hunting lodge here.” According to legend, Bialystok was founded by a Lithuanian prince in 1320, although in written sources it was first mentioned a century later - as a city located on the banks of the Bialy River.
I say: “I went to Bialystok over the weekend,” and they ask me: “And what did you buy?” It even becomes a little awkward, because if I answer “I went to see the palace,” then they will immediately classify me as some kind of wild variety of pedal sucker. It is clear that Bialystok is not Warsaw or Krakow. However, it also has its own interesting history and interesting places. And if you go for two days, you can have time to visit shopping centers and walk around the city.
For most tourists, any journey, even the most modest one, begins at the station. In Białystok the train and bus stations are nearby. If you exclude shoptours, then from Minsk you can get here without transfers only by buses. There are no direct trains - you need to change horses in Grodno.
Białystok station, frankly speaking, does not really qualify as a “landmark”. But inside there are several kiosks where you can buy tickets for public transport - that is, a bus (there is only one type of public transport in Bialystok). The stop is next to the main entrance. By the way, if anyone is interested, bus No. 10 leaves from here and takes you to the market. Well, we're going to the center.
What to see in Bialystok
If your journey also starts from the station, the first attraction you will encounter is Church of St. Roch. A very unusual temple, I must say. The brochure that they gave me at the information center near the Branicki Palace says that the style in which it was built is called modern-expressionism. Against the backdrop of a modest and, to some extent, even a little provincial Bialystok, such a construction seems sudden.
The church was erected in gratitude to God's Providence for Poland gaining independence in 1918. At the entrance to the territory, parishioners are greeted by a statue of Christ. The tower has a free observation deck: you can go up and see how far you still have to go.
Starts from the Church of St. Roch Lipovaya street. Once upon a time there really was a real linden alley here, and on both sides of the road there were mansions of cloth manufacturers (the city was famous for its textile industry). But then there was the war... Today the street leading to the historical center has acquired a new look. Nowadays there are mainly residential buildings of “socialist realist architecture” with shops on the ground floors.
On the left side of the street we come across this unusual sculpture. It's like another surprise from the city, which is trying to communicate that it is not so simple. What kind of characters do you think these are and where are they rolling the rose-covered wheel?
Already at home I found out that the monument is called "Journey". That is, there is a possibility that it is dedicated just to you and me – enthusiastic pilgrims.
Morning Bialystok greets us with sun and clouds, so the photos turn out a little “metallic”. The road leads to the main Orthodox church of Bialystok – Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
The presence of an Orthodox shrine in the city center is not at all surprising. Białystok has always been a multicultural settlement. It is not surprising that it was here that the founder of the international language Esperanto was born.
When Bialystok was still a city in the Grodno province of the Russian Empire, most of the population here were Yiddish-speaking Jews. In addition to them, Poles, Germans and Belarusians also lived here. Representatives coexisted different nations frankly bad. Seeing this state of affairs, Ludwig Zamenhof (an ophthalmologist by training) came to the conclusion that the main reason for poor interethnic relations was the lack of a common language for all. And he decided to create one himself.
If you turn from Lipovaya Street to Malmeda Street, you can meet the author of the most famous artificial language. More precisely, with his head. Well, indeed, this is the only part of the body that is the most important for a Polish linguist.
Not far from the public garden where we found the monument, there once stood the wooden house in which Zamenhof was born. Now on this site (Zamenhof Street, 26) there is a high-rise building with a mural. The founder of the Esperanto language seems to still live here and often goes out onto the balcony to watch passers-by.
If you return to Lipovaya and go in the opposite direction, past the cathedral, you can come to the public garden where Monument "God, Honor, Fatherland"(this was the motto of the Polish knights). And on the opposite side of the square square there is another interesting one monument – “Mask”- a sculpture dedicated to the theater.
Our next goal is the central square of Bialystok – Kosciuszko Market. It is impossible to say that we found ourselves in the old city. The surrounding buildings date back to the first decade of the post-war period. But how beautifully they are stylized as antique (or more precisely, 17-19 centuries). Especially town hall– also known as the Podlaskie Voivodeship Museum.
The town hall never fulfilled its function, because Bialystok was the private city of Hetman Jan Klemens Branicki. Actually, what kind of city authorities could we be talking about? They built more for beauty.
The fountain on the square was installed in 1892 in honor of the opening of the city water supply. For comparison, our “Boy with a Swan” will be older (1874).
We move on and, before being impressed by the huge red neo-Gothic church, we come across a monument to Marshal Jozef Pilsudski. A very controversial historical figure with ambitious nationalist ideas is today considered the father of the modern Polish nation. By the way, behind him is the state archive.
However, let's not talk about politics. Here, finally, is the far church - Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s hard to notice right away, but this is a whole complex of two buildings. In the 17th century, a small white church was built here, which after 2 centuries could no longer accommodate parishioners. Local Catholics were denied the construction of a new church, but they were allowed to build an extension. Do you see this majestic neo-Gothic red brick building? This is who she is.
The church is beautiful both during the day and at night. Pull the slider to the right or left.
To the right of the church is the stone Pope John Paul II. The Poles are very proud of him, because, firstly, he came from the Polish city of Wadow And That is, secondly, he became the first non-Italian Pope in the last 455 years, and thirdly, he was truly a great man who traveled the world, wrote books, advocated the peaceful resolution of ethnic conflicts and actively made contacts with others confessions.
If you have time for museums, take note that next to the church there is Museum of the Polish Army. The entrance to the building is on the right; there is no need to break into the carriage.
Bialystok Branicki
The Polish nobles Branicki were granted Bialystok back in 1660, but only under the last representative of this family, Jan Klemens Branicki and his wife Isabella Poniatowska, the city began to actively develop and acquire a new look.
This active couple built a town hall, a post office, a hospital, a fire station, several inns and even the first theater in Poland in Bialystok. Under them, the education system and health service were established, and the main roads were laid, which are still on the map of the city. And it was Jan Clemens and Isabella who created a delightful palace and park complex in Bialystok - the so-called “Podlaski Versailles”.
Branicki spent his entire life rebuilding and decorating the palace, as well as the adjacent park. The presence of a palace in Bialystok made it possible to achieve city status for it. But with the departure of the owner in 1771, the family residence began many years of oblivion.
In July 1944, the palace was completely destroyed, so what we see today in Bialystok is just a magnificent replica. After the war, the palace was restored, and now the building houses the Medical University. It must be great to study in classrooms that look like palace chambers. And re-read notes on benches overlooking gorgeous flower beds, fountains and sculptures.
You are unlikely to get into the palace yourself, but there is a Museum of the History of Medicine and Pharmacy. If you take a tour there, you will also be taken to the Branicki residence.
Next to the palace and park complex there is a small city park. In the summer, fountains also work here, and young people blow bubbles.
If there is time left
- Go to the Bialystok Opera House. He attracts attention not so much with his performances as with his appearance. Destroying all the canons of the architectural genre, the builders erected a building made of glass and concrete, which is now considered one of the most modernly equipped theaters in Europe. By the way, the stairs here are also transparent - a kind of mockery of enlightened ladies.
- Visit the Historical Museum. Its rooms easily take you back to Białystok's past, because they are furnished like the rooms of local residents from different eras. One of the most interesting exhibits here is a model of the city, on which it will be interesting to find sights already familiar to you.
- Try to find graffiti that only the lazy did not photograph in Bialystok and posted online (Aleja Józefa Piłsudskiego 11/4).
Where to eat?
We weren’t in Bialystok long enough for me to create a whole guide to the best cafes, but I still noted two interesting places for myself. I’m not saying that you should definitely go there, but you can take note.
Bun with butter(Lipowa, 4)
This small establishment's menu features a large selection of morning sets served throughout the day, as well as salads and sandwiches (you can even build your own). In general, this is a good place to go for breakfast, which is what we did.
In fact, the egg roll on the plate on the left is a bagel. That is, it had a beautiful “lid” on top, generously sprinkled with poppy seeds and well flavored with mayonnaise on the inside. But, as often happens, while you are setting up your camera, someone quietly dunks your bagel. Such is the prose of life.
Sponti(Świętojańska, 15)
The restaurant is located on the first floor of the Alfa shopping center. Since this shopping center is located not far from the Branicki Palace, it is quite possible to do some shopping and have lunch here. The menu is varied, prices are average.
The Alpha Gallery was carefully built into the building of a former textile factory. This is what it looks like from the inside. Elegant, isn't it? The “Sponti” cafe is located within the walls of the old factory.
I marked both establishments on the map, so you can easily find them.
The small Polish city of Bialystok, located near the Belarusian border, attracts guests primarily with its European flavor and a large number of attractions. Indeed, the history that began in 1320 has given it many architectural treasures that deserve attention.
City Hall
Construction of the building began back in 1745 and lasted for 11 years under the strict guidance of architect Jan Klemm. As soon as the town hall opened its doors, it immediately became the center of the city's cultural life. Initially it was assumed that the premises would be occupied by the administration. However, in reality everything turned out differently - the Jewish community opened numerous workshops and shops in the town hall, and the tower served as a fire tower. Local residents and guests of the city often stopped by the town hall to purchase necessary goods and even food.
Unfortunately, during the Second World War, the town hall building was destroyed. What visitors to Bialystok see today is the result of restoration work in 1958. Immediately after they were completed, the premises were transferred to the city museum, which to this day welcomes tourists and local residents.
Branicki Palace
Crown Hetman Klementiy Branitsky is one of the most famous people Bialystok, who did a lot for the development of the city. It is not surprising that this is where his possessions were located.
The Branicki Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in Poland, which in its grandeur and splendor is in no way inferior to the royal Wilanow Palace in Warsaw. It is often called the Polish Versailles. Perhaps it was French motifs that were decisive in the architectural design of the palace. Lightness and grace, atypical for Poland, amaze tourists to this day. Fortunately, not a single war caused significant damage to the palace building and it has come to us as it was built in 1689.
Today, the premises house a medical academy, so the only thing guests can do is explore the palace from the outside and stroll through the luxurious park. But the interior, unfortunately, has been completely lost. One can only guess what it was like.
Branicki Landscape Park
The park located next to the palace deserves special attention. Here, as many centuries ago, you can relax in the shade of oaks and lindens, enjoy the beautiful scenery and just imagine how members of the crown hetman’s family walked along these same alleys.
Conventionally, the park is divided into two tiers. The upper one is famous for its fountains and flower beds, the lower one is also famous for its fountains and interesting sculptures. Once upon a time, in addition to them, there were many fruit trees, including exotic ones. However, they have not survived to this day.
Market Square
The central city square of Bialystok bears the name of the rebel and as he would be called today, the revolutionary Andrzej Tadeusz Kosciuszko. It is surrounded by colorful European buildings, and in the center is the city hall.
On holidays, the market square is transformed and becomes the center of public festivities. And during the Christmas holidays there is a fair here. Although on weekdays the square is crowded. Some people come to stroll around the shops, some to see the sights, some just to sit on the benches and enjoy the beautiful urban landscape.
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary can rightly be called the religious center of Bialystok. Services and organ concerts are held here, which attract not only believers, but also art lovers from all over the world.
Conventionally, the Cathedral consists of two parts - the old one, erected in 1626, and the new one, which was added much later. The first one amazes with its luxurious interior decoration - gold paintings on the walls have been preserved. And the second has excellent acoustics.
Fountain on Kosciuszko Square
The fountain on Kosciuszko Square has been delighting residents and guests for decades. It was first launched in 1890 and has been one of the city's most popular spots ever since.
In 1900, the fountain underwent a complex transformation - it turned from a recreation area into an open-air museum. Small but very elegant sculptures appeared on the fountain, illustrating the history of Bialystok. An excellent chance not only to enjoy the beautiful urban landscape, but also to learn more about the city.
Church of St. Roch
In 1925, the question of the need for a new church arose in Bialystok. Several projects were reviewed, and the work of architect Oscar Sosnowski was recognized as the best. It took a long time to choose a place for the church. As a result, we stopped at Roja Hill, overlooking the city blocks. Local residents were somewhat embarrassed that a Catholic shrine was being built on the site of a cemetery, literally on bones.
Unfortunately, life made its own adjustments to the construction of the church. At the beginning of the Second World War they were suspended and the unfinished premises were turned into barracks for German soldiers. Only in 1945 the idea was returned to again, the church was completed and opened its doors to the Catholic community of the city. Since then it has been one of the most frequently visited places in Bialystok.
Church of Hagia Sophia
The church cannot boast of a rich history; it was built not so long ago, in 1988. In fact, it is a copy of the famous Church of St. Sophia of Constantinople in Turkey. The locals are incredibly proud of this fact.
The interior decoration of the temple amazes with its wealth and luxury. The frescoes were painted by the best Greek icon painters, icons and utensils were collected from all over the country.
Lipovaya Street
The central street of Bialystok, which begins at the Market Square and ends at the Church of St. Roch. Along it there are modern hotels and shopping and entertainment centers. Not only city guests, but also local residents love to stroll here.
Once upon a time there was a luxurious linden alley on the site of the street, but time has made its own adjustments and today nothing remains of it except the name. By the way, it has changed several times. Once upon a time Lipovaya even bore the name of Hitler, and then Stalin.
Bebrzhansky National Park
On the outskirts of Bialystok there is a real natural park, one of the largest in Poland. Its main value is its endless swamps. That is why traveling through the park on your own is prohibited, only as part of an excursion along specially laid paths. The beautiful landscapes of Bebrzhansky Park invariably attract those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
In addition to these attractions, Białystok has ordinary houses and civil buildings that have survived from the 19th century and are worth visiting. Despite the fact that the city suffered greatly during the Second World War, local residents carefully restored and restored everything that was possible.
Today Bialystok is a traditional European city, located very close to the Belarusian border, accessible to Russian tourists. You can get to it without any problems by train, bus or private car. By the way, the city railway station is another attraction. A building that survived two wars.
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