Top 15 Things To Do In Bialystok, Poland

1. Say a prayer at Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Roman Catholic Church is the biggest church in Poland, and it is no wonder why Catholic parishes are scattered everywhere in the country. One of the most-visited parishes in the city is Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a beautiful building that showcases stunning Gothic Revival architecture in earth-toned hues. Its interiors are dominated by white walls, stunning glass-stained windows, and an altar with sculptures of the holy family as the centerpiece. Masses are held in the church daily.

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Address: Kościelna 2, 15-087 Białystok, Poland

Website: Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Opening hours: Open daily

2. Take your loved ones to Akcent Zoo

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you are visiting the captivating Polish city of Bialystok with your family, kids, or a special someone, be sure to schedule a day at Akcent Zoo. It is a tiny zoo that houses lovely well-groomed animals. It features a beautiful garden, a pond, and cages that replicate each species’ natural habitat. Some animals you’ll see in Akcent Zoo include bison, wildcats, boars, birds, and different reptiles. Note that there is no food stall in the zoo, so you might want to have some snacks before visiting this lovely place.

Akcent Zoo

Address: Podleśna 4, 15-227 Białystok, Poland

Website: Akcent Zoo

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

3. Browse through the exhibits at The Ludwik Zamenhof Centre

A must-see cultural institution in Bialystok, The Ludwik Zamenhof Centre is an attraction that charms tourists who want to get to know the city and its culture on a deeper level. It is a museum that features permanent and temporary exhibits. Here, you will be mesmerized by different exhibits that showcase the 19th-century lifestyle, culture, and art of the city. Białystok of the young Zamenhof is one of its permanent exhibits, while Klaus Richter: Bajorai, Marek Turkot: A great adventure, and On the Tatar trail are some of the most recently featured temporary exhibits. Besides interesting exhibits, The Ludwik Zamenhof Centre holds educational workshops, and it has a fun-filled playroom.

The Ludwik Zamenhof Centre

Address: Warszawska 19, 15-062 Białystok, Poland

Website: The Ludwik Zamenhof Centre

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: From 1 USD

4. Attend a church service at St. John the Theologian

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Officially known as Saint John the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Białystok, St. John the Theologian is one of the many sacred places of worship in Bialystok. It is an orthodox parish that is one of the most recently-built churches in the city. It contributes to the rich history and culture of Poland. More so, it provides church services for believers, such as holy liturgy, vigils, and supper events. The plan of activities of the church varies from time to time, so you must keep updated with its monthly schedule of services. St. John the Theologian church honors Evangelist John the Theologian, Cosmas and Damian, Job from Pochaev, Nicholas of Serbia, and more.

St. John the Theologian

Address: Zbigniewa Herberta 1, 15-779 Białystok, Poland

Website: St. John the Theologian

5. Marvel at contemporary Polish art at Galeria Arsenał w Białymstoku

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Galeria Arsenał w Białymstoku is an attraction you should not miss when you visit Bialystok, especially if you have a deep appreciation for art. Established in 1965, this fascinating gallery has showcased diverse contemporary media art since its opening. It centers on Polish art and features approximately 20 exhibitions annually. An exhibit in Galeria Arsenał w Białymstoku does not only consist of interesting displays, but each event offers educational programs as well. Some of its most recent exhibitions include Make Me Sugar and Solidarity and Perpetration - virtual exhibition.

Galeria Arsenał w Białymstoku

Address: Adama Mickiewicza 2, 15-222 Białystok, Poland

Website: Galeria Arsenał w Białymstoku

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 12pm - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: From 1 USD

6. Learn about medicine at Branicki Palace

Nicknamed the “Polish Versailles,” Branicki Palace is not where a queen or king resides. Instead, it is the headquarters of Medical University of Bialystok which offers two tours; the first being a historical journey around the palace, and the second being a tour around Museum of the History of Medicine and Pharmacy. Both tours would take approximately two-and-a-half hours. Another highlight is the baroque-style gardens in front of the palace, which gets more beautiful each year.

Branicki Palace

Address: Jana Kilińskiego 1, 15-089 Białystok, Poland

Website: Branicki Palace

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm

Price: From 4 USD

7. Check out a variety of local items at Kosciuszko Market Square

Kosciuszko Market Square is a central meeting point popular among locals. There is nothing in particular to see or do here, but rather because of its central location, many restaurants and coffee shops can be found nearby. The unique medieval architecture can also be admired anywhere from the market square as nearby attractions include museums and cathedrals. During the Christmas season, the market square transforms into a Christmas bazaar, perfect for getting into the festive mood.

Kosciuszko Market Square

Address: Rynek Kościuszki, 15-004 Białystok, Poland

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

8. Go back in time at Army Museum in Bialystok

Otherwise known as Muzeum Wojska w Białymstoku in Polish, one of the unconventional things to do in Białystok is to take a tour around Army Museum. The place will take you back in time with life-size weapons, mannequins, and interactive audio-visual displays. There are five permanent exhibitions displaying a huge collection of items and records by the Polish Army such as Polish and foreign orders, sculptures, military medallic art, military badges, and more.

Army Museum in Białystok

Address: Jana Kilińskiego 7, 15-089 Białystok, Poland

Website: Army Museum in Białystok

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9.30am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 2 USD

9. Go on a therapeutic stroll around Fontanny

A popular tourist attraction in Bialystok, Fontanny is a favourite place among locals to unwind. Nestled in Planty Park, Fontanny is essentially a fountain near Branicki Palace, which enchants visitors with its changing composition. When the sun has set, Fontanny illuminates in the dark. Near the fountain, you will also find flowers beautifully bloomed according to the season.

Fontanny

Address: aleja Zakochanych, Białystok, Poland

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Admire Polish paintings at Museum of Podlasie in Bialystok

Located near Kosciuszko Market Square, Museum of Podlasie in Bialystok is home to archaeological and ethnographic collections. However, the museum is most famous for its extensive collection of Polish paintings from the 18th to 20th century, housed in their permanent exhibition, “Gallery of Polish Painting.” This is a great place for serial art lovers!

Museum of Podlasie in Bialystok

Address: Rynek Kościuszki 10, 15-426 Białystok, Poland

Website: Museum of Podlasie in Bialystok

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 3.20 USD

11. Indulge in a delightful dinner at Sztuka Mięsa

Set in a casual dining restaurant, Sztuka Mięsa is every meat lover’s paradise. When a restaurant’s menu explicitly states that it does not recommend a well-done steak as it is a crime against meat, you know this place is the real deal. From beef to poultry, the extensive range of meat offered at this establishment will leave you spoilt for choice. Don’t worry about having trouble ordering your food as the staff here speak English too.

Sztuka Mięsa

Address: Krakowska 11, 15-875 Białystok, Poland

Website: Sztuka Mięsa

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 10pm; Fri: 10am - 11pm; Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm

12. Admire Praczki, a historical monument in Planty Park

Hidden in Planty Park, a sculpture from the 1940s remains. Praczki is a monument to the washerwomen in Bialystok, and it is one of the conserved monuments in the city. The sculpture depicts three women kneeling while doing laundry, with one woman’s clothing hanging loose, exposing her left breast. Bialystok is so rich in art that even outdoors, there are art pieces to admire. Besides visiting Praczki, you can also explore the other sights in the park or look for Fontanny. You might want to bring your camera to immortalize your wonderful moments in Bialystok.

Praczki

Address: Adama Mickiewicza, 15-222 Białystok, Poland

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

13. Get your pictures taken with Rzeźba "Podróż

Another sculpture worth visiting is Rzeźba “Podróż, otherwise known as Pomnik "Podróż.” Rzeźba “Podróż translates to "The Sculpture Journey” in English, which tells the story of Bialystok’s puppetry traditions. Just a short distance away from Kosciuszko Market Square, make sure to visit this sculpture and take a picture as proof of your travels to Bialystok.

Rzeźba "Podróż

Address: 15-369 Białystok, Poland

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

14. Take an eye-opening tour around Memorial Museum Siberia

For those interested in history, you definitely have to list Memorial Museum Siberia in your itinerary. One of the most enriching activities in Bialystok, Memorial Museum Siberia speaks the truth about those deported to the USSR during World War II. Based on true accounts and personal belongings, the permanent exhibition displays souvenirs from Siberia, a prayer book, photographs, and documents that depict the fate of those who experienced war.

Memorial Museum Siberia

Address: Węglowa 1, 15-121 Białystok, Poland

Website: Memorial Museum Siberia

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9.30am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Sun)

Price: 1 USD

15. Have the time of your life at Jump Park Trampolin

It is impossible to get bored at Jump Park Trampolin. For a fun time in Bialystok, visit Jump Park Trampolin and practice acrobatics by jumping into a pool of foam blocks and playing a smaller version of “Wipeout.” If you are visiting Bialystok in the winter, you can definitely come here to keep warm and do some fun exercise indoors. It does not matter if you are travelling with kids or grandparents as Jump Park Trampolin surely welcomes all ages.

Jump Park Trampolin

Address: Generała Józefa Bema 6, 15-369 Białystok, Poland

Website: Jump Park Trampolin

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 8pm

Price: 6 USD

Explore the beauty of Bialystok

Most things to do in Bialystok comprise elements of art and history, which makes this city a perfect destination for culture vultures. With so much to see and learn, your trip to Bialystok will surely turn you into a wiser traveller. Whether you prefer outdoors or indoors, you will be able to plan the perfect itinerary with these top things to do in Bialystok.