Underground Szczecin – The Shelter and Routes to Explore as a Group

Some of the most interesting places in Szczecin can’t be seen from street level. Beneath the main railway station lies a huge shelter with three tour routes, under plac Solidarności (Solidarity Square) there’s an award-winning museum, and the castle and the town hall hide the dukes’ crypt and Gothic cellars. Underground Szczecin makes a great trip with friends, a company team-building day or a school outing.

Below we describe what you’ll see on each of the shelter’s routes, how to organise a group visit and what to add to your plan to turn one tour into a full day out. All the places mentioned are in the centre, so you can easily cover them on foot in a single day.

Podziemne Trasy Szczecina (Szczecin Underground Routes) – the shelter under the main station

Often described as the largest civilian shelter in Poland, it has been welcoming visitors for years. The entrance is at Szczecin Główny station: from the station hall, go to platform 1, turn right and take the stairs down through a glass pavilion. The ticket office is at the bottom. One ticket covers three routes, marked with arrows in different colours.

1. The red route – the Second World War

The first route tells the story of the air raids and daily life in the shelters, the destruction of the city and the end of German Stettin, as well as the post-war resettlements and the first years of Polish Szczecin. It’s a powerful history lesson that leaves an impression even on people who usually steer clear of museums.

2. The blue route – the Cold War

The second route shows how the wartime shelters were adapted for the Cold War. Among other things, you’ll see civil defence rooms, a radio room that broadcast propaganda programmes and a reconstructed 1970s-style flat. The story also covers everyday life in communist Poland (the PRL) and the work of the opposition.

3. The yellow route – “Selfie z PRL-em”

To finish, something lighter: a humorous route (“Selfie with the PRL”) with sets inspired by the cult comedy film “Miś” and the décor of a bar mleczny, a traditional Polish milk bar. It’s the best place for group photos – taking pictures is allowed, although the rules prohibit filming.

How to visit the shelter with a group

• Time – walking all three routes takes about an hour.
• Booking – guided tours for schools, tour groups and companies run all week at a pre-arranged time; you need to book in advance, ideally by email.
• Self-guided or with a guide – the routes are well signposted and some exhibits come with audio recordings, so a smaller group will manage on its own; a guide, on the other hand, adds anecdotes and answers questions.
• Temperature – it’s about 14°C in the shelter, so bring a hoodie, even on a hot day.
• Rules – no food or sweet drinks are allowed inside.
• Languages – the exhibition descriptions are in Polish, English and German, which makes the visit easier for guests from abroad.

More underground sites and places with history

4. Centrum Dialogu Przełomy (Przełomy Dialogue Centre)

The building of this branch of the National Museum is largely hidden under plac Solidarności, right next to the Philharmonic. The interactive exhibition in its underground halls covers the recent history of Szczecin and Western Pomerania, with a special focus on the events of 1970–1971, 1980–1981 and 1988–1989. There’s a café by the exit where you can try paprykarz szczeciński, the local fish spread.

5. Krypta Książęca (the Ducal Crypt) in the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle

The north wing of Zamek Książąt Pomorskich (the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle) houses a crypt with the sarcophagi of the dukes of the Griffin dynasty. The crypt, the armoury and the Lubinus study are part of the permanent exhibitions, and it’s worth booking a guided tour for your group in advance. After the crypt, climb the Bell Tower – its terrace holds no more than ten people at a time.

6. The Gothic cellars of the Old Town Hall

Beneath Ratusz Staromiejski (the Old Town Hall) lie Gothic cellars that house the Wyszak brewery restaurant. It’s the natural place for lunch or dinner after exploring the underground – the spacious interiors can take a larger group, and the restaurant also hosts corporate and special-occasion events.

7. In the footsteps of Szczecin Fortress

Plenty of traces of the old Prussian fortress remain above ground. The baroque Brama Portowa (Harbour Gate) and Brama Królewska (King’s Gate) are the only surviving 18th-century defensive structures in the city, and Wały Chrobrego (Chrobry Embankment) was built on the site of the former Fort Leopold. A walk between them is easy to combine with the shelter and the castle. Brama Królewska stands right by plac Solidarności, so you can see it on your way to the Przełomy Dialogue Centre.

Sample day plan for a group

• 10:30 – guided tour of Podziemne Trasy Szczecina
• 12:00 – walk from the station to the Old Town
• 12:30 – lunch in the Gothic cellars of the town hall
• 14:00 – the Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle: the crypt and the Bell Tower
• 16:00 – Centrum Dialogu Przełomy
• 18:00 – sunset on Wały Chrobrego
• 20:00 – two hours on a private tram with music and club lighting

Opening hours depend on the day of the week and the season, so check each venue’s website before you set off and let them know about your group visit in advance.

After the tour – a party on a tram

After a day exploring underground Szczecin, it’s time to return to the surface in style. A private TramParty tram is a club on wheels just for your group: music, club lighting and a route we plan together with you. The ride can start from almost any tram stop and finish near Bulwary Nadodrzańskie (the Oder Boulevards), a short walk from dinner or an after party. We prepare offers for smaller groups of up to 30 people as well as for larger ones. You’ll find the details on our Szczecin tram party page, and companies should take a look at our corporate events offer.

Underground Szczecin: frequently asked questions

Where is the entrance to the shelter under Szczecin’s main station?

The entrance is at Szczecin Główny station: from the station hall, go to platform 1, turn right and take the stairs down in the glass pavilion. The ticket office is at the bottom.

How long does a visit to Podziemne Trasy Szczecina take?

Walking all three routes takes about an hour. Groups can arrange a guided tour at a time of their choice – you’ll need to book in advance.

Can we have a tram party after the tour?

Yes. The ride can start from almost any tram stop, so it’s easy to fit into your day. Prices and details are agreed individually, and the options include a welcome drink, catering, photo coverage and an HD souvenir video.