Torun at Night – What to Do After Dark in the Old Town

By day Torun belongs to tour groups and tourists clutching maps, but after dark the city takes on a different character. Floodlit Gothic townhouses, lights reflected in the Vistula and the buzz of the Old Town’s beer gardens mean that Torun at night can win over even those who have been here several times before.

Here’s what to do once the sun goes down – from relaxed strolls with a view, through concerts, to pubs in brick cellars and a late-night party on a private tram. At the end you’ll find a sample plan for the evening, practical tips and answers to the most common questions.

Why it’s worth staying in Torun for the evening

Torun is often visited in a rush: the Town Hall tower, Copernicus House, some gingerbread and off home. Yet the city looks its best after dark, when the Old Town’s most treasured monuments are lit up and the far bank of the Vistula offers a view regarded as one of the most beautiful city panoramas in Poland. Torun is also a university city, so the students make sure there’s never a shortage of life in the Old Town.

Torun at night: what to do after dark

1. A stroll around the illuminated Old Town

In the evening, Rynek Staromiejski (the Old Town Market Square), with the Town Hall, the Copernicus Monument and Dwór Artusa (Artus Court), looks completely different from how it does by day. Walk down Szeroka Street, stop by Krzywa Wieża (the Leaning Tower) and the Gothic gates by the Vistula – under the street lamps and floodlights, the brick walls take on an almost theatrical feel. It’s the easiest way to start the evening.

2. An evening in the New Town

For a quieter walk, head to the New Town, once the craftsmen’s quarter. Around Rynek Nowomiejski (the New Town Market Square) you’ll find St James’s Church and the townhouse of the old Pod Modrym Fartuchem (Under the Blue Apron) inn, among other sights. From here it’s a short walk to the ruins of the Teutonic Castle, which lie between the Old Town and the New Town.

3. The panorama from the left bank of the Vistula

Torun’s most famous view awaits on the other side of the river. From the left bank, around Majdany Street, you can see the whole riverside panorama of the Old Town, stretching between the Józef Piłsudski Bridge and the Ernest Malinowski Bridge. The best time to come is just after sunset, when the sky isn’t quite dark yet but the monuments are already lit up.

4. Bulwar Filadelfijski at sunset

The riverside boulevard, named after Philadelphia, Torun’s twin city, is a natural spot for an evening walk. In season, barges with beer gardens moor along the quay, and concerts are held on the nearby riverside meadows. It’s a good place to stop before moving on – to dinner or to the pubs deeper in the Old Town.

5. The Cosmopolis fountain show

In the Planty park by Fosa Staromiejska (the Old Town Moat) stands the Cosmopolis fountain, inspired by the heliocentric system described by Copernicus. More than a hundred jets are laid out along the orbits of the planets, and after dark in the tourist season the fountain puts on shows of water, light and music. Check the show times before you head out.

6. A concert or a show

An evening in Torun doesn’t have to end in a pub. It’s worth checking what’s on at the Wilam Horzyca Theatre, the Jordanki Cultural and Congress Centre and Artus Court, which hosts concerts and exhibitions. Live music fans should look in at the Lizard King club on Kopernika Street or the student club Od Nowa.

7. Pubs and clubs in Gothic townhouses

Torun’s Old Town is packed with pubs, clubs and restaurants tucked away in medieval townhouses and brick cellars, so an evening stroll easily turns into a crawl around several venues. Beer lovers should visit the Jan Olbracht brewery on Szczytna Street, which draws on the city’s brewing traditions. With a larger group, book a table at your first stop – you can improvise the rest of the route.

8. Torun by night from a party tram

If you want to see a lot in a short time and have a great time while you’re at it, hire a private tram. It comes with, among other things, a professional sound system, club lighting, a welcome drink and a dedicated party host, and the route can loop around the Gothic Old Town – through Rapacki Square and along the Sikorski Embankment – and through the Bydgoskie Przedmieście district. You’ll find the details on our Torun tram party page. The tram also works brilliantly as the main event of a stag do or a hen party.

9. The light festival

Torun hosts the Bella Skyway light festival, when illuminations transform the look of the city’s monuments – including the ruins of the Teutonic Castle. If you’re planning a trip, check the dates of the next edition, as it’s one of the most spectacular times to see the city at night.

A sample evening in Torun

• 18:30 – dinner in the Old Town
• 20:00 – a walk along Bulwar Filadelfijski and across the bridge to the left bank of the Vistula
• 21:00 – the panorama of the illuminated Old Town
• 21:45 – two hours on a private tram
• 23:45 – pubs and clubs in the Old Town

Adjust the times to the season – in summer the sun sets much later than in winter, so you’ll need to set off for the panorama later. We agree the date and start time of the tram ride individually, and the ride usually ends in the centre, near the Old Town.

Practical tips

• A warm layer – by the Vistula it’s often cooler in the evening than on the Market Square, even in midsummer.
• Bookings – on Fridays and Saturdays, reserve a table for a larger group well in advance.
• Stay close to the centre – choose a hotel or apartment in or right next to the Old Town, so you can walk back after the party.
• Camera at the ready – the best panorama shots come shortly after sunset, before the sky turns completely black.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best view of Torun at night?

On the left bank of the Vistula, around Majdany Street. Come just after sunset, when the Old Town’s monuments are already lit up.

Can you go to a concert in Torun in the evening?

Yes. Concerts take place at venues such as Artus Court, the Jordanki centre and clubs like Lizard King and Od Nowa. Check what’s on before you arrive.

Can a party tram in Torun set off in the evening?

Yes – we agree the date and start time individually, along with the route and any extra attractions. Prices are agreed individually, depending on your preferences and expectations, and we have options both for smaller groups of up to 30 people and for larger ones.