Philadelphia Boulevard in Torun – Walks, Views and Where to Meet Up

Philadelphia Boulevard (Bulwar Filadelfijski) is the riverfront on the right bank of the Vistula that runs along the entire Old Town of Torun – the river on one side, medieval walls on the other. If you’re wondering what Philadelphia Boulevard in Torun has to offer, the answer is: city gates, defensive towers, viewpoints and the best access to the river in town, all within a single walk.

In this guide we suggest which way to go, where to stand for photos and how to use the boulevard as the starting point for your evening – for example before a private boat cruise.

Philadelphia Boulevard in Torun – where the name comes from and a bit of history

There has been a port here since the Middle Ages. Torun traded mainly in timber, grain and salt, and in the 13th century even flat-bottomed seagoing ships called here. The port quay survived until the 1970s – it was lined with wooden warehouses, and a railway siding from Toruń Miasto station brought wagons right up to the barges.

The boulevard in its present form was built for the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus, Torun’s most famous son, when the quay stopped being used as a port. In the mid-1970s it was named after Philadelphia, Torun’s American twin city. A bit of trivia for film buffs: the opening scene of Marek Piwowski’s cult Polish comedy “Rejs” (“The Cruise”) was shot right here, and a mural by the boulevard commemorates the film.

Between 2022 and 2024 the riverfront underwent a major redevelopment. Its aim was to reduce car traffic, and the works created a promenade along the bank, cycle paths, terraced steps and access points down to the Vistula.

Philadelphia Boulevard – sights along the Old Town walk

The boulevard is about 2 km long. The most convenient way to walk it is from Piłsudski Bridge towards the railway bridge – in the same order in which the Old Town skyline unfolds:

1. Racławice Barracks (Koszary Racławickie). Built in 1820–1822 and set at right angles to the riverbank, the building was part of the fortifications of Torun Fortress.
2. Monastery Gate (Brama Klasztorna) and the wooden deck. Steps from the gate lead down to a deck right above the water – a good place to sit for a moment closer to the river. It’s also worth stepping inside the walls: on Pod Krzywą Wieżą Street (“Under the Leaning Tower”) you’ll find the oldest surviving section of city wall in Poland, and the local tower – the Leaning Tower – tilts about 1.4 m off vertical.
3. The Dovecote Tower (Baszta Gołębnik) – the highest point of the riverside walls.
4. The pavilions by Żeglarska and Łazienna streets. They were built during the redevelopment, and their roofs offer a view over the Vistula.
5. Sailors’ Gate (Brama Żeglarska) and Bridge Gate (Brama Mostowa). The first led to the port, the second – built in 1432 – to a wooden bridge over the Vistula that burned down in 1877.
6. The ruins of the Teutonic Knights’ castle. The remains of the stronghold are one of the three parts of the UNESCO-listed site, alongside the Old Town and the New Town.

Along the way you’ll also pass the limnigraph building from 1892, which recorded changes in the level of the Vistula – small, but an interesting trace of Torun’s river history. You can read more about the medieval fortifications on the city’s page about Torun’s defensive walls (in Polish).

Where to take the best photos of the Torun skyline

The boulevard brings you up close to the walls, but you’ll only see the full panorama of the Old Town from the left bank. The most frequently recommended shot is taken from the viewpoint on Majdany Street – where the old bridge leading to Bridge Gate used to begin. There’s also a good view from the viewing platform on Kępa Bazarowa.

Kępa Bazarowa is, in fact, a destination for a walk in its own right. The island lies between the Vistula and its side channel known as the Polish Vistula, and since 1987 part of it, covered with riparian forest, has been a nature reserve. This is where the First Peace of Thorn (Thorn being Torun’s old German name) was signed in 1411. A little further along the left bank stand the ruins of Dybów Castle – a stronghold built on the orders of King Władysław Jagiełło, where the Statutes of Nieszawa were issued in 1454.

The easiest way to cross to the other bank is via Piłsudski Bridge. Since it was extended, the bridge has wider footpaths, three viewing points and walkways with lifts down to Philadelphia Boulevard and Kępa Bazarowa. So you can do a loop: boulevard, bridge, island and back again.

After dark the panorama looks completely different: hundreds of lamps light up the monuments and their reflections shimmer on the water. If you’d like to see that view from the river itself, read what you can see on an evening cruise on the Vistula in Torun.

The boulevard as a meeting point before a party in Torun

When choosing a meeting point for your group, follow one simple rule: it has to be easy to find, even for people who are in Torun for the first time. The city gates are ideal for this – everyone can find Bridge Gate, Sailors’ Gate or Monastery Gate on a map.

• By train: Toruń Główny, the main railway station, is on the left bank of the Vistula, about 2 km from the Old Town, so allow time for a bus or taxi. Toruń Miasto station is closer to the centre.
• By car: since the redevelopment was meant to reduce car traffic by the river, check the current traffic and parking arrangements before you set off.
• Time buffer: arrange to meet 20–30 minutes before the planned start – that way latecomers won’t be a problem.
• Save the toasts for the deck: drinking alcohol in public places such as riverside boulevards is, as a rule, prohibited in Poland.

For a private cruise, the boarding point is agreed when you book – so only pick your meeting point once you know the details.

After the walk, all aboard – a Vistula cruise in Torun with BoatParty

A walk along the boulevard and a cruise complement each other nicely: first you see the walls up close, then the whole panorama from the water. In Torun we organise private boat parties – hen parties and stag dos, birthdays, corporate events and family celebrations. You hire the boat for 2 hours, and you can plan the start for the afternoon, sunset or the evening.

Package prices for groups of 30 or more start from €22 per person for the Basic package (boat and music). Star, from €29, adds a light show, welcome drinks, soft drinks and snacks, while VIP, from €38, adds a DJ, a bartender or hostess, a dedicated Partymaker and a photo report. For every cruise you can also order catering, boat decorations or a personalised banner. Find out more on the BoatParty Torun page, and before you leave home, check our list of what to bring to a boat party.

Philadelphia Boulevard in Torun – FAQ

Where does the name Philadelphia Boulevard come from?

The boulevard was named after Philadelphia, Torun’s American twin city. The name was given in the mid-1970s, shortly after the old port quay was redeveloped.

How long is Philadelphia Boulevard?

About 2 km. The riverfront runs along the Old Town, between the Vistula and the line of the medieval walls.

Where is the best view of the Torun skyline?

The full panorama of the Old Town is best seen from the left bank of the Vistula – from the viewpoint on Majdany Street or from the viewing platform on Kępa Bazarowa island. The deck of a boat on the river gives you yet another perspective.

Can you drink alcohol on Philadelphia Boulevard?

No. Drinking alcohol in public places such as riverside boulevards is, as a rule, prohibited in Poland. It’s better to raise your toast on board, as part of the package you choose.

Does the BoatParty boat leave from Philadelphia Boulevard?

That depends on what we agree when you book – that’s when we choose the boarding point, start time and route together. We confirm the details before the party, so you can plan your meeting point well in advance.

Philadelphia Boulevard in Torun – summary

Philadelphia Boulevard is the best introduction to Torun from the river side: gates, defensive towers, castle ruins and views of the Vistula along one easy stretch. Combine a walk with a cruise and you’ll see the Old Town from both perspectives. Tell us when you’re planning your evening and how many of you there will be – we’ll prepare an initial offer.