Rzeszów

Rzeszów is the capital of Subcarpathian Voivodeship in southeastern Poland with nearly 200,000 inhabitants. It was a private town of the Lubomirski family for centuries, who were patrons of culture, arts, and science. The city developed quickly under their reign and became a meeting point of many European nations from the Byzantine East and Mediterranean West, creating a unique cultural blend at the crossroads of Southern and Northern Europe.

Snow is common in winter when night-time temperatures are typically below zero. In summer, temperatures may often reach 30°C (86°F) but average around 22°C (72°F). Annual rainfall is approximately 500 mm (20 in), among the lowest in Poland. The rainiest month is July, mainly due to short but intense cloudbursts and thunderstorms. The best time to visit is late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September) for mild weather.

Rzeszów is served by Jasionka International Airport (RZE), located about 8 km from the city centre. The main railway station is Rzeszów Główny, providing connections across Poland. Main bus station (Dworzec Autobusowy) offers services with multiple carriers including PKS Rzeszów and Veolia Podkarpacie. Suburban Bus Station (Dworzec Podmiejski) handles regional connections.

The Old Town in the city centre is small and easily manageable on foot. Regular bus services connect the centre to New Town and suburbs. One-way ticket ('bilet normalny') costs 3 zł (May 2017), night buses (23:00-05:00) cost twice as much. One-hour ticket ('bilet 1-godzinny') costs 4 zł and is valid for all buses. Day pass ('bilet dobowy') costs 12 zł. Big luggage must be paid extra (1.65 zł). Tickets are sold at kiosks near bus stops or from the driver. Rzeszów has a well-developed network of cycle paths, though bicycle parking is limited. Driving and parking in the city centre is difficult, but ul. Krakowski has free car parks within ten minutes' walk of the centre.

Budget accommodation includes Schronisko Młodzieżowe PTSM "Alko" at Rynek 25 with HI membership discounts (25-50 zł for dorms and privates). Mid-range options include Va Bank at Rynek 5 (double 160 zł) and Hotel Fryderyk in a tenement house near the castle. Best Western Plus Hotel Ferdynand near the train station offers doubles starting around 200 zł. Luxury option Bristol Tradition & Luxury at Rynek 20 starts at 240 zł.

The main shopping areas are on pedestrianized Grunwaldzka and 3'ego Maja streets with several small shopping centres in the city centre. For dining, try Zacisze Bar & Cafe (3 Maja 12), Pierogarnia "Na piętrze" (3 Maja 5/2) for traditional Polish dumplings, or Cafe Bar Murzynek (Kościuszki 7). Stary Brower Rzeszowski at Rynek 20/23 offers local beers with pub atmosphere (Su-W 12:00-23:00, Th-Sa 12:00-01:00). Irish Pub Galway at 3-go Maja 8 has Irish beers and whiskeys.

Visit the 16th-century Lubomirski Castle at Plac Śreniawitów 3 (now law courts, exterior worth seeing) and the late-baroque Lubomirski Summer Palace at ul. Jana Dekerta 2, described as the most beautiful aristocratic residence in the Sub-Carpathian region. The Market Square (Rynek) is the central square. Explore the 369-m-long Underground Tourist Route "Rzeszow Cellars" at ul. Rynek 12 (25 zł regular, 20 zł reduced). Other museums include the Ethnographic Museum (6/4 zł) with folk costumes and woodcarvings, the Rzeszów Regional Museum in the former Piarist monastery (10/8 zł, closed Mondays), and Poland's only Museum of Bedtime Cartoons (7/4 zł). Football fans can watch Stal Rzeszów play I Liga at Stadion Miejski (capacity 12,000), 2 km south of town centre.

Rzeszów is a rather safe place for travellers. Be aware of pickpocketing like in any other city. Avoid starting arguments with young, bald men dressed in sweatshirts. Do not openly show support for football or speedway clubs due to rivalry between hooligan groups. Avoid buying 'occasional bargains' from vendors wandering around parking lots (selling shoddy goods like binoculars). These are general cautions for all of Poland.

Łańcut is practically a suburb located 17 km from Rzeszów, accessible by coaches or trains, featuring a magnificent castle. Further afield are Jarosław and Przemyśl, both accessible by train and coaches. Rzeszów lies between the cultural hubs of Kraków and Lviv. For hiking, head to the Bieszczady mountain range south of Rzeszów.

From Rzeszów, easily reach Łańcut (17 km) by coach or train for its castle. Further destinations include Jarosław and Przemyśl by train or coach. The city sits between Kraków to the west and Lviv (Ukraine) to the east. The Bieszczady mountains offer hiking opportunities to the south.