If you’re dreaming of a holiday but you don’t want to battle with the crowds, it’s a good idea to think outside of the box. The most famous places are likely to be the ones overrun by tourists, so it’s always best to look for the hidden gems.

According to travel experts at Iglu Cruise, there’s a gorgeous city that many people overlook. This charming city in western Poland has plenty to offer tourists, and yet so many people choose Krakow or Warsaw instead. This beautiful city is Poznań, widely known as one of Poland’s greenest cities.

In fact, green space makes up 25% of this charming place. It’s also one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland, and has some truly gorgeous architecture. 

Visitors to this city will see its famous rainbow houses lining the Old Market Square, and can sit in one of its many cafes and enjoy a Polish pastry.

A Poznań speciality is the St Martin’s croissant – a croissant filled with almond paste and poppy seeds. This pastry is so beloved that it even has its own museum, also located on the Old Market Square.

The Croissant Museum lets you learn the history behind these protected regional pastries and even try your hand at making some yourself. 

For the more adventurous at heart,  Poznań also has some pretty incredible outdoor activities. The city features the 250-acre Cytadela Park, built on the site of an old fort, and Lake Malta, an artificial lake surrounded by forest.

On the shores of Lake Malta, there is a ski slope where you can ski all year round – perfect for people who need to burn off a little energy on their holiday.

If you want something a little more sedate, why not try the little railway which runs along the shores of the lake? Malta Miniature Train runs a 3.8km route along the shore with the carriages being pulled by a steam engine since 1925.