Close to the confluence of several notable Polish waterways, the centre of Bydgoszcz is dissected by the River Brda and the Bydgoszcz Canal, creating tiny Mill Island and earning the area the nickname of Little Venice. The Bydgoszcz Canal is particularly interesting: built between 1773 and 1774, the 24.7km stretch of water has a total of six dams and is connected to the River Notec, a fact that means it’s possible to travel all the way to Berlin from here by water. The canal was built by some 6,000 German and Czech workers, of whom an estimated third died of dysentery and fever during construction. Despite that ominous history Mill Island is now a thriving spot that the city is turning into its own museum district, with popular destinations like the Modern Art Gallery and Archeology Museum drawing regular visitors.

Now that the island’s museums are open and running, the city is focusing its improvements on the outdoor space. Visitors wandering around Mill Island will experience several exciting new additions, the first of which is a bustling playground. Stroller parking is abundant, and locals are taking advantage of this scenic playspace regularly. Also worth mentioning are the spruced-up quayside and well-landscaped gardens, and the city of Bydgoszcz should take the number of leisurely nappers on the island’s many new benches as a high compliment. There isn’t a better place to people watch or, alternatively, rest your eyes than these clean new seats.