Katowice Mini Guide
Tell me About Katowice
Katowice is a city in the south of Poland and lies on the Klodnica and Rawa rivers. Rynek is the old city and market area, although not much remains - modernist and art nouveau buildings sit side by side with communist eastern bloc style buildings. It is an industrial city with a rich cultural life.
How Would I get There?
Katowice International Airport has over 20 flights arriving daily from cities in Europe and
Russia. From the airport you can take the GTL shuttle bus to the city centre. Long distance coaches operated by Pekaes and Eurolines connect Katowice with European cities too. Should you arrive in
Warsaw, you can take a connecting flight to Katowice or take a PKP train, it takes around 3 hours. Once you are there, you can get around using the KZK GOP bus and tram system.
What is There to See in the City?
Firstly, head for the Market Square, where you can see the historic buildings in the modernist old town, which has been pedestrianised so it is easy to walk around. There you can see Katowice Cathedral and the Church of St Michael Archangel, the oldest church in the city, it was built in 1510. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nikizowiec, a settlement for miners from the early 20th century.
The city’s most famous landmark is the Silesian Insurgents Monument, it is the largest monument in Poland and combines architecture and sculpture. It represents the three uprisings in the city. To find out more about the city’s heritage visit the History of Katowice Museum. For ultra-modern design, see the Spodek a sports centre and venue, it resembles a flying saucer and one of the first skyscrapers in Europe, Drapacz Chmur.
What can I do in the Evening?
There is plenty to do in the evening. Eat out at Karcma Pod Strzechom, a polish cottage serving local country style dishes and then head for Hipnoza Jazz Club, a popular nightclub. You can see some repertory theatre at the Silesian Theatre or take in a concert at the Spodek. For film fans, there is the Cinema City Punkt 44, a multiplex cinema that also has IMAX 3D films. Alternatively, you can see experimental film and music at Rialto.
Where Can I Stay?
The 3 star Hotel Diament Katowice is in the centre of the city, near the train station and close to all the sights. It has classical rooms with free internet. You can eat polish regional dishes at the Romantyczna Restaurant and have a drink at Pod Aniolami Wine Bar. The hotel also offers an airport shuttle bus service for its guests.
Further Afield
If you wish to remember the survivors and victims of the holocaust, you can visit Auschwitz Memorial and Museum formerly concentration camps, near the town of Oswiecim. Guided tours of the site are available. There is Auschwitz I and Ausschwitz-Birkenhau, as well as the museum.