15 Cool Things to Do in Katowice, Poland

Katowice, together with Lodz, is one of the most misunderstood cities in Poland. For years, it was considered to be a dull, industrial place with not much to offer. But the reality is so opposite.

I’ve been visiting Katowice often, either for sightseeing, cultural events, or as a starting point for an international trip (the local airport offers flights to numerous destinations), and with each trip, I was falling more and more for the place. Now, I think this is one of the best places to visit in Poland, albeit really overlooked, with an impressive list of diverse things to do in Katowice. Spending time there is always such a treat for me. 

If you are planning a trip to Poland and are looking for a cool, unusual place to include in your itinerary, try Katowice. You will be surprised by how great a place it is and how much you can see and do there! You can also visit Katowice on an easy day trip from Krakow, although I think this city (and the surrounding region) deserves more attention. 

After my numerous visits there, I put together this guide to the best things to do in Katowice, so you can use it on your trip and enjoy the city to the fullest. Read on and discover Katowice, Poland.

Why visit Katowice

Katowice is known mostly for its rich industrial heritage, and you will find numerous examples of it throughout the city. There are mines that are still operating, as well as places that were closed and now serve a different, usually cultural, purpose.

But the history of Katowice is much longer, dating back to medieval times (although the city was first officially mentioned in 1598). The real change came with the urbanization in the 18th and 19th centuries. Katowice developed rapidly and became the region’s main industrial hub. Back then, the Silesia region was part of Prussia, but after the First World War, Poland regained independence, and even though Katowice voted to remain in Germany, the surrounding region decided to be part of Poland, so the city had to follow.

Today, with around 300,000 inhabitants, this is the 10th-largest city in Poland. Even though many industrial workplaces have closed today, the city offers a vibrant atmosphere, and numerous Katowice attractions can guarantee an interesting travel experience.

Things to do in Katowice

Here are the best things to do in Katowice

Visit the Silesian Museum

Located on the grounds of the former coal mine “Katowice”, the Silesian Museum is a perfect place to start your sightseeing in Katowice. For someone who doesn’t know much about the region, it’s a perfect introduction to the history of the city and Silesia. Not only are the exhibitions diverse and interesting, but the museum is interactive and educational. 

The highlight of the Silesian Museum is the exhibition on the region of Upper Silesia through the centuries. You can learn about earlier times and more recent events up to 1989, and see why Katowice and Silesia played such an important role in Polish history. 

If you appreciate art, you are in for a treat as well. In the Silesian Museum, you will find amazing works by some of the greatest Polish artists, including Matejko, Wyspianski, and Malczewski, to name a few. There is also a section dedicated to art naïve, which is such a lovely yet underrated style. 

Once you are done with visiting the Silesian Museum, be sure to go to the top of the nearby “Warszawa II” shaft. The viewing platform is included with the museum ticket, and the panorama from up there is really good.

Enjoy the Culture Zone

The Silesian Museum is part of the so-called Culture Zone, which spreads across the center of Katowice and is a perfect example of the revitalization of urban areas. I remember not so long ago, after the Katowice mine shut down, this part of the city was just a waste, a blank space on the map. 

Besides the Museum grounds, the Culture Zone consists of the headquarters of NOSPR (Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra), the International Conference Center, and Spodek – the spaceship. All the buildings (except Spodek) are new, designed in a modern style yet reflecting the city’s best features, such as Nikiszowiec.

Altogether, Culture Zone is a perfect place to spend free time and relax, whether at one of the numerous cultural events or just hanging out on the rooftop of ICC, enjoying the place. 

Visit the Katowice History Museum

Another great place to learn more about Katowice and its background is the History Museum.  It’s different from the Silesian Museum but also very interesting. Located in a beautiful townhouse, it shows how different social classes used to live and how everyday life was at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Part of the exhibition is dedicated to the history of Katowice. 

Find modernist architecture

Katowice is also a great destination for fans of architecture, especially from the 20th century. Since this is a fairly young city, gaining its rights in 1865, a fair share of its development occurred at the beginning of the 20th century, when modernism was at its peak. Katowice was even known as “Polish Chicago” for its architectural style and for being the first city in Poland to build skyscrapers. After Gdynia and Kaunas in Lithuania, this is one of the best places in Central Europe with modernist architecture.

You can find so many great buildings in that style, especially in the area near the train station. At the tourist information, you can get a map of the 17 best modernist buildings in Katowice and their short descriptions. Following the so-called modernist trail is a great way to discover this unique architectural style. 

Discover Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec

If you ask local people which places you cannot miss when you visit Katowice, they will most likely point you to Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec, two workers’ quarters located on the eastern outskirts. They were both built at the beginning of the 20th century for workers at the nearby mines, and they couldn’t be any more different! 

While Nikiszowiec is entirely made of red brick and full of tenement houses, Giszowiec was created as a garden city with small, distinct houses, each designed for two families. Both settlements are beautiful and charming, but it was Nikiszowiec that stole my heart.

It felt like a city on its own, with everything a resident might need: a church, a shop, numerous workshops, a tavern, or a cafe. Even if all the houses look the same at first, after a while, you realize they are not. A tiny detail that distinguishes houses from each other is the front door – it was designed that way on purpose so men, after a night at the tavern, would find their home easily. 

When you visit Nikiszowiec, you can stop at Cafe Bryj, a charming bistro on the main square, where you can try local dishes or have coffee with homemade cakes. This is also a perfect spot to observe everyday life in Nikiszowiec. 

Enjoy art at Wilson Shaft Gallery

Located near Nikiszowiec, the Wilson Shaft Gallery is the largest private gallery in Poland. Its motto, “What industry took away, culture must regain,” is a perfect description of the transformation that has been happening in Katowice in recent years.

The gallery is located in the former bathhouse of the Wilson shafts of the Wieczorek Coal Mine, dating back to 1826. This site created a perfect background for showcasing art. I’ve been to the Wilson Shaft Gallery a few times, and on each visit I’ve equally enjoyed the exhibitions and the industrial surroundings.

The entrance to the Wilson Shaft Gallery is free. Last time I was there, I was completely alone in the building, which made the whole experience so much more exciting. It takes a bit of a detour to reach the place, but it’s definitely worth the effort.