Location: Katowice
Top Things to do in Katowice
- 1. National Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Radio
- 2. Silesian Museum
- 3. Nikiszowiec
- 4. Valley of Three Ponds (Dolina Trzech Stawow)
- 5. Guitar History Museum
- 6. Spodek
- 7. Kosciuszko Park
- 8. Silesian Insurgents' Monument (Pomnik Powstancow Slaskich)
- 9. Museum of the History of Katowice
- 10. Osiedle Giszowiec
What to do and see in Katowice, Poland: The Best Places and Tips
Katowice (/ˌkætəˈviːtsə/; Polish pronunciation: [katɔˈvʲit͡sɛ] ( listen); Silesian: Katowicy, German: Kattowitz, officially Miasto Katowice) is a city in southern Poland, with a population of 297,197 as of 2017 and the center of the Silesian Metropolis, with a population of 2.2 million.
Restaurants in Katowice
1. National Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Radio
Overall Ratings
5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By JonDoe04134 - Lidingo, Sweden
The building is not only beautiful from the outside, paying homage to the history and architecture of the region of Upper Silesia. It's also jaw-droppingly gorgeous inside. But even more importantly, the concert hall is cutting edge, which combined with excellent musicians results in an unforgetable experience.
2. Silesian Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Muzeum Slaskie comprises a building complex erected at the site of the former mine and represents a perfect combination of the region’s identity with state-of-the-art architectural solutions. Such result was achieved thanks to the maximum use of underground space, and therefore relatively low interference with the local, post-industrial landscape. Impressive spaces are vast and modern and at the same time maintain the memory of place, which closely corresponds with the Museum’s cultural policy. The new building of Muzeum Slaskie, raised as a result of the local inhabitants’ needs and some brave decisions, has quickly and naturally become the crucial cultural centre of the region, a remarkably important Silesian social life hub and a significant contributor on the cultural map of Poland. The new building allowed us to display valuable exhibits, which we were unable to present to the visitors earlier, and create the “The Light of History. Upper Silesia over the Ages.” exhibition — an innovative event, which is both important for the region and emotional. However, opening new Exhibitions in just one of the goals fulfilled by the Silesian Museum. It is people who matter most to us and that is why we are proud to have established a dynamic and thriving meeting place.
Reviewed By bartonsmpson - Eccleshall
Great design in this modern building housing an art gallery with mostly home grown talent being shown
Also a few interesting building which were closed during our time there
Cost is under a fiver per person entry.
Coffee shop and visitor centre were available.
Great architecture throughout and a must see for this town
3. Nikiszowiec
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By Ravalus
Paid a visit some 10 years ago, taken there by a friend. This district of the city is something different. Probably different from anything you've seen so far, so do not hestitate but go and see for yourself. :) Designed as an estate for workers/miners it is now a famous city sight and one of the most popular tourist attractions.
4. Valley of Three Ponds (Dolina Trzech Stawow)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By JonDoe04134 - Lidingo, Sweden
It's not really a place for tourists, there's nothing particularly entertaining there. But if you've recently moved to Katowice it might just become your favourite place for walks or skating. Can get pretty crowded on sunny days, but you can venture to find some hidden, more secluded places. And don't even bother going there on concert weekends (unless you want to see the event that is).
5. Guitar History Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 59 reviews
Exhibition presents collection of necked plucked chordophones - lutes from the whole World. On most of the instruments it is possible to play with a company of two fascinates. A place full of tones, printings, stories, melodies... Entry after previous arrangement by phone.
Reviewed By Alena B
It was a real pleasure to spend an hour or so in this place. Museum is not very big, but there are lots of instruments. Pan Lešek (owner) told us stories, he let us play the instruments and that was super! And then he played together with Alex and we sang songs! I can say, it's worthy of coming here once again. Small money for tons of pleasure.
6. Spodek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Plans for Spodek (meaning Saucer in English) were made in the early 1950s during the brief period that Katowice was called Stalinogrod. Completed in 1971 it reflects the mood of the time: a pleasant mix of socialist optimism and futuristic UFOs landing in town. It is mainly used for sports and Concerts.
Looks better from outside than inside where an individual feels small and only meaningful as part of a crowd, but perhaps that was intentional?
7. Kosciuszko Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
8. Silesian Insurgents' Monument (Pomnik Powstancow Slaskich)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The monument dates from 1967, a time when communist rule was not yet significantly challenged, but resentment and opposition was increasing. Communist officials felt they could perhaps counter these sentiments by convincing the public they were truly nationalist and hailed the insurgents that fought German domination after the end of WO!. Maybe, the monument had to be big and large to underscore their patriotism and also to put Katowice on the Polish map as important. Perhaps they did not realize that massive and big do not necessarily equal beauty.
The monument may trigger different positive emotions among local people and I respect that. However, for me it is a collection of almost macabre black blocks of material, not exhaling vibes of optimism, but rather of sorrow and pessimism. I fail to see the dynamic wings of eagles. Hope Polish artists of today will find a better expression to honor the revolutionary insurgents of the three uprisings
9. Museum of the History of Katowice
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
The main building and most of the Museum’s departments are located in a historic tenement house which was built at the beginning of the 20th century. Its exclusive premises were once occupied by wealthy citizens of the city. Having appreciated the building’s virtues, the Local Government in Katowice decided to allocate the House to the Museum in 1979. In order to faithfully reconstruct middle-class interiors, a permanent exhibition was created in situ. Departments of The Museum of The History of Katowice: -> THEATRE AND FILM DEPARTMENT ul. Kopernika 11, 40-064 Katowice -> PAWEŁ STELLER’S GRAPH ul. Kosciuszki 47, 40-048 Katowice -> ETHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT ul. Rymarska 4, 40-425 Katowice-Nikiszowiec
Reviewed By Papudrakus - Warsaw, Poland
Museums looks to be nice, but inside is boring. i did not have any guide or assistance and the rooms were without the leaflets or anything about the Exhibitions. Big collection of paintings. Very average.
10. Osiedle Giszowiec
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Only one third of the original 1907 settlement remained. Moreover the whole historic place is embedded in later urban (communist) development with huge, rather boring apartment blocks. It is difficult to imagine how the original looked liked. Still the core of the garden-city with a beautiful park and large houses (two dwellings under one roof) is visible. The red brick houses for the coal miners were demolished. They now live in flats. The mine is still operational.
Worth a visit, also because of the surrounding Forests. Great for cycling.
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