10 Fantastic Reasons to Visit Katowice, Poland!

Katowice is such an underrated city located in Southern Poland. There are so many great things to see and do in Katowice, and it has great transport links to other places in Poland – as well as to other countries such as Germany and Czechia – so if you’re looking for a reason to go and visit Katowice, check out these 10 great reasons to visit Katowice!

*Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning that if you buy from them – I get a commission at no extra cost to you 😉 Read the full affiliate disclosure here.

Contents:

Why Visit Katowice?

Why visit Katowice? Katowice is an exciting, vibrant city that offers visitors a multitude of things to see and do. As a major cultural and arts hub, there are plenty of galleries, museums, and theatres to explore. There are also many great restaurants and bars in the city, as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

As the capital of a region with a long mining tradition, you can also visit fascinating industrial and historic sites. In addition, Katowice is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and is the gateway to some of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Poland.

What is Katowice Best Known For?

What is Katowice best known for? Katowice is best known as an international hub for music, arts, and culture, due to its extensive cultural program and many festivals that draw visitors from around the world.

It is also known for its many industrial sites, especially those linked to its coal-mining past. Furthermore, Katowice has a vibrant food scene, with lots of delicious regional dishes to enjoy, as well as some great coffee and craft beer bars.

Related Post: ULTIMATE: Katowice Travel Guide 2023

Is Katowice Safe?

Is Katowice safe? Katowice is generally a safe and secure city to visit. The streets are well-lit, and pedestrians feel safe wandering around day or night. In addition, there is a large police presence to ensure the safety of everyone.

Overall, crime rates are low, and visitors should not experience any major security threats. As with every city, however, visitors should take the usual precautions by avoiding carrying large amounts of cash and being aware of their surrounding when out and about.

10 Reasons to Visit Katowice:

If you’re still not convinced to visit Katowice, check out these 10 great reasons to visit Katowice that are sure to convince you to visit:

1. Katowice is a great base to explore from

Katowice is the perfect base from which to explore some of Poland’s most spectacular natural and historical sites. Stunning mountain ranges like the Beskids and the Silesian Beskids are only a short drive away.

There are also a number of interesting cities and towns within easy reach of Katowice, such as Krakow, Oswiecim (Auschwitz), and Wroclaw. The city itself has plenty to offer visitors, including many interesting museums, galleries, and theatres. With so much on offer, Katowice is a great place to stay and explore – and this is what makes it one of the best reasons to visit Katowice.

2. It’s easy to navigate

Katowice is incredibly easy to navigate. The city is laid out in a very logical and efficient way, making it simple to get around. The public transport system is also excellent and extremely affordable, and the trams, trains, and buses are all clearly marked and go to all the major attractions.

If you’re travelling by car, then luckily car parking can be easy to find, with plenty of affordable options. The city centre is relatively compact, and it is easy to explore on foot. Although the street names may be a little confusing at first, travelers should find it easy to orientate themselves within a short time.

3. There is lots of history to discover

Katowice is a major cultural hub with plenty of history to discover. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city began to experience intense industrialisation and remains to this day as one of the major industrial centres of Poland.

The city was also an important mining centre, and if you wish to visit to learn more about this industry, then a visit to Muzeum Śląskie is highly recommended. As well as this, Katowice also has a much older history, with archaeological sites revealing evidence of settlements from as far back as the Stone Age.

There are also a number of historic churches and monuments in and around the city that can be explored if you are into religious history.

4. The food is SO good!

Katowice is well-known for its excellent variety of traditional Polish cuisine. Visitors can find delicious traditional food like Pierogi (the best 😉 ) and Żurek soup, as well as plenty of delicious regional dishes like Bigos stew. There are also plenty of restaurants offering hearty yet innovative dishes, such as Zrazy and kotlet schabowy.

No matter what you are in the mood for, Katowice has it all. There are plenty of great local eateries, as well as excellent international restaurants to sample. Foodies will have plenty of opportunities to try unusual and exciting dishes from all over the world.

5. Park Śląskie – a park BIGGER than Central Park!

Park Śląskie in Katowice is a great place to visit if you want to take in some of Katowice’s stunning natural scenery – and one of the best reasons to visit Katowice, especially in the Spring and Summer months. The park is bigger than Central Park in New York City, and has a number of different areas to explore, such as meadows, ponds, and forests – and there is even a planetarium!

There is also an impressive variety of wildlife to see, including a wide variety of birds. In addition, the park has a number of different activities and attractions for visitors, such as picnic areas, playgrounds, theme park and zoo (-oh, and dinosaurs!).

Visitors can also take a leisurely stroll along the many well-marked trails or take a bike ride along the paths. If you don’t feel like doing much exercise, then luckily, there is also a chair lift that will let you take in the views in peace.

6. Katowice has lots of things to do

Katowice offers visitors a multitude of things to do and explore. Whether you are looking for culture or entertainment, there is something for everyone. There are plenty of galleries, museums, and theatres to visit, as well as a wealth of historical sites.

Katowice is also surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, making it an ideal location for hiking and outdoor activities. After a day of exploring the city and region, visitors can relax in one of the city’s many restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.

7. Katowice has lots of great music and sport events on!

If you love sports and music, then this will be one of the best reasons to visit Katowice for you! Spodek is one of Katowice’s most iconic structures and a major cultural hub in the city. It is a huge multipurpose arena and home to numerous musical and sports events throughout the year. Every month, the Spodek is the site of some of Europe’s biggest musical events and concerts.

In addition, the arena is also the regular home to the Polish Hockey League, and there is plenty of lively atmosphere when the games are on. Outside the arena, there is a large open area with bars and restaurants to explore, as well as a colourful music and arts scene.

8. Katowice Airport is a base for Buzz – so you can visit for cheap!

Katowice Airport is a great option for those looking for an affordable way to get to and from Katowice. The airport is situated in the heart of the city and is the base for low-cost airline Buzz. This means that there are a range of low-cost flights to be found all year round – so if you’re travelling on a budget, this is another one of the best reasons to visit Katowice.

There are direct routes to a number of cities in Europe, including London Stanstead, Dortmund, and Oslo. Additionally, Katowice Airport has a range of car hire companies, as well as excellent public transport links to Katowice city centre.

9. There are plenty of great restaurants and bars.

Katowice has a vibrant food and drink scene, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes to enjoy. You will find plenty of traditional Polish dishes on offer, as well as creative and exciting alternatives.

The city also has an excellent selection of international restaurants, serving cuisine from a number of different countries.

For those looking for a drink, there are some great bars serving craft beers, as well as a range of excellent wine and spirit selections. Whatever your taste, you will find something to suit you in Katowice.

10. There’s plenty of opportunities to ski nearby in winter

Katowice is the perfect base from which to explore some of Poland’s skiing opportunities in wintertime. The nearby Beskidy Mountains are the go-to ski destination for winter sports enthusiasts. There are a wide variety of trails and runs to choose from, meaning that there is something for everyone here. Ski lifts are plentiful, and there are plenty of ski schools and equipment hire companies.

If you’re into skiing, then the views from the mountain tops are spectacular and will not disappoint as you take in some of the most beautiful scenery in the region.

Katowice FAQ:

Is it worth going to Katowice?

With plenty of things to do, sports and music events, great restaurants and bars, and fantastic transport links, Katowice definitely well worth exploring even just for a few days!

How far is Katowice from Ukraine border?

Katowice is 881km from the Ukraine border. It is possible to take a train from Katowice to the border of Poland/ Ukraine.

What is the famous street in Katowice?

Ul.Mariacka is the main high street of Katowice. Along this street, you will come across all types of different shops and restaurants to suit your tastes.

10 Reasons to Visit Katowice – Conclusion

After reading this post, hopefully, you’ve understood all the great reasons to visit Katowice and have decided to go and visit! Which reasons to visit Katowice seemed the best to you? Are there any reasons to visit Katowice that you can think of but haven’t been mentioned? Let me know by leaving a comment down below! If you’d like to read some more similar posts, then this is what I’d recommend: