Bielsko-Biała

Bielsko-Biała 21 Aug 2025

Tucked against the northern slopes of the Beskid Mountains, Bielsko-Biała is one of southern Poland’s most charming mid-sized cities. Officially created in 1951 by joining two towns – Bielsko on the Silesian side of the Biała River and Biała on the Lesser Poland side – it still carries a sense of being a meeting point of cultures and traditions.

**Bielsko-Biała** at the foot of the Beskid Mountain Ranges in Silesia, Poland.

The compact Old Town is the best place to start exploring. Here you’ll find cobbled streets, pastel tenements, and the Sułkowski Castle, whose origins stretch back to the 14th century. Cafés spill out onto market squares, while grand 19th-century townhouses hint at the city’s prosperous industrial past, when it was nicknamed the “Polish Manchester” for its booming textile industry.

The main square of Bielsko-Biała, featuring Sułkowski Castle (behind fountain). Photo by Piotr Wawrzyniuk / AdobeStock.

These days, Bielsko-Biała balances industry with culture. The city has a lively calendar of theatre, music, and film events, plus a reputation for nurturing Poland’s animation studios – fans of the classic cartoon Reksio will be pleased to find him immortalised in statue form, as well as the likes of Bolek i Lolek.

Statue of beloved Polish cartoon characters **Bolek i Lolek** near Włokniarzy Bridge in **Bielsko-Biała**. Photo by patrick / AdobeStock.

Outdoor enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either: with cable cars up Szyndzielnia, ski slopes on Dębowiec, and miles of hiking and biking trails nearby, Bielsko-Biała makes an excellent base for mountain adventures without losing the comforts of city life. The surrounding Beskid Mountains offer year-round attractions – winter brings skiing and snowboarding, while warmer months invite visitors to explore scenic trails, mountain huts, and panoramic viewpoints.

The city theatre (left) and post office (centre) in **Bielsko-Biała**, Silesia.

Cyclists will find well-marked routes ranging from gentle rides along the river to more challenging mountain tracks. For families, the nearby mountains provide easy day trips, with playgrounds, picnic spots, and chairlifts that make the outdoors accessible to all.

Bielsko-Biała is located 60 km south of Katowice. Trains between the two cities run frequently, taking around 1-1.5 hours, depending on the service. By car, you can expect about an hour's drive on the S1 expressway.