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Katowice Centre

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Welcome to the very center of Silesia, downtown Katowice where the city of music and gardens is moving and shaking faster than a flying saucer out of place from its outer space. Speaking of which, the city's eclectic skyline is changing rapidly and the now very walkable Katowice centre is a hub of architectual marvels amidst a sea of post-soviet urban and suburban sprawl. In short, totally unique and well worth exploring the many museums, bars, restaurants and clubs populating the ever-changing Silesian landscape.

Associated Venues

Street Art Installations

Zachód Słońce

ul. Teatrlana 2A

This cool neon installation is found above the River Rawa located in the courtyard entrance at ul. Teatralna 2A (be careful not to get locked in as the gate only opens when residents enter/exit), however, it is best viewed from the Rynek at night as it g

Editor's pick

Tree of Heads

ul. 3 Maja 38

Head inside the gate to see a piece by local Silesian artist Raspazjan showing a tree of heads, created in 2015.

Editor's pick

ISTO

Al. Walentego Roździeńskiego 1A

As if the Cultural Zone in Katowice is not wonderful enough in its own rig

Editor's pick

Places of Interest

Ul. Mariacka

ul. Mariacka

This is Katowice's main high street, located a mere 5 minute walk from the Rynek (market square), and arguably a better starting point for visitors than the city's market sq

Editor's pick

Christ the King Cathedral

ul. Plebiscytowa 49A

Building work began on Zygmunt Gawlik and Franciszek Mączyński's impressive neo-Classical Cathedral on June 5, 1927 with the digging of a symbolic spade of dirt, although it wasn't until October 30, 1955 that it was finally consecrated. A series of mi

Editor's pick

Absurdalna

ul. Dworcowa 3

Bringing modern art, street food and craft beer together under one roof: what an absurdly fantastic idea! When you first walk into this exceedingly colourful bar you could mistake it for an art gallery as the large front room hosts a rotating selection o

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Amfora Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

ul. Francuska 1A

There's nothing better than the excitement of trying new food. Think of the delight on our faces when we entered expecting to eat middle-eastern dishes (already a plus), only to find that one of the stars of the menu is beetroot hummus - a perfect mix of

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Amnezja

ul. Mariacka 16

Amnezja has a lot going for it without a lot of gimmicks. Unlike many of the other shady shot bars and crowded student dives, this place is seriously spacious, offering all sorts of nooks and crannies to tuck away in over three floors. Their buzzing beer

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Avis

ul. Uniwersytecka 13

Avis is Poland's biggest car rental company and offers a complete range of vehicles for rent throughout Poland. They are located in the city center in Altus and at ul. Wolności 90, Pyrzowice (Airport), tel. (+48) 601 35 48 12. Open Mon-Fri 08:30-00:30

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B&B Hotel Katowice Centrum

ul. Sokolska 4

Well established across Europe, this hotel network now offers modern, budget accommodation in Katowice. Centrally located with ease of access to both the market square and train station, all rooms include free wi-fi and air conditioning. There's also a l

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Burgundia Wine Tastings & Wine Shop

ul. 3 Maja 23

A really admirable selection of world wines for all tastes and budgets in this shop/wine bar hidden in a courtyard near the train station. Another location in the Altus Centre (H-3, ul. Uniwersytecka 13).

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Chata z Zalipia

ul. Wojewódzka 15

Paying homage to the specific folk art tradition of the far-away Małopolska village of Zalipie, the rustic cottage interior of this pleasant peasant offering features elaborat

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Cooler Club & Food

ul. Mariacka 20/1

If by cooler you mean louder and more self aware, then this is the coolest joint in town, bro. Typical of most fancy fashion clubs we've finessed our way into the last few years, Cooler treads a familiar line of indulgent ornate extravagance and modern m

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Desa

ul. Mariacka 5

This is Desa's flagship location in Katowice and this classy show room has a variety of unique antique works of art, furniture, china, collectibles, decorative items and jewellery. Get lost in their spacious cases of treasures from another age. The atten

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El Mexicano

ul. Mariacka 18A

If you’re anything like us and you’ve tried one too many cabbage filled tacos in mexican kitsch-fiestaurants across Poland, then you’ll understand our initial hesitation. But as soon as we saw the tastefully colourful exterior of El Mexicano, we knew

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Hurry Curry

ul. Św. Stanisława 1

Bringing some heat to the street and some spice to Kato-vice, this hot spot is turning heads and filling stomachs. Started by a couple of travellers with the simple idea of offering a selection of curries from all over the world served up quick and so

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Ibis Budget Katowice Centrum

Al. Roździeńskiego 18

The Ibis Budget (formerly the Etap brand) presence in Katowice is smashing news for budget travellers tired of sleeping in hotels that smell of old socks and steamed turnips. Clean and modern this is exactly what the lower end of the market needs, wit

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Katowice Historical Museum

ul. Szafranka 9

This outstanding museum showcasing some of the more interesting aspects of the life and times of the city and its people is divided into two main sections. You can wander the well conceived rooms on three floors including a superb recreation of house

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Cultural Centres

Katowice Miasto Ogrodów

Pl. Sejmu Śląskiego 2

To give it its full name, 'Katowice Miasto Ogrodów im. Krystyny Bochenek' (Katowice City of Gardens named in honour of Krystyna Bochenek) was founded in 2016 after the Katowice Institute of Culture merged with the Katowice Centre for Culture and is now l

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Kino Kosmos

ul. Sokolska 66

Part of the independent cinema movement in Poland, Silesia Film has a bunch of great arthouse cinemas in Katowice. Kino Kosmos is legendary in these p

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Amber & Jewellery

Lilou

ul. Dworcowa 15

This uniquely colourful and immediately inviting salon is filled with all sorts of glittering gadgets, precious pendants, delicate necklaces and leather bracelets. Their elegantly playful nature of the salon gives you the freedom to mix and match any of

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Lily Nail Spa

ul. 3 maja 30 (Galeria Katowicka)

With a lovely and relaxed interior, sharing the space with Thai Sabai, the mood is set for your treatment. On offer are a choice of manicures (with 15% off your first

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Little Hanoi...and more!

ul. Staromiejska 4

Set on a pedestrianised street in the heart of Katowice within walking distance of the train station and Katowice’s ‘

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Health & Beauty

Lulua

ul. Staromiejska 21

This niche perfume and cologne shop fields orders from all over the world, but is located right in the heart of Katowice, just up from the Rynek. Specialising in unique artisanal scents, Lulua is lauded for their expertise and unparalleled customer servi

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Madlen Flowers

ul. Mariacka 12

Flowers are wonderful, aren't they? A perfect gift to the ones we love. Madlen Flowers offers you traditional options for that special someone, from a bouquet of flowers (just take a look at the arrangement of said bouquets and try not to be impressed!),

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Cream of the Crop

Monopol

ul. Dworcowa 5

From the original 1903 mosaic floor in the lobby to the exquisite walnut furniture, Monopol gets everything right and more. Taking the occasional risk such as covering the walls in photographs of abandoned factories, the hotel shows a confidence that

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moodro bistro & cafe

ul. Tadeusza Dobrowolskiego 1 (Silesian Museum)

The Silesian Museum has a lot to offer both tourists and locals alike and that includes its gastronomic offers. If you make the entire journey through the subterranean exhibits a

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moodro restaurant

ul. Tadeusza Dobrowolskiego 1A (Silesian Museum)

Not to be confused with the Bistro/Cafe of the same name across the courtyard in the main museum complex, this is the much larger and more elegant restaurant in the old Machinery Building of the Silesian Museum. The refined exposed brick interiors with l

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Mosquito Silesia Apartments

ul. 3 Maja 23

Katowice’s best-located apartments are truly a sight to behold and raise the bar for private apartment standards in Silesia. With ten decked-out luxury apartments to choose from (primary colour-coded inside and out), each is a slight variation on the

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Places of Interest

NOSPR - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra

Pl. Wojciecha Kilara 1

Considered the leading Polish orchestra, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1935 in Warsaw. For years the Orchestra acted as a cultural ambassador representing Poland on the in

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Organic Coffee & More

ul. Mielęckiego 10

What could you possible expect here? The clue's in the name, really, but more? We wanted to see this 'more'. This unassuming little den in the city centre, just 5 minutes from the main train station, hides away a really organic feeling place, with bare i

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Patio

ul. Stawowa 3

One of Katowice's most popular restaurants just had an extensive renovation and they are all spiffed up and ready to serve. They got rid of some of the kitschy clutter, added some comfier chairs and brightened things up a bit so you can now see your d

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Q Hotel Plus Katowice

ul. Wojewódzka 12

This 4-star hotel located a short distance away from the main train station, and likewise, the city centre, Q Hotel Plus Katowice is a delightful addition

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Rialto

ul. Św. Jana 24

Katowice's most centrally located of all the independent cinemas, just a short 5 minute walk from the Rynek, hosting frequent special events and theme parties in a theat

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Silesia City Center

ul. Chorzowska 107

Located mid-way between Katowice and Chorzów on the site of an old 1904 coal mine, the spectacular Silesia City Center easily trumps everything else in the region. A combined retail, gourmet and entertainment complex, the original 65,000 metre-square

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SilesiaTrip.pl

ul. Mariacka 11

Silesia Trip is a useful and comprehensive way to comfortably explore much of the region around Katowice. Offering 24 hour pick-up services from both the Katowice and Kraków airports, Silesia Trip has a plethora of tours, locales, and sights included

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SmaQ Food & Wine

ul. Wojewódzka 12

Located in the fantastic Q Hotel Plus Katowice, don't be put off thinking that you have to be a guest to eat here, it's open to the public, and we'd highly

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Światowid

ul. 3 Maja 7

Kino Światowid is part of the arthouse network in Katowice, and one of the oldest, with a lifespan stretching back to the 1940s in its current architectural form (although a cinema was located here previously, the Colosseum, which went back to 1909!). Th

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Thai Sabai

ul. 3 maja 30 (Galeria Katowicka)

Although it might seem you're submitting yourself to voluntary torture at first, appearing almost masochistic, a Thai massage (acupressure mixed with assisted yoga) is a truly refreshing experience we'd fully recommend. It's true, there will be some stra

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Upojeni

ul. Św. Jana 10 (entrance from the interior courtyard)

Full disclosure: this writer has a serious soft spot for Polish new-wave multi-tap craft beer bistros that serve up tasty tapas and beautiful burgers which pair perfectly with the delectable nectar flowing from the pristine pipes. In other words, you had

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Vienna House Easy Angelo Katowice

ul. Sokolska 24

Angelo is a fantastic addition to Katowice's accommodation offerings. Angelo does just that with a distinctive and appealing colour palette of black, white, red and yellow, and modern suites and rooms which - with the substitution of the bed for a cou

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Wellcome Home

ul. Jana Matejki 4/2

Katowice is becoming more popular, and with this comes a greater need for accommodation. Looking for long-term apartments? Step up Wellcome Home, who offer a selection of long-term leases during your stay in the city. All apartments are located in the ci

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WHISKY & SPIRIT HOUSE

ul. Plebiscytowa 13

If you happen to be a whisky and high end spirits lover, or you know someone near and dear who is, then this shop is a must stop. It’s no accident they spell ‘whisky’ without an ‘e’ as exclusive Scotch single malts are their specialty and we dare say the

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Wiejska Chatka

Pl. Grunwaldzki 4

This truly traditional Polish and Silesian restaurant is a nice change of pace if not slightly out of place. A cavalcade of country-style adornments such as old farming tools and painted flowers contrast nicely with the bright white walls. The backgro

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Żółte Drzwi

ul. Dyrekcyjna 10

Quality cocktail bars were one of the things Kato seriously lacked for a long time and sorely deserved. The last year has turned the trend around and now the city centre is bursting at the seams. The Yellow Door is the newest entry and it’s an instant cl

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