What to see in Katowice. Top 10!

Is it worth visiting Katowice?

Looking for an interesting place to go and wondering if Katowice is worth visiting? The answer is simple! Yes, Katowice is a great place to visit for many reasons. Katowice is a city with an interesting history in the background, so if you're a history lover, you'll appreciate the museums here and take time to observe the architecture. What's more, although Katowice is a city, you'll find plenty of nature and parks all around. It's a place where there's something for everyone.

History of Katowice

Katowice has a very rich history, so rich that you could read about it for days. It started as a small agricultural and industrial village, which is hard to believe if you look at the current size of the city!

The origins of Katowice date back to the 16th century, when the town was an agricultural and forge centre. The rapid growth of Katowice started in the middle of the 19th century with the development of industry and the railway line brought to the city. It was granted city status on 11 September 1865, after which it developed rapidly.

In 1939, Umiasto was annexed by Germany, which meant that many monuments were destroyed, the Polish language was banned and many street names were changed to German. In 1941, most of the Polish and Jewish population was expelled. The town was finally liberated by the Red Army in 1945.

In 1953, the Polish communist government renamed it "Stalinogród". However, the population never agreed with this and the name "Katowice" returned in 1956.

What to see in Katowice. Top 10!

1. Silesian Park

In truth, the Silesian Park is in Chorzów, not Katowice, but it is very easy to get to and definitely worth a visit! The Silesian Park is a great way to spend a few hours relaxing and exploring.

Silesian Park is twice the size of Central Park in New York, so it's not to be missed and is definitely one of the best things to do in Katowice!

2. the Silesian Zoo

Located in the Silesian Park, the Silesian Zoo is an extremely interesting zoo to visit.

Many animals such as elephants, giraffes, bears and lions live here. A visit to see all the animals will take about 1.5 - 2 hours in total.

3. Museum of the History of Katowice

The Museum of the History of Katowice is the ideal place to visit, for those who wish to explore the history of Katowice. The museum has many permanent and temporary exhibitions, and there are often events in which visitors can take part.

4. the Legends of Silesia amusement park

The Silesian Legends Amusement Park is the oldest and largest theme park in Poland, having been opened in 1959. On 26 hectares, in beautiful greenery and adjacent to an atmospheric lake, more than 40 attractions are located, including children's, family and extreme attractions.

It's a great place to spend a few hours, especially if you're visiting Katowice with children!

5 Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park

The Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park is an open-air museum located in the Silesian Park, presenting different types of agricultural buildings located throughout Silesia. It covers an area of over 20 hectares and is a great way to spend a sunny morning or afternoon getting to know all the buildings.

6. the Silesian Planetarium

The Silesian Planetarium is the first of its kind in Poland, established in 1955 and recently modernised, making it one of the most modern science parks in the world! The Silesian Planetarium houses a host of attractive exhibitions, such as the Planetarium Hall and even the "In Space" Flight Simulator.

7. Museum of the Silesian Uprisings

The Museum of the Silesian Uprisings is a museum that houses objects related to the Silesian Uprisings. Its mission is first and foremost educational. Inside you will find 3 floors full of information and things to discover that you may never have known before. The museum often hosts a variety of events, so it's worth checking the offer before visiting to plan accordingly.

8. Rondo Art Gallery

The Rondo Art Gallery is a must-see for art lovers! Many different art exhibitions are available here every month. It has been operating since 2007 and since then it has hosted more than 200 inspiring exhibitions and had many special visitors.

9th Silesian Stadium

Although the Silesian Stadium is in Chorzów, it is easy to get to and worth visiting, which is why I have included it in this list. The stadium has a capacity of 55,211 and often hosts many sporting events, mainly football, but also numerous concerts by international music stars.
The stadium can be visited when there are no sporting events taking place there. It is the ideal place For thrill seekers - the stadium offers bungee jumping!

10th International Congress Centre and NOSPR

The International Congress Centre is the home of the NOSPR and is also the cultural heart of Katowice. Built in 2015, the International Congress Centre is located at Slawik and Antalya Square 1 in Katowice. It was created to accommodate 15,000 people and, together with the Spodek next door, is one of the largest congress and exhibition arenas in Poland. The Katowice ICC is the city's main cultural centre. Thematic events, scientific rallies as well as concerts are organised here.