12 Things to Do in Katowice: Spodek, Nikiszowiec and the Culture Zone

For years Katowice was associated mainly with coal mines and steelworks, yet it’s one of the most interesting cities for a trip with friends. The Culture Zone has grown up on the site of a former mine, red-brick workers’ estates draw photographers, and the centre buzzes with life in the evenings. If you’re planning a trip to Silesia, the things to do in Katowice will easily fill two or three busy days.

We’ve chosen 12 places that are genuinely worth seeing – from the Spodek and the Silesian Museum to Nikiszowiec, Giszowiec and Mariacka Street. The list is split by theme, so it’s easy to build your own sightseeing plan.

The Culture Zone and around the Spodek

1. Spodek

The symbol of Katowice and one of the most recognisable buildings in Poland. This arena, shaped like a flying saucer (spodek means ‘saucer’), has been open since 1971 and still draws crowds to concerts, sporting events and trade fairs. Check the events calendar before you come – an evening at the Spodek could be a highlight of your trip.

2. Silesian Museum

The museum occupies the site of the former Katowice coal mine, and most of its exhibition space is hidden underground. Daylight reaches the galleries through glass pavilions, and the whole complex is overlooked by the mine’s former shaft tower, which has a viewing terrace at the top. The exhibitions cover the history of Upper Silesia and Polish art from the 19th century onwards. Allow at least two to three hours for your visit.

3. NOSPR

The home of NOSPR, the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, is one of the most distinctive buildings in Strefa Kultury (the Culture Zone). Its red-brick facade echoes traditional Silesian architecture, and the interior is famous for its acoustics. An evening concert makes an elegant, slightly calmer part of the trip – for popular events, it’s worth buying tickets in advance.

4. The green roof of the International Congress Centre

The International Congress Centre (MCK) stands next to the Spodek and is linked to it by an underground passage. The building’s roof is covered with grass, and its terraces offer views of the Culture Zone and the city centre. It’s a good place for a breather and photos at sunset.

Silesian workers’ estates

5. Nikiszowiec

One of the best-known workers’ estates in Poland was built in the early 20th century for miners working for the Giesche company. It was designed by the cousins Emil and Georg Zillmann: red-brick blocks surround inner courtyards, and St Anne’s Church towers over the square. Nikiszowiec is listed as a Pomnik Historii (Historic Monument of Poland), and a branch of the Museum of Katowice History operates in the former laundry and mangle house on Rymarska Street.

6. Galeria Szyb Wilson (Wilson Shaft Gallery)

A few hundred metres from Nikiszowiec, in the former Wilson mine shaft buildings, there’s a contemporary art gallery. The industrial halls provide a backdrop for exhibitions, concerts and events, and the combination of mining history and modern art is quite something. Check the current programme before you visit.

7. Giszowiec

This older and much quieter estate was designed by the same architects according to the garden city idea. Its houses with gardens resemble traditional Silesian cottages, and the heart of the district is Plac pod Lipami (Square under the Linden Trees), with a former inn that houses the Izba Śląska (Silesian Heritage Room) and a gallery of paintings by Ewald Gawlik. It’s a lovely place for a walk away from the bustle of the city.

Central Katowice

8. Rynek and the Silesian Theatre

The redeveloped Rynek (Market Square) is a natural starting point, with cafés, outdoor terraces and open-air events for much of the year. The Teatr Śląski (Silesian Theatre) stands on the square, and nearby you’ll find post-war modernist buildings such as Skarbek and Zenit. From here you can walk to the Spodek along Korfantego Avenue in under 20 minutes.

9. Mariacka Street

The pedestrian street ending at the neo-Gothic St Mary’s Church is the liveliest party spot in the city. Since its redevelopment, the street has turned into a string of bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants with outdoor terraces, and it stays buzzing late into the night at weekends. You’ll find quieter venues closer to the church and louder bars at the western end.

10. Mariacka Tylna and the murals

Running parallel to Mariacka is Mariacka Tylna – a street covered in murals, graffiti and posters that can fairly be called an open-air street art gallery. The works change over time, so you’ll see something new on every visit. You’ll also find large-scale murals in other parts of the city centre.

Green spaces and entertainment

11. Park Śląski in Chorzów

Just over the Katowice border lies a huge park where you can easily spend a whole day. Park Śląski (Silesian Park) is home to Stadion Śląski (the Silesian Stadium), the Planetarium, a zoo, Legendia theme park and the Elka cable car, which carries you over the park. Comfortable shoes are a must – the distances here are considerable.

12. A private party on a party tram

Finally, an attraction you won’t find in the usual guidebooks: a private tram with a professional sound system and club lighting. For two hours the tram belongs to your group alone, and a sample route runs through the Market Square and along Korfantego Avenue past the Spodek towards Park Śląski. The ride usually ends in the centre, for example near Mariacka Street. You’ll find the details on the TramParty Katowice page.

Things to do in Katowice: practical tips

• The centre on foot – the Market Square, the Culture Zone and the Spodek are close together, so you can see them all in one morning.
• The workers’ estates – Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec are a bus or taxi ride from the centre; it’s best to combine them in one afternoon.
• Evenings – a concert at NOSPR or the Spodek, followed by Mariacka Street and the clubs in the very centre.
• Opening hours – museums and galleries have closing days, so check the current opening hours before you visit.

Coming for a special occasion? See what a stag do, a hen party or a birthday on a tram in Katowice looks like.

Frequently asked questions

Which Katowice attractions can you see in one day?

Focus on the centre: the Market Square, the Silesian Museum with its viewing terrace, the Spodek and the green roof of the International Congress Centre. In the afternoon head to Nikiszowiec, and spend the evening on Mariacka Street.

What can you do in Katowice when it rains?

Choose the underground galleries of the Silesian Museum, a concert at NOSPR, an event at the Spodek or an exhibition at Galeria Szyb Wilson. Rain won’t spoil a tram party either – all the fun happens inside the tram.

Can you book a party tram in Katowice for any occasion?

Yes. We organise tram parties for stag and hen parties, birthdays, corporate events and other special occasions. Prices and details are agreed individually, with separate offers for smaller groups (up to 30 people) and larger ones (over 30).