Katowice City Guide

Local dishes to try: Silesian roulade, dumplings, and sour rye soup. Good international food variety with increasing vegetarian and vegan options. Some late-night restaurants and fast food, especially on weekends.

Nightlife centers around Mariacka Street with many pubs, bars, and clubs. The city hosts music events and festivals.

A developing coffee scene with growing specialty and third-wave cafes mainly in the city center.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. 10-15% in restaurants, rounding up taxi fares is typical.

SIM cards available at airports, train stations, and shops of Play, Orange, T-Mobile, and Plus. Registration with ID is legally required. eSIMs are becoming more common.

Streets are generally clean, especially downtown, with regular waste pickup.

Limited 24/7 options. Some pharmacies rotate 24/7 hours. Minimarts open late but rarely all night. Late-night food is mainly fast food.

Supermarkets like Carrefour, Auchan, Lidl, Biedronka, and Kaufland carry international products. Fresh markets like Plac Miarki offer local produce. Most stores open 7 AM - 10 PM, closed Sundays except some trade days.

Card payments are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and public transport. Cash is useful mainly for small vendors or local markets.

ATMs from PKO BP, Santander, and ING are common. Avoid Euronet machines to reduce fees.

The International School of Katowice offers an international curriculum. Local schools teach in Polish. Early application advised for international school places.

Community is growing with co-working spaces and cafes offering good Wi-Fi.

Large green spaces like Kościuszko Park and Silesian Park provide shaded walking and running paths.

Good running routes in parks and along the river. Air quality can drop in colder months.

Gyms have modern facilities and group classes.

Tennis courts available with bookings; some coaching and equipment rental.

Padel courts are less common but growing in popularity.

Yoga studios offer various classes and some English-speaking instructors.

Training available for BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Karate. Some English-speaking instructors and local competitions.

Several ski resorts within 1-1.5 hours drive. Season runs roughly December to March with rentals available.

Nearby lakes offer kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing mainly in summer.

No surfing options since it is landlocked.

Limited diving in local flooded quarries, not comparable to coastal diving.

Private clinics and some hospitals have English-speaking staff. Public healthcare quality varies. Pharmacies (apteka) are widespread, some open 24/7. Emergency numbers: 112, 999, 998, 997.

Tap water meets quality standards and is safe to drink.

Parks like Kościuszko and Silesian Park have playgrounds. Kid-friendly cafés and baby supplies are common. Family attractions include the Silesian Planetarium, Zoological Garden, and Museum.

More conservative than Western Europe. Some inclusive venues and annual Pride events, but legal protections are limited.

Many parks allow dogs on leash. Pet-friendly cafés exist. Veterinary services and supply stores are common.