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Mariacka Street in Katowice(Image: MOs810 )
An “underrated” city that’s becoming a “sightseeing hotspot” can be flown to directly from Liverpool. September has officially begun and in the next few days, schoolchildren from across Merseyside will start a new academic year.
The summer holidays always go so quickly – but if you’re looking to book your next getaway, you may want to consider a trip to Katowice. Sitting in the shadows of the neighbouring city of Krakow, Katowice in Poland has a lot to offer.
And if you’re looking to try somewhere new, it is ideal for a couple of days break or even just a long weekend. Previously described as “the most underrated city in Poland”, it is home to a growing arts and culture destination and has been named as a “City of Music” by UNESCO.
Just under a two-and-a-half hour flight away, Liverpool John Lennon Airport said: “From industrial enthusiasts to tourists who love soaking up different cultures and attractions, Katowice has a lot to offer its visitors, and it is fast becoming a hotspot for sightseeing.” Here, we take a look at some of the things you can do on a visit to Katowice.
At the time of writing, we also found return flights from Liverpool to Katowice in September for £47. You can find out more below.
What are the best attractions in Katowice?
Katowice grew from a small village into an industrial city during the 19th century as coal mining began in the area. It became part of Poland in 1922 and has since incorporated surrounding villages.
Today it is the capital city of the Silesian Voivodeship, with a population of around 300,000 people. The city is known for its industrial past and its arts and culture scene, with 27 music festivals taking place each year, including OFF, Tauron and Rawa.
The city is home to the largest cathedral in Poland, Cathedral of Christ the King. The neoclassical basilica was erected between 1927 and 1955, having experienced delays during WWII. The building is full of beauty and grandeur, with a large dome that rises 59m from the floor.
Museum of the History of Katowice is based in a historic tenement house from 1902. The museum includes several exhibitions on Katowice’s diverse history, which dates as far back as the 13th century. You can get free entry into the museum if you visit on a Saturday.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport offers a number of direct flights to countries across Europe, including to Katowice in southern Poland(Image: Unsplash)
If you’re interested in the history of Katowice the Nikiszowiec quarter is a former workers’ district for the coal mining industry. It is home to unique architecture and the Wilson Shaft modern art gallery.
Beer lovers must stop off at the most popular craft brewery in the city, Browaria, which prides itself in offering a wide selection of international beer from some of Europe’s best breweries, as well as a number of award-winning craft beers.
Silesian Zoological Garden boasts 50 hectares of stunning gardens and is home to around 2,500 animals.
What is the flight time from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Katowice?
The average flight from Liverpool to Katowice takes two hours and 20 minutes. You can fly directly from Liverpool John Lennon Airport with Wizz Air.
We have found return flights to Kaunas from Liverpool in September. But this does not include baggage or seat allocation.
At the time of writing, we found flights from Liverpool to Katowice at 9.50pm on September 15 and returning on September 19 at 9.15pm with Ryanair for £47. You can find the flights here.
Is Katowice good for tourists?
Katowice is the ideal place for a city break. Śródmieście, located in downtown Katowice, is perfect for those who want to stay in close proximity to the city centre.
The area has great public transport options and is within easy access to Supersam and Galeria Katowicka shopping centres. Liverpool John Lennon Airport describes Katowice as “packed with industrial architecture and rich culture”, with a walk around the city offering you the chance to immerse yourself in the vast history and vibrancy of the region.
The airport added: “Amongst the historic buildings of its industrial past, it can be surprising to discover that Katowice is home to Poland’s largest cathedral. It is also fast becoming one of the most culturally diverse and pioneering cities in the country.”