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The best time to visit Katowice is during the months of June, July and August, when temperatures are at their warmest and can reach a very pleasant 23 degrees Celsius. Although temperatures are comfortable, the increase in rainfall can put a bit of a dampener on travellers holiday itineraries. If you book a flight to Katowice during this time make sure you bring an umbrella.
Winters can be cold in the city and during the coldest months of December, January and February, temperatures can go below freezing. Make sure you bring plenty of winter clothes to keep you warm. If you book flights to Katowice during winter, you’ll find it easy to escape the cold. Why not pick up some items at the Silesia City Centre shopping mall, go to the ice rink in Spodek or visit the Silesian Museum?
Hotel prices tend to be higher around Christmas, Easter and when annual events take place in the city, such as the Rawa Blues Festival. This event is the world’s biggest indoor blues festival, which takes place in October. If you’re looking for cheap flights to Katowice, it’s best to avoid these popular times.
Katowice is a major city in the Upper Silesia region of southern Poland with a rich and diverse history: over the past century, it has been part of Germany and the Soviet Union and it is this mixture of cultures that makes Katowice such a fascinating place to visit. Within Poland, Katowice still has a reputation as being a very industrial, stark city, but in recent years the local authorities have worked hard to challenge that perception by initiating a number of regeneration projects. A prime example is the Silesia City Centre shopping mall in Katowice. Built on the site of a former coal mine, it is one of the biggest shopping malls in Europe with over 800 shops and numerous cinema screens. Also, it is hoped that the relocation of the Silesian Museum, which showcases Polish art from the 18th century onwards, will have the same cultural effect on Katowice that the Guggenheim Museum had on Bilbao.
Elsewhere in the city, notable buildings from the 20th century dominate the landscape. One of those is Spodek, an indoor arena built during Soviet rule that closely resembles the shape of a flying saucer. As well as hosting world-famous bands, it also houses a number of hotels and an ice rink. Another is The Cathedral of Christ the King which is the largest archcathedral in Poland. Building commenced in 1927 but wasn’t completed for nearly 30 years, finally being consecrated in 1955.
Once in Katowice, getting around is relatively straightforward thanks to the extensive tram and bus network in the city. Tickets can be purchased from kiosks and machines situated at tram stops; they remain valid for a set period of time (ranging from 15 minutes to 24 hours), so it is possible to take a number of trips with each one, either on trams or buses or both. When getting on a bus or tram, remember to validate the ticket or you could be required to pay a penalty fare.
When booking flights to Katowice, travellers may choose to fly to Katowice International Airport (KTW), which is just over 20 miles (32 km) from the city, or further afield, to John Paul II International Airport in Krakow, which is some 40 miles (64 km) away. Catching a taxi is the quickest way to reach the city itself but given the distance it can be pricey, so try and negotiate a fee before you choose a particular taxi. A cheaper option is to catch one of the shuttle buses that run throughout the day.