Łódź

A former industrial city reinvented as a cultural hub, Łódź offers a mix of textile history, contemporary art and eclectic architecture.
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Łódź, Poland’s third largest city, is a hidden gem worth discovering. Located in the heart of the country, this former industrial city has reinvented itself as a vibrant and innovative cultural centre.

With its rich textile history, Łódź has cleverly transformed old factories into creative spaces, museums and state-of-the-art shopping centres. The city boasts a thriving art scene, with numerous galleries, impressive street art and the renowned Film Museum.

Łódź’s architecture is a fascinating mix of industrial, Art Nouveau and modernist styles, reflecting its evolution from a small village to an industrial power and finally to a cultural metropolis.

The famous Piotrkowska Street, one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, is the beating heart of the city, offering a variety of shops, restaurants and nightlife. With its verdant parks, innovative museums and creative atmosphere, Łódź is quickly establishing itself as an original and authentic destination in Poland.

Things to do in Łódź

Łódź is a city that surprises visitors with its rich cultural and historical offer. From its industrial roots to modern attractions, the city offers a variety of unique experiences that capture the essence of its transformation.

Ulica Piotrkowska

1Piotrkowska, 90-001 Łódź, Poland

Ulica Piotrkowska is the main artery of Łódź and one of the longest commercial streets in Europe, stretching over 4 kilometres. This iconic street is the social and commercial heart of the city. Walking along Piotrkowska, visitors are immersed in a fascinating mix of 19th and 20th century architecture.

Art Nouveau and neo-Renaissance buildings house a variety of shops, restaurants, bars and cafés. The street is famous for its bronze statues, including the ‘Tuwim Bench‘ and the ‘Rubinstein Piano‘, which commemorate important figures associated with the city.

Piotrkowska is particularly lively at night, when its many clubs and bars come alive. During the day, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the picturesque courtyards hidden behind the main buildings, many of which have been transformed into art galleries, cafés or creative spaces.

Manufaktura

2Drewnowska 58, 91-002 Łódź, Poland

Manufaktura is the beating heart of Łódź’s renaissance. This huge complex, once the largest textile factory in the city, has been masterfully transformed into a state-of-the-art commercial and cultural centre. It covers an area of 27 hectares and houses over 250 shops, restaurants, a cinema, a theatre and several museums.

The real magic of Manufaktura lies in the way it fuses the industrial past with the modern present. Visitors can admire the 19th-century red-brick architecture while shopping in the trendiest boutiques or dining in upscale restaurants. The complex also houses the Muzeum Fabryki, where you can learn about the history of Łódź’s textile industry and the Poznański family, the industrial magnates who built the city’s textile empire.

The central square of Manufaktura, with its fountain and open spaces, is a popular venue for outdoor events, concerts and festivals throughout the year. It is a perfect example of how Łódź has embraced its industrial past and turned it into an asset for the future.

MS2 Art Museum

3Ogrodowa 19, 91-071 Łódź, Poland

The MS2 Art Museum is a must for lovers of modern and contemporary art. Located in a former textile building within the Manufaktura complex, this museum houses one of the most important modern art collections in Central Europe.

The museum’s permanent collection covers 20th and 21st century art, with works by leading Polish and international artists. You will find works by artists such as Władysław Strzemiński, Katarzyna Kobro, as well as pieces by Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst and many others.

What makes the MS2 particularly interesting is its innovative approach to presenting art. Exhibitions are often thematic and interdisciplinary, encouraging visitors to explore the connections between different art forms and historical periods. The museum also regularly organises workshops, lectures and educational events, making it a lively centre for cultural interaction.

Central Museum of Weaving

4Piotrkowska 282, 93-034 Łódź, Poland

The Central Museum of Weaving (Centralne Muzeum Włókiennictwa) is useful to immerse oneself in the industrial history of Łódź. Located in a former 19th century textile factory, the museum offers an experience combining art, technology and history.

The museum houses a large collection of historical textile machinery, many of which are still in working order. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of how looms and spinning machines worked, offering a fascinating insight into the textile production process that made Łódź famous.

In addition to industrial history, the museum also presents exhibitions of contemporary textile art. These exhibitions show how Łódź’s textile heritage continues to influence modern artists and designers, creating a bridge between the city’s industrial past and its creative present.

A special attraction is the Residential Tradition Park (Skansen), adjacent to the main museum. This open-air museum presents a collection of traditional wooden houses, moved here from various parts of the Łódź region. These structures offer a glimpse into the everyday life of textile workers at the beginning of the 20th century.

Księży Młyn

5Księży Młyn, 90-345 Łódź, Poland

Księży Młyn, or ‘Priest’s Mill’, is a 19th-century industrial complex that offers a fascinating glimpse into Łódź’s past. This historical district, once a huge textile factory, has been transformed into a picturesque residential and cultural quarter.

The heart of Księży Młyn is the Karol Scheibler factory, once the largest textile factory in Europe. Today, the red brick buildings house artists’ lofts, galleries, cafés and restaurants. Visitors can stroll through the cobbled streets, admire the restored industrial architecture and feel the unique atmosphere of this district.

A highlight is a visit to the factory manager’s house, now converted into a museum that tells the story of the Łódź textile industry and the lives of 19th-century workers. The surrounding gardens offer a pleasant green space to relax and reflect on the transformation of the city.

Źródliska Park

6al. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego, 90-001 Łódź, Poland

The Źródliska Park is a green oasis in the heart of Łódź, known for its rich variety of flora, with over 100 species of trees, many of them centuries old. A special attraction is the Palmiarnia (Palm House), a large greenhouse housing a collection of exotic plants from around the world, including palms, cacti and tropical plants.

The park is a popular place for relaxing walks, picnics and outdoor activities. During the summer, it hosts concerts and cultural events, attracting both residents and tourists. With its well-kept paths, picturesque ponds and children’s playgrounds, Źródliska Park offers a perfect balance of nature and culture in the heart of the industrial city.

Jewish Cemetery

7Bracka 40, 91-717 Łódź, Poland

The Jewish Cemetery in Łódź is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe and an important historical and cultural site. Founded in 1892, the cemetery covers an area of 42 hectares and contains over 180,000 graves, offering a poignant testimony to the city’s rich Jewish history.

The cemetery is known for its elaborate tombs and mausoleums, many of them belonging to prominent Jewish industrial families who contributed significantly to the development of Łódź. The architecture of the tombs reflects various styles, from Art Nouveau to modernism, creating a unique and striking landscape.

One of the most remarkable graves is the mausoleum of Izrael Poznański, the textile magnate whose factory is now the Manufaktura complex. The cemetery also houses a memorial to the victims of the Łódź ghetto during the Holocaust.

EC1 Centre

8Targowa 1/3, 90-022 Łódź, Poland

The EC1 Centre is a brilliant example of how Łódź has transformed its industrial heritage into innovative cultural spaces. Located in a former power plant, EC1 is now a multifunctional complex dedicated to science, technology and culture.

The heart of EC1 is the Planetarium, one of the most modern in Europe, which offers breathtaking shows about the universe. The Science and Technology Centre presents interactive exhibits covering a wide range of topics, from energy production to the history of human evolution.

EC1 also houses the National Centre for Film Culture, which celebrates Łódź’s rich film tradition with interactive exhibitions and screenings. The architecture of the complex is an attraction in itself, combining restored industrial elements with bold modern additions.

Map

In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.

Where to stay in Łódź

The city centre, particularly the area around Ulica Piotrkowska, is the beating heart of Łódź. Staying here means being close to the main restaurants, bars and tourist attractions. This area is ideal for those who want to fully experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city and have no problem with a little noise at night. You will find a range of hotels, from elegant boutique hotels to hostels for backpackers.

The Manufaktura area is another good choice, especially for shopping and culture lovers. This district offers a unique combination of industrial history and modernity, with numerous shops, restaurants and cultural attractions within easy reach. Hotels in this area tend to be of high quality, often housed in converted industrial buildings that retain their original charm.

For a quieter atmosphere, consider staying in the Księży Młyn district. This area, once an industrial complex, now offers a picturesque and relaxing atmosphere. Here you will find rental flats and small boutique hotels, perfect for those seeking a more intimate and authentic experience of the city.

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Getting to Łódź

Łódź, located in the heart of central Poland, is well connected with the rest of the country and Europe, thanks mainly to its airport. Its location about 130 km south-west of Warsaw makes it easily accessible from the Polish capital’s two airports.

Łódź Airport

Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport (LCJ) is the city’s main air terminal, located just 6 km south-west of the centre. Despite being a relatively small airport, it offers connections to many European cities.

To reach the city centre from the airport, you can take bus 65A. The journey takes about 25 minutes and buses leave every 20-30 minutes.

Otherwise, if you prefer a taxi or private transfer, consider a journey of about 15-20 minutes.

Railway connections

Łódź is well served by the Polish railway network. The main station, Łódź Fabryczna, is a modern transport hub in the city centre. There are frequent connections with major Polish cities. Warsaw is about 1.5 hours away by train while to get to Kraków, Poznań or Wrocław you should allow 3/3.5 hours.

Arrival by car

If you choose to drive to Łódź, you will find a well-developed motorway network. The city is connected to Warsaw by the A2 motorway and to Katowice and Kraków by the A1 motorway.

Excursions around Łódź

The Old City of Toruń

Łódź, with its central location in Poland, offers excellent opportunities to explore the surrounding area. The surrounding region is rich in historical, natural and cultural attractions that are well worth a visit. To explore these locations to the fullest, hiring a car can be a great option, giving you the flexibility to visit more places according to your time and interests.

Uniejów Castle

About 60 km north-west of Łódź is Uniejów Castle, a 14th-century medieval fortress that offers a fascinating journey into the past. The castle, surrounded by a picturesque park, houses a museum that tells the history of the region.

But the real attraction of Uniejów is its geothermal spa. The mineral-rich thermal waters feed several outdoor and indoor pools, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. It is a perfect place for a day of relaxation and culture, combining a historical visit to the castle with a refreshing dip in the thermal waters.

Old Town of Toruń

Toruń, located about 170 km north of Łódź, is a medieval UNESCO heritage city that is definitely worth a visit. Famous for being the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, Toruń boasts one of the best-preserved historical centres in Poland.

Toruń’s Old Town is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, with its imposing cathedral, ancient city walls and distinctive leaning tower. Don’t miss a visit to the Copernicus Museum, located in the house where the astronomer was born, and taste Toruń’s famous pierniki (gingerbread), a local speciality with a centuries-old history.

Kłodawa Caves

About 70 km north of Łódź is the Kłodawa Salt Mine, home to some of the most spectacular salt caves in Europe. This still active mine offers guided tours that allow visitors to descend 600 metres underground and explore its vast tunnels and chambers.

The main attraction are the pink salt chambers, a rare and fascinating natural phenomenon. Visitors can admire the salt crystal formations and learn about the history of salt mining in the region. The mine also offers speleotherapy sessions, a treatment that uses the unique microclimate of the salt caves for therapeutic purposes.

Nieborów Palace

The Palace of Nieborów, located about 80 km east of Łódź, is a splendid example of Polish Baroque architecture. Built in the 17th century, the palace is surrounded by magnificent French and English-style gardens.

The interior of the palace houses a museum with a rich collection of period art and furnishings, offering a fascinating insight into the life of the Polish aristocracy in past centuries. The gardens, with their sculptures, fountains and shady paths, are perfect for a relaxing stroll. Also nearby is the romantic Arkadia Park, an English-style garden with miniature temples and man-made ruins, which perfectly complements a visit to Nieborów.

Kampinos National Park

Kampinos National Park, located about 100 km north-east of Łódź, is a natural paradise that offers a perfect contrast to the urban environment of the city. This vast park, one of the largest in Poland, is characterised by pine forests, sand dunes and marshes.

The park offers numerous hiking and cycling trails, ideal for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. A wealth of wildlife can be observed, including moose, beavers and numerous bird species. The park’s Education Centre provides detailed information on the local flora and fauna, making the visit not only enjoyable but also informative.

Łódź Weather

What's the weather at Łódź? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Łódź for the next few days.

Friday 23
-10°
-2°
Saturday 24
-3°
-0°
Sunday 25
-2°
Monday 26
-0°
Tuesday 27
-1°
Wednesday 28
-1°

Where is located Łódź

Łódź si trova a circa 130 km a sud-ovest della capitale Varsavia e a circa 200 km a nord di Cracovia, mentre Poznań è a circa 210 km a ovest. 

Location around