Things To Do in Katowice

In the past 100 years or so, Katowice -- a relatively prosperous industrial city without a very long history -- has served as a kind of laboratory for modern architects working in whatever style was in fashion at the time. The city has two undeniable architectural masterpieces, one from the crazy retro-futuristic 1960s and the other from the more staid, functional 1930s. Other modern styles abound: everything from pieces of Art Nouveau to Art Deco, from postwar Socialist-Realist to the sort of kitschy "Communist" style that came to dominate much of Polish design in the 1960s and '70s. Just take a walk and look around.

As the leading city in Upper Silesia, Katowice has an active cultural life, with excellent classical concerts and a good experimental scene. The center of the action is the Katowice Cultural Center (pl. Sejmu Slaskiego 2; tel. 32/251-79-25; www.ck.art.pl). For popular music and visiting rock stars, don't forget the Spodek. The tourist information office can let you know if anyone big is visiting while you are there. For opera, the Silesian Opera (Opera Slaska) in the nearby city of Bytom is one of the most celebrated houses in the country (Moniuszki 21/23, Bytom; tel. 32/281-34-31; www.opera-slaska.pl).

Cafes, Pubs & Clubs

Not surprisingly, given the number of students here, there are tons of places to drink in Katowice. Archibar (Dyrekcyjna 9; tel. 32/206-83-50; www.archibar.pl) is an arty pub popular with the intellectual set. 2B3 (pl. Sejmu Slaskiego 2, enter from Henryka Sienkiewicza; tel. 32/785-78-77; www.2b3.com.pl) is exactly the opposite: a cheesy dance club that's popular with all ages, from 20s to 40s, with regular DJs and occasional live music acts.