Overall Score
In the south of Poland, in the watershed of the Wisła and Oder Rivers, lies the small and relatively young town of Katowice. The first mention of Katatovitsa, though still a village, is found in 1598, but it is known that in 1299 the area of the present city was inhabited by blacksmiths. It was declared a city in 1865. From 1953 to 1956 it was called Staliningrud, which means Stalins City.
Katowice is currently the capital of the Polish province of Silesia. It is the center of coal and metallurgical industry. Together with three dozen other neighboring cities, Katyńskiego forms the Wierchnezyskie Urban Community, with a population of about three million people and the highest population density in Poland.
The city built a 50-meter tall parachute tower in 1937 to train young paratroopers. At that time, and still today, its the tallest and most functioning aerial tower of its kind.
There is a legend that in September 1939, after the Polish Army had fallen from Kata Bay, the hilltop was occupied by the German pioneers, and when the Germans tried to take the town they shot the enemy. Only with the help of the artillery were the Germans able to kill the children and take the tower. However, the veracity of this legend is now questioned.
Three kilometers from the town of Katajovka was the site of the German concentration camp of Oszwenziem. It is currently the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Excursion. Excursions there are understandably not recommended for children.
There are not many hotels in the city, so when planning a trip to Katowice during the holiday season, make sure you have a place to stay beforehand. The warmest months – are from June to August with temperatures of +20° C.
Katóvka has a rich selection of restaurants, including Chinese, Italian, Western and traditional Polish cuisine.
Throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons, the city hosts various festivals and celebrations and has a number of museums, including the Observatory and the Planetarium, which will delight children.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 55 US AQI Moderate. Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 300,000 people
- Population density: euro euro not busy: 16x16m 256m per person
- GDP: $12,332 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 28 Mbps
- Best wireless: Play
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: In Poland tipping is expected for good service in restaurants, especially in touristy areas such as Krakow or Warsaw. The norm is to tip around 10% of the bill. You can tip 15% if the service was exceptionally good.
- Apartment listings: GumTree
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Online electronics shop: Saturn
- Best short-haul air carrier: Wizzair
- Best intl air carrier: Wizzair
- Monthly costs for expat: $750
- Monthly costs for family: $1000
- Monthly costs for local: $290
- Meal: $2.5
- Small Cola: $0.5
- Beer 1 Pint: $1.3
- Coffee: $0.9
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