Łódź travel guide
Łódź Tourism | Łódź Guide
You're Going to Love Łódź
Lodz is Poland's third-largest city with a rich historical heritage that reflects the diverse mix of its residents. Take a stroll down one of Europe's best shopping streets, relive Jewish history, and get back to nature in a city park.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Łódź
1. Take a Selfie with a Polish Hero
The Ulica Piotrkowska thoroughfare features life-size statues of city natives. Take a photo next to bronze sculptures of pianist Arthur Rubinstein or novelist Władysław Reymont.
2. View Modern Art
The Muzeum Sztuki displays works from modern Polish painters and international masters like Piet Mondrian and Max Ernst.
3. Learn about Film History
Lodz's Museum of Cinematography has a rich collection of films and film memorabilia from Poland and around the world.
4. Visit a House of Worship
Lodz is home to several sacred buildings. Must-see stops include the Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Protestant Karl Scheibler's Chapel.
5. Take the Family to an Amusement Park
The old-fashioned delights of Lunapark include a 53-foot-tall roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and carousel. There is a small charge for each ride.
What to do in Łódź
1. History Of Polish Film
Established in 1986, the Cinematography Museum of Lodz is housed within the 19th century palace of textile tycoon Karol Scheibler. The museum showcases the history of Polish cinema and displays more than 50,000 items, which include 12,000 film posters, film equipment and art exhibits. Among the highlights are the fotoplastikon, which was used in the early 20th century to show 3D films, and an animated vintage photography display, featuring stop-motion characters and clips. The museum offers guided tours in English and Polish.
2. Tribute To Holocaust Victims
Built between 1926 and 1937, the Radogoszcz train station, located just outside the former Lodz Jewish ghetto, was infamously used by German Nazis to send Jewish citizens to the Chełmno and Auschwitz extermination camps during WW II. It is estimated that 200,000 Polish, Luxemburg, Austrian, German and Czech Jews passed through Radogoszcz between January 16, 1942, and August 29, 1944. In 2005, a monument commemorating the victims of the Holocaust designed by Czesław Bielecki was unveiled. The train station also serves a division of the Lodz Museum of Independence.
3. Historical Recreation Of The City
Located within the spectacular 19th century neo-baroque palace of textile magnate Izrael Kalmanowicz Poznański, the City Museum of Lodz features exhibits that trace the history, culture and people of the city with recreations of everything from city streets to home interiors. The museum also includes a detailed collection of silverware and porcelain. One of the main rooms honors celebrated Jewish pianist Arthur Rubinstein, while another presents a multimedia tribute to Jan Karski, a World War II resistance movement fighter who warned the West of the Holocaust.
4. Revisit Lodz High Society
The Herbst Palace, the former palatial home of the Herbst and the Scheibler families, the wealthiest families in Lodz in the 19th century, has been restored to its original glory. It includes many detailed recreations of the original furnishings and artworks. In the 1970s, the palace became part of the Museum of Art. It now features lavishly decorated halls and private rooms that recall the grandeur of Lodz's high society. The palace also features immaculately landscaped gardens for visitors to stroll around.
5. Awaken Your Five Senses
An interactive, family-friendly museum, the Experymentarium encourages guests to "push, touch and enter" throughout its different exhibit areas. Most of the exhibits have been created by scientists and students and involve light and sound. The museum also features a cosmic tunnel, which is focused on developing the sense of smell, hearing and touch without using vision, and an area that explores the risks human beings take. The Augmented Reality Sandbox enables visitors to build 3-D topographical sand maps with their hands. Other highlights include a virtual reality game room and a laser maze.
1. History Of Polish Film
Established in 1986, the Cinematography Museum of Lodz is housed within the 19th century palace of textile tycoon Karol Scheibler. The museum showcases the history of Polish cinema and displays more than 50,000 items, which include 12,000 film posters, film equipment and art exhibits. Among the highlights are the fotoplastikon, which was used in the early 20th century to show 3D films, and an animated vintage photography display, featuring stop-motion characters and clips. The museum offers guided tours in English and Polish.
2. Tribute To Holocaust Victims
Built between 1926 and 1937, the Radogoszcz train station, located just outside the former Lodz Jewish ghetto, was infamously used by German Nazis to send Jewish citizens to the Chełmno and Auschwitz extermination camps during WW II. It is estimated that 200,000 Polish, Luxemburg, Austrian, German and Czech Jews passed through Radogoszcz between January 16, 1942, and August 29, 1944. In 2005, a monument commemorating the victims of the Holocaust designed by Czesław Bielecki was unveiled. The train station also serves a division of the Lodz Museum of Independence.
3. Historical Recreation Of The City
Located within the spectacular 19th century neo-baroque palace of textile magnate Izrael Kalmanowicz Poznański, the City Museum of Lodz features exhibits that trace the history, culture and people of the city with recreations of everything from city streets to home interiors. The museum also includes a detailed collection of silverware and porcelain. One of the main rooms honors celebrated Jewish pianist Arthur Rubinstein, while another presents a multimedia tribute to Jan Karski, a World War II resistance movement fighter who warned the West of the Holocaust.
4. Revisit Lodz High Society
The Herbst Palace, the former palatial home of the Herbst and the Scheibler families, the wealthiest families in Lodz in the 19th century, has been restored to its original glory. It includes many detailed recreations of the original furnishings and artworks. In the 1970s, the palace became part of the Museum of Art. It now features lavishly decorated halls and private rooms that recall the grandeur of Lodz's high society. The palace also features immaculately landscaped gardens for visitors to stroll around.
5. Awaken Your Five Senses
An interactive, family-friendly museum, the Experymentarium encourages guests to "push, touch and enter" throughout its different exhibit areas. Most of the exhibits have been created by scientists and students and involve light and sound. The museum also features a cosmic tunnel, which is focused on developing the sense of smell, hearing and touch without using vision, and an area that explores the risks human beings take. The Augmented Reality Sandbox enables visitors to build 3-D topographical sand maps with their hands. Other highlights include a virtual reality game room and a laser maze.
Where to Eat in Łódź
If you're looking for cheap eats, you can get a great meal at one of the many food stands along Ulica Piotrkowska for zł6 per person. Those looking for authentic Polish flavors should make reservations at Restauracja Anatewka on Ulica Sierpnia. The restaurant offers traditional Jewish cuisine and live Klezmer music at an average price of zł2,500 per meal.
When to visit Łódź
Lodz endures bitterly cold winters, but the rest of the year offers fairly moderate temperatures ranging from 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A good time to visit is early fall when the city hosts film, music, and photography festivals.
How to Get to Łódź
Plane
Most international visitors will arrive via a connecting flight to Lodz Wladyslaw Reymont Airport (LCJ). You can take a bus or taxi to the city center. Bus tickets are sold in time increments beginning at zł2.60 for 20 minutes.
Train
Lodz is connected by train to Poland's other major cities. Visitors will arrive at the Lodz Kaliska station.
Car
Visitors can enter Lodz via the A2 highway from Warsaw or the A1 highway from Gdansk.
Bus
PolskiBus runs lines from Berlin, Prague, and all of Poland's major cities.
Airlines serving Łódź
Where to stay in Łódź
City Center - this neighborhood is where most of Lodz's hotels, restaurants, and shops are located. Get in some retail therapy at Manufaktura or tour the Museum of History of the City of Łodz.
Popular Neighborhoods in Lodz
Lodz Ghetto - this historic neighborhood just east of the city center was once home to Lodz's thriving Jewish population. There are still vivid reminders of their presence, such as the synagogue and large Jewish cemetery.
Baluty - this northern neighborhood has an abundance of natural beauty. Enjoy an afternoon picnic in Old Town Park or hike and bike in Lagiewnicki Forest.
Where to stay in popular areas of Łódź
Most booked hotels in Łódź
How to Get Around Łódź
Public Transportation
Lodz has an efficient bus and tram system. Tickets are sold in time increments starting at zł2.60 for 20 minutes.
Taxi
Taxis are quite cheap in Lodz with the price of zł1.80 per 0.62 miles.
Car
Lodz is easily accessible by car, but be prepared to pay a parking fee of zł2 per hour throughout the city. The airport has car rentals from international companies like Avis and Hertz, and prices can start at zł75 per day.
The Cost of Living in Łódź
Shopping Streets
Ulica Piotrkowska offers stores of every description from high-end fashion boutiques and art galleries to souvenir shops selling mementos of Pope John Paul II.
Groceries and Other
Supermarket chains Tesco and Lidl provide basic groceries at affordable prices. Milk costs zł9.73 per gallon and bread costs zł2.03 per loaf.