A Photo Tour of Katowice: Street Art, Neons, and Architecture

Katowice is where your childhood dreams of living in space, like the Jetsons family, can come true. While there are no flying taxis, the city has its own ‘flying saucer,’ non-pneumatic (yet!) glass elevators, and the Cosmos Cinema (Kino Kosmos). At night, the neon-lit streets are full of little alien-like figures called Beboks. Fans of the space age and modernism will never tire of exploring the city’s out-of-this-world architectural gems.

I visited Katowice for the European Science Open Forum 2024, held at the International Conference Centre (which sits on an old mining waste dump site!). It was my first time in the city, and during the day, I soaked up presentations about transformation, innovation, and science in the region. In the evenings, I wandered around the city center, eager to see it all with my own eyes.

In this post, I invite you on a photo tour where we will explore the city highlights, following the trails of neons and modernist architecture. We will visit the Katowice Cultural Zone, old department stores, and street art locations.

Tour description

We begin the tour at the most central place – the market square. Here, you won’t find colourful facades, charming cafes and souvenir shops like in Wroclaw or Krakow. Instead, the square is surrounded by tall department stores with neon signs, such as Skarbek and Zenit. In the heart of it is the concrete area, frequently crossed by red trams. One corner is converted into relaxing zone with palm trees and waterfall, while another has become romantic Flower Plaza with piano and fountains. From here, you can choose to visit the Tourist Information Center, head to the nearby main train station, explore Mariacka Street with its restaurant hub or go towards Katowice Cultural Zone – you decide!

📷 Photo tip: Take the elevator to Klub Pomarancza on the 4th floor of Skarbek. The glass elevator is on the outside of the building and it is for free! Great bird-eye view of entire market square guaranteed.

Neons

In the late 60s’ the streets of Poland’s “Las Vegas” were illuminated by nearly 800 neons, serving as both advertisement and decorative elements that enhanced the city’s allure. I recommend checking archive photos from that time.

Today, only a few of original neons remain, but their sentimental and artistic value is widely recognised. There are many initiatives aiming to protect and restore those iconic signs, e.g., a museum of neons and the sightseeing trail.

Spodek Arena and Cultural Zone

It landed – not at night in the middle of a field, but in the center of Katowice. There are no aliens inside; instead, it is a hub for a universe of events, including festivals, concerts, and sports tournaments.

📷 Photo tip: Go to the roof of the International Conference Centre for a nice view of Spodek Arena, and entire Cultural Zone.

📷 Photo tip: Silesian Museum has outdoor exhibition, which you can see without buying a ticket. The surface of glass cubes features interesting patterns that mimic the fossilised imprints found in mine deposits. The best to see during the golden hour.

Miasto Ogrodów (City of Gardens)

In 2016 Katowice received a title of European Capital of Culture. The name doesn’t only refer to creating more green spaces in the city, but goes beyond the literal meaning. It symbolises city’s potential for cultivating new ideas and inviting citizens to actively participate in creating diverse and innovative public space.

Beboks

Florka is a Bebok – a mystical creature from Silesian demonology believed to kidnap naughty kids. Local artist Grzegorz Chudy brought Beboks to life through his watercolors. Now they are produced as bronze sculptures and placed in front of schools, libraries, and cafes. There are already over 40 Beboks in the city, and the number is still growing.

📷 Photo tip: Go to Flower Plaza to meet Florka. She sits in front of the Tourist Information Center, surrounded by flowers, holding a heart – a symbol of the city. During the day, she rests by the fountain, listening to piano music. Every evening, she watches a beautiful light show of neons from the nearby florist.

Street art

Exploring Katowice’s street art is a great way to connect with the city’s history. Its murals highlight important figures, like artists and scientists, alongside scenes from the past. Even though I didn’t follow the official street art trail, I still came across some interesting pieces along the way. One of my favorites was a mural of Zbigniew Wodecki, a well-known Polish musician, on Tylna Mariacka Street. I also really liked the paintings on Katowicka Street – one honoring the Polish cryptologists who helped break the Enigma code and another featuring symbols of Polish nature, like a stork and poppies.

Spending a few afternoons in Katowice made me realize how complex this city is. Before visiting, I had only an imagined picture of it, but being there allowed me to confront that image with reality. It’s a place that carries the weight of its history while also looking toward the future with creativity and innovation. I’m curious to see how it will evolve in the coming years. There are still plenty of places I’d love to explore—more murals and neon signs, the beautiful brick architecture of Nikiszowiec, Chorzów, and other spots around the metropolis. With its fascinating blend of architectural styles, industrial heritage and futuristic ambitions, Katowice felt different from any city I’ve visited before.