Attractions in Łódź - overview of interesting places to visit | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Lodz is one of Poland's largest cities and a major rail hub with several stations
• The Rogow-Rawa-Biala narrow-gauge railway runs from May to September and in December
• Tomaszow Mazowiecki is about one hour from Lodz and is home to the Nagorzyca Cave
• Leczyca, reachable in 1-1.5 hours from Lodz, features a royal castle and a town square
• Bolimow Landscape Park covers 20,512 ha and is accessible via Skierniewice or Lowicz
• The historic spa town of Uniejow requires a bus connection from the nearest train station

In this area, both larger and smaller towns, natural monuments and numerous attractions for children are waiting to be discovered. The Łódzkie Voivodeship provides everything a thirsty traveller might be looking for - from accommodation to restaurants and catering establishments tailored to the various needs of visitors.

If you're planning a visit, it's worth using the PolishTrains website, where you can check train connections and purchase tickets online. Before you set off, however, be sure to check out our suggestions of places to visit.

The focal point of the Łódź region is undoubtedly Łódź. It is one of the largest cities in Poland and an important transport hub. There are several railway stations here, so you can easily travel to the area from different parts of the country and even from abroad. What's more, the convenient location of the stations allows you to get off close to the places you wish to visit. You can get around the Łódź agglomeration itself by public transport, which eliminates the problems associated with parking on crowded streets.

The streets of Łódź hide atmospheric places. You will come across numerous reminders of the industrial past, which gives the city a unique character. Many artistic events take place in former factories. Łódź is a multicultural city, and its rich history can be seen in its cemeteries and religious shrines. In the past, Poles, Germans, Jews and Russians lived here together. The Cathedral of St Stanislaus Kostka, built before World War I in neo-Gothic style, is well worth a visit. If you need a moment of reflection, head to the Old Cemetery on Ogrodowa Street, where Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox believers are buried. Among the tombstones, you will find many names of Łódź factory owners and the graves of Jewish victims of World War II, including those murdered in the liquidation of the Łódź Ghetto.

In the city you will find many interesting museums and galleries that will delight history and culture lovers. Here are some of them:

• The Museum of Textiles is located in the renovated palace of Karol Scheibler. It presents the rich history of the textile industry, offering exhibitions related to textile production, old machines and technological processes.

• Geyer's White Factory, formerly a cotton factory, is now home to the Museum of Cinematography. Visitors can learn about both the history of the textile industry and the art of filmmaking.

• EC1 Łódź - City of Culture is a former power station that has been transformed into a centre of culture, science and technology. It offers a variety of exhibitions and touring spaces showcasing both the history of the power industry and modern technology.

• Zygmunt Przyszkowski Factory, a former textile factory where preserved machinery and building fragments allow visitors to travel back in time and experience the working atmosphere of a 19th century factory.

• The "Centrala" factory, once producing underwear, now serves as an arts centre. It hosts exhibitions and cultural events related to the history of the textile industry.

Łódź's attractions are not only museums, but also art galleries and shops with unique, artistic items. Many of them are located on the famous Piotrkowska Street, just a few minutes' walk from the Łódź Fabryczna railway station. In this area, we also recommend stopping by one of the many restaurants, including those serving Jewish cuisine.

Another place worth visiting is Manufaktura, which combines entertainment, culture and art. Also noteworthy is the Izrael Poznański Palace, now home to the Museum of the City of Łódź. It was created by combining and rebuilding Łódź tenement houses, and the palace's spacious interiors are very impressive.

Despite its name,Tomaszów Mazowiecki lies in the Łódzkie Voivodeship. One of the main attractions not to be missed in the area is the underground tourist route of the Nagórzyckie Grottoes. The site is located about 3 km south of the city centre and was created by quartz sand mining. The route is 160 metres long and can only be visited with a guide.

In Tomaszów Mazowiecki, it is also worth seeing St. Martin's Church from the 17th century, built entirely of larch wood, the Ostrowski Palace and the classicist Evangelical Augsburg Church of the Holy Trinity. Also of interest is the Pilica River Open-Air Museum, a museum dedicated to the river and related objects. Nearby is the Blue Springs Landscape Reserve, which owes its name to karst phenomena causing the intense blue colour of the water. A walk here has a soothing effect, and the landscape provides the perfect setting for photographers. In addition, free public transport makes it easy to visit without the need for a car.

We have also highlighted Piotrków Trybunalski on the map of places to visit in Łódź. For many years it played a key role in Poland, being the seat of the Crown Tribunal, the largest court of the Republic. The city offers many fascinating places to visit. Traces of the former multiculturalism can be seen here, among other things, thanks to the Route of Many Cultures, which brings together different groups of inhabitants of the area, including Jews, Germans and Poles. The route leads from the railway station through the Water Tower, the Orthodox Church, the court building, the Bernardine Monastery, the Dominican Sisters' Monastery, the city walls, the Old Town, the Lutheran Church and the Jesuit Church to the Royal Castle. Jesuits, up to the Royal Castle and the Great Synagogue. Many of these locations are open to the public and also host exhibitions. You will need several hours to walk the entire trail and familiarise yourself with all the information boards.

You can easily reach these sites by train. This is a convenient, fast and economical way to travel, ideal for organising a short holiday. Many smaller towns nearby can also be reached by bus. And if you are not sure how to organise your trip, use the journey planner on the PolishTrains website. You can buy tickets for the connections you are interested in at any time, and thanks to the mobile app you can even do it at the last minute.

Other tourist attractions in the Łódź region include the museum in Lipce Reymontowskie. It was this village that served the Nobel Prize winner as the backdrop for his novel "Chłopi" (Peasants). There you can learn about the culture of the former inhabitants of these lands. If you are curious about the real, everyday life of Boryna and other characters from the book, a visit to the museum is a must. The permanent exhibition presents collections related to the life and work of Reymont and the culture and history of the region. The exhibits include: manuscripts and various editions of Reymont's books, photographs, documents and memorabilia related to his life, as well as examples of local crafts and folk traditions. The facility also hosts a variety of events, such as literary meetings, temporary exhibitions related to folk and regional culture, and workshops and lectures on Reymont's work.

The Łódź Province is often associated with industry and technological development, but there is also no shortage of green spaces where you can relax in nature. One such interesting place in the Łódzkie Voivodeship is the Bolimowski Landscape Park, located in the Bolimowska Forest. The Rawka River, which has retained its natural character, flows through this picturesque area. Meandering and spilling freely, it creates an ecological corridor for the animals that live here. The park covers an area of around 12,500 hectares and there are spaces where you can relax, have a picnic or simply enjoy the surrounding nature. In addition, the park organises various educational events to raise environmental awareness and promote nature conservation.

Are you looking for a perfect place to relax by the water in the Łódzkie Voivodeship? The Jeziorsko Reservoir is an excellent choice! It is worth cycling around the reservoir, starting your route from the Warta area. There is also the Jeziorsko nature reserve in the area of the reservoir, which proves the exceptional natural qualities of this place. Numerous bird species can be seen here, such as herons, cormorants, terns and cranes. What's more, there are many beaches around the lagoon itself - both the more frequented ones and wild ones, located away from buildings. This is the perfect place to relax, be active and commune with nature!

Not far from Bełchatów is Góra Kamieńsk, one of the attractions of the Łódź Voivodeship, which stands out against the rather flat landscape of the area. In the winter season, this place turns into the closest ski base to Łódź. This winter sports centre is then simply teeming with life. In summer, it is also picturesque thanks to a toboggan run and cycle tracks. Kamieńsk Mountain is a recommended place for a short break from the industrial sites of the region.

Weaving was one of the main crafts intensively developed in the Łódź region. Weaving factories were located not only in Łódź, but also in Pabianice. A memento of these manufactories is the Weaver's House, a wooden building in the Lusatian style from the first half of the 19th century, preserved with many details that make it easy to imagine what it was like to work in this profession. The building is located at 20 Św. Jana Street and now houses an atmospheric restaurant.

What else is worth seeing in Pabianice? The Church of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, built in neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. By the way, you should definitely pay attention to the beautiful stained glass windows inside. We also recommend a visit to the monastery complex of the Benedictine Sisters, a 19th century building known for its nice architectural details and adjoined by a picturesque garden. The monument can only be viewed from the outside.

You can reach Pabianice comfortably by train - not only from nearby Łódź (Regio, InterCity and Łódź Agglomeration Railway connections), but also from more distant cities such as Warsaw, Wrocław or Poznań. This atmospheric place in the Łódzkie Voivodeship has a well-located station, which makes it a suitable destination for a short weekend trip.

What attractions for children can you use in the Łódź region? Above all, there are many places in Łódź itself. You can visit the Aquapark Fala, the renovated zoo with Orientarium, the botanical garden and the planetarium. These various forms of entertainment are available whatever the weather and whatever the season. It is worth remembering that there are discounts for children on both train tickets and the attractions themselves - for example, toddlers up to the age of 4 travel on trains for free. All information about discounts can be found, for example, on the PolishTrains portal.

If your child is interested in nature and enjoys walks, take a trip to the Arboretum in Rogów, one of the most valuable places of its kind in Europe. Here you will stroll through a forest with exotic plants. Of particular interest is the alpinarium, where you can see vegetation typical of the highest mountain ranges. The site is constantly evolving, and special exhibitions and a rest area with deckchairs and gazebos are currently being prepared.

Rogów is well connected by rail links, including those operated by the Łódź Agglomeration Railway. It is a place worth visiting, especially with children, as it offers unique attractions associated with historic trains. There are few places in the Łódzkie Voivodeship where you can admire old locomotives and carriages, and here you can also take a look inside them. Seasonal rides on the narrow-gauge railway between Rogów and Rawa-Biała are also available, which makes this place even more special.

We also recommend a trip to the Borysew Zoo Safari, located near the border with Wielkopolska. This is a popular attraction in the Łódź Voivodeship, located in a huge area where you can walk for several hours and meet around 900 animals belonging to 90 different species. In addition to the animals, the zoo also features additional entertainment such as a cinema, inflatables and a mini zoo, making it a great idea to spend a day outdoors. Importantly, you can reach the site comfortably from Poddębice, either by your own car or by public transport.

The town of Uniejów is primarily known for its hot brine baths - it has the status of a spa, so it is worth taking a holiday here. Situated on the banks of the Warta River, in green surroundings, it can boast a unique monument - the Uniejów Castle, built especially for the bishops of Gniezno in the 14th century. It is now the site of annual knightly tournaments, which attract numerous visitors. The town can be reached by local buses, as there is no rail connection.

Nieborów Palace is one of the most magnificent magnate residences in Poland. Well-preserved and in good condition, it is counted among the more famous tourist attractions in Łódź. The building is located on the edge of the Bolimowski Forest, not far from Łowicz, and impresses with its architecture. This Radziwiłł residence from the 17th century was designed by Tylman of Gameren. You can visit both the building and the extensive garden surrounding it. It's also worth making up a few kilometres to get a little further to the beautiful, romantic park at Arkadia, where time really stops and the lush vegetation and interesting architecture are conducive to relaxation. Unfortunately, Nieborow can only be reached by private transport.

Tum, located north of Łódź, is an important tourist destination. This town in the Łódzkie Voivodeship boasts a medieval collegiate church, which belongs to the Romanesque route. It was built back in the 12th century and has been preserved in really good condition, offering many reminders of the temple's former appearance. It is characterised by elements of the Romanesque style, such as massive walls and semi-circular arches. Its construction was closely linked to the development of Christianity in the region.

Sulejów, located on the Pilica River near the Sulejów Reservoir, is an ideal place to visit if you are looking for a location in Łódź for a short trip. Here you will be delighted by the Cistercian Abbey, considered one of the most valuable monuments of Romanesque art in Poland. The abbey was founded in 1176 by Cistercian monks who came to Poland from France. It was part of a larger wave of Cistercian settlements in Europe. In the Middle Ages, the abbey developed dynamically, becoming an important religious and cultural centre. The Cistercians were not only engaged in prayer, but also in agriculture, crafts and education. The complex includes a church, a monastery with a chapter-house, defensive walls and six towers open to the public.

While in Sulejów, it is also worth going to the shore of the lagoon, where typical waterfront attractions await: a beach, water equipment rental, volleyball court and fishing.

Łęczyca is another atmospheric place in the Łódzkie Voivodeship that you should visit. Did you hear the legend of the Devil Boruta as a child? It is connected with this very town. You can get to Łęczyca by train from various places in Poland, and the journey from Łódź only takes 30 minutes. From the station, located in the centre, you can easily reach the City Reservoir and the biggest attraction - the Castle in Łęczyca. It is an imposing building towering over the city, erected on the orders of Casimir the Great. It was at this castle that the Devil Boruta, known for playing various mischief on the inhabitants, was supposed to appear. In one version of the legend, Boruta hid treasures in the surrounding forests. People trying to find them often encountered obstacles as a result of the devil's actions.

The monuments of the Łódzkie Voivodeship and the rich offer of tourist attractions make this region worth visiting. Don't delay, plan your trip today! You can get here from any region of Poland and the train journey is neither long nor arduous. Remember that you can take advantage of numerous discounts on tickets, which will allow you to save money. Thanks to the search engine on the PolishTrains website, you can carefully check all connections and plan your trip in the best way possible. Various promotions are also waiting for you!