Łódź

Łódź (Pronounced: Wootch) is Poland's third biggest city, and the capital of the Łódzkie Voivodship. Unlike most other large Polish cities, which have long histories, Łódź was created almost from scratch during the 19th century textile industry boom to house textile mills, their owners and their workers, and rapidly grew to become an important industrial and commerce centre. In the 1990s, the textile industry largely shut down, but the city rebounded in the 21st century due to foreign investment in IT industies.

Owing to its history, Łódź has an impressive collection of residential, commercial and industrial 19th-century architecture including some of Europe's largest factory buildings, now mostly repurposed as shopping centres or lofts. Recent local investment and a long-standing cultural scene ensures there is always something more to do than just sightseeing or shopping, with the city hosting some of the best museums and art galleries in the country. The close proximity of Warsaw and Łódź's location at the crossroads of the Polish motorway system make it an ideal destination for a day trip or longer city break.

The origin of the city's name is unknown, however, the word łódź translates to "boat" in English. This is referred to in the emblem and when you hear the dwellers of Łódź (łodzianin (man) łodzianka (woman) łodzianie (plural)) calling themselves "the boat people".

A settlement on the area of present-day Łódź was established in the 14th century and in 1423 it was granted a town charter, along with the right to have a marketplace. However, the real development of Łódź started with the industrial era at the beginning of the 19th century when the city was chosen to be the heart of the rapidly-growing textile industry. The population of Łódź soared from some 4,000 people in the 1830s and 40,000 in 1865 to over 300,000 inhabitants at the turn of the century, which was an unprecedented growth on a worldwide scale.

The rapid development of Łódź in the second half of the 19th century was brought about by the rise of enormous industrialist fortunes. New inhabitants, craftsmen and merchants came to Łódź; markets and town fairs came to life. The profits obtained from prosperous textile mills opened up practically unlimited possibilities for their owners. The city residences became expressions of the riches and power of the local tycoons. They were usually situated next to the owner's factory.

Ever since the industrial revolution brought a massive influx of workforce, Łódź had been a city almost equally divided between four cultures - Polish, Jewish, German and Russian. The day before the outbreak of World War II, Łódź was inhabited by approximately 672,000 people, among whom 35% were of Jewish faith and some 15% were ethnic German. Andrzej Wajda's movie, Promised Land based on a novel by the Nobel laureate Władysław Reymont, depicts those times and is a worthwhile introduction to the city's bustling history.

During the Nazi occupation, Łódź was incorporated directly into the Third Reich. The city was renamed to Litzmannstadt, and Piotrkowska Street was called Adolf-Hitler-Strasse. The Jewish community was practically wiped out, and many others lost their lives. Although the city was not destroyed in the aftermath, the material losses were serious as the machinery, raw materials and finished goods were taken away by the fleeing Nazis. The day before the liberation, about 80,000 Germans left Łódź in panic. At the beginning of 1945, the population was estimated at 300,000.

Since the fall of communism in Poland, Łódź has not enjoyed the rapid economic growth cities like Kraków, Warsaw and Wrocław have experienced, and has had to endure the fall of much of its textile industry, high unemployment and emigration (within Poland and abroad). This led to further dilapidation of the investment-starved city, and many of its streets and buildings show profound signs of neglect. At first glance, for a city of 760,000 and agglomeration of 1,428,000, there does not seem to be much to see. However, the situation is rapidly changing now with Łódź campaigning and redesigning itself as an up-and-coming destination. To accomplish this, Łódź has been capitalizing on its film history - Łódź is jokingly referred to as the "HollyŁódź" of Poland and hosts several film festivals and many other cultural events.

Łódź today may not have the glitz and glamour of its heyday; however, there is a certain charm to Łódź in its partially renovated façades and leitmotivs, not to mention its grand artistic traditions.

The main tourist office is at Piotrkowska 87 Street. You should also be able to get a map and some tips at the airport.

Łódź is divided into five districts:

• Śródmieście - central downtown area
• Polesie - western residential area
• Widzew - eastern industrial and residential area
• Bałuty - northern industrial and residential area
• Górna - southern residential area

Śródmieście encompasses most of the historic architecture and points of interest. There is not much for a tourist to see outside of Śródmieście and areas directly neighbouring its borders.

Śródmieście - central downtown area

Polesie - western residential area

Widzew - eastern industrial and residential area

Bałuty - northern industrial and residential area

Górna - southern residential area

Łódź is well known for its architectural monuments which form a record of the city's heritage, particularly its unique 19th century development. Since 1989, the city of Łódź has rediscovered its industrial heritage, a unique ensemble of architecture, preserved despite two world wars.

• Piotrkowska street. It is one of the longest commercial streets in Europe and one of the major attractions in the city. It runs in a straight line from the Liberty Square (Plac Wolności) to the Independence Square (Plac Niepodległości). Many pubs, bars, restaurants, and attractions are on this street.

*Łódź Walk of Fame, ul. Piotrkowska (Between 6 Sierpnia Street and Rubinstein Passage. Being the Polish Hollywood, Łódź has its own Walk of Fame. Some of the names are Pola Negri, Roman Polański or Andrzej Wajda.

• Old Market Square, ul. Kilinskiego 56 (Next to Staromiejski Park. Was once incorporated into the Ghetto. It now serves as a venue for concerts and fairs.

*The Decalogue Memorial, ul. Kilinskiego 56 (In the Staromiejski Park. It is a tribute to the coexistence of Poles and Jews. The memorial is close to the Old Market Square in Staromiejski Park.

• Litzmannstadt Ghetto. The Litzmannstadt Ghetto was the second largest Jewish ghetto in Poland after the Warsaw Ghetto. It is referred to as both the Łódź Ghetto and the Litzmannstadt Ghetto, the latter name coming from the German general who captured the city in World War I (the entire city was later renamed Litzmannstadt in his honor). The ghetto was the last one to be liquidated due to the high productivity of the slave laborers and lack of armed resistance. See Holocaust remembrance for context.

• Poznański Palace, ul. Ogrodowa 15 (Next to Manufaktura complex. A beautiful 19th-century building that was built by Izrael Poznański - a textile magnate and a philanthropist. Today it holds the Museum of the City of Łódź.
• Ludwik Geyer's Mansion, ul. Piotrkowska 286 (Near the Independence Square. A classicist mansion built in 1833 by Ludwik Geyer - one of the textile magnates. It is a privately owned property.
• Karol Scheibler's Palace, Plac Zwycięstwa (Next to Księży Młyn. Neo-Renaissance palace today hosts the Film Museum.
• Leopold Kindermann's Villa, ul. Wólczańska 31/33 (between Zielona and 6 Sierpnia Streets. One of the most important examples of art nouveau architecture in Łódź. Built in 1903, it houses Łódź's Art Gallery.

Poznański Palace, ul. Ogrodowa 15 (Next to Manufaktura complex. A beautiful 19th-century building that was built by Izrael Poznański - a textile magnate and a philanthropist. Today it holds the Museum of the City of Łódź.

Ludwik Geyer's Mansion, ul. Piotrkowska 286 (Near the Independence Square. A classicist mansion built in 1833 by Ludwik Geyer - one of the textile magnates. It is a privately owned property.

Karol Scheibler's Palace, Plac Zwycięstwa (Next to Księży Młyn. Neo-Renaissance palace today hosts the Film Museum.

Leopold Kindermann's Villa, ul. Wólczańska 31/33 (between Zielona and 6 Sierpnia Streets. One of the most important examples of art nouveau architecture in Łódź. Built in 1903, it houses Łódź's Art Gallery.

• Manufaktura, between Zachodnia, Ogrodowa, Karskiego and Drewnowska streets (the easiest way to get there is from Zachodnia Street which is the extension of Kościuszki Street. It is the largest shopping mall in the city and occupies old factory buildings.
• White Factory, ul. Piotrkowska 282. This old factory holds the city's Textile Museum. It's next to a small lake, and is very nicely lit during the evenings.
• Księży Młyn. A large complex of 19th-century textile factories.
• Kopisch's bleachery, ul. Tymienieckiego 5 (Just east off the Cathedral Square. It is the oldest (built in 1826) preserved building connected with textile Łódź.

Manufaktura, between Zachodnia, Ogrodowa, Karskiego and Drewnowska streets (the easiest way to get there is from Zachodnia Street which is the extension of Kościuszki Street. It is the largest shopping mall in the city and occupies old factory buildings.

White Factory, ul. Piotrkowska 282. This old factory holds the city's Textile Museum. It's next to a small lake, and is very nicely lit during the evenings.

Księży Młyn. A large complex of 19th-century textile factories.

Kopisch's bleachery, ul. Tymienieckiego 5 (Just east off the Cathedral Square. It is the oldest (built in 1826) preserved building connected with textile Łódź.

• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, ul. Kilinskiego 56 (On the intersection with Narutowicza Street, close to Łódź Fabryczna station. A rare example of Orthodox architecture in Poland.
• St. Joseph's Church, ul. Ogrodowa 22 (Near the Manufaktura mall, +48 42 633 45 37. Open during mass only. This is the oldest building in the city - the only one built in the pre-industry period.
• Jewish cemetery, Entrance from ul. Zmienna (Bałuty district. From Sunday to Friday (except Jewish holidays, when it is closed) 1 April - 1 November 09:00 till 17:00. From 2 November till 31 March, 09:00 till 15:00. For centuries, Poland was home to the largest Jewish community in the world. Jewish people also strongly influenced the history of Łódź. This is the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. 6 zł (On every first Sunday in month admission free.).
• Old cemetery, ul. Ogrodowa 43 (Next to Manufaktura. The most important active cemetery in Łódź. Here you will find one of the most exquisite sacral buildings in Europe, the Karol Scheibler's Chapel.

*Karol Scheibler's Chapel, ul. Ogrodowa 43 (Evangelical - Augsburg part of the Old Cemetery. This chapel was for a long time neglected and its condition deteriorated, however, today, works are on the way to improve its past glory.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, ul. Kilinskiego 56 (On the intersection with Narutowicza Street, close to Łódź Fabryczna station. A rare example of Orthodox architecture in Poland.

St. Joseph's Church, ul. Ogrodowa 22 (Near the Manufaktura mall, +48 42 633 45 37. Open during mass only. This is the oldest building in the city - the only one built in the pre-industry period.

Jewish cemetery, Entrance from ul. Zmienna (Bałuty district. From Sunday to Friday (except Jewish holidays, when it is closed) 1 April - 1 November 09:00 till 17:00. From 2 November till 31 March, 09:00 till 15:00. For centuries, Poland was home to the largest Jewish community in the world. Jewish people also strongly influenced the history of Łódź. This is the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe. 6 zł (On every first Sunday in month admission free.).

Old cemetery, ul. Ogrodowa 43 (Next to Manufaktura. The most important active cemetery in Łódź. Here you will find one of the most exquisite sacral buildings in Europe, the Karol Scheibler's Chapel.

Łódź has a surprisingly large number of museums for a city of its size and background, which strengthens its claim as a hotbed of culture and ensures there is always somewhere to go for a visitor. Most charge a small fee, though these are good value by western standards.

• ms1, ul. Więckowskiego 36 (corner of ul. Gdanska. Tu 10:00-17:00, W 11:00-17:00, Th 12:00-19:00, F 11:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-16:00. It was one of the first museums of modern art in Europe and has a really impressive collection of Polish and international 20th century art (for long time and arguably still the best in Poland). The building belonged to the Poznański family, same as the palace where Muzeum Historii Miasta Łodzi is located. (Tip: after leaving the museum take Gdańska street and go 50 meters up north to see the beautiful building of the Music Academy - which used to be one of the houses of Izrael Poznański. If you are confident enough you can go in (entrance on ul. 1 Maja) to see an elegant stain glass window on the first floor.) Admission: adults 7 zł, families: 13 zł; temporary exhibitions: adults: 4 zł, reduced ticket: 3 zł; free admission on Fridays.
• ms2, ul. Ogrodowa 19 (in Manufaktura, +48 42 634 39 48. Tu 10:00–18:00, W–Su 11:00–19:00. Ms2 is dedicated mostly to the Collection of 20th and 21st Century Art. The museum is in a building of 19th century weaving plant (former part of Poznański family textile manufacture, modern days part of shopping mall Manufaktura). This museum should be considered as a extension to the ms (Muzeum Sztuki) and even the name shows that ms2 is second and also has bigger expositions area. (ms to square). One exhibition: Adults: 10 zł, Reduced ticket: 5 zł; Combined (ms1, ms2, Herbst Palace): Adults 16 zł, reduced 8 zł; Free admission on Fridays.
• Muzeum Historii Miasta Łodzi (Museum of the City of Łódź), ul. Ogrodowa 15 (corner ul. Zachodnia, +48 42 6540323. Tu 10:00 - 16:00, W 14:00 - 18:00, Th 10:00 - 16:00, F 10:00 - 14:00, Sa 10:00 - 14:00, Su 10:00 - 14:00. Various beautiful rooms with exhibitions dedicated to some of the most famous people from Łódź including writer Julian Tuwim, pianist Artur Rubenstein, and collections of items from the daily lives of those who have lived in Łódź throughout the years. The museum is in a beautiful building called Palace Poznańskiego. One of the major attractions in Łódź.
• Dętka, plac Wolności (underground, at Plac Wolności, +48 42 254 90 11. Summer only. Museum of the old sewage system in a circular water tank below pl. Wolnosci, built in brick in 1926. Accommodates max. 10 people inside, no big bags, do not go in if you are claustrophobic. A great experience otherwise. 5 zł, reduced 3 zł.
• Muzeum Archeologiczne i Ethograficzne, Plac Wolnosci 14, +48 42 632 8440. Tu Th F 10:00 - 17:00, W 09:00 - 16:00, Sa 09:00 - 15:00. The largest museum in the city, containing an exceptional collection of ancient treasures and archaeological artefacts from all around the surrounding region. Many exhibits date from as long ago as the Stone Age, and cover various periods right up to the Middle Ages.
• Museum of Textiles, ul. Piotrkowska 282. Mondays closed. Permanent and temporary exhibitions concerning everything connected with textiles: industry, machines and fashion. Working machines on display on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 09:00 - 17:00, and on Thursdays: 11:00 - 15:00. 10 zł, reduced 6 zł, Saturdays free.

Also in the complex is the Open-air Museum of the Łódź Wooden Architecture.

• Film Museum, pl. Zwycięstwa 1. Mondays closed. 10 zł, reduced 7 zł.

ms1, ul. Więckowskiego 36 (corner of ul. Gdanska. Tu 10:00-17:00, W 11:00-17:00, Th 12:00-19:00, F 11:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-16:00. It was one of the first museums of modern art in Europe and has a really impressive collection of Polish and international 20th century art (for long time and arguably still the best in Poland). The building belonged to the Poznański family, same as the palace where Muzeum Historii Miasta Łodzi is located. (Tip: after leaving the museum take Gdańska street and go 50 meters up north to see the beautiful building of the Music Academy - which used to be one of the houses of Izrael Poznański. If you are confident enough you can go in (entrance on ul. 1 Maja) to see an elegant stain glass window on the first floor.) Admission: adults 7 zł, families: 13 zł; temporary exhibitions: adults: 4 zł, reduced ticket: 3 zł; free admission on Fridays.

ms2, ul. Ogrodowa 19 (in Manufaktura, +48 42 634 39 48. Tu 10:00–18:00, W–Su 11:00–19:00. Ms2 is dedicated mostly to the Collection of 20th and 21st Century Art. The museum is in a building of 19th century weaving plant (former part of Poznański family textile manufacture, modern days part of shopping mall Manufaktura). This museum should be considered as a extension to the ms (Muzeum Sztuki) and even the name shows that ms2 is second and also has bigger expositions area. (ms to square). One exhibition: Adults: 10 zł, Reduced ticket: 5 zł; Combined (ms1, ms2, Herbst Palace): Adults 16 zł, reduced 8 zł; Free admission on Fridays.

Muzeum Historii Miasta Łodzi (Museum of the City of Łódź), ul. Ogrodowa 15 (corner ul. Zachodnia, +48 42 6540323. Tu 10:00 - 16:00, W 14:00 - 18:00, Th 10:00 - 16:00, F 10:00 - 14:00, Sa 10:00 - 14:00, Su 10:00 - 14:00. Various beautiful rooms with exhibitions dedicated to some of the most famous people from Łódź including writer Julian Tuwim, pianist Artur Rubenstein, and collections of items from the daily lives of those who have lived in Łódź throughout the years. The museum is in a beautiful building called Palace Poznańskiego. One of the major attractions in Łódź.

Dętka, plac Wolności (underground, at Plac Wolności, +48 42 254 90 11. Summer only. Museum of the old sewage system in a circular water tank below pl. Wolnosci, built in brick in 1926. Accommodates max. 10 people inside, no big bags, do not go in if you are claustrophobic. A great experience otherwise. 5 zł, reduced 3 zł.

Muzeum Archeologiczne i Ethograficzne, Plac Wolnosci 14, +48 42 632 8440. Tu Th F 10:00 - 17:00, W 09:00 - 16:00, Sa 09:00 - 15:00. The largest museum in the city, containing an exceptional collection of ancient treasures and archaeological artefacts from all around the surrounding region. Many exhibits date from as long ago as the Stone Age, and cover various periods right up to the Middle Ages.

Museum of Textiles, ul. Piotrkowska 282. Mondays closed. Permanent and temporary exhibitions concerning everything connected with textiles: industry, machines and fashion. Working machines on display on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 09:00 - 17:00, and on Thursdays: 11:00 - 15:00. 10 zł, reduced 6 zł, Saturdays free.

Film Museum, pl. Zwycięstwa 1. Mondays closed. 10 zł, reduced 7 zł.

One of the "greenest" cities in Poland, Łódź is home to 34 public parks - 11 of which are natural monuments - and one of the largest city forests in Europe is within the city borders. Perhaps the most interesting ones are:

• Łódź Hills Landscape Park, Between Łódź and Brzeziny (Take the bus from Plac Dąbrowskiego or Academy of Art. A natural landscape reservation for walks and bike rides. 30 minutes by bus line 88 from the Academy of Art. Large part of Łagiewnicki Forest is a part of this park. Small outskirt villages in the park like Kalonka, Dobieszków or Wódka are among the most prestigious locations for house development.
• Łagiewnicki Forest. One of the largest forest complexes in the world that is within city boundaries. Arturówek lake is a very well known local attraction during the summer, there are also numerous bike paths there.
• Botanical Garden, ul. Krzemieniecka 36/38 (Get there by bus 6, 76, 80, 99 or tram 9 or 43., +48 42 688 44 20. May–August (09:00-20:00), April and September (09:00-19:00), October (09:00-17:00). The ticket offices close one hour before the park.. Largest botanical garden in Poland with some very interesting natural architecture and plant exhibitions. Enter from Kusocińskiego or Krzemieniecka Street. Open from 1 April until 31 October. For 60 zł you can hire an official guide. 8 zł adult, 4 zł reduced, 50 zł monthly ticket, 16 zł combined ticket for both Botanical Garden and Palm House (valid 2 days). Cash only.
• Palm House, Plac Zwycięstwa (Right off Piłsudskiego Street. Closed on all Mondays, last week of March and July.. One of the most interesting buildings in Łódź. It is in Źródliska Park. Inside, you will many unique plants. It is estimated to have 4500 plants. For 30/45 zł (depending on the ticket type) you can hire an official guide. 6 zł adult, 3 zł reduced. Be prepared to pay for the washrooms and the obligatory changing room..
• Źródliska Park, Plac Zwycięstwa (Right off Piłsudskiego Street. The oldest park in Łódź. In 2007 it was selected the most beautiful city park in Poland and it also ranked 5th in Europe. It is in the city center on Piłsudskiego Street. Inside is Palmiarnia Łódzka.
• Józef Piłsudski Park, Polesie district near to City Zoo and the Botanical Garden (The easiest way to get there is by taking the 80 or 99 and dropping off at Krzemieniecka Street.. The largest park in Łódź. It is more a forest than a park with a few lakes and large alleys.
• Poniatowski Park, almost along the whole length of Mickiewicza St (near Łódź Kaliska station. It is best to enter from Parkowa Street (near Real hypermarket). The park is a very popular venue for wedding photos and casual biking. There are also tennis courts there (entry from Mickiewicza Street).
• Old City Park, Nowomiejska/Północna intersection (next to the Old Market Square. The Decalogue Memorial is in the park, and has an excellent view on the Old Market Square. You can play chess with the locals there.

Łódź Hills Landscape Park, Between Łódź and Brzeziny (Take the bus from Plac Dąbrowskiego or Academy of Art. A natural landscape reservation for walks and bike rides. 30 minutes by bus line 88 from the Academy of Art. Large part of Łagiewnicki Forest is a part of this park. Small outskirt villages in the park like [[Kalonka]], [[Dobieszków]] or [[Wódka]] are among the most prestigious locations for house development.

Łagiewnicki Forest. One of the largest forest complexes in the world that is within city boundaries. Arturówek lake is a very well known local attraction during the summer, there are also numerous bike paths there.

Botanical Garden, ul. Krzemieniecka 36/38 (Get there by bus 6, 76, 80, 99 or tram 9 or 43., +48 42 688 44 20. May–August (09:00-20:00), April and September (09:00-19:00), October (09:00-17:00). The ticket offices close one hour before the park.. Largest botanical garden in Poland with some very interesting natural architecture and plant exhibitions. Enter from Kusocińskiego or Krzemieniecka Street. Open from 1 April until 31 October. For 60 zł you can hire an official guide. 8 zł adult, 4 zł reduced, 50 zł monthly ticket, 16 zł combined ticket for both Botanical Garden and Palm House (valid 2 days). Cash only.

Palm House, Plac Zwycięstwa (Right off Piłsudskiego Street. Closed on all Mondays, last week of March and July.. One of the most interesting buildings in Łódź. It is in Źródliska Park. Inside, you will many unique plants. It is estimated to have 4500 plants. For 30/45 zł (depending on the ticket type) you can hire an official guide. 6 zł adult, 3 zł reduced. Be prepared to pay for the washrooms and the obligatory changing room..

Źródliska Park, Plac Zwycięstwa (Right off Piłsudskiego Street. The oldest park in Łódź. In 2007 it was selected the most beautiful city park in Poland and it also ranked 5th in Europe. It is in the city center on Piłsudskiego Street. Inside is Palmiarnia Łódzka.

Józef Piłsudski Park, Polesie district near to City Zoo and the Botanical Garden (The easiest way to get there is by taking the 80 or 99 and dropping off at Krzemieniecka Street.. The largest park in Łódź. It is more a forest than a park with a few lakes and large alleys.

Poniatowski Park, almost along the whole length of Mickiewicza St (near Łódź Kaliska station. It is best to enter from Parkowa Street (near Real hypermarket). The park is a very popular venue for wedding photos and casual biking. There are also tennis courts there (entry from Mickiewicza Street).

Old City Park, Nowomiejska/Północna intersection (next to the Old Market Square. The Decalogue Memorial is in the park, and has an excellent view on the Old Market Square. You can play chess with the locals there.

Piotrkowska street. It is one of the longest commercial streets in Europe and one of the major attractions in the city. It runs in a straight line from the Liberty Square (Plac Wolności) to the Independence Square (Plac Niepodległości). Many pubs, bars, restaurants, and attractions are on this street.

Old Market Square, ul. Kilinskiego 56 (Next to Staromiejski Park. Was once incorporated into the Ghetto. It now serves as a venue for concerts and fairs.

Litzmannstadt Ghetto. The Litzmannstadt Ghetto was the second largest Jewish ghetto in Poland after the [[Warsaw]] Ghetto. It is referred to as both the Łódź Ghetto and the Litzmannstadt Ghetto, the latter name coming from the German general who captured the city in World War I (the entire city was later renamed Litzmannstadt in his honor). The ghetto was the last one to be liquidated due to the high productivity of the slave laborers and lack of armed resistance. See [[Holocaust remembrance]] for context.

Having been primarily promoted as a centre of creative industries (arts, design, fashion), the city hosts a considerable number of cultural events throughout the year on a range of subject matter. If you are travelling not just to see beautiful architecture, but to also experience a plethora of local events, Łódź is a great place to be.

• Łódź of Four Cultures Festival. Takes place every September. Intended to promote understanding and tolerance between the four nations that have built the city.
• Light Move Festival. A festival of light held every October that utilises public spaces in the city centre for a spectacular show of art and video.
• Explorers Festival. Extreme sports and tourism festival. Takes place every November.
• International Festival of Photography. Takes place every May. All the events take place in old factories, tenement buildings and villas of Łódź – post-industrial architecture creates a truly unique atmosphere for presentation of photographs.
• International Festival of Comics and Games. Held annually in October. It is the biggest comic event in Central-Eastern Europe.
• Łódź Design Festival. Held in May. Hosts various exhibitions and design events.
• International Festival of Music Producers Soundedit. Mostly acoustic shows.
• Festival of Music Individualities Tansman. Homage to Alexandre Tansman.
• International Festival of Pleasant and Unpleasant Plays. Held in the Common Theater, a long-running play festival.
• Summer Academy of Jazz. Held in July-August. The jazz festival (some of the concerts are free) that attracts a number of Polish and international jazz celebrities as well as talented young musicians.

Łódź of Four Cultures Festival. Takes place every September. Intended to promote understanding and tolerance between the four nations that have built the city.

Light Move Festival. A festival of light held every October that utilises public spaces in the city centre for a spectacular show of art and video.

Explorers Festival. Extreme sports and tourism festival. Takes place every November.

International Festival of Photography. Takes place every May. All the events take place in old factories, tenement buildings and villas of Łódź – post-industrial architecture creates a truly unique atmosphere for presentation of photographs.

International Festival of Comics and Games. Held annually in October. It is the biggest comic event in Central-Eastern Europe.

Łódź Design Festival. Held in May. Hosts various exhibitions and design events.

International Festival of Music Producers Soundedit. Mostly acoustic shows.

Festival of Music Individualities Tansman. Homage to Alexandre Tansman.

International Festival of Pleasant and Unpleasant Plays. Held in the Common Theater, a long-running play festival.

Summer Academy of Jazz. Held in July-August. The jazz festival (some of the concerts are free) that attracts a number of Polish and international jazz celebrities as well as talented young musicians.

• Lunapark. A popular, free theme park just outside the city.
• Łódź zoo, ul. Konstantynowska 8/10, +48 42 632 75 09. A state-run zoo (and thus relatively low in ticket prices) that hosts a wide variety of exotic animals. The giraffes and elephants are a particular highlight 15-20 zł adult (depending on the season), reduced 8-12 zł, family ticket (incl. max 2 children) 35-48 zł.

Lunapark. A popular, free theme park just outside the city.

Łódź zoo, ul. Konstantynowska 8/10, +48 42 632 75 09. A state-run zoo (and thus relatively low in ticket prices) that hosts a wide variety of exotic animals. The giraffes and elephants are a particular highlight 15-20 zł adult (depending on the season), reduced 8-12 zł, family ticket (incl. max 2 children) 35-48 zł.

• Kino Charlie, ul.Piotrkowska 203/205, +48 42 636 00 92. A nice cinema with mostly interesting programme of (often European and Asian) films, not as commercial as Silver Screen.
• Kino Bałtyk, ul. Narutowicza 20, +48 42 630 36 03. Once it was the largest and the most important cinema in Łódź, but it has lost the market to chains like Silver Screen or Cinema City. The cinema is right behind the philharmonic. It is well-known for its excellent sound system.
• Cinema City, ul. Karskiego 5 (in Manufaktura mall, +48 42 664 64 64. Comfortable, big theater with 14 cinema halls and 1 big IMAX hall offering projections of 3D movies. Movie selection contains the latest Hollywood hits with Polish subtitles.
• Multikino, ul. Piłsudskiego 5 (in the city center, next to Galeria Łódzka shopping mall and Ibis hotel, +48 42 639 58 00.
• Bodo, Rewolucji 1905 roku 78/80, +48 539-801-858. The small independent cinema theater with a program that will delight true cinephiles. There is also a second hall - the exprerimental one that seats only 5 spectators. 15-18 PLN.

Kino Charlie, ul.Piotrkowska 203/205, +48 42 636 00 92. A nice cinema with mostly interesting programme of (often European and Asian) films, not as commercial as Silver Screen.

Kino Bałtyk, ul. Narutowicza 20, +48 42 630 36 03. Once it was the largest and the most important cinema in Łódź, but it has lost the market to chains like Silver Screen or Cinema City. The cinema is right behind the philharmonic. It is well-known for its excellent sound system.

Cinema City, ul. Karskiego 5 (in Manufaktura mall, +48 42 664 64 64. Comfortable, big theater with 14 cinema halls and 1 big IMAX hall offering projections of 3D movies. Movie selection contains the latest Hollywood hits with Polish subtitles.

Multikino, ul. Piłsudskiego 5 (in the city center, next to Galeria Łódzka shopping mall and Ibis hotel, +48 42 639 58 00.

Bodo, Rewolucji 1905 roku 78/80, +48 539-801-858. The small independent cinema theater with a program that will delight true cinephiles. There is also a second hall - the exprerimental one that seats only 5 spectators. 15-18 PLN.

The city's theatre scene can be considered a jewel in its cultural crown and includes a diverse range of shows and productions.

• Teatr Jaracza, ul. Jaracza 27, +48 42 662 33 33. The ticket offices are open from Monday till Sunday between 12:00 and 19:00. The reservations must be picked up before 18:00. It is considered one of the best drama theaters in Poland. They play Tuesday to Sunday mid September till mid June. On its 3 performance halls you can see modern Polish and international drama as well as the classics.
• Teatr Nowy, ul. Zachodnia 93 (Mała Sala - small performance hall) and ul. Więckowskiego 15 (Duża Sala - large performance hall), +48 42 636 05 92. Ticket offices are open from Tuesday till Friday between 09:00 and 19:00, on Saturdays from 12:00 till 19:00 and on Sundays one before the play. It offers varied, mostly contemporary repertoire. Also the quality is varied so better ask for advice someone local or ask staff for an honest recommendation. The building served a Jewish cabaret before World War II and a Jewish theatre until 1948 (later it moved to Warsaw).
• Teatr Wielki, plac Dąbrowskiego, +48 42 633 77 77. The ticket offices are open from Monday till Saturday between 12:00 and 19:00, and on Sundays from 15:00 till 19:00. It is the largest theatre in the city (second largest in Poland) with 1070 seats. It specializes in opera, operetta and ballet.
• Teatr Powszechny, ul. Legionów 21, +48 42 633 25 39. A very popular theatre that hosts many well-known plays and a few festivals.
• Teatr Muzyczny, ul. Północna 47/51, +48 42 678 19 68. Musicals and operettas are the main plays here.

Teatr Jaracza, ul. Jaracza 27, +48 42 662 33 33. The ticket offices are open from Monday till Sunday between 12:00 and 19:00. The reservations must be picked up before 18:00. It is considered one of the best drama theaters in Poland. They play Tuesday to Sunday mid September till mid June. On its 3 performance halls you can see modern Polish and international drama as well as the classics.

Teatr Nowy, ul. Zachodnia 93 (Mała Sala - small performance hall) and ul. Więckowskiego 15 (Duża Sala - large performance hall), +48 42 636 05 92. Ticket offices are open from Tuesday till Friday between 09:00 and 19:00, on Saturdays from 12:00 till 19:00 and on Sundays one before the play. It offers varied, mostly contemporary repertoire. Also the quality is varied so better ask for advice someone local or ask staff for an honest recommendation. The building served a Jewish cabaret before World War II and a Jewish theatre until 1948 (later it moved to Warsaw).

Teatr Wielki, plac Dąbrowskiego, +48 42 633 77 77. The ticket offices are open from Monday till Saturday between 12:00 and 19:00, and on Sundays from 15:00 till 19:00. It is the largest theatre in the city (second largest in Poland) with 1070 seats. It specializes in opera, operetta and ballet.

Teatr Powszechny, ul. Legionów 21, +48 42 633 25 39. A very popular theatre that hosts many well-known plays and a few festivals.

Teatr Muzyczny, ul. Północna 47/51, +48 42 678 19 68. Musicals and operettas are the main plays here.

• Artur Rubinstein's Łódz Philharmonic, ul. Narutowicza 20/22, +48 42 664 79 10. Ticket office open Monday-Friday from 12:00 till 18:00, one hour before every performance and during the first break in every performance. Second oldest philharmonic in Poland. If you are a fan of classical music, this is a place to go. Behind the philharmonic is Kino Bałtyk.

Artur Rubinstein's Łódz Philharmonic, ul. Narutowicza 20/22, +48 42 664 79 10. Ticket office open Monday-Friday from 12:00 till 18:00, one hour before every performance and during the first break in every performance. Second oldest philharmonic in Poland. If you are a fan of classical music, this is a place to go. Behind the philharmonic is Kino Bałtyk.

Milongas usually take place on Mondays in Oranżada on ul. Piotrkowska 67 and on Sundays in Klub Mojito on ul. Piotrkowska 143. They usually start at 19:00-20:00 and don't last longer than till 22:00-00:00. Several long and short tango courses are usually organized through the year.

• Łódź Marathon. A major sports event held yearly in April. Quite popular both among the locals and the visitors, it offers a few different distances to run.
• Fala Aquapark, al. Unii Lubelskiej 4. 09:00 - 22:00. One of the largest aquaparks in Poland. Once it was the most popular swimming complex in the city, and after a complete renovation it aspires to its former glory.
• AZS Clubs. Every major university has its own Academic Sports Society Club. They offer various activities (sekcje or sections) ranging from chess to sailing for low prices.
• Arena Łódź, al. Bandurskiego 7. Large multi-purpose indoor arena hosting both concerts and sports events like basketball, volleyball or ice hockey matches.

Łódź Marathon. A major sports event held yearly in April. Quite popular both among the locals and the visitors, it offers a few different distances to run.

Fala Aquapark, al. Unii Lubelskiej 4. 09:00 - 22:00. One of the largest aquaparks in Poland. Once it was the most popular swimming complex in the city, and after a complete renovation it aspires to its former glory.

AZS Clubs. Every major university has its own Academic Sports Society Club. They offer various activities (sekcje or sections) ranging from chess to sailing for low prices.

Arena Łódź, al. Bandurskiego 7. Large multi-purpose indoor arena hosting both concerts and sports events like basketball, volleyball or ice hockey matches.

The vast rate of improvements made over the past two decades mean Łódź may in fact be Poland’s top shopping destination (but don't tell that to someone from Warsaw!). Whether one is in search of American-style malls, designer boutiques, dusty family stores or antique markets, there is much to be explored and it is likely you will need more than a day to experience it all!

• Piotrkowska Street is the main commercial street in the city. It is supposedly the longest commercial street in Europe, being four kilmometres long. There are many enticing shops selling jewelry, clothes and books.
• Kościuszki Street not as famous as Piotrkowska Street, but you can usually buy the same things here and pay much, much less.

Piotrkowska Street is the main commercial street in the city. It is supposedly the longest commercial street in Europe, being four kilmometres long. There are many enticing shops selling jewelry, clothes and books.

Kościuszki Street not as famous as Piotrkowska Street, but you can usually buy the same things here and pay much, much less.

Łódź has a good number of shopping malls. The most notable are:

• Manufaktura, Ul. Ogrodowa 17, +48 42 654 85 00. Manufaktura is a unique place - an old factory converted into a modern shopping mall. Apart from shops there is a cinema, hotel, museum and art gallery.
• Galeria Łódzka, Al. Piłsudskiego 15/23 (on the intersection with Sienkiewicza Street, +48 42 639 1500. The largest single collection of shops is the Galeria Lodzka - a large mall on ul. Piłsudskiego - where you will find almost anything from the latest fashions and expensive perfume to modern electrical equipment and groceries.
• Port Łódź, ul. Pabianicka 245 (Take tram line 11, get out on IKEA stop.. Another shopping mall. You can buy (also eat and drink) there almost everything. One of the shops there is IKEA. The mall is within the city limits. From city center you can go there by car in the direction of Pabianice or just take the tram line 11 heading to IKEA/Chocianowice (it is the last stop you cannot miss it). Most shops and restaurant in Port Łódź can also be found in the city center or other existing malls. But if you love IKEA, it is the only place in Łódź where you will find it.
• Ptak Trade Center, ul. Rzemieślnicza 35, Rzgów (Take bus 70 (or 50, but be prepared to walk). You drop off at the terminus.. Opened from 05:00/07:00 during weekdays, from 09:00 on the weekends. Closes at 15:00. If you thought that Thailand or China are the places to go to buy clothes, well, you are mistaken. This is one of the largest clothes-oriented wholesale and retail centers in Europe (if not the largest one). The prices are highly competitive, quality is high and you can get there anything from a wedding dress to hipster clothes. The mall is enormous, so be prepared to spend at least a whole day there. Do not go there on Mondays as most of the stands are closed. It's a few kilometers south of Łódź.
• Polros, Tuszyńska 72/74, Rzgów (Take bus 70 (or 50, but be prepared to walk). You drop off at the terminus.. Next to Ptak Trade Center, another very large clothes-oriented shopping mall. A few kilometers south of Łódź.
• Retkinia Shopping Center, ul. Maratońska 24/32 (in the western part of the city, close to the airport.. It is not a mall per se, but rather a small local shopping center that you will rarely find on a tourist map. There are no chain stores here, but still you can buy RPG and board games, clothes and many other things.

Manufaktura, Ul. Ogrodowa 17, +48 42 654 85 00. Manufaktura is a unique place - an old factory converted into a modern shopping mall. Apart from shops there is a cinema, hotel, museum and art gallery.

Galeria Łódzka, Al. Piłsudskiego 15/23 (on the intersection with Sienkiewicza Street, +48 42 639 1500. The largest single collection of shops is the Galeria Lodzka - a large mall on ul. Piłsudskiego - where you will find almost anything from the latest fashions and expensive perfume to modern electrical equipment and groceries.

Port Łódź, ul. Pabianicka 245 (Take tram line 11, get out on IKEA stop.. Another shopping mall. You can buy (also eat and drink) there almost everything. One of the shops there is IKEA. The mall is within the city limits. From city center you can go there by car in the direction of Pabianice or just take the tram line 11 heading to IKEA/Chocianowice (it is the last stop you cannot miss it). Most shops and restaurant in Port Łódź can also be found in the city center or other existing malls. But if you love IKEA, it is the only place in Łódź where you will find it.

Ptak Trade Center, ul. Rzemieślnicza 35, Rzgów (Take bus 70 (or 50, but be prepared to walk). You drop off at the terminus.. Opened from 05:00/07:00 during weekdays, from 09:00 on the weekends. Closes at 15:00. If you thought that Thailand or China are the places to go to buy clothes, well, you are mistaken. This is one of the largest clothes-oriented wholesale and retail centers in Europe (if not the largest one). The prices are highly competitive, quality is high and you can get there anything from a wedding dress to hipster clothes. The mall is enormous, so be prepared to spend at least a whole day there. Do not go there on Mondays as most of the stands are closed. It's a few kilometers south of Łódź.

Polros, Tuszyńska 72/74, Rzgów (Take bus 70 (or 50, but be prepared to walk). You drop off at the terminus.. Next to Ptak Trade Center, another very large clothes-oriented shopping mall. A few kilometers south of Łódź.

Retkinia Shopping Center, ul. Maratońska 24/32 (in the western part of the city, close to the airport.. It is not a mall per se, but rather a small local shopping center that you will rarely find on a tourist map. There are no chain stores here, but still you can buy RPG and board games, clothes and many other things.

If you are up to buying groceries, clothes or anything else on a real market, these are the places to go:

• Baluty Market, in the district of Baluty in the north of the city. Big open air market, every Saturday you can buy everything here from vegetables, to clothes to live pets. Not romantic, but an experience!
• Dolna-Ceglana Market, Dolna Street (2 minutes north from Bałuty Market. The biggest open-air vegetable market for individual people. Very often by mistake named as Rynek Bałucki - but they are two different places.
• Zielony rynek, Plac Barlickiego (8 minutes away from Piotrkowska St.. A great place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables as well as bread, meat, homemade honey and other products.
• Górniak Market, Piotrkowska 317 (at the very end of Piotrkowska Street. A well-known market among the locals. You can buy numerous gadgets here, as well as high-quality clothes for a very low price.
• Former Lodz Car Market. The place of the one of the largest used car markets in the country in the past, now serves as a market for cheap clothes, electronics, sweets, car parts and a bit of vintage articles. Every Sunday morning, the traffic down Pushkin street (Widzew district) near the Dostawcza street junction is blocked to accommodate the hundreds of stalls.

Baluty Market, in the district of Baluty in the north of the city. Big open air market, every Saturday you can buy everything here from vegetables, to clothes to live pets. Not romantic, but an experience!

Dolna-Ceglana Market, Dolna Street (2 minutes north from Bałuty Market. The biggest open-air vegetable market for individual people. Very often by mistake named as Rynek Bałucki - but they are two different places.

Zielony rynek, Plac Barlickiego (8 minutes away from Piotrkowska St.. A great place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables as well as bread, meat, homemade honey and other products.

Górniak Market, Piotrkowska 317 (at the very end of Piotrkowska Street. A well-known market among the locals. You can buy numerous gadgets here, as well as high-quality clothes for a very low price.

Former Lodz Car Market. The place of the one of the largest used car markets in the country in the past, now serves as a market for cheap clothes, electronics, sweets, car parts and a bit of vintage articles. Every Sunday morning, the traffic down Pushkin street (Widzew district) near the Dostawcza street junction is blocked to accommodate the hundreds of stalls.

You will find numerous shops offering wedding dresses in Łódź. This is a derivative of Łódź being once a very large textile center. The "wedding district" is on ul. Jaracza, ul. Sienkiewicza and ul. Kilińskiego, but you will also find other shops all around the city. If you buy something directly off-shelf, you may get a very good price (usually less than €250). It is cheaper if you decide to buy in autumn as it is considered to be the low season.

For groom clothes, you can visit either Ptak Trading Center, Polros or Pawis shop where you can get a tailor-made suit (but it usually takes a few weeks). There is also Sunset Suits and Armani stores in Manufaktura mall that tailor wedding garments. Again, if you buy off-shelf, the price is highly competitive.

• Pan Tu Nie Stał, ul. Piotrkowska 138/140 (OFF Piotrkowska, +48 797 892 609. M-F 11:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-14:00. Clothes and accessories reminding of the PRL (People's Republic of Poland) times with a designer twist.

Pan Tu Nie Stał, ul. Piotrkowska 138/140 (OFF Piotrkowska, +48 797 892 609. M-F 11:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-14:00. Clothes and accessories reminding of the PRL (People's Republic of Poland) times with a designer twist.

Łódź has culinary influence from all over the world and it is actually quite difficult to find explicitly Polish cuisine if you do not dine in the most expensive places. For the cheapest food, it is best to go to one of the numerous kebab or Yem joints. For something a bit healthier, you can easily get a tasty sandwich for around 6-8 zł. Polish cuisine does not have any cheap 'fast food' meals, so if you want to try something definitely Polish, it is wise to invest a bit more money and go to a splurge restaurant. They are costly only by Polish standards.

The cheaper option would be to look for a 'Pierogarnia' (or ask someone about it). There are many of such places in Łódź and they sell Polish dumplings. The price is usually very competitive.

The most popular hypermarkets are Tesco, Carrefour, Kaufland, Auchan or E.Leclerc. If you are on budget, you can go to Biedronka or Lidl. If you are prepared to spend some more money and buy some better produce, go to Piotr i Paweł. The last shop is 100% Polish-owned.

• Da Grasso. M-Th Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 12:00-22:00, F 11:00-01:00. Their big pizza is more than enough for 2 hungry people. It is a chain, so you can find their restaurants all around the city. 15-25 zł.
• In Centro, ul. Piotrkowska 153, +48 42 636 99 92. M-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 13:00-22:00. Small pizzeria in the center of the city near Galeria Lodzka and Ibis Hotel. The oldest one in Łódź. 12 - 30 zł.
• Green Way, ul. Piotrkowska 80, +48 42 632 08 52. A vegetarian fast food chain has one restaurant. They also offer free wireless access to the internet. A soup 3 zł, second plate 6-9 zł.
• Manekin, ul. 6 Sierpnia 1, +48 42 671 07 84. Su-Th 10:00-22.30; F Sa 10:00-23.30. This place is about pancakes that are served in all imaginable varieties, sweet or savory, plain or stuffed, and even baked under cheese to make them even more hearty. Prices are surprisingly low, while the interior and service reputedly good. And if you can't eat any more pancakes, soups and salads are also available. 7-15 zł.
• Orfeusz, ul. Narutowicza 43, +48 42 631 98 06. Daily 11:00 - 23:00. International restaurant with traditional Polish and Italian cuisine. There is also a salad bar and a big choice of dishes à la carte. 10 - 32 zł.

Da Grasso. M-Th Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 12:00-22:00, F 11:00-01:00. Their big pizza is more than enough for 2 hungry people. It is a chain, so you can find their restaurants all around the city. 15-25 zł.

In Centro, ul. Piotrkowska 153, +48 42 636 99 92. M-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 13:00-22:00. Small pizzeria in the center of the city near Galeria Lodzka and Ibis Hotel. The oldest one in Łódź. 12 - 30 zł.

Green Way, ul. Piotrkowska 80, +48 42 632 08 52. A vegetarian fast food chain has one restaurant. They also offer free wireless access to the internet. A soup 3 zł, second plate 6-9 zł.

Manekin, ul. 6 Sierpnia 1, +48 42 671 07 84. Su-Th 10:00-22.30; F Sa 10:00-23.30. This place is about pancakes that are served in all imaginable varieties, sweet or savory, plain or stuffed, and even baked under cheese to make them even more hearty. Prices are surprisingly low, while the interior and service reputedly good. And if you can't eat any more pancakes, soups and salads are also available. 7-15 zł.

Orfeusz, ul. Narutowicza 43, +48 42 631 98 06. Daily 11:00 - 23:00. International restaurant with traditional Polish and Italian cuisine. There is also a salad bar and a big choice of dishes à la carte. 10 - 32 zł.

• Piotrkowska Klub 97, ul. Piotrkowska 97, +48 42 630-65-73. Piotrkowska Klub 97 is said to be David Lynch's favorite restaurant in Łódź. Good quality food and wines. There is a Milonga Milonga w Łodzi - a tango evening in one of the halls most of Monday nights (starting around 19:30).
• Da Antonio, ul. Jaracza 45 (Near to Plac Dąbrowskiego in a small villa, +48 42 630 50 70. 25-40 zł for an Italian pizza.
• Montenegro, ul. Wólczańska 51 90-608 Łódź, +48 42 632 00 94. 12:00 - 23:00. As the name suggests this is a Montenegrin restaurant, with surroundings fancier than the price would suggest. Great food, good wines and friendly service. 20-49 zł main courses.
• Szwalnia smaków, Piotrkowska 217, +48 603 036 113. M 12:00-21:00, Tu-Th 11:00-22:00, F Sa 11:00-23:00, Su 11:00-20:00. Great breakfasts, excellent hummus, very friendly service.

Piotrkowska Klub 97, ul. Piotrkowska 97, +48 42 630-65-73. Piotrkowska Klub 97 is said to be David Lynch's favorite restaurant in Łódź. Good quality food and wines. There is a Milonga Milonga w Łodzi - a tango evening in one of the halls most of Monday nights (starting around 19:30).

Da Antonio, ul. Jaracza 45 (Near to Plac Dąbrowskiego in a small villa, +48 42 630 50 70. 25-40 zł for an Italian pizza.

Montenegro, ul. Wólczańska 51 90-608 Łódź, +48 42 632 00 94. 12:00 - 23:00. As the name suggests this is a Montenegrin restaurant, with surroundings fancier than the price would suggest. Great food, good wines and friendly service. 20-49 zł main courses.

Szwalnia smaków, Piotrkowska 217, +48 603 036 113. M 12:00-21:00, Tu-Th 11:00-22:00, F Sa 11:00-23:00, Su 11:00-20:00. Great breakfasts, excellent hummus, very friendly service.

• Restauracja Polska, ul. Piotrkowska 12, +48 42 6338345. Nice, calm interior and impressive menu.
• Restauracja Anatewka, ul. 6 Sierpnia 2/4, +48 42 6303635. If you are looking for original Jewish cuisine, this is a place to go. There is also a branch at Manufaktura. It is a popular place, so make sure you reserve if you plan to go there during the weekend.
• Restauracja Soplicowo, ul. Wigury 12a (Very close to Galeria Łódzka, +48 42 6373081. Mainly Polish cuisine. There is often a wedding reception there on Saturdays, so the whole restaurant may be closed.
• Revelo, ul. Wigury 4/6 (Next to Soplicowo, right off Piotrkowska, +48 42 6368686. The best rated restaurant in Łódź.

Restauracja Polska, ul. Piotrkowska 12, +48 42 6338345. Nice, calm interior and impressive menu.

Restauracja Anatewka, ul. 6 Sierpnia 2/4, +48 42 6303635. If you are looking for original Jewish cuisine, this is a place to go. There is also a branch at Manufaktura. It is a popular place, so make sure you reserve if you plan to go there during the weekend.

Restauracja Soplicowo, ul. Wigury 12a (Very close to Galeria Łódzka, +48 42 6373081. Mainly Polish cuisine. There is often a wedding reception there on Saturdays, so the whole restaurant may be closed.

Revelo, ul. Wigury 4/6 (Next to Soplicowo, right off Piotrkowska, +48 42 6368686. The best rated restaurant in Łódź.

Łódź is known for its excellent night scene. Nightlife is concentrated in the city center (Piotrkowska Street, Kościuszki Street and the adjoining streets). There are dozens of pubs and restaurants there. Another focal point is Manufaktura where many festivals and public concerts take place (but it usually closes much earlier).

• Piwoteka, ul. 6 sierpnia 1/3. Off Piotrkowska Street, it is both a shop and a pub. You can try hundreds of Polish regional beers there. Recommended for beer tasters.
• Bierhalle, ul. Drewnowska 58 (Manufaktura, +48 42 632 03 76. F Sa 12:00-24:00, Su 12:00-22:00, M-Th 12:00-23:00. A German-style brewery. They close quite early, but the beer is good.
• Pub Łódź Kaliska, ul.Piotrkowska 102, +48 42 630 69 55. One of the most popular pubs, an institution! Named after the artist group "Łódź Kaliska". Decorated with pieces of art. On weekends very crowded. A must see are the women's toilets on the second floor!
• Foto Cafe 102, ul. Piotrkowska 102, +48 42 632 15 34. Directly opposite Łódź Kaliska lies a much more laid back and down to earth establishment. Good music and an interesting gallery of pictures on the walls provide welcome refuge from the Friday night throngs.
• Irish Pub, Piotrkowska 77, +48 42 632 48 76. Wide selection of beers - including Guinness and Kilkenny, Irish specialties - wines and other beverages. You can eat as well as have a drink here.
• Rolling Stone, ul. Moniuszki 6, +48 42 633 65 41. A self-styled "English Pub". Here you can sit back on oak pews and laugh at caricatures of the Royal Family and Keith Richards to the sound of The Cure. Is much bigger than it looks from the outside.
• Dwie Dłonie, ul. Wólczańska 40/42, +48 42 630 10 05, +48 605 99 46 99. The only pub in the city that aims to integrate those who hear and those who don't. Staff people know Polish sign language. You can have a drink here as well as eat a pizza (9.5 - 27 zł), play table football, billiard or darts or use internet for 2.50 zł/hour.
• Eclipse Inn, ul. Piotrkowska 80. English pub with several British beers off the tap and more in bottles.
• Owoce i warzywa, ul. Traugutta 9. Mecca for the local hipsters. Furnished with some examples of Polish design. Regular concerts of indie musicians, also from abroad.

• Coffeeheaven, ul. Piotrkowska 80. Coffee Heaven is nothing but a bland international-style coffee place, but it is indeed a heaven in early morning hours, when more genuine Polish cafes are still closed and keep their seducing desserts behind the windows. Expect pricey coffee, decent cakes, grilled sandwiches (best choice here), and a non-free Wi-Fi connection. Also at Aleja Józefa Piłsudskiego 15/23.
• Hort-Cafe, ul. Piotrkowska 106/110. Essentially an ice-cream cafe, Hort boasts a selection of cakes and tarts delivered from the adjacent bakery, decent choice of tea and coffee, and even several savory meals (pancakes, kotlety) served until 19:00. The interior is somewhat retro-style, while the mandatory 1 zł charge for the cloakroom is also reminiscent of old and mildly annoying traditions. Free Wi-Fi.
• Kawiarnia Syrena, ul. Piotrkowska 66. Also known as "u Husajna" or "chez Hussein" offers good coffee, huge ice-cream desserts, milkshakes and truly international atmosphere.
• Mała Litera, ul. Nawrot 7. It is an artistic bookshop with books mostly in English, big range of CDs (mostly classical and ethnic music) and a small cafe. It is one of few places in Łódź where they know how to make a good macchiato. Concerts and meetings with artists are often organized in the evenings. Free Wi-Fi (ask staff for password).
• Niebieskie Migdały, ul. Sienkiewicza 40 and ul. Piotrkowska 200, +48 609 511 484. Offers a wide selection of reasonably priced teas in very pleasant, quiet and comfortable surroundings. Indeed, after five minutes you'll soon forget that you're in Poland's second largest city.

Coffeeheaven, ul. Piotrkowska 80. Coffee Heaven is nothing but a bland international-style coffee place, but it is indeed a heaven in early morning hours, when more genuine Polish cafes are still closed and keep their seducing desserts behind the windows. Expect pricey coffee, decent cakes, grilled sandwiches (best choice here), and a non-free Wi-Fi connection. Also at Aleja Józefa Piłsudskiego 15/23.

Hort-Cafe, ul. Piotrkowska 106/110. Essentially an ice-cream cafe, Hort boasts a selection of cakes and tarts delivered from the adjacent bakery, decent choice of tea and coffee, and even several savory meals (pancakes, kotlety) served until 19:00. The interior is somewhat retro-style, while the mandatory 1 zł charge for the cloakroom is also reminiscent of old and mildly annoying traditions. Free Wi-Fi.

Kawiarnia Syrena, ul. Piotrkowska 66. Also known as "u Husajna" or "chez Hussein" offers good coffee, huge ice-cream desserts, milkshakes and truly international atmosphere.

Mała Litera, ul. Nawrot 7. It is an artistic bookshop with books mostly in English, big range of CDs (mostly classical and ethnic music) and a small cafe. It is one of few places in Łódź where they know how to make a good macchiato. Concerts and meetings with artists are often organized in the evenings. Free Wi-Fi (ask staff for password).

Niebieskie Migdały, ul. Sienkiewicza 40 and ul. Piotrkowska 200, +48 609 511 484. Offers a wide selection of reasonably priced teas in very pleasant, quiet and comfortable surroundings. Indeed, after five minutes you'll soon forget that you're in Poland's second largest city.

Piwoteka, ul. 6 sierpnia 1/3. Off Piotrkowska Street, it is both a shop and a pub. You can try hundreds of Polish regional beers there. Recommended for beer tasters.

Bierhalle, ul. Drewnowska 58 (Manufaktura, +48 42 632 03 76. F Sa 12:00-24:00, Su 12:00-22:00, M-Th 12:00-23:00. A German-style brewery. They close quite early, but the beer is good.

Pub Łódź Kaliska, ul.Piotrkowska 102, +48 42 630 69 55. One of the most popular pubs, an institution! Named after the artist group "Łódź Kaliska". Decorated with pieces of art. On weekends very crowded. A must see are the women's toilets on the second floor!

Foto Cafe 102, ul. Piotrkowska 102, +48 42 632 15 34. Directly opposite Łódź Kaliska lies a much more laid back and down to earth establishment. Good music and an interesting gallery of pictures on the walls provide welcome refuge from the Friday night throngs.

Irish Pub, Piotrkowska 77, +48 42 632 48 76. Wide selection of beers - including Guinness and Kilkenny, Irish specialties - wines and other beverages. You can eat as well as have a drink here.

Rolling Stone, ul. Moniuszki 6, +48 42 633 65 41. A self-styled "English Pub". Here you can sit back on oak pews and laugh at caricatures of the Royal Family and Keith Richards to the sound of The Cure. Is much bigger than it looks from the outside.

Dwie Dłonie, ul. Wólczańska 40/42, +48 42 630 10 05, +48 605 99 46 99. The only pub in the city that aims to integrate those who hear and those who don't. Staff people know Polish sign language. You can have a drink here as well as eat a pizza (9.5 - 27 zł), play table football, billiard or darts or use internet for 2.50 zł/hour.

Eclipse Inn, ul. Piotrkowska 80. English pub with several British beers off the tap and more in bottles.

Owoce i warzywa, ul. Traugutta 9. Mecca for the local hipsters. Furnished with some examples of Polish design. Regular concerts of indie musicians, also from abroad.

There are numerous post offices in Łódź. The main post office is on Tuwima 38 Street in a century-old building. Do not be misguided by the name, the main post office is not open 24/7 (but the one next to Łódź Kaliska station is).

• 24/7 Post Office, ul. Włókniarzy 227 (Next to Łódź Kaliska station. Open 24/7.
• Main Post Office, ul. Tuwima 38 (On the intersection with Kilińskiego Street. M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-14:00.

24/7 Post Office, ul. Włókniarzy 227 (Next to Łódź Kaliska station. Open 24/7.

Main Post Office, ul. Tuwima 38 (On the intersection with Kilińskiego Street. M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-14:00.

There are some Internet cafes on Piotrkowska and nearby streets and most bars and restaurants have Wi-Fi, just ask the staff. There's also free Wi-Fi in Manufaktura centre and at Łódź Airport.

• PWN Bookshop, ul. Więckowskiego 13 (corner with Zachodnia, just by Teatr Nowy. 10:00 - 18:00. You won't get coffee here but the staff is very nice and the bookshop itself has a good choice of academic books (not only). The building served a Jewish school between 1945 and 1968. Free Wi-Fi.

PWN Bookshop, ul. Więckowskiego 13 (corner with Zachodnia, just by Teatr Nowy. 10:00 - 18:00. You won't get coffee here but the staff is very nice and the bookshop itself has a good choice of academic books (not only). The building served a Jewish school between 1945 and 1968. Free Wi-Fi.

Łódź has a rough reputation among Polish people from other cities, largely thanks to well-publicized events that shocked Poland in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Today, Łódź is a safe place. Contrary to typical newcomer's fears, the crime rate is relatively low and according to statistics is much lower than in any other large city in Poland (only 39 crimes per 1000 citizens were reported in the city in 2008). Also, violent crime is very rare. Some basic advice though:

Watch out for pickpockets. A common trick for thieves is to operate in groups and create artificial crowds on buses and trams which distract their victims' attention prior to being pickpocketed. Also, do not leave your belongings unattended and keep you wallet in your front pockets.

Do not visit the city parks after dark. During the day you are perfectly safe, but almost all city parks are open also during the night and there have been reported cases of muggings.

Avoid the following places. Even though the city is safe, the locals will tell that you should avoid certain places if going alone. These are: Włókiennicza Street (also a small part of Wschodnia and Kilińskiego Streets that is in the proximity of Włókiennicza), Abramowskiego Street, Solna Street and Limanowskiego Street.

Avoid displaying football-related emblems. The hooligan scene in Łódź is quite large and very divided. You never know who you will meet, so it is safer to keep your football affections to yourself. This is especially important during the local derby between ŁKS and Widzew football clubs. This advice holds for every Polish city.

Be careful when using pedestrian crossings. Even though pedestrians have right-of-way on pedestrian crossings, some Polish drivers do not respect that. So please be careful and always make sure that there are no cars approaching when you decide to cross the street. This applies to all Polish cities.

Łódź hasn't been developing residentially quite as rapidly as some other more successful Polish cities, and has some of the most deprived urban areas in Poland, but such issues are handled by the government and (especially) NGOs.

If you are keen to help, consider donating to an accountable charity, like the Polish Red Cross or Caritas Polska. If you still want to give something to a beggar, offer buying food for them (and notice their reaction).

Łódź is a safe and friendly city, very eager to receive foreign visitors. The average English level of Łódź residents is high, especially among young people. Older generations are more fluent in Russian and German. However, directions to major sights are not well-marked and you are best off with a map at hand. Do not be afraid of asking directions, as people will almost always try their best to help you! It will be very well perceived if you learn at least a few Polish words like "dziękuję" (thank you) or "proszę" (please). See the phrasebook Polish for more Polish words and their pronunciation.

• Church of St. Theresa, ul. Kopcińskiego 1/3, +48 42 678 35 22. The Holy Mass in English is held every Sunday at 10:00 in one of the rectory rooms.
• Synagogue, ul. Pomorska 18, +48 42 6320427. Services are held every morning and afternoon. Kabbalat Shabbat services usually start at 17:00 in winter and 18:00 in summer but it is worthwhile to call the Community Office and ask for exact times before coming. This is an Orthodox synagogue: services are in Hebrew, women and men sit in separate sections, men are expected to have their heads covered, and everyone should dress modestly.

Church of St. Theresa, ul. Kopcińskiego 1/3, +48 42 678 35 22. The Holy Mass in English is held every Sunday at 10:00 in one of the rectory rooms.

Synagogue, ul. Pomorska 18, +48 42 6320427. Services are held every morning and afternoon. Kabbalat Shabbat services usually start at 17:00 in winter and 18:00 in summer but it is worthwhile to call the Community Office and ask for exact times before coming. This is an Orthodox synagogue: services are in Hebrew, women and men sit in separate sections, men are expected to have their heads covered, and everyone should dress modestly.

• Austria Austrian consulate, ul. Klaretynska 9 91-117, +48 42 652 72 12.
• Belgium Belgian consulate, ul. Gdanska 91 bud. F, 90-613 Lodz Poland, +48 42 630 04 33.
• United Kingdom British consulate, ul. Piotrkowska 89 90-423 Lodz Poland, +48 42 631 1818.
• Czech Republic Czech consulate, ul. M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 11, 90-505 Lodz Poland, +48 42 665-54-59.
• Denmark Danish consulate, ul. Piotrkowska 89 90-423, +48 42 632 87 11.
• France French consulate, ul. Pawilonska 47, 91-487 Lodz Poland, +48 505-104-817.
• Germany German consulate, ul. Piotrkowska 111 90-425, +48 42 633 71 00.
• Hungary Hungarian consulate, ul. Kaczencowa 10 91-214, +48 42 25 35 303.
• Latvia Latvian consulate, Al. Tadeusza Kosciuszki 35 90-418, +48 42 633 97 68.
• Moldova Moldovan consulate, ul. Srebrzyńska 83, 94-209 Lodz Poland, +48 42 207-30-30.

Austria Austrian consulate, ul. Klaretynska 9 91-117, +48 42 652 72 12.

Belgium Belgian consulate, ul. Gdanska 91 bud. F, 90-613 Lodz Poland, +48 42 630 04 33.

United Kingdom British consulate, ul. Piotrkowska 89 90-423 Lodz Poland, +48 42 631 1818.

Czech Republic Czech consulate, ul. M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 11, 90-505 Lodz Poland, +48 42 665-54-59.

Denmark Danish consulate, ul. Piotrkowska 89 90-423, +48 42 632 87 11.

France French consulate, ul. Pawilonska 47, 91-487 Lodz Poland, +48 505-104-817.

Germany German consulate, ul. Piotrkowska 111 90-425, +48 42 633 71 00.

Hungary Hungarian consulate, ul. Kaczencowa 10 91-214, +48 42 25 35 303.

Latvia Latvian consulate, Al. Tadeusza Kosciuszki 35 90-418, +48 42 633 97 68.

Moldova Moldovan consulate, ul. Srebrzyńska 83, 94-209 Lodz Poland, +48 42 207-30-30.

• Usługi Pralnicze S.C., ul. Snycerska 5, +48 42 654 34 36.
• Pralnia Perfeckt, ul. Radwańska 6, +48 42 636 12 90.
• Pralnia eko serwis, ul. Tatrzańska 110A - pavilion 619, +48 642 07 07. M-F 09:00-19:00.

Usługi Pralnicze S.C., ul. Snycerska 5, +48 42 654 34 36.

Pralnia Perfeckt, ul. Radwańska 6, +48 42 636 12 90.

Pralnia eko serwis, ul. Tatrzańska 110A - pavilion 619, +48 642 07 07. M-F 09:00-19:00.

Useful for day trips:

• Łęczyca, a medieval town about 40 km north of Łódź with a royal castle, knight tournaments, old churches and Festival of Film Trailers. About 1 hour by train from Łódź Kaliska bus station or by coach from Lutomierska and Zachodnia streets intersection.
• Łowicz is famous for colorful regional costumes and folk art. It is about 60 km north-west of Łódź (about 1 hour 15 minutes by train or bus from Łódź Kaliska station). Boasting rich history, Łowicz also houses the old residence of Polish archbishops, numerous churches, monasteries and museums.
• Nieborów has a splendid baroque palace with a large park, and is close to Łowicz.
• Arkadia is an English-style, large romantic park with artificial ruins. To get there, first go to Łowicz and then take a bus (PKS) in the direction of Skierniewice that stops in Arkadia and Nieborów.
• Inowłódz is a small village south-east of Łódź, just beyond Tomaszów Mazowiecki. There is a famous, almost 1,000-year-old church there.
• Spała is a village right before Inowłódz. There is the Spała Landscape Park and the village is known throughout Poland for its spa resorts and luxurious hotels.

Large cities nearby:

• Warsaw, the capital of Poland, with much to offer to any type of tourist. The fastest way to get there is to take the train from Łódź Kaliska or Łódź Widzew station, or travel by car or coach over the A2 highway that connects both cities.
• Poznań, one of the largest cities in Poland and home to the country's oldest cathedral. It's about 200 km west by same A2 highway.
• Toruń is one of the oldest Polish towns and the birthplace of Copernicus. It's about 160 km north of Łódź by A1 highway (a half of it still under construction).

Łęczyca, a medieval town about 40 km north of Łódź with a royal castle, knight tournaments, old churches and Festival of Film Trailers. About 1 hour by train from Łódź Kaliska bus station or by coach from Lutomierska and Zachodnia streets intersection.

Łowicz is famous for colorful regional costumes and folk art. It is about 60 km north-west of Łódź (about 1 hour 15 minutes by train or bus from Łódź Kaliska station). Boasting rich history, Łowicz also houses the old residence of Polish archbishops, numerous churches, monasteries and museums.

Nieborów has a splendid baroque palace with a large park, and is close to Łowicz.

Arkadia is an English-style, large romantic park with artificial ruins. To get there, first go to Łowicz and then take a bus (PKS) in the direction of Skierniewice that stops in Arkadia and Nieborów.

Inowłódz is a small village south-east of Łódź, just beyond [[Tomaszów Mazowiecki]]. There is a famous, almost 1,000-year-old church there.

Spała is a village right before Inowłódz. There is the Spała Landscape Park and the village is known throughout Poland for its spa resorts and luxurious hotels.

[[Warsaw]], the capital of Poland, with much to offer to any type of tourist. The fastest way to get there is to take the train from Łódź Kaliska or Łódź Widzew station, or travel by car or coach over the A2 highway that connects both cities.

[[Poznań]], one of the largest cities in Poland and home to the country's oldest cathedral. It's about 200 km west by same A2 highway.

[[Toruń]] is one of the oldest Polish towns and the birthplace of Copernicus. It's about 160 km north of Łódź by A1 highway (a half of it still under construction).