Łódź Three-Day Itinerary

Perfect for an extended weekend or midweek visit, this three-day Łódź itinerary includes many key attractions, such as Piotrkowska Street, the Museum of Łódź, and the Film Museum. But it also has a relaxing evening in the city’s aquapark.

Street dining on Piotrkowska

There’s plenty to do in Łódź and three days is a good stint to really get to know the city. This itinerary expands the two-day itinerary with some added museums and a well-earned rest in the aquapark.

Early 20th century Polish art in MS1

Some Things to Keep in Mind About Exploring Łódź

Łódź can be a little confounding for new visitors. Whilst the city is in a constant state of renovation, many streets are still a little worse for wear. Take a wrong turning and you well find yourself in a pretty ugly part of town.

Thie itinerary sticks to some of the best that Łódź has to offer, steering you clear of the rougher edges where possible. Hopefully, by the end of two days, you’ll get the taste for this creative and rapidly changing city.

On day one, we’ll focus on three core areas that give the best introduction to what Łódź is all about. Then, on day two, we’ll focus in on one of the best museums and art galleries, followed by a mid-trip dip in the aquapark. Finally, we’ll get some time outside and look at the artier side of the city.

Piotrkowska passageway

First, Piotrkowska Street is the main artery of Łódź and a fantastic illustration of the historic and contemporary culture here. You’ll take an atmospheric wander through the sculptures, murals, and buildings along this fantastic promenade.

The Museum of Łódź great dining room

The Museum of Łódź explores the rapid growth of the city in the 19th century, when a handful of textiles magnates made their fortunes here. The upper floor of the museum displays the fine urban palace one of these entrepreneurs was able to build, while the basement tells this story from a range of more everyday perspectives. There are numerous sumptuous palaces around town with equally fascinating exhibitions like the MS1 art gallery and the Łódź Film Museum.

Next door is Manufaktura, perhaps the defining symbol of contemporary Łódź. This complex of former red-brick textiles factories has been converted into a playground of restaurants, museums, shops, and other attractions. This reinvention has been taking place right across the city. We’ll see two of them – OFF Piotrkowska and the Art Factory – on day two.

Centre for Science and Technology Control Room

Day two starts with the Centre for Science and Technology EC1, a huge museum based on the city’s former power station. This includes panoramic views of Łódź from the top of the cooling tower and the interactive exhibits have particularly been designed with kids in mind. The museum includes a good bistro, which is handy if you don’t get time for breakfast or lunch elsewhere.

MS1 Neoplastic Room

The Łódź art collection is spread across three venues, including a small gallery at the Herbst Palace Museum, included in day three of the itinerary. The bulk of the work is housed in an urban palace now known as MS1. The building itself if pretty striking, with elements of the 19th century breaking through into the 21st century gallery spaces, and there’s some historic work on display.

At this point, we advise an early evening trip out of the town centre to the Fala Aquapark, where you can relax with some restorative activities and recuperate your strength for the final day.

Bonifacy statue

The third morning begins with the excellent Łódź Film Museum, a thoroughly engaging look at the city’s unique contribution to world cinema.

You’ll stop off for a light lunch in one of the city’s best secrets, the Palm House, before wandering through fragrant Źródliska Park and onto Księży Młyn. This is the former community of factory workers, which is now an area of pretty little houses.

The Herbst Palace Museum Old Masters Gallery

Księży Młyn leads nicely to the Herbst Palace Museum, another example of late 19th century luxury paid for by the textiles industry. This time, however, the house has some pleasant gardens and a small but excellent art gallery onsite.

Finally, we get to see what’s happening in the developing lower end of Piotrkowska, stopping off for a meal at the Piotrkowska 217 development and checking out some culture in the Art Factory.

Whilst Łódź has an excellent transportation system, key parts are pedestrianised and walking is often the most logical way to get from place to place. Make sure you have comfortable footwear and some kind of protection against the rain.

Łódź is still relatively unknown as a tourist destination, so it doesn’t have a big boom and bust seasonality. The Film Museum can get quite busy but I’ve never had to book anywhere in advance. Debit / credit cards and contactless are accepted virtually everywhere, but also cash. And, for what it’s worth, it’s a glorious city on sunny days.

There are some excellent Łódź tours available. Having a professional talk you through the city will enhance the experience immeasurably.

Check Łódź Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Wed 09 Oct 2024

Check-out date

Thu 10 Oct 2024

Consider what you want to see before you book accommodation. Our Visit Łódź Google Map will help you work out where things sit in relation to one another.

Though Łódź is relatively compact, attractions are still spread in all directions and this limits what can be seen across a couple of days. Furthermore, shorter opening hours can make it hard to schedule. But it’s a relaxed city and there’s no need to rush. Stick with the things that interest you the most and allow yourself to be sidetracked by the unexpected. It’s actually a great place for shopping or just sitting outside with a beer, watching the world go by.

Although English isn’t spoken as fluently here as Kraków, I’ve found the typical resident of Łódź is patient, friendly, and happy to talk. Communication is rarely an issue, even if there’s a language barrier.

Museum of Łódź gardens

Łódź Three-Day Itinerary Summary

• Duration: 7-10 hours of sightseeing per day (excluding evening meal and nightlife).
• Areas Covered: Upper and Lower ul. Piotrkowska; Museum of Łódź; Manufaktura; EC1 – the City of Culture; MS1; Piłsudskiego Park; Fala Aquapark; Łódź Film Museum; Źródliska Park; Księży Młyn; Herbst Palace Museum.
• Sights visited: ul. Piotrkowska murals, sculptures, buildings, and passageways; OFF Piotrkowska; Rose Passage; plac Wolności; Dętka Canal Museum; Manufaktura; Museum of Łódź; optional museums; Filharmonia or the Grand Theatre; Centre for Science and Technology EC1; Museum of Art MS1; Fala Aquapark; Łódź Film Museum; Łódź Fairyland Trail; Palm House; Źródliska Park; Księży Młyn; Herbst Palace Museum; Piotrkowska 217; Art Factory.

Day One: Morning

Car-free Piotrkowska Street

9am: Pre-breakfast – ul. Piotrkowska
At roughly 4km, Piotrkowska is one of the longest, straightest shopping promenades in the world. With a wealth of restaurants, cafes, and bars, it also has a lot of surprising public art, including sculptures and building-high murals. The first part of this itinerary takes in a leisurely stroll along the northern half of Piotrkowska, with an early stop for breakfast.

Although we point out many points of interest along the route, the pleasure of Piotrkowska is letting your eyes and appetites lead you. The street is stuffed full of little gems, rather than must-see attractions. Feel free to break the route if you find something interesting or want to stop off for a coffee.

Unicorn and Piotrkowska Centrum

Start at Piotrkowska Centrum, the tram stop known locally as the Unicorn Stable. It serves any of the following trams: 3, 6, 8, 10 (A + B), 12, 14, 16, 18, and is a good arrival point to the city from the airport. See How to Get to Łódź City Centre from Łódź Airport for details.

Standing on the platform at Centrum, ul. Piotrkowska cuts across the road in front of you, with an Etno cafe on the south side and a huge mural of people in windows to the north. Turn right and cross the road. On the corner, you’ll see the 2019 unicorn sculpture by Tomohiro Inaba.

Turn back towards the tram stop and cross the road to the north. Here, you can enter Piotrkowska and leave the noise of the traffic behind. The name is strung across the street in lights – see image above, so you’ll quickly know if you’re in the right place.

Jaracz’s Armchair

Almost immediately on the right, you’ll see the first of six sculptures spread along the length of the street, celebrating individuals with a strong connection to the city. This is Stefan Jaracz, a figure from Polish theatre. And, as this is a working bench, you are invited to sit with him.

Mural “Łódź”

Continue for just a few steps on the same side of the road, until you reach some food vans and a car park. The side of the building has a huge mural of plac Wolności. The name Łódź actually means boat and you’ll see this symbol all over the city. Similarly, there are well over a hundred of these inventive murals across town, so keep your eyes open.

Mural “OsGemeos i Aryza”

Turn right into Roosevelta and you’ll see the OsGemeos and Aryz mural up ahead, painted by Brazilian twins and a Spanish artist as part of the Urban Forms festival.

Continue about halfway along Roosevelta, looking for number 12 on the left. You’ll find the U2 gate – yes, in honour of the band, leading to the OFF Piotrkowska complex of restaurants and bars.

Spółdzielnia

9.30am: Breakfast – Spółdzielnia
There’s no shortage of places to eat at OFF, but Spółdzielnia does a great breakfast until midday, including a hearty szakszuka and a breakfast brioche. You can sit outside and undercover, even if the weather isn’t so great.

Note, there are few if any public toilets along Piotrkowska. So, make use of the restaurant facilities and stop off for a drink or snack somewhere if you need to go later on.

10.15am: ul. Piotrkowska
Once you’ve refilled your fuel cells, you can take a wander around OFF. The complex is mainly restaurants and bars at ground level, but there are a few arty shops and the upper floors include workshops and offices for artisans and creative businesses.

Once you’re ready, you can rejoin Piotrkowska Street via the western exit of OFF or retrace your steps past the OsGemeos and Aryz mural. The rest of the morning will be a leisurely stroll along the remaining 2km of Piotrkowska. Feel free explore side streets and the many alleyways and courtyards branching off. There are places to sit along the way but you can always hire one of the pedal-driven rickshaws if you don’t want to walk anymore.

The street is sprinkled with striking architecture and you’ll see the Art Nouveau Kamienica Lejbusia Lewka Jakubowicza on the left, just past Roosevelta, decorated dragons and flowers. Look out for the plaques which give more information about each building.

Władysław Reymont’s Trunk

Continue on the left-hand side of the road for a few minutes and you’ll see the second of the six ‘sons of Łódź’. This time, it is Nobel prizewinning writer Władysław Reymont sat on his luggage. These sculptures were instigated by the actor, director, and all-round Łódź fan Marcel Szytenchelm.

Something like every third doorway on Piotrkowska leads to a courtyard or alleyway, with restaurants, hotels, and other surprises, and it’s always worth exploring if something looks interesting. For example, look for the Stare Kino Cinema Residence in the passage at 120 Piotrkowska, where you’ll also find the Otwarte Drzwi restaurant. The hotel has a small cinema in the basement. If fact, you’ll find that Łódź is very much enamoured with film and has little picture houses tucked into a number of unexpected buildings.

Kino Raj mural

The cinema theme continues with the Kino Raj mural, which pays tribute to the original picture house on this site and is sometimes used as an advertising hoarding (rather than just having a blank projection screen). This is a good spot to have a guide talk you through the many details. Some cinema seats have been placed in front of the mural in recently redeveloped aleja Leona Schillera (Schiller Passage). There are a few sculptures and a nice avenue of plants and trees. It’s a good place to take a break.

Walk on the right-hand side of Piotrkowska, past the McDonald’s and you soon meet a pedestrian walkway with a statue of Leon Schiller. The mural is behind you to the right of the passage.

Plaques for Łódź citizens

As you walk along this stretch of Piotrkowska, you may have noticed dozens of little tiles in the centre of the road, each with a small metal plaque. These are part of a delightful project, dating to the early 2000s, where citizens of Łódź could sponsor them to signify their connection to their city. There are now some 17,000 of these and the campaign was so popular that some applicants were left disappointed.

A little further up on the right, at 104 Piotrkowska, is the Juliusz Heinzl Palace. Again, this was formerly an urban residence paid for with the proceeds of textiles productions. Today, the building is used for local government. If you pass by at midday, a bugle call is played from the window at number 106, but it was, for many years, played from here.

Julian Tuwim Monument

The Julian Tuwim Monument is outside the Heinzel House, the third sculpture in the series of six, constructed by Wojciech Gryniewicz in 1999. Tuwim was a poet and it is considered lucky to rub the statue’s nose. Again, the statue doubles as a bench, and it’s perfectly fine to sit for a while.

A littler further on the left, you’ll see a curious double decker seating area right out on the pavement that looks a bit like a paddle steamer. Behind this is Cepelia, selling traditional blue Polish ceramics and other beautiful items. It’s an excellent place to buy gifts and souvenirs.

Miś Uszatek

You’ll spot many small statues on and around Piotrkowska, including a series of drinking fountains with children playing with fish. However, the little statue of Miś Uszatek, a beloved stop-motion TV series in the mid-70s, is easy to miss. With his backpack and map of the city, this adventurous little soul is part of a wonderful series of sculptures, called the Łódź Fairyland Trail.

Cross over the Struga / Tuwima road and continue to Piotrkowska 87 on the left. Opposite you’ll see the rather grand Teodor Steigert tenement house, a neo-baroque building, also paid for by the weaving industry. The house appears in a number of Polish films and currently houses a museum dedicated to the child victims of totalitarianism.

Back on the right-hand side of the street, a little further up, is the so-called Gutenberg Tenement House at number 86. This orange and red façade features scaly steel dragons, which dazzle on sunny days, as well as the statue of Johannes Gutenberg, which gave the building its name. The house originally belonged to a printer.

Artur Rubinstein statue

Another 80 meters further on the right is the next of our statues of Łódź influencers. The virtuoso pianist Artur Rubinstein sits at the keyboard which has sprouted wings. In truth, this monument isn’t beloved by everybody, not least members of the Rubinstein family, and there is permanent chatter that it will be removed.

Look up and to your left to see the Łódź in a Nutshell mural, containing 31 individuals – selected in a competition – who made a major contribution to the city. And, on the corner, to your right, you’ll find the Ludwik Geyer House, which signals the start of the Łódź Walk of Fame.

Łódź Walk of Fame

Łódź is justifiably proud of its key role in cinema history and has its own Hollywood-style Walk of Fame. The Avenue of Stars (Aleja Gwiazd Łódzkiej Drogi Sławy) lines both sides of the road outside the Grand Hotel.

The Herman Konstadt Tenement House at 53 Piotrkowska is a listed building in French neo-Renaissance style, and on the right at number 46 is the Apteka „Pod Białym Orłem”, a working pharmacy with a beautiful 19th century interior.

Look ahead, on the other side of the road, and you’ll see the Lamplighter’s Monument, the fifth of the sculpture series, built to commemorate the electrification of the city on the 100th anniversary of the power plant. In contrast to the others, this is an anonymous figure, rather than one of the great and the good.

Birth of Day mural

Turn left into Więckowskiego, when you reach the junction, and look for building number 4 with the words “NARODZINY DNIA” above the gate. The decorated courtyard by artist Wojciech Siudmak is free to enter, but respect the residents living there.

Then, when you come back to Piotrkowska, look for the old Magda department store on the right-hand corner. The final of the six Łódź statues is a table with textiles industrialists Izrael Poznański, Karol Scheibler, and Henryk Grohman having a meeting. As with the others, you are free to sit at the table and join in.

The block includes the Chaim Bławat House at number 17, which is relatively sober and which includes the entrance to the Museum of Light, a series of rooms showcasing different tricks of illumination, very designed for their photogenic potential. It’s just a bit of run but you may want to have a look.

Rose Passage

You should see plac Wolności up ahead, as you reach the end of Piotrkowska. You’ll find a passageway at number 3, the entrance to the Rose Passage, where artist Joanna Rajkowska has transformaed a dingy alleyway into a shimmering mosaic by completely covering it in fragments of mirror. You can follow the passageway all the way around, back to an exit on plac Wolności or retrace your steps back to Piotrkowska.

plac Wolności

Piotrkowska ends (or starts) at plac Wolności, the main square in the city. The name, meaning Freedom Square, was given to it in 1918 when the country regained independence. The crowning statue of military leader and national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko was recreated in 1960 after the occupying German army had destroyed it out of spite in 1939.

In addition to the square itself, there’s the Pentecostal Church on the corner of Piotrkowska, the old town hall building, the pharmacy and archeology museums, and the underground sewer museum.

Dętka Canal Museum entrance

In truth, this list of things to see on Piotrkowska is not exhaustive. It’s remarkable how many other things there are hidden away behind the façades and inside the courtyards.

To finish off, there’s the odd but somehow interesting Dętka Canal Museum, which is literally a single loop sewer beneath plac Wolności with some photographs and a little bit of information about their construction. If nothing else, it’s a great way to cool down on a hot day.

Day One: Afternoon

Hot Spoon Manufaktura

12.30pm: Lunch – Manufaktura
Manufaktura could be considered the symbol of the city today. Originally a complex of red-brick textiles factories, it has now been revitalised as an enormous shopping, restaurant, and cultural space. And thanks to the 50-odd restaurants, there is plenty of choice when it comes to eating lunch.

We recommend Hot Spoon, Anatewka, Szpulka, Bawełna, and Galicja, among others. Most have attractive outside dining. So spend a bit of time having a look around and let your stomach decide.

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk to Manufaktura from plac Wolności. Head directly north from the square into Nowomiejska and carry on until you reach the main road. Cross into the park and veer slightly left, following the path across the grass in a north-westerly direction. Eventually you’ll emerge from the other side of the path on Zachodnia, a main road, close to the Manufaktura tram stop. Cross the road here and join the footpath into the complex. If you see a crowd of people all walking in the same direction, chances are they’re headed to Manufaktura.

Museum of Łódź

2pm: Museum of Łódź
One of the best ways to understand the history of Łódź is to visit the city museum. Based in the urban palace of factory owner Izrael Poznańki, it showcases sumptuous interiors from the late 18th century, and includes a basement museum telling the history of that rapid rise, fall, and rise again under Poland’s tumultuous modern history.

Note: the museum closes at 5pm, but three hours should be plenty of time to see everything, and it is open until 7pm at weekends. It is also closed on Mondays. Admission is free on Wednesday.

We have written a complete walkthrough of the Museum of Łódź, so you’ll know what to expect.

If you come out of the main entrance to Manufaktura on Zachodnia – you’ll see a tram stop and park in front of you. Then turn right on the main road and follow the Poznańki building down to the museum entrance, just around the corner on Ogrodowa. The walk takes roughly 5 minutes.

Day One: Evening

Manekin

5.30pm: Dinner – Piotrkowska / Gen. Romualda Traugutta
It makes sense to finish the day back where you started off. Piotrkowska wakes up through the day and really comes into its own at night, particularly on a long, warm evening. The tables spill out onto the pavements and there’s very little traffic about.

The area around the Grand Hotel, on the junction between Piotrkowska and Gen. Romualda Traugutta is a good base, with a choice of Ato Sushi, the crêperie Manekin, the Georgian and Armenian Lavash and many others. Returning to OFF Piotrkowska is also an excellent choice.

Catch the 2, 3, or 11 tram from the Manufaktura stop on Zachodnia, just up the road from the Museum of Łódź. Ride 3 stops, disembarking at Kościuszki – 6 Sierpnia (stop number 1403). With Manufaktura behind you, turn left into 6 Sierpnia, and walk for a few minutes back to Piotrkowska. Gen. Romualda Traugutta is straight ahead. The journey takes about 15 minutes in total.

Filharmonia Łódzka im. Artura Rubinsteina

7pm: Concert – Filharmonia or Grand Theatre
After an early evening meal, why not see what performances are on at either the Filharmonia or Grand Theatre concert halls? The Filharmonia is less than 10 minutes on foot from Piotrkowska and the Grand Theatre can be reached in 15 via public transport, or minutes in a cab. The latter also gives the opportunity to have a look at the stunning Fabryczna railway station which is a couple of streets away.

JABEERWOCKY Craft Beer Pub

10pm: Nightlife – Around Piotrkowska / Gen. Romualda Traugutta
Finally, head back to Piotrkowska for a few drinks to round off the evening. The area around Gen. Romualda Traugutta is great for nightlife, with popular bars such as the JABEERWOCKY Craft Beer Pub and Owoce i Warzywa. A little further down, tucked into a passageway is 6 Dzielnica – a ‘hidden’ bar and events space that’s like a private party in a pretty Łódź tenement apartment. Most venues are open until midnight and later at the weekend. Try out one or two until you find somewhere that suits your mood. Note, however, that many places will be closed at the start of the week.

Centre for Science and Technology Cooling Tower

Day Two: Morning

Having spent the first day understanding the historical story of Łódź, we start day two with a deep dive into one the best museums, followed by the key city art gallery. Finally, we take some leisure time at the enormous aquapark, where you can partake in a number of healthy activities and treatments.

The Centre for Science and Technology has a pretty good bistro inside. So, you can get something to eat there after 10am, if you didn’t have time for breakfast at your accommodation.

10am: Centre for Science and Technology EC1
As with most of the museums in Łódź, the Science and Technology Centre has been adapted to tell the story of the city through the prism of its subject matter. EC1 was once the metropolitan power station, so we get to learn a lot about the generation of electricity and the original boiler that once did its work here. There are several levels with industrial machinery, including an interactive control room that lets you play at powering the town. Then the museum opens up with an adventure playground of exhibits demonstrating the principles of physics. Finally, you can walk up the spiral ramp to the top of the cooling tower and enjoy one of the best views across the city.

The Centre for Science and Technology EC1 is part of the EC1 – the City of Culture campus, near Łódź Fabryczna train station, and is served from a number of bus and tram stops. The closest is Tuwima – Kilińskiego (EC1 Centr. Nauki). Use this official Łódź timetable to plan your journey. The whole area is heavily signposted with maps once you reach the EC1 campus.

The museum has plenty of room, so overcrowding isn’t such an issue here. In fact, the place comes alive when there’s a lot of kids running around and trying out the activities. Note: the museum is closed on Monday and entry fees are higher at the weekend.

Day Two: Afternoon

From the city’s technological past, we now look at its artistic heritage at the main MS1 art gallery. This space had a key role in European 20th-century art that I was certainly unaware of until I visited. The local a.r. group of artists often gets overlooked in favour of other movements of the time.

As mentioned elsewhere, MS1 is a the first of a triptych of gallery spaces containing the city collection. You can buy a combination ticket that gives you access to all three, and you might also consider squeezing in a visit to MS2 before the end of the day.

Anatewka

1pm: Lunch – Anatewka

Just around the corner from ul. Piotrkowska, and a 10-minute walk from our next stop, this branch of Anatewka looks back to the 19th-century Jewish heritage in Łódź, with elegant wooden furniture and period paintings on the walls. Dishes include Łódź-style lamb, guinea fowl breast, and Rothshild’s duck in cherries with gnocchi, as well as a separate fish menu.

You can get a bus to Anatewka from the Science Museum but the route is a bit convoluted. Instead, it’s probably simpler to leave the museum and cross to the top left corner of the square. Turn into Wojciecha Jerzego Hasa and follow to the end. Turn right into płk. Jana Kilińskiego and then left into Gen. Romualda Traugutta. Follow this for two blocks back to Piotrkowska. Turn right for a block and then left into Zielona. You’ll find Anatewka on the left-hand side at number 6. It’s a 15-minute walk in total.

Museum of Art MS1

2pm: Museum of Art MS1

The Łódź art collection is effectively spread across three sites. MS1 is located in a grand urban palace and largely features work from the 20th century, spread across seven floors. The building itself is an impressive post-industrial reworking of a period building and a highlight is the Neoplastic Room, Władysław Strzemiński’s groundbreaking experiment in displaying avant-garde art.

As with many museums in town, the gallery is closed on Monday, and shuts at 4pm on Tuesday. It is open until 6.30pm on Wednesday to Sunday. The hours for MS2 are the same.

MS1 is only a couple of streets away from Anatewka, although building work may make the route a bit difficult to navigate. Retreat back along Zielona and turn left into Piotrkowska. When you reach Więckowskiego, turn left again, and continue for two blocks. Turn left into Gdańska. You’ll see MS1 on the corner and the main entrance a little way down at number 43.

Day Two: Evening

I’ve been a fan of Polish water parks since visiting the thermal baths at Zakopane. These massive temples of relaxation and fun are the best way to rejuvenate after a busy day of sightseeing. Your muscles will thank you and you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep afterwards.

Pik-Pok Penguin outside Fala Aquapark

6pm: Fala Aquapark
On the face of it, Fala Aquapark might seem like an attraction for kids. This bright, busy, colourful wonderland of water activities inside and outdoors includes many impressive slides. But there are also swim lanes, whirlpools, and jacuzzis, as well as a gym, brine pools, water massage, hot tubs, and a large range of wellness treatments. You should leave feeling half your age.

Foodwise, you have a choice. You can head back into town for a late meal after a few hours of relaxation, or you can stay for the whole evening and eat on the premises. The Aquapark has a clever wristband that you can charge food, drinks, and additional activities to, then settle up when you leave at the end. It saves carrying your card around when you’re in the water.

Fala Aquapark is a little way out of the centre to the west and can be reached from MS1 via a number of different bus routes, depending on the time of day. It’s best to use the official Łódź timetable to plan your journey, rather than relying on a specific recommendation.

The Aquapark sits on the edge of the extensive grounds of Piłsudskiego Park, which is also nice for a wander on a warm evening. The Aquapark is open until 10pm daily, so you can divide up the evening however you please.

Poster for The Palace of Animated Wonders

Day Three: Morning

Having spent the first day understanding the historical story of Łódź, and day two getting closely acquainted with three very different city highlights, we start day three with a deep dive into its cinematic heritage. We follow this with the starkest example of the wealth of the factory owners compared to the workers. The enormous Księży Młyn factory estate contains a community of pretty workers’ houses, a villa with a fine art gallery, and a contemporary arts space with photography and design festivals, all of which should deepen your understanding of Łódź as a modern city.

Most of the places around the Film Museum open later in the day, so have breakfast at your accommodation or somewhere around OFF Piotrkowska again. Łódź Film Museum is surrounded by parks, so another option is to bring coffee and pastries if the weather is good.

Display in Łódź Film Museum

9am: Film Museum

The Film Museum is a fitting overview of Poland’s significant contribution to world cinema, much of which originated in Łódź, and one of the most enjoyable museums in town. Housed in the 19th-century Karl Wilhelm Scheibler Palace, there are exhibits featuring film technology, costumes, and memorabilia, and an excellent section on animation. The museum has a lovely garden cafe and a cinema.

Łódź Film Museum is a brisk 18-minute walk from Piotrkowska Centrum, along the al. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego main road. Or you can just travel the few stops on one of the 8, 10A, 10B, or 14 tram lines from Centrum. Get off at the Piłsudskiego-Targowa stop on al. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego. Go into the subway and turn left. Then take the footpath through the small park beside the main road. The museum is the white building on the other side of this green space. You’ll be greeted by two playful cats from the Łódź Fairyland Trail

Aim to arrive at the Film Museum around opening time, as there can be queues and coach parties. It actually doesn’t open until 11am at the weekend, so you’ll have a more leisurely start to the day. Note: the museum is also closed on Monday and Tuesday, but it is free on Wednesday.

Day Three: Afternoon

Having explored some of the north-western areas of the city on the first day, we will now get an overview of the south-east. Things are a little more spread out down here but you get a stronger sense of just how vast the industrial territory was at its height.

Palm House

Midday: Lunch – Palm House

Tucked just inside Źródliska Park, close to the Film Museum, the renovated Palm House is an urban paradise and one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Spread over three glasshouses – Mediterranean, tropical, and desert, some of the 4500-plus plants have been growing here for over 100 years. Best of all is the first-floor cafe that lets you relax amidst the palms. You won’t get a big lunch here but the savoury waffles should do the trick.

Alternatively, there’s a great cafe called Tubajka a little further into the park, near the bandstand with a more varied menu. You should be able to see it from the Palm House.

To reach the Palm House, come back out of the Film Museum via the main entrance and the front gate and walk back to the main road. Turn right and follow al. marsz. Józefa Piłsudskiego with the greenery to your right. After a few minutes, you’ll see the low walls and fence of Źródliska Park. Walk for a few more minutes and you’ll reach the gate. Inside is the Palm House straight ahead and another sculpture on the Łódź Fairyland Trail.

Księży Młyn

1pm: Księży Młyn

Once you’ve had a bit of a rest and something to eat, follow the path through the park in a southerly direction, past the bandstand and the lake. You’ll reach a pedestrian crossing on the other side on a street called Fabryczna. Cross this and continue to follow the path down to Księży Młyn.

Once a self-sufficient factory town, the area has been renovated into a complex of handsome red-brick buildings, including pretty rows of terraced housing once lived in by workers. There’s a cafe and restaurant and a few little shops and galleries. Look for the train tracks and sign, a favourite with tourists, and the Cat Trail of seven little sculptures dotted around the place.

It’s a peaceful place and makes a nice route down to the Herbst Palace Museum, the next stop on this itinerary. Once you find the rows of red-brick houses, follow them south to the gate and the main road. You’ll see the massive factory building on the other side of the road. Turn left and keep walking until you reach the crossroads. The Herbst Palace Museum is the elegant villa on the other side of the road to your right. You’ll see the gatehouse on the corner.

Herbst Palace seen from the garden

2pm: Herbst Palace Museum
The Herbst Palace was built in 1876 for the daughter of the industrialist Karl (or Karol) Scheibler. This 19th-century gem shows the grandeur of life for a wealthy capitalist, with lavish rooms, exquisite furniture and decoration. It’s not a million miles away from the upper floors of the Museum of Łódź but there are some lovely gardens and the site is also home to a small but excellent gallery of European art, mostly from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

The museum is open until 5pm (and 7pm on Thursday), but closed on Monday. Entry is free on Wednesday. If you’re following this itinerary at the weekend, you’ll have to come straight to the Herbst Palace from the Film Museum, due to the latter opening of the latter. It’s a 15-minute walk through Źródliska Park. You can still pass through Księży Młyn and could always take a longer look afterwards. Bring a packed lunch to eat in the gardens.

Day Three: Evening

Owoce i Warzywa at Piotrkowska 217

6pm: Piotrkowska 217

At its industrial height, Łódź had over 100 factories of various sizes and new uses are gradually being found for those that remain. A kind of younger sibling to the OFF Piotrkowska, Piotrkowska 217 is an attempt to bring some of that creativity to the southern end of Łódź’s main thoroughfare. There’s the local branch of the Falla vegetarian chain and an outpost of Owoce i Warzywa. If the weather agrees, it’s a relaxed space to sit outside and have a meal. There are also a couple of clubs / music venues here, so you may be tempted to stay for the rest of the evening.

You can get to Piotrkowska 217 from the Herbst Palace Museum in about 15 minutes via public transport. Cross back to Wincentego Tymienieckiego, with the factory buildings on your left and Księży Młyn to the right. At the Tymienieckiego – Przędzalniana bus stop (marked 1232), catch the 55A bus for 4 stops, getting off at Brzeźna – Piotrkowska. Keep walking forward and turn right into Piotrkowska. You’ll find 217 on the left-hand side of the road a few minutes up.

Art Factory

7.30pm: Art Factory

The Art Factory is a vibrant cultural hub, originally part of Księży Młyn, it was transformed into an art centre in 2014. The results are pretty stunning, with a post-industrial atrium within the main building, with polished concrete alongside century-old cast iron pillars and expansive windows. It’s particularly worth a visit if you’re in town during May, when the Design Festival usually takes place, or June, when it hosts a photography festival. But other kinds of performances, screenings, and events take place here at other parts of the year, and you can sit outside with a drink.

It’s an 11-minute walk from Piotrkowska 217. Come out of the complex and turn right for 600m. Turn into Wincentego Tymienieckiego (on the left-hand side of Piotrkowska) and walk 170m until you see the red-brick factory buildings on the right. You’ll see signage for the Art Factory complex. Just enter the gates and wander around the site as you please.

Księży Młyn

Łódź Map

Plan your Łódź visit with our Łódź map of the attractions, restaurants, sightseeing and hotels in Łódź.

Each type of landmark has a different colour marker on the map:

• YELLOW / ORANGE: Łódź Sightseeing
• GREEN: Łódź Transportation
• BLUE: Hotels in Łódź
• PURPLE: Shopping In Łódź
• DARK RED: Restaurants in Łódź
• LIGHT RED: Nightlife in Łódź

Click on a marker and it will give you the name of the landmark, with a brief description and links for more information and directions. You can pan, scroll, and zoom around the map, or use the + or – buttons in the bottom left of the map to zoom in and out.

Click on the icon in the top left corner for an index of every location, sorted by category. Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want. Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.

Each category is on a different layer, which can be switched on and off. So you can just see the Hotel or Restaurant pins, for example.

If you are using the map on your phone, open the Visit Łódź map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

More Łódź Itineraries

See our range of itineraries to suit your stay in Łódź:

• Łódź One-Day Itinerary
  This itinerary is for visitors to Łódź with limited time and who want a good introduction to the city. You may be on a day trip from Warsaw, for example. This is a snapshot of the history and culture of Łódź.
• Łódź Two-Day Itinerary
  Łódź is packed with things to do, but you can still see a lot in two days. This itinerary is perfect for getting the most out of two full days, such as a long weekend.
• Sightseeing In Łódź
  This page summarises the key attractions you won’t want to miss during your trip to Łódź, with information on how to visit them.
• Things To Do In Łódź
  This page is full of suggestions for some essential and fun things to see and do in Łódź. Here, we offer an overview of different activities and link out to where you can find out more information.