12 Best Things to Do in Bielsko-Biala, Poland

Bielsko-Biala is among the bigger towns when it comes to Poland. It has a rich cultural heritage and it’s a place that has plenty of attractions. Today we’ll take a look at the top things to do in Bielsko-Biala.

As it is with many towns in Poland, Bielsko-Biala has its roots in medieval towns. There is a nice historic center and buildings that remain from earlier times. Bielsko-Biala is perfect for a day trip but it’s also a nice base to explore southern Poland.

Whether you are looking for a family vacation or a couple’s getaway we’ll have plenty of things to do in this list that you can choose from. There is a nice variety in Bielsko-Biala and there is something for everyone.

1. Historic City Center

The historic city center of Bielsko-Biala is a small part of the city but it’s very walkable and filled with interesting buildings, facades, and shops.

Then there are the buildings that manage to stand out in the crowd like the Townhouse with its Baroque facade. Or the Polish Theatre building that predates the 1900s and was constructed in Palladian Neo-Classical Historicist style.

The City Hall is also beautiful as it watches over Ratuszowy Square. It has a beautiful Neo-Renaissance style with a very impressive facade.

2. The Castle Museum of History

The Castle of Bielsko-Biala has roots dating back to the 14th century. However, the building you see today is not exactly the same. Over the years the many renovations all added something until a complete redesign in the mid-19th century gave the Castle its current look.

Currently, the castle is home to the city’s history museum. You can visit it to learn more about Bielsko-Biala and its importance in the early days of Poland and Silesia. Apart from the history museum, you’ll also find permanent and rotating exhibits in the castle.

This is a nice place if you want to learn more about Bielsko-Biala and Polish folk culture.

3. Lunch on the Market Square (Rynek)

Why not stop for a moment to stop and appreciate the beauty of this old town? The best way for this is at Rynek Square which is the traditional market square found all around these parts of Europe in towns that have Medieval roots.

The square really is a complete square in this particular case. It is surrounded by buildings old and new. Some have stood the test of time while others had to be renewed or completely reconstructed.

Regardless, just like in the old days, this square is one of the social and community centers of Bielsko-Biala. You can enjoy a bit or two or have a proper lunch and sample the local cuisine here.

4. The Weaver’s House Museum

A true step back in time. Now you’ve seen the upscale buildings of Bielsko-Biala. This time around you get to see a proper 15-th century home. This house is preserved in an excellent state for visitors of modern times and it’s home to the Weaver’s Museum.

We feel that the house itself is worth the visit as it’s an interesting peek into the past, but the museum inside tells the story of clothing and folk traditions. You get to see all the different costumes and how they were made back in the day.

An interesting museum in a beautiful old building.

5. Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Bielsko-Biała

The city’s Cathedral is another sight that’s worth seeing. Today it’s quite an eclectic display of styles and eras as the Cathedral has been renovated and reconstructed many times throughout history.

Originally it was a Gothic style that was chosen for the Cathedral and the last reconstruction happened in the early 20th century.

It’s one of the most important religious sights in the city and a place that’s well worth the visit as you make your way around town.

6. Muzeum Fiata 126p

Our personal favorite is the Fiat 126p museum. Travelers from Eastern Europe will be very familiar with this car but if you are from the US chances are you may not have even heard about it.

The story goes like this: Poland wanted a cheap and affordable car for their population. They approached Fiat and licenced the Fiat 500 which they started producing as the Fiat 126p. For many in this part of Europe, this car was simply known as the Polski Fiat.

Even when production started the car was already pretty outdated but the affordability has made it a cult classic in Poland and Eastern Europe. It was here in Bielsko-Biala where the car was produced and today you can visit the museum in town.

If you love cars, especially cars that are quirky and not known in the Western media, then you’ll absolutely love the Fiat 126p museum.

7. Panorama Swimming Pool

Are you feeling the heat of the summer sun beating down on you? Then Panorama Swimming Pool is the place to be. It’s as simple as it gets when we are talking about a swimming pool but it’s a pretty nice experience during summer.

You get two pools one for swimming and one for general use. There’s even a small slide for the general-use pool.

Then you get a nice grass area where you can sit down, kick back, and soak in the sunshine. It’s very simple, very affordable, and something we love to do during summer.

8. Szyndzielnia Cable Car

Travelers that are looking to get out of town and experience nature will find the perfect spot at Szyndzielnia Cable Car.

This cable car will take you to the mountaintop from where you can have excellent views. There is also a relatively easy hiking trail that runs along the cable car so you can ride it in the upward direction and walk down for a light workout.

You’ll also find plenty of other hiking trails in this area. It’s a great place to do some nature exploration in Poland.

9. Trzy Lipki Observation Point

Those who are looking to get a great view of the city should hike up to Trzy Lipki. It is an excellent observation spot where you can get a vista of the surrounding areas and of course Bielsko-Biala.

Once you arrive here you’ll see that there are even a couple of walking trails so you can do some nature exploration without really leaving the city. Great spot.

10. GOjump Trampoline Park

Family travelers can enjoy some activities together at GOJump Trampoline Park. It’s a trampoline park where you and your children can try jumping in many different shapes or forms.

Whether it’s acrobatic challenges or obstacle courses you can find it at this trampoline park. A great place to jump and hop around and is especially nice for using up all the extra energy your kids might have. They’ll sleep like a log after this one.

11. Hiking on Góra Żar

Gora Zar is a tourist attraction near Bielsko-Biala. In winter it is a ski paradise with plenty of ski tracks but in the summer it’s a nice hiking spot. There’s even a funicular that will take you up onto the mountain for easy access to the hiking trails.

There’s an opportunity for hiking at the top or even walking down. You can also get beautiful views as you’ll be pretty high up. At the end station of the funicular, there’s also a nice restaurant where you can grab a bite or coffee.

12. BBOSiR – Start Pool

Finally, another swimming pool that you can enjoy during the hot summer days. It’s better equipped than the other one but offers a pretty similar experience.

You still get your big swimming pool but the general-use pool sees more attractions. A small variety of waterslides are also available. Don’t imagine anything huge like in a waterpark but it’s pretty nice for a small town pool.

It’s busier than the other pool in town but offers a bit more entertainment. Both are great choices though.

Staying and Eating in Bielsko-Biala

We’ve arrived at the end of our list of the top things to do in Bielsko-Biala. However, if you want some more tips we’ve got some quick restaurant and hotel recommendations for you.

Restaurants in Bielsko-Biala

• Restauracja Browar Miejski
  • Enjoy local bites in Restauracja Browar Miejski. This restaurant is one of the best in the town center if you want to sample the best that Polish Cuisine has to offer.
• Restauracja “Budafest Langosz”
  • Who said you can only get Langos in Budapest? It’s available right here in Bielsko-Biala and tastes just as good as in Hungary. If you haven’t had a chance to try Langos yet then we highly recommend this one for a quick bite.
• Restauracja Stek i Wino
  • Finally, we have Restauracja Stek i Wino which is a “Steak and Wine” bar. They have pretty good steak and the wine selection is full of great choices.

Hotels in Bielsko-Biala

• Qubus Hotel Bielsko-Biała
  • The Qubus Hotel Bielsko-Biała is one of the safest choices in town. It’s a pretty regular hotel with pretty regular service which is great because you get exactly what you expect from a hotel. No surprises. The rooms are affordable and they are close to the city center.

• Biała 16
  • Biała 16 is right in the center of town and it offers a more upscale stay. It’s a great place for couples as the rooms are romantic and they have a nice personal touch. We loved our stay in Biała 16 and it’s one of the better hotels in Bielsko-Biala.