It is Europe’s longest pedestrian street (just a bit under five kilometres) and the commercial and social heart of the city. Lined with restaurants, bars, beer gardens and businesses, ul. Piotrkowska is a mix of old and new. The northern half is the busiest section and surely the starting point of any sightseeing tour. Starting at the Tadeusz Kościuszko statue at the northern end of the street at Plac Wolności, it stretches southwards with crews of all-year-round rickshaws (5zł per person from end to end) spiriting travellers to the destination of choice. We strongly recommend strolling up and down and exploring the nooks and alleys that make this urban catwalk unique. Prepare for the long walk and make it all the way to the south end, where you will definitely find out much more. Here are our recommendations on what to see, where to eat and enjoy the nightlife.
From North to South
EXPLORE: Pasaż Róży ➞
Right at the start, through the courtyard from Piotrkowska 3 (or from ul. Zachodnia 56), you have one of the most Instagrammable spots in town: Róża’s Passage (Pasaż Róży). The creator is Joanna Rajkowska (also responsible for the palm tree in Warsaw!), who chose the name after her daughter, Róża, who at a young age was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer.
? More sightseeing ➞
EAT: Centralna Gastromachina ➞
? ul. Piotrkowska 93
You won’t go wrong with the burgers. Meat rules the roost at this joint featuring a giant grill, which is also a smokehouse. Just think of the mouth-watering possibilities: steaks, BBQ meats & pork ribs! Great atmosphere, great cocktails, craft beers and wine.
? More restaurants ➞
DRINK: 6 Dzielnica ➞
? ul. Piotrkowska 102
Enter the door found in the gate to the right, climb three flights of stairs to find good vibes and great beer in what looks like a large high ceilinged apartment. Regular concerts, exhibitions & events.
? More nightlife ➞
From South to North
EXPLORE: Central Museum of Textiles ➞
? ul. Piotrkowska 282
Here you will understand why Łódź is often referred to as the Manchester of Poland. Learn about the industrial heritage of the city in two floors of exhibition rooms containing a mind-boggling array of steam-driven looms, fabric-printing machines, recreations of how the workers and their factory-owning bosses lived and worked, original paintings of Łódź in its 19th-century heyday, lace, rugs and other paraphernalia connected to the textile industry.
? EVENT: 16th International Triennale of Tapestry
? More sightseeing ➞
EAT: Piotrkowska 217 ➞
8,000 sq. meters of renovated post-industrial space now full of restaurants, bars, wine bars, businesses, entertainment complexes and artistic spaces. We strongly recommend Pizza Truck Garage towards the back end. Look for the mural and you’ll find the place.
? More restaurants ➞
DRINK: Brush Barber Shop & Cocktail Bar ➞
One of the coolest places in town, this space is a barbershop by day and cocktail bar by night. Located in hip OFF Piotrkowska, this is definitely a place to enjoy the local nightlife.
