Lodz

Łódź

Average max. and min. temperatures in °C

Precipitation + Snow totals in mm

Imperial conversion

J F M A M J J A S O N D

1.4

34

25

1.3

37

26

1.5

45

31

1.4

58

38

2.4

67

47

2.5

73

53

3.2

77

56

2.1

76

56

2.1

66

48

1.7

55

41

1.6

44

34

1.6

36

28

Average max. and min. temperatures in °F

Precipitation + Snow totals in inches

Name and history

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 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.

Łódź today

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 680,000 and agglomeration of 1.1 million (2019), 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 "Holly Łódź " 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.

By plane

Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport

( LCJ   IATA )

( approximately 6   km from the city center ).

One of the smallest airports in Poland. As of June 2023, it offers few connections, mainly served by Ryanair to Dublin , London Stansted and Luton, Milan Bergamo, Alicante and Brussels Charleroi. Apart from that, the airport serves seasonal and charter flights to holiday destinations ( Burgas , Antalya , Bodrum , Crete , Corfu , Rhodes , Zakynthos ).   ( updated Jun 2023 )

To travel between the city and the airport:

Public transport , buses 65A and 65B serve the airport. Read more in the public transport section.

Taxi , in front of the terminal there is a number of taxis to choose from.

The marginalisation of Łódź's own airport is due to the proximity of the Warsaw's Chopin Airport (WAW), which offers a wide range of European and intercontinental flights. Warsaw's other airport, Modlin Airport (served by Ryanair only), is farther away.

By train

See also Poland#By train

Łódź Fabryczna is a centrally-located terminal station for domestic trains, incl. direct trains from Warsaw, Kraków, Gdynia, Poznań. Luggage lockers 13-16 zł/24 hr.

Łódź Widze

The town centre of Lodz is compact and walkable. Local buses connect the main districts and nearby attractions. Taxis are available from the train station.

Lodz has a historic centre with traditional architecture, a parish church, and several notable historic buildings reflecting the local heritage.

Visitors can explore the old town on foot, hike in the surrounding countryside, and attend local festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

Local restaurants and trattorias serve regional cuisine featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Traditional dishes reflect the local culinary heritage.

Cafes and bars in the town centre serve coffee, wine, and local beverages. Regional wines and spirits are worth sampling.

• Budget: Guesthouses and budget hotels from around 100–150 PLN per night
• Mid-range: Comfortable hotels, typically 200–350 PLN per night
• Upscale: Boutique and premium hotels, from 400 PLN per night

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

• Warsaw — Poland's capital city, with world-class museums and historic Old Town
• Kraków — the medieval royal capital and Poland's top tourist destination
• Gdańsk — beautiful Baltic port city with a stunning Old Town