Cieszyn is a medieval town of 33,500 people (2021) in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. It is one of the principal border crossing points between Poland and Czech Republic. The town on the other side of the river Olza (which forms the border between the two countries) is called Český Těšín. Both towns were Cieszyn until they were divided by a Versailles Treaty change in borders in 1920.

Cieszyn in 1640

Get in

Bus services depart Kraków and Katowice regularly from the main bus stations in those cities.

Trains run hourly from Frýdek-Místek in the Czech Republic via Dobratice pod Prasiv, Horni Tosanovice, Hnojnik and Ropice to Český Těšín, 40 min. Here alternate trains either terminate, or sit for 5-10 min before trundling across the border to Cieszyn. So it's usually quicker to get off at Český Těšín and walk over the river bridge. Trains further into Poland are replaced by buses in 2021.

Trains also run every 30 min from Ostrava via Bohumin to Český Těšín, 35 min, and continue to various destinations including Kosice in Slovakia.

1 Cieszyn railway and bus stations are together on the north side of old town.

2 Český Těšín railway station is on Nádražní in that town's centre.

Get around

The centre is close to transportation hubs and small enough to be covered on foot.

See

Romanesque St Nicholas rotunda church from the 11th century

• 1 Old Town Square (Rynek), Rynek. Surrounded by bourgeois houses and the beautiful Town Hall (Ratusz). 
• 2 Cieszyn Castle, Zamkowa 3. Su-F 09:00—17:00, closed on Sa. Remnants: Piast Castle Tower, Gothic St. Mary Magdalene Church, Romanesque St. Nicholas' Chapel (11th century rotunda) 
• 3 Old Jewish Cemetery, Hażlaska 39.  
• 4 Museum of Cieszyn Silesia, ul. Tadeusza Regera 6. In the former Larisch palace (Pałac Laryszów, Muzeum Śląska Cieszyńskiego). The oldest continuously working museum in Poland, opened in 1802. 16 zł. (updated Mar 2017)
• 5 Museum of Typography (Muzeum Drukarstwa), ul. Głęboka 50, ☏ +48 338511630, muzeumdrukarstwa@o2.pl. Tu-F 10:00-17:00, and May-sep: also on Sa Su 14:00-18:00. 10 zł including tour. (updated Mar 2017)
• 6NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Rotunda of Saint Nicholas, Zamkowa. A Romanesque rotunda built in the 12th century. It used to be a castle chapel and a stronghold church. This rotunda is also the one that can be seen on the 20-zł banknotes.  

Do

• 1 Polish Theatre (Teatr im. Adama Mickiewicza), Plac Teatralny 1, ☏ +48 33 857 75 90. 
• 2 Czech Theatre, Ostravská 1326/67, 737 01 Český Těšín, ☏ +420 558 746 022. 

Events

• No Border Festival. 
• Cinema On The Border. Film festival. 

Eat

Strudel

• Strudel
• Easter Murzin - brown bread pastry with ham and bacon inside.

Drink

• Brackie and other beers brewed locally in the Castle Brewery.
• 1 Browar Zamkowy Cieszyn, ul. Dojazdowa 2, ☏ +48 338516402. Opened in 19th century and still brewing using classic methods despite being part of huge Heineken/Żywiec group. (updated Mar 2017)

Sleep

• 3 Bros’ Hostel, ul. Mennicza 14 (across from Bożnicza str), ☏ +48 539 064 539. (updated Feb 2019)
• Two campings: IOT Styl and OLZA; several hotels and private rooms.

Connect

As of April 2024, Cieszyn and its approach highways have 4G from all Polish carriers, and 5G from Czech carriers.

Go next

• Bielsko-Biala - 40 km to the north is the center for accessing nearby ski-sport towns
• Ski-sport towns, such as Szczyrk, Wisła, Ustroń and Żywiec
• Ostrava, Czech Republic - The third largest city in the Czech Republic and the centre of the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague.