Kolejkowo Gliwice

Kolejkowo Gliwice (roughly "ko-lay-KO-vo") is a huge model railway and miniature world inside the Europa Centralna shopping mall in Gliwice, in Poland's Upper Silesia region. Trains wind past tiny versions of real Silesian landmarks, thousands of figures act out funny scenes, and every few minutes the lights dim for night and a thunderstorm with real rain sweeps over the layout. It is one of the top things to do in Gliwice with kids, and a reliable rainy-day plan near Katowice.

Where it is and how to get there

The mall sits on the southern edge of Gliwice, right at the junction of the A1 and A4 motorways, about 20–25 minutes by car from Katowice and a little over an hour from Kraków. Katowice Airport is roughly 35–40 minutes away. There is a large car park by the mall. By public transport, Transport GZM buses 232 and 678 stop at the mall. From Gliwice railway station, take the underpass to the "Gliwice Dworzec" stop on ul. Bohaterów Getta Warszawskiego and ride bus 232 to "Gliwice Europa Centralna". From the Gliwice Radio Tower, take bus 112, 287 or M104 from the "Gliwice Radiostacja" stop to the Centrum Przesiadkowe interchange and change there for a bus to the mall. Address: CH Europa Centralna, ul. Pszczyńska 315, Gliwice.

What you will see

Kolejkowo Gliwice opened in September 2016 and is part of a small Polish chain with venues in Wrocław, Warsaw and Jelenia Góra. According to the operator, the Gliwice display covers about 900 m² (9,700 sq ft) and includes 460 m of track, 12 trains with 58 cars, 195 vehicles, 235 buildings and more than 4,700 figures. The models are built at a large scale: the replica of the Gliwice radio tower alone stands about 4 m tall.

Highlights include:

• The Gliwice Radio Station tower – the real wooden tower nearby was the site of the staged "Gleiwitz incident" of August 31, 1939, used by Nazi Germany as a pretext for invading Poland;
• the Pokój steelworks and the industrial landscape of Ruda Śląska;
• shops from the main pedestrian street in Katowice and a restaurant serving a typical Silesian dinner;
• "Wild Gliwice," a Wild West town with a saloon, a sheriff, the Wright brothers building their first plane and a Mississippi riverboat.

Day, night and a real storm

Each "day" lasts 9 minutes and is followed by 4 minutes of night, when street lamps and windows light up. During every night cycle a storm with thunder, lightning and real rain rolls over the layout. Stay for at least two cycles to catch the details.

Tickets and opening hours

Kolejkowo is open 365 days a year. As of October 2026, the official calendar shows Monday–Friday 10 am–6 pm and Saturday–Sunday 10 am–7 pm; check the calendar on the website for your date. Tickets bought online start at PLN 39 (standard) and PLN 33 (reduced); at the box office they cost PLN 55 and PLN 45. Children under 3 enter free; reductions apply to children over 3, students under 26, retirees and people with disabilities plus their caregivers. Online tickets are timed but valid for an hour after the chosen slot, and a phone screen is enough. Cards are accepted.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially with children or if you love trains. Plan 1.5–2 hours; there is no time limit. The venue is fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible (step-free entrance, elevator, wide aisles), has viewing steps for small kids, a themed play area and a free cloakroom. Pets are not allowed, and photos are encouraged. Combine it with the real Gliwice Radio Station museum and the city's Palm House.