Bydgoszcz not only has the biggest city park in Poland but it’s also the economic centre of Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. The thriving sectors are production, warehouse, logistics and BPO/SSC.

Population within administrative borders: 350,000

Unemployment rate: 3.6%

Average gross salary: 4,185 zł/ € 973

Institutions of tertiary education: 10

Students in tertiary education: 29,000

Rafał Bruski, Mayor of Bydgoszcz:

“Bydgoszcz is successfully changing its image from an industrial centre to a centre of modern technologies and services. Industrial heritage is an important element of the cultural landscape of Bydgoszcz and creates a context for discovering the contemporary character of the city, including the development of Bydgoszcz enterprises, creative industries, modern technologies and production. Inhabitants of Bydgoszcz are passionate professionals, pursuing various projects on a global scale. They are also business leaders whose open minds and creative approach allow them to dynamically develop the local economy.

Bydgoszcz also offers a highly valued work-life balance – a space for family life and realisation of personal passions. The city is attracting more and more investors and tourists, but at the same time it makes sure that it remains a friendly place to live in. Bydgoszcz is an important business and academic centre, but also a city of culture and sport. It is the greenest city in Poland, where hundreds of residents and tourists are actively using numerous green areas and forest complexes, the charming space of the Mill Island in the heart of the city, as well as the biggest city park in Poland “Myślęcinek”.

The city’s openness, convenient transport location, high potential of human resources, market oriented education system, access to a wide range of investment areas and modern office space, as well as professional support for investors from the local authorities – are the key factors placing Bydgoszcz among the most attractive locations in Poland for developing business. Also numerous awards and distinctions for the city in international competitions and business rankings are proof that it is worth to invest in Bydgoszcz.”

The Myślęcinek Forest Culture and Leisure Park (above) is Poland’s largest city park, measuring about 830 hectares. The park offers golfing during the spring and summer, and ski- ing in the winter. The woodland park features rolling hills, bubbling creeks and steep gorges. The park also features a zoo, a botanical garden, a horse riding centre and a dinosaur park.

The Opera Nova ranks among the most significant arts institutions in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. It is considered one of the most interesting opera houses on the Polish cultural map.

The three granaries in Grodzka Street, located on the Brda River right next to the Old Market Square. These buildings are the official symbols of the city and now house exhibitions of the city’s Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum.

Old city market in Bydgoszcz

The article is co-financed from the funds of the Regional operational Program of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship for the years 2014-2020 and from the budget of the bydgoszcz Regional Development Agency.