Do you know that Białystok is one of the best places in Poland to live? According to the latest Report on the Quality of life in European Cities by the European Commission, Białystok is a remarkably safe city that 91% of residents surveyed say they feel safe walking alone at night in the city, a figure that is well above the average of 75% across the EU. Moreover, 94% of those surveyed said they hadn’t had money or property stolen in the last 12 months, while the EU average is 83%. Besides safety, Białystok is in the top 3 on the cleanliness of the city among 83 EU cities that 92% of residents surveyed are satisfied with the cleanliness in the city.
With a population of almost 300,000, Białystok is the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, which is known as “the Green Lungs of Poland”. Its rich natural resources and the varied landscape make contributions to a good living environment. Białystok is not only a good place to live but also an ideal place to visit.
If you are a nature lover, then Bialystok is an excellent base where you can walk deep into the wilderness of the Białowieża Primeval Forest to see the king of the forest – the bison, admire the unspoiled, wild nature of the Biebrza river valley where is home to hundreds of species of birds and other wild animals. These wonderful natural landscapes are perfect for people wanting to switch to a slower pace of life.
Besides its natural beauty, Bialystok is also full of numerous historical sites. You can start off in the historical Old Town Square known as the Rynek Kościuszki, and then visit the stunning Branicki Palace to admire its Baroque architecture and fantastic French-style gardens. Make sure to admire the Neo-Gothic Bialystok Cathedral located In the center of town, which is known for its sheer magnitude and its lofty vaults.
Photo: Wojciech Wójcik
