Warsaw is a fascinating city full of dynamism and vibrant life. Warsaw has a youthful flair that has always been present. The city consists of a mixture of the old and the new, which is expressed both in a spiritual sense and in the face of the city. Here people are not only concerned with tradition but are constantly striving for the future. After the unimaginable destruction of World War II, the city was rebuilt thanks to the tremendous efforts of all people. The Old Town is the historic center and the heart of Warsaw. Read below what all you can visit in this beautiful city!
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What not to miss?
Old Town + Market Place
Warsaw's Old Town is the heart of the Polish capital. Its colorful tenements and the unique atmosphere of its narrow streets are a feast for the eyes.
Old Town Square is the oldest and one of the most charming squares in Warsaw. It was laid out at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. Festivals and markets were held here, as well as the execution of convicts. Although it is more than seven centuries old, its shape has hardly changed. In the center of the square are a statue of the Mermaid of Warsaw, the city's emblem and protector.
In summer, the Old Town is filled with café gardens and becomes a stage for cultural festivals. In winter, the Old Town and the Royal Route shine with beautiful illuminations.
Royal Palace
The palace has a distinctive shape and a special color that makes it unmissable in the city. The Royal Castle is the former seat of the rulers of Poland.
Inside you can see the royal apartments and the Throne Room. Also hanging there are the original paintings by Rembrandt and canvases by Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto, which were used in rebuilding Warsaw after it was destroyed in World War II.
In the end, you enter the beautifully reconstructed gardens: the upper garden is on the slope of the castle and the lower one is at the foot of it, where the river flowed in the seventeenth century. It is an ideal place to relax. The lawn, flower beds, fountains, and mazes of meter-high hedges will give you a soothing and relaxing feeling.
Castle Square
Castle Square is located in the middle of Old Town.
One of the square's most striking features is Sigismund's Column, a 17th-century monument to King Sigismund III. Built-in 1644, it is the world's oldest secular column in modern history. It is a sight not to be missed.
One of Warsaw's biggest highways runs under Castle Square. Besides the castle, the rest of the square is surrounded by historic mansions. This is the center of exploration in Warsaw - it is a meeting place for locals and tourists, and it is full of life. There are street musicians, horse-drawn carriages, churches, and restaurants everywhere.
King Jan III Palace Museum
The Museum of the Palace of King John III at Wilanów displays the historic royal residence, established in the 3rd quarter of the 17th century. It includes the palace, park, gardens and nature reserve.
Since 2006, the museum has been a member of Réseau des Résidences Royales Européennes. This is a Network of European royal residences. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, conferences, and scientific seminars, conducts scientific research, publishes scientific and popular science books, and organizes educational activities devoted to both the cultural and natural values of the Wilanów royal residence.
Nowy Świat
Nowy Świat means "New World," a name given to the street in the 17th century when the city expanded beyond the old city walls. The street quickly developed into a glamorous shopping area surrounded by elegant mansions and mansions.
On weekends in summer, Nowy Świat is closed to traffic and the street fills with café tables and lively groups of tourists and locals. It is the perfect time to meet new people and for socializing!
What else to visit?
POLIN History museum
An unusual museum in a unique location. A thousand years of history is told in a symbolic place in the center of Warsaw - in the pre-war district inhabited mainly by Jews and turned into hell by the Germans during the war. The museum restores the memory of their rich culture and heritage.
In the museum, you will discover traces of the first Jewish settlement in medieval Poland, see the 13th-century royal statute that guaranteed them safety and personal and religious freedom and learn what the "Golden Age of the Culture of Polish Jews" was.
Don't forget to see the Ghetto Heroes Monument in front of the museum, before which German Chancellor Willi Brandt knelt in a historic gesture. This event was considered a symbolic apology by Germany for the crimes of the Holocaust.
Warsaw Uprising Museum
This museum helps visitors understand contemporary Warsaw. This interactive museum commemorates the largest underground combat operation in German-occupied Europe during World War II. The Warsaw Uprising in 1944 forever changed the face of the Polish capital.
The multimedia exhibition reflects the atmosphere of the Uprising and describes the postwar communist terror. Walking along the granite pavement among the rubble of the destroyed capital, you will listen to the stories of the insurgents and see original artifacts of the uprising.
At the heart of the museum is a steel monument that runs through all floors of the building. Its walls are covered with the dates of each day of the uprising and bullet points, and inside is the sound of a beating heart symbolizing life in Warsaw in 1944.
Palace of Culture and Science
This is one of the tallest and most recognizable buildings in Warsaw. It was long considered a symbol of socialist power and the pride of People's Poland. Today the palace houses theaters, a cinema, museums, trendy pubs, and Warsaw's tourism headquarters.
Check out the socialist-realist sculptures in the niches of the palace's facade. Each symbolizes a different area of science, art, technology, or culture. In a straight line from the main entrance is a stone stand of honor, from which the first secretaries of the Central Committee of the Polish Communist Party greeted the marching members of the May Day parade.
Copernicus Science Centre
A real paradise for lovers of science, not just children! Here you can discover the secrets of nature, conduct your own experiments and have fun doing it. At the Copernicus Science Center, you are a researcher and discoverer yourself. You can choose your own experiments and perform them yourself. You will discover how your senses enable you to perceive the world.
Lazienki Park
Lazienki Park is one of the most beautiful and enchanting city parks in Europe. In the heart of the city, it was once an estate outside Warsaw's city walls. The park is also called Royal Bath Park. The name "Royal Bath Park" comes from the bathing pavilion that once stood here. The estate was bought by the last Polish king, Stanislaw August Poniatowski, in the mid-18th century and redesigned in classical style, complete with a palace on the central lake, an ancient Roman-style amphitheater, an orangery, and a whole wonderland of beautifully landscaped gardens.
How to travel there?
By plane
You can reach Warsaw by plane. There are two airports where you can land to reach the city.
Most flights land at Chopin Airport. This airport is 10 km away from the city center. There are several bus and train lines that go from the airport to the city. It is also possible to catch a cab from the airport.
The other airport is called Warsaw Modlin Airport. This airport is located around 35 km north-west of the city center. From here it is possible to travel to the city center by train or catch a cab.
By train
Warsaw has three large train stations with international and domestic long-distance connections: The first one is Warszaw Centralna. This train station is located in the heart of the city and it is reachable from all districts of Warsaw.
The second one is Warszawa Zachodnia. It is located right next to the international bus station. It is a good point for people taking long-distance buses.
And the last one is Warszawa Wschodnia. The station is located on the Praga side of the river.
By bus
The Dworzec PKS Warszawa Zachodnia bus station on Aleje Jerozolimskie 144, offers international and national connections. This line allows you to reach Warsaw by bus.
When to travel there?
Warsaw generally has a humid climate. Although winters there are cold and snowy, summers are usually mild, but it can also be very hot at times, with temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius.
The average temperature in winter is -3 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius in summer. Warsaw, like Poland, has four seasons:
Winter: The winter months in Warsaw are December, January, and February. January is when temperatures drop the most on average.
Autumn: Autumn begins in September and lasts until November. Autumn can be partly foggy but is generally mild in temperature and quite pleasant.
Spring: Spring lasts from March to May and during this period the city is lovely in terms of climate.
Summer: Summer is quite pleasant and this season lasts from June to August. The temperature during this season can reach 30 degrees Celsius.
The best time to visit Warsaw in terms of climate begins in April and lasts until October. It is better to avoid July and August as this is the high season for tourists and the city can become unpleasantly crowded.
Average costs
Per person per day, you spend about 62 euros.
Per person per week, you spend about 435 euros.
Per person, for two weeks you spend about 871 euros.
With two people for one week, you spend about 871 euros.
With two people for two weeks, you spend about 1742 euros.
Accommodation for one person costs about 37 euros per night.
Accommodation for two people costs about 75 euros per night.
For food, you spend about 14 euros per day.
Transportation costs about 3 euros.
Where to eat?
If you have an image of Polish cuisine with traditional dishes of soups, potatoes or stuffed cabbage, Warsaw's restaurants will undoubtedly change your mind! Many restaurants offer traditional, lighter, and modern cuisine.
So where should you eat in Warsaw? Here are 3 great restaurants with different styles that will make you taste gourmet and tasty cuisine.
Koszyki Market
You will find many cafes and restaurants of all kinds, where you can choose the cuisine you like best and enjoy it at the tables in the center of the market. It is a cozy place to try out different snacks!
Dock 19
Dock 19 has a relaxed atmosphere and a cozy, industrial decor. If the weather is good, it is also possible to enjoy sitting on the terrace.
The restaurant offers tasty bistronomic cuisine and is known for the cocktails they serve. Definitely recommended!
Bistro Biobazar
The Norblin factory, a former silver factory has been converted into a commercial and cultural place. In the middle of this new place of life is the Biobazar, a market where you can find many quality products. It attracts many locals.
In the middle of this market, the Bistro Biobazar welcomes you in a relaxed atmosphere, serving seasonal dishes based on market products. A perfect place to get away from the tourist addresses and have lunch amidst the people of Warsaw.
Events
As the capital of Poland, Warsaw is full of events. From witch-drinking ceremonies to Chopin concerts and international film festivals, you're sure to find something you like. Below are three well-known events!
Carnival
Before the Lent season begins, Poland will enjoy delicious food, drink, and merriment. This is celebrated during Carnival. The goal is to have plenty of fun before the heavy Lent season begins.
The "Ensenble" chamber art festival.
Each year, the festival brings together young musicians with experienced teachers known for their chamber music performances. After intensive preparation, the students together with their mentors present their pieces for the festival's series of concerts.
Noc Swietojanska
This is one of the biggest spectacles in Poland. During this event, all the people gather around the Vistula River. Here the fair maidens throw their wreaths into the water, this is based on an ancient pagan sexual ritual. It involves fireworks, concerts, and much more!
This is the end of the Warsaw guide. We believe that this article will you help by planning your trip. Warsaw is a beautiful city and we are sure you will be amazed by it. We also have other places for you to explore, see our guides to Akureyri, Iceland, and Reykjavik! Do not forget to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be always updated on the new releases.
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