Warsaw
Home to a surreal mix of brightly coloured homes & buildings, and grey, lifeless communist-era residential complexes, Warsaw, also known as Warszawa, is the capital city of Poland. Having a tragic past, the city is one that has literally risen from the ashes like a phoenix, and is one of the popular tourist destinations in Europe. This metropolis is located in eastern central Poland, along the banks of the River Vistula, in the heartland of the Masovian Plain.
The city is divided into north and south. In the north, you can find majestic Baroque palaces, castles and the beautiful Old Town. The south, on the other hand, is home to two of central Europe’s finest urban parks, and other attractions. The eastern side of the city, on the contrary, consists of the remnants of the rich Jewish heritage that were destroyed by the Nazis. In short, Warsaw is a city that mixes history, beauty, and modern architecture.
The capital city of Poland has a wide range of architecture and sightseeing attractions. From restored baroque, gothic and neoclassical styles of structures in the Old and New Towns of Warsaw, to the post WWII gems like the Palace of Culture and Science or the Marsza?kowska Residential District, as well as modern day landmarks like the Copernicus Science Structure and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and more, the city has it all. In addition to these buildings and landmarks, Warsaw also boasts of stunning outdoors, as evident in its parks and gardens, like the Lazienki and Ujazdowski Parks.
There are also a lot of things that you can do in Warsaw, whether it is visiting the many art galleries and museums, or relaxing in the lap of nature at one of the numerous stunning parks scattered in the city. When tired of taking historical tours of the city, you can also head over to the dining spots in Warsaw, which range from chic restaurants and cafes, to resto-bars, pubs, and more. You can also indulge in various activities to experience the nightlife of the city, whether it is dressing up for an opera, or sipping on champagne whilst enjoying jazz performances or even dancing the night away. The options here are endless.
Warsaw experiences a moderately continental climate, which is characterised by extremely cold winters, and mild & pleasant warm summers. The months from April to September are the warm months in the city, with lush greenery everywhere, the river at its best, and the weather perfect to indulge in an array of activities. Winters in Warsaw are quite cold, with snow covering the region for a major time period.
Warsaw Packages
Warsaw FAQ's
Which are the best places to visit in Warsaw?
1. St. Anne’s Church: St. Anne’s Church is one of the best places to visit in Warsaw, in addition to being one of the oldest buildings in the city. Also known as Kosciol Swietej Anny, the church dates back to the mid-1400s, and is said to have survived numerous wars.
As a matter of fact, the roof of the church has been destroyed several times, while the rest of the structure remained intact. Boasting of a neo-classical style of architecture, the church has lavish interiors of the baroque style. You can also see beautiful hand-painted frescoes inside the church.
Location: Krakowskie Przedmie?cie 68, 00-322 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 08:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.
2. Powazki Cemetery: Constructed in the year 1790, the Powazki Cemetery is another one of the best places to visit in Warsaw. The cemetery serves as the final resting place of some of the most important people in the history of Poland, some of which includes the family of Fryderyk Chopin, his early teaches, the famous jazz composer Krzysztof Komeda as well as the Nobel Prize winner Wladyslaw Reymont, among others. It is also the oldest cemetery in Warsaw, and has several stunning sculptures and other forms of architecture that surround the tombs here.
Location: Pow?zkowska 14, 01-797 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 08:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.
3. Gestapo Headquarters Museum: Also known as the Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom, the Gestapo Headquarters Museum has been built to focus and portray the conflicts between the Gestapo (the secret police of Nazi Germany) and the Polish resistance.
The museum is home to several displays and exhibits, including original detention cells that were used in the eras gone by to hold and torture prisoners, images, videos and more. It is here where you can learn about the conditions in which Polish patriots and soldiers were jailed and treated by Nazi Germany during the second World War.
Location: Aleja Jana Chrystiana Szucha 25, 00-580 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
4. Multimedia Fountain Park: Made up of two fountains that spray water in different choreographed patterns to tranquil music, the Multimedia Fountain Park is another one of the best places to visit in Warsaw. Located a short walk towards the north of the Old Town, this park opened its doors in the year 2011, and is amongst the best places in the city to experience a visual delight of light, music and fountains. Perfect for everyone, the park has a huge pond and water playground where children can play, in addition to walking trails for relaxing strolls as you listen to music ranging from Chopin to Lady Gaga and more.
Location: Skwer 1 Dywizji Pancernej WP, 00-221 Warszawa, Poland
5. Wilanow Castle: Built during the late 17th century as the home for King John III Sobieski, the Wilanow Castle is located in the district of the same name. After the death of the king, the castle has served as the residence of not only his son and other royalty, but also several rich families.
However, the castle still retains a majority of its original structure, thereby offering you a glimpse into the 17th century landmarks and lifestyle. The palace is also one of the only few official historic monuments of the country of Poland.
Location: Stanis?awa Kostki Potockiego 10/16, 02-958 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 09:30 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.
6. Church of St. Martin: Built in the 14th century as a Parish church in a partial Baroque style of architecture, the Church of St. Martin is located on Piwna Street in Old Town, and is amongst the best places to visit in Warsaw. This church is said to be the place where opponents of the Communist regime gathered during the 1970s and 1980s.
This church has also been the venue of many royal weddings, funerals as well as coronations, and the crypts here are the homes of tombs of many notable figures, such as the Dukes of Masovia, the archbishops of Warsaw, Primate S. Wyszynski – the last Polish king, the president of Poland as well as the Nobel prize winning writer H. Sienkiewicz, among others.
Location: Piwna 9/11, 00-265 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 08:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
7. The Royal Way: Amongst the most popular places to visit in Warsaw, the Royal Way, also known as the Royal Route, is home to many historic buildings, structures and cultural landmarks. The route runs south, from Zamkowy to the outskirts of the city, where the Wilanow Palace is located.
Considered as one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments, the Royal Way is home to landmarks like the Church of the Nuns of the Visitation, the Holy Cross Church, St. Anne’s Church, Presidential Palace, Triple Cross Square and Lazienki Park, along with others.
Location: Castle Square, Plac Zamkowy, Warsaw, Poland
What are the best things to do in Warsaw?
1. Visit the Royal Castle: One of the best things to do in Warsaw is to visit the famous Royal Castle in the Castle Square’s Old Town. This castle used to be the residence of the last of the Polish royalty from the 16th to 18th centuries. It was reconstructed in the 1980s after being demolished during World War II by the Germans. Within the Royal Castle, you can still see the interiors from the times gone by, with portraits of the many monarchs and members of the Polish royal family. You can also catch sights of a wide collection of paintings by famous artists, in addition to other attractions.
Location: Plac Zamkowy 4, 00-277 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 11:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
2. Learn about the 1944 uprising at the Museum of Warsaw: When in Warsaw, do pay a visit to the Museum of Warsaw Uprising to learn more about it. Considered an important landmark in the city, the museum has the motto, “We want to be free – and to owe this freedom to ourselves.”
The museum displays the rich preserved history of the city, where you can learn about the times of the 1900s. Additionally, you can also see newspaper clippings from that time period, while also understanding what exactly happened, along with seeing the real bunkers that were used during the 1944 uprising.
Location: Grzybowska 79, 00-844 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
3. Soak in the verdant nature at Wisla River: One of the best things to do during your trip to Warsaw is to relax and soak in views of lush nature along the banks of the Wisla River. A popular spot to enjoy picnics, take relaxing strolls and simply unwind, the beach pavilion is home to several cafes and restaurants, which is the spot for many local concerts and performances that you can enjoy.
Also known as Vistula River, Wisla River is the longest river in the country, in addition to being 9th longest in Europe. The river is surrounded by dense forests and lush greenery which makes it a perfect place to come hang out after a long day.
Location: Pla?owa, Wybrze?e Szczeci?skie, Warsaw, Poland
Timings: 24 hours
4. Take a walk along Trakt Krolewski: Considered to be amongst the most beautiful places in the city, the Royal Route, also known as Trakt Krolewski, is a great place to take a walk in Warsaw. Serving as the meeting point of 5 connecting streets in the city, this route is also home to some of the most important and significant historical buildings, monuments and landmarks in the city.
Some of the monuments that you can see during your walk on Trakt Krolewski include the Krakowskie Przedmie?cie, the University of Warsaw, the Church of St. Anne, the monument of Nicolaus Copernicus, Royal Castle and more.
Location: Plac Zamkowy, 00-001 Warszawa, Poland
5. Taste Polish chocolate at Wedel Factory: Located in the city’s Praga District, the Wedel Factory is the place where the country’s finest chocolate is made. During your trip to Warsaw, one of the best things that you can do is to take a tour in the Wedel Factory, and sample the world-famous Polish chocolates here.
The factory offers amazing guided tours, where you can learn about the different chocolates, their origins, how they are made and a lot of other information. The factory also has a gift shop and coffee shop where you can indulge in chocolate shopping, or try their lip-smacking hot chocolate and other chocolate beverages and desserts.
Location: Jana Zamoyskiego 36, Rogatka, 03-801 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
6. Explore the Palace of Culture & Science: Another top thing to do in Warsaw is to spend some time exploring the Palace of Culture and Science. Ranking amongst the top iconic buildings in the city, the palace was a gift from Stalin during the Communist Era, and has a great deal of history attached to it.
However, besides the history, the palace also has several notable things that attract people to it, such as the observation floor, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the city. The palace also has a cinema and theatre within it.
Location: Plac Defilad 1, 00-901 Warszawa, Poland
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 08:00 pm.
How is the nightlife in Warsaw?
1. Enjoy unique dance parties at the Opera Club: Located in the basement of the National Opera of Poland’s Grand Theatre, the Opera Club is one of the best places to enjoy nightlife in Warsaw. This modern club boasts of comfortable seating arrangements, stone walls as well as Buddhist-style furniture, and is an amazing place to enjoy dance parties hosted by popular international DJs.
2. Taste different cocktails at Syreni Spiew: One of the most celebrated cocktail bars in Warsaw, it is at Syreni Spiew where you can try over 100 types of whiskeys and more than 40 classic cocktail combos. You can also enjoy great live music here.
3. Attend cultural shows at Teatr Wielki: Also known as Grand Theatre, Teatr Wielki has been the grandest opera and ballet theatre in Poland for over 170 years, in addition to being the only Theatre Museum of the country. Built-in the early 1800s, the theatre plays host to many cultural shows in the city, such as Polish National Ballet performances.
4. Enjoy tropical vibes at La Playa: When in Warsaw, get transported to a tropical place at the beach bar called La Playa, whilst enjoying great music from across the world. In addition to music and dance, you can also enjoy organised games like beach volleyball here, as you indulge in delicious cocktails and snacks.
pend the night at Bojangles Bar and Lounge: Amongst the best jazz and swing bars in the city, located within the Polonia Palace Hotel, the Bojangles Bar and Lounge is another top place to enjoy the nightlife in Warsaw. You can enjoy the laid-back ambience of the bar, while indulging in its international menu.
What is the best time to visit Warsaw?
The best time to visit Warsaw is from June to early September, when the weather in the city is pleasant. It is during these months that temperatures remain between 20 to 28 degrees Celsius, thereby making your stay and experience in Warsaw delightful. You can also enjoy many seasonal activities, sightseeing, night market visits and more during these months.
What food is Warsaw famous for?
Known for its authentic meat dishes and various kinds of soups, some of the foods that Warsaw is famous for include Warsaw-style herring, pork knuckle in jelly, Varsovian dumplings, Zurek soup, pierogi, pork chops with cabbage and potatoes, wuzetka, open-faced sandwich called zapiekanka, stuffed meat rolls called zrazy and breaded pork cutlet called kotlet schabowy, among other things.