Warsaw is a city with a very turbulent history. Once called the "Paris of the East", it was long considered one of Europe's most beautiful cities until it was razed to the ground in World War II. In recent decades, the city has been rising from the ashes like a phoenix and impresses with its appearance.
Vibrant, built, beautiful, etc. are just a few words that travelers use to describe the capital of Poland - Warsaw. The city with modern business districts on the other hand remains deeply rooted in tradition with its historical architecture and monuments. It is cosmopolitan but authentic. Refreshing and green, but on the other hand full of wild nightlife.
Warsaw is truly worth a visit, stroll through the historic Old Town, try delicious Polish food and treat yourself to an interesting history lesson in several top museums. Or soak up some history as you retrace the steps of some of the city's most famous residents, from Chopin and Copernicus to Marie Curie.
When to Warsaw?
The best time to visit Warsaw is between June and August, when the city enjoys pleasant summer temperatures. Many people want to avoid this tourist season, if you are one of them, choose the pleasant spring or autumn months, when the city has a very special charm.
Photo: Unsplash/Valentyn ChernetskyiWhat should I see in Warsaw?
Warsaw boasts the tallest building in the European Union - Warsaw Tower. The skyscraper, which was designed by the British architectural firm Foster + Partners, comprises as many as 53 glazed floors and a bell tower at the top. It is located in the center of Warsaw, and the entire complex is connected to the main railway station in the city.
But first, go to the old city center, which was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War. Thanks to the reconstruction, which was carried out until 1962, you can now admire the Warsaw city center in all its beauty. All these buildings are post-war replicas of what came before, as the square was first bombed by the Luftwaffe and then blown up by the Germans at the end of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The rebirth of the old city center is an incredible feat that has earned its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Photo: Unsplash/Maksym HarbarWhen you wander through the alleys and passages, churches and town houses, you would not imagine that 70 years ago it was all just a pile of ruins. Almost all of Warsaw's historical sights can be found in a single axis that starts at Castle Square and continues south all the way to Wilanów Palace. The three residences that give the trail its "royal" title are the royal castle at the top, Łazienki Palace in the stunning park of the same name and the Wilanów Palace at the southern end. They all resonate with the wealth and might of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and the real eye-catcher is the mentioned park, otherwise the largest park in the city. At the weekend, this transforms into an attractive retreat for couples and families, who spread out over 76 acres of green space with pavilions, an amphitheater and a planetarium.
It is located not far from the old town POLIN history museum. Seven years in the making, this museum was fully opened in 2014 and documents the thousand-year history of Jews in Poland. Its exterior, designed by the Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamäki, is a real piece of art. Across eight galleries, the central exhibition showcases a mix of authentic artefacts, reconstructions and interactive displays to explain how Poland became home to Europe's largest Jewish community. Later comes the Holocaust, and the stories of the heroic efforts of the Oyneg Shabbos group to archive the truth about the Warsaw Ghetto are in the dark.
Photo: Unsplash/Viktor MalyushevOf course, this is not the only museum in the city. Palace of Culture and Science at 237 meters, it was the tallest building in Poland for a long time, and its 42 floors house four theaters, a multi-screen cinema, two museums, a 3,000-seat congress hall, government offices, academic institutions and private companies. Inspired by Art Deco skyscrapers and Polish historicism, this huge Stalinist complex was "a gift from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland" in 1955.
The other side of this history can be seen in the Warsaw Uprising Museum, which is located in the former tram power station. Probably the most magnificent is the image of Warsaw Castle, which awaits you at the southern entrance to the old town. The castle survived an eventful 700 years, and since the last renovation in the 1980s, the castle has been a museum, where you can see the apartments of King Sigismund II. There is also a collection of paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries by masters such as Rembrandt, van Dyck, Joos van Cleve and Gainsborough.
Photo: Unsplash/Iwona CastielloHow to explore Warsaw?
If you're going to stay downtown, walking is a great way to get around. However, not all of the city's most important things are within walking distance, so you'll likely have to rely on one or more modes of public transportation as well. In this case, we suggest using the subway. The Warsaw metro lines M1 and M2, which intersect at Swietokrzyska Central Station, travel from north to south and east to west to neighborhoods such as Muranów, Praga and Powisle.
How much is a plane ticket to Warsaw?
Return air tickets with Wizz Air from Venice airport start at 48 euros. You can search for flight tickets according to your vacation date HERE.
Photo: Unsplash/Lukasz NiesciorukCovid-19 restrictions in Poland
Poland lifted all restrictions on entering the country in the spring. Check all current information about Covid-19 restrictions HERE.
Accommodation in Warsaw
SleepWell Apartments Ordynacka
Modern and tastefully furnished apartments are located in the center of Warsaw, a few steps away from the lively Nowy Świat street. All feature a flat-screen cable TV and coffee maker, and some even have a four-poster bed. There is a fully equipped kitchenette with a microwave and a refrigerator.
Apple Inn
Apple Inn is located in the very center of Warsaw, 400 meters from the Palace of Science and Culture. It is located in the attic of a renovated 19th-century townhouse, while offering modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and an elevator.
