Warsaw city guide
Warszawa (English: Warsaw), is the capital and largest city of Poland. Located on the Vistula River, in Mazowieckie voivodeship, Warsaw has about 1.729 million residents and it covers around 516.9 square kilometers. However, the entire agglomeration covers about 6,100.43 square kilometers and about 2.666 million residents. In 2012 ranked as the 32nd most livable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit and one of the most attractive cities to live in Central and Eastern Europe.
Things to do and see in Warsaw by category
For those more goal-oriented here is the list of different attractions and activities available in Warsaw grouped in four categories.
Active exploring in Warsaw
Address: the centre of Warszawa
Opening hours: all the time
Length of visiting: unrestricted fun
Price: depending on the restaurant/cafe
Explore the Warszawa’s Old City
The Old City is vibrant with life. You can hear Warsaw’s bugle-call and ride in a hackney carriage admiring the beauty of Polish architecture. You can also take a walk around the market square, see sparkling fountains and meet the famous mermaid. Not to mention enjoying life in one of the many beer gardens.
Address: Al. Ks. J. Poniatowskiego 1
Opening hours: 10am-9pm
Price: depending on the ticket: 5-80 PLN
National Stadium
It was built for the occasion of UEFA EURO 2012. It can hold around 58,000 of people! It’s open to visitors (they are even allowed to go and see the changing-rooms) so everyone can feel like an international footballer.
Address: basically look for the river to find other attractions
Length of visiting: depends on your strenght and how much time you have
Price: free of charge unless you want to visit some pubs
Walk along the Vistula riverbank
The Vistula’s riverbanks give you an exceptional chance to spend your time actively or to spend your time by chilling-out solo or with your friends. Use one of many running or cycling routes, play volleyball on the city beach or simply sit down on the green grass around the river. However, if you’re more into eating/drinking you can’t miss the great pubs, cafes and bars that will serve you almost anything your dream of. What else can we say – go there and take a look yourself!
Address: Plac Teatralny 1
Opening hours: 9am-7pm
Price: depends on the show
Watch a play in The Teatr Wielki
One of the most modern theatres in Europe. It also has the biggest opera stage in the world. The auditorium can hold up to 1,828 people, so quite a lot. The theatre is also the residence of the National Opera, National Theatre and Theatre Museum.
Address: ul. Wybrzeże Helskie 1/5
Opening hours: depends on the weather (call 666 666 957)
Length of visiting: various
Price:from 30 up to 120 PLN
Discover a monkey in yourself in the Rope Park
It is a special place prepared for adventure seekers. It doesn’t matter if you have or have not tried it before. The park is the perfect place for a family day-trip as well as an unforgettable first date. It is also a wonderful replacement for sitting in front of a computer all the time! So pull yourself together and go!
Address: ul. Ratuszowa 1/3
Opening hours: 9am-6pm
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Price: 15 – 20 PLN
Get wild in the ZOO
Warszawa’s zoo may not be the biggest one in Poland but is certainly one of the best. It holds 553 species of animals. It’s better to go there in the morning – you will avoid long queues and in the morning animals are more active. Let’s take, for instance, polar bears, who tend to play together in water during morning hours.
Address: ul. Pulawska 113a
Opening hours: 10am-6pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Price: 4-8 PLN
Królikarnia
It’s a classical palace in Warszawa where art exhibitions are organized. In the 17th century it was the place where people used to hunt for rabbits (hence the name: królik = rabbit). Around the palace, there is a park holding the same name where Sculpture Park is located, presenting selected works from the National Museum.
Culture hotspots in Warsaw
Type: monumental/attraction
Address: Plac Defilad 1
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Price: depens on the ticker, see the website
The Palace of Culture and Science
Being 230 metres tall, the Palace of Culture is not only the highest building in Warsaw, but also in Poland. What is more, a clock is placed on the top of the palace, being the highest situated clock in the world. The palace itself holds many institutions and companies like a cinema, theatre, libraries, museums and even concert and congress halls.
Type: castle
Address: Plac Zamkowy 4
Opening hours: 11am-6pm
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Price: depends on the ticet, prices start from 14 PLN
Visit The Royal Castle
Since the 16th century the castle has been the main royal residence in Poland. During World War II it was razed to the ground by Germans but fortunately the authorities decided to rebuild it so that we could admire it now. In the castle itself you can marvel at many stunning halls and rooms which take a great pride in their design and architecture. Recently, new exhibitions have been established so make sure you have plenty of time to see them.
Museums & monuments in Warsaw
Type: museum
Address: ul. Grzybowska 79
Opening hours: 10am – 6pm
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Price: 10-100 PLN
Warsaw Uprising Museum
Opened in 2004, it is probably the most eagerly visited museum in Poland. Why? Because the authors and creators of the museum decided to get rid of boring exhibitions and instead combined history with modern means of displays and presentations. In such a way we can learn about the history from audiovisual materials, photographs or films. Definitely worth visiting!
Address: ul. Wybrzeze Kosciuszkowskie 20
Opening hours: 10am-7pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Price: 16 PLN – discounted, 25 PLN – normal
Internet: www.kopernik.org.pl
Copernicus Science Centre
If you are tired of boring museums, where you have to be quiet and you mustn’t touch anything, the Copernicus Science Centre is a perfect place for you. You can touch and see everything and the more you shout and scream the better! Why? Because the volume of your scream is directly proportional to, for example, the amount of water flowing. The centre is great especially for children who prefer fun to, well, standard museums.
Type: castle
Address: Al. Ujazdowskie 6
Opening hours: 12am-7pm
Price: 6-20 PLN
Ujazdowski Castle
Located by the Wisla river, Ujazdowski Castle attracts many visitors. It is a former princely residence and a hospital. Today, it holds an excellent Modern Art Centre and beneath the building itself you can wander around Agrykola Park.
Address: ul. Pańska 3
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Price: free
Museum of Modern Art
If you’re into art – you definitely need to go here and we shouldn’t really have to try to convince you. If you’re taking your first steps into the world of art you couldn’t find many better places to start from than the Museum of Modern Art. Why? It gives you the answers to all the questions regarding modern art and the people behind it. It is an absolute must see, especially as they have tours for foreigners!
Type: museum
Address: ul. Dzielna 24/26
Opening hours: 9am-4pm
Price: 5-8 PLN
Museum of the prison “Pawiak”
The museum is a commemoration of the prison “Pawiak”, existing in from 1939 to 1944. It was the biggest political prison at that time, owned by the gestapo – the official secret police of Nazi Germany and German-occupied Europe. You can go and see where and in what conditions the prisoners were kept and learn a bit about Polish history.
Address: ul. Kozia 11
Opening hours: 10am-6pm
Price: 4-15 PLN
Caricature Museum
In its collection, it hold many photographs, graphics and paintings connected to satire and caricature. What’s interesting, you can find there works from both Polish and foreign authors. The museum is the perfect place for people with great sense of humour so if you have one, you should definitely visit it!
Address: Plac Defilad 1
Opening hours: 10am-17pm
Price: 8-14 PLN
Museum of Science
Located in the Palace of Culture, the museum is a paradise for technology lovers. You can explore there how the telephone works, become absorbed with electronics, engineering and physics or see how the radio emits sounds. There are a lot of permanent exhibitions but from time to time you can also see some temporary ones like an exhibition about creating a famous model of car, namely the Ford-T.
Chilling out in Warsaw
Address: Warszawa, Al. Ujazdowskie/ul.Gagarina/ul.Belwederska
Opening hours: 7am-9pm
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Price: depends on the ticket
Warszawa’s Royal Łazienki
An amazing and magical place right in the centre of Warsaw. It is a huge garden, which was used as a summer residence by king Stanislaw August. It is divided into three parts, namely the Royal Garden, Belweder Garden and Modernist Garden. Apart from lots of greenery, you can admire there the Palace on an Island or Amphitheatre. It is a great place for evening walks and relaxing.
Address: Warszawa, Al. Ujazdowskie
Opening hours: 8am-9pm
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Price: admission free
Ujazdowski Park
One of the most beautiful parks in Warsaw. It has a playground for children, lots of greenery and a pond. What is, however, most interesting is the fact that you can find there personal scales! There is also bad news for sports enthusiasts – you cannot rollerblade or ride a bike in the park. But you can walk, jump, sit and run!
Address: Warszawa, ul. Dobra 56/66
Opening hours: 9am-6pm
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Warsaw University’s Garden
The garden is located on the roof of the library and is one of the most beautiful roof gardens in Europe. It is around 10 thousand square metres and is divided into two parts – upper and lower. Visitors may admire many plants, not only coming from Poland but also from India, China and Ethiopia. It is also the perfect place for leisure and a great viewpoint.
Address: Warszawa, ul. Królewska/ul. Marszałkowska
Opening hours: 24/7
Length of visiting: unrestricted
Saski Garden
It is one of the oldest public parks in Poland. It is located in the centre of Warsaw, near the Polish National Opera. Apart from taking a walk and riding a bike, one may admire here many sculptures, sundials and a beautiful fountain. It is also a great place for children since it has a big playground and lots of greenery.
Address: Warszawa, ul. Tamka 49
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 11am – 6pm, Saturday 11 am – 5:30pm, Sunday 1pm – 5:30pm
Length of visiting: it’s a secret!
Price: from 10 PLN per person
Candy Manufacture
We all love sweets and if somebody tells you differently they are probably lying. Now, you have a great chance to make your own personal candy, show it to your friends and…eat it at the end. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Anyways, by going to the Candy Manufacture you agree to be surrounded by sugar, sweets, candies and be strong enough not to try to eat all of them at once.
Address: Warszawa, ul. Nowy Świat 22/28
Opening Hours: almost 24/7
Length of visiting: depends on how strong your head is
Price: you decide!
Pawilony Nowy Swiat
Pawilony Nowy Świat was built in 1972 and during that time they were the place where merchants and craftsmen offered their goods and services to the people of Warsaw. Nowadays, the place itself remains almost untouched but it’s not a trade place anymore but a place of discussion, culture, live music, meetings and fun. Go there and choose one of many different pubs, bars and clubs to enjoy your time there.
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