The capital of Poland is a huge modern metropolis, stretching along both banks of the Vistula. But the advantage of Warsaw is that the lion's share of its attractions (with the exception of a few) is located in the city center, the so-called Old Town. These medieval quarters were built after… the Second World War. Hitler gave a special order to raze the rebellious Warsaw to the ground. All historical buildings were blown up.
But the residents rebuilt their city brick by brick according to old photographs and blueprints. Now tourists often do not even realize that the medieval buildings and cathedrals that they visit were erected in the middle of the twentieth century. One way or another, a tourist will not have to rush from one end of the city to another in search of sights. In this article we will tell you what you can see in Warsaw in one or two days.
Palace of Culture and Science
Immediately next tothe main railway station of the city is a building that is simply impossible not to notice. To a Muscovite, the Palace of Culture and Science will immediately remind one of the seven Stalin skyscrapers. So it is: the building was built in those days. It is still the highest in Poland. In addition, the building has a clock with the second largest dial in the world. True, the Poles are thinking about demolishing this symbol of Soviet rule. But for now, the Palace of Culture and Science is included in the list of attractions in Warsaw.
So that the Stalinist skyscraper does not spoil the view of the ancient city, it was surrounded by modern skyscrapers. Inside, the Palace of Culture and Science is filled with offices, cinemas, and interesting expositions. If you do not know where to go with your child in Warsaw, go up to the observation deck of this building. The height of 123 meters will definitely impress a kid. And you can see the city in all its glory. On Fridays and Saturdays, the playground is also available in the evening, until 23:00.
Sightseeing tour
If a visit to the spire of the Palace of Culture and Science did not clear up the question for you where to go in Warsaw, go to Stare Miasto. The capital of Poland is a budget tourism destination. But if you know some of the nuances, you can not pay for excursions at all. There are at least two companies in Warsaw - "Free Walking Tour" and "Orange Umbrella" - conducting walking tours with an English-speaking guide. Free tours are on such topics:
- Overview (on the main attractions of the Old Town).
- "WarsawJewish” (in the city ghetto with a story about the uprising).
- "City during World War II".
- Warsaw Street Art.
Guide should be sought at the central tourist information point in the Old City. There is no need to pre-register for such excursions.
Warsaw in summer
If we have already touched upon the issue of free entertainment in the capital of Poland, then we cannot fail to mention some festivals where admission is free for everyone. Since the weather “pleases” Warsaw residents with heavy rainfall, all these events take place in summer or during the warm season. From mid-May to September 25 in the royal park "Lazienki" (we will talk about it later) at the monument to Frederic Chopin every Sunday, at noon and at 16:00, there are free concerts where you can listen to the composer's works.
In July-August the Old Town becomes completely jazzy. The Jazz Na Starówce festival has been gathering fans of this musical style from all over the world for several years in a row. And if you are lucky enough to get to the capital of Poland at the turn of July and August, here is another place for you to go in Warsaw. Another festival takes place annually in early September. It is called "Warsaw Singera" and is dedicated to Jewish culture. At this time, concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions and film broadcasts are held in the former ghetto.
Royal Castle
Warsaw was not always the capital of Poland. King Sigismund granted this status to the city. By his order, a palace was built, whichnow is, together with the monument to the Siren, the hallmark of Warsaw. It is located on Castle Square. Fragments of the city's defensive walls have been preserved right next to the castle.
Externally, the palace looks much more modest - a large red brick house. But the interiors are royally luxurious. If you do not know what to see in Warsaw in winter, go straight to the palace. On Sundays, visiting the main attraction of the Polish capital will be free. In the palace, time will fly by unnoticed. Walk through the enfilade of chambers decorated in the early baroque style, visit the Knights' Room, the Diet Hall, the Marble Study.
Walks in the Old City
When leaving the palace, do not rush to leave the Castle Square. Pay attention to the column that rises in the center. Its top is decorated with a sculpture of King Sigismund, the one who made Warsaw his capital. Where else to go in the Old City? Slowly move towards another famous square - Market Square. But you can also enter St. Anne's Church and climb its belfry. The reward for overcoming the spiral steps will be a beautiful view of the entire Old City.
The Market Square is the true heart of Warsaw. Life here is in full swing both during the day and in the evening. Once fairs were held here (as the name of the square testifies), and now it is full of atmospheric restaurants with open terraces. It is good to have a cup of coffee here, admiring the beautiful,buildings painted in pastel colors, as well as to be photographed against the backdrop of the Siren. This mermaid is the symbol of Warsaw. It is believed that she still lives in the Vistula, and in case of danger she stands up with a sword to defend the city.
Hanging Gardens
If you visit the capital of Poland during the warm period, from April 1 to September 30, go from Rynok Square to look for Dobra Street. It is located within a five minute walk. At number 56/66 on Good Street is the University Library - a new glass and concrete building built at the beginning of the 21st century. Neither guidebooks nor tour guides will tell you why it is interesting. But if you are thinking about what to see in Warsaw on your own, you need to see this hidden landmark of the city.
And the University Library is significant for its roof. There, on an area equal to two football fields, there is a beautiful park. It consists of two levels. At the bottom there are ponds with goldfish and ducks. The upper level is a park with winding paths, secluded benches, and spacious green lawns. Entrance to the roof is absolutely free. From morning until sunset, you can admire the planted seasonal flowers, as well as views of the Old Town.
Royal Road
From Sigismund's Palace to Lazienki Park, a long street stretches, fragments of which have names: Krakow Suburb, Novy Svet, Uyazdovsky Avenue, Belvederskaya and Jan Sobieski Streets. But they all constitute the so-called Royal Route. It starts from the Castle Square, and ends at the summer palace of Jan SobieskiLazienki.
All the sights of Warsaw are strung on the thread of the Royal Route, like pearls on a necklace. You just have to go straight south and look around. Then you will see: the Radziwill Palace; the main building of the university; Academy of Fine Arts; monument to Adam Mickiewicz; the monastery church of the Barefoot Carmelite Order, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin; the residence of the President of Poland; Uyazdovsky Palace; Royal Canal.
Lazienki Park
Ask any metropolitan resident where to go in Warsaw and 90% will mention this amazing place. At the end of the 18th century, King Stanislav Poniatowski decided to build a summer residence on the southern outskirts of the city. The whim of the monarch was brought to life by the Italian architect Domenico Merlini.
The main attraction of the complex "Lazienki" is a palace on the water, built in the style of classicism on an artificial island. Around this main building, a park was laid out with greenhouses, gazebos, fountains and ponds. All living creatures feel at ease there - peacocks, chamois, roe deer, swans and squirrels. Many people who know the Polish language wonder why the residence was so named (the word Lazenki is translated as "Bathhouses"). The king bought land for a summer residence from the princes Lubomirsky, who had a bathhouse there.
Where to go in Warsaw in winter
The period from December to early March is not the best time to visit the capital of Poland. The temperature stays at zero, but humid air andthe wind subjectively intensifies the feeling of cold. In addition, at the end of January and February in Warsaw there are severe frosts. But this should not scare away the tourist. Firstly, the open-air sights of Warsaw are concentrated in the center. You can stroll through the streets of the Old Town, see the Market and Castle Square, see the remains of the fortress walls and the barbican in just over an hour.
A tourist in Warsaw has a place to warm up. The city center is literally crammed with cozy coffee shops, fun beer bars, stylish restaurants and cheap eateries. It has long been noted that in winter, more than in summer, museums in Warsaw are more popular. Where to go?
In the reviews of tourists, interesting expositions of the National and Archaeological Museums are mentioned (near the Ratusha metro station). Travelers assure that on Sundays the entrance to the Royal Palace (Castle Square) becomes free. If you are not a lyricist at heart, but a physicist, you will be interested in the interactive Museum of Technology and Scientific Discoveries (Swietokrzyska Street). On Sundays, entry to the Warsaw Uprising Museum becomes free.
What to see in Warsaw with kids
It is best to plan a trip to the capital of Poland with the whole family for the summer. There are many activities available for children during this time. Let's start with the fact that Warsaw's water park Mochidlo is open-air and operates only during the warm season. Slides and water attractions will please not only kids, but also adults. You can’t swim in the Vistula, so Mochidlo with its equipped sandy beachbecomes a favorite summer vacation spot for citizens.
Not far from the city center, on the banks of the river, is the Rope Park with rope rides for both kids and teenagers.
How can you visit Warsaw and not take your child to the zoo? It is interesting because animals, birds and reptiles live in spacious enclosures, where conditions are created for them close to those in which one or another species lives in the wild.
Little Versailles
If you've already seen all the iconic sights and don't know where else to go in Warsaw, head to Wilanów Palace. King Jan Sobieski, having married the French princess Maria Casimire Lagrange d'Arkien, decided to give her a residence that would remind her of her native Versailles as a gift.
A tourist can admire not only the appearance of the palace and the wonderful regular park, but also enter inside. Luxurious chambers showcase a collection of furniture, weapons, knightly vestments and decorative art.
