The Mazovian princes were the first rulers of Warsaw, a fortress they built in the 14th century. The strategic importance of the city's location led to the capital being moved from Krakow to Warsaw in 1596, after the union between Poland and Lithuania. And although Krakow remained the cultural and spiritual capital of Poland, the political and cultural center in Warsaw began to grow rapidly; Wide boulevards and palace-like houses begin to appear around the small Old and New Towns.
Historical photographs of Warsaw
XVIII century characterized by a catastrophic decline for the Polish state as a whole, Warsaw flourished at this time. During that period, a large number of beautiful churches, palaces and parks were built, culture and art were constantly developing. The first, albeit short-lived, European constitution was written in Warsaw in 1791.
In the 19th century Warsaw lost its former position and became an ordinary provincial city of the Russian Empire. After World War I, it once again became the prosperous capital of independent Poland. As a result of the uprising in 1944, the city was destroyed and the few surviving Warsaw residents were forced to evacuate. At the end of the war, the residents of Warsaw returned to their capital and began to restore its historical center.
After the fall of communism, and especially after Poland joined the EU, Warsaw experienced an economic boom that completely changed its economy.
Old Town and Market Square
Old city (Stare Miasto) Warsaw is remarkable in its own right, even if it had not been fully restored after being destroyed during World War II. How extensive was the destruction? Some historians estimate that 85% of the Old City was destroyed. It is impossible not to admire the fact that just 30 years after the end of the war, the Old Town was completely revived - with great attention to the architecture, aesthetics and soul of Warsaw. Competition for restoration projects was very high, and all resources were directed to Warsaw, often at the expense of other cities.
It’s incredible, but the Old Town with its medieval street layout and Renaissance facades looks authentic. The reconstructed quarters are a real monument to the people who refused to admit they were defeated, despite the fact that the city's population had decreased by 2/3. Most of the buildings in the historical center date from the 1950s, but in 1980 the Old Town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It’s probably best to start your tour of Warsaw at the entrance to the Old Town on Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy). Here, against the backdrop of pastel-painted residential buildings with red-tiled roofs, stands a column with a bronze statue of King Sigismund - it was he who moved the capital to Warsaw. The fortress wall that once surrounded the Old Town was demolished in the 19th century, but fragments of it were preserved on one side of the square.
The main object of the square is the Royal Castle, dating back to the 13th century. (Zamek Krolewski, pl. Zamkowy 4, open: Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00, Sun 11.00-16.00, entrance fee). Among the many richly decorated rooms, the main one is the Senatorial Hall, where Warsaw landscapes from the 18th century are exhibited. works by Bernardo Bellotto (nephew of Canaletto).
Interiors of the Royal Palace
To the west of the Royal Road, deep in the Saxon Gardens, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The monument, opened in 1925, is located in the only fragment of a 17th-century Saxon palace that survived the German bombing. The adjacent office building was designed by the famous British architect Norman Foster.
To the south of the Potocki Palace, the entrance to the grounds of the University of Warsaw is marked by a beautiful gate with a traditional Polish eagle at the top. It is the most prestigious of the capital's higher education institutions, the eternal rival of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Several buildings are former palaces, and the oldest dates from 1634.
Saxon Gardens in WarsawIn the Church of the Holy Cross (Kosciol Sw. Krzyza, ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 3) On the opposite side of the street from the university, many famous Poles are buried, including Frederic Chopin. In fact, according to the composer’s will, an urn with his heart is walled up in one of the columns, and his body rests in France.
At the fork in the road there is a monument to another great son of Poland - the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. As the Poles say, with his heliocentric theory, Copernicus “stopped the Sun and set the Earth in motion.” Immediately after the monument, the boulevard turns into Nowy Świat Street - one of the most fashionable streets in Warsaw with chic boutiques and cafes.
A little to the side of it is the Ostrogsky Palace, which houses the Frederic Chopin Museum. (Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina, ul. Okolnik 1, open: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00, entrance fee, www.tifc.chopin.pl). This beautiful palace houses numerous artifacts and memorabilia related to the life of the eminent composer. There are other palaces nearby: the Zamoyski Palace on Foksal Street, the Przeszdecki Palace and the Branicki Palace (Smolna street).
At the National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe, al. Jerozolimskie 3, open: Tue-NT 10.00-18.00, Fri 10.00-20.00, Sat, Sun 10.00-17.00, entrance fee, www.mnw.art.pl) houses a huge collection of works of art - from Roman and Egyptian archaeological finds and medieval art to antique furniture and large exhibitions of Polish and European paintings. Embassies and elegant mansions line the street Ujazdowskie Alleys, and nearby is the Sejm building and two beautiful parks - Ujazdowski and Lazienki; the latter is especially loved by Warsaw residents.
Ujazdowski Palace and Park Complex at different times of the yearJewish Warsaw
In the second half of the 14th century. Thousands of Jews came to Warsaw, but were soon expelled from the city by royal decree. They were again allowed to settle in the city in 1768, and by the beginning of World War II there were about 350 thousand Jews in Warsaw, or 30% of the population. At that time it was the largest Jewish community in Europe. Jewish quarter around Mierów and Muranów streets (between the Palace of Culture and Science and the Jewish Cemetery in the north-west of the city) The Nazis turned it into a ghetto. After the 1943 uprising, German troops entered the quarter and liquidated the ghetto.
Currently, only about 2,000 Jews live in Warsaw. The most striking evidence of the former presence of Jews in Warsaw are the dilapidated buildings on Prozna Street. Their restoration has been entrusted to Jewish foundations, but for now the houses are a bitter reminder of the destruction. Of all the Jewish houses of worship in the city, only the functioning Nozhik synagogue has survived (Synagoga Nozykow, ul. Twarda 6). Another impressive symbol of the suffering suffered by the Jews is a fragment of the ghetto wall (ul. Sienna 55), built in 1940
Even further north is the Jewish Cemetery (Cmentarz Zydowsky), adjacent to the Powązki cemetery and founded in 1780, it makes a depressing impression with its abandonment: many of the 150 thousand gravestones are overturned and are almost invisible behind overgrown branches.
The indignation quickly passes when you remember that the Jewish population of Warsaw (and throughout Poland) was destroyed during the war, and most of the people buried in the cemetery simply did not have relatives left to care for the graves. The monument on Stawki Street commemorates the place from which 300 thousand Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto were sent by rail to the Treblinka concentration camp.
On Zamenhof Street, the monument to the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto recalls the brave but poorly armed Jews who rebelled against their oppressors in 1943. The monument, erected on the spot where the fiercest battles took place for a month, is a bas-relief in which a stone commissioned by the Third Reich in honor of its victory is mounted.
West of the Old Town
Powązki Cemetery (Cmentarz Powqzkowski, ul. Powazkowska 14)- the oldest, largest and most beautiful necropolis of the city, where many famous citizens of Warsaw and all of Poland are buried, from presidents to poets. The cemetery is replete with tombstones and mausoleums of all shapes and sizes, many of which speak of the wealth and nobility of those to whom they sheltered.
Among them there are both lush and rather restrained, and some are decorated with beautiful and expressive sculptures, but all are covered with fluffy light green moss.
Warsaw's new city center next to the central railway station (Warszawa Centralna), roughly halfway between the Old Town and Lazienki Park, is a busy shopping area with numerous banks, hotels and shops, as well as heavy street traffic. The area is probably best known for the building, which has become a symbol of the city, although it is hated by most Warsaw residents. This is the Palace of Culture and Science (Palac Kultury i Nauki, pl. Defilad 1)- a Stalinist-style building built in 1955, a gift from the Soviet government to the Polish people; tallest building in Warsaw (231 m). Inside there are numerous shops and galleries, and from the observation deck on the 30th floor there is a view of the city and the Masovian Plain, if the smog does not interfere. After the collapse of communism, a debate arose in society about what to do with this unpopular building.
Lazienki Palace
Although many of the most valuable works of art were stolen or destroyed, the palace, which was not badly damaged during World War II, still has one of the largest collections of portraits from the 16th to 19th centuries in Poland. The first floor of the palace is the most luxurious; The Great Crimson Room is a dining room converted into an art gallery.
After visiting the castle, be sure to take a walk through the Italian park, paying attention to the luxurious external decoration of the palace in the Baroque style, the English and Chinese gardens, and the Roman bridge. Near the entrance to the palace grounds there is - somewhat unexpectedly - the Poster Museum (Muzeum Plakatu, ul. Potockiego 10-16, Wilanow, open: Tue-Sun 10.00-16.00, Mon 12.00-16.00, entrance fee), dedicated to the masterpieces of international poster art, a medium that today has gained worldwide recognition.
Tram rides
Warsaw tram (there are about 30 routes in total)- an excellent way to get around the city. On most city maps, tram stops and routes are indicated in red.
Chopin in summer
If you come to Warsaw in the summer, come to the Chopin monument on Sunday afternoon, when concerts are held here. The statue, lakes and surrounding park all create the perfect atmosphere for Chopin's romantic music.
Firefighting Museum
Interesting and free entertainment for children - Firefighting Museum (Muzeum Historii i Techniki Pozarniczej, ul. Chlodna 3, open: Mon-Fri 9.00-14.00). The door is always locked and visitors must ring the bell. A free booklet in English is offered inside the museum.
Accommodation
It will come as no surprise to anyone to learn that Warsaw is the most expensive city in Poland, and housing prices are corresponding. However, those who cannot afford such luxury can stay in one of the inexpensive hostels.
Food
Those who prefer to do without restaurants can purchase food in supermarkets and shopping malls.
Entertainment
Night clubs
Warsaw has no shortage of great clubs. Look for them in the areas of streets such as Mazowiecka, Sienkiewicz, and Nowy Świat. In July and August, on Saturday evenings (from 19.00) free jazz concerts are held in the small market square of the Old Town.
Representation
Most tickets for theater performances can be purchased at ZASP Kasy Teatralne (Tel: 22 621 9454; Jerusalem Alleys, 25; 09.00-19.00 Mon-Fri) or in the EMPiK Wars & Sawa shopping center (Marshalovskaya st., 116/122); on the Royal Road (Novy Svyat St., 15/17).
Cinemas
Instead of watching Polish TV in your room, go to the central cinema Kino Atlantic (ul Chmielna, 33) or Kinoteka, imbued with the pathos of a bygone era (Plac Defilad Square, 1), which is located in the Palace of Culture and Science.
Hotel deals
Warsaw Tourist Card
www.warsawcard.com; for 1/3 day - 35/65zt
Provides a discount or the right to free entry to museums and public transport. Some theaters, sports centers and restaurants are also covered by the card. You can purchase such a card at the tourist office and some hotels.
All travel agencies will offer you free city maps and booklets, such as “Warsaw in Short” and “the Visitor”. You can buy maps of other cities in Poland; here they will also help you book a hotel room.
Look for free travel monthlies such as Faces and Welcome to Warsaw. You can also get a lot of useful information from Warsaw Insider (9.90zt) and "Warsaw in Your Pocket" (5zt). Travel Bureau (Tel.: 22 19431; www.warsawtour.pl) Old city (Old Town Market, 19; 09.00-21.00 May - September, 09.00-19.00 October - April); Okecie airport ; main hall of the Warszawa Centralna railway station (08.00-20.00 May - September, 08.00-19.00 October - April).
Warsaw Tourist Information Center (Warsaw Tourist Information Center) (Tel.: 22 6351881; www.wcit.waw.pl; Castle Square; 09.00-18.00 Mon-Fri, 10.00-18.00 Sat and Sun) Very helpful and friendly private travel agency in the Old Town.
Travel agency
- Orbis Travel (Tel.: 22 827 7140; Bracka str. 16)
- Our Roots (Tel.: 22 620 0556; Tvarda St., 6) Excursions to places representing the heritage of Jewish culture.
- Trakt (Tel.: 22 827 8068; www.trakt.com.pl; Kredytowa street)
Urban transport
Airport connection
The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center is bus number 175, which runs every 10-15 minutes. It goes through Warsaw Central and ul. Novy Svyat to the final stop on Sq. Piłsudski, which is 500 m from Castle Square in the Old Town. If you arrive after midnight, you will be saved by bus number 32, which goes to Warsaw Central every half hour.
A taxi from the airport will cost about 40-45 zt. "Official" taxi (with company name, telephone number and established tariffs) can be ordered from the official taxi counters in the International Arrivals Hall.
Automobile
Traffic in Warsaw is not a gift. However, it makes sense to rent a car if you are planning to travel outside the city. You can learn about the main car rental companies from the local press. These include, among others, Avis (Tel.: 22 650 4872; www.avis.pl),Hertz (Tel.: 22 5001620; www.hertz.com.pl) and Sixt (Tel.: 22 511 1550; www.sixt.pl).
Public transport
Public transport in Warsaw operates from 05.00 to 23.00. A tax of 2.80 zt is valid for one trip by bus, tram, trolleybus or metro. Warsaw is the only city in Poland where the ISIC card (international student ID) Entitles you to receive a discount on public transport.
There are tickets valid for 60/90 minutes (4/6zt), one day (9zt), three days (16zt), a week (32zt) or month (68zt). They can be purchased at kiosks (including those marked “RUCH”) and then activate (validate) in transport.
The metro line starts in the suburb of Urszynów (Ursynow)- station "Kabaty" (Kabaty) in the southern part of the city and ends in the north of Warsaw, in Mlociny (Mtociny) passes through the center (Centrum). However, this type of transport is not particularly popular among visitors. Local commuter trains depart from the Warsaw Sródmieście station (Warszawa SrodmieScie).
Taxi
Taxi is a fast and convenient way to get around the city, at least if you use the services of official taxi companies, and they, in turn, are metered. Avoid the “mafia” of private taxi drivers who wait near large hotels, at the airport, in the area of the Central Railway Station and near many attractions.
How to get there
Airplane
(www.lotnisko-chopina.pl) more often called Okęce (Okecie). The travel agency is very conveniently located in the arrival hall of the second terminal. In the arrivals hall you can use an ATM and one of the exchange offices. There are also car rental companies, luggage storage and a newsstand where you can buy tickets for public transport.Bus
There are two main bus stations in Warsaw from which PKS buses depart. Dworzec Zachodnia (Western Bus Station; www.pksbilety.pl; Jerusalem Alleys, 144) is the departure point for both capital buses traveling in the southern, northern and western directions, and intercity buses making eleven trips a day to Częstochowa (Czestochowa; 41zt, three and a half hours), 13 to Gdansk (53zt, six hours), seven to Krakow (48zt, six hours), 11 to Olsztyn (Olsztyn; 48zt, four and a half hours), 15 to Torun (42zt, four hours), five to Wroclaw (54zt, seven hours) and five to Zakopane (60zt, eight hours). This station is located in the southwest of the central part of the city, next to the Zachodnia railway station (Western). You can get there by commuter train, which departs from Srodmiescie station (Sredmiescie).
Dworzec Stadium (stadion bus station, www.pksbilety.pl; Sokola street) is located next to the railway station of the same name. You can easily get here from the Sredmiescie station. Domestic flights depart from the Stadium every day to the east and southeast, including 16 to Lublin (23zt, three hours), four to Bialystok (Biatystok; 33zt, three and a half hours) and three to Zamosc (Zamosc; 35zt, 4 hours 45 minutes).
International bus routes depart and arrive at the Western bus station, sometimes at the Central one. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office of the Western bus station, from agencies at the railway station or at any serious transport bureau in the city. Eurolines Polska (www.eurolinespolska.pl) serves a huge number of flights throughout Eastern and Western Europe. There are flights, for example, to destinations such as Amsterdam (225zt, 22 hours, four flights per week), Cologne (200zt, 20.5 hours, daily), London (300zt, 27 hours, four flights per day), Paris (260zt, 26.5 hours, four flights per week), Rome (370zt, 28 hours, three flights per week) and Vienna (175zt, 13 hours, four flights per week).
Railway
There are several railway stations in Warsaw, but the main one is Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central; Jerusalem Alleys, 54).
Warsaw Central is not always the final or initial departure station, so be careful when getting on or off the train. Also keep a close eye on your luggage and pockets - anything can happen.
The main hall of the station has ticket offices, ATMs, snack bars, as well as a post office, newsagents and a tourist office. At the underground level, where the exits to the platforms are located, there are several round-the-clock exchange offices and storage lockers (including automatic), snack bars, ticket offices for public transport, Internet cafes and bookstores.
Tickets for domestic and international trains are available at the station ticket office (however, be prepared that you may have to wait in line for about an hour). They can also be bought at numerous ticket offices in the underground passages leading to Warsaw Central.
Some domestic trains stop at the Warsaw Sródmiescie station, which is 300 m east of Tsentralna, as well as at Zapadnaya, which is located next to the Western bus station.
Warsaw from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Warsaw.
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Warsaw is the capital of Poland and the largest city in Europe. Having survived many shocks and conquests, she carefully preserved to this day the most valuable things from each of her eras. People come to Warsaw to wander the streets of the Old Town and the picturesque embankments of the Vistula, stroll through the vast Lazienki Park and see the Church of the Holy Cross, where Chopin’s heart rests. Despite the fact that the city was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, its historical quarters have reliably recreated the appearance and atmosphere of antiquity. The Royal Castle, St. John the Baptist's Cathedral and other iconic buildings were restored from 17th and 18th century designs.
At the beginning of the last century, Warsaw was called the Paris of the East for its beauty and originality.
The capital of Poland attracts not only connoisseurs of architecture and history buffs, but also lovers of shopping and vibrant nightlife. And everyone will want to get acquainted with such gastronomic attractions as “bigos” and “flyaki” accompanied by traditional “zubrovka” or local beer.
How to get to Warsaw
The fastest way to get to the Polish capital is to use air travel. Planes between Moscow and Warsaw operate 4 times a day, and there are direct flights from St. Petersburg. The journey by rail will take 19 hours - a branded train runs daily from the Belorussky railway station in Moscow. Warsaw bus stations accept buses from all European destinations, including Moscow. This trip option is the longest, but also the cheapest. For more detailed information on how to get to Warsaw, read the thematic page.
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Districts of Warsaw
Warsaw, like all major historical cities, stands on a river, and its name is Vistula. The river divides the capital of Poland into two parts, flowing from north to south. On the left bank is the old city with most of the attractions and hotels, the right bank is less interesting for tourists, there are residential areas.
The center of Warsaw includes the districts of Srodmiescie, Wola, Mokotow, Zoliborz, Ochota, Praga Połnoc and Praga Południe - a mix of modern architecture, industrial "bald spots" and fashionable residential areas.
Northern Warsaw consists of the undistinguished districts of Bielany and Białołeka. Western Warsaw consists of the Bemowo, Włochy and Ursus districts, and also has little interesting to show the tourist.
But in the south of the city (Ursynow and Wilanow) you can see the Wilanow Palace. And in Ursynow there is a historical national park and reserve, which houses the European College in the building of the Potocki Palace. And finally, Eastern Warsaw, where travelers have nothing to do, consisting of the districts of Targowek, Rembertow, Wawer and Wesoła.
Transport
Warsaw public transport includes buses, trams and metro. The first ones run according to a schedule, at each stop there is a schedule of routes, and it is also written which bus arrives at a certain time - a regular one or a low-floor one (for those in a wheelchair). Tickets cost from 3.40 to 7 PLN, daily ticket price - 15-26 PLN (depending on the coverage area), weekend ticket (from 19:00 Friday to 8:00 Monday) - 24 PLN, 3-day ticket - 36-57 PLN. They are all universal, there is no division by type of transport, but they must be composted. It makes sense to purchase a subscription only if you plan to stay in Warsaw for a month (110 PLN). For a group of up to 5 people, it is profitable to buy a group weekend ticket for 40 PLN. Prices on the page are for April 2019.
Tickets can be purchased at kiosks or from the driver (payment will be required in “fractional”, that is, in small change).
Bicycle lovers will love Warsaw - the city is flat, there are bike paths everywhere. From March 1 to November 30, the Veturilo bicycle sharing system operates - 368 stations and about 5,319 bicycles, including children's, electric and tandem bicycles. Those wishing to use it must register on the website and pay an initial fee of 10 PLN. You can ride for free for 20 minutes, and then time-based pricing begins (from 21 to 60 minutes - 1 PLN, the second hour - 3 PLN, the third - 5 PLN, the fourth and each subsequent hour - 7 PLN; prices for electric bicycle rental are higher). The terms and conditions can be found at the official website. website.
Maps of Warsaw
Rent a Car
The offices of large international car rental companies, such as Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, are located in the arrivals hall of the airport. Frederic Chopin. They do not work around the clock, so it is impossible to rent a car at night. It is more profitable to book a car in advance via the Internet - the price will be lower and there will be more choice. In general, there should be no problems with renting - there are many rental points in the city.
The traffic jams that Warsaw residents complain about cannot be compared with those in the capital - they are more likely to be traffic jams lasting 5-10 minutes.
There are parking lots in the center, but they are more expensive than on the outskirts. There are park-and-ride stations near the metro stations - you can leave your car there and continue your trip by public transport. In the city center, parking is paid from 8:00 Monday to 18:00 Friday. The first hour costs 0.50 EUR, the second and third, etc. - a little more. Warsaw parking meters are no different from Moscow ones.
Communications and Wi-Fi
There are 4 main cellular operators in Poland: Play, T-Mobile, Orange and Plus. They offer a variety of tariffs - in addition to communications, the package of services also includes mobile Internet. You can purchase SIM cards from operators at official representative offices. Foreigners must present a passport with a valid visa when purchasing. You can top up your phone account via the Internet or at any grocery store at the checkout - to do this, just name the amount and mobile operator. The receipt received after payment will contain a USSD code - in order for the money to be credited, it must be entered from your phone.
Free Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels in Warsaw - at least in the lobby area. Internet access is also provided by many cafes and restaurants - McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and Costa Coffee. You can freely connect to the Internet in the Old Town and Krakowskie Przedmiescie, at train stations, airports, libraries and parks.
One day in the life of the city of Warsaw
Warsaw Hotels
The best hotels in Warsaw are located near the Central Railway Station. Five-star comfort includes a good location - the Old Town is just 20 minutes on foot. The cost of a standard double room in the Warsaw “five” is from 450 PLN. The most luxurious hotel is considered to be one with a rich historical past - Bristol Warsaw, next to the Presidential Palace - rooms cost from 700 PLN.
Another interesting area for living is Śródmieście. This area between the Central Station and the Vistula River is notable for its early 20th century architecture. There are mainly apartments here, where it is profitable for families or large groups to stay for a long time. A spacious apartment with two bedrooms and a kitchen can be rented for 220-400 PLN per day. An overnight stay in the Old Town - the most beautiful and authentic place in Warsaw - will cost the same.
Those tourists who consider Warsaw as a transit point will find it convenient to stay in one of the airport hotels. Budget option - from 140 to 300 PLN per day.
Shopping
Shopping in Warsaw can be postponed until Sunday - most malls are open on this day. The most popular supermarkets are located in the center: the Golden Terraces shopping center near the railway station, the Arcadia shopping center near the Dworzec Gdanski metro station and the Mokotov Gallery between Wilanow and the center. In addition to popular global chain brands, they feature Polish stores where you should pay attention to knitwear, clothing, shoes, leather goods and jewelry.
A local cosmetic product that is always popular among Polish women of all ages is Tisane honey-vanilla lip balm. It is inexpensive and sold at any pharmacy.
Traditionally, Polish cosmetics are brought from Warsaw - there are many inexpensive and popular brands. They can be found in the Rossmann and Super-Pharm chain stores. “Delicious” souvenirs are sold in all major shopping centers - chocolate, tea, cheeses, sausages in beautiful retro-style packaging are offered by the Krakowski Kredens brand (website with English version). Fans of budget shopping should pay attention to the market-fair “Marivilska 44” - this is a huge indoor market with an assortment of inexpensive goods. It is recommended to make profitable purchases at the Factory-Urus and Factory-Annopolis outlets - during the sales period, discounts on discounted collections of your favorite companies reach 80%.
Cuisine and restaurants of Warsaw
For everyday food in Warsaw, Bar Mleczny milk bars are the best choice. These unpretentious-looking establishments offer delicious home-cooked food at affordable prices. The menu only includes egg and milk dishes, no meat or alcohol. The Familijny bar is considered the most popular and one of the most inexpensive. It is located on the Novy Svet promenade - to get into it you will have to wait in line. In addition, on weekdays even reputable restaurants offer set lunches for 10-15 PLN. International fast food chains in the Polish capital are represented by KFC, Burger King, McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts.
Many establishments, such as Polka, prepare national dishes; here you can enjoy local delicacies - try “zhurka”, “tartar” or “bigos”.
Vegetarians will be able to eat in a cafe with the telling name “The Cow is Alive” (Krowarzywa).
Dumplings, called pies in Poles, are worth trying at the Zapiecek brand chain. The chain of fast and healthy food restaurants North Fish serves fish dishes with a variety of side dishes and salads; Asian food is offered by the Duza Mi-ha chain. Coffee in Warsaw is sold on every corner for 8-16 PLN; a popular chain of coffee shops is Green Cafe Nero. Galeria wypiekow, Pialna czekolady and Cukiernia Sowa specialize in desserts and baked goods. Ice cream lovers should look out for the Grycan sign, a chain of shops selling ice cream and other sweet treats.
- How cafes and shops work in Warsaw on Catholic Christmas
Guides in Warsaw
The best photos of Warsaw
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The heart of Warsaw, Stare Miasto, cannot boast of its large size - it is not difficult to walk around the Old Town in a couple of hours. It ends with a popular tourist street - Krakowskie Przedmieście, which is decorated with many notable buildings - the Tyszkiewicz and Czapski palaces, the oldest hotel "Bristol", the Academy of Fine Arts, monuments to Poniatowski, Mickiewicz and Prus. Musical benches are placed along its entire length.
All objects of the Old Town were rebuilt with great love and attention. For this, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of reliable restoration and reconstruction of destroyed heritage.
After sitting on the steps of the ancient amphitheater and walking through the shady alleys of gardens from the 18th to 20th centuries, head to Lazienki Krolewskie, Warsaw's most famous park complex and one of the places untouched by the war. Free admission. Another free entertainment is Fountain Park. In the summer, multimedia shows are held here on Fridays and Saturdays.
It will tell about the life of this unique scientist, in whose honor a chemical element is even named. In Łazienki there is the Chopin Museum, which displays the great composer's handwritten scores and musical instruments, as well as his personal belongings, death mask and handprint.
One of the most beautiful Warsaw buildings depicted on postcards is the House under the Lion.
The best observation deck is located on the Polish “Stalinist” high-rise building - the Palace of Culture and Science, and the most beautiful view of Castle Square opens from the Church of St. Anne. Another place at the “height” is the botanical garden on the roof of the Warsaw Library.
5 things to do in Warsaw
- Take a photo at the symbol and oldest monument of the city - the Little Mermaid sculpture.
August
September
October
november
December
Summer in Warsaw can be either very hot or quite mild, Central European, in a word, everything is like in Moscow. It is worth keeping in mind that most hotels do not have air conditioning. In the evening, on the contrary, you may need a jacket. Winters in the Polish capital are quite severe; there are also snowfalls, which slow down traffic a little, but decorate the city with exquisite white lace. The hottest month is July; January is usually cold.
I know that Warsaw is not very popular among tourists, because visually it does not look as remarkable as other European capitals. However, we must remember that it was completely destroyed during the war, and was subsequently restored. In general, there is something to see, but the choice is not very large, 1-2 days will be enough.
What to see in Warsaw
Palace Square (Castle Square)
The entrance is free.
Palace Square at Christmas
Royal Lazienki Park
Entrance fee: An entrance ticket to the Lazienki Museums for an adult visitor costs from 5 to 10 zlotys. The cost of one-day passes to visit all museums in the summer costs 25 zlotys (in winter - 20 zlotys). On Thursdays - free.
Market Square
It was founded at the end of the 14th century and throughout its history had an unchanged form: fairs, folk festivals, and holidays were always held here. Most of the ancient buildings were destroyed during the Second World War and reconstructed in recent decades. The square houses one of the most famous attractions - the sculpture of the Warsaw Siren, a symbol of the city. Also located here is the House of Culture, the Museum of Literature and the Historical Museum.
The entrance is free.
Museum-Palace in Wilanova
At the end of the 17th century, this castle was built for King John III Sobieski. The palace has a long and interesting history: it has changed many aristocratic owners, each of whom made their own changes to the architecture and structures of the palace. Elizaveta Siniavska, August the Strong, Jan Sigmund Deibel, Isabella Lubomirska, the Princes Potocki - this is an incomplete list of celebrities who lived in the Wilanów Palace. Now there is a museum with an exhibition of portraits of Polish monarchs from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The palace is surrounded, as usual, by a beautiful garden on two levels, with a lake and a cascading stream.
Entrance fee: PLN 20 per adult.
Warsaw Historical Museum
Located on the Market Square in the Old Town. It is located in eleven houses and has three ancient courtyards. The museum's exhibitions are mainly devoted to the history of Warsaw. It was opened in 1939. Exhibits in 60 rooms tell the history of the city and its citizens from the founding of Warsaw to the present day.
Entrance fee: about 9 zlotys per adult.
Palace of Culture and Science
It was built in 1952-1955 according to the idea of Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin himself as a gift from the Soviet people to the Polish. It is the tallest building in Warsaw: 237 meters and 42 floors. There are also many institutions there: libraries, theaters, post offices, museums, company offices and even the Polish Academy of Sciences. Huge halls for conferences, concerts, performances and exhibitions, and, of course, an observation deck from where you can admire the view of the city. In 2000, on New Year's Eve, the second largest clock in Europe was opened at the top of the building. Today it is the tallest tower clock in the world. .
Entrance fee: from 18 zlotys per adult.
Krakowskie Przedmieście
Krakowskie Przedmieście is one of the most famous tourist routes in Warsaw. It will take more than one hour to see all the sights of this place. The avenue starts from Castle Square and leads south, connecting the modern center of Warsaw and the Old Town. Walking around Krakow Przedmieście, you can see the Kazimierz Palace (Warsaw University, famous all over the world), the Academy of Fine Arts, the Church of St. Anna, several monuments and two luxury hotels. The movement of passenger cars along the avenue is prohibited - you can only travel here by taxi and passenger buses.
The entrance is free.
National Museum
One of the oldest museums in Warsaw, yet equipped in the most modern style. Founded in 1862. Its halls house more than 800 thousand exhibits in 17 different collections. A number of unique galleries will be of interest to connoisseurs of art and history: Faras Gallery, Gallery of Medieval Art and many others. The largest painting in Poland, “The Battle of Grunwald” by Jan Matejko, is also kept here. History and venerable antiquity coexist here with ultra-modern lighting and exhibition technology. The museum building is an architectural masterpiece in the Art Nouveau style. The museum is located on the banks of the Vistula, next to the Na Książniec park.
Entrance fee: from 15 zlotys per adult.
Copernicus Science Center
The center was opened in 2010 with the support of the President of the City of Warsaw. This institution combines the functions of an exhibition center, an educational institution, a research institute and a testing ground for discoveries and experiments. The idea of combining education, popularization of science and an operating scientific center in one project really arouses interest and respect - this is confirmed by the endless flow of tourists. It is worth saying that there is no clear route or visiting program: the person decides for himself what he wants to see and what to try. This will be helped by modern multimedia equipment, electronic signs and generally ubiquitous high-tech. Planetariums, numerous exhibitions on natural sciences and the natural world, a physics laboratory, a robot workshop, themed workshops, as well as the support of a number of scientific projects have made this place one of the most impressive attractions in Warsaw.
Entrance fee: from 27 zlotys per adult.
Multimedia Fountain Park
A multimedia fountain is a complex of hydraulic, musical and lighting devices combined under the control of a single system. The park is simultaneously a work of art, an architectural complex and a tool for creating a light and sound show. The design is based on two huge fountains, the so-called water organ. 367 nozzles simultaneously emit 30 thousand liters of water. The jets are illuminated by three hundred multi-colored reflectors. All this is complemented by an amazingly beautiful laser show. The multimedia fountains at Podzamcze are located near the Vistula and the Old Town of Warsaw.
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