Warsaw has emerged from the war-torn destruction of World War II as a resplendent city, and Poland’s capital now thrums with an energy all its own. A colorful confection of 17th-century townhouses gives Old Town Square Market enchanting charm; the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto (Getto Zydowskie) is a poignant reminder of the past; and St. John’s Cathedral (Katedra Sw Jana) never fails to impress with its Gothic grandeur. See all of the visual treats and more on a sightseeing tour—explore in a Communist-era van or retro Fiat, on a Segway, or on a walking tour. Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum near Krakow, a former Nazi concentration camp, makes for an accessible day trip, and offers insight into Poland’s sobering past; while excursions to Gdansk and medieval Malbork showcase the beauty of Poland’s architecture. Music lovers can enjoy a Frederic Chopin piano concerto or visit the birthplace of the renowned composer in Masovian Country, revelers can capture Warsaw’s party spirit on a bar crawl, culture connoisseurs can learn about the city’s communist and Jewish heritage at the Life Under Communism Museum (Czar PRL), and history buffs can admire countless historic monuments on The Royal Way in Warsaw, home to the Royal Castle and Wilanow Palace.
Warsaw celebrates summer with a jam-packed roster of outdoor festivals such as Midsummer’s Eve, Warsaw Fashion Street, and Summer Jazz Days. Be sure to pack an umbrella as, even in summer, rainstorms are likely. In early fall, crowds disperse and hotel prices drop, and October sees the Warsaw Film Festival kick off.
Local Currency Polish Zloty (PLN) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +48 | Language(s) Polish | Attractions 14 | Tours 479 | Reviews 6,126 |
Warsaw is known for Warsaw Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was lovingly rebuilt after its destruction in World War II, the Warsaw Royal Castle, and parks and palaces. Highlights include the high-rise socialist realist Palace of Culture and Science, fascinating museums, and a world-class craft beer scene.
...MoreWarsaw deserves at least three days. Explore palaces and castles following the Royal Route; take a walking tour of Warsaw Old Town; and learn about WWII at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Warsaw Rising Museum. A Chopin concert and a beer or vodka tasting are well worthwhile.
...MoreWarsaw is a capital city replete with culture, nightlife, museums, galleries, restaurants, and city parks, not to mention craft beer bars and microbreweries. Activities run from exploring Warsaw Old Town and the Royal Route through to cooking classes, beer tastings, vodka discovery, and enjoying green spaces like Łazienki Park.
...MoreWarsaw is more than twice the size of Krakow, but both cities are well worth visiting. Krakow is much better preserved than Warsaw, which was destroyed by the Nazis after the Warsaw Rising, so is prettier and feels more historic. Warsaw, as Poland’s capital, has better bars, clubs, shops, restaurants, museums, and galleries.
...MoreYes. Besides UNESCO-listed Warsaw Old Town and the historic palaces and parks that make up the Royal Route, Warsaw is home to a wealth of museums and galleries, great restaurants, and world-class beers and vodkas. The Praga district offers spectacular street art murals, a neon museum, and a riverside beach.
...MoreWarsaw is the capital of Poland and sits almost 300 miles (480 kilometers) east of the German border. Warsaw is not in Germany and has never been part of Germany, although the Prussians briefly ruled the city around 1800 and Nazi Germany occupied it during WWII.
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