Reborn from its ashes, Warsaw has transformed from a gray Eastern Bloc city into a modern European capital. Polands capital will surprise you with its distinctive charm and contrasts.
The capital and largest city of Poland stretches along the banks of the Vistula River, roughly 300 kilometers from the Carpathian Mountains and about the same from the Baltic. Reborn from its ashes, Warsawhas many faces to show visitors today: its medieval, its former Soviet, as well as its modern and youthful side. Baroque buildings, Gothic churches, impressive palaces and parks coexist with skyscrapers, modern apartment blocks, shopping malls and trendy restaurants in a city that will surprise you with its distinct charm and striking contrasts.
Trip to Warsaw: Sights and strolls
The Old Town of Warsaw(Stare Miasto) was rebuilt from scratch after its complete destruction in World War II. Today, it is the most picturesque part of Warsaw. Its reconstruction was carried out with great care, using plans and photographs that had been preserved, so that its architecture would be faithfully maintained. UNESCO soon inscribed it as a World Heritage Site. A stroll along its cobbled streets, will make you feel as if you are walking through a setting untouched for centuries. The picturesque Market Square, the Mermaid statue, St. Johns Cathedral, as well as Castle Square with King Zygmunts Column and the Royal Castle, are among the most important sights you will admire.
Continue your exploration in the New Town (Nowe Miasto), which lies right next to the Old Town. Dont let the name fool you. Also rebuilt after the war, it is equally picturesque. Here you will find theRynek Nowego Miasta Square, the Marie Curie Museum and Krasiński Palace with its superb Baroque park.
Walk the «Royal Route», the route that led from the Old Town to the southern suburbs, to see some of the citys most important monuments. Strolling along the wide sidewalks you will see imposing churches (such as St. Annes Church), beautiful buildings, the Presidential Palace with the statue of Prince Józef Poniatowski, the academy with the statue of Copernicus, as well as the citys university. On Nowy Swiat Street, which is filled with boutiques, cafes and restaurants, you will surely make several stops. Your walk will end at the idyllic Lazienki Palace with its vast park.
The Lazienki Park is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It was created in the 17th century and features lovely art nouveau buildings, a Roman amphitheater and lakes. Here you will also see the 1926 Chopin Monument, depicting the Polish composer in a moment of inspiration.
It is also worth visiting the Baroque Wilanow Palace,on the southern fringes of the city. The summer residence of Polish king Jan Sobieski dates from the 17th century and boasts magnificent gardens and ponds. Inside it houses animportant collection of paintings dating from the 16th to the 19th century.
Visit the Palace of Culture and Science to enjoy from the 30th floor the most impressive view in the city. It is the tallest building in Poland (230 m), which was gifted to the cityby Stalin in the ’50s.
Discover the citys alternative side with a stroll through the Praga neighborhood, on the other side of the Vistula River. Once notorious, the area has transformed into an up-and-coming district buzzing with creativity. Abandoned warehouses have given way to galleries, arts spaces and interesting bars and cafes.
A visit to Warsaws notable museums is a must. The National Museum, with a trove of 830.00 works of art, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, dedicated to Warsaws uprising against the Nazis in 1944, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, as well as the Chopin Museum dedicated to the great Polish composer, are the most important. If you like contemporary art, make a stop at the Museum of Modern Art, while if you have children with you it is worth visiting the Copernicus Science Centre where the interactive exhibits will thrill you.
Warsaw: What to try
Try pierogi (filled dumplings), zurek (sour soup with sausage and a boiled egg), bigos (meat stewed with sauerkraut), zapiekanka (open-faced baked sandwich with various toppings) and paczek (doughnuts). Home-style and inexpensive Polish cuisine can be found at milk bars or bar mleczny, the old-fashioned restaurants of the communist period. A good suggestion is Bar Bambino (Hoża 19), oneof the most famous milk bars in the city. Fukier, the oldest restaurant in Warsaw (Rynek Starego Miasta 27), Stary Dom (Puławska 104/106) and Szynk Praski (Stalowa 37) are among the best places to savor authentic Polish cuisine.
