Poland: Top 10 Things To Do In Warsaw

Once described as the "Paris of the North", Warsaw was believed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world until WWII, when over 85% of it was destroyed. On a good note, Warsaw has gained the new title of the “Phoenix City” because of its extensive history and complete reconstruction after the war. Although the buildings have been reconstructed (most to their original design), remnants of the former city walls still give off a charming medieval feel. For the next couple of blog posts, I will give more specifics on some things to do while in Warsaw, but I thought I would start with a little summary of my top 10 things to do and see in the capital city of Poland. It’s a fabulous city to visit in Eastern Europe and offers something to see for everyone.

1. Palace of Culture and Science building

The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, built in only three years, is the tallest building in Poland and sixth largest in the European Union but what made it most notable to me was the controversy it has created. Since it was right across our hotel, we walked by it numerous times and so therefore had conversations about it with many guides and locals. It was built in 1955 by the Soviet Union and was originally called Joseph Stalin’s Palace of Culture and Science. So, today many associate the building with the very negative influence the Soviet’s had over Poland. But to others, it is a symbolic icon representing the city’s rebirth from WWII.

The building currently serves as an exhibition center and office complex. But it also houses a cinema, four theaters, two museums (Museum of Evolution and Museum of Technology), offices, bookshops, a large swimming pool, an auditorium hall for 3,000 people. The terrace on the 30th floor is a well-know observation spot with a panoramic view of the city. I personally think the building is beautiful!

2. The Royal Route

This is a series of roads that link the Old Town and the Royal Castle with Lazienki Park (see #4) and Wilanów Palace, which stands just outside the city (see #10). The most famous of such roads is Krakowskie Przedmieście and is one of the most beautiful road in Warsaw. It was rebuilt after WWII and is lined with beautiful former palaces and villas that now serve as government buildings and embassies. The street is also lined with lovely green trees, cafes, and restaurants. If you pay close attention, you are bound to spot many monuments along the way.

Make sure to look out for the Fryderyk Chopin benches along and near the Royal Way – there are 15 of them that have been placed at key sites connected with the famous composer’s life. It’s a fun thing to experience as each bench features a button which when pressed unleash a thirty second flow of Chopin. They also come equipped with a route map, as well as brief explanations in Polish and English as to the site’s relevance to Chopin. You will hear a lot about Chopin when in Warsaw, especially because he spent half his life here. Not only did he learn how to play piano here but he also gave his first concert here at the young age of eight!

3. A Chopin Recital

You will be hearing a lot about him and his contribution to Warsaw so why not celebrate his work by listening to it live? We went to a Chopin piano recital in Old Town and really enjoyed the small intimate setting. We left feeling even more connected to Warsaw partly because of the beautiful music.

4. Łazienki Park

This park is part of a great complex of heritage gardens (over 188 acres!) set up in the 17th century. There is a beautiful lake in the park where you can take a fun boat ride, or you can just pull up a lawn chair and relax. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the massive monument to Chopin at the lake’s edge. Once you’re done hanging out in the lush park, you can head to the Palace on the Water which is now a museum. Either way, this is a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing and walking.

5. The Museum of Warsaw

Located in Old Town Market Square, this museum traces Warsaw’s history and changes through items and artifacts. Over the years, it has acquired over 300,000 unique pieces, which is the largest collection of its kind in the world. The collection includes everything from furniture, sculptures, clocks, maps, photographs, postcards and panoramas of Warsaw. They even have pieces of clothing, jewelry, and weaponry too. Fun fact: the oldest object in the Museum’s collection dates back to the beginning of the 14th century.

6. The Royal Castle

One of Old Town’s most recognizable buildings is The Royal Castle which was originally built in 1596 when the decision was made to move the capital city from Krakow to Warsaw. It was originally built in early Baroque style, but successive rulers remodeled it several times until it was completely destroyed during World War II and reconstructed from 1977 to 1988. The museum at the palace now houses an impressive collection of Oriental rugs, coins and paintings (including two by Rembrandt). Travelers can also tour the former apartments of Polish royals. Almost every street in Old Town leads to the Royal Castle so you can’t miss it.

7. Museum of Polish Jews and Monument to Heroes of the Ghetto

One cannot ignore the atrocities that happened to the Jewish people of Warsaw (and other parts of Poland). The Monument of the Heroes of the Ghetto was erected in 1948 when the city was still in ruins and symbolizes the heroic defiance of the Ghetto Uprising of 1943. Nearby is the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. It is housed in a very interesting modern building and is the country’s largest Jewish heritage museum. Of course, the events leading to WWII are covered but also the journey of 1,000 years of the history of Polish Jews. It was a very moving museum to visit.

8. See a church (or many)

There are several wonderful churches in Warsaw as Poland is a very religious Catholic country. The Cathedral of St. John is probably the most famous and is located in Old Town. It started as a parish church in the early 1400s but over the years the successive rulers built new chapels and other elements to add on to the cathedral. Many famous Poles are buried here in the crypt below, which is open as part of the tour. It was badly damaged during the war but rebuilt in Gothic style.

9. Old Town (Stare Miasto)

Warsaw's central Old Town neighborhood is one of the city's most popular areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic district, which was rebuilt after bombings from World War II destroyed most of it, is filled with restaurants, art galleries, shops and cafes housed in structures designed to replicate the region's former 14th to 18th century. I would describe it as a lively atmosphere with fabulous charming buildings! I would visit here early as it often becomes packed with tourists during the middle of the day.

10. Wilanów Palace

This palace is located on the outskirts of Warsaw and is actually very special because it is one of the few buildings that remain from before the bombings during WWII. It was built at the end of the 17th century by the ruler Jan III Sobieski as a modest summer house but became a master palace when the King’s wife saw Versailles in France and wanted something similar so additions were made to keep her happy. The Baroque masterpiece is spectacular for its construction alone but also houses many beautiful gardens and an impressive museum that contains items owned by Sobieski and successive rulers. Some of the vases alone are thousands of years old. There is so much to see at this palace -- stay tuned for my next blog post – this one literally has something to offer everyone.

I only touched the surface of the many great things to see in Warsaw and had a hard time narrowing the list to ten. There are still many more palaces, museums, and churches to see in this wonderful historical city! Who knows, I might just do some additional blog posts on these spots later.

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