Jan
11
Warsaw Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Poland
A trip to Warsaw
The city of Warsaw was founded in the 16th century, after the country’s capital was moved here from Cracow. For many years the city was Poland’s economic stronghold. During the 18th century, Warsaw experienced its golden age under the rule of Poland’s king, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. During that time, it was a modern city home to great poets, writers, thinkers, and philosophers. Warsaw suffered greatly during WWII and although most of the city was destroyed during the war, many buildings have been painstakingly restored and renovated to their pre-war states.
Flights to Warsaw
The Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, located six miles (10kms) southwest of the city centre is a modern and efficient facility which served eight million passengers in 2006. Serviced by many international flights orginating from all over the EU, it is easy to fly direct to Warsaw from almost anywhere in Europe. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Warsaw try Expedia.
Once you get to Warsaw, you have several options for getting to the city centre. The easiest way is to jump into a taxi and pay a standard fare to get into town. You can also choose to take bus number 188 which takes you to the east of Warsaw.
Warsaw
Sightseeing in Warsaw
Right on the Old Square stands the Historical Museum of Warsaw, which documents the history and growth of the city. The museum also screens a documentary about the Nazi destruction of the city and the rebuilding that followed. Near the square is the city’s main street, the Royal Way, which runs in a north-south direction. It is here you can get a good feel of the city’s cosmopolitan ambience. This is the main tourist area, where visitors can admire the grand architecture of palaces, churches and museums.
The most attractive area of Warsaw is the Old Town, which was established as early as the 13th century. Its cobblestone streets and unique architecture draws in visitors wishing to experience a charming afternoon basking in its old world charms.
Fun by night – eating and drinking
The Market Square in the heart of the Old Town is home to many restaurants serving traditional Polish fare, as well as many cafés, bars, shops and pubs. The square is alive with diners enjoying alfresco meals and street performers, while traders display and sell their skills and wares.
Fun by day – shopping and other activities
For a trip outside the city, visit the old town of Torun. With a history dating back to the 13th century, this town is the birthplace of Copernicus – the famous astronomer who wrote the book on which modern astronomy is founded (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres). It is possible for visitors to visit his home. The town of Torun is beautifully preserved with much of its architecture intact and is worth an afternoon of your time even though it lies about 100 miles from Warsaw.
Daytrips
Poland is a country of castles, palaces and ancient monarchies. The 14th century Royal Castle is one of the best around and its painstaking restoration offer a realistic look into the life of a Polish monarch, King Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Two tours are offered, and both are worth taking.
Pawiak Prison offers a more sombre look into the darker side of Poland during WWII. An estimated 100,000 prisoners were interred here by the Nazis, and very few ever made it out. Today, the prison is used as a reminder of the horrors of the Third Reich and an interesting if somewhat gloomy attraction.
The Palace of Culture and Science is another excursion not to pass up. This marvel to Stalin’s ambitions for socialist realism is Poland’s tallest building and the views of the city from the 30th-floor observation deck are outstanding. There’s also an ice skating rink, cinema, and concert hall to add some action to the views.
Must-see attractions
Warsaw’s Old Town (Stare Miastro) is totally deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status. The myriad shops, cafés, bars and medieval buildings make this a true joy to wander around. Another UNESCO site within the Old Town not to miss is the Royal Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. It has been remarkably restored to its former glory, particularly its Great Hall.
Another architectural gem is Wilanow Palace, one of Poland’s finest Baroque palaces. Today, it is part of the National Museum and houses a remarkable collection of original period furniture and Polish portraits. To see more of Poland’s rich history, spend an afternoon in the National Museum and its three excellent art galleries which provide the ideal complement to the exhibitions of Polish artefacts.
The former Jewish District is a fascinating glimpse into the dark years of Hitler’s Nazi rule over Warsaw. All the city’s Jews were confined to this ghetto during the war, which can be experienced by taking a sobering walking tour. Lazienski Park, on the other hand, is an ideal place to get away from the concrete and wander the vast English-style gardens with its 18th-century palace in the centre.
Best time to go
Warsaw’s climate is typical of the rest of central Europe, with long cold winters and pleasantly mild summers, when most of the festivals and fun events occur. Summer temperatures average around 22C during the day, but cool off nicely after dark.
Although rain falls occasionally throughout the year, July is the wettest month. Winters are rather frigid, with temperatures hovering around freezing. The bitter cold turns off most travellers, but it’s a quiet time in Warsaw, wonderfully free from the hoards of summer tourists.
Rainy day suggestions
Even if it’s not a rainy day, don’t miss the Historical Museum of Warsaw, a three-storey diorama of the rich heritage of this ancient city and its people. Every aspect of life, from the earliest settlement to the horrors of modern war, is presented through a variety of exhibits. The new interactive high-tech Museum of the Warsaw Uprising is another great place to learn about how the Poles fought against their occupiers for over the decades.
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