Top sights in Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula River in east-central Poland and its population is officially estimated at 1.8 million residents. Warsaw is one of the most dynamically developing European cities, with great potential and extraordinary energy, the inhabitants often refer to its history and are able to combine tradition with modernity. While visiting the city, you will have the opportunity to see both of its faces. There is probably no other place like this that, despite its tragic history, quickly turned into a real European capital. You can experience the architectural diversity of the 20th century here and visit many tourist attractions.
Old Town, Royal Castle and Royal Route
The showpiece of Warsaw is the Old Town, beautifully rebuilt after damages from the World War II. They were reconstructed according to the old plans, built almost from scratch from the debris left over from the war. The Market Square is located in the center, with several charming cafés and restaurants. There you will meet a mermaid – the official symbol of the city. It is worth going to the Royal Castle, the old seat of Polish rulers, dating back to the 12th century. Apart from the royal apartments, it also houses an art collection with paintings by Rembrandt and Canaletto.
The Royal Route in Warsaw begins at the Royal Castle (Castle Square) and runs along the historic streets. The most interesting part of the route is between the Castle Square and Rondo de Gaulle.
Royal Łazienki Museum
Former royal summer residence with 18th-century neoclassical buildings, gardens & exhibitions. The Royal Łazienki is the largest park in Warsaw, occupying 76 hectares of the city center. These exceptionally beautiful and magical gardens are really worth visiting. You can see numerous free-standing sculptures, an orangery, an amphitheater, the Museum of Hunting and Horse-riding, and other attractions. The park is famous for its Chopin concerts, which take place from mid-May to the end of September every Sunday. At the heart of the park is located the summer residence of the last king of Poland – Stanisław August Poniatowski, called the Palace on the Isle (or the Baths Palace).
Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów
The Palace in Wilanów is one of the most popular symbols of the city visited by tourists. Beautiful, majestic, it delights with its wonderful architecture and atmosphere from hundreds of years ago. It is not only a building, but also its decorations and works of art, gardens and sculptures in the park, as well as numerous buildings and monuments erected here since 1677. The exhibition presented in the palace consists of two parts: on the main floor the royal apartments and ballrooms. On the first floor there is the Gallery of the Polish Portrait, where the effigies of the Polish monarchs, magnate families, participants of national uprisings, and eminent artists have been collected over the centuries.
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
The museum is located on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, in the place what once was the heart of Jewish Warsaw. Museum restores the history of the thousand-year shared history of Poles and Jews. The core exhibition occupies more than 4,000 square meters of space with many interactive exhibits. It consists of eight galleries that document and celebrate the thousand-year history of the Jewish community in Poland – once the largest Jewish community in the world – that was almost entirely destroyed during the Holocaust.
Warsaw Rising Museum
Museum based in the Wola district of Warsaw is dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The exhibition depicts fighting and everyday life during the Rising, keeping occupation terror in the background.
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National Museum
The National Museum houses a wonderful collection of well over 830,000 objects from all periods – from antiquity to contemporary times.
It comprises a rich collection of ancient art (Egyptian, Greek, Roman), a gallery of Polish painting since the 16th century and a collection of foreign painting: Italian, French, Flemish, Dutch, German and Russian. The Polish Design Gallery exhibits furniture, textiles and household appliances. Thematic temporary exhibitions are also organized regularly.
The Fryderyk Chopin Museum
Fryderyk Chopin is one of the most famous Varsovians, therefore it is difficult to miss the museum dedicated to his memory. Museum is located in the historic Ostrogski Palace and is one of the most modern and innovative biographical museums in Europe. Exhibition provides individualized routes and commentary, taking visitor step by step through the stages of Chopin’s life and allowing to experience it through four floors of displays, including stopping by the listening booths.
Żelazowa Wola park and residence is also worth a visit (50 km west of Warsaw). It is a charmingly situated manor house where Fryderyk Chopin was born.
Zachęta – National Gallery of Art
The contemporary-art museum situated in the center of Warsaw with numerous temporary and permanent exhibitions of well-known polish and foreign artists.
The permanent collection comprises 3600 objects of which about 700 are paintings, almost 80 are video works and around 100 are sculptures and installations. In addition, the gallery owns an extensive collection of over 2600 works on paper such as graphic works, drawings and photographs.
Palace of Culture and Science
The notable landmark of Warsaw, as Guardian called it ” Soviet beast”, is visible from almost any place in Warsaw. On the 30th floor there is an observation deck from where you can see the panorama of the city.
The palace also houses theatres, a cinema, museums and bistros, as well as the city’s main tourist information point.
Other attractions
To visit with children:
Copernicus Science Centre https://www.kopernik.org.pl/en
More info for foodies: https://warsawtour.pl/en/food-and-drink/
More info about Warsaw can be found at the site: https://warsawtour.pl/en/brochures/