It's starting to warm up (just barely) and the university semesters have ended, meaning it's open season for travel!
For those lucky enough to be stopping in Warsaw for a couple of days during your European adventures, we have put together a 2 day pick-and-choose itinerary which will show you our favourite parts of Warsaw, some which you might of heard of, some which might be new to you, even if you have visited before.
DISCLAIMER: This itinerary includes a lot of walking, so make sure you have comfortable shoes on. Don't worry, there are many parks, cafes, and restaurants in which you can rest your tired feet if you ever feel the need.
For those lucky enough to be stopping in Warsaw for a couple of days during your European adventures, we have put together a 2 day pick-and-choose itinerary which will show you our favourite parts of Warsaw, some which you might of heard of, some which might be new to you, even if you have visited before.
DISCLAIMER: This itinerary includes a lot of walking, so make sure you have comfortable shoes on. Don't worry, there are many parks, cafes, and restaurants in which you can rest your tired feet if you ever feel the need.
For the Design Lovers
For design and fashion junkies, I suggest the NEON museum in the SOHO district (something like a hipper and grungier version of the distillery district in T.O.) Check out the studios and workshops of local designers and dine at one of the top rated restaurants that you'll find there. If you are there on a weekend, see if the SOHO FACTORY has any events going on. It often houses expos, markets, and more.
Over on the left side of the Wisla, I suggest walking from Plac Zbawiciela to Plac Trzech Krzyzy along Mokotowska Street. It's full of Polish independent designer studios and boutiques. Close to Plac Trzech Krzyzy, you'll find Mysia 3- a concept boutique mall. It's a must see! The layout and interior itself is really interesting, but the stores just complete it. This is where you can find stores like MUJI, NAP, COS, Stenton, Leica, and one of a kind boutiques and pop up shops. If you go to the top floor, you'll find a simple space set up as a bistro, UNLESS…this floor is often used for product releases, press conferences, or other events open to the public.
Now get your head back into Poland mode by walking past the Palm Tree (yes, it's a modern symbol of Warsaw) and then walking down Nowy Swiat for a nice promenade to the Old Town.
Over on the left side of the Wisla, I suggest walking from Plac Zbawiciela to Plac Trzech Krzyzy along Mokotowska Street. It's full of Polish independent designer studios and boutiques. Close to Plac Trzech Krzyzy, you'll find Mysia 3- a concept boutique mall. It's a must see! The layout and interior itself is really interesting, but the stores just complete it. This is where you can find stores like MUJI, NAP, COS, Stenton, Leica, and one of a kind boutiques and pop up shops. If you go to the top floor, you'll find a simple space set up as a bistro, UNLESS…this floor is often used for product releases, press conferences, or other events open to the public.
Now get your head back into Poland mode by walking past the Palm Tree (yes, it's a modern symbol of Warsaw) and then walking down Nowy Swiat for a nice promenade to the Old Town.
For the History Buffs
You can't visit Warsaw and not visit the Old Town, a UNESCO Heritage Site. The Royal Castle and Old Town Square are the perfect photo op locations and are full of delightful little cafes and restaurants. The Warsaw Museum is undergoing some renovations and development, but you can look online to see which of their satellite locations are open. The history of the city reflects that of the country- one of pride, destructions, perseverance, and grit. For culture, I would also tack on the National Museum and the National Gallery Zacheta. The museum is huge and she should totally prioritize ( I love the Polish art) but the gallery is small and very doable in just a couple of hours. An interactive prize-winning museum that also highlights this is the Warsaw Uprising Museum, a very interactive and heart wrenching experience.
If you want to learn more about other cultures while you are in Warsaw, check out the new museum featuring the history of Jews in Poland called POLIN. It's an award winning museum that has everyone swooning. Then go for lunch at Charlotte Menora in Plac Grzybowski for Jewish inspired food. I think that Plac Grzybowski is one of my favourite urban nooks in the City- it has a gorgeous water feature in the middle that I could just sit around all day.
If you want to learn more about other cultures while you are in Warsaw, check out the new museum featuring the history of Jews in Poland called POLIN. It's an award winning museum that has everyone swooning. Then go for lunch at Charlotte Menora in Plac Grzybowski for Jewish inspired food. I think that Plac Grzybowski is one of my favourite urban nooks in the City- it has a gorgeous water feature in the middle that I could just sit around all day.
In Tune with Nature
For those who are active and are like nature in the city, I suggest renting bikes (from the bikeshare, it's super easy and cheap) and riding on the right bank of the Wisla. It is pretty much wild and you get these amazing views of the Old Town from there. There are even some decent sandy beaches which are nice to picnic on if the weather is good for it. The other bank is very pedicured and also easy to ride, run, or walk along but personally, I prefer the Praga side.
Lazienki Krolewskie is a must see on your itinerary, no matter how long you are staying in Warsaw. It's a beautiful Royal Park featuring numerous landscapes, a Palace on the Water, an amphitheater, old and new Orangeries, and PEACOCKS. If you truly want to experience this place to the max, buy some nuts from the old women outside the park and try to bribe some of the red squirrels to sit on you. They are quite friendly. Buy an ice cream or a waffle loaded with whipped cream and head to the adjacent Chopin Rose Garden, where on Sunday afternoons in the summer, accomplished musicians give public concerts to the picnicing crowd. Other parks worth walking through are the Saxon Gardens (Ogrod Saski) in Centrum and Skaryszewski Park close to the National Stadium.
Lazienki Krolewskie is a must see on your itinerary, no matter how long you are staying in Warsaw. It's a beautiful Royal Park featuring numerous landscapes, a Palace on the Water, an amphitheater, old and new Orangeries, and PEACOCKS. If you truly want to experience this place to the max, buy some nuts from the old women outside the park and try to bribe some of the red squirrels to sit on you. They are quite friendly. Buy an ice cream or a waffle loaded with whipped cream and head to the adjacent Chopin Rose Garden, where on Sunday afternoons in the summer, accomplished musicians give public concerts to the picnicing crowd. Other parks worth walking through are the Saxon Gardens (Ogrod Saski) in Centrum and Skaryszewski Park close to the National Stadium.
For the Foodies
I know that Polish cuisine is not really known for its elegance or sophistication like French or Italian is, but you'll find that there is a budding foodie scene that loves borrowing ideas from all over the world and putting its own spin on it. Ulica Poznanska is a foodie district with cool bistros and restaurants as well as some of the restored glory that Warsaw used to have. Just a walk down from Aleje Jerozolimskie to ul. Wilcza is a nice stretch.
Nowy Swiat, the restaurant going down to the Old Town is loaded with places to eat, though none of them really stand out to me. If you are looking for something in the Centrum that is well-priced and a wonderful dining experience, I can recommend Bibenda with all my heart. It has got to be one of my favourite restaurants of all time. Vegans will love Mango Vegan Street food on Bracka for its cool interiors and delicious, crispy falafels. Now you might think that crepes are French, but the Poles have taken matters into their own hands at Manekin, an awesome value crepe restaurant on Marszalkowska. You will leave full to the brim, and the options there are limitless. If you want to have the typical pierogi and hunters stew experience on Boleslawiec plates, we recommend Zapiecek. It's a chain, but every location has a folk-inspired interior and the pierogi are all handmade by grannies in the back.
Just a reminder to all travelers: compared to prices in North America, food here is cheap. However, if you are trying to stretch your budget, street food like zapiekanki or kebabs are good value, and you can buy food at shops like Biedronka or Carrefour. For an urban farmer's market experience, check out Hale Mirowskie. If you think you're a good negotiator, try bartering for fresh produce here :)
Nowy Swiat, the restaurant going down to the Old Town is loaded with places to eat, though none of them really stand out to me. If you are looking for something in the Centrum that is well-priced and a wonderful dining experience, I can recommend Bibenda with all my heart. It has got to be one of my favourite restaurants of all time. Vegans will love Mango Vegan Street food on Bracka for its cool interiors and delicious, crispy falafels. Now you might think that crepes are French, but the Poles have taken matters into their own hands at Manekin, an awesome value crepe restaurant on Marszalkowska. You will leave full to the brim, and the options there are limitless. If you want to have the typical pierogi and hunters stew experience on Boleslawiec plates, we recommend Zapiecek. It's a chain, but every location has a folk-inspired interior and the pierogi are all handmade by grannies in the back.
Just a reminder to all travelers: compared to prices in North America, food here is cheap. However, if you are trying to stretch your budget, street food like zapiekanki or kebabs are good value, and you can buy food at shops like Biedronka or Carrefour. For an urban farmer's market experience, check out Hale Mirowskie. If you think you're a good negotiator, try bartering for fresh produce here :)
Urbanists
Ok fellow city lovers, I know that we look for and appreciate seemingly strange things. There are a few really awesomely planned neighborhoods here in Warsaw that you might find worthy of hitting up.
One of these is Saska Kepa, on the Praga side of Warsaw, near the National Stadium. Just get off at the transit stop Plac Waszyntona and walk down ul. Francuska. It's just such a "complete" community with interesting little shops and cafes. It used to be the French/Latin quarter where the artists lived. There is still some "multicultural" flavour remaining. If you turn down any of the side streets, you'll find interesting modernist buildings tucked in beside old-school houses.
Another amazing place to visit, especially in the spring and summer, is Zoliborz. It's an oasis of peace in Warsaw's hustle and bustle, but still dense and very livable. B and I did an audio walking tour that led us through the neighborhood and explained some of the history and the nuisances. We heard about the radial development of the buildings, the rise of the co-operatives that finances and built the apartment buildings, and the architectural significance of many buildings and styles that were used.
If you are a fan of green roofs and urban gardens, visit the University of Warsaw Library (BUW), close to the Old Town. It has one of the biggest green roofs in Europe and provides spectacular views of the Wisla River.
BONUS:
Obviously the Palace of Culture and Science is an important building in the city. In addition to all the administrative aspects that are led in it, there are numerous theatres, restaurants, a university, a movie theatre, a gym, pool, a few museums, a concert hall, and more. The space in front of it is often programmed to be used by the public, and I have seen a wide range of uses for it, including a Food Truck Festival, a drumming course, a skating rink, and a public beach with volleyball courts. If you are around, drop by to see what's going on outside and then see if there is anything interesting on inside. We've been to a Chocolate Festival and the Mustache Yard Sale, both which were great events. On a clear day, it's worth going up to the observation deck on the top floor, from which you can get a view of the entire city.
All in all:
So if you are visiting the city, I hope that this has helped you prioritize what you want to see during your time in Warsaw. Feel free to share this post with any of your friends and don't be shy about leaving comments!