What can I do in Warsaw?

The Polish capital city is a mysterious place. At first hearing the name Warsaw, people may associate it with a more industrial place with very little to do. On the contrary, it is a busy and lively place with plenty to keep you occupied. The city is a mix of old and new. On the one hand it has a UNESCO Heritage Old Town which transports you back in time and on the other, it is tied for having the largest number of skyscrapers in the European Union. Legend has it that this impressive city takes its name from a fisherman, Wars, and a mermaid, Sawa, with whom he eventually married. Each time I visit Warsaw I am taken aback by just how busy I actually become; there is never nothing to do.

Where can I eat?

Similar to Krakow, the variety of different cuisines within Warsaw would leave anyone spoilt for choice. One of the first recommendations is to get stuck in with the Polish cuisine. The first thing you should try is, of course, pierogi. This tasty little filled-dumpling is a staple in Poland and can be filled with either a savoury or sweet filling. In the past I have had savoury ones with different cheeses, meats or vegetables and I have had sweet ones with summer fruits or chocolate; both options are equally yummy! Other good options include Kotlet Schabowy, the Polish take on Vienna Schnitzel, or Sernik, which is a tasty traditional cheesecake.

Folks Gospoda is a traditional Polish restaurant located in the City Centre. Offering some of the best pierogi you have ever tasted, this restaurant also has an extra trick up its sleeve by having its waiters dress in typical Polish clothes giving a whole new dynamic to the atmosphere of the restaurant. It also has a dedicated ‘childcare’ area, where a member of staff will supervise your children to leave you in peace whilst you eat. Having no children, I cannot comment on the effectiveness of this, but I can say that the food here is excellent. If you are in the mood for something extra-special, look no further than Grand Kredens. This unique restaurant boasts the “best interior in Warsaw” and I can concur that it is indeed impressive. Not only that, but the food is just as good, meaning that you certainly will not be disappointed. The oldest and most famous restaurant is U Fukiera, which offers an incredible Polish menu and atmosphere. Due to its popularity, I would strongly advise that you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. The food here is wonderful and gives you a true taste of Polish cooking. Obviously there are other places to grab a bite to eat and I would strongly advise heading to the Old Town first. There are tonnes of little restaurants and cafes that will give you a splendid view of your surroundings whilst you tuck into some Polish cuisine. There are also many ice cream parlours here too which can be your dessert!

If Polish food is not for you (although I would recommend it), Warsaw has you covered. If you are looking for a classic Italian meal, including pizza, I would suggest a trip to Basilia. The food is cooked freshly on site and they use traditional Italian ingredients. We went here the last time we were in Warsaw and had some of the most fantastic pizza I’ve ever eaten. To make things better, the cost of a freshly cooked, tasty pizza, can be yours for the equivalent of £5.00 per head. I can safely say it is better than your local takeaway and you effectively get four pizzas for the price of one in England. If you are in the mood for a Greek restaurant (my parents absolutely love a Greek), then El Greco is my personal recommendation. When we went here, we were greeted with incredible hospitality and a wide-range of different dishes to choose from. Again, a main meal comes in at less that £5.00 per head so eat to your hearts content – you won’t be disappointed.

Where can I grab a drink?

In Warsaw, alike much of Poland, there are plenty of options should you want to go out for a drink. In recent years Warsaw has seen the rise of numerous different microbreweries, all wanting to create a unique tasting beer. These are dotted all over and many of them serve some decent food too. The most famous has to be Gorączka Złota and this offers possibly the largest selection of craft beer. The ambience is certainly a bit more ‘hipster’ but it nonetheless offers a great place to enjoy a beer or two. Another hipster bar that fits into this category is the Jabeerwocky, supposedly named after one of Lewis Caroll’s characters just with an alcoholic twist. Whilst these places may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they certainly can be the stage for an excellent night out in Poland.

If you are after something a bit more fancy and exciting the Panorama Sky Bar was a real highlight of my trip to Warsaw. Located in the Mariott’s Hotel, this cocktail bar offers unrivalled views of the city. I went twice; one in the late evening and one in the afternoon and both offered a different perspective. This place is a bit more expensive than the others as I am sure you can imagine, but for a treat I would wholeheartedly recommend it. If this place wasn’t fancy enough, head on to Cocktail Bar Max & Dom Whiskey. This cool little establishment has no menu and your barman will pick drinks based upon what they know you will enjoy drinking. We loved this place when we went to Warsaw and you will be happy to know that, compared to London prices, it is incredibly cheap.

If alcohol isn’t what you fancy then head on down to some of Warsaw’s wonderful coffee shops. The original coffee shop is called Pożegnanie z Afryką and offers delicious coffee for a humble price. It’s traditional, affordable and very tasty – a perfect way to start the morning in a very Polish setting. If you want a coffee that’s slight different you should try Cophi. No, this isn’t a new name for the drink, but a novel coffee shop that offers a wide-range of different styles for you to try and enjoy. If that isn’t enough, they also play some absolute classics aloud, so you can sing along in your head whilst you enjoy your unique blend. My last little mention has to go to The Ministry of Coffee. This impressive sounding little shop offers your normal, traditional coffee, just they do it really well. What better way to wake up than with a tasty coffee and a cake?

How to spend your day

Warsaw’s rich history means that there isn’t a day where you will feel bored. One of the first things you need to see is the old Jewish ghetto which was a place of major atrocities under Nazi occupation. Nowadays the old ghetto walls are clearly outlined on the pavements, meaning that you can get a clear idea of the size of it. Within the old ghetto is the POLIN Museum, which tells the rich history of Polish Jewish communities. It is well-worth a visit to this very interesting place that tells the story of Jewish communities that have lived in Poland through the ages. Opposite this museum is the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, which is dedicated to those who fought within the ghetto to try and overpower their Nazi occupiers. Sadly, they were unsuccessful in their efforts. Indeed, this pride that is felt across the city for these heroes is shown best at the Warsaw Rising Museum. This extraordinary place tells the tale of the uprising, but also about Poland’s role in the Second World War. It is a very humbling and interesting experience and really brings these events to life. We actually went here on the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising and were able to see this place in all of its glory. Even the surrounding streets were filled with singers in costumes who sang to commemorate this historic event. Another historical option is the Palace of Culture and Science, the tallest building in the country. This was actually a gift from Stalin to the people of Poland but, ironically, thousands of Polish people then died constructing the behemoth of a building. Nowadays it acts partly as a museum and offers terrific views over the cityscape.

One of the most impressive areas of the city is the Old Town. The majority of this has been entirely reconstructed since the end of the Second World War due to the city largely being razed to the ground. Despite this, the reconstructed area achieves its aim to transport you back in time, with its cobbled streets and typical European buildings forming a quaint and delightful atmosphere. Take your time here and explore the hidden alleys, the make-shift art galleries or walk along the ancient city walls. You could also head to the Royal Castle of Warsaw, an impressive building that has a rich history.

Outside of the city centre there are more activities to be done which typically are off the tourist trail. Wilanów Palace is a royal household that dates back to the 18^th Century. Surprisingly, it has withstood both World Wars and now acts as a Museum. Within it you can get a feel for a Polish aristocrat’s life during this time period, as well as the opportunity to explore some ancient artefacts. Once you have had your fill of exploring in the palace, take your time to meander around the gardens which are full of colour. There is also a river which offers canoe trips should you want to try something a little different. Also on this Royal Route (that links these to the Royal Palace) is the Łazienki Park, a huge green area of almost 80 hectares that is home to lakes, woodland and more stunning architecture. I would strongly recommend taking a picnic here on a sunny day where you can really immerse yourself in nature. If you’re lucky, you may even see one of the native red squirrels.

Warsaw is a criminally underrated city and I could happily spend days on end here exploring. Be sure to take your time exploring all the twists and turns in the Old Town as well as the green open spaces dotted around the city. The prices of food and drink are crazily cheap and means that you can really indulge in the finer things in life. What more could you want from a holiday?

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My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skycanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.

Accommodation

Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.

Things I can’t travel without

As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my

Canon EOS M3
GoPro Hero5 Black
I’m also saving for a DJI Mavic Pro

Travel Insurance

It is so important to be prepared for all possibilities when travelling and you simply shouldn’t travel without insurance. When looking for cover I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.

What can I do in Warsaw?