Warsaw – The Capital of Contrasts
Warsaw – The Capital of Contrasts

Warsaw

The Capital of Contrasts

Published: 16 June 2023, 12:30

Welcome to Warsaw

The Polish capital captivates visitors with the contrast between tradition and modernity: on the one hand is the picturesque old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rebuilt stone by stone like the Royal Castle. On the other hand, there are spectacular skyscrapers, modern shopping malls and a lively nightlife. Warsaw constantly alternates between hip and historic, Polish culture and an international atmosphere.

There are plenty of discoveries to be made in Warsaw by those interested in art, culture and architecture. There are exciting museums such as the award-winning Jewish Museum and contemporary Polish art galleries. The city centre is home to fascinating buildings such as the residential tower designed by star architect Daniel Libeskind and the monumental Palace of Culture. The banks of the Vistula River has good cafés and even a city beach for relaxation.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  •  Population: 1.8 million
  •  Official language: Polish
  •  Currency: Polish zloty (PLN)

Ten Warsaw highlights

Old Town with market square © fotorince/AdobeStock
Warsaw’s beautiful Old Town Stare Miasto with its Market Square, merchants’ houses and churches is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. © fotorince/AdobeStock
Skyscrapers and Palace of Culture © ff11photo/AdobeStock
The Palace of Culture stands among modern skyscrapers. At 230 metres, it is the Polish capital’s tallest and most famous building. © ff11photo/AdobeStock
Royal Castle with city wall © ArTo/AdobeStock
The rebuilt Royal Castle is located in the centre of the Old Town. Kings once resided in this magnificent building. © ArTo/AdobeStock
Lazienki Park with Palace © surprisemeseptember/AdobeStock
Lazienki Park is more than just a place to hang out: the main attraction in Warsaw’s largest park is the Palace on the Isle. © surprisemeseptember/AdobeStock
Royal Route © ArTo/AdobeStock
A great place for a stroll: there are all kinds of things to discover on the ten-kilometre-long Royal Route from the Old Town to Wilanow Palace. © ArTo/AdobeStock
Wilanow Palace with park © meryll/AdobeStock
A real feast for the eyes: the baroque Wilanow Palace is located just outside the city. A detour to the former royal summer residence is definitely worth the trip. © meryll/AdobeStock
View of Warsaw’s skyline ©/ Tryfonov//AdobeStock
A touch of New York: Warsaw has a very modern face with glass skyscrapers and shopping malls in addition to its traditional side. © Tryfonov/AdobeStock
River Vistula with bridge © itsmejust/AdobeStock
A nice change from the city centre is a walk along the Vistula. The riverbank is home to cafés, bars and a beach. © itsmejust/AdobeStock
Mermaid statue in the Old Town’s Market Square © Zarnell/AdobeStock
The Old Town’s Market Square is home to the Mermaid – the symbol and landmark of Warsaw, which is also depicted in the city’s coat of arms. © Zarnell/AdobeStock
St. John’s Cathedral and Jesuit Church © dudlajzov/AdobeStocks
Part of the Old Town are St. John’s Cathedral (left), which is also Warsaw's oldest church, and the Catholic Jesuit Church, located directly next to it. © dudlajzov/AdobeStocks

Around Warsaw: beautiful destinations in Mazovia

Warsaw is located in the Masovian Voivodeship, one of a total of 16 voivodeships (provinces) in the Republic of Poland. Rolling hills, dense forests and the valleys along the Vistula River characterise the region, which is located in central Poland. In addition to Warsaw, the region offers a number of interesting towns and villages, including Mazovia’s second largest city Radom and Żelazowa Wola, the birthplace of composer Frédéric Chopin. The town of Kazimierz Dolny, known for its pretty houses and romantic view of the Vistula, is also worth a visit. Kampinos National Park is a must for all nature lovers. The park is a protected UNESCO biosphere reserve and has forests far and wide marked with marshes, dunes and hiking trails.

Excursion tips from Warsaw

Chopin’s birthplace © Pawel Mielko /AdobeStock
Birthplace of a master: the composer Frédéric Chopin was born in Żelazowa Wola in 1810. The house with its museum and garden can be visited. ©Pawel Mielko /AdobeStock
Forest in Kampinos National Park © Marcin/AdobeStock
Kampinos National Park, with its dense forests, is a popular excursion destination for Varsovians. © Marcin/AdobeStock
View of the city of Radom © espiegle /AdobeStock
Radom is the second largest city in Mazovia. The palace, churches and cathedrals are all worth seeing © espiegle /AdobeStock
Kazimierz Dolny with a view of the Vistula © Slawek Rakowski/AdobeStock
Pure romance: the picturesque village of Kazimierz Dolny offers a magnificent view of the Vistula © Slawek Rakowski/AdobeStock
Castle ruines in Czersk © Fotokon/AdobeStock
History you can walk through: Czersk is home to the ruins of the medieval castle that was once the seat of government of the Dukes of Mazovia. © Fotokon /AdobeStock

Warsaw from BER

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Five travel tips for …

1.    Stroll through the Old Town and see the Royal Castle 

2.    There’s a great view of the whole city from the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture 

3.    Explore the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial and the Jewish Museum

4.    Take a stroll through Lazienki Park and watch the tame squirrels

5.    Take a trip by public bus to Wilanow Palace 

1.    Hands-on science at the Copernicus Museum

2.    Trace the footsteps of Chopin in the Holy Cross Church

3.    Shop and feast in the old Koszyki Market Hall

4.    Take the 180 bus past all the main sights

5.    Admire the paintings of Rembrandt and Canaletto in the Royal Palace

1.    Cross the Vistula by ferry

2.    Experiment and explore at the Copernicus Museum

3.    Doll museum or railway museum? Simply visit both in Warsaw

4.    Build sandcastles on the Vistula beach

5.    Count the mermaids placed and depicted all over the city

Title image: Warsaw Old Town © TTstudio/AdobeStock

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