Warsaw, Poland Destination Guide
Section 1: Intro to the Destination
Warsaw, the city of old and new, completely rebuilt to never forget its past. The capital of Poland, Warsaw is a city of strength and history. Completely demolished during the Second World War, the city has completely rebuilt its Old Town exactly as it was before. The city is known for its breathtaking parks and historical architecture ranging from Gothic to communist concrete to modern glass and steel. Warsaw isn’t just about architecture and history, the city is also known for its art and music scene, as well as, incredible traditional Polish dishes.
Which of the Following Phrases Best Describes this Destination?
Mysterious, Historic, Cold
What’s the Destination Known For?
Food!!! The Polish have a lot of traditional foods: Pierogi (Polish dumpling), Ice Cream, Gołąbki (stuffed cabbage rolls), Sausage & Sauerkraut, Żurek (sour rye soup), Golonka (Pork Knuckle), St Martin’s Croissant
Warsaw was almost wiped off the map during World War II, Hitler wanted the city destroyed. The city has made a great comeback completely rebuilding its most famous buildings, especially in Old Town.
There are several memorials and museums, exploring the fight against the Nazi occupation and honoring the Polish Jewish community
The famous composer, Frederick Chopin, is honored throughout the city with a statue in the royal park and concert performances in the summer.
Getting There
located about 6 miles south-west of the city center
Location: Żwirki i Wigury 1, Ocesi - Warszawa, POLAND
Visa: US citizens receive a 90 days tourist visa upon arrival
Train: connects via Terminal A and takes about 20 minutes to get to the city center. The best way to travel to the city and costs $1-$2.
Bus: 5 bus routes that connect throughout the city
Taxi: located outside of the Arrivals gate, takes about 20 minutes to get to the city center. Beware of scammers!
Ridesharing: Uber is an option!
Rental Car: a great way to explore the city and surrounding area
Main Central Station: Warszawa Centralna
Location: Al. Jerozolimskie 54, 00-001 Warszawa
A great way to get to Warsaw from Europe is via train, bus, or BlaBla Car
Local Etiquette
Tipping: 10% restaurants, tour guides, and taxis
Greeting: Shake hands with direct contact upon meeting.
Gestures: Keep your knife in your right hand and fork in your left. Keep hands above the table. Saying “thank you” to a service person means “keep the change”.
Words/Phrases to know:
Hello – cześć (jen DOH-breh)
Please – Proszę (PRO-Sha)
Thank you – Dziękuję (jayn-KOO-ya)
Yes – tak (tak)
No – nie (nyeh)
Goodbye – Do Widzenia (doh veed-ZAY-nya)
Do you speak English? – Czy mówisz po angielsku?
I don’t understand – Nie rozumiem
Cheers! – Twoje zdrowie!
Nice to meet you – Miło mi cię poznać
Excuse me – Przepraszam
Temperatures:
Spring:
High: 66F / 19C
Low: 30F / -1C
Summer:
High: 73F / 23C
Low: 52F / 11C
Fall:
High: 64F / 18C
Low: 41F / 5C
Winter:
High: 34F / 1C
Low: 23F / -5C
Elevation: 328 ft / 100 m
The hottest and best month for swimming is July. The wettest month of the year is June, but sunshines the longest for 8 hours.
The coldest month of the year is February with an average temperature of 28F.
How to dress: Warm! On average the temperature is quite cold, so definitely bring the appropriate jacket and shoes.
Getting Around
Train: the best way to get around the city!
One-Day ticket: $4.00
3-Day ticket: $9.50
Weekend ticket: $6.30
Metro: there are 2 lines - M1 & M2, from 5:00am - 1:00am (until 3:00am on weekends)
Trams: electric trams are located throughout the city and they are environmentally friendly
Bikes: rent a bike and see the city!
Free Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour, Free Admission to top attractions, skip lines at museums, etc
Price: 24 hr - $31, 48 hr - $42, 72 hr - $50
Section 2: What to See, Do, and Eat
Breakfast
Polish
$
Location: Jarosława Dąbrowskiego 38, 00-001 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Friday: 8:00-16:00, Saturday & Sunday: 9:00-15:00
Casual
Cosy decor for a long, lazy breakfast
Best dish: omelettes, bagels, pastries
Market
$
Location: 4 al. Wojska Polskiego, Warsaw, Poland
Times: Saturday: 10:00-17:00
Casual
Local farmers market every Saturday with dozens of food stalls
Cafe, Asian
$
Location: 38 Solec, Warsaw, Poland
Times: Monday to Friday: 8:30-20:00, Saturday & Sunday: 9:00-20:00
Casual
Breakfast served all day!
Best dish: Vietnamese bánh mì, Korean pâté, Middle Eastern tabbouleh and shakshuka
Brunch
Italian, Mediterranean
$$
Location: Świętokrzyska 18, 00-052 Warszawa,
Times: Sunday to Thursday: 9:00-12:00, Friday & Saturday: 9:00-13:00
casual
There are two locations in Warsaw, and usually there is a line out the door
Best dish: shakshuka, bacon sandwich, sausage and eggs, freshly baked bread
Polish, Cafe
$$
Location: Konstantego Ildefonsa Gałczyńskiego 7, 00-362 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Friday: 9:00-20:00, Saturday & Sunday: 10:00-20:00
Casual
Breakfast Buffet every Saturday & Sunday inside a bookstore
Best dish: freshly baked bread, scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, ham, hummus, granola, and delicious salads
Cafe
$
Location: al. Armii Ludowej 12, 00-001 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Friday: 8:00-2:00 am, Saturday: 10:00-2:00 am, Sunday: 10:00-20:00
casual
All you can eat brunch on Sunday from 11:00-16:00
Best dish: fresh fruits and vegetables, soups, cheeses, meats, salads and warm dishes
Lunch
Polish, Soup
$
Location: Ul. Marszalkowska 10/16, Warsaw 00-590
Times: Monday to Sunday: 11:00-19:00
Causal
A famou local favorite Milk Bar! There is a new menu posted every day on the wall.
Best dish: the pierogies are made fresh
Polish
$$
Location: Żelazna 68, 00-866 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00-24:00
Dressy Casual
Located in the historic pavillion
Best known for traditional Polish cuisine
Polish, European
$$
Location: Puławska 104/106, 02-620 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00-23:30
Dressy Casual
Restaurant/Cafe Fun Fact
Best dish: traditional polish food, hering filet, Gołąbki, boar
Dinner
Polish
$$
Location: rynek Starego Miasta 27, 00-272 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00-24:00
Dressy Casual
Very romantic and located in the middle of Old Town
Best dish: Lithuanian dumplings, potato pancakes with caviar, veal cutlets
Polish, European
$
Location: ul. Bednarska 28, Warsaw 00-321
Times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00-20:00
Casual
Loved by the locals! Very rustic and authentic.
Best dish: traditional pierogies (dumplings)
Polish, European
$$
Location: Świętojańska 2, 00-001 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00-23:00
Dressy Casual
The restaurant belongs to the famous chef, Magdalena Gessler
Best dishes: traditional pork chop coated in breadcrumbs and served with onion and mashed potatoes, black pudding with apple and potatoes and a crispy duck in honey served with pan-fried beetroot or red cabbage.
Other (Food Trucks, Late Night Bites, Ice Cream Shops, Cafes, Wine Bars)
Cafe, European
$$
Location: Krakowskie Przedmieście 42/44, 00-001 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Sunday: 8:00-20:00
Dressy Casual
1940’s feel with a view of the historic part of Warsaw
Best dishes: traditional breakfast, pastries, and cake
Polish, International
$$
Location: Próżna 12, 00-801 Warszawa
Times: Monday to Sunday: 12:00-20:00
Dressy Casual
Beautiful wine bar with delicious small plates
Top things to See and Do
Completely destroyed during World War II and rebuilt starting in 1949, the market center for markets, cafes, and souvenir shops.
Main Attraction’s in the area: Literature Museum, Historical Museum of Warsaw
Location: rynek Starego Miasta, 00-001 Warszawa
Time Open: all day
Price: free
Built in the early 1640’s, it has been remodeled and rebuilt many times but survived World War II
Main Attraction: the Palace is not open to the public but you can book an organized tour
Location: Krakowskie Przedmieście 48/50, 00-071 Warszawa
Time Open: depends on the organized group
Price: free with organized groups
The residence to former Polish monarchs during the 14th century, the castle was completely destroyed during World War II and a replica has been rebuilt
Main Attraction: take a tour of the castle and visit the museum!
Location: plac Zamkowy 4, 00-277 Warszawa
Time Open: Monday: closed, Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00-18:00
Price: $8.00 admission for one adult
The church was constructed in 1454
Main Attraction: there is a fantastic viewing platform on top of the church, where you can get a panorama view of the city and Old Town
Location: Krakowskie Przedmieście 68, 00-322 Warszawa
Time Open: Monday to Saturday: 9:00-15:00, Sunday: 10:00-19:00
Price: free
The Royal Łazienki and Park
Sites on the grounds of the old King Stanisław August’s summer residence include: the Palace on the Isle, the Old Orangery, The Myślewicki Palace, and the White Pavilion
Main Attraction: the famous statue of Chopin. During the summer there are free Chopin concerts on Sundays.
Location: Agrykoli 1, 00-460 Warszawa
Time Open: Monday: closed, April-October Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00-18:00, November-March Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00-16:00
Price: Thursday: free, one-day pass to all of the sites $12.00
The museum of the history of the Polish Jews. The best way to learn about the history of the Jewish community in Poland before, during, and after WWII, spanning 1000-year history of Polish Jews.
Main Attraction: highly suggest joining a guided tour or getting an audio guide.
Location: Anielewicza 6, 00-157 Warszawa
Time Open: Tuesday: closed, Wednesday to Monday: 10:00-18:00/20:00
Price: Thursday: free, admission $6.50 (highly suggest booking your tickets online to reserve your spot)
“The exhibition depicts fighting and everyday life during the Rising, keeping occupation terror in the background. Complexity of the international situation at the time of the Rising is portrayed, including the post-war years of the Communist regime and the fate of Insurgents in the People’s Republic of Poland (PRL)”
Location: Grzybowska 79, 00-844 Warszawa
Time Open: Tuesday: closed, Wednesday to Monday: 10:00-18:00
Price: Sunday: free, admission $6.50
Located between the Old Town and New Town, a historical fortification that use to encircle Warsaw.
Location: Nowomiejska 15/17, 00-001 Warszawa
Time Open: every day
Price: free
Festivals/Parades
Contemporary music festival featuring concerts, orchestras, operas and soloists
Celebrating 60 years of performances!
Location: take place in churches, universities, radio stations, museums and orchestra houses throughout the city
Date: September
Price: tickets range from $4.00 to $18.00, the tickets go on sale about 2 weeks before
Slaska Noc Swietojanska (Midsummer’s Eve Night)
Celebration of family, being together, and warm weather
Several traditions are honored throughout the night, including young maidens wearing white with wreaths on their heads.
Location: throughout the city
Date: June, on the longest day of the year
Price: free
Enjoy the night - period-costume contests, free concerts, feasting, drunken merriment and dancing.
Nightlife (bars, clubs, wine bars, rooftops for sunsets, etc.)
Brief History/Description:
Main Attraction: local and craft beer
$
Location: 10 Ul. Nowomiejska, Warsaw
Time Open: Sunday to Monday: 13:00-23:00
Located in the basement of the National Opera of Poland’s Grand Theater
There’s space for lounging, a sushi bar for snacks, and a dance floor which hosts popular DJs every weekend
Location: Marywil, plac Teatralny 1, 00-001 Warszawa
Time Open: Friday & Saturday 20:00-6:00 am
$$
Hidden Gems (hole-in-the-wall restaurant, something natural, a neat piece of history)
Located in the SOHO Factory!
Main Attraction: The world’s largest collection of vintage neon signs from the Cold War era
Location: ul. Minska 25 | Building 55, Warsaw 03-808
Time Open: Monday to Sunday: 12:00-17:00
Price: $3.90 admission
Learn about the life of Marie Curie, the famous chemist and physicist, she was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize for her research in radioactivity.
Location: ul. Freta 16, Warsaw 00-227
Time Open: Monday: closed, Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-19:00
Price: $3.00 admission
