11 Things to See in Warsaw, Poland
11 Things to See in Warsaw, Poland
What are three words that come to mind when you think of Poland? For me, it was WW2, cold and grey. In school, history class taught me that Poland has a long past full of tragedy and I wasn't really sure what my expectations were coming here. I just knew that friends and fellow travelers I met along the way had nothing but great things to say, so on this trip to Europe, I made Poland one of my first stops.
I spent the week in Warsaw (the city's capital) and here are a few things you should check out if you ever find yourself in Warsaw.
Old Town
1. Explore Old Town
The first place you should visit if you aren't already staying here is Old Town. A staggering 85% of Warsaw was destroyed in World War 2 and after years of public funding, the town center was reconstructed to look exactly like it had pre-war. These efforts make it look remarkably beautiful and I spent most of my time in this part of the city.
2. Visit the mermaid in Old Town Square
While you are walking the picturesque streets of Old Town, make sure to visit the mermaid that resides in the middle of the city. She is rumored to be the sister of the mermaid that lives in Denmark and with her battle pose, she looks fierce and ready to protect the city. If you look closely, you can see her on pretty much anything from garbage cans to water pipes and above doorways.
3. Eat pierogies at Zapiecek
This chain restaurant comes locally approved as some of the best pierogies in the city. It was so good that I had it at least three times the week I was there! I prefer the mix of meatless pierogies that include mushrooms, cottage cheese, potatoes, and more. My dipping sauce of choice is sour cream but the gravy was actually very enjoyable as well! The dessert pierogies are TO DIE for so make sure you order some after dinner!
4. Explore the River Walk (Bulwary)
Along the river is a beautiful walking path for workout enthusiasts and social butterflies alike. I spent most of my afternoon walks along the river exploring the many boat restaurants and cafes. There is something for everyone there and another glimpse of the mermaid can be seen protecting the waterways.
5. Take a free walking tour
By now we ALL know how much I love a good free walking tour and Warsaw had a few options to choose from. I used Orange Umbrella and took two tours with them during my week-long visit. I chose the Old Town and the World War 2 in Warsaw tours and both were super educational!
6. Taste Delicious Vodka at the Vodka Museum
One thing I love about Poland is how far the U.S. dollar will get you there... and Polish Vodka... put them together and BOOM you have the perfect evening activity. The Vodka Museum costs around 10 USD and offers three free shots at the end of the tour. You can experience how vodka is made and learn about the history of vodka in Poland. The tour itself is fun enough but the shots of vodka alone are worth the price of the ticket.
7. Visit the gardens on the roof of the University of Warsaw Library
The gardens at the University of Warsaw Library were a highlight of my trip! I really enjoyed exploring the greenery and taking in the views of the city from the roof. There are tons of great picture opportunities and the best part is that it is FREE. Make sure to carve out a few hours to stop by this cool place.
8. See where Marie Curie was born
So I always thought that Marie Curie was French... but traveling has now provided me with yet again another fun fact. She only moved to France later to continue her work and met her husband, Pierre Curie there. It was cool to see the building where she was born and find out a little more about her background since she is one of the major figures in medical history and most famously known for her work on radioactivity
9. Eat at a Milk Bar or a Bar Mleczny
The first milk bar was opened in 1896 and was justly named after the majority of items on the menu that contained milk. It was essentially an extremely cheap Polish buffet that became popular when Communist rule occurred in Poland, making cheap food to the masses a must. While communism is gone, the milk bar remains and is still a cheap place to grab traditional Polish dishes. This is a great place to eat if you're a budget traveler like me!
10. Have a beer and play games at Zagrywki
After meeting a few Polish locals and now new friends, they invited me to share a few drinks with them at Zagrywki, a Polish Dave and Busters essentially. The three-plus floors hold a mini-golf course, foosball, beer pong, and more, plus pretty cheap beers/wines. We spent a few hours here before checking out other bars in the area.
11. Grab drinks at Pawilony
During my time in Warsaw, I kept hearing about Pawilony being the place to drink. I had met some people staying at a local hostel and we decided to check out what the buzz was all about. Thankfully we weren't disappointed, these groups of bars were filled with locals and tourists alike grabbing cheap drinks and enjoying the last nights of summer. Head here on your first night in Warsaw to make friends easily!
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