Sightseeing and attractions in Warsaw. Warsaw in a few words and monuments

a fountain with a statue of a mermaid, the Vistula River in the background — Vistula in the background. Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

At the beginning I want to write few words about Warsaw. I visited many capitals of European countries, but only when I was forty I went to visit the capital of Poland. I knew that Warsaw had a lot to offer, but I didn't expect so much. I recommend it very much and honestly, this city is no different in its charm from other European capitals. It is a beautiful modern city, with great museums and a tragic history in the background, with many monuments, where the present and the future are connected with the past.

If we refer to the past, I'd like to mention about Palmiry. A small, idyllic village (less than 30 km from the capital of Poland) is known as a symbol of Nazi cruelty. It's definitely worth visiting. More information and photos about Palmiry.

a building several dozen floors high — Entrance to Youth Palace in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

In 1980 the Old Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In August 1944, during the Warsaw Uprising, over 85% of the buildings in the Old Town were destroyed by Nazi troops. After the war, by the will of the society, a five-year reconstruction work was undertaken, meticulously restoring the palaces, churches and the Old Town Square. It is a unique example of almost complete reconstruction of monuments from an uninterrupted historical sequence, from the 13th to the 20th century.

I think if you want to visit most of the monuments and museums in Warsaw, you should book at least a few days, but it would be wiser to spend over one week there. Then you could easily (I mean you would be more relaxed) see most of the attractions and have a nice time in the evenings in numerous cafes or restaurants.

I was in Warsaw for 4 days and these days were filled with sightseeing from morning to dusk. I didn't even have a chance to enter museums such as the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews or the Warsaw Uprising Museum. It's not that I didn't want to, but we simply ran out of time and the weather was so beautiful that we visited the sights outside. Visit Warsaw with me.

More information about Warsaw you can find on Wikipedia

So what is the best way of getting around Warsaw?

My little advice, maybe more of a tip, use public transport in Warsaw. You will go everywhere. There are different types of tickets, for example, a 20-minute ticket, a 75 or 90-minute ticket, a 75-minute group ticket, a 24-hour ticket, a 72-hour ticket, a weekend ticket and others. We bought a 72-hour ticket and used the subway, buses and even trams!

And my second tip……… I think, if you are interested in history, you should see a very special place. It's called Palmiry. It is marked by human tragedy and human blood. It was there, in the forest during World War II, that the Nazis killed nearly 1,800, especially the elite of Polish teachers, engineers, lawyers and doctors (I described it in a separate thread). Palmiry is located about 30 km from Warsaw and the silence that prevails there is so profound, overwhelming.

Worth to know :) How to get to Warsaw?

Warsaw can be reached thanks to airports serving domestic, international and intercontinental flights. Chopin Airport (previously called Warsaw - Okęcie Airport) is located 8 km from the center of Warsaw. The airport is reached by several public transport lines organized by the Public Transport Authority, thanks to which you can get to the city center very quickly. The second airport is the Warsaw - Modlin Airport, located about 40 km from the center of Warsaw. To get to Warsaw, you can use, for example, Modlinbus (a special bus for travelers).

When is the best time to go to Warsaw?

For those who like to relax when it's warm, I recommend the holiday months like June, July and August. But you can also have a nice time in May or September :)

What to visit in Warsaw in one day?

In my opinion The Royal Castle, The Royal Łazienki and the Wilanów Palace. If you have some spare time, I recommend you to go to Palmiry.

Now I invite you to see some monuments in Warsaw. The Royal Łazienki Park, the Wilanów Palace and The Royal Castle in Warsaw are described in separate plots.

We started our adventure in Warsaw from the Copernicus Science Centre. It's a great adventure for kids and adults. Lots of interesting facts, information, experiments. The experiences (with water, air, fire and so on) we could take part in increased our knowledge on many topics. It is worth going to the Copernicus Science Center with the whole family.

See for yourself how much fun our children, and even my father and husband had :) Of course I chose only a few photos.

Dance of two pieces of fabric in the air - one is white, the other purple, it is a show in a science centre — Great experience with air in the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Now something for music fans :)

Two men and two boys are sitting at the table, they have headphones and are listening to the music — What a focus ;) The Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Maciek is a great fan of cars.

A little boy is standing in front of the silver mercedes — The future of the automotive industry? The Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

My parents are starring in van Gogh's Starry Night.

a picture looks like an animation from a painting of Vincent van Gogh — I think this is one of his most famous paintings. The Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Experiences continue.

a boy is playing with sand and a wheel in the science centre — Maciek with sand and wheel. The Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

a boy is driving on a special vehicle in a science center — Driving with air. The Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

After the Copernicus Science Centre, we went to see our largest river - the Vistula. We sat on the wooden steps and enjoyed feeding the sparrows.

sparrows on the pier on the river bank — They weren't afraid of us at all. Sparrows in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Near the statue of the mermaid there was a square full of young people on skateboards and scooters.

Two boys are standing in front of the mermaid statue — Warsaw Mermaid - half woman half fish, coat of arms and one of the symbols of Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

The Palace of Culture and Science is the second tallest building in Poland in terms of total height. It has a height of 237 meters.
In 2007, the building was entered into the register of monuments. The palace was "a gift from the Soviet nation to the Polish nation." It was built in the years 1952–1955. It combines socialist realism and historicism. The palace is the seat of many enterprises and public institutions, like four theatres, museums, the authorities of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Council of Scientific Excellence. It also houses a conference and entertainment hall for 3,000 people (Congress Hall, closed since 2014) and the Youth Palace with a swimming pool.

a woman in a grey dress is standing in front of a high building — Behind me one of the four theatres “Lalka Theatre" in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyński

a boy is sitting on the edge of a round fountain, and a man is standing next to him — The round fountain in front of The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

The other day we wanted to see the Old Town of Warsaw. So we went exploring :)

Below you can see the monument of King Sigismund III Vasa located on Castle Square in Warsaw. The monument was erected in the years 1643–1644 from the foundation of Władysław IV Vasa. The monument has been restored several times. It was destroyed by the Germans in September 1944 and reconstructed in 1948–1949.

Five people standing in front of a tall column, on the top of the column is a statue of man, the castle in the background — The Royal Castle in Warsaw in the background. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

View of the Old Market and a high column, the Royal Castel and tenements in the background — The Column, the Royal Castle and tenement houses are the characteristic elements of the old town in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

I admire such people. I really do. They stand still, without any move for long hours. For me it's impossible.

a gold-painted performer greets a boy, tenement houses in the background — Nice gesture. The Old Town in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

He was a shoemaker, a hero of the Kościuszko Uprising. In 1794, during the Warsaw Uprising, Jan Kiliński became the leader of the people. I live on the street named after him :)

statue of a man with a sword who was the leader of the uprising — My little hero :) The monument of Jan Kiliński in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

This is a monument to a small insurgent, only 1.5 meters high. It commemorates all the young people who served as paramedics or liaison officers during the Warsaw Uprising. Many of them also fought with a rifle in their hands and many of them were killed.

a statue of a little boy in a helmet, a little insurgent, red flowers under the statue — I teach my children difficult history. They need to know…. The monument of Little Insurrectionist in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Old Town at night in Warsaw

a boy is standing in front of the marmeid statue, tenement houses behind this statue — Another mermaid statue, this time in the center of the Old Town in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

We join sightseeing with relaxation…..

a woman is sitting at the table, she is drinking a drink, two glasses of beer are also on the table — Time to rest :) The Old Town in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

On our walk we came across a fire show in front of the Royal Castle

A man is playing with fire sticks in front of a castle — It was really amazing. In front of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

This monument presents 2 famous presidents of Warsaw.

two figures of men, lit candles in front of them, flowers and white and red sashes — Starzyński commanded the civil defense of the capital during the September Campaign. Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

And another day :)

A woman is standing at the balustrade at the viewpoint and seeing the castle and tenement houses — Great point to see the Old Town from above. St. Anne's Church in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyński

view of the castle from the viewpoint — Magnificent Royal Castle in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyński

Break for gourmands on Krakowskie Przedmieście.

a man and a boy are sitting at the table with their dishes, a boy has a salad and a man has a soup — During the walk you can always try traditional Polish dishes. Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

dumplings in a silver bowl with stew — Polish noodles (we call them KOPYTKA) with stew meat. In a Warsaw restaurant. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

A walk in the Krakowskie Przedmieście.

Luxury hotel — Ahead of us is the luxurious Hotel Bristol in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyński

A man and a woman are standing in from of the palace. Behind them, there is a postument with a sculpture which presents a man on the horse — The President's Palace in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyński

In the foreground is the statue of our national poet Adam Mickiewicz.

a statue of the poet, a view of a church in the background — Splendid Church of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

I'm inside the church.

A woman is inside of church, behind her the main altar — Magnificent interior of the Church of St. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyński

Wonderful interiors of St. Anne's Church.

very large chandelier hangs in a church, side altar with the image of Mary — I was delighted. St. Anne's Church in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

the main altar in a church, beautiful painted ceiling — I was delighted. St. Anne's Church in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

large organ in the church — Fantastic organ. St. Anne's Church in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Interiors of The Cathedral Basilica in Warsaw of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. It is one of the oldest churches in Warsaw. It is one of the most important places of Polish culture and national tradition. In this church Father Piotr Skarga preached and our king Władysław IV Vasa swore his pacta conventa. Many weddings, coronations of two Polish rulers and funerals of many personalities took place here. It was in this church that the first constitution in Europe, the Constitution of May 3, was sworn in.

a bronze figure of people raising their hands to the cross — Sculpture in honor of the "cursed soldiers". The Cathedral Basilica in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

three statues in the church, one of them is on the top of the pedestal, the other rests his head on his hand, and the third holds something like a spear with a bird in it — Sculpture in honor of the "cursed soldiers". The Cathedral Basilica in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

A monument to the "Unknown Soldier" and two soldiers on guard duty. On the walls there were places of battles in which Polish soldiers took part.

two soldiers are standing by a lit candle, they are keeping watch — They were standing still in a gesture of honour. A monument to the "Unknown Soldier" in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

It is only a few meters from the "Unknown Soldier" monument to the Saski Garden. So we went with pleasure….

a little boy is standing in front of a round fountain — Look at my boy. He was very happy. The Saski Garden in Warsaw. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

I couldn't resist going to the Powązki Cemetery. I've always wanted to go there. It is an unusual, historic necropolis, very old with a lot of wonderful sculptures. The entire area is under conservation protection and every year on the Day of the Dead, famous Poles (actors, singers etc.) are there to collect money for work related to the protection and conservation of graves

A woman and two boys are standing in front of the grave of Chopin's parents — We are standing in front of the grave of the parents of the outstanding pianist Fryderyk Chopin. The Powązki Cemetery. Photo by A. Rybczyński

a wall with photos commemorating the dead musician, under the photos there are a lot of flowers — Place of memory of our famous singer Czesław Niemen. The Powązki Cemetery. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

a wall with photos commemorating the dead singer, there are also flowers and artificial hearts — Place of memory of our famous singer Irena Jarocka. The Powązki Cemetery. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

a stone statue presenting a woman, standing in the cemetry — There are many such wonderful sculptures. The Powązki Cemetery. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

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