Nowadays, Poland is getting to be a more and more popular travel destination in Europe. Last year, the country was visited by more than 13 million foreign visitors, who rated Warsaw as their favorite place. Why?
As the capital city of Poland, Warsaw is well known for its tasty traditional Polish dishes (dumplings, herring with sour cream, chicken soup, Hunter’s stew), historical museums (Fryderik Chopin museum, National Museum of Archaeology), cathedrals, churches (Roman Catholic church) and busy night life.
It’s a city for everyone, with all budgets. Moreover, it is considered to be the most sophisticated city in Poland, richest in culture and traditions where you can experience the real local hospitality.
There are plenty of places worth exploring in Warsaw (museums, churches, palaces and parks), a lot of different activities to do (bird feeding or cycling) and plenty of food waiting for you to try. Having a limited time (only 48 hours), you might struggle to see everything, so having a list of must-see and must-try things in Warsaw might be crucial. Here are some recommendations you might take into account to fully enjoy the beauty of Warsaw when being in a rush.
1. Go for a walk in Royal Lazienki.
It is a Palace-Garden complex, definitely one of the most beautiful areas in Warsaw. It is located at Agrykoli Street, not far from the city center. You can easily walk there or take a local tram and spend an hour or two enjoying the fresh air and having a morning coffee.
You can spot some peacocks there, a few squirrels and plenty of pigeons, chill out and admire the beautiful scenery from baroque age.
2. Visit the Old Town.
It is definitely a highlight of the day. You will be surrounded by atmospheric alleys, cozy coffee shops and restaurants. You can experience the unique sense of history here, and in the summer, the Old and New Town Squares become stages for various different musical and theatrical performances and open-air galleries which is a great fun to see.
3. Get to the top of Palace of Culture and Science.
The Palace of Culture and Science is the tallest building in Poland (and 6th tallest in European Union). It was built between 1952 and 1955 and became the main tourist attraction of the city. Getting to the top floor of it (30th floor) and taking a few photos of the scenic landscape of Warsaw is something you can’t miss here!
Additionally, you can enjoy a nice piece of Polish apple pie with some hot chocolate on the terrace to make this day perfect!
4. Have a plate of Polish dumplings.
Where else can you experience the real taste of Polish cuisine if not in the capital city? Warsaw has a lot to offer in terms of food. There are thousands of local restaurants around, where you can order a plate of Polish dumplings (pierogi), have a potato or cheese cake, taste fresh Polish cheese and bread or have a pint of beer with a jam-filled doughnuts! Warsaw is also the place where the best chocolate is made!
5. Explore the Royal Castle.
Warsaw will take your breath away by its historical sites and spots. Full of baroque churches and cathedrals, parks and philharmonics – everyone can find something for themselves, that’s for sure! You will spend hours exploring the unique architecture and ruins of the Old Town still recovering from the World War ll. Warsaw is a mixture of old and modern city. Some of the must-see places are Historical Museum of Warsaw and of course the Royal Castle – one of the oldest castles in the world.
To sum up, Warsaw should definitely be on your bucket list when visiting Poland. It will take your breath away by its scenery, hospitality and affordable prices. Once you fully explore it, you will dream of coming back there every summer, I promise you!
Agness is a Polish vagabond who, after graduation, left her comfort zone and set off for a journey of her lifetime. She has been constantly travelling the world since her first flight to China in 2011 (slowly, but surely as she says), living like a local for less than $25 a day. She became a passionate photographer and adventure blogger sharing her life enthusiasm and travel experience with everyone around. You can follow her adventures on her (and her best friend’s) blog – eTramping – or find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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