Warsaw

Discover Warsaw before it gets famous!

Don’t get us wrong, Warsaw is a popular destination but because Kraków has been getting much more tourist attention in recent years, Warsaw is still a little under the radar. So if you’re looking for something different, don’t follow the crowds - follow your heart instead to Poland’s sophisticated and cosmopolitan capital.

Warsaw is Poland’s largest city. This sprawling metropolis stands on the Vistula River, which is the country’s longest. But these aren’t the only big things about Warsaw.

We’re much more impressed with - and surprised by - the city’s beaches! Not least because Warsaw is 260km from the sea. You won’t find a river like this in other European capitals and both National Geographic and The Guardian name Warsaw’s beaches as some of the most beautiful urban environments in the world. Vistula’s Boulevards have observation terraces, food pavilions and river jetties, while across on the river’s right bank is Natura 2000, a protected habitat for breeding bird species.

Back on the left bank you’ll find the Multimedia Fountain Park. There are water shows every afternoon and laser light shows every Friday and Saturday evening – the atmosphere is electric.

To travel between the two riverbanks, hop on a free ferry when water levels permit – or book a water tram ride to get a whole other view of the city.

Nearby, you’ll find the Museum on the Vistula, temporary home of the Museum of Modern Art, and the award-winning University of Warsaw Library – even if you’re not a book lover, it’s worth a visit to the roof garden for a truly sensual experience.

Warsaw is also an incredible city for families – there’s so much to keep the children in awe! Traditional museums mix with interactive attractions to make light work of learning – they won’t even know that they’re being enlightened! The Copernicus Science Centre offers fascinating insights into how the body is built AND a robot show amongst many other exhibits. The dollhouse museum isn’t just for the girls and the Children’s Museum is a world of discovery – quite literally! Kids can get hands-on with the exhibits, dress up, and create their own stories. At the Museum of Evolution, you can get a selfie with a huge reptile skeleton and meet the Tarbosaurus, a lesser known relative of the T-Rex.

Kids are also catered for with city bikes. You can rent yours at some of Warsaw’s parks and the first 20 minutes are free, so it costs nothing to give them a go. It’s one of the best ways to go mermaid spotting – mermaids are the city’s symbol and there are many dotted around.

There’s much more to discover for children but we’d be missing a trick if we didn’t mention Warsaw’s Old Town. It’s not so old, having been faithfully reconstructed after the war, but you can’t tell. It’s so well done that UNESCO include it on their World Cultural Heritage list. Take a walk through the charming streets to the Market Square where you can enjoy the art, restaurants and cafés or take a buggy ride. And the icing on the cake? Warsaw remains one of the best value cities to visit in Europe.