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Warsaw
Warsaw in a day / top places to visit
The main symbol of Warsaw is the mermaid (syrenka). It can be found on different statues around the city and on the city’s coat of arms. The legend says that Warsaw's Mermaid is sister with Copenhagen's Mermaid.
1. Palace of Culture and Science
Although the mermaid is the symbol of Warsaw, the capital can be recognized by the main building in the city center, which is Palac Kultury i Nauki (the Palace of Culture and Since). This is the tallest building in Poland, and the 5th tallest building in Europe, it was built in 1955 as a gift for Polish people from the Soviet Union. It’s a highly controversial building, and is often viewed as a reminder of Soviet influence over Poland. That’s why it had different nicknames like Stalin’s syringe, even Chuj Stalina (Stalin’s Dick). But the most notable nickname is PKiN, because of the abbreviation Palac Kultury i Nauki. Read More Here.
Palace of Culture and Sience in Winter
Iluminated like a Chritmas Tree
The mermaid, symbol of Warsaw
(main square of the old town)
Palace of Culture and Sience
(Palac Kultury i Nauki)
2. Old Town
Royal Castle in Old Town
The Old Town is a must! The historical Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Warsaw. As you might already know, Warsaw was largely destroyed during the Second World War and gained thereafter the nickname of Phoenix City because of its reconstruction. Some of the main places to visit here, are:
1. Castle Square (plac Zamkowy) is the main square and it’s dominated by Zygmunt’s Column and as the name suggests, it’s the location of the Royal Castle (Polish: Zamek Królewski).
2. Bell Tower (Taras Widokowy). I’d highly recommend climbing up the bell tower, it’s very cheap, but well worth it, you get a great view of the Castle Square. It’s even better than the view from PKiN, imho.
3. The Old Town Market Place (Polish: Rynek Starego Miasta) is the center and oldest part of the Old Town.
4. Presidential Palace is the official residence of the Polish head of state and president.
5. Barbican is between the Old and New Town, and it’s in a form of a semicircular fortified outpost. One of few remaining relics of the complex network of historic fortifications that once encircled Warsaw.
There is definitely a lot more to see in old town like, but these are my favorite spots and the main ones. If you have enough time my advice is to walk from metro station Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet toward old-town on Nowy Świat street. This way you will not miss a single spot what is worth visiting. Read more here.
Narrow street with view of St. Martin’s Church.
Bell Tower in Old Town
Barbican
3. Royal Baths Park
If you’re passionate about nature, the best place for you would be Łazienki Park or Royal Baths Park (Łazienki Królewskie) which is the largest park in Warsaw, occupying 76 hectares of the city center. You can probably catch some open air classical music concert, or feed the squirrels and enjoy the peacocks or the bronze statue of Frédéric Chopin Monument which is one of the main attractions in the park as well as the castle on the isle.
Castle on the isle in Royal Baths Park
Chopin Monument in Royal Baths Park
4. Vistula River
The Multimedia Fountain and Kopernicus Center are both on the side of Vistula river, that’s why they go together. Vistula was my favorite place for promenades, you can walk down to the riverfront from the Old Town, where you can find the multimedia fountain, worth seeing when it’s lighten. Or you can come from the Centrum Nauki Kopernik and choose to either walk, ride a bike along the boulevard, but also enjoy the views and something to drink from an indoor riverfront cafe or boat-cafes right on the river. In summer there are a lot of street food stands with international cuisine and a lot of people as well, sometimes there’s improvised open air cinema and always music and skating and great atmosphere.
Multimedia Fountain, you can find it between the Old Town and Vistula river. When it gets dark the fountain lights up and a whole show of colors and figures appears in front of you. It’s definitely worth visiting.
Copernicus Science Center is specialty worth visiting if you have kids. There are a lot of fun activities and even Science classes. The kids will have a lot of fun playing and learning simultaneously. Be sure to book your tickets online as there are always lines and if you don’t have tickets bought in advance there is a chance that you will not be able to visit the center that day.
Multimedia Fountain
Near Vistula River and Old Town
Multimedia Fountain
Near Vistula River and Old Town
Copernicus Science Center
5. National Stadion
National Stadium is on the other side of the Vistula River, also it’s on the other side of the town, so it’s not quite comfortable to visit. The good news is that there is a nice view of the Stadium from the Cities part of Vistula. That way you can enjoy a walk along side of Vistula, see the Stadium, Kornicus Center and Multimedia Fountain all in one walk!
The special thing about Warsaw’s National Stadium is that it has multi purposes that makes it able to host sporting events, concerts, cultural events, conferences and even become a storage for water. It has has a retractable roof which unfolds and it’s the biggest arena in Poland.
6. Zloty Tarasy
Zloty Tarasy is a commercial center that hosts offices and entertainment spaces like cinemas and playgrounds. Its unique architecture reminds of sea waves, a very good place for shopping, restaurants and fun. Otherwise you can just admire the modern day architecture, as from outside and inside both views are spectacular. It’s right near the Palace of Culture and Science and central railway station so be sure not to miss it.
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I created this web page to share my photos mainly, but I will try also to say a few words about the experiences that helped create them and the memories related to these photos.
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