City Guide: Warsaw

Located on the Vistula River, Warsaw is the capital and the largest city of Poland. At the same time, the city is the capital of Masovian Voivodeship, one of the sixteen administrative regions of the country. Most of the buildings including the historical structures, museums and libraries were razed to the ground in the World War II. After the fall of communism, Warsaw has experienced an investment boom of every kind. After the affiliation of Poland into the European Union in 2004, the capital of the country has lived the highest economic boom of its history.

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• Tourist Attractions

  All dilapidated historic structures, churches, palaces and architectural buildings of the city have been reconstructed and restored after the war. 
  
  Included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town is the oldest district of the city. Rigorously reconstructed after World War II , the district has significant historical landmarks and exhibitions such as Royal Castle, Barbican, King Zygmunt's Column and Historical Museum of Warsaw. Royal Castle is a 13th century Royal construction used as the seat of Polish president between 1926 and World War II. Zygmunt's Column is one of the most famous secular monuments of the city composed of a column and the statue of King Zygmunt III Waza who determined Warsaw as the capital of Poland.
  
  “Palace of Culture and Science” at the Financial district is the tallest building in the country and used as an exhibition center and the business complex. From the 30th floor of the building, you will experience a bird's eye view of the city.
  
  Saxon Garden (Ogród Saski) is the oldest public park in the city. You will see a fountain on the ground of the park. Łazienki Park is an 18th century royal park. It was used as the summer residence of the last king of the country, Stanishlaw August Poniatowski.

• Culture & Entertainment

  Warsaw is the cultural capital of Poland. Art, culture and entertainment have much to offer in Warsaw. The city is home to many foreign and national art collections and exhibitions. Royal Castle, Zacheta Gallery, Wilanow Palace and the Center of Contemporary Art are among the important exhibitions and art galleries in the city.
  
  Warsaw has about 30 theatrical centers, concert halls and many musical venues. National Theater (Teatr Narodowy) and Grand Theater (Teatr Wielki) are among the main theaters. While National Theater is one of the main musical venues, Grand Theater is the center for Polish National Opera. In addition, the Chamber Opera is a significant music center. Baj, Guliwer and Lalka are the major puppet theaters. Roma and Buffo are among the fundamental musical venues in Warsaw.
  
  Warsaw witnesses many seasonal cultural events and festivals. Frederick Chopin International Piano Competition, Festival of Old Music, International Theatrical Meetings, International Poster Biennial, International Contemporary Music Festival (Warszawska Jesień), Jazz Jamboree, Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Stanisław Moniuszko International Vocal Competition and Mozart Festival are the main world wide famous seasonal events held in Warsaw.
  
  Warsaw has a great deal of cafes, pubs, bars and discotheques. All these entertainment and live music places offer the perfect opportunity to the visitors to relax.

• Food & Drink

  Top European restaurants in the city offer most of the international and traditional delicacies. From Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Asian, Lebanese, Japanese to vegetarian, fast food, diet, fish and meat dishes are all served to your taste at the top-quality restaurants of Warsaw. Especially, fish palates are prevalent at the city restaurants.
  
  Some specialties from the rich Polish cuisine in Warsaw

  Bigos (sauerkraut, onion, cabbage, meat), kabanos, kulebiak (mushroom and cabbage pastry), barszcz (beetroot soup), rosol (beef or chicken soup), zrazy zawijane (beefsteak stuffed with mushroom), kasza (buckwheat) and sledz (herring) are among the popular flavors of the Poland cuisine that you should taste.
  
  Zubrowka, tarniowka, sliwowica, and pieprzowka are the popular Polish vodka kinds. Coffee shops are prevalent at Warsaw. These places are significant locations for social meetings till the late hours of the day.

• Shopping

  The political and economic transformation after the fall of communism has showed itself in the shopping world of the city as well. Innumerable shops have emerged since 1990s.
  
  Chmielna, Nowy Swiat, Marszalkowska and Jerozolimskie are the main shopping streets at the city center. You can find fashion, sportswear, traditional apparels and more at these shopping places.
  
  Arcades are popular at every part of the city. Arkadia in Warsaw and Galeria Centrum in Marszalkowska are the two popular examples. You can find both international and national brands at these shopping centers. Old Town is the best place for souvenirs of the city.

Ticket Sales Offices: Warsaw

• Warsaw: Airport Map Information

  Okecie/Fryderyk Chopin Airport

  Address	:	Polish Airports State Enterprise, Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, Ulica Zwirki i Wigury 1, 00 906 Warszawa, Poland
  Phone	:	+48 22 650 4220

• Warsaw: Airport Map Information