About Warsaw
Warsaw has been the capital of Poland since the 16th century. A historic and colourful city with reminders of its turbulent past everywhere. With the university, old town, parks and boulevards, it is an easy and interesting place to walk and explore.
Getting to Warsaw
The Wizz air flight from Budapest arrived on a cold, wet evening at Warsaw Chopin airport. The airport bus took about 30 minutes to arrive the central station (5€). The next task was to find the Airbnb, it was in Bagno 5 just 15 minutes’ walk from the station.
The owner met me outside an old tower block with a concierge and it was with slight trepidation that I followed him up to the flat which turned out to be spotlessly clean (although it did have a steel door for security). After the showing me round and giving me various guides to the city, it was time to get something to eat.
There was an Italian restaurant about 5 minutes away, Spacca Napoli (ul. Swietokrzyska,30) where I had spaghetti carbonara 28PLN (6€) and Zwiec beer 10PLN (2€) for 500ml. Very reasonable indeed.
Walking back to the apartment, the block was not as scary as it first seemed and the rain had cleared, so I was looking forward to the next day when I could get out and do some sightseeing.
The next morning, I set off for a walk towards the Ogrod Saski (Saxon gardens) via Manekin on Marszalkowska street for breakfast.
After pancakes with bacon and eggs, it was time to continue over the busy Krowlewska dual carriageway and into the park. Here there is a lake, Tomb of the Unknown soldier; statues and well laid out flower beds. An oasis of calm in the centre of the busy city.
Heading back out of the park, back onto Krowlewska and towards the university area. On your right after about 300 metres is the Bierhalle Brower. Based on the German bierhalles, all the beer is brewed to strict purity laws and there is a brewery on site. There is also a restaurant serving hearty pub food such as pork ribs, sausage and pork knuckle.
The Tyszkiewicz Palace is close by, a Neoclassical style building, completely rebuilt after the war and now belongs the University.
Next stop was the Old Town. On the way up Krakowskie Przedmiescie, you pass the Presidential place on your right. The road is more like an avenue with wide pavements and street cafes. You pass through a large square with Sigismund’s column in the centre. A popular meeting place with cafes and bars all around and it is very convenient for the tram stops.
Moving on into the Old Town with it’s cobbled streets and market square. As you can imagine, it is always extremely popular with tourists. It is amazing to think it was completely rebuilt after the war.
After a beer in a pavement café, I retraced my steps past the Roman Catholic Cathedral and through the Castle square down to the Vistula river.
Walls in the Old Town
There are bars and cafes alongside the river but there is also a busy dual carriageway which makes for a rather noisy walk. Up on the left-hand side, over the river is the unmistakable outline of the National football stadium.
Monument to the Warsaw uprising fighters
At the Copernicus Science Centre, I went back into town along Zajecza through a mainly commercial and residential part of town.
I got back to the apartment just before checking out time, picked up my bag and headed back to the station.
On Emilii Plater street, you pass probably the most recognisable landmark in Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science. It is the tallest building in Poland. Built very much in the Soviet style (a gift from Russia to Poland in the 1950s), you can take a lift to the 30th floor for a magnificent view of the city.
However, there is another impressive building on the opposite side of the road, the Intercontinental hotel. A very modern style of architecture and an example of modern Warsaw.
Intercontinental Hotel
Apparently, there is a great view of the city from the hot tub on the top floor!
My train was leaving in one hour, so there was time for some fast food before travelling to Krakow. As usual, I could have used more time in Warsaw but maybe a trip in summer would be a better option.