Warsaw is Poland's new cultural centre that lures world travellers en masse
The capital of Poland, Warsaw, is increasingly becoming one of the most popular destinations for tourists. It is gaining popularity and competing with other popular Polish cities such as Gdansk and Krakow.
The centre of Warsaw is a great combination of old and new, with many interesting things to see in all directions. The city was significantly rebuilt after the Second World War and has undergone significant modernization in recent decades, EuronewsTravel reports.
The city has a good public transportation system, so it is not a problem to get to any point on the map. There is also a subway, from where you can easily get to central Warsaw.
The famous historical building is the Palace of Culture and Science, the sixth tallest building in the EU. For a fee of 25 zlotys (approximately 5.70 euros), you can go up to the observation terrace, which rises 114 metres above the city with breathtaking views.
The Złote Tarasy shopping centre with both Polish and international brands and large restaurant chains such as Hard Rock Cafe and McDonald's is within walking distance. At the same time, Warsaw's historic Old Town offers a deep dive into Poland's past.
Although Warsaw's Old Town is small compared to many other European capitals, it is no less worth a visit. It was carefully restored after the Second World War to revive centuries-old Polish culture, earning it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The main square, dominated by the stunning Royal Castle, is a tourist attraction. Travellers can enjoy visiting local taverns and restaurants where they can try perogies and delicious venison goulash, washed down with beer.
Tourists have the opportunity to visit the Warsaw Museum, which reopened in 2017, offering invaluable insight into the history and development of the city and Poland as a whole.
However, in addition to the main tourist attractions, Warsaw is a city that is bustling with life, from the luxurious to the austere. For example, Café Bristol, a Viennese-style breakfast establishment in the historic Bristol Hotel. Opened in 1901 and almost completely intact after World War II, its elegant chessboard dining room on the prestigious Krakowskie Przedmieście street is the perfect place to enjoy a bacon, eggs, tomatoes and mushroom breakfast with a full bread basket.
An exciting glimpse of Warsaw's alternative youth culture is offered by Hybrydy Klub. Both a nightclub and a live music venue, it specializes in rock music. The prices are cheap compared to other venues.
It is emphasized that the culture-filled capital of Poland is a place where the standard of living is high but the cost of living is low. Therefore, such things as restaurants and visiting bars are not as expensive as in other popular tourist destinations.
At the same time, it should be noted that in 2019, Warsaw received about 10 million visitors. For comparison, 38 million tourists visited Paris during the same period. In 2023, the city was recognized as the best place to visit in Europe according to the European Best Destinations index.
Finally, tourists are reminded that they can also take advantage of the new high-speed rail line that will connect Warsaw with the cities of Łódź and Wroclaw.