Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Warsaw, Poland. I used to work in Lithuania, so I have spent a lot of time visiting Warsaw. It’s a great city, but there are some things you will love, and some things you will hate when you visit Warsaw.
Love #1: Warsaw Old Town & Polish Pride
The Old Town area of Warsaw is not as “old” as you might think. It’s all been rebuilt since World War II and they did an excellent job of restoring everything back to the original look. You really get a sense of the pride the people of Poland have for their country and their history when you see how it’s been restored to the original look.
Hate #1: Service in Warsaw
This actually applies to much of Poland. The service is not super friendly in Poland. Polish locals can be super friendly once you get to know them, but not in the service industry. Although the service isn’t stellar, you still are expected to tip around 10% in Warsaw.
Love #2: Warsaw Museums
Warsaw has some really great museums. The Uprising Museum opened in 2004, on the 60th anniversary of the uprising. The National Museum in Warsaw is one of the largest museums in Poland, as well as one of the oldest art museums in the country. There’s a Chopin Museum, the Copernicus Science Centre, and a lot of interesting smaller museums.
Hate #2: Safety Around Transportation Hubs
Like a lot of European cities, the train station and bus station are not in the best neighborhoods. If you arrive in Warsaw by train, you will quickly notice a lot of beggars, drunks, and pickpockets hanging around the train station.
Love #3: English is Widely Spoken
Polish isn’t a common language spoken outside of Poland, so English is pretty commonly spoken here, too. It’s pretty easy to find signs and menus that are printed in English, so it’s pretty easy to visit Warsaw without speaking Polish. Of course, it’s always helpful to learn a few words of the local language as it will really get the locals to open up to you and be more welcoming.
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Hate #3: The Gray Aesthetic
Warsaw was essentially leveled to the ground during World War II and it’s impressive how they have rebuilt the city in a relatively short amount of time. However, a lot of the architecture is in the typical Communist-style: gray cinder block buildings that don’t offer much in the way of aesthetics. The Old Town was beautifully restored, but not all areas of Warsaw are as architecturally interesting.
Love #4: Public Transportation
You can really get anywhere in Warsaw using public transportation. There are trams, buses, and trains. Your tickets work across the board, and they are easy and affordable to purchase. Just make sure you validate your ticket before boarding, as they do check to see if you’d done that.
Hate #4: Sites Are Spread Out
As Warsaw was rebuilt, the Warsaw tourism sites became spread out across different areas. This isn’t a city where you can walk to all of the attractions from one central location. If you prefer walking vacations, you may not love having to use the public transportation or a car service to get around.
Love #5: Prices in Warsaw
Warsaw is a very affordable city to visit. Warsaw accommodations are very cheap, and you can eat (and drink) very well in Warsaw. If you’re looking for a budget destination in Europe with a lot of history, Warsaw is a great choice.
Hate #5: Pickpockets
There are some pickpockets in Warsaw. It’s not as bad as some other European cities, but it’s something to be aware of. When you are in crowded areas or on the train or the bus, keep an eye on your wallet and your belongings. It’s not a bad idea to keep your wallet in your front pocket just to be safe.
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The city of Warsaw really is a fun and interesting city to visit. Don’t let the “hates” of Warsaw deter you from checking it out. Seeing Soviet architecture against modern glass and steel skyscrapers is pretty cool and it’s super affordable! I didn’t even mention all the great Polish food! Want more of our travel tips for central Europe? Check out some of these other blog posts: