Rediscover Warsaw in 2025
See for yourself how many different faces the capital of Poland has. Here, the old meets the new, and big-city attractions are situated next to natural beaches and untamed nature. Last year, such popular sites as the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews were joined by new ones: the Museum of Modern Art, the Polish History Museum, the Polish Army Museum, and the Palace of the Commonwealth housing the treasures of the National Library. Those with a sweet tooth will be interested in the recently opened Chocolate Factory at the Wedel plant. In the summer, numerous concerts and festivals will once again turn the city into a musical stage. Autumn will bring the 19th edition of the famous International Chopin Competition. Then, as every year, Warsaw’s parks will blossom with thousands of lights, and with the arrival of December, they will be joined by illuminations in the Old Town and along the Royal Route.
Established and recently opened museums
Warsaw museums have been attracting tourists for years both through their themes and their interesting way of relating history, combining historical exhibits with modern technologies. You will learn about the realities of one of the most dramatic events in the history of Poland at the popular Warsaw Rising Museum, and the 1,000-year history of the coexistence of Jews and Poles at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
You can see memorabilia of the piano virtuoso and most famous Varsovian at the Fryderyk Chopin Museum. And the development of the capital’s cuisine over eight centuries can be traced at the exhibition ‘For Here and To Go. Warsaw’s Cuisine’ at the Museum of Warsaw.
You will acquire a great deal of knowledge about Polish history, culture and art from a visit to several new facilities housed in buildings with interesting architecture. To transport yourself to the land of the first king of Poland, Bolesław the Brave, crowned 1,000 years ago, visit the temporary exhibition at the Polish History Museum. You will be guided through Poland’s military history by the permanent exhibition ‘1000 Years of Polish Military Glory’ (open from July 2025) at the Polish Army Museum located right next door.
At the Palace of the Commonwealth, located nearby the Old Town, you will see the most valuable works of the Polish National Library. And in the minimalist Museum of Modern Art building adjacent to the Palace of Culture and Science exhibitions will be held devoted to two famous Polish artists: Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts graduate Edward Dwurnik, and Maria Jarema.
A star-studded musical summer
In 2025, Warsaw will once again become a music capital, attracting global stars and thousands of fans. This year’s concert season will commence with the open-air Orange Warsaw Festival, which will be held on May 30 and 31 at the Służewiec Horse Racetrack. Artists of various musical genres will take to the stages, including British electropop icon Charli XCX, whose album ‘Brat’ topped the European charts.
Amazing emotions also await music fans at the PGE National Stadium. On June 17, Justin Timberlake will perform songs from his latest album ‘Everything I Thought It Was’. On July 12, thanks to Guns N’ Roses, supported by hip-hop legends Public Enemy, you will be taken back to the 1990s. A week later (July 18–19), Imagine Dragons will appear on stage, presenting songs from their latest album ‘Loom’ and such hits as ‘Thunder’ and ‘Believer’. The icing on the cake will be an Iron Maiden concert—on August 2, they will end the first leg of their ‘Run for Your Lives’ 50th anniversary tour.
There will also be no shortage of Polish tones—the finale of Męskie Granie (August 22–23 ) at Bemowo Airport is a treat for fans of Polish rock. There is also something special in store for jazz lovers. The International Open-Air Festival Jazz at the Old Town features free concerts by the best jazzmen on the Old Town Square every Saturday in July and August.
Don’t miss the chance to experience unforgettable musical emotions! Learn more about the events.
The city of Fryderyk Chopin and his music
His characteristic music is recognisable from very the first notes. Did you know that Warsaw is the city where the 19th-century piano virtuoso spent the first half of his life, composed his first pieces, and gave his first public concert at the age of eight?
If you want to learn about the composer’s story, visit the biographical Fryderyk Chopin Museum housed in the historic Ostrogski Palace. Nearby, on Krakowskie Przedmieście, in one of the pillars of the Basilica of the Holy Cross is the heart of the artist, brought to Warsaw from Paris by his sister.
Despite the passage of time, the composer’s unique music still rings out in many places of the city. Along the main tourist routes you will come across benches playing snippets of his works, in many places chamber concerts are held every day, and in the summer at the Chopin Monument in the historic grounds of Royal Łazienki gardens, there are the famous Sunday open-air recitals. Music lovers can choose from dozens of concerts during the three weeks in August and September when the International ‘Chopin and his Europe’ Festival takes place. And in October this year, within the walls of the National Philharmonic, one of the most important musical events in the world will take place—the International Chopin Competition, which has been organised for almost 100 years. You can no longer buy tickets for the performances, but if you are a music lover, come to Warsaw at this time to take part in the accompanying events. You may even get to know a new talent like Martha Argerich or Krystian Zimerman—winners of the competition in years past.
A new face to historical industrial premises
Warsaw enchants visitors with its restored post-industrial buildings, which have gained new life and become a symbol of the skilful blending of history and modernity. Over a hundred-year-old brick buildings are today among the most interesting places on the map of the capital. They house trendy restaurants, art galleries, museums, and event venues. Each of them can boast something special.
Decide whether to go to the largest of them—the Praga Koneser Centre (Centrum Praskie Koneser)—to see the Polish Vodka Museum, the Fantastic Art Museum, the Magic Mind Museum, or one of several art galleries. Will you check out the Powiśle Power Plant (Elektrownia Powiśle) on the left bank of the Vistula River, with its captivating decor full of original equipment and an extensive gastronomic zone? Or maybe you will visit the cellars of the Warsaw Brewery (Browary Warsawskie) that date back to the 18th century? There are 19 types of craft beer currently produced here, and the preserved brewery building houses the Nine’s restaurant, owned by footballer Robert Lewandowski.
Norblin Factory (Fabryka Norblina) includes the luxurious KinoGram cinema, the Art Box Experience immersion space, the Norblin Factory Museum dedicated to the plant’s history, as well as the periodically organised Biobazar featuring organic products. And in the elegant Art Nouveau Hala Koszyki, among the fashionable outlets you will see shop signs from the hall’s early days. You can also listen to regularly organised atmospheric concerts here.
Warsaw cuisine—as diverse as the city itself
Warsaw is a culinary mosaic of flavours, blending the influences of many cultures and nationalities. Classic dishes such as pierogi (stuffed dumplings), pyzy (another type of dumpling) with meat, tripe, żurek (sour rye soup), or steak tartare, can be enjoyed at swish restaurants in and around the Old Town, while simple dishes of Warsaw cuisine are available in milk bars, which are famous for their communist-era atmosphere, fast service and attractive prices. Traditional Warsaw confections await lovers of sweets: the well-known and popular doughnuts of the Blikle or Zagoździński patisseries, Wedel hot chocolate, or ice cream by Grycan.
The most extensive selection of fashionable restaurants serving dishes from the world over can be found in the unconventional interiors of restored post-industrial and commercial buildings such as Hala Koszyki, Praga Koneser Centre, Powiśle Power Plant, Warsaw Brewery, or Norblin Factory. For fine-dining enthusiasts there are restaurants recommended by the famous Michelin Guide. For herbivores, there are numerous vegan and vegetarian restaurants, as well as snack bars serving meat-free burgers and kebabs. Their number and diversity are appreciated every year by the opinion-forming blog HappyCow Vegan Guide, which puts Warsaw at the vanguard of the most vegan-friendly cities.
In summer, bars and restaurants on the roofs of skyscrapers offer beautiful views of the Warsaw skyline, lending a a new dimension to al fresco dining. You can eat breakfast in the open air at breakfast fairs, and dinner under the stars at the Night Market, held in an old train station and offering the best street food from various corners of the world.
Warsaw's royal residences—a journey through the centuries
Did you know there are three royal residences in Warsaw? Each of them comes from a different era. Visit them all to see how architecture and art have changed over the centuries. The residences are located along the Royal Route—a historical trail connecting all the seats of Polish rulers.
Start at the Royal Castle, which dates back to the 14th century. It was extended to its present form by King Sigismund III Vasa, who moved the capital of Poland from Kraków to Warsaw. Inside you will see beautiful interiors, including the Senators’ Hall, where in 1791 the Constitution of 3 May was adopted—the first constitution in Europe and second in the world. Pay attention to the numerous landscapes by Canaletto, which were used to help recreate Warsaw after it was destroyed in World War II, and two paintings by Rembrandt.
Next on the route is the Palace on the Isle in Royal Łazienki—the summer residence of the last king of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski, where he held gatherings with scholars and artists. The palace is distinguished by its picturesque location on an artificial island in the middle of a lake. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, a favorite walking place for Varsovians.
Finally, visit the baroque Wilanów Palace, the former seat of Jan III Sobieski. It was one of the few buildings in Warsaw to escape destruction in World War II and has survived in its original form since its construction in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Remember that in November, all these residences can be visited free of charge as part of ‘Free November in Royal Residences’.
Warsaw's Praga district—the ambience of pre-war Warsaw
Situated on the right bank of the Vistula, it avoided war damage, preserving the original buildings and spirit of the former capital. In many places less elegant than the left-bank part of the city, it draws visitors with its authenticity and urban folklore, which lives on among its inhabitants. To learn about the history of this once separate city, be sure to visit the Praga Museum of Warsaw. The district’s multicultural past is reflected in the architecture of this part of Warsaw. A unique landscape is created by shrines in the courtyards of tenement buildings, the majestic towers of St. Florian’s Cathedral, and the domes of the Orthodox Church, as well as historic Jewish buildings, such as the Educational Building of the Warsaw Old Jewish Community alluding to Renaissance synagogues.
Past and present combine in renovated industrial facilities, such as the Praga Koneser Centre or Soho Factory, where the only Neon Museum in Poland is housed. Not only children will be delighted by a visit to the Chocolate Factory located in the Wedel plant, which has been in operation since the 19th century.
Be sure to take a walk along the Praga cobblestone streets. On Ząbkowska Street and the vicinity you will find popular bars and restaurants serving delicacies of Warsaw cuisine. It is no accident that Praga has been recognised as one of the coolest districts in Europe. It’s a place full of hidden treasures, where you’ll discover something special at every turn. Praga is a city within a city—perfect for an unforgettable stroll.
A wild river and natural beaches in the heart of a big-city metropolis
In Warsaw, urban development meets nature. Unlike in other capitals, the Vistula river banks remain unregulated on the right side. Here you will find natural, sandy beaches that National Geographic has recognised as among the world’s most beautiful urban beaches. It only takes a few minutes to move from the bustling centre or the atmospheric Old Town into scenery where nature reigns supreme. A wild riverside forest grows along the beaches with a pathway running several kilometres. Whatever the season, it is a great place for a walk with interesting views of the city panorama. Warsaw’s Old Town looks particularly beautiful from here.
In summer, the beaches are the perfect place to sunbathe, play volleyball, or make new friends outdoors. Then traditional flat-bottomed boats and various types of tourist vessel start sailing on the Vistula River. Things also get lively on the boulevards on the left side of the river. The two banks of the Vistula are connected by a pedestrian and cycle bridge offering a stunning view of the centre of Warsaw.
Autumn and winter illuminations
In mid-autumn, when darkness swiftly shrouds the streets, several of Warsaw’s parks come alive with thousands of lights. The University of Warsaw Botanical Garden invites you for a walk among its illuminations. Luminescent figures in period costume appear in Royal Łazienki Gardens located next to it. The Botanical Garden of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Powsin transforms into a fairytale world. And the surroundings of the Royal Palace in Wilanów turn into in the Royal Garden of Light. The radiant decorations are references to the era of Jan III Sobieski and to such topics as love, war, and diplomacy. Another part of the garden is formed by the Labyrinth of Light—a place full of mythological creatures and puzzles—and the history of the place is brought to life by spectacular ‘mappings’ on the palace’s façade.
December and January are the time when illuminations also light up the Old Town and Royal Route. A carousel appears on the New Town market square, and a 27-metre Christmas tree dressed with tens of thousands of lights stands on Castle Square. It starts a trail of light sculptures running along the route. Walking along Krakowskie Przedmieście you will see a street saturator (a communist-era drink dispenser), a dial telephone, iconic cars like the Warszawa and Syrena, and other installations inspired by the atmosphere of the Polish People’s Republic. The winter magic of light is complemented by the installation in the Multimedia Fountain Park and the shows that take place there at weekends.