Warsaw Mazovia
5
Day Itinerary •
Poland
Five days in Warsaw and Mazovia gives you time to explore one of the most extraordinary capital cities in Europe. Warsaw was 85 percent destroyed during World War II and its remarkable reconstruction, including the extraordinary Old Town painstakingly rebuilt brick by brick from 18th-century paintings and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most remarkable acts of cultural reconstruction in history. This route covers the complete Warsaw and Mazovia experience. The extraordinary Warsaw Uprising Museum, the remarkable POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the fine Royal Castle, the outstanding Lazienki Park, the remarkable Chopin Museum and the extraordinary Wilanow Palace, as well as day trips to the remarkable Zelazowa Wola birthplace of Chopin and the fine Kampinos National Park.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), direct from most European cities
Getting Around
Metro, tram and walking in city
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 400 PLN per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking
DAY 1
WARSAW OLD TOWN AND UPRISING MUSEUM
MORNING
WARSAW OLD TOWN AND ROYAL CASTLE
Warsaw's extraordinary Old Town, rebuilt after 90 percent destruction in WWII from 18th-century paintings by Canaletto and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most remarkable acts of cultural resurrection in history. The outstanding Royal Castle, the fine Sigismund Column and the remarkable Market Square with its coloured merchant houses are all outstanding. The remarkable story of how Warsaw was rebuilt from rubble after the war is the most extraordinary chapter in Polish history. Castle entry approx 30 PLN. Travel: 20 min metro
MIDDAY
WARSAW UPRISING MUSEUM
The Warsaw Uprising Museum is the finest museum in Poland and one of the greatest in Europe. The extraordinary multimedia exhibition tells the remarkable story of the 63-day Warsaw Uprising of 1944, when the Polish Home Army fought the German occupation before being crushed and the city deliberately destroyed. The outstanding collection of personal testimonies, the remarkable reconstructed sewers through which the fighters escaped and the extraordinary map room are all unmissable. Entry approx 30 PLN. Travel: 15 min tram
AFTERNOON
NOWY SWIAT AND THE ROYAL ROUTE
The Royal Route stretching from the Old Town to Wilanow along Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Nowy Swiat is the finest walk in Warsaw, passing the remarkable Presidential Palace, the extraordinary Warsaw University and the outstanding Church of the Holy Cross where Chopin's heart is entombed. The fine cafes and restaurants of Nowy Swiat are the finest in Warsaw. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Barbican in Warsaw, the remarkable 16th-century semicircular gate tower on the edge of the Old Town, is the finest surviving medieval fortification in Warsaw. Free to view, small entry for the walls walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Bristol, Nowy Swiat The finest traditional Warsaw breakfast on the Royal Route. | Lunch: Old Town restaurant Traditional Polish bigos and pierogi on the finest square. | Dinner: Nowy Swiat bistro The finest evening restaurant street in Warsaw.
DAY 2
JEWISH HERITAGE AND LAZIENKI
MORNING
POLIN MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF POLISH JEWS
The POLIN Museum on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto is one of the finest museums in Europe, its extraordinary permanent exhibition telling the remarkable 1,000-year history of Jewish life in Poland from medieval times to the present. The outstanding multimedia displays, the remarkable reconstructions of shtetl life and the extraordinary scope of the story make it the finest Jewish history museum in the world. Entry approx 30 PLN. Travel: 20 min tram
MIDDAY
WARSAW GHETTO MEMORIAL AREA
The area around the POLIN Museum preserves the remarkable memory of the Warsaw Ghetto, the largest Jewish ghetto in occupied Europe with 400,000 people confined within its walls. The extraordinary Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, the remarkable Umschlagplatz memorial where Jews were deported to Treblinka and the outstanding Mila 18 bunker where the Ghetto Uprising leadership made its last stand are all profoundly moving. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
LAZIENKI PARK AND PALACE
Lazienki, Warsaw's extraordinary royal park and garden on the Vistula escarpment, is the finest park in Poland. The remarkable Palace on the Water, standing in the middle of a lake, the outstanding Chopin Monument and the fine Orangery are all outstanding. The remarkable Sunday Chopin concerts beside the monument in summer are the finest free cultural event in Warsaw. Entry park free, palace approx 25 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Palace of Culture and Science, Stalin's gift to Warsaw and the most controversial building in Poland, has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor giving the finest panoramic view of Warsaw. Entry approx 20 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Przek n ski Zak n ski, Nowy Swiat The finest Polish snack bar breakfast in Warsaw. | Lunch: POLIN cafe Excellent lunch in the finest museum building in Poland. | Dinner: Praga district evening Cross the Vistula to Warsaw's emerging creative neighbourhood.
DAY 3
CHOPIN, WILANOW AND PRAGA
MORNING
CHOPIN MUSEUM
The Chopin Museum in the Ostrogski Palace is the finest museum dedicated to any composer in the world. The extraordinary multimedia exhibition allows visitors to explore Chopin's music, manuscripts and personal objects through remarkable interactive displays. The outstanding collection of the composer's personal belongings and the fine grand pianos on which he played are all remarkable. Entry approx 22 PLN. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
WILANOW PALACE AND GARDENS
Wilanow Palace, the extraordinary baroque royal residence south of Warsaw known as the Polish Versailles, is the finest palace in Poland. The remarkable state apartments, the outstanding portrait gallery of Polish royalty and the extraordinary formal gardens in the French style are all outstanding. The fine Poster Museum in the stables has the finest collection of Polish poster art in the world. Entry palace approx 30 PLN. Travel: 30 min bus south
AFTERNOON
PRAGA DISTRICT ART SCENE
Praga, Warsaw's extraordinary right-bank district that survived the war relatively intact and is now the finest emerging creative neighbourhood in Poland, has the most remarkable street art, the outstanding Neon Museum with its extraordinary collection of communist-era neon signs and the fine Koneser vodka factory arts complex. The remarkable raw energy of Praga, with its peeling facades and extraordinary art spaces, makes it the finest neighbourhood in Warsaw. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Powazki Cemetery, the finest historic cemetery in Poland and the burial place of extraordinary Poles from every era, is the most atmospheric walk in Warsaw. On All Saints Day in November it is the finest candlelit experience in the country. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Nowy Swiat cafe Good breakfast before the Chopin Museum. | Lunch: Wilanow cafe Simple lunch in the extraordinary palace gardens. | Dinner: Praga bar or restaurant The finest creative dining in Warsaw's most extraordinary neighbourhood.
DAY 4
MAZOVIA DAY TRIP
MORNING
ZELAZOWA WOLA, CHOPIN'S BIRTHPLACE
Zelazowa Wola, 50km west of Warsaw in the remarkable Mazovian countryside, is the birthplace of Frederic Chopin. The extraordinary manor house where Chopin was born in 1810 is now a fine museum surrounded by remarkable English landscape gardens on the banks of the Utrata river. The outstanding Chopin concerts held in the garden on summer Sundays are the finest musical experience in Poland. Entry approx 23 PLN. Travel: 1 hour drive or bus
MIDDAY
KAMPINOS NATIONAL PARK
Kampinos National Park, stretching west from the outskirts of Warsaw through remarkable ancient sand dunes and extraordinary primeval forest, is the only national park in Europe with a capital city on its border. The remarkable moose, lynx and bison that roam the extraordinary forest, the fine walking trails and the outstanding WWII cemeteries from both the 1939 and 1944 campaigns make it the finest green space near Warsaw. Entry free. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LOWICZ FOLK CULTURE
Lowicz, a fine historic town in central Mazovia, has the most extraordinary folk costume tradition in Poland. The remarkable Lowicz stripes, worn by local women in extraordinary multicoloured skirts to church on Sundays and festivals, are the finest traditional costume in Poland. The outstanding Mazovian Museum has the finest collection of Lowicz folk art. The extraordinary Corpus Christi procession in June is the finest folk event in Poland. Museum entry approx 20 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Treblinka Extermination Camp memorial, 100km northeast of Warsaw, where 800,000 Jews were murdered in 1942 to 1943, is among the most important Holocaust sites in Poland. The remarkable stone memorial and the extraordinary pine forest that covers the site are deeply moving. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Warsaw hotel Early start for the Zelazowa Wola drive. | Lunch: Zelazowa Wola cafe Simple lunch near Chopin's extraordinary birthplace. | Dinner: Warsaw return dinner Final evening in the capital. Concept 13 or Atelier Amaro.
DAY 5
RIVERSIDE AND FAREWELL
MORNING
WARSAW RISING MUSEUM 63 DAYS EXHIBITION
Return to the Warsaw Uprising Museum for the remarkable 63 Days exhibition if not seen in full on Day 1, or visit the extraordinary Warsaw History Museum in the Old Town Market Square, which tells the full story of Warsaw's remarkable 1,000-year history including the extraordinary destruction and reconstruction of the city. Entry history museum approx 20 PLN. Travel: 20 min metro
MIDDAY
COPERNICUS SCIENCE CENTRE
The Copernicus Science Centre on the Vistula riverbank is the finest science museum in Poland and one of the best in Europe. The extraordinary interactive exhibitions, the remarkable planetarium and the outstanding experiments covering physics, biology and technology are all outstanding. The remarkable building and the fine riverside location are both excellent. Entry approx 34 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
VISTULA BOULEVARDS AND FAREWELL
The Vistula Boulevards, Warsaw's extraordinary riverside promenade opened in 2016, are the finest addition to Warsaw in decades. The remarkable bar boats moored along the river, the outstanding street food trucks and the fine views of the Old Town from the east bank of the Vistula make it the best place in Warsaw for a final afternoon. The extraordinary combination of the rebuilt Old Town, the remarkable Palace of Culture and the fine modern city on the horizon is outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Multimedia Fountain Park in Saxon Garden, the finest free evening show in Warsaw, projects remarkable light displays onto water fountains every evening in summer. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Warsaw hotel Final Warsaw breakfast. | Lunch: Copernicus Centre cafe Good lunch in the finest science museum in Poland. | Dinner: Final Warsaw dinner Farewell to the extraordinary Phoenix city. Beef and Pepper or Senses.
Where To Stay
City centre or Old Town, all nights Excellent hotels near Nowy Swiat. Approx 150 to 350 PLN per night. Praga option Cross the Vistula for cheaper, hipper accommodation in the emerging district. Booking ahead Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead in summer. Warsaw is popular.
Top Tips
1. The Warsaw Uprising Museum is the finest museum in Poland. Allow at least 3 hours.
2. The POLIN Museum is world class. Combined with the Ghetto Memorial area it is a full day.
3. Warsaw is excellent value. Meals and museums cost far less than Western European equivalents.
4. Take the tram to Praga for the finest emerging arts and dining scene in Warsaw.
5. The Sunday Chopin concerts in Lazienki Park in summer are free and extraordinary.
6. Book the Warsaw Uprising Museum online. It fills fast, especially weekends.
Total Budget
270 to 560 PLN/day