Written by Tom Hooker
Whether it’s an iconic city or an entire country, there are dozens of travel destinations that make you feel like you’re traveling through time or walking in a scene from a science fiction book. From Europe or Africa to Asia and beyond, we’re on a mission to help you unveil these mysterious and fantastic places. In this week’s Fantastic Destination series, we’re exploring Warsaw.
Warsaw is one of the most special capital cities around the world. There’s no denying that the city suffered immensely during World War II, but it’s equally true that the people from Poland have successfully rebuilt it into one of the most stunning cities you’ll ever visit. Curious to see what makes Poland such an interesting place to visit? Here are seven fantastic things to do in Poland’s largest and most iconic city.
#1. Make a Stop at the Copernicus Science Centre
Copernicus, one of history’s greatest mathematicians, astronomers, and polymaths, was Polish! As a matter of fact, the Copernicus Science Center, which is among the largest in Europe, pays tribute to one of Poland’s greatest icons. If you’re stopping at Warsaw, the Science Center is a must. It has more than 450 interactive exhibitions, all of which encourage visitors like yourself to conduct experiments and test the laws of science up close.
#2. Pay Your Respects at Auschwitz and Treblinka
Knowing what transpired before our time can help us avoid the same mistakes. This is the mentality that led to the opening of Auschwitz and Treblinka, two of the biggest Nazi concentration camps in World War II, as attractions. While not for the faint-hearted, visiting Auschwitz and Treblinka is a unique and solemn experience. Both of these sights are very different, and we invite you to explore and compare them in person. However, the one thing you’ll notice in the two is that humans can go through unimaginable circumstances and stay resilient.
#3. Attend a Show at the Multimedia Fountain Park
The Multimedia Fountain Park is seen as one of Warsaw’s biggest attractions. The reason for this is that the structure has two impressive fountains that move tens of thousands of liters of water per minute. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to catch a concert or show at the park as it serves as an events venue that’s open year-round.
#4. Buy Tickets for the Historic Modlin Fortress
The history of Warsaw and Poland as a whole goes way beyond World War II (and this is counting that one period of time when Poland ceased to exist!). So much so, that there are dozens—if not hundreds—of historic buildings you need to visit. For instance, the Modlin Fortress, which sits around 30 miles from Warsaw, was commissioned by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte.
#5. Check Out the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Polish Jews were among the most discriminated groups in Nazi-occupied Poland. It’s still possible to see what this minority group experienced during this period by visiting the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. A magnificent building in its own right, the museum has several majestic galleries that are packed with artifacts, art, and interactive stations that detail the reality of Jews during this time.
#6. Wander Through the Old Town
A lot of European cities have an Old Town district. But Warsaw is different in the best possible way. Yes, you will still get iconic gothic, classic, and neoclassical architecture dating back to the 13th century, but the narrow cobbled streets are also home to some of the best restaurants, cocktail rooms, and other entertainment venues in the city.
#7. Conquer the Viewpoint Atop St. Anna’s Taras Widokowy
The St. Anna church is an impressive site and a must-visit in Warsaw. But, we’ll be even more specific and encourage you to go up the bell tower and check out the taras widokowy, or observation deck, perched at the top. Now, there are 150 steps that literally separate you from the top, but the bird’s-eye view of the city is well worth the climb.
Poland is a wonderful country with dozens of awesome destinations, but Warsaw in itself is so amazing that you can spend weeks going through the city’s bustling streets. Its unique blend of millenary history, cultural heritage, and green spaces make it one of the most beautiful capitals you’ll ever visit. Planning a trip to Warsaw doesn’t have to be as complicated as learning Polish. Rather than going the traditional route, your best bet is to contact local tour guides who know the city like the back of their hands and get them to help you create an itinerary. It doesn’t matter if you want to visit all of the must-see stops or check out things off the beaten path, ALLMYNE is a great alternative to get a travel plan created by a knowledgeable local guide.
