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Getting There

By plane: Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport is the city's main international airport. It is located 10km from the centre of Warsaw. To get into the city from here, take bus number 175 to the main train station.

By train: Warszawa Centralna is the main railway station. Services run from here to destinations all across Poland, and other European countries.

By bus: Long distance bus connections terminate at Dworzec PKS Warszawa Zachodinia or Dworzec PKS Warszawa, the city's two main bus stations.

Getting Around

On foot: A lot of attractions are within walking distance of the Old Town area. However, Warsaw is a large city, so you will have to use public transport.

By bus: There are around bus 170 routes operating across Warsaw. Services are frequent and cheap, with good nighttime connections also provided.

By metro/tram: Warsaw's metro system is the only one of its kind in Poland, with one line and 21 stations. Trams also run on over 20 lines throughout the city.

Warsaw has a humid continental climate. This means that it sees lows in winter and highs in summer. Temperatures can drop below freezing to around -3ºC in January and February, while during the summer the city can experience highs of approximately 20ºC in July. This is also the wettest month, with June and August getting quite a bit of rain too. As for sunshine, May and June tend to be the brightest months of the year.

Embassies

USA: +48 (0)22 504 20 00
UK: +48 (0)22 625 30 30
Canada: +48 (0)22 584 31 00
Australia: +48 (0)22 521 34 44
South Africa: +48 (0)22 625 62 28
Ireland: +48 (0)22 849 66 33
Germany: +48 (0)22 584 17 00
Italy: +48 (0)22 826 34 71
New Zealand: +48 (0)22 521 05 00
France: +48 (0)22 529 31 00

Restauracja Sphinx, ul. Nowy Swiat 40, Sródmiescie Check out this restaurant for large portions of reasonably priced food, from shoaremka (thinly sliced pork or chicken) to pasta. It's a cosy spot, thanks to the twinkling lights and the brightly coloured lamps hanging low over the two levels of tables. Open daily, 11am-11pm.

Coffee Heaven, ul. Zurawia 1A, Sródmiescie This café serves a large selection of coffees and teas, along with delicious pastries and sandwiches. Relax on the comfy couches or choose one of the high stools at the window. Cheap and cheerful, this is a great place to start the day. Open Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm; WiFi available.

Sandwicz, ul. Nowy Swiat 28, Sródmiescie A nice spot for lunch, this restaurant has a sparse, no nonsense interior and provides good food at low prices. Here you can choose from a range of sandwiches and salads, as well as a lot of different hot lunch options. Vegetarian dishes are also available. Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-8.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8.30pm.

Diddle, diddle, dumpling Pierrogeria, ul. Krzywe Kolo 30, Old Town A good spot to try some traditional Polish dishes, this restaurant serves a great selection of pierogi (dumplings). These come in a wide range of varieties, from meat filled to vegetarian. Sweet dumplings are also available, and prices are very reasonable. Open daily, 11am-11pm.

Restauracja Dominium, ul. Zgoda 5, Sródmiescie This restaurant is really popular with a younger crowd thanks to its tasty pizzas and pasta dishes, and also its low prices. It enjoys a homely, comfortable atmosphere, which is complimented by the potted plants gracing the tables and jars of preserves lining the walls. Open Mon-Thurs & Sun 11am-12am, Fri-Sat 11am-1am.

Vogue, ul. Zlota 7/9, Sródmiescie This funky bar in the centre of Warsaw offers a wide selection of drinks and a great atmosphere. Colourful crystal lamps hang from the ceiling, and there are two large, flat-screen TVs, one showing cartoons and the other showing the news. Enjoy a drink at one of the many small tables, or for a bit of extra privacy slide into one of the plush booths set along the walls. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-12am, Sat-Sun 2pm-4am.

Pub Lezaki, ul. Piwna 48, Old Town If you're looking for somewhere with great drinks offers and a lively atmosphere, this is the place to go. During happy hour, which lasts from 12pm-5pm every days, pints of beer are really cheap. Rock music plays loudly inside, and this theme continues in the décor, with records and musical instruments hanging around the bar. It's frequented by a good mix of different age groups, and the staff are very friendly. Open daily, 12pm-12am.

Paparazzi, ul. Mazowiecka 12, Sródmiescie Taking up two levels, this bar has a large interior to match its big personality. Cocktails are the speciality, with everything from a Bloody Mary to a Whiskey Sour featured on the extensive menu. There's space to dance too, with tunes provided by two resident DJs. Open Mon-Thurs & Sun 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat 4pm-2am; WiFi available.

Living Room, ul. Foksal 18, off Nowy Swiat, Sródmiescie For something a little different, why not try this wellness bar. As well as offering a wide choice of alcoholic drinks at reasonable prices, it also serves up a great selection of non-alcoholic cocktails and special juices. On every table you'll see a whole pineapple, and these are coupled with lots of white furnishings to give this bar a very chic look. Open daily, 12pm-12am.

Teatr Wielki, Plac Teatralny 1, Powisle For almost 200 years, Teatr Wielki has been the home of the Polish National Opera. Here you can see opera and ballet, as well as other musical and vocal performances. From Oct-June performances tend to take place each day, except on Mondays.

Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, Al. Jerozolimskie 3, Sródmiescie Over 780,000 items make up the permanent collection here, which mostly covers Polish art and decorative arts. Everything from religious items to modern art is on show. Open Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, closed Mon; admission 12PLN, free Sat.

A lesson to all Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego, ul. Grzybowska 79, Wola The exhibits in the Warsaw Rising Museum tell the story of the Poles who rebelled against the Germans in August 1944. Letters, prison bowls, uniforms, weapons and children's toys can be seen in this enlightening, must-see museum. Open Mon, Wed, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, closed Tues; admission 4PLN, free Sun.

The Royal Castle, Plac Zamkowy 4, Old Town One of Warsaw's most popular attractions, the Royal Castle is home to the Royal Apartments and a huge collection of art and artefacts. This 14th century castle was completely demolished during WWII, with reconstruction completed in 1980. Open Tues-Sun 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm, closed Mon; admission 22PLN, free Sun.

Muzeum Wojska Polskiego, Al. Jerozolimskie 3, Sródmiescie Swords, medals and guns are some of the pieces you'll see at this museum covering the history of the Polish army. Established in 1920, it is Warsaw's second largest museum. Open Wed 10am-5pm, Thurs-Sun 10am-4pm, closed Mon; admission 8PLN, free Wed.

Palac Kultury I Nauki w Warszawie, Plac Defilad 1, Sródmiescie Built between 1952 and 1955, the Palace of Culture and Science was a 'gift' to the Polish people from the former Soviet Union. Take a look out from the 30th floor viewing terrace for stunning views of Warsaw. Open daily, 9am-6pm.

March - Karnawal In the period running up to Lent, parties and celebrations take part across the city. This is known as Karnawal and sees the inhabitants of Warsaw enjoying food and music in large doses.

May - Noc Muzeów Literally translating to the 'Night of the Museums', this is one of the most important nights on Warsaw's cultural calendar, where people visit the many different museums and galleries at night.

June - The International Air Picnic in Goranszka Around 100,000 people turn up each year at this festival, which has taken place annually for the past 13 years. Everything from old-fashioned planes to dazzling aeronautical displays are on show.

June - Noc Swietojanska Held on Midsummer's Eve, towards the end of June this event is based on old pagan beliefs. People gather at the Vistula River to throw in wreaths, as well as watch the fireworks.

June-July - The Warsaw Summer Jazz Days Jazz fans from all over the world congregate in Warsaw for this event, which celebrates modern jazz. During the festival, open-air concerts are held around the city.

June-August - The International Open Air Festival - Jazz in the Old Town Europe's second longest jazz festival is popular with both locals and visitors alike. Each Saturday during the festival, free concerts are held in Old Town Market Square.

July-August - Musical Gardens Festival Held in the courtyard of the Royal Castle, this festival is a celebration of opera, ballet, classical music, musicals and more. Free movies are shown also.

September - Warsaw Autumn The Warsaw Autumn festival began back in 1956. Today it has become a veritable feast for contemporary music lovers. Around 20 concerts take place over the festival's 9-day run, focusing on modern music from around the globe.

October - Warsaw Film Festival Celebrating Polish film, this festival provides a venue where up and coming Polish filmmakers can show off their work. Overall, more than 100 films are shown.

December - Warsaw Christmas Fair Christmas markets are held all over the city, with the most popular set up at the Royal Castle and at the Palace of Culture and Science. Warsaw's Christmas lights are switched on then too.

Praga Across the Vistula River from Warsaw's city centre you'll find the district of Praga. In recent years it's become the place to be for up and coming artists so expect to see a lot of workshops and smaller galleries. Warsaw's Zoo is also located here, along with a few of the city's most important churches. Some of Warsaw's only remaining tenement houses from the 19th century can be seen in Praga on Zabowska Street.

New Town The New Town, or 'Nowe Miasto' area of the city, is filled with narrow streets and hidden delights. Check out the regional products on sale in Rynek Nowego Miasta, or simply stroll around the small shops, cafés and bars. Other attractions in this part of Warsaw include the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Museum.

Sródmiescie The modern centre of Warsaw, here is where you'll find the main shopping areas of the city. An important high point of the city's skyline comes in the shape of the Palace of Culture and Science. It's not all bright lights and big buildings though. You'll also find two of Warsaw's most important museums here. These are the National Museum and the Polish Army Museum.

Spending time in this old town Old Town This part of Warsaw, known in Polish as Stare Miasto, is the city's most historical area. Major attractions such as the Royal Castle, St. John's Cathedral and the Barbican are located here. Around Old Town Market Square you'll see lots of different restaurants, jewellery shops and small galleries, as well as the famous Warsaw Mermaid statue.

Wola This large district sits to the west of Warsaw city centre. From the Powazkowski Cemetery to the Warsaw Rising Museum, Wola has many different things to tempt the visitor, including a wide variety of shops, bars and restaurants.

Zlote Tarasy, Złota 59, Sródmiescie This huge, modern shopping centre is filled with well-known stores and is a very popular place to shop. Some of the stores found here include Hugo Boss, Mexx, Marks and Spencer, Zara, Body Shop and Claires. From clothes to shoes, you'll find a huge selection of goods on sale over the centre's five levels. Open Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm.

Shop til you drop Arkadia, Al. Jana Pawła II 82, Zoliborz Arkadia is Poland's largest shopping centre with almost 200 stores spread across 2 floors. Brand names are big here, with everyone from Adidas to Tommy Hilfiger well represented. Clothes, cosmetics, shoes, books, accessories, household goods, and more are all on sale. Open Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm.

Nowy Swiat, Sródmiescie Warsaw's main shopping street, Nowy Swiat is filled with stores belonging to the top local and international brands. Well-known designers like Armani exist beside local names, fulfilling all your shopping needs. As well as clothes and jewellery, you will also find books, bags and things for the home.

Galeria Centrum, Marszałkowska 104, Sródmiescie A popular department store on one of the main shopping stretches in Warsaw, Galeria Centrum is a great place to go for everything from gifts to household items. Big name brands such as Clinique, Levis, Chanel and Lancome can all be found in this busy store. Open Mon-Sun 9.30am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm.

Plac Trzech Krzyzy, Sródmiescie If you're looking for something a bit more upmarket in terms of shopping in Warsaw, this is the place to go. Around the square you'll find stores ranging from Burberry to Hugo Boss. Bags, leather goods and household items are just some of the things available.

Wander around the Ogród Saski or Saxon Garden Originally constructed in the 1660s, this park covers around 15 hectares. Here you can see a large, white fountain, as well as paths lined with 18th century statues. Some of the trees in the park are over 250 years old. Open daily; admission free.

Have a look inside St. John's Cathedral Huge ceilings, elaborate lights and an impressive collection of side alters are all visible in one of the city's oldest churches. Dating back to the 14th century, it was reconstructed after WWII. Monuments to famous citizens of Warsaw are scattered around its walls. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 2pm-9pm; admission free.

Go see Powazkowski Cemetery Warsaw's oldest and best-known cemetery, Powazkowski, is divided into around seven different sections, including Catholic, Jewish and Military. Some of Poland's most notable citizens are buried in this cemetery, including Wladyslaw Szpliman, whose life was depicted in the hit movie 'The Pianist'. Open daily, 9am-3pm; admission free.

Passing the torch Watch the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier You can catch this ceremony at around 1pm each day. Surrounding the tomb and the eternal flame that burns there, you'll see large stone tablets inscribed with the names of all the battles Polish soldiers have fought and died in. Admission free.

Take a walk in Lazienki Park Not only does this 17th century park offer stunning walks, but it's also where you'll find the monument to famous composer and pianist, Frederic Chopin. Concerts sometimes take place in the rose garden close to this large statue. Wander through the park or simply sit by the water and soak up the restful atmosphere. Open daily, 9am until dusk; admission free.

What better way to start your day than by heading to one of Warsaw's many cafés, like Coffee Heaven on ul. Zurawia for coffee and a pastry.

Go look at the exhibits in the Polish Army Museum and then visit the National Museum where you'll see an interesting mix of art (above) and artefacts.

Heading back to the centre of the city, walk along ul. Nowy Swiat. Here you'll find lots of places to eat, whether you want a sandwich or a hot meal.

After lunch, keep walking straight along Nowy Swiat and soon you'll reach the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Ogrod Saski (Saxon Garden).

From there continue on to the Old Town, where you can visit some of the city's main attractions like the Royal Castle, St. John's Cathedral and the Barbican.

Wander around Old Town Market Square and have a look at the famous Warsaw Mermaid. Take a look in the small galleries and shops dotted around the square.

If you want to try some traditional Polish food for dinner, 'Pierrogeria' here is a great choice, serving a selection of savoury and sweet pierogi (dumplings).

A short walk from here, you'll find Pub Lezaki. This small but popular spot offers great drinks offers, loud rock music and a friendly atmosphere.

Make your way down to Paparazzi on ul. Mazowiecka where you can finish out the night in style with your favourite cocktails.