Stomping ground of the young and trendy, Poland's capital city, Warsaw, is an optimistic and colourful place, at once both quaint and fashionable. The charming cobbled streets of the Old Town merge with fast-paced urban life in the modern landscape which surrounds them.

This rapidly-developing city, which boasts cutting-edge shopping malls, fashionable eateries and advanced communications, is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy a fabulous city break, whether it's world-class restaurants and cool bars you're after, or a more relaxing stroll around some of Poland's finest monuments.

Warsaw was established as a city around 1300 AD and became the permanent parliamentary seat of Poland after King Sigismund III Vasa moved his government here from Cracow in 1569. The city gained status as Poland's capital city in 1596, although it was subsequently occupied by the Russians for the most part of the 19th Century until it gained freedom once again in 1918. During World War II, Warsaw was heavily bombed and almost 85f its historical buildings were destroyed. Careful rebuilding of the Old Town gives us much of what we see today, with buildings meticulously reconstructed to their pre-war glory. Warsaw celebrated its hard-won fourth centenary in 1996.

Warsaw's current population is around 1.7 million and this well-connected city can be easily crossed by metro, bus or tram. Boasting a world-class university with approximately 220,000 students, over fifty museums and thirty theatres, this rich and cultural city provides something for everyone, whether you're filling an afternoon after treatment or extending your stay to take a longer holiday.



At Appearance Matters, we have carefully selected some of the most interesting and popular sites in and around the city, with plenty of opportunities to rest, relax and refresh yourself along the way, with our guide to the city's most contemporary and traditional bars, restaurants and hotels.

Below, you'll find a list of our top ten recommendations for half or full-day excursions in this wonderful and varied city.

TOP 10 SIGHTS

1. The Old Town
   
   The Stare Miasto, or Old Town, is Warsaw's most historic district, with colourful medieval architecture and enchanting cobbled streets. Some of the city's original fortified walls still remain and the Stare Miasto is also bordered by the Vistula River on one side and dominated by Warsaw Castle at its midst.
   
   The most popular tourist draw of Warsaw, the Old Town is alive with shops and restaurants. Tourists and locals alike pause to partake of a beer or coffee and watch the world go by from their vantage points in the quaint pavement cafes in the Old Town Market Place at the hub of the Stare Miasto. Here in the heart of this ancient city you might be lucky enough to catch an open-air concert or play and can while away the hours in the City Museum, where you can watch a moving documentary of the Old Town's history.
   
   Almost completely destroyed in WWII, the Old Town has been lovingly restored and is now on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites as a perfect reconstruction of a town which has spanned the centuries between 1300 AD and the present day. The Royal Castle was one of the last landmarks to be restored and presides graciously over the Castle Square, a magnificent area with views over the river.
   
   Other popular sights in the area include the historic St.Paul's Cathedral and the Barbican. Wander along the Royal Route from Castle Square along Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Nowy Swiat and admire the NeoClassical facades of the buildings, as well as taking a peek inside the many churches and palaces. In between the historical sites, you might like to pop into the streets' exclusive boutiques, restaurants and cafes.




2. The Royal Castle
   
   The Royal Castle stands proudly at the entrance to the Old Town in Plac Zamkowy, overlooking the banks of the Vistula River (Wisla in Polish) and the district of Praga. Painstakingly rebuilt after WWII with generous donations from exiled Poles and former communist states, and using as many original pieces as possible, the castle's reconstruction was finally finished in 1984 and the former royal residence is now the pride of Warsaw. Its attractive facade has been included in UNESCO's world heritage list.
   
   Dominating the Castle Square is the Sigismund Column, a testament to King Sigismund III Vasa, who moved his parliament from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596. Built in 1644, the column is a distinguishing landmark which rises above the entrance to the Old Town and commemorates the establishment of the Warsaw parliamentary seat.
   
   Once the residence of the Polish monarchy, the Royal Castle subsequently became the official home of Polish presidents and the seat of parliament. Now home to regular exhibitions, the former palace boasts the fabulous Royal Apartments and State Rooms, which make excellent tours in their own right.
   
   The Royal Castle is open:
   Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am - 6.00pm
   Sunday and Monday 11.00am - 6.00pm
   
   Tickets can be bought from the ticket office in Ulica Swietojanska, 2.
   Admission charge. Guided tours in English.
   [www.warsawtour.pl]




3. City Walls and the Barbican One of the top tourist attractions in Warsaw, the Barbican - a defensive outpost - is one of the last relics of the fortifications which once surrounded the city. Located between the New Town and Old Town, the Barbican was built in 1548 to protect the city. Built on the site of an older gate, the Barbican was a three-level semi-circular bastion with four towers, which rose above the moat surrounding the city walls.
   
   In fact, the Barbican and city walls were only needed once since they were built, to protect the city against the Swedish invasion of Poland in 1656. Because it had little value as a defence, the Barbican was partly dismantled in the 18th Century in order to make a larger gateway into and out of the city for trading purposes. It was subsequently incorporated into the new building of the Kamienica Apartments, before being destroyed in the Second World War. In the event of reconstructing the Old Town, the new Polish government decided that it would be cheaper to re-build the Barbican and part of the city walls as a tourist site, rather than to replace the Kamienica Apartments. The re-build was completed in 1954 and is now one of the most popular attractions in the city. Nowadays, you can stroll along the walls, taking in the views of the Old and New Towns, and enjoying the juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern. In red brick, some of which came from demolished buildings in Nysa and Wroctaw, the fabulous glowing red walls look even more spectacular lit up at night.




4. The Palace of Culture and Science Dominating the skyline of the city, it's impossible to miss Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science. Completed in 1955, this enormous skyscraper was a gift to the people of Poland from the former Soviet Union and as such was disliked by many because of its link to Soviet domination.
   
   Some of those feelings remain today for the Varsovians and the building has many negative nicknames amongst the local population, often being referred to as an eyesore. A popular joke held by locals is that you can get the best views of Warsaw from the building - because you can't see it when you're inside it!
   
   However, one cannot fail to be impressed by the enormity of the structure and it is still the tallest building in Poland, with the second tallest clock tower in the world (after the NTT DoCoMo Yoyogi Building in Tokyo). Today, tourists are whizzed up to the terrace on the 30th floor for panoramic views over the city.
   
   The Palace of Culture and Science boasts over 3,000 rooms and is home to offices, cinemas, exhibition halls, theatres, museums, bookshops, a swimming pool, a disco and a huge conference hall, and it is a great way to fill a couple of hours.
   
   The Palace of Culture and Science is open:
   Daily 9.00am - 8.00pm.
   Small admission charge.
   [www.warsawtour.pl]




5. Lazienki Park and the Palace on the Water As you walk down the Royal Route in the heart of the Old Town you will eventually come to the Lazienki district in which lies the leafy retreat of Lazienki Park and the Palace on the Water. Away from the hustle and bustle of this great city's roaring traffic and modern flurry of activity, the English-style gardens are a testament to King Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the last of the Polish kings (reigned 1764 - 1795), who acquired the gardens in 1764 and made them his life's work, turning them from their former baroque splendour to the classicist-style gardens we see today.
   
   Among the treasures of this peaceful green area at the very core of Warsaw are the Lazienki Park Lake, the 18th Century orangery, and a Roman theatre, as well as several interesting follies and a number of well-known statues including that of Poland's most revered composer, Chopin. But the real gem of the garden complex is the Palac na Wodzie , or 'Palace on the Water'.
   
   Lazienki means 'baths' and the park takes its name from the luxurious private bathing house built here by the aristocrat Stanislaw Lubomirski in 1683. The last Polish king remodelled the bathing house and gave it its current name.
   
   This beautiful NeoClassical palace was once the summer residence for the Polish monarchy and is still a magical place to visit. Open all year round, this charming palace houses the royal baths, ballroom, rotunda and chapel, as well as the royal apartments and it is definitely worth a visit as you take a romantic, leisurely stroll through the park. In summer you may be treated to an open-air Chopin concert, or you might like to go for a gondola ride on one of the miniature lakes.
   
   Nearby are the baroque Ujazdowski Castle which houses Poland's greatest contemporary art gallery and stunning views, as well as the Church of St.Alexander with its domed roof, and this area also boasts many former aristocratic villas which now home a number of foreign embassies and government offices. Also nearby is the National Museum with its collection of ancient and medieval art.
   
   The palace on the Water is open:
   Tuesday to Sunday 9.00am - 4.00pm
   Small admission charge.
   [www.warsawtour.pl]




6. Wilanow Palace At the opposite end of the Royal Route from the Royal Castle stands the Wilanow Palace. Likened to a Polish version of Versailles, this striking palace was built in the late 17th Century as a summer residence for King Sobieski III, an elected monarch who passed into history as the king who defeated the Turks in Vienna in 1683.
   
   This stunning baroque palace was one of the few places of interest which survived the bombings of WWII, although some of its interiors, gardens and collections of art were plundered and destroyed. Now restored to its former glory, the royal residence displays a fabulous collection of priceless works of art, sculptures and silverware in its multitude of hallways and salons.
   
   On the first floor of the palace, you'll find the Gallery of Polish Portraits, painted by eminent Polish and foreign painters. Here you'll find an eclectic mix of Polish monarchs, aristocrats, political heroes and other revered persons. After visiting the portrait gallery, you will visit the Royal Apartments, a series of chambers where the royal families entertained guests, worked and slept.
   
   First partly opened as a museum in 1805 as one of the first Polish museums, the Wilanow Palace has been passed down through several aristocratic families since King Sobieski's era, and was inhabited until as recently as 1939 when it fully became a museum.
   
   The Wilanow Park is also worthy of a gentle stroll for tourists and Varsovians alike, who relish the opportunity to relax away from busy urban life.
   
   The Wilanow Palace is open:
   16th March to 14th May and from 19th September: Sundays, Mondays 9.00am - 4.00pm. Saturdays 10.00am - 4.00pm. Tuesdays closed.
   15th May to 18th September: Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays 9.00am - 6.00pm. Thursdays and Fridays 9.00am - 4.00pm. Saturdays 10.00am - 4.00pm. Tuesdays closed.
   Admission charge. Last entry one hour before closing.
   English-speaking guides.
   The park is open daily from 9.30am until dusk.
   [www.warsawtour.pl]




7. National Museum in Warsaw Built in 1862, the Museum of Fine Arts in Warsaw was renamed in 1916 as the National Museum in Warsaw. Originally based in Podwale Street, the current museum stands on Aleje Jerozolimskie running through the city centre, and was developed between 1927 to 1938 into the house of treasures that we see today.
   
   Like most other historical buildings in Warsaw, the museum suffered during WWII, partially destroyed and with its most valuable exhibits being looted by German soldiers. When the museum was reinstated after the war, the Polish Government retrieved many of these works and an influx of exhibits flooded in from all over the country.
   
   Today the museum holds over 780,000 items of fine and decorative art displayed in many permanent exhibitions. These include the Gallery of Ancient Art, Gallery of Medieval Art, Gallery of Foreign Painting, Gallery of Polish Painting, Gallery of European Gold Smithery Art, Gallery of Orient Art, and the Gallery of Polish Decorative Art, among others. Regular temporary exhibitions also take place.
   
   The National Museum in Warsaw is open:
   Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays 10.00am - 4.00pm
   Thursdays 10.00am - 6.00pm. Mondays closed.
   Free admission for permanent exhibitions on Saturdays only.
   




8. Jewish Quarter Jews had been settled in Warsaw from around the 14th Century and lived harmoniously with the Germans and Russians who also lived in the city at that time. Before WWII, there were around 450,000 Jews living peacefully in Warsaw. However, in 1940, the German Governer of Warsaw, General Hans Frank decided to build a Jewish ghetto which was later destroyed in 1942, with Jews being transported en masse to the concentration camps of Treblinka and Auschwitz. The largest ever deportation was in August 1942, when some 135,000 Jews were crammed onto crowded freight trains to await their fate in the concentration camps.
   
   By 1943, the remaining 50,000 to 60,000 Jews created armed groups and the Ghetto Uprising broke out on January 18th, 1943, resulting in a further 13,000 deaths. Ending in May of the same year, many of the Jews who had survived the Uprising were also transported to Treblinka. After the war, there remained only 37,000 Jews, and today's Jewish population of Warsaw reaches a mere 2,000.
   
   Although little now remains of the former Jewish ghetto, there are several reminders of this rich cultural heritage. Umshlagplatz, the site of the mass deportations remains, and today exhibits a memorial to the deported Jews, built in 1988 by architect Hanna Szmalenberg and sculptor Wladyslaw Klamerus, in the form of a stone monument in the shape of an open freight car.
   
   The Nozyk Synagogue is an important meeting place for today's Jewish minority, and is open for prayers and services daily and on major Jewish holidays. Built between 1898 and 1902, the synagogue was used by German soldiers as a stable during WWII, although it is now fully restored.
   
   The Gensha Cemetery in Okopowa Street is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe and was established in 1806. Closed down during the Second World War, the cemetery and its 200,000 graves and crypts is now largely abandoned and overgrown, although there remains a small active area which serves the current Jewish population.
   
   Other sites of interest in the area are the Pawiak Prison, the Jewish Historical Institute housing a museum and library, and a bunker on Mila Street. This reminder of the Holocaust commemorates the lives of 100 Jews buried here who had hidden in the bunker only to be later discovered and killed by Nazi troops. There is now a memorial stone at the site inscribed in Polish, Yiddish and Hebrew. Also of interest is the Path of Remembrance extending along Lewartowskiego Street.
   
   The Jewish Historical Institute is open:
   Exhibits: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9.00am - 4.00pm. Thursdays 11.00am - 6.00pm.
   Reading Room: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 8.00am - 4.00pm. Thursday 8.00am - 6.00pm. Fridays 9.00am - 2.00pm.
   Small admission charge. English-speaking guides available.
   [www.warsawtour.pl]




9. The Saxon Garden and Pilsudski Square

   • The Saxon Garden: The oldest public park in Warsaw, the Saxon Garden was opened to the public in 1727 and was one of the first public parks in the world.
     
     Founded by King August II the Strong in the late 17th Century, the Garden is attached to the 'Saxon Axis', a line of parks and palaces which link the outskirts of Warsaw with the Vistula River, which was initially intended to be the site of a huge Versailles-style complex surrounded by French-style gardens .
     
     The gardens were once designed in a French baroque style but were turned into a Romantic English style park during the 19th Century. As with many historical areas of the city, the Saxon Garden was destroyed during WWII and has been partially re-landscaped since.
     
     

   • Pilsudski Square: The scene of many historical events, Pilsudski Square in central Warsaw has been named and renamed many times, and is now the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
     
     The square was born as Saxon Square, named after the Saxon Palace which used to stand adjacent to the square, before it was destroyed in WWII. Succeedingly, the square was named after Jozef Pilsudski, former Polish revolutionary and statesman who successfully achieved Polish independence in 1918 and is still held in high regard by the public of Poland.
     
     During the German occupation of Warsaw in WWII, the square was given the name of Adolf Hitler Platz, which subsequently changed to Victory Square in honour of the Allies' victory. Now once again returned to its former name of Pilsudski Square, this large, open area also houses the remnants of the former Saxon Palace.
     
     The square is still the venue for high-profile events, such as the open-air Holy Mass celebrated in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI on his first pastoral visit to Poland. The square has been the location of military parades since the 19th Century and has also hosted official greetings of state authorities and important public figures, including Pope John Paul II, whose death was mourned here in April 2005.
     
     

10. The Warsaw Uprising Museum The Warsaw Uprising Museum aims to provide a modern perspective on the 63-day Uprising of Warsaw in 1944, lasting from 1st August until 2nd October. The Polish Home Army struggled to liberate Warsaw from the German occupation as part of the nationwide uprising, Operation Tempest. The uprising was intended to last only a matter of days before the Soviet Army reached the city, in order to underline Polish sovereignty and challenge the Soviet puppet Polish Government. However, the Red Army stopped short of Warsaw and the resistance continued.
    
    The Uprising incurred the loss of tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers, and there was a combined loss of around 150,000 to 200,000 lives. After the Polish surrender, the Germans systematically set about burning down the remaining buildings, and in January 1945, when the Soviets finally liberated Warsaw from the Germans, there was little of the city left.
    
    Commemorating those who died, the museum aims to present a clear and accurate presentation of the past. Primarily targeting today's young people, the museum aims to tell them the story of the Uprising and convey the significance of the event in Poland's history, including not only the military aspects of the fight for freedom, but also to present a picture of the everyday life of civilians during this terrifying time.
    
    During your visit to the museum, you will see an exhibition displaying a wealth of textual information, photography and film depicting the Uprising in a comprehensive manner, and you will also have the opportunity to see the Memory Wall, a poignant reminder of those who died during the Uprising. The list of names inscribed on the wall is still being added to.
    
    The Warsaw Uprising Museum is open:
    Thursdays 8.00am - 8.00pm. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends 8.00am - 6.00pm. Tuesdays closed.
    Small admission charge. Free admission on Sundays. English-speaking tours available.
    [Warsaw Uprising Museum at www.1944.pl]
    

And more...

In addition to the fascinating and historical attractions mentioned above, there are a great many other compelling sights and things to do in the bustling city. Some of our favourites include:

1. Visiting the Zacheta National Gallery of Art, the oldest exhibition site in Warsaw.

2. Attending the five-yearly Frederic Chopin International Piano Competition (next in 2010).

3. Strolling around the Pomaranczarnia Building which hosts an old orangery and theatre.