Warsaw - Varsovia

Warsaw
Flag of Warsaw.svg
Flag		Grand CoA Warsaw.png
Shield
Warsaw-Castle-Square-2.jpg
The Plaza del Castillo Real.
CountryFlag of Poland.Poland
• ConditionWarsaw
IdiomPolish
Demonymwarsaw, -ana
Demographic data
Surface517,24 km²
Population1.777.400
Useful data
Time zone UTC 1
• in summerUTC 2
Telephone prefix 48-22
Public transportMetro, tram, train
Web
Official Web siteOfficial Web site
Official tourist website[1]
OpenStreetMap

Warsaw (Warszawa) It is the capital of Poland and the largest of its cities with 1.7 million inhabitants. It is located on the banks of the Vistula River (in Polish: Wisła) at approximately the same distance - about 350 km - both from the Baltic Sea (Bałtyk), to the north; as from the CarpathiansKarpaty) to the south.

Understand

Context

Krakow It was the medieval capital of Poland, but Warsaw has been the country's capital since 1596, and has become the largest urban and commercial center in Poland. It was totally destroyed during the Second World War and managed to rise from its ashes. Today, almost all Warsaw buildings are post-war - and the few remaining older structures can only be found in the restored districts of Stare Miasto (the 'old town') and Nowe Miasto (the 'new town'), as well as some monuments and cemeteries.

Districts

Districts of Warsaw
Center (Śródmieście, Wola, Mokotów, Żoliborz, Ochota, Praga Północ Y Prague Południe)
The downtown area, made up of six districts, is a mix of industrial areas and upper-class residential neighborhoods. Most travelers will spend their stay in this part of Warsaw where most hotels and attractions are found, especially Śródmieście, Wola and Mokotów.
Warsaw North (Bielany Y Białołęka)
Warsaw West (Bemowo, Włochy Y Ursus)
Warsaw East (Targówek, Rembertów, Wawer Y Wesoła)
South Warsaw (Ursynów Y Wilanów)
At the end of the Royal Route Wilanów is the Wilanów Palace. In Ursynów you will find the historic Natolin Park. The area was the scene of activity during the Warsaw Uprising.

To get

Boat

Although Warsaw is crossed by a river, the only option is to get there by boat through Gdańsk, a port located at the mouth of the Vistula River. Still, Warsaw is accessible by boats that navigate the river.

By plane

To access Warsaw, it can be reached perfectly from the Warsaw-Frederic Chopin airport, near the city (just 10 kilometers away). It also has another second airport; the Warsaw Modlin Airport.

By train

Since 1845, Warsaw and Vienna have been connected by a railway line, which starts from the Warszawa Centralna, the main railway station. From this station, you can also use the metro or tram to travel around the city (see below).

By bus

From both airports you can easily reach Warsaw. Although transportation services have been improved since 2006, the bus has been the most comfortable and the least expensive to travel. Multiple buses link the Polish capital with cities like Krakow, Łódź, Wroclaw, Poznań, Lublin or Gdańsk, among others.

By car

The car is the most profitable means of transport that can be found in Poland and in the city of Warsaw. There are multiple companies to choose a rental car, although it is advisable to use the international ones; they work much better than regional ones.

Travel

Boat

It is possible to navigate perfectly on the Vistula river, aboard a ferry or any other means of maritime transport. There are multiple ports where these boats dock that transport tourists along the river.

By train

The Warszawa Centralna (translated to Spanish such as Warsaw Central Station) is where most trains depart and arrive from. You can catch railways up to Vienna or to Krakow, or travel within the city by train, although it is preferable to do it by tram.

By bus

Bus stop in Warsaw.

There are several bus stops throughout the city, and in just an hour and a half hour you can reach Łódź on a regular service. If you travel by car, you would get to Łódź in less time, although in Warsaw there are few car parks, unlike for example Madrid.

By tram

There are multiple tram lines throughout the city. These are well signposted, and it is easy to follow the route and get off at the correct stop since each stop has a name that can be seen from the tram. You can leave from the Warszawa Centralna, In the city center.

By subway

Meter.

There is a single metro line that crosses the city. It is very easy to use, modern and safe. For that, you have to start from the central station (Warszawa Centralna).

Watch

Palace of culture and science.
  • Palace of Culture and Science. This huge building of about 240 meters high and located in the heart of the old town breaks with the monotony of the old town. Stalin's gift to the Polish people, many Warsawians profess great animosity to the Soviet-style skyscraper, which houses a viewpoint on its top floor.
  • Wilanów Palace. This palace, known as the "Versailles Polish"because of its resemblance to the French palace located on the outskirts of ParisIt is one of the must see in Warsaw. The summer residence of the Polish royalty during the 17th century, it has many works of art of incalculable value inside, and inside it is the Church of Santa Ana.
  • Łazienki Park. In this large park is, among other buildings, the Palace on the island, the monument to Frédéric Chopin and the Monument to John III Sobieski, among others.
  • Royal Palace. The royal palace, home of the Polish royal family since the capital moved from Krakow to Warsaw, it is the most important building in the city, and a must for everyone who visits Poland.
  • Wielki Grand Theater. This theater, located in the homonymous Plaza, was inaugurated on February 24, 1833 and is one of the largest operas in Europe. Inside the theater there is also a museum that illustrates the lives of the opera singers, actors and dancers who performed here.
  • University library. For all those who love books, you can visit this library located on the university campus of the capital, in a modernist style.
  • Royal Castle. It is one of the emblems of the city, along with the Royal Palace. Without a doubt, it is another must-see if you travel to Poland. In its wide square there are sometimes markets and flea markets.
  • Marketplace: built at the end of the 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century on the road that connected the palace with the New City. It has been remodeled several times. Currently it mainly houses bars and restaurants with terraces.

Museums

Statue "Heroes of Warsaw", in front of the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising.
Marketplace.
  • National Museum in Warsaw. The National Museum of Warsaw is the most important art museum in the city. The museum was renovated several times, although today it is famous for the art collections it houses. It suffered several damages during the Second World War that can be seen on the facade of the museum.
  • Warsaw Uprising Museum. This museum, also known as Warsaw Uprising Museum, narrates the exploits of how the Polish Army (the Armia Krajowa) fought against Nazi Germany. Near the museum there are several statues commemorating the feat.

Excursions

  • Royal Route. This route runs through some of the most monumental and iconic streets and buildings in Warsaw. The tour passes between many sites, including the Wilanów Palace, Łazienki Park and other destinations.
  • Palace of culture and science: It is the tallest building in Poland, with its 237 meters high. Originally known as the Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science. It is used as an exhibition center and office complex. You can visit the upper floors where there is a cafeteria and from where you can see views of the entire city.

Do

Events (edit)

  • Warsaw Film Festival (Warszawski Festiwal Filmowy)
  • Polish Classical Music Festival (Festiwal Muzyki Staropolskiej)
  • Festival of the Gardens-theaters (Konkurs Teatrów Ogródkowych)

Activities

If you want to learn science and astronomy, visit the Copernicus Science Center to learn about the life of the Polish astronomer and mathematician. If you are traveling for music, Warsaw is home to several professional music companies and games and entertainment companies. Being the capital city means that it is the seat of the Polish National Opera and the Warsaw Philharmonic.

Regarding sports, Warsaw is not internationally known for its sports teams or any of its sports facilities, although this changed in 2012 when Poland Y Ukraine upgraded their sports infrastructures and stadiums for the Euro 2012 Soccer Championship. These are the main teams in Warsaw:

  • Legia Warszawa, ul. Łazienkowska 3, soccer team that plays in the Polish first division. [2]
  • Poland Warszawa, ul. Konwiktorska 6, soccer team and rival of Legia. Military in the same category. [3]
  • Warsaw Eagles, American football team and current champion of Poland. [4]

Learn

Universities

  • Warsaw University (Uniwersytet Warszawski), ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28. ☎( 48) 22 552 00 00 Invalid phone format. The University of Warsaw is the largest university in Poland and offers a wide variety of courses and programs to choose from. Warsaw University currently has about 50,000 enrolled students.
  • Warsaw University of Technology (Politechnika Warszawska), Pl. Politechniki 1. ☎( 48) 22 234 72 11 Invalid phone format. It is the largest technical university in the country.
  • Civitas School (Collegium Civitas), Plac Kultury i Nauki, 12th floor, Plac Defilad 1. ☎( 48) 22 656 71 87 Invalid phone format. This is a private school located inside the Palace of the Culture of Science. Subjects he teaches include Sociology, Political Science, American Studies, International Relations and Human Rights, and Genocide Studies. For those interested, some programs are conducted in English.
  • Leon Kozminski Academy, ul. Jagiellońska 59 (Located in the Praga Połnoc district). ☎( 48) 22 519 21 00 Invalid phone format, fax: ( 48) 22 814 11 56 Invalid phone format, ✉: . It is a private school.
  • Clark University, ul. Łucka 11. ☎( 48) 22 656 36 65 Invalid phone format, fax: ( 48) 22 656 36 15 Invalid phone format, ✉: . This is a branch of the "US Clark University. This branch offers master's degrees related to business management.

Polish-language universities

  • Institute of Polish Language and Culture, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 32. ☎( 48) 22' 5521530 Invalid phone format. It is part of the University of Warsaw. 1200 zł for an essential course or 1800 zł ffor an advanced language course Polish.

Work

Warsaw is home to many international companies, such as OSCE, Frontex or Randstad, among others. Warsaw has an excellent job market for potential expats. Of course, there are several obstacles to immigration, but getting a job is easy if you have the right skills.

If you are a backpacker looking for short-term employment, it can be more difficult as you are legally required to have a work permit. You could find short-term work in the hospitality industry, or possibly as an ESL tutor or teacher.

If you would like to work in Warsaw or in another city of Poland, don't miss a job opportunity; There are some recruitment agencies that you can use in your job search, such as Adecco Poland, in Al. Jerozolimskie 123A.

To buy

ATMs (in Polish: Bankomat) are very common around Warsaw. Most businesses accept Visa, MasterCard, Visa Electron and Maestro cards. Amex and Diners Club are not so commonly accepted. Some establishments require a minimum purchase of 10-50zł for credit card purchases.

Shopping centers (in Polish: Centrum handlowe, often abbreviated CH) are also abundant in Warsaw. Usually open until 10pm, and most have restaurants, cinemas, and some may have a sports hall with pool tables or a bowling alley. Tesco and Carrefour are the largest stores in Europe, and carry almost everything, including food, at low prices.

To eat

Although eating in Warsaw is not the same as eating in Paris or in LondonEating here can be fun and interesting especially since Poland does not have a large number of chain restaurants. For those on a budget, there are many kebab shops sprinkled around Warsaw, especially in the district of ŚródmieścieThey offer good food and portions for the right price of 7.13 zł a kebab. Other cheap alternatives are milk bars and Vietnamese restaurants.

In Warsaw, the Fast food or Fast food They are scarce, so tourists who hate this type of food can enjoy eating healthy in many of the bars and pubs in the center. Still, the most popular fast food outlets are of course McDonalds, KFC, and Pizza Hut, but there are also some Subway sandwich company stores, and even some Burger King restaurants. The prevailing prices in most of these restaurants can be somewhat expensive.

The Milk Bars (in Polish: Bar Mleczny, or Bary mleczne) were originally created in the 1960s to serve inexpensive dairy-based meals. After the fall of communism, most of them were closed, but some survived and still carry the climate of the old days. Most of the interior is from the 1980s. The pros of these establishments are their low prices (soup and main course together can cost as little as 10.00 zł) and that the food served can actually be very good. accompanied with a cup of milk. Even if you can't afford the more expensive meals, the milk bars are interesting because they offer a bit of a glimpse into life before democratization in Poland.

Drink and go out

The Wielki Grand Theater, cradle of classical music and opera in Warsaw.

In the old town and in areas like the square Trzech Krzyży in Śródmieście they are saturated with cafes. A coffee normally costs around 10.00 zł. Beer can cost between 5.00 zł 15.00 zł for half a liter (the supermarket price being approximately 2.50-3 zł). Club drink prices can go up to PLN 50.00 (and possibly more). The consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited, but this is often ignored by the local population regarding public consumption in parks.

If you go out at night in Warsaw, there are plenty of clubs and discos, usually outside the Old Town, although the clubs are widely distributed throughout the city. Warsaw disappoints when it comes to music, as the only place to enjoy opera or classical music is the Wielki Grand Theater.

Sleep

Economic

  • Aramis Hotel Warszawa, ul. Mangalia 3b. Located in a good location and at cheap prices (between 20 and 60 euros), they offer from single rooms to beds in shared rooms.
  • Premiere Classe Warszawa, ul. Towarowa 2. Just 1.6 kilometers from the very center of Warsaw, and close to the main monuments (the Wielki Grand Theater, Łazienki Park.) This French company hotel is the best hotel to visit the old town.
  • Gromada Warszawa Airport, corner with ul. Żwirki i Wigury and ul. 17 Stycznia. As its name suggests, this hotel is located next to Warsaw Airport (800 meters) and 7 kilometers from the center. Although noise can be an inconvenience (that's why they have such low prices), it is a hotel with good services, as well as the tallest hotel in Warsaw.

Half

  • Poland Palace. Located in the very center of the city, near one of the busiest streets in Warsaw: the Aleje Jerozolimskie.
  • InterContinental Warsaw. This tall skyscraper may interest many tourists who love high heights. It offers perfect views of the city.
  • Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel, Warsaw. Named after one of Poland's greatest heroes, Jan III Sobieski, this hotel is one of the best hotels to be found in the Polish capital.

Waste

  • Le Meridien Bristol. The hotel Le Meridien Bristol It is one of the 5-star hotels in the city, and has been hosting people since its foundation in 1899. It is close to the National Museum of Art and the Royal Palace.

Keep in touch

Wi-Fi Internet is available in most of the Old City, as well as in several cafes and restaurants, including McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Starbucks, Coffee Heaven, and Biegu W. If you want to communicate with letters, the Post Office is on the ul. Świętokrzyska, numbers 31 and 33. It is open from seven in the morning until twelve at night.

The area code for Warsaw is 22, and it must be dialed even when making local calls. When calling Warsaw internationally, dial the country code, 48, followed by the rest of the number. There is no need to use "0" at the beginning of the phone number. When dialing from a mobile phone, you must dial any number as if it were an international number.

Public telephones are very strange and therefore better than relying on other means of communication. Public telephones only work with phone cards that can be purchased at post offices. SIM with Polish phone numbers they cost as little as 5 zł and can be purchased from almost any large company. Many newsstands also sell them.

Security

The old town is the safest area in the entire city, although it is not advisable to walk alone through dark alleys. In places like La Plaza del Parade, where markets are organized, pickpockets abound, so you have to monitor your wallet at all times if you go to these second-hand markets.

Health

With the European health card, you can attend any hospital or doctor in case of emergencies. The non-European will also have the possibility of medical assistance during the trip. What is likely is that you will have to pay the invoice first in the country, and then claim it from the insurance of the country of origin.

Surroundings

Frédéric Chopin's house, in Żelazowa Wola.
  • Kampinos Forest (~ 15 km, take bus 726) - A primeval forest, known as "the green lungs of Warsaw"; an ideal choice for a day off from the noise of the city.
  • Konstancin-Jeziorna (~ 20 km, take bus 700) - A spa town with a large park. Famous for its clean air and high home prices.
  • Krakow (~ 300 km, in just under 3 hours per hour IC / Ex trains) - The former capital of Poland, was the European Capital of Culture in 2000.
  • Lublin (~ 200 km) - Well preserved medieval city, with one of the most amazing old town in the country, it is now the largest city in eastern Poland.
  • Kazimierz Dolny (~ 150 km, less than two hours by TLK train to Puławy, after half an hour by bus) - Renaissance city, with a picturesque market, is a center for painters and Boheme.
  • Żelazowa Wola (~ 50 km) - It is the birthplace of Frédéric Chopin.
  • Brest is a city in Belarus on the border with Poland and it is rich in history from both Soviet and medieval times. It is 200 km from Warsaw. You can go there by train (it leaves 3-4 times / day and takes 3-4 hours. Same visa regulations as the rest of the Belarus.

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