Copernicus Science Centre & Planetarium

The Copernicus Science Centre is a real treat for science lovers. Have a go at making your own experiments and find out what it felt like for Neil Armstrong to take his first step on the Moon. Find out why we experience fear and learn about the mysteries of the senses. Visit the Heavens of Copernicus Planetarium and watch the incredible show, and don’t forget to check out the Robotic Theatre. Once you’ve seen everything, chill out on the lawn in the Discoverers’ Park. This attraction is not only for children.

• Web:

  www.kopernik.org.pl/en

• Address:

  Centrum Nauki Kopernik, Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 596 41 00

• Opening hours:

  Exhibitions: Tue–Thu, Sat & Sun 9am–7pm; Fri 9am–8pm, Mon closed

Fryderyk Chopin Museum

The Fryderyk Chopin Museum is located in the historic Ostrogski Palace, and is one of the most modern biographical museums in Europe. The exhibits on display include the composer’s grand piano, as well as manuscripts of Chopin’s letters and musical compositions. For the most serious Chopin fans, it's worth taking a day tour that focuses on the key Warsaw sights in the life of the composer. The extended version of the tour includes a 1-hour concert of Chopin’s music.

• Web:

  muzeum.nifc.pl/en

• Address:

  Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina, ulica Okólnik 1, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 441 62 51

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 10am–6pm, Mon closed

Łazienki Royal Park

The vast park surrounding the summer residence of the last Polish king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, is where Varsovians like to go for longer walks. The park is home to a winter garden, an amphitheatre, and even a Chinese garden. The biggest attraction, however, are the park’s permanent residents: the squirrels and peacocks. Another site worth seeing is the classicist Palace on the isle, with its enchanting interior design and gallery of paintings. The park is famous for its Chopin concerts, which take place from mid-May to the end of September every Sunday at noon and 4 pm. Come lounge on the grass and enjoy the music.

• Web:

  www.lazienki-krolewskie.pl/en

• Address:

  Łazienki Królewskie, ulica Agrykoli 1, Warsaw

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6am–10pm

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

Wilanów Palace is a true pearl of Baroque architecture in Warsaw. Learn about King Jan III Sobieski, who successfully fended off the Turks in the battle of Vienna and who lived in Wilanów with his beloved Marysieńka. Take a walk in the park and tour the palace interiors; see the portrait gallery and listen to stories of great romances. The building and the park have both kept their original form, despite the partition, war, and occupation. Wilanów Palace is a must-see when visiting Warsaw. In the wintertime, the venue, illuminated with thousands of lamps, transforms into the Royal Garden of Lights.

• Web:

  www.wilanow-palac.pl

• Address:

  Muzeum Pałacu Króla Jana III w Wilanowie, ulica Stanislawa Kostki Potockiego 10/16, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 544 27 00

National Museum

The National Museum houses a wonderful collection of well over 830,000 objects from all epochs — from antiquity to contemporary times. Here you will find works of both Polish and world art, including such gems as Jewess with Oranges by Aleksander Gierymski and the large-format Battle of Grunwald by Jan Matejko. Visit the Gallery of Medieval Art to see the unique artefacts there or visit the biggest collection of Nubian cultural artefacts and art in Europe. Don’t forget to check out the schedule of temporary exhibitions.

• Web:

  www.mnw.art.pl

• E-mail:

  muzeum@mnw.art.pl

• Address:

  Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie, aleje Jerozolimskie 3, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 621 10 31

• Opening hours:

  Mon closed; Tue–Thu, Sat & Sun 10am–6pm; Fri 10am–8pm

Old Town

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Old Town charms with its colourful townhouses and the exceptional atmosphere of its narrow streets. When in the Old Town Market Square, you'll meet a mermaid — the official symbol of the city. Don’t forget to see the Barbican, stop by the bell on Kanonia Street, and walk along the old city walls. You should also visit the Royal Castle. Apart from the royal apartments, the old seat of Polish rulers also houses an art collection with paintings by Rembrandt and Bernardo Bellotto, also known as Canaletto. One awesome way to quickly see all of Warsaw is with a tour in a tiny yellow retro Fiat 125p. Of course, you can ask the guide to tailor the drive to your interests.

Chopin’s Music Concerts at Łazienki Royal Park

Chopin’s concerts have been organised at the foot of Fryderyk Chopin’s statue for almost 60 years. Every Sunday in summer, hundreds of residents and tourists gather in one of the most beautiful parks in the city and lounge on the benches and lawns around the statue, listening to music played by outstanding pianists from both Poland and abroad.

• Web:

  www.poland.travel/en/travel-inspirations/summer-chopin-concerts-in-lazienki-park

• More info:

  From May to September, free admission

Garlands on the Vistula

The shortest night of the year is a wonderful opportunity for great fun by the Vistula River: music, dances, cruises, floating garlands with the current, and fireworks to end the night. The event is a contemporary version of the traditional Slavic St John’s Eve.

• More info:

  End of June, free admission

Holiday Illumination in Winter

Illumination is one of the biggest winter attractions in Warsaw, loved by locals, tourists, and amateur photographers. The streets of the city are illuminated with thousands of lights and unique decorations, with a beautiful Christmas tree decorating the Castle Square.

• Web:

  warsawtour.pl/en/winter-in-warsaw-2

Jazz in the Old Town International Festival

This festival is a meeting for jazz lovers in the landscape of the Old Town. One of the most popular and the biggest jazz event in the country, it has become an artistic showcase in Warsaw for those who love jazz, as well as for tourists from Poland and abroad.

• More info:

  All of July & August, free of charge

Orange Warsaw Festival

This is one of the most popular music events in the city. Every year, the Warsaw Horse Races turn into a stage for world-famous stars, such as Beyoncé, Skunk Anansie, The Prodigy, Lana Del Rey, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Aurora, The 1975, Florence + The Machine and many others.

• Web:

  orangewarsawfestival.pl/en

• Address:

  Służewiec Racing Track, Warsaw

• More info:

  Early June

Singer’s Warsaw Festival of Jewish Culture

For a whole week at the end of August and beginning of September, Próżna Street and its environs are livened up by the atmosphere of this old Jewish district. The many performances, concerts, and workshops recall the Jewish culture that was so much a part of Warsaw’s pre-war identity.

• More info:

  End of August to early September, free admission to some events