Top tips

Image by jacqueline macou from Pixabay

Warsaw’s atmospheric Old Town, or Stare Miasto, feels centuries old, a graceful neighbourhood of open squares lined with impressive buildings. But in reality, central Warsaw was so damaged by the end of WWII that much of it had to be rebuilt, and the impressive sights you see here now are a monumental rebuild that pays tribute to this proud and beautiful city. Contemporary Warsaw’s energy can be seen and felt in the impressive cultural calendar, in its incredible museums (the variety is really something), and in its out-of-hours atmosphere. Warsaw has a great music scene and is known for its clubs, as well as restaurants and bars. It is often spoken of as being great value too, though there are plenty of higher-end accommodation options, and neighbourhoods with boutique shopping is the norm. 

Warsaw’s centre, or Centrum, is where many of the city’s main attractions are. It is divided into two parts, the Old Town and New Town, and these are the obvious places to stay in. But it’s worth considering some of the less obvious options too, because Warsaw is a city that never stops evolving, and, even if you’ve visited before, the neighbourhoods are ever changing.

Our Guide to the Neighbourhoods of Warsaw

Warsaw Neighbourhoods care of

Old Town (Stare Miasto)

Image by jacqueline macou from Pixabay

As you can guess from the name, the Old Town is the best neighbourhood to stay in if you want to be within walking distance of Warsaw’s major historic sights. Stay here and you’re close to the castle, St. John’s Cathedral, the Barbican, and the main market square: Rynek Starego Miasta. The old city walls are still visible in places, and this is also where you’ll find the Museum of Warsaw, which tells the story of Warsaw. Warsaw’s Old Town may look ancient, but it isn’t the 13th century beauty it looks! It's a carefully repaired version, which was rebuilt from memory and drawings, so there’s a fascinating blend of the remembered and the projected.There are some great accommodation options along some of the narrower roads leading off the main square including beautifully converted historic buildings, and a very good selection of aparthotels. There are some charming boutique hotels in this neighbourhood too.

New Town (Nowe Miasto)

By Kgbo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Called New Town, Nowe Miasto, or New Warsaw, this neighbourhood isn’t really new — it was established in the 15th century, and is the bit just beyond the Barbican walls. Warsaw’s New Town wasn’t repaired as meticulously as the Old Town, but it’s fascinating for that reason and more. It has some really beautiful churches, including the baroque-style St. Kazimierz, and some beautiful, but austere monasteries and convents. The Barbican walls and the New Town Square are good places to start if you’re interested in Warsaw’s historic architecture. The Barbican is the impressively crenellated castle-looking building, now one of the few remainders of Warsaw’s historic fortifications, and a fascinating tourist attraction. As for the New Town Square, several of the area's best-preserved churches line its edges, and it’s a rather beautiful spot. At night, the New Town hosts a music and light fountain spectacular in the Multimedia Fountain Park. Other major landmarks include the Marie Curie Museum.

Powiśle

Flickr user Fred Romero

Powiśle is a riverside neighbourhood, just behind the Old Town. The location is incredible, but it’s never been a fancy neighbourhood, it’s always had an industrial edge, and been home to workers rather than fashionable types. That has really changed in the last decade or so, though, since the construction of an elegant waterside promenade, the Museum of Modern Art, the Copernicus Science Centre, and the Chopin Museum. The promenade is lined with gardens and parks, featuring art installations and playgrounds. This investment has attracted hip local boutiques aplenty, and there are now lots of places to eat and drink at all times of the day and night. The student population keeps things down-to-earth and fun in this neighbourhood. The Elektrownia Powiśle, which is the neighbourhood’s old power station, has been converted into a fun cultural space, with shops, fountains, big screen projections, and a cool atmosphere.

Wilanów

Image by Pawel Grzegorz from Pixabay

Wilanów is the neighbourhood surrounding the Baroque Wilanów Palace, which is often referred to as the Polish Versailles. It’s not the most central neighbourhood in Warsaw, but it does have some of the most elegant architecture: a collection of graceful villas and mansions as well as the palace, which is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Despite being just ten kilometres away from central Warsaw, the Wilanów Palace survived WWII relatively unscathed, and the art and antiques you see if you visit today predate the war. The Wilanów neighbourhood’s other major sights are the Botanical Gardens and the Park of Culture, which are both a pleasant stroll of the palace. Wilanów is also close to the Collegiate Church of St. Anne. There are a handful of local museums too, including Europe’s only Poster Museum. As far as accommodation goes, this neighbourhood has some charmingly converted townhouse and boutique hotels, as well as some luxurious options, and apartments to rent.

Praga-Północ

By Kgbo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Praga-Północ, or Praga North, is half of Praga, which is one of Warsaw’s oldest neighbourhoods. It used to be its own town and was absorbed into Warsaw at the end of the 18th century. This is one of the best preserved parts of the city, much of it survived WWII, and the street layouts, lamps and pavements date from before the war. It has a reputation for arty residents, and good food and design. Other highlights include thea zoo (with famous brown bears!), the Różycki Bazaar, which used to be one of the most famous bazaars in Poland, the orthodox Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene, and a beach along the river bank, which in summer hosts DJs and volleyball tournaments. If you like a niche museum, Praga-Północ can offer you the Polish Vodka Museum, the Neon Museum, and the Praga Museum. And keep an eye out for street art.

Nowy Świat

By Adrian Grycuk - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 pl

Nowy Świat is a street rather than a neighbourhood, but it’s a long street, and a good place to be based for visitors. It translates to New World Street, and is part of the Royal Route, which is the road that leads from the Royal Castle in the Old Town, to the country residence at Wilanów. Nowy Świat runs between the Copernicus monument and Three Crosses Square, and it’s been a busy part of Warsaw since the 19th century, when it was one of the main commercial streets, packed with shops, cafes and restaurants. While it’s changed a lot over the years, this is still a good description of the street today. If you like to eat well, you’ll be happy here, and it’s even better at the weekend, when it’s closed to vehicles. There’s a lively nightly scene around the area too. You’re within a pleasant stroll of many of the Old Town’s treasures, but don’t forget to look down the side streets; this is where the neighbourhood really begins.