My Warsaw Experience

Warsaw is likened to a phoenix. The reason for this was that the city, which was destroyed during the Second World War, was rebuilt during the Soviet period and became its current state. Warsaw (the capital of Poland) is not a famous touristic place as much as Krakow, the reason of this is; people are thinking that the historical texture of the city is not original and it does not reflect an original culture. To tell the truth we were more interested in Krakow, but we chose to start our trip to Poland with Warsaw, where people are very critical about the city.

We went to Warsaw in winter, and when we went we realized that we made the wrong timing because winter is the coldest time of year for Warsaw. Since we know that it has a continental climate, we went prepared but still it was very cold. While we were so cold, we were quite surprised that the locals wandered in thin clothes, mini skirts, skin socks and wrist pants. I suggest that if you do not choose the winter months when you go to Warsaw, I think you can make a more effective itinerary.

We arrived to Warsaw from Milano in two hours by Ryanair. If you make a transfer in Turkey from Izmir to Istanbul you arrive to warsaw in total about five hours. In Warsaw, the sky is always cloudy, although the gray weather psychologically makes us tired a little bit, we went to enjoy it, so we did. The city is built on a flat land, which makes transportation very easy. There are tram lines all over the city and buses run very often and regularly. The hotel where we will be staying was the Mercure Warszawa Centrum, from the airport by bus number 175 we arrived there in half an hour. Our hotel was very clean and modern, right in the new center of the city and opposite to the popular shopping center Zlote Terasy.

After arriving at the hotel and leaving our stuffs, we went to Plac Zamkowy to the Castle Square, which is a five minute ride by taxi and costs five Euros to go. In fact, we always walk on our travels, but we violated the rule for this city due to weather conditions. Where the King Sigismund Statue was found,, which was built on a triangular ground plan, bombed by the Nazis during the war, but restored and turned into a tourist meeting point surrounded by colorful buildings. After listening to the street musicians in the square and taking photos with a giant pine tree, we reached the Stare Miasto area. Although this area was built after the war, it reflects some contents from the history of Warsaw. By walking through the narrow streets surrounded by buildings, which are examples of classical European architecture, we reach the Barbican area, which is surrounded by low walls. There are historical houses of similar structure around the narrow streets, a large square and a large cathedral and many cafes in Stare Miasto. During the period before Christmas, the city was decorated with lights and christmas markets and an ice rink were established. Even though the weather made it difficult to visit, it was a pleasure to be in Warsaw before the New Year and to experience that vitality.

As we walked along Nowy Świat street, we listened to the puppet performances and music of street artists. University of Warsaw (Universytet Warszawski), where Chopin also graduated, is also on this street. While we were looking for a good place to taste the pierogi which is famous food, Zapiecek Polskie Pierogarnie appeared. As the crowd in front of us seemed to be a touristic place, we doubted the taste of the food, but were glad to get up. There was a very long line, fortunately we were two people and we could sit after waiting 10 minutes. The decoration was pleasant, the employees were all in traditional red dress and friendly. We have already learned that there are several different branches and it is a highly acclaimed place. We had a delicious hot wine and waited for our meal. In fact, the dumpling filled with pierogi, which is known as dumpling in English, is essentially a dish of Slavic culture. It's kind of like our ravioli, but bigger pieces, so that 6 or 9 pieces come on a plate of your choice. You can choose with or without sauce. You can also choose the inside with spinach, potatoes, cheese and meat. We chose the Green Caffe Nero on Nowy swiat street for a coffee break. We liked the decoration of the café and the bookcases rising along the ceiling. As we walked past the handmade confectionery called Manufaktura Cukierkow, the smell took us in. Here you can both watch the confectionery making and buy fresh confectionery as a gift. We had our dinner at Sphinx Steak & Grill in Zlote Terasy shopping center and enjoyed the taste of the meat. The food and desserts we tasted were mostly suitable for our taste buds. Zlote Tarasy is a classic shopping mall with dozens of shops and restaurants and cafes on the upper floor, which draws attention with its different exterior.

On our second day we toured the new city center. The 230-meter-long Pałac Kultury i Nauki, the Palace of Culture and Science, which was built during Stalin's time and is the landmark of the city, has about three thousand rooms and the 30th floor is open to tourists. You can sip your drink while taking in the view of Warsaw, or just go down and watch the view. Check-out is solely and costs 20 Zloty so 18TL / 5EU. We chose Cafe Loft for lunch and after lunch, we took a quick walk in the shops on the street and made product and price comparisons. Prices are not very different from Turkey. As we have heard from everyone was not a very cheap country, so not much cheaper than Turkey, but of course remains quite affordable compared to other European Union countries. Polish dolls in traditional dress, embroidered porcelain, keychains, postcards and trinkets of Warsaw's important buildings can be bought as gifts from Warsaw.

The Royal Palace, Belweder Palace and The Palace On The Isle, which are examples of Baroque architecture, are located in Lazienki Park. This park, which has many lakes of different sizes, is spread over 76 hectares in the city center. Lazienki Park, where the museum, where Chopin performed concerts every weekend, has become a recreation area for locals and tourists. Biblioteka Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, the University of Warsaw Library, attracts a lot of attention due to its unique architecture and the botanical garden on the top floor. If you want to watch Warsaw from a different angle, look at the Tower of St. 5Zloty. Anne’s Church is one of the ideal spots.

Muzeum Pałac Wilanowie, which is also called Wilanow Palace Museum King III. Built by Sobieski in the 17th century. We read that this palace is a bit out of town but we couldn't take the time but it was worth a visit. Other important places to add to your list of sights are Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina (Frederik Chopin Museum), Muzeum Narodowe (National Museum), Ghetto Wall Ruins, Muzeum Marii Sklodowskiej-Curie (Mari Curie Museum) and Centrum Nauki Copernicus (Copernicus Science Center). One of the most famous sculptures in the city was the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, Grob Nieznanego Zolnierza, built in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in the war. You can see this monument at the entrance to the park called Ogród Saski (Saxon Garden). In addition to this, the bridge that divides the city into two can pass through the Wisla River to the opposite bank called Praga and get lost in the side streets. Warszawskie Zoo is also on this side if you are interested.

We used Modlin Bus buses on the way back to the airport and our journey was fast and comfortable. We bought the bus ticket from the ticket office on the ground floor of the Palace of Culture and Science. Finally, I want to give you a last few useful tips. Where there is a Hot Spot sign, you can enjoy free wireless internet at the spots. You should definitely have a raincoat or umbrella with you. I think maybe if we went in the spring or summer, we could see more places and enjoy more, but as far as we discovered, Warsaw was a beautiful place.

Stay with love..