Poland

My Top 10 Things To Do In Warsaw

Castle Square – the historic square which is sat in front of the Royal Castle. It’s a popular meeting place for tourists and is lined with other famous landmarks and cute cafes and eateries.

Royal Castle – Poland’s version of Buckingham Palace, located on the edge of the Old Town, take some time to wonder, people watch and admire the Polish architecture. 

Barbican – one of the last remaining relics which separated the Old Town from the New Town  - make sure you stop off when passing through.

Monument to the Warsaw Rising – this impressive monument remembers when the Poles fought back again the Nazis. It is vast and continues along the Supreme Court building showing both history and Polish culture.

Saxon Gardens: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Inside the Saxon Gardens, the remnants of the Saxon Palace, which was destroyed during WWII, shelters the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guard is changed every hour, and groups of soldiers marching back and forth between the tomb and the Palace are a regular sight, though the big event is the ceremonial changing of the guard that takes place every Sunday at noon.

St Anne’s church – located in the historic center of Warsaw, it is one of Poland’s most notable churches. Have a wonder inside and climb the tower to see the great view from above.

Church of the Holy Cross – opposite the Warsaw University campus lays this famous Baroque church in Warsaw. If you are into History of Art, this church is well worth a visit.

Party boat – Ask any taxi driver in Warsaw to take you to the party on the river bank and he’ll know what you are talking about. We had no idea where to go so ended up jumping in a taxi and asking “ take us to a good party?!” and we ended up getting plonked on the river bank. Littered with about 5 bars, plus a massive boat, there is something on offer for everyone. The boat contains a small bar but is mainly a massive dance floor, with planks leading off the boat to the multiple bars, all playing different music and offering a variety of beverages. Always busy plus you are guaranteed a good night, but do not make the error of wearing heels – it is definitely a flat shoe kind of affair. 

Old Town - without giving it away too much, it’s the oldest part of Warsaw.. In the heart of the area is the old town market place, rich in restaurants, cafes and shops. Surrounding streets feature medieval architecture, cobbled streets and other famous landmarks including the Barbican. Horse drawn carriages roam the street, and it’s a great place to sit with a coffee and soak in the atmosphere.

Ghetto heroes monument – this was built to commemorate the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising during World War II located at the spot where the first clash of the uprising took place and is built partly from old Nazi German materials. Its slightly out of the ‘tourist hub’, however it’s easy to get to from the Old Town. 

Bon Voyage x

10 things to do in Krakow

Wawel Castle - The Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Hill constitute the most historically and culturally important site in Poland. On a sunny day it’s a beautiful walk, and hosts stunning views of the town below. Definitely worth a visit..

Kazimierz – also known as the Jewish Quarter is full of small winding streets, little parks in squares and beautiful Synagogues. All the synagogues are unique and worth a visit, even if they look small and worn from the outside, it’s worth peeking through the doors to see whats in-store. There are also plenty of local watering holes and eateries in this part of down, which are less tourist and in-expensive.

Main Market Square – this is the main tourist hub of Krakow. Full of bursting cafes, ice cream parlors and chocolates shops as well as some of Krakow’s most well known monuments. If you are stopping for a night in Krakow it is always handy to be staying near this square!

Cloth Hall – situated in the middle of the market square, cloth hall speaks for itself. This narrow long hall houses a vast amount of stalls from local garments, to tourists tit bits, to specialized foods, and even furry pieces.

St Mary’s Church – also situated in the Main Market Square, however this was sadly closed during our visit due to renovations. However, from what I have seen the interior is a palette of rich colours, large beautiful windows and gothic architecture. 

Florian Gate – one of the last remaining entrances to the city. Make sure you pass through this impressive gate on route to the main square.

Wawel Cathedral – this also sits upon Wawel Hill with the castle and is definitely worth a visit whilst you’re in the area. Its Poland’s answer to St Paul’s Cathedral.

Schindlers Factory – a museum dedicated to wartime experiences in Krakow. The museum takes up the sprawling administration building of the defunct plant at 4 Lipowa street, in the city’s grim industrial district of Zablocie on the right bank of Wisla river. Ingenious exhibitions combine period artifacts, photos and documents with multimedia and set-piece arrangements in an attempt to create a full-immersion experience. If you don’t have time to visit Auschwitz, I would highly recommend crossing the river and making a pit stop at this museum.

Auschwitz – if you are staying in Krakow for more than 48 hours try and visit Auschwitz. Only a 2 hour trip away, it gives you a real idea of how life was in Poland during WWII. Even though it is an emotional rollercoaster it is also an educational experience, one that you will never forget.

Hazelnut Vodka – the local favorite – goes down a treat! Be sure to buy stacks of the stuff before you head home!

To add – we stayed in a hostel called MAMA’s. Situated just off the main square it is in the perfect position for tourist attractions, bars and restaurants! The hostel is clean and the staff are friendly and considering the location its reasonably priced. 4 STARS.  We also went to a bar called ALCHEMIA which is situated in the Jewish Quarter. Next to the university, it is always packed full of young people drinking the local hazelnut vodka and beer. The bar isn’t overly fancy, and trainers are appropriate footwear. Old school vibes, cosy and warm, with vintage deco, it is definitely the best place to start your evening. 

Krakow is a walking city - due to the size it is easy to get around on foot. Alternatively, rent a bike and ride around in style. 

Bon Voyage x