Warsaw

Orientation

Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, is a World Heritage city that is rebuilt from scratch at the end of World War II. The city's architecture encompasses a wide array of architectural styles, like the historic imperialism, communist functionalism and today's capitalist shops and cafes. The Old Town Square, the palaces and the beautiful parks of Warsaw complements the state-of-the-art 235-metre high Palace of Culture and Science in the city centre. This diverse range of building styles is representative of the city's rich history.

City Facts

• Warsaw Population: 2,269,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Poland Population: 38,727,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Currency: Polish Zloty (PLZ)
• Time Zone: GMT+1 (GMT+2 when Daylight Saving Time is observed)
• Language: Polish
  

Weather

Weather Forecast

Climate

Summer in Warsaw is generally warm, with temperatures between 9°C and 22°C (47°F to 73°F); while winter is cold, with temperatures between -4°C and 6°C (25°F to 42°F). There is plenty of rain in Warsaw throughout the year.

Travel Tips

When to Visit - Arts and Events

As one would expect from the hometown of the great Chopin, music dominates the art scene of Warsaw. During summer, there are often open-air Chopin concerts. Moreover, musicals and theatrical events as well as festivals of Polish theatre, jazz and Chopin are frequently held.

Dining

Visitors can find many of the city's fine restaurants near the Old Town Square. Traditional Polish cuisine is hearty and delicious, while serving is usually generous. Soups and stews are thick and filling. Pork is a prominent feature on Polish menus, and pork dishes include roast boar, cutlets in tangy sauces and pork with garlic stuffing. Desserts are a Polish specialty, especially the rich cream cakes and the chocolate-nut torte. Vodka, recognised as the national drink, is offered with the plum, prune and ground pepper flavours.

Tipping Advice

It is customary to leave a 10-15% tip at hotels and restaurants. A 2PLZ tip per bag is usually given to porters, while concierges and tour guides expect a 5PLZ tip.

Transportation

Warsaw is conveniently linked via its busy international airport as well as the country's excellent road and rail networks.

Arriving by Air

The main airport in Warsaw is the Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW).

Getting Around Warsaw

The airport and the city are connected by a frequent bus service and taxis. Use only the official taxis as the unmarked taxis are expensive and unsafe. To get around the city, visitors can use the comprehensive bus, tram and underground train services.

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