I was recently lucky enough to visit Warsaw Poland for the very first time. Unfortunately, it was a very short one day in Warsaw tour which only left me wanting more. More specifically, here are 5 reasons why I will return to Warsaw.
1) Summertime Fun
My one day in Warsaw visit was during late fall. Not experiencing the cold weather isn’t so much a reason I want to return to Warsaw, I’m Canadian after all. No, it was the shortened daylight that had me frustrated. This left me with limited light to enjoy the Old Town and other highlights. Still, I did have a beautiful (but chilly) walk-through Łazienki Park and took in some amazing fall colours. Summertime, however, is kind of a big deal in Warsaw. Summer festivals and beaches along the Vistula River (yes beaches!) become a popular hangout for guests and locals. With kilometres of untouched shoreline, it is also a great place to escape the city without having to go to far.
2) World-Class Museums
The trouble of only spending one day in a new city is running the risk of local attractions being closed on the day you visit. Most European cities have odd closures for museums and Warsaw is no different. On the Tuesday I visited both the Uprising Museum and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews were closed. Shame as both sound fascinating. The Uprising Museum celebrates the Polish Resistance to Nazi Germany and artifacts and stories from those that experienced it are on display. Located in the former Warsaw Gehtto, the POLIN Museum shares the accomplishments of the Jewish community in Poland and the horrific story of those uprooted and forced to live in the ghettos or shipped off to concentration camps.
Then there is the Chopin Museum, dedicated to the city’s most famous composer. Although not closed on my 24 hours in Warsaw, I didn’t have enough time to enjoy it.
3) Vintage Tour
Although I did do well seeing the city with only one day, I will return to Warsaw to see it in one of these:
Adventure Warsaw offers guided tours of the city in these vintage vans. It would be like a communist-era version of the Art Deco tour I did in Nappier New Zealand.
Booking.com
4) Escape it
It may not seem fitting to return to Warsaw just to leave it but the capital is a great jumping-off point to explore the country. I visited Kraków (and loved it) so would return to Warsaw to explore the north. Specifically Gdańsk for its Baltic sea location and colourful buildings.
5) Food & drink
The last reason why I will gladly return to Warsaw is for its amazing food and drink…and by drink I mean vodka. I got a taste of this local favourite while touring the hip area of Praga. Turns out I really like Polish vodka – 4 AM flight out and all.
Then there is Polish food. My god Polish food. During my one day in Warsaw I managed to have pirogies twice along with a helping of borscht and Golabki (cabbage rolls). Besides being tasty, food in Warsaw is cheap. I visited a Milk Bar where my home cooked meal was under $4. Originally set up during as a place to get a cheap meal made from whole ingredients, today the trend continues and it’s popular with students and business people alike.
One Day is not Enough
As you can see, one day is not enough to cover Poland’s capital city. Provisioning for hangover time alone should have tipped me off to this. Alas, I will return to Warsaw.
What say you?
Thoughts on why I will Return to Warsaw?
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Although I was provided a complimentary stay thanks to Warsaw Tourism,
the experience, opinions, and desire to return are my own.
