Warsaw, Poland

Dating back to the 9th century, the Polish capital has had a long, eventful and sometimes tragic history. Many who haven’t visited the city will associate it with harsh communist regimes, but since the Victory of Solidarity in 1989, the city has transformed into one of Europe’s most vibrant and colorful capitals.

Due to the city’s booming economy, it’s not as cheap as it used to be for western backpackers, but there are still plenty of deals and it’s definitely a cheaper option than French, German or Spanish cities.

And one of the things that keeps prices down is the variety of great Warsaw hostels on offer. Hostel Helvetia, Nathan’s Villa Hostel and Hostel Orange more than meet the requirements of the backpacker in the city.

And as well as the range of fantastic hostels in Warsaw, the city also has a couple of good value hotels and guesthouses like Hotel Dom Literatury and Boutique Bed and Breakfast.

the old town

One key area travelers will likely want to see is the ‘Old Town’. This somewhat of a misnomer was destroyed and the buildings on display today have been painstakingly restored to their former glory by the people of Poland.

In fact, it was such a well-done job that the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, even though most of the construction was no more than 30 years old.

Those planning to stay in this area may want to check out Old Town Apartments, your own apartment with a kitchen, bathroom and a fantastic location for the price of a hostel.

Beyond the old town is the Royal Castle, King Sigismund’s Column, Market Square and the Barbican. Further south is the Warsaw University campus, which is a good place to seek out some of the city’s quirkier bars and clubs.

Nightlife and Events

Being a young city, Warsaw has a nightspot for every taste. The bars range from atmospheric and dingy dive bars to ultra-modern lounge-style bars. Split over two floors, Foksal 19 is popular with 20- to 30-somethings, while 20 @Pole Mokotowskie features an outdoor grill and live music.

Clubs abound too, with Club 70 living up to its name and offering disco classics, while Ground Zero offers a more modern take, and for the more extravagant, check out Le Madame.

As befits any capital city, Warsaw has its fair share of festivals and events, both international and local. The International Film Festival in October and the carnival in March stand out.

Another unique event is Noc Swietojanska (Night of the Summer Solstice). For this pagan fertility festival, buxom Polish maidens throw flower wreaths into the Vistula River before fireworks, music and local food help keep you entertained for the night. Hostel Orange in
Poznanska, near the train station, offers a good base for those traveling to Warsaw for a night out.

food

Food is something Poles take pride in and almost all dishes are good value for money. Local specialties range from the famous beetroot soup, ‘borscht’, stuffed meatballs (‘perogi’) and all kinds of pork dishes. However, if you fancy something more international, there are plenty of foreign restaurants, from Chinese to Indian and Moroccan to Italian.