Warsaw - an undiscovered winter destination

Warsaw – the undiscovered winter destination

If your image of Poland is of a post-communist country struggling to find its place in a modern Europe then you would probably not have considered it as a winter destination. Perhaps now is the ideal time to reconsider as Poland reinvents herself.

Naturally the winters can be stark with temperatures dropping to minus fifteen celcius , so it’s essential to be well prepared. Generally speaking though if you visit in November or March you’ll have the best of winter without the freezing cold and often with bright sunny days.

Warsaw is perfect for a long weekend and to get your bearings, look for the Palace of Culture and Science (PKIn)– you can’t miss it as it dominates the landscape from wherever you are in the city. It was given to the Polish people as a gift by the Russians and there is the old joke that the best place to see Warsaw is from the top of the building – the only place where you can’t actually see the ‘monstrosity’ itself. Built in the 1950s and now hosting a theatre, cinema, conference centre and museum, it has today become something of an icon and is the tallest building in Warsaw with a viewing terrace on the 30^thfloor. 

                                                                          

Outside the building is also a good place to join the Hop-on Hop-off bus if you want a tour of the city. Stopping at ten landmarks it costs from around £13.00 and is probably the best way to get a feel for the city.

Unlike many East-European cities, Warsaw is somewhat different in that the hub isn’t the Old Town. Destroyed during WW2, the houses have been rebuilt to replicate the originals and the ‘Stare Miasto’ is by far my favourite place in Warsaw. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. with its mix of architecture and its medieval feel, it is a lovely square in which to sit in one of the many cafes or bars and watch the world go by.

                                                                                 

If it’s culture you want then Warsaw has it in abundance with the Chopin museum, the Royal Palace, Łazienki Park and two opera houses. Just remember to check the opening times and to book in advance if necessary.

For those who prefer shopping as a pastime then you shouldn’t be disappointed. Long gone are the dreary days of having to queue for everything and then finding that there is little to buy. In the last few years Warsaw has become almost unrecognisable. One of the biggest malls is Złote Tarasy, centrally located behind the Warszawa Centralna railway station, it is easily identifiable from its curved glass roof and houses almost every chain store you can think of.  If you’re looking for souvenirs then unusual glassware, wooden jewellery boxes and amber make ideal gifts.

While you’re there don’t forget to indulge in the local fare. Winter is the best time to savour Polish cuisine as it offers hearty soups, stews and my personal favourite perogi.
Getting around Warsaw is easy due to the network of metro, buses and trams that connect the main tourist atractions, making it the perfect location for a long winter weekend. What better place to watch the snow falling than tucking into a traditional Polish meal in the Old TGown as night begins to fall? A tryly magical experience.