Guest Author - Ewa Sapinska

Planning on spending a weekend in Warsaw? Here are a couple of places you really should not miss.

First of all try to stay in the centre of town as you’ll take less busses and trams and have more time for sightseeing. If you are on a budget Ibis Hotels are a good choice, or if you like to splash out on luxury, stay at the Hotel Bristol.

The first thing you must see is the “Old Town” (Stare Miasto). It really is quite beautiful, and very romantic in the evening, so a good place to go if you are going as a couple.

The Royal castle which is situated to the right of Zygmunt’s column (which is the oldest statue monument in Warsaw) in the main entrance, is definitely worth a visit. Part of the original castle was destroyed during the war. So the Poles lovingly reconstructed it in the 70’s. The surrounding town homes were also rebuilt.After this walk through to the market square.

The main market square is usually a hive of activity during the summer months from early morning to late into the night. Here you can take a ride on a horse and carriage, laze around and soak in the sun in one of the many open air cafes or spend money in the surrounding jewellery, crystal and antique stores to name but a few. If you like art then stay in the square as artists and craftsmen display their work here throughout the year.

If you are feeling a little peckish there are some nice restaurants and cake/ice cream shops in the square and the surrounding cobbled streets.

There are many churches in the old town. The Jesuit church is on Swietojanska street and is next to the (gothic style) Cathedral of St John. Many famous Poles have been buried in this cathedral. Inside the cathedral is the famous Baryczkowski crucifix. This crucifix is surrounded by rosaries and other items in the form of a thank you for prayers that have been answered.

Now you could head to the Barbican and have a look at the fortresses and towers. For a couple of Zloty (about 30p) you can go into the Barbican. Parts of this were also restored after the war.

By now you can probably understand how much of Warsaw was reduced to the ground during the war by the Germans, and also how important culture is to the Poles who painstakingly restored most of the Old town. If you want to find out more about what happened to Poland during the war then you should visit the newly opened museum of the Warsaw uprising on Ul Grzybowska 79 (mushroom street). This really is worth a visit. I was there about a month ago and was very impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm of the guides and in fact the whole museum.

For a bit more shopping head to Nowy swiat street and Aleje Jerosolimskie.

This is just a taster of Warsaw. Next time you can see more. Enjoy!