One of the most remarkable things about Warsaw is that the entire historic city center was destroyed during and reconstructed after the World War II. All the charming streets and townhouses of the Old Town, although they look centuries old, are actually no more than 70–80 years old. Still, it’s worth getting lost in this UNESCO-listed site.

Łazienki Park is a favorite spot among Warsaw residents for leisurely walks. The centerpiece of the park is the Palace on the Isle (Pałac na Wyspie), and in its southwestern part stands the famous monument of Frédéric Chopin, where free piano recitals are held every Sunday at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

In recent years, many post-industrial spaces across Poland have been transformed into charming leisure complexes. A great example is the old Powiśle power plant, which has been converted into a shopping gallery featuring boutiques of Polish brands and designers. There’s also a food hall located in the basement.

the BITES is a special place on my culinary map of Warsaw – countless brunches and coffees during breaks between rehearsals at the opera across the street. I recommend the Japanese-style beef tartare (the classic one is outstanding too!), but this spot also serves plenty of vegetarian options.

A classic spot for a first date with a newly discovered city – this Wedel chocolate lounge is located in a historic venue where Emil Wedel opened his first confectionery in 1851. Of course, it’s not just about drinking chocolate here – you can also buy their signature products, such as Ptasie Mleczko (literally “bird’s milk”).

As you may have already noticed, Polish cuisine is rich in both hearty meat dishes and sweets! A staple of an after-lunch afternoon coffee is cake, such as cheesecake, apple pie, or sometimes even pączki. Polish pączki are essentially doughnuts, but with filling inside. The most iconic ones are from Blikle, so make sure you stop by there.

It’s the heart of Kraków! At its center stands the Sukiennice — a medieval market hall — which now houses a variety of handcrafted souvenirs. Around the square, there are plenty of clubs offering live jazz music every evening, such as Piwnica pod Baranami, Harris Piano Jazz Bar, and Klub pod Jaszczurami.

Wawel Castle is the jewel in the crown of all Polish historic monuments. For over 500 years (from 1038 to 1596, when Warsaw became the capital), this hill served as the royal residence and the center of political power. Today, the rooms of the royal castle form a rich museum showcasing centuries of heritage.

A truly unique quarter, where you’ll find plenty of artistic cafés and pubs, such as Singer and Alchemia. And if you’d like to try some Polish wines, stop by BaraWino. In the center of the district stands the Okrąglak — a round market hall serving typical Polish street food, namely zapiekanki (open-faced baguettes).

Poland has its own Mona Lisa — Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine. The painting was purchased in by the influential Polish noble family, the Czartoryski, and today it is housed in the family’s museum. Lady with an Ermine is just as mesmerizing as the Mona Lisa, yet you can admire it in a much more intimate setting.

We celebrated Kady’s birthday at this restaurant! It’s an excellent place serving classic Polish cuisine, especially its variations on goose (the restaurant’s name literally means “grey goose”). It may not be the cheapest, but the experience is worth every penny — we had a wonderful evening there!

Back in communist times bary mleczne (milk bars) were state-subsidized canteens serving simple, home-style meals. Today, although most milk bars are no longer publicly funded, they still enjoy great popularity. One such place is Milkbar Tomasza, which offers tasty daily lunch sets at very affordable prices.

This UNESCO World Heritage salt mine near Kraków impresses not only with its size but also with its stunning chambers carved into the rock. One of the most magnificent is the Chapel of St. Kinga, where masses and concerts are held (it’s even possible to get married there, though that would be a bit too extravagant).

Wrocław’s Market Square is the second largest in Poland (after that in Kraków) and features a magnificent town hall at its center, surrounded by a cluster of small buildings that once served as merchants’ stalls. Be sure to stop by the Spiż brewery located in the town hall’s cellars — Wrocław is famous for its craft beers!

A unique example of battle painting in the form of a 360-degree panorama, depicting one of the most important battles in Polish history — the Battle of Racławice. Painted in 1894 by two artists in Lviv, it was transported to Wrocław after the war, where a special rotunda was built for it, and where it can still be admired today.

This modern concert hall, built in 2015, is home among others to the Wrocław Philharmonic and serves as one of the city’s musical landmarks. It is renowned for its perfect acoustics. Its shape and façade are designed to look like the body of an enormous string instrument.

A great place to try the local cuisine (like the traditional beef roulade with bacon and Silesian dumplings) and craft beers. The restaurant is located in a historic market hall by the boulevards, which are also perfect for evening walks along the Odra River, with views of the church towers of Ostrów Tumski on the opposite bank.

Wrocław is famous for its student life — in the northern part of the Old Town, there is a university campus where you can find plenty of cozy bars and pubs, including Kalambur with an interior inspired by Art Nouveau. A few blocks to the west, the Stare Jatki — a complex of little art galleries housed in old butcher shops — is also worth a visit.

Wrocław is also famous for its tiny dwarf sculptures, which can be found throughout the city! They became a symbol of the city thanks to the anti-communist movement of the 1980s, which painted dwarfs as graffiti on Wrocław’s buildings. Allegedly, there are 1,170 dwarfs in total, although we didn’t count them ourselves.