Ever since thousands of us followed Giovanni Trapattoni’s ill-fated adventures at the Euro 2012 Championships, the Irish have been viewing Poland more and more as a possible holiday destination. In particular at this time of year Polish Christmas markets offer a unique seasonal experience. So if you’re planning a trip to a European Christmas Market in 2015, here’s what the Polish capital has to offer.
Christmas Markets in Warsaw
Warsaw’s 2015 Christmas markets take place from November 27th to December 26th. Expect to find town squares and streets filled with stalls selling Christmas ornaments, local crafts, traditional treats and amber trinkets. Whilst soaking up the festivities why not warm up with some mulled wine and try the seasonal specialty, hot beer. There are three main Christmas Markets in Warsaw:
Old Town Market Place (Rynek Starego Miasta)
The market place is set in the heart of the atmospheric Old Town. This UNESCO World Heritage site makes the perfect backdrop for a perfect Christmas market experience.
Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy)
Here, the Christmas market shares the square with Warsaw’s oldest monument, the column of King Sigismund III Vasa and the atmospheric grand Royal Castle.
Palace of Culture & Science (Plac Defilad)
The Christmas market is set in front of the Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw’s most visible building. Great for experiencing a Christmas market unique to Warsaw, amongst the grandeur of the city’s Stalinist architecture.
Check out our map to see everywhere mentioned in this blog
What else is there to do in Warsaw?
Once you’ve done the rounds of the Christmas markets in Warsaw and had your fill of seasonal cheer, don’t forget to explore the rest of the city. Warsaw is a great place with a wealth of history and culture to be discovered. Here are some suggestions of things to do and see during your stay (in no particular order). Also, check out the Official Tourist Website of Warsaw for more ideas and some great photos.
The Old Town
The Old Town is a UNESCO world heritage site and Warsaw’s most visited tourist attraction. Reconstructed since World War II, the buildings and cobbled streets are a testament to the beauty of the Old Town’s Renaissance and Baroque heritage. Take some time to enjoy the cafes, restaurants, stores and markets that can be found in the heart of the district.
The Royal Castle
The Royal Castle has been painstakingly reconstructed from the original 17th century castle that was destroyed during the Nazi occupation . The replica forms an impressive estate with Baroque apartments housing grand antiques and works of art. The castle is located within the Old Town in the aptly named Castle Square.
The Royal Route
Starting at Castle Square the route features numerous historical landmarks and is great for a self guided wander through Warsaw’s most beautiful streets. Walk through the Krakowskie Przedmiescie to absorb the history of the capital. Further down the route is Nowy Swiat, a medieval street with stylish boutiques, restaurants cafes and summer theatres.
Palace Wilanow
The grand finale of the Royal Route, 10km from the city centre, is Palace Wilanow – Warsaw’s crowning glory. Built in 1677 in the style of Italian baroque architecture and known as the “Polish Versailles”, the palace is well worth a visit. Surprisingly it’s one of the few buildings to have survived the ravages of World War II and the Nazi occupation.
Jewish Warsaw
For a sombre yet moving insight into Poland’s past, take a self guided tour around Prozna Street, the Jewish Historical Institute, the Monument to the Heroes of the Ghetto and the Jewish cemetery to experience Jewish Warsaw.
Warsaw Uprising Museum
The Warsaw Uprising Museum is a popular multimedia museum dedicated to documenting the uprising against the Nazi occupation. It’s renowned for its portrayal of the Polish underground, exhibiting a range of artefacts, from weaponry to personal letters. The building boasts an observation tower that allows visitors spectacular views over Freedom Park and the city of Warsaw.
The Palace of Culture and Science
The Palace of Culture and Science is Poland’s tallest building and the city’s most visible landmark. Constructed during the cold war as a gift from the USSR , the controversial landmark was formerly known as Joseph Stalin’s Palace of Culture and Science. The building is now used as an exhibition centre but is most popular for its panoramic views of Warsaw which can be enjoyed from the observation deck.
Local cuisine
There’s plenty of places that plate up the local fare but most noted in the Old Town’s main square is U Kucharzy (The Chefs). The menu offers a lengthy list of local dishes. Try the Zure (a traditional sour rye soup) or roast venison with cranberries, all served in a warm Polish atmosphere. For dessert, head to the Blikle café (now celebrating its 142nd anniversary), popular with both locals and tourists for its Polish style donuts. The café can be found on the famous Nowy Swiat Street on the Royal Route.
Drink!
A Slavic take on the tapas bar, snack and vodka bars are becoming increasingly popular in Warsaw. The vodka is typically enjoyed neat with plates of Polish snacks , all consumed while standing. Przekaski Zakaski is a popular choice and can be found close to the Old Town Square.
And if vodka isn’t your thing and you’d prefer to enjoy some locally brewed beer, check out Browarmia Krolewska, a microbrewery on the Krakowskie Przedmiescie.
Shopping
Warsaw isn’t all just quaint market stalls and fashionable boutiques. There are also large shopping malls scattered throughout the city. One of the most popular is Zlote Tarasy (The Golden Terraces) where you’ll find plenty of familiar high street brands. For something a little different, visit one of the local markets such as the Bazar na Kole where you can hunt for Polish relics amongst the bric-a- brac.
Christmas Carol Concerts
Each year a series of carol services are held by the Warsaw Philharmonic to get the city into the Christmas spirit. This year they take place on December 19th and 20th (concert for children).
Ice Skating
Ice rinks begin appearing around the Palace of Science and Culture and Złote Tarasy shopping centre during the festive season. And don’t worry if you forgot to pack your skates. They can be hired for a few zloty.
How to get there
ClickandGo offers great value packages to Warsaw including Aer Lingus flights and a choice of central hotels. For more details, check out our Christmas Market webpage.
