Warsaw attractions

A minimalist white rectangular structure from the outside, the light-filled Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw is a symbol of change in Poland. This new, permanent home for the collection highlights many prominent Polish artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Magdalena Abakanowicz and Andrzej Wróblewski. The six-floor building also has a cinema, café, and shop.

Located within Warsaw's stunning Lazienki Park, the Palace on the Isle is a former royal residence that dates back to the 18th century. It invites visitors to step into Poland's courtly history with guided tours of its restored rooms, such as the ballroom and the portrait gallery. Highlights include grand chandeliers, exquisite artworks, and historic artifacts.

One of Poland’s most spectacular buildings—and one of Earth’s most dramatic libraries—the University of Warsaw Library stands out for its postmodernist aged copper frontage, paired with a hot pink steel frame from the original 19th-century structure. But the rooftop gardens, boasting streams, a fishpond, and views across the Vistula River magnetize travelers.

A moving memorial to victims of the 1940 Katyn massacre, the Katyn Museum is housed in the 19th-century Warsaw Citadel that was commissioned by Tsar Nicolas I to house Russian troops. Personal effects, documentation, and portraits evoke the World War II tragedy, while an audio guide fills in missing pieces of history.

The northern district of Żoliborz is one of Warsaw's most attractive areas and has long attracted the creative class of this capital city. Largely suburban and known for its leafy streets, its name comes from the French Joli Bord, which translates to “Beautiful Embankment” in English. While Żoliborz may sound like a quiet area, its sophisticated flair, verdant parks, and rich food and drink scene shouldn't be dismissed.