Varsovian - Things to Do

Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie (National Museum in Warsaw): Art museum. Located on Aleje Jerozolimskie (in the north-east of the city centre). World-class art museum. Exquisite paintings and sculptures. Many other exhibits, too. Excellent range. From ancient to contemporary. Something for everyone there. Masterpieces by the finest Polish painters, e.g. Jan Matejko. One of the best art galleries in the world. An absolute must-visit. Requires 2 to 3 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm; Friday 10am-8pm. General admission: 25zł / €6.

Centrum Pieniądza NBP (Money Centre): Finance museum. Located on Świętokrzyska (in the centre of the city centre). Learn about the history of Polish & European finance and economics. Discover more about central banking, retail banking, the history of currencies, & much more. Hugely interactive experience. Extensive amount of interesting information in English & Polish. Many quizzes & games. Great for visitors of all ages. Hugely recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Wednesday Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-8pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Gazowni Warszawskiej (Warsaw Gasworks Museum): Technology museum. Located on Seweryna Krzyżanowskiego (to the south-west of the city centre). Learn about the history of coal power in Poland. Housed on the site of a former gasworks. Absolutely brilliant experience. Wonderful, well-preserved exhibits. Detailed information in Polish & English. Hugely interactive & immersive. Great for visitors of all ages. Constantly repeating narration was annoying. Almost perfection otherwise. Friendly staff. Strongly recommended. Requires 1.5 to 2 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Centrum Nauki Kopernik (Copernicus Science Centre): Science museum. Located on Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie (to the east of the city centre). Vast, interactive science museum, which allows visitors to perform experiments & learn more about science. Home to a planetarium, too [currently closed]. Many talks given about science at specific times. One of the most interactive experiences you can have at a museum. Everything translated perfectly into English. Perfectly suitable for visitors of all ages (above 4, perhaps). A must-visit. Requires 1.5 to 4 hours. Open hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-7pm. General admission: 46zł / €11.50 (weekdays) 48zł / €12.50 (weekends).

POLIN Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich (POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews): History/Culture museum. Located on Mordechaja Anielewicza (to the north of the city centre). Learn about the 1000-year history of Jews in Poland. Housed in an ugly, modernist monstrosity, out of keeping with the local area. Everything else is incredible. Absolutely massive exhibition. Huge amount of information in Polish & English. So well-laid out & displayed. Immersive, interactive experience. Requires 5 to 7 hours. Open hours: Monday & Wednesday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 45zł / €10.50.

Muzeum Warszawy (Warsaw Museum): History museum. Located in Rynek Starego Miasta (Old Town Market – in the heart of the city centre). Informs about the history of Warsaw. 14th century until the present day. Worth a visit. Exhibits overall not particularly spectacular. Fantastic paintings. Wonderful and hugely historical building. Great range, including paintings, sculptures and models. Requires 2 to 3 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Wednesday; Friday 9am-5pm, Thursday 9am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-6pm. General admission: 25zł / €5.

Muzeum Jana Pawła II I Prymasa Wyszyńskiego (Museum of John Paul II & Primate Wyszyński): Religion/History museum. Located on Prymasa Augusta Hlonda (to the south-east of the city centre). Details the lives of two iconic figures of 20th-century Poland. Excellently laid-out. Wonderful exhibits, including clothing & religious garments. Friendly, helpful staff. Outstanding museum. Hugely recommended. Requires 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-7pm. General admission: 35zł / €8.

Muzeum Pałacu Króla Jana III w Wilanowie (Wilanów Palace Museum): Palace museum. Located on Stanisława Kostki Potockiego (to the south-east of the city centre). Royal palace built for Jan III Sobieski. Vast collection of exquisite paintings, antiquities, and furniture. Very well-preserved site. Huge amounts of information in Polish & English. Take an audio guide: it's a little dependent on it. A must-visit. Requires 1 to 2.5 hours. Open hours: Monday-Tuesday Thursay-Sunday 10am-4pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm. General admission: 50zł / €11.50.

Stacja Muzeum (Warsaw Railway Museum): History museum. Located on Towarowa (in the south-west of the city centre). Learn about the interesting history of Warsaw’s railway network. Backs onto Warszawa Główna station. Lovely, traditional interior & feel. Interior & exterior exhibits. Train sets. Board some historic trains. Interesting information both in Polish & English (not everywhere, though). Friendly staff. Had a smile the whole time. Hugely recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 18zł / €4.

Muzeum Nurkowania (Diving Museum): Diving museum. Located on Grzybowska (to the west of the city centre). One of Europe’s few, and leading, diving museums. World-class exhibits. Diving suits, masks, & tools, as well as cameras, breathing apparatus, & more. Very well-organised. Very charming, helpful staff give tours (Polish & English). A very interesting, informative experience. Plentiful information (Polish only). One of the most pleasant museum experiences that we have had. Leave a few złoty, if you can. A must-visit. Requires 45 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Tuesday 11am-5pm. General admission: free.

Pałac Rzeczypospolitej (Republic Palace): Palace. Located on Plac Krasińskich (in the north of the city centre). 17th-century Baroque palace linked to the National Library. Absolutely exquisite interior & exterior (newly renovated). Many hugely significant books, prints, & manuscripts from Polish history are kept here. Artworks, too. Information in many languages. Too reliant on screens; would be better to have written information, too. Perhaps the most beautiful gardens in Warsaw behind. Hugely recommended. Requires 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Monday Wednesday-Sunday 11am-7pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Azji i Pacyfiku (Asia & Pacific Museum): History/Cultural museum. Located on Solec (to the south-east of the city centre). Learn about the history & culture of various Asian countries. Music, dining, clothing, war, events, & a lot more. Amazing artefacts & exhibits. Very well displayed. Extensive information (Polish & English). Wonderful atmosphere. Immersive & engaging experience. Perfect for all ages. Strongly recommended. Requires 45 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 15zł / €3.50.

Muzeum Łazienki Królewskie (Royal Łazienki Museum): Gardens/Museums/Palaces. Located around Łazienki Królewskie (in the south of the city centre). A series of different sites dotted around a picturesque park. Hugely recommended. Requires 2.5 to 3 hours. Open hours: Monday-Wednesday 10am-5pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 12pm-8pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. General admission: 40zł / €9.

Stara Oranżeria

Old Orangerie

Pałac na Wyspie

Palace on the Island

Pałac Myślewicki

Myślewicki Palace

Stajnie Kubickiego

Kubicki Stables

Museum of Hunting & Horse Riding

Koszary Kantonistów

Cantonists’ Barracks

Museum of Hunting & Horse Riding

Muzeum Sztuki Fantastycznej (Surreal Art Museum): Art gallery. Located on Ząbkowska (in the east of the city centre). Contemporary art gallery of the finest surrealist works of Polish masters, such as Beksiński, as well as hosting lesser-known masterpieces. Absolutely exquisite, unique works. Very well-laid out & displayed. Friendly, helpful staff. The best contemporary art gallery in town. Very high price considering the size of the gallery. Certainly worth it, though. Requires 20 to 25 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm. General admission: 40zł / €9.

Muzeum Zimnej Wojny (Cold War Museum): History museum. Located on Jezuicka (in the heart of the city centre). Museum dedicated to the political aspect of the Cold War, in Poland & the Eastern bloc. Hugely interactive, multimedia experience. Many screens with maps, images & information. Don’t miss the quiz! Virtual reality experience available. Vast amounts of very interesting information. Very well-laid out. Not a huge amount of exhibits. Historical character of the interior has been retained. Friendly, helpful staff. Strongly recommended. Requires 1.5 to 2 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm. General admission: 25zł / €6.

Muzeum X Pawilonu Cytadeli Warszawskiej (10th Pavilion of the Warsaw Citadel Museum): History museum. Located on Skazańców (in the north of the city centre). Former prison, in which many significant historical figures are said to have been held prisoner. Well-maintained interior. Enter the prison cells. View excellent artworks. Quite interactive. Information generally in both Polish & English. Very friendly, helpful staff. Highly recommended. Requires 1 hour to 75 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 11am-7pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Muzeum Niepodległości (Museum of Independence): History museum. Located on Aleja Solidarności (in the north of the city centre). History museum situated in an 18th-century palace. Wonderful interior & exterior. Learn about the modern history of Poland through wars & uprisings. Interesting historical exhibits. Many interesting artworks. Well-displayed information in Polish & English. Friendly, helpful staff. Requires 1.5 to 2 hours. Open hours: Tuesday Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 11am-7pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina w Warszawie (Frederick Chopin Museum): History/music museum. Located on Tamka/Okolnik (in the east of the city centre). Museum is dedicated to the world-famous pianist Frederick Chopin. Housed in a spectacular rebuilt 17th century mansion. Particularly interesting for those who have an interest in music. OK exhibits, mostly written texts. Otherwise, some interactivity via headsets. Great for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Highly digital museum. Certainly worth a visit. Requires 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 25zł / €6.

Muzeum Archidiecezji Warszawskiej (Museum of the Warsaw Archdiocese): Art museum. Located on Dziekania (in the heart of the city centre). Religious & secular museum situated next to St John’s Cathedral. Outstanding collection of paintings, notably those by Beksiński. Great collection of antiques & furniture. Large collection of Christian-themed sculptures & paintings. Temporary exhibition (ground floor) was mediocre. Not very well displayed. Friendly, helpful staff. Excellent overall. Strongly recommended. Requires 75 minutes to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-4pm. General admission: 35zł / €8.

Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej Zamek Ujazdowski (Ujazdów Castle Contemporary Art Centre): Contemporary art gallery. Located on Jazdów (in the south-east of the city centre). 13th-century castle hosting a Contemporary art gallery with Modern art pieces. Many very interesting pieces; some awful ones. Very well-displayed. QR codes allow you to learn more. Enter through a bookshop; leave through a restaurant. Strange. Best Contemporary art gallery around. Recommended. Requires 50 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-7pm, Thursday 11am-8pm. General admission: 10zł / €2.50.

Zamek Królewski (Royal Castle): Castle. Located in Plac Zamkowy (in the heart of the city centre). Majestic reconstructed-14th century castle. Wonderful location in the Old Town. Excellent art collection. Learn about the rich history of the Polish royal family of the past. Relatively short trip through a beautiful and opulent castle. No queuing system. Large groups of school children may push in. Visit in the afternoon. Guided tours available. A little pricey. Optional exhibitions can extend your time here. Requires 1.5-3 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. General admission: 50zł / €11.

Muzeum Neonów (Neon Museum): Culture museum. Located on Mińska (to the east of the city centre). World’s first neon museum. Housed in a former-motorcycle factory. Vast collection of neon signs from around the world. Many well-preserved & restored pieces. Culturally significant spot. Learn about Communist cultural history of Poland. Detailed information in Polish & English. Ranked by ETIAS as one of best museums in Europe. An exaggeration. Lacks interactivity. Generally engaging, though. Strongly recommended. Requires 45 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Monday Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. General admission: 18zł / €4.

Dom Spotkan z Historią (History Meeting House): History museum. Located on Karowa (in the heart of the city centre). Temporary photography exhibitions. Learn about the history of Warsaw & Poland. Excellent descriptions in Polish & English. Very well-laid out. A place to relax, too. Café & board games. Great place to be. Strongly recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-8pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego (Warsaw Uprising Museum): History museum. Located on Grzybowska (close to Rondo Daszynskiego – to the west of the city centre). Extensive amount of information regarding WWII in Poland. Quite sizable. Good value for money. Very interesting exhibits, including planes, other vehicles, and weapons. One of the most impressive war museums around. Hugely recommend. Requires around 1.5 to 2 hours. Open hours: Monday; Wednesday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 30zł / €7.

Muzeum Życia w PRL (Life in the Polish People’s Republic Museum): History museum. Located on Piękna (in the south of the city centre). Details the lives and conditions of Poland and Polish people during the Cold War. Authentic, historical exhibits. Extremely interesting. Well-laid out. Good information in English and Polish. Pleasant and friendly manager/owner. Highly recommended. Requires 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Saturday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday 12pm-8pm. General admission: 26zł / €6.

Muzeum Warszawskiej Pragi (Praga Museum): History museum. Located on Targowa (to the north-east of the city centre). Details the local history of the Praga district of Warsaw. Lots of information about the local international railway network. Learn about the architecture and development of the district. Great amount of description: English & Polish. Very friendly and pleasant staff. Interactive experience. Would recommend. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday 9am-5pm; Thursday 9am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Państwowe Muzeum Etnograficzne (National Museum of Ethnography): Ethnographic museum. Located on Kredytowa (in the centre of the city centre). Housed in a spectacular neo-Renaissance building. Learn about the ethnography of Poland & of foreign countries. Clothing, art, toys, religion, culture. Very interesting, well-preserved exhibits. Extensive information in Polish & English. Well-laid out. Not very interactive. Excellent, nonetheless. Recommended. Requires 45 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Tuesday-Wednesday Friday 11am-7pm, Thursday 11am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-6pm. General admission: 19zł / €4.50.

Mauzoleum Walki i Męczeństwa (Mausoleum of Struggle & Martydom): History museum. Located on Jana Chrystiana Szucha (in the south of the city centre). History museum housed in the former headquarters of the Gestapo. Learn about the conditions of the prisoners held at the jail during WWII. Friendly, pleasant staff. Explained the history of the site in detail. Reasonably interactive & immersive. Large amounts of information in Polish & English. A small, yet hugely significant site. Recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday, Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 11am-7pm. General admission: 20zł / €5.

Muzeum Katyńskie (Katyn Museum): History museum. Located on Jana Jeziorańskiego (to the north of the city centre). Museum about the Katyn Massacre during WWII, plus the events leading up to and after it. Information about the historical & political situation of the times. Interesting range of exhibits. Limited information in English (generally only Polish). Audio guide available in English. Very interesting museum. Definitely recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm. General admission: free.

Pałac Pod Blachą (Tin-Roofed Palace): Palace. Located on Plac Zamkowy (in the heart of the city centre). 16th-century palace linked to the Royal Castle. Visit the living quarters of 18th-century prince & commander, Józef Poniatowski. Incredible example of well-maintained Rococo architecture. Artworks & belongings of the Prince. Interesting information in Polish & English (not everything was translated, though). Certainly worth a visit. Requires 30 to 45 minutes. Open hours: Wednesday & Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 9am-6pm. General admission: 40zł / €9.50.

Muzeum Geologiczny w Warszawie (Geological Museum): Natural history museum. Located on Rakowiecka (in the south of the city centre). Spectacular geological museum. Great exhibits, including minerals, rocks, and fossils. Very interesting information, however not everything is translated to English. Information about energy and resources. Stuffy and no air conditioning. Remarkable interior and great place to be. Recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm; Sunday 10am-3pm. General admission: free.

Fotoplastikon Warszawski (Warsaw Fotoplastikon): Theatre museum. Located on Aleje Jerozolimskie (in the centre of the city centre). Oldest stereoscopic theatre in Europe. Still operating. Travel-themed. See lovely photos taken from around France. Very well-preserved interior & exterior. Such a charming place. Some descriptions in Polish & English. Historical cameras on display. Lack of information about the site. A must-visit. Requires 20 to 30 minutes. Open hours: Monday Wednesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 10zł / €2.50.

Muzeum Ziemi (Museum of the Earth): Natural history museum. Located on Aleja Na Skarpie (in the east of the city centre). Museum focused on minerals, composition of the Earth & natural events. Housed in two wonderful, historical buildings. Interesting artefacts. Huge amounts of interesting information in Poland; some in English, too. Engaging for everyone. Friendly staff. Don’t miss temporary exhibition across the road. Definitely recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. General admission: 16zł / €3.50.

Spotkania z Europą (Europa Experience): Visitors centre. Located on Jasna (in the centre of the city centre). Interactive experience. Multimedia composition. Many touchscreens. Helpful staff. Possibility to book group visits & a role play game. Certainly worth a visit. Requires 30-45 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego (University of Warsaw Museum): History museum. Located on Krakowskie Przedmieście (in the heart of the city centre). Outstanding collection of documents from historical figures/events, e.g. George III & Richard Nixon. Detailed information (in Polish & English). Information could be presented better (sometimes obscured by objects). Certainly worth a visit. Requires 30 to 45 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-4pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Literatury (Museum of Literature): Culture museum. Located on Rynek Starego Miasta (in the heart of the city centre). A museum dedicated to telling the history of Polish writers, especially the poets. A sizeable collection of artworks on display, too. Large, interesting permanent exhibition dedicated the Polish bard, Adam Mickiewicz. A mixture of the classical & the modern. Some of the temporary collection was truly degenerate (obviously the modern). Information in English & Polish, though not everything was written in both languages. Very friendly, helpful staff. Certainly recommended. Requires 1.5 to 2 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Wednesday Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm, Thursday 12pm-8pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Miejski Ogród Zoologiczny (City Zoological Garden): Zoo. Located on Ratuszowa (to the north-east of the city centre). Keeps many rescued animals, including injured animals, & aims to repopulate endangered species. Excellent range of animals: lions, penguins, red pandas, bears, meerkats, fish, birds, etc. Obviously, the conditions could be better. Lack of staff around. Lack of detail on the signs. Should have more signs with information, too. Generally clean & well-kept. Reasonably priced. Relatively easy to navigate. Requires 1.5 to 3 hours. Open hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-7pm. General admission: 35zł / €8.

Muzeum Wojska Polskiego (Polish Army Museum). History museum. Located on Plac Gwardii Pieszej Koronnej (in the north of the city centre). Learn about the history of the Polish army & its battles & technology. Housed in a soulless modern construction. Impressive interior. Spacious, & well-laid out. Excellent array of exhibits. Tanks, weapons, uniforms, etc. Information is displayed poorly, in giant blocks. Everything written in Polish & English. Requires 1 hour to 75 minutes. Open hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm. General admission: 35zł / €8.

Muzeum Sportu i Turystyki w Warszawie (Museum of Sport & Tourism): Sport museum. Located on Wybrzeże Gdyńskie (to the north of the city centre). Small museum about the history of Polish sport. Covers a vast range of disciplines, e.g. Olympics, motorsport, football, etc. Excellent range of exhibits, e.g. medals, trophies. Not much information in English; generally only Polish. Interesting for the whole family. Requires 45 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm. General admission: 25zł / €6.

Muzeum Domków Lalek, Gier i Zabawek (Museum of Dollhouses, Games & Toys): Toy museum. Located on Podwale (1) & Krzywe Koło (2) (in the heart of the city centre). Small museum with wonderfully & intricately designed dollhouses, miniatures, and toys. Permanent & Temporary exhibitions at different sites. Information about each exhibit in Polish & English. Could be more information about history & creation. Friendly, charming staff. Interesting for people of all ages. Requires 40 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm. General admission: 35zł / €8.

Ogród Botaniczny Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego (University of Warsaw Botanical Garden): Botanical gardens. Located on Ujazdówskie (in the south-east of the city centre). Compromised of a garden & several greenhouses. Beautiful, well-kept rose garden. Excellent biodiversity. Squirrels may make an appearance. Lack of information about plants. A little pricey considering its size. Check website for interesting events. Great place to spend time on a hot, sunny day. Requires 20 to 45 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-8pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.

Żydowski Instytut Historyczny (Jewish Historical Institute): Research institute. Located on Tłomackie (in the north-west of the city centre). Institute dedicated to Jewish affairs. Housed in the Main Jewish Library. Tells the tales of Jewish people during WWII & life in the Warsaw Ghetto. Interactive experience with many touchscreens. Temporary exhibition consisted of various oil paintings & prints. Some interesting, appealling pieces. Well-laid out. Requires 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 9am-4pm, Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 15zł / €3.50.

Instytut Pileckiego (Pilecki Institute): Cultural centre. Located on Krakowskie Przedmieście (in the heart of the city centre). Learn about 20th-century Poland, involving Nazi & Soviet regimes. Interactive experience via screens. Plentiful detailed information in Polish & English. Very well-displayed. Friendly staff. Recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: free.

Centrum Interpretacji Zabytku (Monument Interpretation Centre): Cultural centre. Located on Brzozowa (in the heart of the city centre). Photos & information about the destruction & reconstruction of the Old Town. Plentiful interesting information in Polish & English. Interactive experience; many screens with audio files available. Lovely, charming staff. Not many exhibits. Despite the name, it hasn’t retained/regained its heritage inside. Too modern & glassy. A guided tour is advised. Requires 30 to 45 minutes. General admission: 15zł / €3.

Narodowe Muzeum Techniki (National Museum of Technology): Technology museum. Located at Plac Defilad (in the centre of the city centre). Situated in the Palace of Culture & Science. Areas range from vehicles to space, cosmetics to the military. Very interesting exhibits (though many are not original). Interesting for people of all ages. Quite interactive. Chaotic way to display information. Staff not particularly friendly. Worth a visit, but don’t rush there. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-6pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Muzeum Fabryki Norblina (Norblin Factory Museum): Technology museum. Located at Plac Defilad (in the west of the city centre). A key jewel in the industrial crown in the history of Warsaw. Learn about the factory's rich history of producing silverware. Download the app to take the self-guided tour around the complex. Guided tours available with guides in period costume. Tours last 50 to 70 minutes & cost 40zł (normal)/20zł (reduced). Recommended. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-6pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Marii Skłodowskiej Curii w Warszawie (Marie Curie Museum): Science/history museum. Located on Freta (in the heart of the city centre). Details the life of the world-renowned scientist Marie Curie. Situated in the 18th -century home in which Curie was born. Very interesting information in Polish & English. Too limited, however. Could be displayed better, also. Too dependent on downloading an app & listening to audio-guide. Good range of exhibits. Not interactive, nor particularly engaging. Helpful staff. Requires 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-6pm. General admission: 11zł / €2.

Muzeum Polskiej Techniki Wojskowej (Polish Army Technology Museum): Military museum. Located on Powsińska (to the south-east of the city centre). Mostly outdoor museum with a large amount of military vehicles & military equipment. Tanks, helicopters, radars, planes, etc. Outstanding collection of exhibits. Not maintained very well. Poorly displayed information (generally only in Polish). Did not seem that well-thought through. Wasted potential. Suitable for everyone, especially for those interested in 20th-century history. Requires 75 minutes to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-4pm. General admission: 12zł / €3.

Muzeum Woli (Museum of Wola): Local history museum. Located on Srebrna (to the south-west of the city centre). Museum dedicated to telling the history of the Wola district. Industry, music, housing, society, etc. Well-displayed descriptions. Detailed information in Polish & English. Interesting permanent exhibition; excellent, but too small. Temporary exhibition: hugely disappointing. Quite interactive experience: screens, & headphones to listen to music. Requires 1 hour to 75 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday-Wednesday Friday 9am-6pm, Thursday 11am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-7pm. General admission: 15zł / €3.

Muzeum Karykatury im. E. Lipinskiego (Museum of Caricatures): Art museum. Located on Kozia (in the north of the city centre). Funky art museum. Works by artist and caricaturist Eryk Lipinski. Friendly staff. English laminated sheet available which provides valuable context. Difficult to understand without it. Even in Polish, descriptions about the caricatures are somewhat vague. Small, unique museum. Worth popping by for a special experience. Requires 30 to 45 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 15zł / €3.

Muzeum Ewolucji (Museum of Evolution): Science museum. Located at Plac Defilad (in the centre of the city centre). Museum dedicated to teaching about evolution & life on Earth. Magnificent location in the Palace of Science & Culture. Decent range of exhibits, including replica dinosaur remains & fossils. Vast amount of information (Polish only). Lack of interactivity. Reasonably interesting; maybe particularly so for children. Too hot & stuffy. Generally a positive experience. Requires 1.5 to 2 hours. Open hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8am-4pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Muzeum Historii Pielęgniarstwa i Położnictwa (History of Nursing & Midwifery Museum): Medical museum. Located on Żelazna (to the west of the city centre). Details the history of the nursing profession in Poland. Interesting exhibits: medical devices & tools. Friendly staff give interesting talks. Information about nurses & midwifes from history, and medical practices (Polish only). Would recommend it. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: subject to change. Check online/enquire via email about open days. General admission: free.

Zachęta Narodowa Galeria Sztuki (Zachęta National Gallery of Art): Art gallery. Located on Plac Stanisława Małachowskiego (in the centre of the city centre). Contemporary art gallery, showcasing the works of young Polish, & international, artists. Housed in a spectacular building in the neo-Renaissance style. Wide range of “art”: performances, installations, paintings, etc. Standard of the pieces is mixed. Some quite interesting, some bland, some bizarre, some utterly ridiculous. Some information in Polish & English. Don’t rush there. Requires 30 minutes to 1 hour. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-8pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Muzeum Więzienia Pawiak (Pawiak Prison Museum): History museum. Located on Dzielna (to the north of the city centre). WWII Gestapo-run prison; now a museum. Friendly staff. Almost no information about the prison & life there. Mostly poems, not directly connected to the prison. English & German translations. Not an extensive collection of exhibits. Small museum (~7 rooms). Slightly underwhelmed; could be much more. Requires 30-45 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 11am-7pm. General admission: 20zł / €4.50.

Muzeum Farmacji im. mgr Antoniny Lesniewskiej (Antonina Lesniewska Museum of Pharmacy): Medical museum. Located on Piwna (in the heart of the city centre). Situated in a beautiful, historical building. Small, quaint museum. Consists of 3 rooms. Explains the usage of medicine throughout WWII. Learn about glassmaking. Some information in English. Interesting history. Worth a visit. Requires 20 to 35 minutes. Open hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. General admission: 12zł / €3.

Muzeum Historii Medyczyny Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego (Museum of the History of Medicine): Medical museum. Located on Żwirki i Wigury (to the south-west of the city centre). Museum linked to Warsaw Medical University. Details the history of medicine in Poland. Dentistry, surgery, anatomy, medicine, etc. Interesting exhibits. Detailed information, but only in Polish. Not particularly well-displayed. Not very well-organised. Lectures available. An engaging experience for visitors of all ages. Requires 1 to 1.5 hours. Open hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am-3:30pm. General admission: free.

Izba Pamięci przy Cmentarzu Powstanców Warszawy (Hall of Remembrance): History museum. Located on Wolska (to the west of the city centre). Museum dedicated to those fallen during the Warsaw Uprising. Located on the site of the Warsaw Uprising Cemetery. Small museum consisting of two rooms. 1. Watch a short movie about the history. Information about the cemetery. 2. Audio-visual installation. Tales of the people. Imperfect sound quality made it hard to follow. Information in Polish & English. Requires 20 to 25 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm. General admission: free.

Pałac Kultury i Nauki Taras Widokowy (Palace of Culture Observation Deck): Scenic viewpoint. Located at the top of Pałac Kultury i Nauki (in the heart of the city centre). Climb to the top of the Palace of Culture. Panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Observe the diverse architectural styles of this great city. Bring a coat – will be cold even in May. Long queues can be expected. Can only ascend by one lift. THE tourist trap of Warsaw. Not really worth it. Requires 20-40 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-8pm. General admission: 25zł / €6.

Muzeum Legii Warszawa (Legia Warsaw Museum): Sports museum. Located on Łazienkowska (in the south-east of the city centre). Small museum revolving around Poland’s most successful football team, Legia Warsaw. Poland’s Olympic Games history, too. Excellent collection of trophies & medals. Not a huge amount of information. Generally only in Polish (very little in English). Could have been laid out better. Located in the stadium (incorrect on Maps). Requires 20 to 35 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Friday 11am-5pm. General admission: free.

Galeria Kordegarda (Kordegarda Gallery): Art gallery. Located on Krakowskie Przedmieście (in the heart of the city centre). Small gallery with frequently changing temporary exhibitions. Situated in a beautiful building. Our visit was disappointing. Various materials glued together is not art. Information explaining the exhibition in Polish & English. Friendly staff. Could be much better when there is a different exhibition on. Sometimes ceramics, other times sculptures or sketches. Check beforehand. Requires 10 to 15 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-7pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Bazyliszka (Basilisk Museum): Culture museum. Located on Freta (in the heart of the city centre). Small museum dedicated to telling the tale of the Warsaw Basilisk. Situated in a minerals shop. Learn about basilisks, chupacabras, mastodons, & other creatures from history or fantasy. Pretty abysmal. Limited collection of exhibits. Low-quality display. Some interesting information, though not particularly accurate (in Polish & English). Poorly presented. Decent short video about the Warsaw Basilisk tale. Tourist trap. Would not recommend it. Requires 15 to 25 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm. General admission: 12zł / €2.50.

Muzeum Harcerstwa (Museum of Scouting): Culture/history museum. Located on Marii Konopnickiej (in the east of the city centre). Learn about the scouting history of Warsaw & its links to the army. Small museum with few exhibits. Chiefly consists of books, documents & uniforms. Good amount of information (Polish only). Not displayed particularly well. Neatly displayed exhibits. Very hot & stuffy. Group classes available. Requires 15 to 20 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 7am-3pm. General admission: free.

Muzeum Drukarstwa (Printing Museum): Industry museum. Located on Ząbkowska (to the north-east of the city centre). Museum dedicated to the city’s history of printing & bookmaking. Great collection of printing presses. Very limited amount of information. Written only in Polish. Guided tour available for a low cost. Workshop, too. Design & make your own print. Tiny museum. Housed in a charming building. Has so much potential. Pleasant staff. Would not recommend it. Requires 15 to 30 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm. General admission: 5zł / €1.

Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej (Modern Art Museum): Art gallery. Located at Plac Defilad (in the centre of the city centre). Gallery with temporary exhibitions: Polish & international works. Housed in a soulless building, with an equally soulless interior. Art was bizarre. A total lack of coherence. Excellent English translations. Spacious & not crowded. Quality of experience depends on exhibition when you visit. Staff were mixed. An absolute abomination. It needs to be ripped down; build a park. Requires 35 to 50 minutes. Open hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-8pm. General admission: 30zł / €7.

Muzeum Historii Polski (Polish History Museum): History museum. Located on Gwardii (to the north-east of the city centre). Situated in a truly hideous, blocky building. Almost nothing to see. Permanent exhibition is located in the main hall; consists of a few exhibits. Some information in Polish & English. Temporary exhibition (whenever there is one) could be more promising. Wonderful panoramic views from rooftop. Very clean. Staff seemed like they were working on a military base. Worst museum we have ever seen. Avoid. Requires 15 to 35 minutes. Open hours: Wednesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Sunday-Sunday 10am-7pm. General admission: free.

Galeria Foksal (Foksal Gallery): Art gallery. Located on Foksal (in the east of the city centre). Contemporary art gallery. Housed in a beautiful building. Just 1 room. How could it be worse? Pretentious. Several things thrown together which have “a deep meaning”. No talent involved. “Information” in Polish & English. Being barked at & licked by an employee’s dog was the most engaging part. Absolutely abysmal. Requires 1 to 9 minutes. Open hours: Monday-Wednesday & Friday 12pm-6pm, Thursday 12pm-7pm, Saturday 12pm-4pm. General admission: free.

The Varsovian Visitor