Warsaw (1.7 million inhabitants.) divides the opinions. But whether one likes it, tolerate or despised - Warsaw is Poland's unique center in politics, culture, economics and science. A booming city with oversized billboards, endless car columns and glass skyscrapers. A place full of contradictions, in which the drafty tram has its place alongside the ultra-Metro maintains peasant women sell their goods from the country on the sidewalk next to the big department stores.

Old Town In the Swietojanska-alley you find the cathedral of St. John from the 14th century, where polish kings were crowned. The marketplace, the heart of the Old Town, offers the Baroque facades of its citizens houses a beautiful backdrop for a tour with a horse-drawn carriage. Through the Nowomiejska street is leading on the way then to the city gates to the city wall.

Jerzy Popieluszko The priest Jerzy Popieluszko was in October 1984 by officials of the communist security services murdered. His burial place at the Stanisław Kostka Church in Zoliborz became a pilgrimage. ul. Alojzego Felinskiego

Path of Kings The path of Kings includes several kilometers from the royal palace in the town on the installations in the Lazienki Park to the palace ensemble in the southern district Wilanow

Kingcastle (Zamek Krolewski) Originally castle of the princes of Mazovia, was constructed in the early the end of the 16th century and was the official seat of polish kings. Before the castle stands a bronze statue of Sigismund III. who made warsaw polish capital. Their base is a popular meeting place.

Culture Palace The highest and most striking buildings in the city was from 1952 to 1955 built. Although this 232 m high building of stone and marble of the Stalin style recalls the Soviet domination until 1989, is the Palace of Culture with scientific and cultural institutions now full integrated into the vibrant life in the city center. From the 30th floor you have a magnificent panorama. 10am-6pm.

Lazienki-Park This beautiful park was built by the last polish king Stanislaw August Poniatowski in the end of the 18th century. Worth seeing are the palace with the old orangerie and the theater on the island.

Synagogue The Nozycka Synagogue from the 19th century stands - from the street not visible - behind the jewish theater at the Grzybowski Square. At the Warsaw Ghetto monument is the marble memorial plate.

shopping After 1989, in Warsaw several shopping centers emerged. The best known: Arkadia (Aluminum Jana Pawla II 82) in the north and the Galeria Mokotow (ul Woloska 12) in the south. The finest (with shops of Prada, Versace, Escada, Boss) is at the Metropolitan pl. Pilsudski - in 2003, this building by the architect Sir Norman Foster was one of the three most attractive business centers in the world. In the trendy neighborhood around the Plac Trzech Krzyzy there are different kinds of designers and exclusive fashion shops. The "Russian Market" in the Dziesieciolecia stadium, with tens of thousands of daily visitors is the largest in Europe. It offers everything from pots to plagiarism, everything cheap.

food                                                                                                                                                                           Antrakt A wonderfully old-fashioned cafe with a gallery and a small menu. Meeting place for artists and journalists. daily. pl. Pilsudskiego 9                                                                                                                                                                                        Dome Polski Polish kitchen at its finest, especially for businessmen and diplomats. daily. ul. Francuska 11                                             Cafe Blikle Not only cafe, but also one of the best and certainly the most famous bakery in the city. daily. Nowy Swiat 35                      Cafe 6/12 From breakfast to dinner: fruit juices, changing map in the interior of stalinist times. daily. ul. Zurawia 12                       Kompania Piwna Good food on wooden planks in a friendly beer hall atmosphere, inexpensive restaurant in old town. daily. ul. Podwale      25                                                                                                                                                                                       Krokiecik Restaurant in the center, everything easy and delicious. daily. ul. Zgoda 1                                                                         Kurt Schellers Restaurant and Bar The imaginative creations of the (Swiss) heads of the kitchen of the Rialto Hotel are famous, the Interior in Art Deco style. daily. ul. Wilcza 73                                                                                                                Restauracja Polska Tradycja Classic polish dishes with a good wine selection in almost private atmosphere. daily. ul. Belwederska 18a

where to stay The prices in Warsaw are extremely high. Many hotels have reduced offerings on the weekend.                               Bristol Traditional Art Nouveau hotel for the highest standards. 155 rooms. 43 Apt. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 13                             Hetman Completely renovated, friendly hotel in the suburb of Praga. 68 rooms. ul. Ks. J. Klopotowskiego 36                                  Nathan's Villa Excellent, modern youth hostel in a fully renovated building in the center. 10 rooms. ul. Piekna 24/26                             Premiere Classe E-3 The best hotel of this class has modern rooms, bathroom and TV. Centrally located. 378 rooms. ul. Towarowa 2                                                                                                                                                                                         Le Regina New in old walls, luxurious, elegantly: the only five-star hotel so close to the Old Town. 61 rooms ul. Koscielna 12           Reytan Modern hotel with bright rooms near the Lazienki Park. 86 rooms. ul. T. Rejtana 6                                                                   Rialto The only design hotel in Poland; entirely furnished in the style of Art Deco. Luxury in the center. Peak Restaurant. 44 rooms. ul. Wilcza 73

Plane directly connections from many european cities. Who wants to travel to another polish city has to change from the international to the national airport.