I’ve always heard sort of mixed reviews about Poland’s capital. While some travelers have told me they liked it, most have said to just skip it and visit Krakow and Gdansk instead.
As this was my first time visiting Warsaw, I was eager to find out what the hate is all about. What did I find? 10 things to hate about Warsaw:
1. People in Warsaw speak Polish
Um, have you heard Polish before? It’s a little bit like Russian, except even harder to pronounce and with an even more bizarre grammar (if that’s possible). Seriously, why do some languages have to be so impossible?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8CZrVtChq8
2. Milk Bars
While trying to keep a budget of under $15 a day, Dan and I have had a lot of meals of bread, cheese and sausage, but in Russia we also often ate at Soviet style cafeterias, or stolovayas. They’re super cheap, and a great way to sample homestyle Russian cuisine. They also generally serve huge portions, which were perfect for helping me bulk up for the Siberian winter!
Well, it turns out Poland has similar cafeterias: the milk bars. Warsaw is full of Soviet-style milk bars with tons of delicious food, and because menus are in Polish we pretty much had to order several dishes to get a chance to see what everything was.
After feasts of zurek, kapusniak, pierogi, and potato pancakes, my waistline does not appreciate you and your tasty milk bars, Warsaw!
3. Kami lives there
I’ve been following Kami’s blog for a long time now, and I was pretty sure that our strikingly similar taste in travel destinations meant that we were destined to be fast friends. Ugh, as if I need yet another friend who lives oh so far away from me!
Kami showed us around her favorite spots in Warsaw (including a milk bar, of course) and we happily baffled Dan with a good round of travel blog gossip. Ah, how am I going to convince Kami to leave her beloved Warsaw and move to Norway?!
4. Warsaw’s History
You may think these “hates” are tongue-in-cheek, but this one is serious. No city should have to go through what Warsaw experienced in World War II. Ever.
The Uprising Museum gives a great summary of events if you want to brush up on your European history while in Warsaw.
5. Warsaw’s West Bank
The west side of the river was essentially destroyed during the war, but now has been rebuilt complete with a new version of the “Old Town.” It definitely feels like the more touristy and less interesting side of the city, but I can’t even really dislike it because of its tragic past. So typical, Warsaw!
6. Warsaw’s East Bank
The east side of the river includes Praga, Warsaw’s slightly rough, hugely artsy district, which is basically a slap in the face to any city that thinks it has a cool alternative neighborhood. Praga wins, always.
7. The Neon Museum closes at 5 pm
What museum doesn’t stay open to at least 10 pm? And are you seriously trying to tell me that the only other place I can visit such an extensive neon exhibition is in Las Vegas?! What a tease, Warsaw!
8. All of the Street Art
Oh Warsaw, you and your beautiful street art. Like, we get it, you’re totally artsy and alternative, so how about you stop showing off, okay?
9. The Nightlife
From teeny one-room vodka bars to bars serving over 50 beers on tap, who do you think you are, Warsaw? Budapest?
10. Nothing At All
But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.
Because what better way to end a blog post than with a quote from a 90s classic?
Wait, don’t answer that.
Where to Stay in Warsaw
If for some reason you’re still interested in visiting Warsaw after reading this, my advice is to stay at The Warsaw Hostel!
The Warsaw hostel is perfectly located in a beautiful old tenement house near the Old Town and just a few steps away from a metro station. It had more of a low-key vibe when we visited (in off-season), so I’d say it’s the place to stay if you’re looking for a really good night’s sleep instead of a party hostel.
……………………
Many thanks to The Warsaw hostel for hosting me during my time in Warsaw. As always, all opinions are my very own!
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Megan says
i loveeeeeee warsaw.
Silvia says
Kami and I were talking about how I still need to meet you. Party in Warsaw?!
Megan says
UM YES. seriously. 🙂
kami says
ha, number 3 is the best, obviously 😉 but maybe you should consider moving to Warsaw then 😉 I’m not planning to leave this place 😉
btw, that’s the best post about Warsaw, ever!
Anna says
Number 3 should be number 1 hehe – go Kamila! 😀
Silvia says
Haha you’re right!
kami says
and btw, is it weird I was reading part of this post with Julia Stiles’ voice in my head 😉 ?
Silvia says
Um, yes. I love it.
Silvia says
It is tempting…
Mario says
Still can’t figure if there are 10 things you hate, or you love about 🙂 Uh, I’m so missing Warsaw right now
Silvia says
I’m Scandinavian – it’s hard for me to admit my emotions!
Rachel says
I LOVE that you quoted 10 Things I Hate About You at the end there. (It definitely used to be my favorite movie- wasn’t it everybody’s at some point?) Warsaw looks beautiful and I’ve never considered visiting before now. Also, the milk bars? I may have had to google a few of those foods, but they look awesome – and it’s totally okay to eat everything when it’s cold outside.
Silvia says
I love that somebody appreciated the reference! You should definitely check out Warsaw someday 🙂
Amanda says
Yup, definitely all the things that I “hate” about Warsaw, too!
Parts of Warsaw reminded me of Berlin – that edgy, artsy, university vibe that you feel pretty everywhere outside of the Old Town. I really enjoyed it and was amazed by all the history that I really didn’t know anything about!
Silvia says
It is a bit like Berlin! Though still a bit less popular it seems – which is crazy to me, considering how much Warsaw has to offer.
Ashley says
Your “hates” have me convinced- I definitely need to visit Warsaw! I love that you quoted 10 Things I Hate About You, ha! I’m still heartbroken about Heath, though. May he rest in peace.
Silvia says
You do need to visit Warsaw! And I’m heartbroken about Heath toooooo 🙁
Rachel says
Hahaha, brilliant, especially as I randomly watched 10 Things I Hate About You last weekend! Oh 90s!
I loved Warsaw too, I wish I’d known about Milk Bars though: I rushed through, so typical!
Silvia says
Ah I love that you just watched 10 Things I Hate About You! I need to give it a rewatch as well…
Patti (The Travel Sisters) says
I have always read to visit Krakow instead of Warsaw as well but your post has convinced me to add Warsaw to my list. I especially love your photos of the West Bank and the street art.
Silvia says
You definitely need to add Warsaw to your list! Krakow is beautiful, but Warsaw just has so much character.
Kelly says
As soon as I read the title, my first thought was 10 Things I Hate About You…and also that Miley Cyrus song of a similar name…how embarrassing haha. But, despite what your title says, Warsaw seems pretty awesome! 😉
Silvia says
Oh nooo now I have 7 Things I Hate About You stuck in my head!
becky hutner says
you are basically doing the trip I want to do so guess what Silvia…i hate YOU!
Silvia says
hahaha do it toooooo! I would love to read about your version of this trip.
Andrea says
I hate Warsaw so much I’m heading back as soon as possible.
kami says
This time we will HAVE TO meet, Andrea!
Silvia says
I wish I were heading back too!
Justine says
Such comedic brilliance Silvia…I love it! The street art there looks so cool. I’m rather obsessed with street art so now I really feel like I need to go to Warsaw, like right now!
Silvia says
Warsaw is definitely a great place for you then – Lodz (also in Poland) is even better for street art though!
Bethaney - Flashpacker Family says
Great post! I really want to go to Poland soon.
Silvia says
Poland won’t disappoint!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
So funny. Get ready for people not to read your post in full. I wrote something similar here and I got hate post: https://thebritishberliner.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/going-to-poland-10-reasons-not-to-go/
but I’m not complaining. It’s proving rather popular LOL! 🙂
So back to Warsaw. I really like Poland and I’ve been to quite a few places there with Krakow and the Polish Baltic Sea being my faves, but have never been to Warsaw proper. I hear that they have a river and an alternative scene, so I’m going LOL!
Silvia says
Haha I haven’t gotten any hate messages yet, phew! You definitely need to check out Warsaw though!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
‘Will do LOL!
Jakob Gibbons says
I would humbly add to your list 10 zloty liter beers in the West Bank and the giant park (Łazienki Królewskie) with the floating palaces and crazy-looking pigeons on the south side of town 🙂 I also really enjoyed Warsaw, and I think the sights along the train ride from there to Krakow was the highlight of my entire Poland trip!
Esther says
Great, now I want to go to Warsaw too… like I don’t have to work, or something 😉
Silvia says
Pull a sick day (or week) at work? Haha
Jan says
I could have showed you Polish moose just outside of warsaw…
Debbie says
I was also so very much frustrated with the fact that The Neon Museum closes at 5 pm I wanted to scream to their face! We’ve done so much road and then realized it was CLOSED! Hopefully next time we go early in the morning! xx
http://debsbug.blogspot.com
Silvia says
Right?? Ahhh!
Karisa @ Flirting with the Globe says
I was worried about visiting Warsaw… I fell in love with how charming Krakow was, and many told me that Poland’s capital wouldn’t compare. But, I ended up falling head over heels! And, ahhhh, all the food was SO good!
Silvia says
Such good food! I’m glad you also loved Warsaw 🙂
Norwegiangay says
“10 things I hate about Warsaw”…which one of them is that people there speak Polish…really??? Wtf man…you don’t like, you don’t come….I don’t know what’s your problem…..
Silvia says
Haha right, how dare they speak Polish! Um no, if you read the post you will actually see that the title is a joke – it’s all about how Warsaw is one of my favorite cities ever. The title is misleading though, you’re right (unless you’ve seen 10 Things About You, in which case the title makes perfect sense).
Sylvia says
Great post, I had so much fun reading it! I do agree that it is impossible to hate Warsaw, the city is so diverse that everybody will find something for themselves. I love discovering the city, and during my first visit I was amazed that the two sides of the river can be so different, but I loved both of them. For living I would probably prefer the East bank, but for tourist trip the West one is perfect. There are so many great place to visit. I love discovering restaurants and bars (I am a huge foodie…), and my last discovery is probably my favourite bar I have ever been to. It is called Bubbles and you can try all kinds of different champagnes and sparkling wines alongside simple yet delicious meals, perfect! And the atmosphere is very cozy and nice. I miss Warsaw and hope to visit it soon!
Silvia says
Oooh I’ll have to return to try out Bubbles, it sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the tip!
Alice says
I have just been to Warsaw, I have left few days ago and I already miss it. I have been there for two weeks, and it was great. I have been to museums and many other attractions as well as some great restaurants and pubs. I was really surprised that there are so manyamazing places in Warsaw, I think that this city is very underrated. One of my favourite places I have been to was actually a nice restaurant in Mokotow called the Akademia. It was romantic and elegant and the food I have eaten there was incredible. I love Polish food 🙂
Magda says
Those informations are really useful. I’m living in Warsaw for 5 years, but never have been in the Neon Museum – i heard that it worth visiting. You had very nice place for accomodation. When my friends came, i should look for something for them also and found apartments at polandcityapartments.com, as they couldn’t stay in my place, because it’s too small 🙁 For the visiting i can also advice you invisible exhibition. i had a lot of impressions!
Bill Thomas Thorne says
Nice, perverse way to recommend Warsaw 😉 I also enjoy Warsaw everytime I visit this characteristic city. One thing is sure: no one leaves Warsaw without clear opinion, you just love it or hate it:) One thing you wrote just a little bit about – night life. For me Warsaw is the best city in Poland when it comes to night clubs. 2 words: New Orleans. Place for real gentlemen. And record: the biggest bar in Europe – with that Warsaw I think not only can say that it is Budapest but way more better than it 🙂
Kim Lang says
What an amazing and a fascinating place to visit. I really didn’t know much about this but after reading this post I will surely visit one day. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post.
Magda says
Next time you are in Warsaw, maybe you will try to take a course in Polsih language! It would be a challange, wouldn’t it? 🙂
Thanh Ngan Tran says
Do you know about Poland?
Do you want to discover this country?
I think that you will have many exciting experiences when you travel to there.
Let’s read this writing, it will help you know a lot of useful information.
Melanee & Sebastian says
This was the cutest read 😄 especially number 10 🥰 we really can’t wait to visit Warsaw now! We’ve already had a 2 month stay in Kraków/Zakopane and were obsessed with the country!
Maria Tran says
Thanks for your writing!
It’s very wonderful for people to visit Poland. There are many interesting things to discover.