Warsaw is by far one of the most colorful cities in Eastern Europe that I have ever been to. Although not quite as popular as cities like Amsterdam or Paris, Warsaw has so much to offer for travelers who are seeking a different perspective of Europe.
With its troubled past lodged between powerful neighbors, Warsaw has gone through the worst of the worst, having been completely destroyed at the end of World War 2 and subjugated throughout the Cold War. After gaining independence in 1990, Warsaw has since gained its own momentum and rebuilt a stunning city with plenty for us travelers to explore.
As a photographer, I often find myself wanting to go to the most photogenic places in a city. And since I had the opportunity to explore Warsaw in person, I have decided to round up all the best photo spots I found during my trip there. So, you can use them as a starting point for your own trip to this wonderful city. Without further ado, here are the 8 best photo spots in Warsaw, Poland.
Warsaw Best Photo Spots Map
8 Best Photo Spots in Warsaw
1. Old Town Market Square
The first place you are likely to visit in Warsaw is the Old Town Square, one of the most popular landmarks of the city, and for good reason. It has the highest concentration of colorful, old Gothic-style architecture surrounding a square that occasionally held festivals and markets for the locals. This is by far the best place to get a photo of both the iconic colorful buildings and the people while they hang out around the square.
Photo Tips: Try to align your visit with the special events that take place in the Old Town Market Square, whether it is the Christmas Market during winter or the Jazz at the Old Town event in the summer. These are the times that attract the most people from around the world and are the best for taking photos of happy people enjoying the events in Warsaw's most iconic landmark. You can look up an event calendar here.
2. St. Anne's Church Observation Deck
The Old Town is certainly a beautiful place to visit, but it looks even more impressive from above. Not too far from the Warsaw Royal Castle and the Sigismund's Column, there is a church with an observation deck that you can climb to get the best view of the Old Town.
- Safestay Warsaw (Budget)
- Moxy Warsaw Praga (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Hotel Indigo Warsaw Nowy Świat, an IHG Hotel (High-End)
- From Warsaw Auschwitz and Krakow one day tour by train with pick up and drop off (16 hours)
- One day tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Warsaw with private transport (12 hours)
- Chopin Concerts everyday at the Fryderyk Concert Hall (1 hour)
The observation deck of St. Anne's Church is located southeast of Sigismund's Column, and for around 4 USD (10 złoty), you can gain access to the top and enjoy a stunning view of the Old Town from above. The foreground features Sigismund's Column, while the background showcases all the beautiful Gothic architecture.
Photo Tips: The best time to go up the tower is 2-3 hours before sunset since the square is surrounded by buildings. If you go right before sunset, most of the square will be in shade, creating too much contrast in your photo. Additionally, the square is full of colors, and with enough light, you will be able to appreciate the sight more.
3. Gdanski Bridge
If you are looking for a place to get a beautiful panoramic photo that encapsulates the essence of Warsaw, the Gdanski bridge is the place to be. This double-decker steel bridge across the Vistula river has a view of Warsaw unlike any other viewpoint in the city. It gives you a perspective of the city in its truest essence, with the Old Town, the New Town, and all the skyscrapers in the business center, all in one frame.
Photo Tips: The best time to go to Gdanski Bridge is after dark when the sunset and the artificial light take over. The stunning skyline of Warsaw will light up like a Christmas tree, and the beautiful Vistula river creates a beautiful reflection of the night lights that dance away in front of you. It is possibly the best viewpoint in the city for photos of the Warsaw skyline.
4. The New Town
The New Town, a neighborhood built in the 15th century, is another cool area that is worth your visit. The neighborhood is situated between the Multimedia Fountain Park and the Old Town, making it a perfect stop for when you are heading back from the Gdanski bridge. There are some notable architectural landmarks, such as the beautiful Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Kazimierz Church, that are begging for you to explore. It is also less crowded, and you get a little more homely atmosphere than the touristy Old Town.
Photo Tips: One of the most beautiful buildings in the New Town is located at the intersection between Mostowa Street and Brzozowa Street. I am not sure what the building is for, but with a combination of its beautiful blue tile decor that is not so common to see in Warsaw, the green rolling hills, and the Gothic-style Church of the Holy Spirit in the background, it makes quite a sight to behold.
5. Warsaw University Library Rooftop Garden
Left: Photos by Bartosz MORĄG, Right: Photos by Mareckr Marek Rykiel
The Warsaw University Library roof garden is a large green space located on top of a library that offers a stunning view of the city and the Vistula river. A truly hidden gem, the garden is filled with green vegetation, running streams, fish ponds, stone sculptures, and pathways that cover the entire hectare of the rooftop.
This place also offers a unique view of the modern life of the people living here. Being able to join students hanging out, having a picnic, and reading books under the sun is quite refreshing compared to all the other tourist attractions that focus on the past.
Photo Tips: With such an intricate design, you can take a photo from whichever angle and it will still come out beautiful. But for the truly best photo spot, I would recommend focusing on the upper level of the garden with all the arches and supports for the climbing plants. That can give you a beautifully symmetrical and orderly perspective of a chaotic plant world.
6. Palace of Culture and Science
Photos by Pudelek
Palace of Culture and Science is the tallest building in Warsaw that was built in the 50s by the Soviet Union. It resembles the American art deco high-rise buildings such as the Empire State Building and many buildings in Moscow that were built during the Soviet era. This structure is massive in size, symmetrical in dimension, and unique in its style, so much so that it was on the cover of the first Vogue magazine in Poland, which was then "memified" to death by the Internet. The building is near the main train station, so you are unlikely to miss it.
Photo Tips: The building is symmetrical on all sides, so you can pick whichever side you want. However, I would recommend being on the side where the sunlight shines, as it can create depth in your photos. The building is massive, so make sure to walk far enough to capture the entire structure in one frame.
Also, use its symmetrical dimensions to your advantage and align yourself perfectly with either the center of the building or the corners to create a stunning symmetrical shot for your Instagram. If you are there when it is snowy, you can recreate your own Vogue cover photo with the same low-angle shot they used for the shoot.
7. Palace on the Isle
Photos by Mariokol
A little outside of the city center, there is a royal summer palace located in the middle of an artificial island in one of the largest parks in the city, Łazienki Park. With its baroque-style architecture dating back to the 17th century, and all the parks and palaces surrounding it, you can spend several hours just walking around, exploring, and appreciating all the statues and decorations that are scattered all over the park.
The palace is also extremely photogenic, with the exotic location of being on an island surrounded by green space and the occasional appearances of peacocks. You might forget that you are still in a city.
Photo Tips: The best photo spot of the palace is from the bridge south of the palace. Walk along the western side of the river down to the bridge, and from there, you will be able to see the palace in its full glory surrounded by vegetation, with a beautiful symmetrical reflection on the river.
8. Wilanow Palace
Wilanow Palace is one of the most important landmarks of Warsaw and one of the long-lasting remnants of the occupied Poland period that has stood the test of time since the 17th century. Located in the Wilanow district on the outer rim of Warsaw, the palace is considered the "Polish Versailles". It survived both the destruction of World War II and serves as a reminder of the culture of Poland before the dark times of the 18th and 19th centuries.
With its beautiful yellow exterior, the architecture represents the height of the Polish Baroque style, and the summer gardens with rich vegetation and sinuous paths, there are countless photo spots waiting for you to discover here.
Photo Tips: Come during the summer when the colors of the gardens are in full swing, and arrive as early as you can to beat the crowd. The palace is great for panorama shots from both sides, but the best I found is when you use one of the many statues behind the palace as your foreground and the palace as your background to get a different perspective of the place rather than shooting straight up at the architecture alone.
More Warsaw Activities
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
Where to Stay in Warsaw?
When to Visit Warsaw?
The best time to visit Warsaw is during the shoulder seasons from late April - June or late August to September when the weather is relatively comfortable, the city is not too overcrowded, and the prices are not as expensive as during the peak season of June - August.
How to Get to Warsaw?
If you are flying into Warsaw, you will likely be arriving at the Frédéric Chopin Airport, which is the main airport that handles both domestic and international flights. To find out which flight you can take to get to Poland, you can browse through discount deals on Wego.co.ae.
How to Get Around Warsaw?
Getting around in Poland can be done easily with buses and trams. You can easily find which bus or tram you can take to go somewhere from the Jakdojade website or download their apps here (Android | iOS). All you have to do is select Warsaw as the city, locate yourself with GPS, punch in a destination, and the app will automatically recommend a bus or tram number to take, indicate what time you should be at the bus stop, and provide an estimated arrival time.
For traveling around from city to city, you can never go wrong with Flixbus and its wide network of bus routes you can take throughout Europe.
Daily Budget
This location is less expensive than most countries, but it's not exceedingly cheap. Expect to spend around $30 - $50 USD per day per person, which includes both accommodation and meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Warsaw, Poland?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Warsaw, Poland:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
This post is created in collaboration with Wego.co.ae.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:
Further Reading for Poland
I hope you found this Poland guide helpful. If you would like to read more about Poland, here is a selection of articles you might enjoy:
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Poland? 2 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary for Poland.
- Planning a trip to Poland and not sure where to begin? Here are the 10 Best Places to Visit in Poland.
- Are you traveling to Poland as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Planning to visit Warsaw, the colorful capital city of Poland soon and not sure where to begin? Check out 10 Best Things to Do in Warsaw.
- One of the most whimsical fairy-tale cities in Poland, Torun is a must-visit place if you like medieval towns and history. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Torun.
- Gdansk is one of the most beautiful port cities in Europe, full of surprising things to do and see. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Gdansk.
- If you are looking to go off the beaten path in Poland, Poznan offers a great alternative to the usual touristy spots in Poland with its unique things to do and places to see. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Poznan.
- Wroclaw is a vibrant alternative city to visit for those who seek places in Poland that are off the beaten path, and there are quite a lot of things to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Wroclaw.
- Planning to visit Krakow soon? Check out this travel guide: Top 9 Things to Do in Krakow, Poland that you should check out.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- You can also watch my Poland travel video here: "Poland Now" travel video.
- To see all the articles about Poland, visit the Poland Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Poland? How about Lithuania, Germany, or Hungary? Visit our Germany travel guide page, Hungary travel guide page, and Lithuania travel guide page for more.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
4 Comments
From my trip to Warsaw, I remember many attractions and places very well but the most stuck in my head is a visit to the New Orleans club. There, I met with everything that is best in Poland. Amazing dancers, great food and of course high quality alcohol. In a word, a revelation. Sometimes you do not need anything more to happiness. For me it was perfect and I already plan another visit to this place.
Thank you for the comments, Chuck. That is indeed the case for me when I was there as well. :)
This is one thing I'm frustrated about. I've visited Warsaw, its a great place and a fascinating city. Yet I never visited any of these sights! I'm going to have to make a point about going back and returning.
Hey Alex! Definitely! The colors of Polish cities are extremely photogenic all around. 😊