Warsaw holidays

It may be hours from the nearest coast, but Warsaw’s sprinkled with little riverside beaches. So, you won’t have to travel far to get that at-the-seaside feeling. The city’s man-made sandy spots are backed up by handy facilities like kids’ parks, communal barbecues and sports courts, so you could easily spend a whole afternoon by the water.

One of the most popular chill-out spots in the city is Poniatówka beach, which unravels underneath the historic Prince Józef Poniatowski Bridge. You’ll find plenty of space to relax here – there’s a sandy swathe along with a wooden terraced area. Plus, you can light up a barbecue or grab a cocktail and a bite to eat from the nearby pavilion.

If you’re after a quieter spot to relax, head over to Żoliborz beach. This small stretch of sand is tucked away at the end of the Vistula boulevards, near Warsaw Citadel. It’s surrounded by trees, so there’s loads of shade. And there’s plenty to do – you can play badminton, hire a sunlounger or cook up some lunch on one of the barbecues.

If you’ve got an eye for a bargain, you might want to check out some of Warsaw’s flea markets. The most famous one is Bazar na Kole, which is held every Saturday and Sunday. Vendors offer up lots of nick nacks, including vintage clothing and antiques – there’s something different every week. Plus, you’ll be able to grab a snack from one of the street food vendors who pitch up here.

Złote Tarasy is one of Warsaw’s biggest shopping malls, and it’s where you’ll find a whole host of high street brands, like Zara, H&M and Levi’s. Once you’ve had enough retail therapy, you can stop for a meal at one of the mall’s restaurants.

If you’re after high-end goodies and Polish designer labels, make a beeline for Vitkac – a swish department store stacked with luxury brands. Inside, you’ll find international names like Louis Vuitton, along with smaller local designers. And, there’s a top-floor restaurant with sweeping city views.

The Praga district’s home to a whole bunch of bars housed in former factories and century-old tenements. In the summer, there’s plenty of al fresco seating. And, you can often catch live bands performing.

If you fancy a big night out, one of the best spots to aim for is the Vistula Boulevards. This riverside strip is packed with lively clubs and bars, many with regular live music nights. Plenty of these venues come with outdoor areas, too, so in the summer, you’ll have the waterfront as the backdrop to your night out.

Polish cuisine is all about hearty, comforting dishes, and bigos – also known as hunter’s stew – is one of them. It usually consists of pork sausage, bacon, potatoes and sauerkraut, but it can be made with any meat. Look out for this filling dish in traditional Polish restaurants.

These hearty potato dumplings are usually stuffed with some form of minced meat – usually pork or beef, or a combination of both – along with cottage cheese, sauteed onions and mushrooms. The filling is squeezed inside the dough, and then the whole thing’s boiled.

This breaded pork cutlet is one of the oldest Polish foods – dating back to the 19th century. It bears a strong resemblance to schnitzel – think pork tenderloin coated in breadcrumbs, fried, and served with a generous helping of buttery potatoes on the side.

This traditional cake is a must-try in Warsaw – you’ll spot it on the menu in any traditional café. Expect to be served a square-shaped slice of cake, consisting of chocolate sponge wedged between layers of melt-in-the-mouth cream.

Poland has long been dubbed the home of vodka – Polish varieties can be made from potatoes, wheat, rye, barley or oats. It would be rude not to raise a glass while you’re in Warsaw – it’s traditionally served straight and chilled.