Culture in Warsaw

At first glance, Warsaw doesn't appear like an interesting destination compared to other European capitals since it was decimated during the war and rebuilt during communism. Thus, without a defined city centre, its cultural life is now spread out rather haphazardly across the city.

A lot of these new hot spots are hard to find as many are located in courtyards, former factories, train ticket stations and dark backstreets. However, Warsaw has the largest cultural budget in the country, and there is more going on now than ever before. Though Krakow may be considered Poland's "cultural capital," Warsaw has actually often eclipsed its southern relative in the arts. Two cultural heydays of Poland's capital stand above the rest: the years under the country's last King, Stanislaus Poniatowski as well as the inter-war period, when the city was dubbed the Paris of the East. Now, after a challenging twentieth century, Warsaw is back and more vibrant than ever! Festivals, cultural institutes, museums, galleries, theatres, all that you can handle... we'll help you find the best.