The Best Museums to Visit in Warsaw
Warsaw has quite a large variety of museums to see and nearly everyone from art lovers to history buffs can find something worth laying their eyes on.
There are many more good museums to visit in Warsaw, but they can’t all go on to one list. The ones that are on this list are divided into two sections. The first few museums are must-sees for anyone who wants to really get a better understanding of Warsaw and Poland. The rest of the museums are great for either museum connoisseurs or tourists who have a little more time to spend taking in exhibitions. Let’s dive right in.
Must-See Warsaw Museums:
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Jews were a part of Poland’s dramatic and heart-wrenching history ever since the beginning. Visiting POLIN amounts to taking a 1000-year trip through history, from the first Jewish accounts in Poland to the modern-day Jewish population living here. The museum is very modern, with interactive displays, wall projections, and sound effects that help you immerse yourself in the given era. Apart from the core exhibition, POLIN also offers various temporary exhibitions ranging from acquainting visitors with Jewish cuisine to commemorating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
The Warsaw Rising Museum
The thing that makes Warsaw unique in Poland and almost anywhere in the world is its history. It’s not without reason that it’s often called the “Phoenix city” or “the city that survived its own death” and you can’t understand Warsaw without understanding the Warsaw Rising.
The Warsaw Rising Museum (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego) is a new, modern museum that will take you on an awe-inspiring and chilling journey from the first days of the uprising in 1944 to its dramatic end. The museum is very compact, incorporating design and space in such a way that you feel like you’re in the ruined city, fighting for survival. There are traditional museum displays mixed in with interactive screens, films, interviews with insurgents, and the sounds of war all around. The greatest thing this museum has to offer is the fact that once you leave it, you realize that you have only experienced a tiny glimpse of the bravery and tragedy that was the Warsaw Rising.
Life Under Communism Museum
Nothing will give you a better glimpse into what life looked like during communism than this museum. The Life Under Communism Museum (Muzeum Życia w PRL) is the only museum of its kind. It’s an interesting and colorful collection of all things from the Polish People’s Republic (PRL), all arranged as if they were snapshots taken straight out of history. Look at communist propaganda posters, watch communist leaders make passionate speeches, pop into a cafe, have a glimpse of everyday life on the street, and sit down in a typical Polish apartment.
If you want to take your PRL experience to the next level, try to visit the museum with a local who’s at least 30 years old, and watch them squeal as they show you the things they remember from their childhood!
Other Great Warsaw Museums:
Zachęta
The Zachęta National Gallery of Art is the place to go for contemporary art. It houses both international and Polish thought-provoking artists of the 20th and 21st century. The museum only stages temporary exhibitions so even if you’ve been there before, it’s worth checking what Zachęta is offering at the moment.
The 100-year-old building itself is worth a look. It’s close to the city center and after enjoying an afternoon of good contemporary art, take a stroll through the elegant Saxon Gardens (Ogród Saski) right across the street!
Polish Vodka Museum
One of Poland’s most well-known exports is vodka, so it’s no wonder the alcohol has its own museum in the capital.
The Polish Vodka Museum (Muzeum Polskiej Wódki) sounds just about as much fun as the name suggests. Take a guided tour of the museum as a knowledgeable tour guide walks you through the process of making excellent vodka, from the field all the way to the bottle and glass via different permanent displays and interactive features. Tickets have a vodka tasting included which happens at the end of the tour. Pay attention to how the vodka is served—you’ll learn that chilled vodka is not necessarily best!
If you have time to spare or are an alcohol connoisseur, look into the different workshops the Polish Vodka Museum offers which range from food pairing to making cocktails.
The Polish Army Museum
Poland has a very rich military history so if you’re a history buff or military nerd, the Polish Army Museum (Muzeum Wojska Polskiego) is something for you.
This is a more traditional museum with lots of different artifacts and displays ranging from weapons to armor to uniforms from the beginnings of Polish history to modern times. The museum mostly holds a permanent exhibition, but it also hosts temporary exhibitions from time to time, so make sure to check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Don’t forget to also check out the museum grounds where you can admire all kinds of different military vehicles and heavy equipment.
The National Museum in Warsaw
Originally founded back in 1862, the National Museum in Warsaw (Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie) is one of the oldest art museums in Poland. The museum boasts a relatively impressive array of permanent exhibitions with art from the medieval period, the 15-18th century, the 19th century, and Polish design. The exhibits are a nice mix of Polish and international European artists, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures. The museum also holds interesting temporary exhibitions from time to time, so make sure to check out their website for the most up-to-date information.
The Royal Castle
The Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski) offers a variety of things to admire both inside and outside the castle itself. You can enter the courtyard of the castle and take in the architecture free of charge. Inside the castle, there is an abundance of royal rooms with works of art at every turn. Don’t miss the collection of Rembrandt’s paintings!
After you see the rich interior of the castle, remember to visit the castle gardens as well, especially if you’re visiting in the summer. Also, take a minute to ponder over the remains of Zygmunt’s Column that lie beside the castle—a solemn reminder of the destruction of Warsaw during World War II.
Check the official website for more information about temporary exhibitions, special offers, and other announcements (the Royal Castle is still used in some representative functions which may sometimes inhibit visiting certain rooms or wings of the castle).
The Fryderyk Chopin Museum
The Fryderyk Chopin Museum (Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina) is a tribute to Poland’s greatest classical composer and a real treat for any classical music fan. Although he was not born in Warsaw, Chopin did spend a lot of his time here and it is where his heart lies (quite literally). The permanent exhibition displays the biggest collection of Chopin memorabilia in the world, including sheets of music, photographs, and personal items. They’re all neatly arranged in themed exhibits that take you on a journey through Chopin’s short, tumultuous life. Naturally, a museum dedicated to a composer wouldn’t be complete without playing pieces of Chopin’s classical music throughout the museum.
The Museum of Warsaw
The Museum of Warsaw (Muzeum Warszawy) is a great museum to visit for anyone who wants to get a deeper understanding and a more detailed look at the capital. There are several different exhibitions that give you a taste of what Warsaw is and how it became the city it is today. What visitors might find especially interesting is the rare glimpse into what Warsaw used to look like before it was destroyed in World War II. The museum also holds special events, like showing films connected with the history of Warsaw so make sure to check those out while you’re there.
The Neon Museum
The old factory building of the Neon Museum (Muzeum Neonów) is a real treat for those interested in communism, urban design, or neon signs alike. There are over 200 neon signs that are the original ones that lit up the capital all throughout communism. And these aren’t just any neon lights, but ones designed by renowned artists for popular clubs, restaurants, hotels, and services. Feeling a wave of nostalgia before leaving the museum is guaranteed!