Top 11 Things to See and Do in Praga, Warsaw

You haven’t really seen Warsaw if you don’t travel over the east side of the Vistula and check out the Praga district. This one-of-a-kind, eclectic district was once its own village, and to this day remains fiercely patriotic.

Here you’ll find a list of the top 11 things to see and do in Praga, Warsaw that will make you fall in love with the whole district! Let’s go!

1. Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr

Known by locals as simply the Cathedral of St. Florian (Katedra Świętego Floriana, ul. Floriańska 3), this Catholic sanctuary was built from 1887-1904. Its two tall towers make it easy to spot from nearly anywhere in Warsaw. The facade is made of raw brick and its design was used as a model for later sacral architecture.

Like so many other buildings, this church was destroyed in 1944 by retreating Wehrmacht forces and later rebuilt by locals until 1972. Inside you can figures of St. Michael and St. Florian (the patron saint of firefighters).

2. Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene

This Orthodox church (Sobór metropolitalny Świętej Równej Apostołom Marii Magdaleny w Warszawie, Al. Solidarności 52) is a real pearl among religious sites in Warsaw for more than one reason. Built back in 1867, it survived both anti-Russian sentiment after WWI and German Nazi aggression during WWII. It has beautiful Greek Orthodox architecture and a rich interior full of priceless works of sacral art, some of which was saved from another Warsaw Orthodox church that was destroyed in 1924-26.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is open to visitors, just make sure to check the days and times so you don’t disturb any religious celebrations that might be taking place.

3. Mała Street

This street dates back to 1887 and is considered one of Praga’s iconic streets so it’s no wonder it’s one of the top things to see in Praga, Warsaw. It remains quite untouched despite the years and wars that swept across Poland. It’s this original architecture and atmosphere that made it the perfect place to shoot some of the scenes from the famous film The Pianist. Unfortunately, most of the buildings on Mała Street are deteriorating and in bad condition, but you can still get a glimpse of early XX century Warsaw with a little imagination.

4. Ząbkowska Street

For some, Ząbkowska Street is Praga, so you definitely need to see it for yourself. This recently renovated street was one of the few that survived WWII and so what you see is a glimpse of what Warsaw once looked like before it was pushed behind the Iron Curtain. Take a peek through the many corridors into the residential courtyards to see original Varsovian architecture as well as various beautiful, small shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary (e.g. ul. Ząbkowska 12).

5. Koneser Square

The name of this square (Plac Konesera) hails back to its beginnings as a vodka factory in 1897. The factory is long gone, but the buildings remain and have been renovated in the popular post-industrial style. If you’re a vodka connoisseur, make sure to check out the Polish Vodka Museum to learn more about one of Poland’s biggest exports. After that, make sure to do a little shopping and enjoy a terrific meal in one of the many eateries.

6. Warsaw ZOO

A great family-friendly activity in Warsaw, the Warsaw Zoo is one of the first places locals will mention when thinking about things to do or see in Praga, Warsaw. But this isn’t just a zoo full of great animals to see—it’s also a place of historical importance. On the grounds of the zoo, you can find the Żabiński Villa. It’s here that the director of the zoo, Jan Żabiński, and his wife, offered refuge to persecuted Jews during WWII. Guided tours of the building are available or you can take a virtual tour here.

7. Monument of the Praga Band (Pomnik Kapeli Praskiej)

If you don’t know what this monument is, you might just walk right on by without a thought, and that would be a shame! This quirky monument commemorates the local Praga folklore and the small bands that used to play out on the streets. So when you find this monument, close your eyes and try to imagine that one day all of Praga was alive with fun and funky live music!

8. Old Mikvah

What might look like just another high school from the outside, actually houses an old mikvah (ul. Kłopotowskiego 31). Built back in 1911-14, it was designated as a Jewish ritual bath. Although it isn’t open to the public or in use by the Jewish Community, it still has two bath pools hidden below the original, XX-century flooring. It’s the only facility of its kind in Warsaw.

9. Ząbkowski Bar Mleczny

You haven’t truly visited Warsaw if you haven’t been to a milk bar. It’s no wonder milk bars are some of the best places to eat in Warsaw and the Ząbkowski milk bar is no exception. Milk bars were very popular during communist times, offering good Polish food at affordable prices. Nowadays, milk bars are going through a small renaissance with young people rediscovering why milk bars were so popular with their parents and grandparents.

If you want to try some traditional, hearty, Polish food in Praga, give the Ząbkowski Bar Mleczny (ul. Ząbkowska 2) a try—your stomach and wallet will thank you!

10. Bazar Różyckiego

The Różycki Bazaar is an old marketplace dating back to 1874 where the people of Praga came to buy and sell basically anything. The marketplace remained in business even during WWI and WWII, until 1944 when it was burned. It was quickly rebuilt, and along with communism trade also turned to counterfeit documents and other illegal activities. It was also one of the few places you could hear the Warsaw dialect in use.

Due to ownership issues, the marketplace is now a shadow of its former self, but there are plans to renovate it to include new stores and a playground for children.

11. Clubs around 11 listopada

When you’ve gone through all the top things to see and do in Praga, Warsaw, why not have a little fun? 11 Listopada Street is definitely where Warsaw nightlife comes alive in Praga. Hydrozagadka is more for party night owls, Chmury is open from 4 pm and a nice place to take your friends or family, and Skład Butelek is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 5 pm with offers of live music.

To see most of these places and understand even better what makes them so special, don’t hesitate and book our Bohemian Warsaw walking tour!

What do you think of these top things to do and see in Praga, Warsaw? Have you experienced them? Which one was your favorite? Let us know down in the comments below!