8 of the best photo spots in Warsaw, Poland
Use this guide to the best photo spots in Warsaw, Poland, to help you capture the beauty of the city including iconic landmarks and quirky modern photo opportunities.
Photos and videos are my favourite way to document my time in a place. And, while Krakow tends to steal Warsaw’s thunder, Warsaw is filled with quirky corners and incredible architecture that make for some beautiful photo opportunities. A building covered in aluminum foil? Bears next to a bus station? Murals in abandoned residential areas? And what about a University garden so good I literally begged a security guard to let me in at sundown just to spend an extra five minutes there on our last night in Warsaw? Now imagine being able to either walk or take clean, efficient, and timely public transport to every spot on this list? Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. That’s the {literal} beauty of Warsaw.
All of these places will be revealed in this photo guide to Warsaw, complete with lesser-known-to-tourists spots and the classic postcard shots you won’t want to miss out on.
quick warsaw visitor’s facts
LANGUAGE | Polish CURRENCY | Euro POPULATION | 1.7 million
Old Town Warsaw
I started this post with the most obvious of European city photo spots, simply to get it out of the way. Old Town Warsaw, like all European old town areas, is charming albeit touristy. The colourful facades sprinkled across cobblestone streets make for a pastel photo backdrop, and it says pretty quickly “I’m in Warsaw”. There were definitely fewer people in the early morning hours than at golden hour, but we enjoyed wandering around Old Town at both times of the day.
Praga neighbourhood
Praga is an up-and-coming neighbourhood in Warsaw that is covered in murals, graffiti, and other visual oddities including an entire building covered in aluminium foil. Parts of Praga felt a little forgotten about to me, and we were warned by some local friends that Praga is considered a “rough” side of the city, but I found that it provided real insight into life in Warsaw outside the city center.
Warsaw University of Technology
The Warsaw University of Technology is a leader in technological education in Central Europe. Founded in 1826, WUT’s main auditorium is like something out of a Wes Anderson film. My favourite fun fact about WUT is that it continued its lectures and training in secret during the German occupation of World War II. Today, there are nearly 36,000 students studying various fields of math and science throughout the historic halls of Warsaw’s premier institute of technology.
Soho Factory
Soho Factory is Warsaw’s creative hub. Media start-ups, design brands, and 24/7 eateries abound. This is also where the Neon Museum is located. It’s a great place for a photo if you’re looking for industrial, brick buildings {which used to operate as scooter and motorcycle factories}. The buildings are more than beautiful backdrops though! Today, they house art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and indie theaters.
Neon Museum
Dedicated to the “documentation and preservations of Cold War era neon signs and electro-graphic design”, Warsaw’s Neon Museum began saving as many Cold War neon remnants as possible back in 2005. Essentially, it’s a warehouse filled with hundreds of neon signs. The vibrant signage feels like the setting of a modern Alice in Wonderland retelling.
The Neon Museum is a private institution that does not receive any public funding, so visitor admission is the only financing source {apart from private donors}. This means that the entrance fee you pay really is funding the preservation of art— something every visitor should feel good about!
There are technically no photos allowed at the Neon Museum, but that only applies to DSLRs and other camera equipment. You are allowed to take pictures on a phone, and with the latest camera/phone tech that’s basically as good as having your Sony with you, ya dig? We captured a few moments thanks on our outdated iPhone that I’m reasonably happy with, and more than anything spending the day with Luke in a warehouse of old neon signs was a real laugh.
Website | Neon Muzeum
Odette Tea Room
If you are feeling thirsty or find yourself in need of a pretty pastry, consider a break at Odette’s Tea Room. The interiors are plastered in tropical, green wallpaper. Golden, industrial-style fixtures let off warm light in the relatively small tea room. It’s a cute place for a cuppa and a picture. It’s also a great way to support a local business!
Website | Odette
University of Warsaw’s library gardens
The University of Warsaw’s library is a sight to behold in and of itself, but it’s the gardens outside the library that made me swoon over the city. The gardens stretch out over a hectare and feature a bevy of plant species and water fountains. There is an amazing view of the Vistula River that makes for a quality sunset picnic spot. During our visit in the summer of 2019, Luke and I went back twice to enjoy sunset amongst the greenery. Some of my favourite #parksit memories are from the U of W library gardens.
Gdański Bridge
This steel bridge opened to the public in 1959, but was only painted its signature green colour in 1997. When it’s illuminated at dusk, it reminded me of the Wizard of Oz— a little magical, a little quirky, and definitely vibrant. The lower level of the bridge features a bike path, so feel free to rent a cycle from the city center and pedal across the Vistula.
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Find all the best instagram spots in Warsaw, Poland on the map below.
