There are a lot of interesting parts of Warsaw to visit outside of the old town. One of the most underrated areas in Warsaw is the Praga district. It sits on the opposite side of the Vistula River to the old town and during WWII it was surprisingly left mostly unaffected by the Nazis. Today, the district is known for being one of the most authentic in Warsaw since many of its historic buildings are still intact.
Praga has always been known as a commercial district that supplied the rest of the city with everything it needed. It was once home to a Jewish merchant community before they were shipped out to the ghetto during WWII. But it was also a poor district, so many of the buildings prior to the 19th century were built from wood. The years following the second world war, when Poland was under communism, saw Praga fall into a state of neglect and crime rates grew to their peak.
Luckily, the Praga district is now a vibrant part of Warsaw with picturesque buildings, unique places to eat, and it has a completely different vibe to the other side of the river. There’s certainly a lot to uncover in this district, so it may be worth your while to take a guided tour of Praga to learn more about its history and recent growth. We spent two nights in the Praga district and managed to see the main attractions with time to spare.
Things to do in Praga, Warsaw
Visit the Polish Vodka Museum
One of the best things to do while visiting the Praga district is to take a tour of the Polish Vodka Museum. There’s no other museum quite like it anywhere in the world, and there are plenty of tour options to choose from. The museum is situated inside a historic vodka factory where iconic Polish vodka brands used to be sent out from. Vodka is a very important element of Polish culture, so you’ll learn all about the history of the spirit through the interactive exhibitions inside the museum.
The Foodie Tour is a great option if you want to fully enjoy your visit to the Polish Vodka Museum. The ticket includes a 60 minute guided tour, a 20 minute extended tasting panel in a private room, and a voucher to use at Setki Powodow which is a modern restaurant serving Polish cuisine. It’s a very unique experience in Warsaw that should definitely be added to your itinerary.
Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel
There are a lot of beautiful religious buildings in the Praga district to visit. One of the most well known is the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel. This cathedral dates back to the late 19th century and during WWII it was used as a hiding place for Jews and as a refuge for Warsaw’s citizens. Unfortunately, the cathedral was destroyed by the Nazis as they withdrew from Poland in 1944, but it was slowly rebuilt by the residents of Praga.
Walk around the oldest market in Warsaw
The oldest market in Warsaw can be found in the Praga district. Bazar Rozyckiego was once the largest market in Poland, and during the country’s communist era it was the most popular too. The stalls here sell all types of goods, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend buying from them unless you understand the language and have cash with you. It’s an interesting market to walk around briefly though, as it still retains much of its communist feel.
Neon Museum
There are a lot of museums in Warsaw to visit, but the Neon Museum is one that can’t be missed in the Praga district. It’s located on the site of an old ammunition factory, now called Soho Factory, and inside there are over 200 neon signs that were salvaged from the communist era. In socialist Poland, neon signs played a unique role compared to western countries, serving as both information and as a form of prestige.
The Neon Museum is quite small, so I’d recommend spending 45 minutes here. This will give you enough time to view all of the interesting signs and read about the history behind them.
Search for the courtyard shrines
One of the best free things to do in Warsaw and the Praga district is to look for the courtyard shrines. There are over 400 historic shrines dotted around the different districts of Warsaw, and you’ll find quite a lot of them in Praga. These religious shrines were largely built during WWII in the backyards of tenement houses so residents had somewhere to pray if they couldn’t get to a church.
They can be difficult to access since many of them are located on private properties. However, you can catch a glimpse of one of the most photographed courtyard shrines in Praga near one of the entrances to Bazar Rozyckiego through some railings.
PGE Narodowy Stadium
If you’re a football fan you may have come across PGE Narodowy Stadium before. This is the main stadium for the Polish national team and it’s the largest of its kind in Poland. It was built in 2012 on the site of an older stadium, and visitors now have the option of touring the stadium through different sightseeing routes.
The best place to photograph the PGE Narodowy Stadium from is next to the Royal Castle in Warsaw’s old town. You’ll have a much better vantage point there compared to taking a photo of it from ground level.
Find the Blue Angels of Praga
The Praga district is a unique part of Warsaw to explore, so you’ll find a lot of quirky art throughout its streets. The Blue Angels of Praga were designed with ugly cartoon faces and equally bizarre wings, and they’ve quickly become a symbol of Praga. There are several locations for these statues around the district, including a giant one that you can sit next to near the Polish Vodka Museum.
Admire the street art
Taking a street art tour of the Praga district is one of the best things to do in Warsaw. Praga is still an up and coming district, and many of its buildings haven’t gone through modern restorations like other parts of the city. In fact, this old district still has so much of its original charm that many of the scenes from the movie The Pianist were shot here.
A lot of Warsaw’s creative crowd have now moved over to Praga, so it should come as no surprise that lots of street art can be found here. The street art brings life to the old buildings, so if you’re interested in learning more about this alternative district of Warsaw through its art, it’s a good idea to take a guided tour of Praga.
Take a photo with a street band
There are a lot of free things to do in the Praga district, as well as around the rest of Warsaw. You’ll also find hundreds of monuments throughout the city. One of the most iconic monuments is located in the Praga district, and it depicts a backyard orchestra. Each figure is meant to represent the spirit of Warsaw’s musical culture and they’re typical of a backyard band. If you take a guided tour in Praga you’ll no doubt stop at this monument and learn more about its symbolism.
Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene
A must-visit attraction in the Praga district of Warsaw is the Cathedral of St Mary Magdalene. It dates back to the mid-19th century and was built as a result of the growing numbers of Russians settling in Praga. Until 1921 it stood as a Russian orthodox church and it survived mainly intact following the destruction of WWII. Today the cathedral is accessible to the public, so if the doors are open when you visit, don’t forget to take a quick look inside (though they are particular about clothing).
Explore Koneser
One of the most vibrant entertainment complexes in Warsaw is Koneser. It’s located where the former Warsaw Vodka Factory “Koneser” stood. Today the historic buildings have been turned into offices, restaurants, a hotel, and a unique shopping space. As you walk through the complex you’ll no doubt come across live music or theatrical performances taking place in the large open square. Koneser is also the location of the Polish Vodka Museum so it’s worth exploring if you plan to visit the museum.
Where to eat in Praga, Warsaw
Setki Powodow
The Polish Vodka Museum is more than just a museum. It’s also home to a modern restaurant that serves traditional Polish cuisine, among other international dishes. Setki Powodow is one of the best places to eat in the Praga district, and its prices are very reasonable compared to other restaurants in Warsaw with a similar menu. If you choose the Foodie Ticket at the museum, part of your ticket price goes towards paying for your meal at Setki Powodow so it’s a great place to come for lunch.
Where to stay in Warsaw
Moxy Warsaw Praga
Although a lot of people choose to stay close to Warsaw’s old town, staying in the Praga district is a great alternative that has good connections to the rest of the city. We spent two nights at Moxy Warsaw Praga, located in the Koneser complex in the old Praga district. This modern hotel in Warsaw still retains much of the essence of the old vodka factory it’s based in.
The hotel lobby is very vibrant, with a unique blend of modern and industrial furnishings to match the history of the 19th century building. There are plenty of cozy places to relax with a drink from their 24/7 bar, as well as a games area and work spaces. If you’re feeling hungry in the middle of the night, next to the bar is where you can purchase snacks and drinks at any time.
The Moxy Sleeper Room features a very comfortable and spacious queen bed with a large TV and a huge window that lets a lot of daylight in. We checked in late in the evening so we were able to enjoy our view of the colourful lights hanging around Koneser. The bathroom is a good size too, with a walk-in shower and a few toiletries included. All of their rooms are equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. We were welcomed with a lovely gift bag with Moxy accessories which was a nice added touch.
The breakfast at Moxy Warsaw Praga is incredible, so I’d highly recommend making time for it. All of the food is freshly prepared in the morning and the staff are constantly restocking everything. You’ll find all sorts of continental food, cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and delicious pastries and doughnuts. They also have a waffle maker with plenty of toppings to choose from.
If you can’t decide where to stay in Warsaw and you don’t mind being a short tram ride away from the old town, Moxy Warsaw Praga is the perfect option. The hotel is a fantastic mixture of old and new, which is very in keeping with the Praga district and its development.
>> See what rooms are available at Moxy Warsaw Praga <<
Is the Praga district of Warsaw worth visiting?
If this is your first trip to Warsaw you’ll probably want to spend most of your time in the old town and seeing the city’s other main attractions. However, spending even half a day in the Praga district is a great option as it allows you to walk through a unique part of Warsaw’s history. There are a lot of unique things to do in the Praga district to keep you busy. You’ll find it a lot less crowded and more budget friendly than the core parts of the city, making it definitely worth the visit.
A great way to find more information about the different attractions in Warsaw and events that are going on in the city is through Go2Warsaw’s website. They have some fantastic articles and tips that’ll help you plan your trip to the Polish capital.
Are you planning a trip to Warsaw? If you have any questions about what to see in Warsaw or things to do in the Praga district, please feel free to reach out via email or by filling out the contact form on my website. You can also get in touch through Instagram and follow my latest adventures there for more helpful travel tips.
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