The train from Kraków to Warsaw

On another lovely summer morning, we made our way to Kraków’s main railway station to catch the Pendolino express train to Warsaw. We decided to treat ourselves and had booked first-class seats for the journey.

The two-and-a-half-hour trip was extremely comfortable, with plenty of room to relax as we travelled through some beautiful Polish countryside. We were also treated to some very nice complimentary snacks and drinks served directly at our seats — a rather pleasant way to travel!

We arrived in Warsaw in the afternoon and, as we stepped out of the station, one of the first things to catch our attention was the enormous Palace of Culture and Science. This striking landmark, built during the Stalinist era as a “gift” to the city, dominates the Warsaw skyline and stands right in the heart of the capital.

From the station, we jumped into a taxi and made our way to our lovely apartment, which overlooks the peaceful Krasiński Garden. After unpacking, we decided to stretch our legs with a short stroll through the gardens.

Our first stop was Tablica upamiętniająca, a striking memorial commemorating the Polish fighters who took part in the Warsaw Uprising during World War II. It was a poignant reminder of the city's turbulent past and the enormous sacrifices made during the war.

From there, we continued towards Warsaw’s beautiful Old Town, eventually arriving at Rynek Starego Miasta, the Old Town Market Square. The square is surrounded by colourful historic buildings and is home to several interesting statues, including the famous Warsaw Mermaid, as well as some of the old-fashioned water pumps dotted around the area.

We continued our walk through the old streets, passing the impressive Archcathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, with its striking façade, before arriving at Sigismund’s Column, one of Warsaw’s best-known landmarks.

By now, we were ready for something to eat, so we stopped at the Polish restaurant Zapiecek for some drinks and dinner. We enjoyed a selection of traditional Polish dumplings, along with a hearty plate of goulash — the perfect way to round off our first afternoon and evening exploring Warsaw.