It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year in wintry Warsaw. If climate change doesn’t get its way then the first snowflakes are imminent and City Hall has once again outdone itself, decorating the streets with 1300 decorative elements, using 4.5 million LED bulbs – stretched out in a line, the wiring would reach 680km! The holiday season brings with it a flurry of events, concerts, celebrations and religious celebrations. Poles take Christmas extremely seriously and the main event actually takes place on Christmas Eve when families gather around the table to a 12-course meatless feast featuring all sorts of delicious dishes. Read more about Polish Christmas traditions and where to experience Christmas in Warsaw on page 8. New Year’s Eve is another story altogether and it just happens to share its name with a famous cartoon cat (Sylwester!). Warsaw will be bursting at the seams with private parties, gaudy galas and packed public spectacles of the firework and popstar variety. Be sure to check out our ‘Whats On’ section, p.20, for details. As always, let us know how you got on in Warsaw on our Facebook page and/or show us what you’ve seen during your time in the city by using the hashtag #warsawinyourpocket through social media, or if you prefer, just use good old-fashioned email: poland@inyourpocket.com.
Cover story
The great thing about Poland is that all the seasons match their stereotypical characteristics. Summer is sunny, winter is cold and crisp – Great! An early evening stroll down Warsaw’s Royal Route (p.38) and the Old Town (p.34) is a must during Christmas. Photo: Ewelina Lach.
Main Feature: Christmas in Warsaw ➞
New Reviews
Croccante
Known for its cronuts, a mix between the taste of a croissant and the look of a donut, this is a place to indulge yourself. Located on the corner of Plac Trzech Krzyży, part of the Royal Route. Read more ➞
Aurelio – Culinary & Art
Offering a menu dedicated to locally sourced produce, it features Spanish Paella along with the likes of grilled ribs, each bite being as delightful as the last. Cocktails inspired by pre-war Varsovian style. Read more ➞
Na Lato Day & Night
Awesome breakfast, international dishes during the day (heavily leaning towards southern European cuisine) and on the weekend the venue becomes a dancefloor. Read more ➞
L’avanti Restaurant & Cocktail bar
A nice day-time restaurant and a great evening venue where you get a private barman serving you drinks and making cocktails. Read more ➞
Cigarro – Cigar Shop & Lounge
The newest cigar shop and lounge in Warsaw, and quite the location too, inside a historic city-centre tenement building, a hop, skip and a jump away from the Marriot Hotel‘s main door. Read more ➞
Karova Music Club
Dance music pumps through some impressive tech and blends perfectly with the more relaxing vibes of cosier, chillout areas of the club. Read more ➞
Hotel Warszawa
Functioning as a hotel until 2002, its building was eventually closed for the poor state it was in. Fast-forward to 2018 and Hotel Warszawa has been reborn. Read more ➞
Moxy Warsaw Praga
As if Warsaw’s Praga district wasn’t vibrant enough, it’s even livelier now with the addition of the city’s first Moxy Hotel. Found in the stylish Praga Koneser Center, this is certainly a hotel for the young and free-spirited. Read more ➞
