Warsaw is one of Eastern Europe’s great capitals of culture.
For a long time, Warsaw was relegated to second-city status when it came to tourism in Poland. Branded as too Soviet, too sprawling, or too scruffy, travelers often bypassed the Polish capital for quaint, old-timey Krakow—no longer. Now, its streets are lined with chic cafés, cocktail bars, galleries, and boutiques. Yet despite the recent renaissance, Varsovians haven’t lost sight of their city’s war-torn past, chronicled in a number of sobering museums. Whether you’re a history buff or a hipster, there’s a reason to visit Warsaw: from underground clubs to drool-worthy street food to cozy coffee houses, here are our top reasons to visit now.