Poland is often described as the economic engine of eastern Europe and its capital Warsaw is also one of the fastest growing cities in the region. A strong performer since the 1990s, the country’s GDP has tripled in the past three decades and by 2025 had reached roughly $1 trillion. Ireland has strong and ever-growing business ties to Poland, especially Warsaw, and the two-way trade is worth around €6 billion a year according to the latest figures. That means there has never been a better time to explore its capital and see what it has to offer when meetings are complete.
A dynamic destination, Warsaw blends a modern finance district with historic charm and it’s a compact city, allowing you see a great deal in a short time.
Begin in the heart of the city with a private guided walking tour through the Unesco-listed Old Town. Located at the entrance to the Old Town is the Royal Castle, one of Warsaw’s most historic landmarks. It served as the residence of the Polish monarchy and its origins date back to the 13th century. The castle suffered catastrophic damage during WWII and by the end of the war almost nothing but rubble remained. Reconstruction began in 1971 and the castle reopened as a museum in 1984 with many artefacts which had been saved by museum workers before the war began. Valuable artworks on show includes paintings by Rembrandt and Canaletto.
For a more contemporary view of Warsaw, check out its business and design districts. Browary Warszawskie or Warsaw Breweries is a model of urban regeneration combining offices, food and retail. This is a lively area brimming with restaurants, bars, offices and open spaces and it has become one of the best places to meet and relax after work.
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Norblin Factory is another interesting destination, historically the site of many big manufacturers. Like much of Warsaw the area suffered big damage during the war and after a large restoration the complex reopened in 2021. While there, try a private vodka tasting at one of the many exclusive lounges dotted around.
Łazienki Park is possibly Warsaw’s most beautiful green space. Covering 76 hectares, it combines landscaped gardens, lakes and classical monuments. It was designed as the summer residence of Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the last monarch to reign in Poland. The most famous landmark in the park is the Palace on the Isle, a neoclassical building displaying paintings, sculptures and royal artefacts.
Make sure to carve out some time to sit for a while beneath the Frederic Chopin monument listening to recitals of the Polish composer’s work, best during the summer months when this is one of Warsaw’s best loved traditions.
There are many museums to see but one highly recommended is the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews. An important museum in Warsaw and one of Europe’s leading museums about Jewish history, it opened in 2013 to tell the story of over 1,000 years of Jewish life in Poland, making it not just a Holocaust museum but one that delves into the arrival of Jewish people to the country and what followed later.
Another to see is the Zachęta National Gallery of Art, showing contemporary Polish art as well as works by international artists.
Try not to miss Wilanów Palace, often called the Polish Versailles, located about 10km outside of Warsaw and very much worth the taxi ride. The residence of King Jan III Sobieski, it is one building that remarkably survived WWII almost entirely intact and many of the rooms feature original furniture, artwork and tapestries.
Having experienced everything cultural that is on offer, time to shop. Take a stroll along Mokotowska Street, widely considered one of Warsaw’s most stylish shopping areas brimming with independent concept stores, fashion, jewellery and lifestyle spaces.
In the evenings, begin with sunset cocktails overlooking the skyline at Panorama Sky Bar followed by a reservation at one of Warsaw’s most ambitious kitchens, Bez Gwiazdek. Here you should try the delicious seasonal tasting menus.
Other Polish cuisine worth sampling includes the plates served at Epoka, delivering local dishes that have been reinterpreted with fine-dining precision. Nolita is very much worth a visit, and you can expect a contemporary European tasting menu served with excellent wine pairings. Both places are great for business meetings.
Stay at Raffles Europejski, built in 1857 by Enrico Marconi, it has been lovingly restored to reflect the needs of today’s traveller and is centrally located for all your business and sightseeing needs.
Check out Ryanair and Aer Lingus for direct flights to Warsaw.
