Warsaw is the most popular destination for Erasmus students in Poland. This city showcases Poland and impresses everyone with its unique atmosphere. It offers a wide range of opportunities from lazy sunny afternoons spent in the park to endless places to party in the bustling city center. Warsaw is a place where you will experience the hustle and bustle of the city. Each district can offer you something completely different and each one is special in its own way.
If you are coming to Warsaw for Erasmus, choosing the right district is crucial. Firstly, it's important to consider the distance from your university. Secondly, your neighborhood should also be in line with your character and whatever you are looking for in a city. Whether you're a calm person who prefers quiet and space to relax or an extreme extrovert who needs new experiences every minute so don't get bored, in Warsaw you will find something ideal for you! Below Im presenting the description of the 5 most popular districts in Warsaw, so that you can make a wise decision about which is the best for you.
The center of Warsaw - the district that never sleeps. Here you will never be bored. At every turn, you will find attractions and a rich nightlife. Life goes much faster here than in the rest of the city. Downtown living is for the brave and for those who don't mind the rush of the city center. You won't experience peace here, and the whirl of fast-paced life will absorb you.
Living in the center has a lot of advantages; one of them is living close to two subway lines, so you can move to any corner of Warsaw in less than 15 minutes. In the city center, you have direct access - the Vistula River. The famous "The Stairs" - (Schodki) on the Vistula is the most visited place by students during the summer.
Centrally located “Nowy Świat” Street is the center of nightlife. It is along this street that most people party at night, walking towards the popular meeting place “New Once”. This area is always crowded and more students spend their time here.
The most visited place here is the Old Town - where you will find the most tourists and also visit the very historical center of Warsaw. Here you will find The Royal Castle, which you can admire from up close. The Old Town is very adapted to tourists also beware of prices in this area! Here is definitely not the best place to go for a student dinner ;)
Mokotow is the largest district of Warsaw located close to the center. It is divided into several sub-districts and the most popular of them is - Old Moktów. Here you will find the largest and most famous student park - Pole Mokotowskie. It is located in a central location between 3 large universities: Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) and Medical University of Warsaw.
That's why this is the place where you will find the most students during the summer, regardless of the day and time.
Pole Mokotowskie is a place where you can relax more than anywhere in Warsaw. Here you can skate or bike, have a barbecue, play volleyball, and meet great people! In the park, there are 3 places where you can eat or have a drink. This is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon or a whole weekend!
In Mokotow you will find many interesting restaurants and places for an evening out. "Cafe Mozaika" - is an ideal option for a romantic dinner. On the opposite side, you will find “Kubokawiarnia Regeneracja” - a perfect pub to meet with friends. Both of these places lie next to a set of three smaller parks with two lakes inside. The owners often go out here with their dogs to get some fresh air. If you want to have a nice time you have to visit these spots!
On the southern border of Mokotow, there is a horse racing track Sluzewiec - this is where horse races and festivals are organized throughout the vacations. This is a great attraction for a Saturday night out! The track is open until November 12, so don't delay! If you want you can also bet on the race here, and maybe you can win something ;)
Mokotow is the place where most students live, therefore, on every corner you can feel the friendly atmosphere. This district is well-prepared when it comes to good and interesting spots. If you want the best Vegan Remen in the city you will get it right here! Vegan Ramen Shop Mokotów is a place where the queues never end (it will also taste good to those who like meat).Time for something more fancy? Make a trip to PAPU Restaurant. You have no idea what to eat, but you know you're hungry - Fort Mokotow is an ideal option - in one place you will find many options to eat something.
Wola is the financial center of Warsaw. It is here that you will find lines of more than 27 skyscrapers. Kasprzaka Street is a collection of Warsaw's largest skyscrapers and a complex of office buildings. I recommend going there in the evening to admire the unique glowing view. Loved by young people and the most common meeting place in the area is - Bar a Boo. I bet with such a view you haven't had a cocktail yet! You absolutely must go there, believe me, you won't regret it! After enjoying your cocktail, take a stroll around the nearby parks to unwind and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
Even though the center of Wola is a place where you will find people rushing to work and frequent traffic jams, a little further you will also find a place to relax. Just 10 minutes by tram from the center you'll be greeted by Szymanski Park and Moczydło Park. Szymanski Park combines a lot of features - on the one hand, you'll find here joggers on their daily workout, and on the other hand owners on a walk with their dogs and people relaxing while reading a book. You can feel free to come here with a blanket and lay out under the apple tree and sink into reading, or join the runners for a group training session!
A stop farther away neighboring Moczydło Park is a little more peaceful. You will find a dream spot to admire the sunsets which is the hill in Moczydło Park. As for interesting places, you will find most restaurants and cafes close to the residential estate at Kasprzaka 29 and Jana Kazimierza Street. In the evening I also recommend a trip to Powstańców Warszawskich Park, where beautiful illuminated pillars will add charm to your evening walk.
The most atmospheric and artistic district of Warsaw. Not without reason one of the nicest housing estates here is called “Artistic Zoliborz”. In Zaborze life flows a little slower than in other districts. It's cozy and quiet here, you can experience a breath of fresh air from the rest of the districts centrally located in the city center. If you are a person who appreciates relaxation and quiet, this place is for you!
Here you will find not only great parks but also many bike trails and the most climatic places. A good place to go here is Prochownia - a spot in the park where you can relax on a deck chair or listen to a free jazz concert. Powchownia Żoliborz is where you'll get light meals, cakes and coffee served in a cozy cafe with a terrace in Stefan Żeromski Park. It's an ideal idea to have a nice time with friends and take a break from the busy city.
Citadel - the place where the newly opened Museum of Polish History is located offers a fascinating journey through Poland's rich and complex history, with exhibits representing key moments such as the partitions, the struggle for independence, and the Solidarity movement. You absolutely must visit this place if you want to learn a little more about Poland.
Of course, there is no lack of interesting restaurants where you can eat well in Zoliborz! Most spots that may interest you can be found in the area of Wilson Square and at Redygier Street. There is one place near Redygiera Street that you must definitely visit - Kura Warzyw. This place will offer you a delicious new kind of kebab with grilled vegetables, something you have never tasted before. If you're in the mood for something more dinner-like, I recommend you take a look at these 3 restaurants:
Bon Appetit!
This is the best district where it is worth living if you plan to study at the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities - it is often the option of choice for Erasmus students who come to Warsaw. A short distance from the university is the largest park in Praga Południe - Skaryszewski Park. Here you will find one large lake and two ponds. This is a good place to relax after university and enjoy the greenery. If you get a little more energy, you should go to Ząbkowska Street. It is here that you will find good restaurants and places to meet with friends. The most recommended spots to eat are Gruzianka, Bella Napoli and MECH Restaurant.
Warsaw, of course, does not have access to the sea, but does that mean that you will not find a beach here either? Nothing could be further from the truth! The western border of Praga Południe is marked by the Vistula River. It is here that you will find the most popular beach in Warsaw, which during the summer is full of students - Poniatowka. It's sunny and you feel like getting a sunbath? You already know where to go!
Not far from Poniatowka is the National Stadium. This is the main place where the biggest spot events and concerts in the whole country take place. Such stars as Paul McCartney of The Beatles, Roger Waters of the band Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Rihanna, The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, Guns N' Roses, Bon Jovi, Andrea Bocelli, Rammstein, Sting, Metallica, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Imagine Dragons or Red Hot Chili Peppers. If you like such big events you should definitely check out the upcoming events scheduled at the National Stadium. Maybe you'll still catch up on cheap tickets! During the day a super option is to go roller skating around the stadium - you definitely should do it!
If you’ve already chosen your ideal neighborhood from our guide on top Warsaw districts to live for Erasmus students, it’s time to move on to the next step – finding accommodation! Check out the article on 6 tips for finding affordable student housing in Poland for practical advice to help you secure the perfect place to stay during your time abroad.
