From the terracotta-topped buildings of Lisbon to the scenic strolling routes down the Seine in Paris, Europe has some outstanding city break destinations on offer – all just hours away.
But hype comes hand in hand with large crowds and busy attractions.
For example, the popular holiday spot of Dubrovnik has 30 times more tourists than residents.
But for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle, the travel experts at Wizz Air have rounded up some of the continent’s quieter city breaks, including Warsaw in Poland.
The Polish capital has been named one of this year’s least crowded European holiday spots.
It’s safe to say that the well-preserved medieval city of Krakow is the more sought-after tourist destination of the two Polish cities – and is far busier as a result.
However, Warsaw – which sits on the River Vistula in east-central Poland – has plenty to offer visitors all year-round, with a notable highlight being the Summer Jazz Days music festival between May and early September.
The city even scooped the winning title in the European Best Destinations contest last year – beating 21 other nominated cities.
Things to do in Warsaw
Spots to pop on an itinerary include the rebuilt Old Town, the Polin Museum (which traces 1,000 years of Jewish history) and the Fryderyk Chopin Museum. A trip to the National Museum is also well-worth a visit for its art and design collection.
The city is also famously good value – an appealing factor during the cost of living crisis – with a selection of cool cafes and bars for creative cocktails, craft beers and vodka shots, as well as a colourful selection of dining spots.
Top things to do in Warsaw:
- Old Town
- Lazienki Palace and Park
- Castle Square
- Cannon Square
- Royal Castle
- Palace of Culture and Science.
Is Warsaw good value for money?
In terms of what it’ll set you back, pints in Warsaw cost around £2.74, while dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant comes in at £39, according to data from Hikers Bay.
It’s a budget-friendly option for Brits when it comes to hotels and flights too. A quick look on Booking.com shows places to stay for less than £40 a night, while Skyscanner whips up return flights from £43.
What do Warsaw visitors have to say?
As well as Warsaw’s calmer atmosphere and beauty, visitors have also been amazed as its historical resilience.
Nicole Gooyle said on TripAdvisor: ‘”Phoenix Nirvana”‘ is the most suitable way to describe the city of Warsaw. Warsaw, which was almost razed to the ground during World War II, has now become a vibrant modern city.’
Top 10 overcrowded tourist attractions in Europe:
- Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
- Buckingham Palace, London
- Siam Park, Tenerife
- Canal Grande, Venice
- Roman Baths, Bath
- Tower of London, London
- Louvre Museum, Paris
- Acropolis, Athens
- The British Museum, London
- Musée d’Orsay, Paris.
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