This Affordable European City Is A 'Diamond In The Rough,' According To Rick Steves

Vacationers in Europe often look to the usual suspects first when planning a trip. Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Prague ... they're all wonderful, but they're often very crowded. It can be refreshing and fascinating to visit a new city that you don't know like the back of your hand from film, TV, books, and your friends' Instagram posts. One incredible and resilient city you should look into, according to travel pro Rick Steves, is Warsaw, Poland. On his website, Steves says of the place, "With evocative sights, an epic history, and low prices, Warsaw is a diamond in the rough." 

Warsaw has seen its share of troubles over the centuries, with much of the city destroyed during the Nazi occupation of WWII, with the Soviet Union taking over right after. However, the rebuilding of Warsaw has given this place a whole new lease on life. Steves explains, "After the war the Poles almost gave up on re-creating old Warsaw, but ultimately they decided to rebuild, constructing a city of contrasts, with painstakingly restored medieval lanes, pedestrian-friendly parks, and sleek skyscrapers."

The Warsaw Chopin Airport is only 5 miles from the city, and you can get there by train, bus, taxi, or a hired airport transfer. And while Warsaw might be a diamond in the rough, you won't have to pay diamond-high prices; you can see the city on a budget. Unless you're leaving the city, you probably won't need to spend money on a rental car, as public transportation here is modern and efficient. You can get around on the metro, buses, trains, and trams. In fact, you can use the same ticket to switch between all of them besides a few train stations. Make sure to validate your ticket on the vehicle when you start your ride (or the barrier at metro stations). 

This rebuilt and repaired Warsaw is a testament to the human spirit. Rick Steves calls it a safe city, with "stylishly dressed locals, sophisticated shopping boulevards, and thoughtful museums covering World War II, Jewish history, hometown composer Frédéric Chopin, and Polish art." Both the 13th-century Old Town and 15th-century New Town have been reconstructed, giving you the rare opportunity to feel both the age and freshness of Warsaw simultaneously. One spot the travel guru says to visit is Łazienki Park, full of Neoclassical buildings and roaming peacocks. Inside, you'll see the beautiful Chopin monument. (His heart is buried in Warsaw's Holy Cross Church, while the rest of his body lies in Paris.) There are also free Chopin piano concerts in the park on Sundays from mid-May to September. In fact, many Warsaw museums and attractions have one free day a week. For instance, Mondays are free at the Palace of the Commonwealth and the Jewish Historical Institute, the National Museum is free on Tuesdays, the Royal Castle and Chopin Museum on Wednesdays, the POLIN Museum on Thursdays, and the Royal Łazienki Museum on Fridays.

Don't miss the National Museum, one of the oldest art museums in Poland. Much of its collection was damaged during WWII and had to be restored and rebuilt. Outside of Tuesdays, it's only $12 for adults at the time of this writing. Pay a visit to the 1677 Wilanów Palace, which largely survived the war. You can see the gardens and the palace itself for a glimpse into the past. It's $14 to get into the palace, with a small additional fee for the park. 

When in Warsaw, Rick Steves says to enjoy "the national drink, vodka" here, saying that it's often paired with Polish staples like herring, cold cuts, and pickles, and that locals tend to drink it in a single gulp rather than sipping it. The city as a whole, according to Steves, is a prime destination for adventurous foodies. One top-rated dining spot in Warsaw is the Restauracja Future & Wine. It has elevated rustic decor and dishes like beef tenderloin tartare, black tagliatelle with seafood, cauliflower steak with mashed potatoes, and a Basque cheesecake with forest fruits and a lime gel. For some fun shopping, visit the Elektrownia Powiśle, a century-old power plant that now houses stores from Poland and all over the world, as well as restaurants and a food hall. It also has a boutique hotel and a beauty hall with beauty and wellness treatments. 

To take in Warsaw from above, you can get a fantastic overview from the 360-degree Highline Warsaw's Observation Deck for around $14. However, there' also the Warsaw University's Library rooftop garden where you can see the beautiful Vistula River. This one, however, is completely free. Make sure you take some time to chat with the residents, whether you try out a bit of Polish or use a translation app for help. Steves says that the people here are wonderful, calling them "as warm and charming as small-town folk," and he says they tend to be happy to see Americans. Finally, a train ride or a three-hour drive away from Warsaw is one of Steves' picks for a great destination in Poland, the city of Kraków. From its beautiful cobblestone streets, cathedrals, and palaces, to Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, made famous by the heartbreaking film "Schindler's List," it's worth the trip. Finally, make sure to check out Steves' tip to see if you should get a rail pass for your trip to Poland.