Top Tips for Visiting Warsaw during the Pandemic
Do as the locals do and head to Warsaw’s beaches marked on our maps . Photo: Poniatówka beach (J-7) © Warsaw City Authority.
It’s summer 2021 and we, like you, are more than ready to go all out and have some fun in Warsaw. But, ahem, hold on just a second... we don’t want to put a dampener on anyone’s summer plans (far from it, we’re here to give you the best tips on how to enjoy Poland’s capital), but there is the slight issue of the pesky ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (p.16). Here’s the sweetener, however – we’re more than 1.5 years into this shit-storm now, and despite the ups and downs experienced during this time, we’re certain it’s possible to enjoy the best the city has to offer while staying safe. Hear our message, ye people of hope! But before we continue, a period of reflection is needed. This is more or less to point out just how privileged we feel to be able to continue producing content for you despite the difficulties we’re all experiencing. The whole episode has certainly been a strain. We feel it’s best to provide some background (context, if you will) for all our recommendations, to give you peace of mind that we have your best interests at heart. So how has the last year passed by for us, and Poland in general? With the introduction of restrictions in March 2020, we were all taken aback by the scale and pace of the measures; put simply, our world was turned upside down. All industries were affected, but take this guide as a microcosm of these industries – each business or 10
cultural institute we have listed in every section, all of a sudden had the rug pulled from under their feet. Closed. Indefinitely. We all pulled together and a spirit of camaraderie prevailed, with campaigns to provide meals for medical staff, vulnerable members of society and support for the gastro industry all springing up like mushrooms; all this time later, thankfully, many of those gastronomy businesses have managed to survive. There are those that didn’t prevail, of course, and we’re not even mentioning the sickening human scale in terms of deaths. But there is a glimmer of hope now and we’re here to help provide some joy, no matter how humble, to try and make things feel good again. Did you shed a tear reading this? Don’t. Pick up and move on. It’s time to enjoy life again. So what’s up in Warsaw? Plenty. And all can be experienced safely.
