When the weather’s warm in Warsaw, the entire city gravitates towards the water. That means the Vistula River - the long banks of which comprise the city’s unofficial ‘19th district’ and provide a bounty of places to relax and explore, including sandy beaches, green forests, sports clubs, cycling paths, and dozens of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
First, a few guidelines
Alcohol: When it comes to drinking in public, the river is your friend. Basically you can consume your own alcohol anywhere along the river without fear of a fine, just please clean up after yourself.
Swimming: Although the temptation is ever present, we don’t recommend getting in the water. It is neither safe, nor sanitary. If you want to actually get wet, see our suggestions here.
Fires & Grills: Most beaches in Warsaw have designated grill areas, so if you want to build a fire, go for it, just keep it contained to the designated places, please.
The Left (West) Bank
The Vistula Boulevards
The main gateway to the river for most Varsovians is the M2 Metro stop ‘Centrum Nauki Kopernik,’ which deposits you right on the water. When people (this guide included) refer to ‘Bulwary Wiślane’ (EN: the Vistula Boulevards) - it’s typically this stretch of the left bank on either side of the Świętokrzyski Bridge between the Śląsko-Dąbrowksi Bridge (to the north) and Poniatowski Bridge (to the south) that they’re referring to. Certainly the busiest and most developed section of the river, there are many attractions that make this area essential for taking a stroll, not least of which are all the other people about.
