The light snowfall, the eruption of twinkly lights, the smell of bigos and mulled wine wafting through the streets can only mean one thing: Christmastime is nearly here. And there are few places more beautiful, few places that embrace the season more, than the cultural hub, Centrum Praskie Koneser. 

This season – and every Christmas season – walk into the stunning brick complex, right in the heart of Praga (Warsaw’s cultural capital) to find a verifiable winter wonderland.  A former vodka factory that has since been revitalized and transformed into a cultural hub of restaurants, bars, shops, art galleries and more, Centrum Praskie Koneser knows how to do Christmas the right way. 



Lights are strewn through the space, giving off a warm, twinkly glow; picturesque snowflake-shaped lanterns designed by acclaimed Polish artist Jarosław Koziara are strung in the area. Snow-lined paths are accented by seasonal pine garlands, pine trees and wreaths, and a large skating rink right in the center of it all makes Centrum Praskie Koneser the ultimate place to be this season. 
It doesn’t only stop at the décor, either. The whole complex is filled with cozy spots to warm up, restaurants to grab comforting soups and delicious glasses of red wine; art galleries to bring some color amid the snowy backdrop outside; shops to buy presents for everyone you know; and even plenty of activities for children – it’s one of the most family-friendly places in the entire city. 
So without further ado, let’s dive into all of the ways you can make Centrum Praskie Koneser—Warsaw’s “city within a city”—the ultimate Christmas visit. 

Magical Winter Events 

One of the biggest draws of Centrum Praskie Koneser this season is the large, atmospheric Praska Ślizgawka Konesera ice rink. Located right in the heart of the space, this yearly ice rink is one of the best in the entire city. Rent some skates and glide around the ice, under gorgeous, colorful lanterns, surrounded by all kinds of Christmas décor—it’s like immersing yourself entirely in the Christmas/wintertime spirit. The rink, which opens in early December is partnering this year with Kleks. Magia Kina (Kleks. Magic of Cinema) and you can get free admittance to the rink with a proof of at least 40 zł worth of purchases at Koneser that day. 



The rink is really a “must stop” but there are plenty of other excellent winter attractions too. We recommend starting with a leisurely stroll through Koneser to look at the decorations. The snowflake lanterns are perfect for photo-ops, as are the lovely pine decorations found around the space. But one of the best, most wintery aspects of Koneser are the buildings themselves! Constructed in the late 19th century to hold a vodka factory, Koneser has stunning architectural elements, like neo-Gothic buildings, dark red bricks, a smoke stack, and narrow windows. When it was revitalized in the 21st century, new stunning touches were added like large panes of glass, sleek modern structures, and more. When dusted with snow and accented by twinkly string lights, these architectural elements make Centrum Praskie Koneser one of the most beautiful places in the entire city, and the perfect backdrop for Christmas or winter photos. Families, young couples on dates, and single wanderers will all want to take a stroll and grab a photo in the winter wonderland. 



Once you’ve had enough of the outdoors, it’s time to head in and warm up! And that’s where Koneser’s cultural offerings really come in handy. You’ll find a number of renowned art galleries and museums, including the Museum of Fantastic Art, with paintings by the renowned Polish artist, Zdzisław Beksiński and Jerzy Duda-Gracz (it also frequently features art from Polish artists that has not yet been publicly displayed!).

You’ll also find the renowned gallery and must-see Warsaw attraction, ToTuart, which displays beautiful sculptures and paintings and also has an auction house. 
Leonarda Art Gallery, an urban art gallery is here as well, as is Art Sułek Space, which has sculptures and paintings in a gallery run by Polish artist Marek Sułek.

Don’t forget to stop by Kleks. Magic of Cinema, which was inspired by the world of the well-known Polish children’s novel (and film) “Academy of Mr. Kleks.” Wander through the interactive space to learn about the process of filmmaking, from directing to costume design. The space is perfect for children ages 5 and up, as well as adults!

Of course, no trip to Centrum Praskie Koneser is complete without a visit to the Polish Vodka Museum, a multimedia experience that starts with the beginnings of vodka production in Poland and details the history of the beloved booze up through the modern day. Seeing the history of Polish vodka while standing in the center of that history—in the midst of a former vodka factory dating back to the 19th century—is truly an unmissable experience.

Warm Up with Mouthwatering Food

Once you’ve taken in the art and culture, and you want to warm up your belly, it’s time to check out the restaurant, café and bar offerings at Koneser – and luckily, there’s no shortage of delicious options. 
We recommend starting with Koneser Grill, a high-end steak restaurant, and the only establishment in this part of the city to secure a spot on the coveted Michelin Guide. Specifically, it was awarded the Bib Gourmand title for good quality and good value food. Here you can get the ultimate kinds of warming winterfood, like a T-bone steak drenched in a silky bordelaise sauce, or veal with a burgundy sauce and carrots. 



New spot Figa z Makiem Cheese Box Bar is a delightful wine and snack bar that will offer that kind of chic winter experience we all want: sipping a glass of delicious dry red wine, enjoying a sharp blue cheese, and gazing out at the snowflakes falling beyond the window. Or, what’s better against the cold weather, than warming soup and dumplings?AZIA Restaurants has a major selection of soup optins, including deletable and flavor-packed ramen, tom yum, miso and more. The heat, the layer and layers of flavor, and the warmth, leaves you feeling cozy from the inside, out. 
If you’re looking for variety, try Bombaj Masala, which offers seriously mouth-watering Indian food with spices that will absolutely erase any feeling of col, or Concept Food & Wine, which has comfort food with a modern twist (and some gorgeous plating). ORZO offers healthy, modern food in a chic space and lets you fill up on some cheezy, authentic pizza. Meanwhile Freya Café & Deli has some of the tastiest coffee and best vegetarian food you’ll find in Warsaw, along with delicious homemade soups. Maybe you’re more in the mood to fill up on meat and cheese amid the chill outside -- Setki Powodów offers international cuisine in a comfy street-food style with amazing burgers, pastrami sandwiches and seafood!

If you are in the mood for a delectable cocktail, there are plenty of bars, too. Swing by the 3⁄4 Koneser Bar, located in the Polish Vodka Museum, to get a cozy cocktail in a gorgeous, elegant, low-lit space. Snuggle into a seat, sip one of their own signature drinks, and enjoy good conversations with friends.

And so much more…

Centrum Praskie Koneser offers more than just a one-day visit. The reputed and chic Moxy Warsaw Praga Hotel is high on our list of recommended hotels across the entire city. It offers a spot to kick back, relax and get ready for more shopping and exploring! A clean, artistic space, the décor of Moxy (and in general, the entire interior) hearkens back to Praga’s industrial-chic roots and its history, with little neon accents, brick walls and rooms that offer plenty of light and contemporary amenities. Don’t forget to check out their bar, which has some delicious cocktails and just the right atmosphere for a relaxing drink after a long day.



After you’re ready to head back out, make sure to see Koneser’s health and beauty options, like Ambassade Biologique Recherche and Eyebar, both of which offer body, face and hair treatments (get glam for a night out on Koneser!)
Plus, there’s a wealth of kid-friendly and kid-focused activities here, starting with miniciti. This is (as the name suggests) a city just for kids from 7 to 15 years old - where they can perform different jobs (firefighter, police officer, surgeon) and earn money!
Vinyasa yoga classes are also held here, along with a wine painting class – there’s so much to discover!
Check Koneser’s robust event schedule on their website, https://koneser.eu/, for much, much more.

With Centrum Praskie Koneser, you can explore the ultimate winter wonderland, with events, cozy attractions, delicious and warm bites, and so much more.