Masovian (Mazowsze) is the central voivodeship of Poland, built around Warsaw, the capital, whose Old Town was rebuilt after 1944 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond the city lie Chopin's birthplace at Żelazowa Wola, the riverside cathedral city of Płock, the brick castle town of Pułtusk and the forests and dunes of Kampinos National Park.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Copernicus Science Centre
Hands-on exhibitions on physics, robotics, the human body and light, with a planetarium and a rooftop garden at Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Warsaw Zoo
Large zoo in Praga with a hippo house, elephants and a children's petting zone, at ul. Ratuszowa 1/3.
Duration: 3 hours
Łazienki Park squirrels and peacocks
The park at Aleje Ujazdowskie is home to friendly squirrels and peacocks. In summer you can see the Palace on the Isle and attend Sunday Chopin concerts.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Multimedia Fountain Park
Evening shows with water jets, lights and music near the Vistula at Podzamcze 1, May-September.
Duration: 1 hour
Warsaw Uprising Museum
A large immersive museum at Grzybowska 79 with a replica bomber and a sewer-like tunnel; best for older children and teenagers.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Neon Museum
Collection of restored Cold War neon signs at the Soho Factory in Praga, ul. Mińska 25.
Duration: 1 hour
Boat or kayak on the Vistula
Short guided cruises and kayak rentals operate from the Vistula Boulevards in summer.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Mazovian Open-Air Museum in Sierpc
Historic wooden houses, windmills and farm animals at ul. Narutowicza 64 in Sierpc, about 130 km northwest of Warsaw.
Duration: 3 hours
Kampinos National Park walk
Easy forest and dune trails west of Warsaw, with birdwatching and picnic places.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Pierogi cooking class
Family-friendly workshops in Warsaw teach children to make pierogi from scratch and eat the results.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hilton Warsaw Hotel & Convention Centre
Large hotel at ul. Grzybowska 63 with an indoor pool, spacious family rooms and a short walk to the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
Family features: Indoor pool, family rooms, children's menu, central location
Novotel Warszawa Centrum
Reliable family chain hotel at ul. Marszałkowska 94/98 near the Palace of Culture and Science.
Family features: Family rooms, children stay free in parents' room, restaurant with children's menu
Mercure Warszawa Centrum
Hotel at ul. Złota 48/54 next to Warszawa Centralna station and the Złote Tarasy mall.
Family features: Family rooms, breakfast buffet, central transport connections
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Polish restaurants welcome children and offer smaller portions and kids' menus
High chairs (krzesełko dla dziecka) are available in most restaurants; ask when booking
Children's menus usually include pierogi, chicken cutlet with potatoes and plain pasta for 18-30 PLN ($5-8)
Milk bars (bary mleczne) serve inexpensive Polish dishes in simple surroundings that suit fussy eaters
Many Warsaw restaurants have play corners; check reviews for family seating
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Book Copernicus Science Centre and Warsaw Uprising Museum tickets online for school holidays
Warsaw's tram and bus network is low-floor and stroller friendly; children under 4 travel free
Pharmacies (apteka) and 24-hour children's emergency care are available; the Children's Memorial Health Institute is at Aleja Dzieci Polskich 20
Mazovian summers can be hot; bring hats, sun cream and water for park days
Winter days are short and cold; plan museum visits and indoor activities between December and February
Strollers are workable in the Old Town but cobblestones are bumpy - carriers are easier
Pack insect and tick repellent when visiting Kampinos National Park