No building divides opinion in Warsaw like the Palace of Culture and Science. Completed in 1955 as a "gift" from the Soviet Union, it stands 237 metres tall in the very centre of the city, a wedding-cake tower of Socialist Realist pinnacles and sculptures that for decades was the tallest building in Poland. Many Varsovians once wanted it demolished; today it is a city icon, packed with theatres, cinemas, museums, a congress hall and offices. For visitors, the main draw is the viewing terrace on the 30th floor, 114 metres up, reached by lift. From the open-air terrace you look across the whole city: the glass towers of the new business district crowding around the palace, the Old Town and the Vistula to the north, and the green belt of the Royal Route to the south. A visit takes about forty-five minutes, and tickets are inexpensive. The terrace is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00, closing only on a couple of days at Easter.
Planning your visit: the entrance to the viewing terrace is from Marszałkowska Street, and the ticket office is in the Main Hall. Tickets can be bought on site or online from the palace's own booking site, which helps on busy weekend afternoons. The terrace is outdoors and can be windy and cold in November, so bring a warm layer, and it is accessible by lift for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
How to visit well: come late in the afternoon, when you can see the city in daylight and then watch the lights come on across the skyline as dusk falls early in the winter months. Take a walk around the base of the building too, where the grand entrance steps, the sculptures and the Socialist Realist details are best appreciated. If you want an even higher view, Highline Warsaw at the top of Varso Tower is a few minutes' walk away; many visitors like the Palace terrace precisely because it lets you see the new towers rather than standing on top of one.
Who it suits: first-timers who want to understand the layout of the city, photographers and families. It is quick, cheap and central, right next to Warszawa Centralna and Śródmieście stations, so it fits easily on an arrival day or between other sights.
What to expect
The experience
A lift ride to an open-air viewing terrace on the 30th floor of a 1955 skyscraper, with a 360-degree view of the city.
Best time
Late afternoon, so you can see the city in daylight and stay for the lights at dusk.
How long
About forty-five minutes, plus time to look at the building from outside.
Tips
Enter from Marszałkowska Street, buy online on busy weekends, and bring a warm layer for the windy terrace.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers who want a quick, cheap overview of the whole city.
- Families
- The lift ride and the view are a hit with children, and the visit is short enough to hold their attention.
- Couples
- Time it for dusk and watch the skyline light up.
- Pair with
- Highline Warsaw at Varso Tower nearby, or a walk down Nowy Świat to the Old Town.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
How high is the Palace of Culture viewing terrace?+
The terrace is on the 30th floor, 114 metres above the ground. The building itself is 237 metres tall including its spire.
When is the viewing terrace open?+
It is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00. It closes on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, and hours can change during special events.
How much does the viewing terrace cost?+
Tickets are inexpensive, with standard and reduced prices. You can buy them at the ticket office in the Main Hall or online.
Is the Palace of Culture or Highline Warsaw better?+
Highline is much higher and more modern; the Palace terrace is cheaper, open-air and lets you see the new towers. Many visitors happily do both.
Is the viewing terrace accessible?+
Yes, lifts take you to the 30th floor and the terrace is listed as accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
