The most beautiful natural sites to discover Warsaw

Built at the end of the 19th century, this park has a lake, the sculpture of gladiator P. Weloński and the monument of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, a pianist and nationalist composer who contributed to the construction of the Polish independent State of inter-war period.

The park presents itself as an Italian baroque garden on two levels, situated between the palace and the lake. Following the French-style gardens in the south, a romantic English-style park includes beautiful buildings, sarcophagi, columns and obelisks. It was created in the th century. In these parks you will find charming details of kitsch architecture, such as the waterfall over the Roman Bridge in the English garden, the solar dial, work of the great Polish astronomer Jan Heweliusz, inventor of the telescope, and the sculptures "love" in the French park. The latter symbolize the four stages of love: firstly, fear during the meeting; then the first kiss; secondly, indifference (represented by the two figures who do not look); finally, the first dispute.

This park is definitely worth a visit, especially when the weather's nice. It was sculptor Paweł Althamer, a native of the Praga district, who persuaded the local authorities to turn Bródno Park into an open-air museum, exhibiting sculptures by both Polish and foreign artists. Perhaps the most surprising piece is Althamer's reconstruction of part of the park based on children's ideas of the Garden of Eden.

Situated at the foot of the Old Town, on the banks of the Vistula, this park is one of Warsaw's favorite summer spots. The key to its success? It's simple: on one side, two fountains and a paddling pool for children guarantee a cool haven even in the height of summer, while on the other side, 300 coloured spotlights create light shows, always accompanied by classical or pop music.

In summer, a beach a few hundred meters long is set up just a stone's throw from Praski Park, on the banks of the Vistula: sand, deckchairs, volleyball and badminton courts, and parties in the evening. The view of the old town is splendid. A popular beach restaurant is also located here. Just below Stadion Narodowy is Temat Rzeka beach. It's extremely popular, with a wealth of small bars and cultural events. In summer, a ferry links the beach to the other side of the Vistula.