The Palace of Culture and Science Viewing Terrace is right up there with the most visited tourist attractions in Warsaw.
Along with the likes of Łazienki Park, the Royal Castle and Wilanów Palace, heading up to the observation deck of the Palace of Culture and Science is simply an unmissable thing to do when in Poland’s capital.
In this post, I will share some pictures of the Warsaw panorama, some basic information about The Palace of Culture and Science Viewing Terrace, practical information related to buying tickets and impressions of my time up on the viewing terrace.
Information about The Palace of Culture and Science Observation Deck
The extensive sightseeing terrace of The Palace of Culture and Science surrounds the top tower of the building. Located on the 30th floor, the observation deck is 114 metres above ground level. It can be reached in around 19 seconds by taking a lift.
Apart from the observation deck, there are several other attractions on the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science. They are an in-house gallery, a café (Gwiazdy Bliżej Gwiazd) and the Main Hall, otherwise known as the “Gothic Hall” owing to its starry vault which is decorated with four rosettes. This hall is available to the public as a venue for banquets and small conferences.
As of May 2024, The Palace of Culture and Science Viewing Terrace is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It sometimes happens that the viewing terrace is closed on a particular day. With this in mind, be sure to check The Palace of Culture and Science website beforehand to see if it is open.
Ticket prices and purchasing tickets to The Palace of Culture and Science Viewing Terrace
First of all, let me share the ticket prices to the viewing terrace (valid as of May 18, 2024):
You can buy your tickets online here. It’s only possible to buy adult tickets, tickets for concessions, group adult tickets and school group tickets via the official Palace of Culture and Science Viewing Terrace online ticket booking system. Tickets bought online are valid for the next 12 months.
Tickets for owners of “Karta Warszawiaka” (Warsaw Citizen Card) and “Karty Dużej Rodziny” (Large Family Card) can be purchased only at the ticket office.
The ticket office is located opposite the entrance to the Palace of Culture and Science (entrance from Plac Defilad/Marszałkowska Street) in the upper part of the main hall. It’s always open during the opening hours of the observation terrace.
Ticket sales may be suspended in the event of a large number of people waiting to enter the observation deck.
Free admission to The Palace of Culture and Science Viewing Terrace is granted to those with a Warsaw Pass tourist card.
I have read on another blog that the platform is open until 11.30 p.m. in the summertime. Certainly, I will update the opening hours in the previous section if this is true for 2024.
Impressions
I’ve already written about travel nostalgia and nostalgia for days gone by in Poland here on Finding Poland. There was definitely a hint of travel nostalgia running through my veins when I stepped out onto the observation terrace of the Palace of Culture and Science. The first and only time I took in the views from this observation deck was back in 2006. Much time has passed since my first year living in Poland. It’s funny how time slips away.
Obviously, your experience on the observation terrace will depend on the weather. On the plus side, we went up to the viewing terrace on a calm day without rain. Unfortunately, there was a great deal of haze pollution covering Warsaw. Of course, this meant that we weren’t able to enjoy the views as much as we might have done on a clear day. Therefore, it might be better to head up to the viewing terrace when there’s a bit of wind in the city. Still, this haze made for some eye-catching scenes with some of Warsaw’s most distinctive skyscrapers in the foreground:
The viewing areas are fully fenced off. However, this fact doesn’t take away from the views at all. What’s more, you can take in the views without the pressure of a time limit – something we unfortunately experienced on the observation floor of Sky Tower in Wrocław. Unless you’re really into your filming and photography, 20-25 minutes should be enough to take in Warsaw’s panorama from The Palace of Culture and Science Viewing Terrace.
Several other reviews of the Palace of Culture and Science Observation Deck I’ve read on the Internet recommend visiting the viewing terrace in the evening hours. This is due to the glow of streetlights, the white and red lights of vehicle traffic and the lights from skyscrapers all combining to leave a lasting impression on visitors. I’m sure it’d be an unforgettable experience to see Warsaw from above during and after sunset time right through until it’s dark.
FAQ
Is the Palace of Culture and Science the tallest building in Poland?
At a height of 237 metres, The Palace of Culture and Science is the second tallest building in Poland. The tallest is Warsaw’s Varso Tower (310 m).
Where is the entrance to the Palace of Culture and Science for the viewing terrace ticket office?
For the Palace of Culture and Science viewing terrace ticket office, the entrance to the building is from Parade Square (Plac Defilad) between the Studio and Dramatic theatres. The main street on this side of the palace is Marszałkowska Street.
Which metro stops are closest to the Palace of Culture and Science?
The metro stops Świętokrzyska (M1 and M2 lines) and Centrum (M1 line) are both located within a short walking distance of the Palace of Culture and Science.