Palace of Culture and Science

Palace of Culture and Science

Palace of Culture and Science
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsObservation Decks & Towers
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Considered Poland's highest building, this monumental skyscraper (circa 1955) contains 42 floors at a height of 230.68 meters (756.82 feet), topped with a needle height of 43 meters (141.08 feet).
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  • Daniel P
    28 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best building in town!
    Beautiful building! It’s the heart of the city! Cinemas, theaters, galleries, there’s a lot inside, the place is huge! On weekends you can find a lot of people playing music, taking pictures and enjoying life.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 12, 2023
  • Steve_Grant1
    Oldham, United Kingdom1,772 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Historic Building
    This is a historic building near the railway station. It is well worth visiting. I would recommend once during the day and once at night to see the building lit up. We did not have the time to go to the observation deck so cant comment on that.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 15, 2023
  • Cristinel
    Romania1,378 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ok if you …
    The only reason to visit is to have an eye bird view to Warsaw from the 30 floor. You decide if it is worth or not. Architectural speaking is not very much to say. Congratulations to Polish authorities for their ability to enhance the potential and sell a Soviet architectural building.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 5, 2023
  • rtdood
    Manchester, United Kingdom818 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good views, and quite cheap. Worth visiting.
    I can only comment on the viewing platform as this is what I visited, although there is no doubting the grandiose architecture of the building, which houses not only offices, but a theatre, cinema, restaurants and cafes. Having walked round it as well as under it via the main passageway it certainly takes a while to do the former! Just make sure you come out at the right side if you dont know where to cross through. Head up the steps to the main entrance which you cannot miss in the centre. There is a small admission kiosk on the inside where you pay to get your ticket for admission. Directly ahead of this is 4 lifts, 2 of which (i think) take to you to the viewing platform. This is quite quick considering the sheer number of floors it has to pass but it all done in a matter of seconds! The doors open up to the central hallway with openings on each side to walk out onto the concentrate viewing deck (which are very wide) to get the views across the city. It is possible to walk all around the viewing deck. Visiting in the evening it was cold and a little windy, so bring a jacket if visiting in the cooler months. Much of the views are semi-obstructed by safety netting/small square metal sheets but it is still possible to peer through between to get a decent view with your phone, and still not have it risk falling over the side. There are also coin operated binoculars which can be used too. Be sure to look for the viewing desks which provide information of key sites and buildings which can be seen from each direction (although I think one side was missing this). The viewing deck did have some small graffiti and torn off stickers evident on the walls which made it look quite tired and worn. This is also the same feeling for the café and small souvenir shop, as neither looked like they were a permanent addition, rather an afterthought to the space. Then again, with the tall ceiling and vast thick walls it would be difficult to fill this space anyhow. It just felt a little worn. Overall the views were good from the top and worth seeing if you are visiting Warsaw for a few days. The price is also very reasonable too!
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written December 21, 2023
  • Ewa S
    Baltinglass, Ireland1,148 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting tour
    My only criticism is that the kiosk with tickets is gone, and you need to search their website to find some 3rd party tour organisers to buy tickets to have a tour. The tour was short but interesting, mostly for those who are interested in the post-war communism era. Unfortunately, due to the weather, there was no view from the terrace, except for snow blizzard :)
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 20, 2024
  • Tracy M
    Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom197 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good value views and some interesting facts
    This is a really interesting building, housing lots of different things (including theatres and cinema). You can only access the viewing platform from one entrance (which took a little finding and walking around the building). It is close to the bus station and 2 shopping centres. We were able to buy tickets from the booth and I think it was around £5 each. It was not too busy so we waited only a couple of minutes for the lift to the 30th floor. As there are not too many tall buildings in Warsaw this platform does give you good views around the city and beyond. It also has lots of interesting facts on the walls (history of the city and important inhabitants), telescopes for better views and guidance on the platform edges for what you are looking at. For the price, this is an interesting and worthwhile short visit.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written January 22, 2024
  • wests149
    London, United Kingdom14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great views
    Very imposing building. A gift from Starlin to the people of Warsaw. Pay a small amount and take the fast lift to the viewing point. You can walk around taking in the fantastic views of the city from every direction. Also there is a gift shop and cafe.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 27, 2024
  • Almeria2000
    Almeria, Spain508 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Polands Tallest Building.
    Poland´s tallest building - an incredible building, in a complex which also houses a congress hall, theatre, cinema. The viewing terrace is on the 30th floor, with 360 views of the city. Tickets can be bought online for about €6 each, or from the ticket booth at the bottom of the lifts.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 1, 2024
  • LydiaMiami
    Miami, Florida225 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Historical Old Palace
    Palac Kultury is a very historical building in downtown Warsaw. There are always special exhibits going on, plays. Upstairs there is sports hall of fame wall with famous Polish athletes. The views at the top are breathtaking of Warsaw. At night, the building changes colors to the events going on in the city. The Palac was built by the Russians during war times. It has remained in the center during modern times. The Palac can be seen as far away before landing at the airport
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 20, 2024
  • petergab10
    Melbourne, Australia673 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Photo opportunities
    A building with an interesting history built as a gift from Joseph Stalin and once the tallest budling in Poland. Which does make a statement in the center of Warsaw from its architectural design to its height and size. The terrace on the 30th floor offers some great views of Warsaw at day or night. So many photo opportunities from the terrace and at ground level. Don't miss the large fountain on the side of the building which makes a beautiful photo.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written May 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles5,290 reviews
Excellent
2,117
Very good
2,036
Average
918
Poor
155
Terrible
64

magnetandpacman
Poznan, Poland24 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
With so little time, we still think to visit this building while in Warsaw. 😊 The vibe that it’s giving and the architecture, will make you curious while it is surrounded by new buildings. There is a panoramic view on the 30F, for a 20zł fee, which I found a little bit pricey. The elevator is operated by a personnel, thus, no need to be worried about 😉
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

J0carts
Warsaw, Poland10 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
I don't know why the people of Warsaw hate this building but we found it very interesting and we missed our bus to the Moldin airport as many coaches and buses leave from outside this building so we had nearly 2 hours to explore the building and get inside away from the cold. Many different things to explore if we had more time and they even gave us hot mulled wine a a polish type of hotdog upon entering the building for only 5 zloty... Well worth a visit when in Warsaw.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rtdood
Manchester, UK818 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
I can only comment on the viewing platform as this is what I visited, although there is no doubting the grandiose architecture of the building, which houses not only offices, but a theatre, cinema, restaurants and cafes. Having walked round it as well as under it via the main passageway it certainly takes a while to do the former! Just make sure you come out at the right side if you dont know where to cross through.

Head up the steps to the main entrance which you cannot miss in the centre. There is a small admission kiosk on the inside where you pay to get your ticket for admission. Directly ahead of this is 4 lifts, 2 of which (i think) take to you to the viewing platform. This is quite quick considering the sheer number of floors it has to pass but it all done in a matter of seconds!

The doors open up to the central hallway with openings on each side to walk out onto the concentrate viewing deck (which are very wide) to get the views across the city. It is possible to walk all around the viewing deck. Visiting in the evening it was cold and a little windy, so bring a jacket if visiting in the cooler months. Much of the views are semi-obstructed by safety netting/small square metal sheets but it is still possible to peer through between to get a decent view with your phone, and still not have it risk falling over the side. There are also coin operated binoculars which can be used too.

Be sure to look for the viewing desks which provide information of key sites and buildings which can be seen from each direction (although I think one side was missing this). The viewing deck did have some small graffiti and torn off stickers evident on the walls which made it look quite tired and worn. This is also the same feeling for the café and small souvenir shop, as neither looked like they were a permanent addition, rather an afterthought to the space. Then again, with the tall ceiling and vast thick walls it would be difficult to fill this space anyhow. It just felt a little worn.

Overall the views were good from the top and worth seeing if you are visiting Warsaw for a few days. The price is also very reasonable too!
Written December 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter H
London, UK925 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Must see when in Warsaw. Some people might hate some might love the building. But without a doubt, it is the most iconic building in the capital. For 20PLN you can go to the view terrace and enjoy the views of Warsaw from every angle.
There is also a well equipped souvenir shop.

But there is so much more to see in the whole palace.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Guidzi
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil179 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
It was a great experience. We booked the tickets online. 20 pln for adults and 15 pln for students then we skiped the queue in the morning. We went straight to the top were we got an awesome 360 degrees view of Warsaw. Also there were maps, photos and plenty to read about Warsaw's history. Go there the same way we did and you won't regret it.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Halcatra
Edinburgh, UK474 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
It is a truly impressive building, beautifully matching the city landscape. Interesting thing to know that there are still many Polish people who drem of destroying it. The reason is that it was a gift from hated Stalin. I do understand that period of history is pretty difficult and causes tension, but it was still important time in development of modern Poland and building itself is not guilty of that harsh times. It is interesting to see the Palace inside, the panoramic view from the platfrom at the top is nice as well. It would be great though to be able to see more, only some areas are accessible for visitors.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roberts69
Northampton, UK18,888 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
The Palace of Culture and Science (also known as PKiN) is a landmark high-rise building in central Warsaw. A gift from the Soviet Union it was constructed from 1952 to 1955 and has a total height of 237 metres (778 ft) and is the second tallest building in Poland. PKiN houses various public and cultural institutions such an eight screen cinema, theatres, libraries, sports clubs, university faculties, and authorities of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Four 6.3 metre (21 ft) clock faces were added to the top of the building ahead of the millennium celebrations in 2000 and the clocks began working on 31st December 2000. Since 2007, it has been enlisted in the Registry of Objects of Cultural Heritage. Despite being such a big Warsaw landmark PKiN is a highly controversial building for some, and is often viewed as a reminder of Soviet influence over the Polish People's Republic, especially due to its construction during mass violations of human rights under Stalin. There have been calls to demolish it which having visited it I feel would be a big shame. It is beautifully illuminated at night and during the day a trip up to the observation deck to get 360' views of Warsaw is worth the minimal cost entry ticket.
Written April 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CoeliacAdventurer
Brampton, UK194 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
Paid our fee and waited in line to go up to the observation deck/viewing terrace on the 30th floor, accessible only by lift. One lift wasn't working so a bit of a queue but not long to wait. The terrace is covered and enclosed, with metal bars on all the openings, so very safe and fine to go even in bad weather.

The openings gave views across the more modern, commercial areas of warsaw, so it's all skyscrapers and glass confections with a few gardens and lots of busy streets. Fine if you like that kind of thing but in my opinion the viewing platform in the old town is better.

Multiple cafes in the Palace, both up at the viewing terrace and on the ground floor. Several museums too, but ran out of time to visit. Despite there being several entrances to the building, only one gives access to the tower, so get it right first time or be prepared to walk around the entire building.
Written October 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Catalina N
Dubai, United Arab Emirates209 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Solo
I went for the panoramic view. Honestly was hard to find. No English directions on the navigational pannels. Is a place with multiple cultural activities like museum, cinema and theatre. The panorama view is nothing special, just a terrace in 30th floor where u can see the city. Are so many bars in high floors where u can see the view .
Ticket was 20 Zlt.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kenneth R
5 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019
This is the building that Poles love to hate. It is ugly beyond belief but is actually a wonderful venue for events of all kinds. It really is a hoot to go to a rock concert (e.g. King Crimson a few years back) in a venue that was designed for Party congresses (red predominates and the seat backs have pull-down desk tops built in for the apparatchiks to take copious notes). The 35th floor observation deck has the best views of Warsaw and a funky tea room that has not changed mus wince the 1950s and of course people will tel you that it is the best view of the city because you cannot see the Palace from the Palace.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Palace of Culture and Science - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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