Warsaw also known by other names is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River roughly 370 kilometers (230 mi) from both the Baltic Sea coast and the Carpathian Mountains. Its population as of 2007 was estimated at 1,706,624, with a metropolitan area of approximately 3,350,000. The city area is 516.9 square kilometers (199.6 sq mi), with an agglomeration of 6,100.43 square kilometers (2,355.4 sq mi) (Warsaw Metro Area – Obszar Metropolitalny Warszawy). Warsaw is the 8th largest city in the European Union.

On November 9, 1940 the City of Warsaw was awarded with the highest military decoration for courage in the face of the enemy - Order Virtuti Militari for the heroic defence in 1939.

Warsaw has given its name to the Warsaw Pact, Warsaw Convention, Treaty of Warsaw and the Warsaw Uprising.

A destination that has only really captured the attention of holiday-makers in recent decades, Warsaw is now one of Europe’s booming metropolises. While many of the city’s treasures were completely destroyed during WWII and the rebuilding of the city was tainted by communist blandness, nowadays the city has many additional modern features, which have enhanced the city’s character.

Situated on both sides of the Wisla River, the most popular places for tourists to stay at include City Centre and Old Town on the western bank, where most of the main sights are located; the eastern bank, known as Praga, predominantly features residential and business areas, which are likely to be of little interest to tourists. Just north of Old Town is New Town, also fast becoming a popular place to stay.

City Centre is a bustling area with plenty of daily activity, with the opera, theatres, shops and restaurants all featuring in this district; Old Town and New Town are sub divisions of this downtown district. With the exception of the bitterly cold winter months, accommodation in Warsaw tends to fill up quickly and visitors wishing to stay in these central districts are advised to book well in advance, with booking online being the most convenient means of ensuring your accommodation.

Accommodation establishments in Warsaw vary in quality and their facilities, with lodgings of all standards available, from cheap backpacker hostels to luxury five-star hotels. Popular high-end chain hotels such as the Hyatt Regency, Le Royal Meridien, and Sofitel are favourites among those with budgets to match and are all centrally located, while cheaper alternatives in convenient locations can also be enjoyed.