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Praga Północ - a local bohemian district on the other side of the river

Like Berlin's Kreuzberg - a colorful neighborhood known for its cafes, galleries and an active local community.

Praga Północ
Based in Warsaw, Poland
Praga Północ
Based in Warsaw, Poland

General Overview

Traditionally anchored with a reputation as a raw and rough area, the revitalization of Praga Północ is one of Warsaw’s major recent triumphs. Though still a work in progress, the district has changed much thanks to a series of major investments from both the private and public sector. Certainly, Poland’s capital has far more prestigious areas, but there are none that match Praga’s energy, dynamism, atmosphere and potential. Worn and shabby in parts, this gritty authenticity has acted in its favour and attracted creatives, NGOs, artists and media agencies. But this tells only part of the story; sometimes likened to Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, this section of Warsaw is characterized by its alternative nightlife, large format murals, family-run businesses, buoyant arts scene, and vibrant sense of community. Moreover, flagship projects such as the revitalization of the Koneser Vodka Factory have given Praga Północ worldwide press. On-the-up, Praga Północ stands on the verge of something truly special.

Architecture & Property

Praga Północ owes much of its growth to the Industrial Revolution, and it was during this period that many of its tenements were built to house workers labouring in the district’s factories. Notable for their charming courtyard shrines, these buildings survived the war bearing only token bullet scars – many of these remain to this day and act as a reminder not just of the war, but also the inaction that defined the area’s post-war decay. Slowly but surely, many of these have been renovated, though perhaps none better demonstrate the regeneration than the Neo Gothic Pod Sowami building on Okrzei street. Meticulously restored, today its upper floors contain luxury apartments that say much for the area’s rebirth. This is evidenced yet further on Ząbkowska, a lively cobbled street that leads to the Koneser mixed use project. Containing offices, top class restaurants, galleries, and a major museum dedicated to vodka, it’s become equally known for its loft-style residential apartments that stare onto the pristine plaza below.

Boosting the modern housing stock yet further has been Port Praski, an immense residential and commercial complex that will eventually grow to feature a marina. Set in close proximity to historic landmarks such as the onion-domed Orthodox Cathedral, the streets of Praga Północ offer a rich patchwork of contrasts and sensations.

Architecture & Property

Praga Północ owes much of its growth to the Industrial Revolution, and it was during this period that many of its tenements were built to house workers labouring in the district’s factories. Notable for their charming courtyard shrines, these buildings survived the war bearing only token bullet scars – many of these remain to this day and act as a reminder not just of the war, but also the inaction that defined the area’s post-war decay. Slowly but surely, many of these have been renovated, though perhaps none better demonstrate the regeneration than the Neo Gothic Pod Sowami building on Okrzei street. Meticulously restored, today its upper floors contain luxury apartments that say much for the area’s rebirth. This is evidenced yet further on Ząbkowska, a lively cobbled street that leads to the Koneser mixed use project. Containing offices, top class restaurants, galleries, and a major museum dedicated to vodka, it’s become equally known for its loft-style residential apartments that stare onto the pristine plaza below.

Boosting the modern housing stock yet further has been Port Praski, an immense residential and commercial complex that will eventually grow to feature a marina. Set in close proximity to historic landmarks such as the onion-domed Orthodox Cathedral, the streets of Praga Północ offer a rich patchwork of contrasts and sensations.

Green Spaces

Park Praski is the green lungs of Praga Północ, but it is the riverside that offers the most rewarding experience. Dramatically contrasted against the renovated left bank, the Vistula’s right rump is a wild tangle of trees and vegetation. Offering a dose of nature in its most sincere and untouched form, few capitals on the planet can boast such a genuine environmental glory cutting through their city – it’s ideal for hiking or off-road biking.

Transport

Metro: Warsaw’s M2 metro line snakes up into Praga Północ with Dworzec Wilenski considered a major hub. As it stands, work is ongoing to extend the line further.

Rail: Benefiting from a recent renovation, Warszawa Wschodnia has direct links to most of Poland’s major cities, among them Lodz, Poznan, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Krakow.

Car: The area has been known to suffer heavy traffic with bottlenecks building around the bridges that connect Praga Północ to the west of Warsaw. Śląsko-Dąbrowski Bridge runs straight to the mouth of the Old Town, Gdanski Bridge to Zoliborz, and the less crowded Świętokrzyski Bridge to Powisle.

Cycle: For years excitement has been building around the construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting Praga Północ with western Warsaw. Work should begin in 2022 and finish within two to three years.

Transport

Metro: Warsaw’s M2 metro line snakes up into Praga Północ with Dworzec Wilenski considered a major hub. As it stands, work is ongoing to extend the line further.

Rail: Benefiting from a recent renovation, Warszawa Wschodnia has direct links to most of Poland’s major cities, among them Lodz, Poznan, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Krakow.

Car: The area has been known to suffer heavy traffic with bottlenecks building around the bridges that connect Praga Północ to the west of Warsaw. Śląsko-Dąbrowski Bridge runs straight to the mouth of the Old Town, Gdanski Bridge to Zoliborz, and the less crowded Świętokrzyski Bridge to Powisle.

Cycle: For years excitement has been building around the construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting Praga Północ with western Warsaw. Work should begin in 2022 and finish within two to three years.

Infrastructure

Praga Północ lies directly above Saska Kepa and therefore benefits from being within reach of its neighbour’s educational offer. Where private healthcare is concerned, the area has Medicover clinics and a Lux-Med hospital. On the shopping front, Praga Północ has a strong reputation for used and vintage stores as well as artisanal groceries and bakeries; new generation shopping centres lie outside its boundaries. Culturally-speaking, the district’s Vodka Museum has gained global exposure whilst the critically acclaimed Neon Museum – found just outside Praga Północ’s natural border – has often been called Poland’s most ‘Instagrammable’ attraction. The imminent development of a world-class symphony hall is further expected to increase the area’s profile.

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See more guides for nearby areas:

Śródmieście (City centre)

Saska Kępa

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