Copernicus Science Centre

The Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw (Centrum Nauki Kopernik, roughly "TSEN-troom NAH-oo-kee koh-PEHR-neek") is Poland's largest hands-on science museum, set right on the Vistula River in the city center. Instead of reading labels behind glass, you spin, build, measure and experiment yourself. It's one of the best things to do in Warsaw with kids, but curious adults love it too, and it makes an ideal plan for a rainy day.

Why it's special

Named after Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish astronomer who put the Sun at the center of the solar system, the center opened in November 2010; its planetarium, The Heavens of Copernicus, followed in 2011. The building by the Polish studio RAr-2 holds more than 400 interactive exhibits and has a green roof garden overlooking the river. Current highlights include:

• Experiment Zone – the core permanent exhibition, packed with hands-on stations
• The Future Is Today – technologies and changes happening right now
• LivingLAB – take part in real social science experiments
• Mirrors: Between Illusion and Reality – a temporary show about perception
• Robotic Theater and High Voltage Theater (ages 6+), with electricity demos
• Majsternia workshop and laboratories (ages 9+) for building and experimenting

Don't miss the Foucault pendulum in the main hall, which demonstrates the Earth's rotation.

Visiting with kids

Children up to age 6 have their own exhibition, Bzzz!, designed for touching, smelling, stacking and knocking things over. Older kids tend to spend the longest in the Experiment Zone and the workshop. Plan 2–3 hours for the exhibitions (you can stay until closing), or half a day if you add a planetarium show. Check the "Today at Copernicus" page on the official website to see which shows run on your date.

Opening hours and tickets

Exhibitions, as of October 2026:

• Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Ticket offices close one hour before the exhibitions
• Closed on November 1 and 9, December 7 and 21, and December 24–26, 2026

Exhibition tickets cost PLN 48 (reduced PLN 34) on weekdays and PLN 50 (reduced PLN 36) on weekends, public holidays and school breaks. Children under 2 enter free; reduced prices apply to visitors under 19, students under 26 and seniors over 60. A combined ticket with the planetarium costs PLN 68–70. Tickets are for a specific entry time and sell out on busy days, so book online (no later than 1.5 hours before your visit). The planetarium reopens after refurbishment on October 12, 2026, and the roof garden is open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. until October 31, then closes for the winter.

How to get there

The address is Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20. The easiest way is Metro Line M2 to Centrum Nauki Kopernik station, right next door. From Warsaw Central Station (Warszawa Centralna), bus 127 runs directly to the center. If you drive, there's a small underground garage (open 7 a.m.–10 p.m., max vehicle height 1.90 m); street parking nearby is paid on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and free on weekends. There's a bistro at the entrance and a café upstairs with river views. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you are traveling with children or love interactive museums. It's well organized, modern and good value compared with similar science centers in Western Europe. Combine your visit with a walk along the Vistula boulevards or a trip to the free roof garden of the nearby University Library, a few minutes away on foot.