Warsaw Neon Museum

The Warsaw Neon Museum has a stunning new home. It has moved from the Praga district to the very heart of the city: the Palace of Culture and Science. This is a small but beautiful collection from the golden age of Warsaw lighting. It is as much an archive and art project as a museum.

Warsaw’s Neon Museum preserves a stunning collection of Poland’s Cold War-era “glowing advertisements.” (Photo shows the museum’s previous location in Praga’s Soho Factory) © Adrian Grycuk / CC BY-SA 3.0 PL.

The move from the Soho Factory was a major change in 2025. This was due to the former building owner’s plans. However, this new, central location is a fantastic upgrade. The museum now has a larger exhibition area. Therefore, it can display even more of its glowing collection.

This museum is dedicated to preserving Cold War era neon signs. Co-founders David Hill and Ilona Karwinska started this serious undertaking in 2005. They fully preserve and document these works. They also document the artists responsible for “neonization.” This was an official policy for brightening up the city at night.

Stepping into the Warsaw Neon Museum gives you a ghostly, beautiful glimpse of a vanished world. The hazy colours and bold typography are a testament to an era of invention and style.

Explore the “City Lights” Collection at the Warsaw Neon Museum

The Warsaw Neon Museum is relatively small but contains over 200 multi-coloured signs. The new “City Lights” exhibition showcases these pieces brilliantly. Each sign has accompanying information. You can also see photographs of it in its original location.

Some signs are from famous Polish institutions, such as LOT and PKP. Most, however, advertised the location’s function with no brand, using words like “Dancing”. There are plenty of jolly animals. You will see a Pooh-like bear, a Puss in Boots, and an elephant in a cocktail. Also, look out for the neon Syrenka – the Warsaw mermaid – rising from the pages of a book.

The new, larger space also allows for more international signs, for instance from the Czech Republic and Hungary. Plus, you can see newly restored pieces, like the iconic ‘Cow’ from the Bambino milk bar.

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How To Visit the Warsaw Neon Museum

The museum’s new location is incredibly central and easy to reach. It is located inside the landmark Palace of Culture and Science. This is a short walk from the Centrum (M1 line) or Świętokrzyska (M1/M2 lines) metro stations. It is also served by countless trams and buses that stop at Centrum or Dw. Centralny (Central Station).

Enter the Palace of Culture from the main entrance (on Marszałkowska street). Then, go to the cloakroom level (-1) and take the side elevators up to the 4th floor.

Neon Museum address: Pałac Kultury i Nauki (Palace of Culture and Science), Plac Defilad 1 (4th floor), 00-901 Warszawa, Poland

The Neon Museum is open as follows:

• Mon: 11:00am–6:00pm
• Tue: 11:00am–6:00pm
• Wed: 11:00am–6:00pm
• Thu: 11:00am–6:00pm
• Fri: 11:00am–7:00pm
• Sat: 11:00am–7:00pm
• Sun: 11:00am–6:00pm

Entry tickets cost 25zł (concessions 18zł). Children under 6 enter for free. Tickets are available on the door. Furthermore, 45-minute guided tours in English are available for groups of 10 people at 150zł for the group, plus individual entry tickets. See the official Neon Museum website for details.

Powiśle and Northern Śródmieście Districts: Sometimes referred to as ‘downtown Warsaw’, Śródmieście contains the Royal Route of Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmiescie – two historic streets crammed with things to see and do. The area is also home to the iconic Palace Of Science And Culture and the stunning InterContinental Warszawa hotel. These districts are peppered with amazing restaurants, including the Michelin listed Szóstka.

Visitor FAQ for the Warsaw Neon Museum

Here are answers to common questions about visiting the new location.

• How long should I spend at the Neon Museum?

  You should expect to spend 60-90 minutes. This provides enough time to see all the exhibits and appreciate the artistry.

• Is the new museum location accessible?

  Yes. The new exhibition at the Palace of Culture and Science is fully accessible to people with disabilities and is wheelchair friendly via elevators.

• Can I take photos?

  Smartphone photography is permitted for personal use. However, dedicated cameras are forbidden unless you apply for a licence in advance. Re-use of images is strictly non-commercial.

• Is the Warsaw Neon Museum good for children?

  This is an excellent museum for children. The bright, colourful lights are very engaging. But, they will be tempted to touch the exhibits, so keep a close eye on them!

• Is there a café or shop?

  There is a shop where some items are available, including books and coasters. There is no dedicated café inside the museum, but the Palace of Culture has many other amenities nearby.

• What payment methods are accepted?

  Card payments are accepted for tickets and shop purchases.

• Is there a toilet?

  Yes, toilet facilities are available for visitors.

Where Is This Place Located?

Find this location on the Warsaw Visit Google map:

• Open the Warsaw Visit map
• Click on a marker and it will give you the name of the landmark, with a brief description and links for more information and directions. You can pan, scroll, and zoom around the map, or use the + or – buttons in the bottom left of the map to zoom in and out
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side, sorted by category. Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Each category is on a different layer, which can be switched on and off. So you can just see the Hotel or Restaurant pins, for example
• If you are using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location

Map pins are color coded:

• YELLOW: Warsaw Sightseeing
• BLUE: Warsaw Hotels
• RED: Warsaw Places To Eat – Michelin restaurants are DARK RED
• ORANGE: Warsaw Nightlife
• PURPLE: Shopping In Warsaw
• GREEN: Warsaw Transportation