Here is an exhibition where you will see that the spider is not as scary as it is painted. We won’t guarantee that you will completely get rid of your fear, but you will get used to the sight of these “eight-legged friends”. Are you brave and not afraid of spiders at all? You will have the opportunity to hold a hairy bird in your hand. Come with us to see the most interesting eight-legged specimens.
Are you looking for an idea to spend your free time? Check out our section: Best things to do in Warsaw
Spiders Exhibition – discount code
First of all, we would like to share a small gift from us to you. With the discount code JESIEN10 you have a 10% discount on tickets to permanent exhibitions until the end of September 2024.
Permanent Spiders Exhibition are in: Warsaw (Palace of Culture and Science), Wrocław (Sky Tower), Poznań (Avenida shopping mall).
You can buy tickets by clicking here.
Spiders Exhibition Warsaw – photos
The fascinating Spiders Exhibition is a nationwide event in Poland. You can visit permanent ones in Warsaw, Poznań and Wrocław, and temporary ones in Augustów, Chwaszczyno, Elbląg, Gdynia, Jantar, Kazimierz Dolny, Kostrzyn nad Odrą, Olsztyn, Sierakowice, Zamość, Żary and Żywiec. No matter which location you choose, a great adventure is ahead of you.
We went to the Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw, which is located in the Palace of Culture and Science. A visit to this place is a great idea for a family or school trip. The unique eight-legged inhabitants will interest both children and adults. The tutor (aka educational supervisor of the exhibition), will introduce you to the unusual world of spiders.
You will find over 50 terrariums at the exhibition area. Additionally, there are 3D boards hanging on the walls, thanks to which you will acquire a lot of knowledge about arachnids. Their authors tried to convey information in a really pleasant and graphically interesting way. You definitely won’t be bored reading them.
Each of the ‘live exhibits’ is described in detail on plates placed on or above the terrarium. If you just read them, you will know what length a given spider can reach; where it comes from; what kind of lifestyle he leads; how venomous it is. After reviewing all the information, you will become real experts.
Visiting the exhibition on your own can be exciting, but we recommend taking part in a ‘biology lesson’ conducted every hour by the dedicated tutors. These are not random employees, but genuine animal enthusiasts. We were introduced to the magical world of arthropods by Mr. Marek, for whom spiders are real eight-legged friends.
Right from the beginning, we were surprised by the fact that we had to make a bit of effort to spot the exhibits in the terrariums. Most of them like to live in the ground or in a shady hiding place. Some of them have a color that is confusingly similar to the ground or tree, while others delight with their colors. Individual species differ not only in appearance, but also in character. Some are fast, agile and lively, while others are slow, lazy and phlegmatic.
The Spiders Exhibition hosts inhabitants of as many as 6 continents, which gives the visit the character of an exotic journey. You don’t have to go to the tropics anymore – the tropics are waiting for you at the Palace of Culture and Science. We even met endemic species here: Antilles pinktoe tarantula (Caribena versicolor) from the Caribbean island, Martinique and the blue baboon tarantula (Monocentropus balfouri) from Socotra, Yemen.
Finally the biggest attraction of the Spiders Exhibition is yet to come. Of course, we mean the possibility of holding a hairy ‘eight-legged friend’ in your hand. As you can see in the photo, it is actually the size of an adult’s hand. But don’t worry – even little kids can handle this. Are you wondering what it feels like?
Very pleasant, which can be seen from Patryk’s smiling face. If you have never held such a spider on your hand before, it will probably be a surprising feeling. This is because the eight-legged furry animal is extremely pleasant to the touch. Almost like a mascot you would like to hug. Of course, you have to be careful, because a fall from a height may end tragically for him.
In addition to the spiders themselves, we also saw the molt of one of the tarantulas. At first we thought it was some special acrobat covering himself with his legs. However, it quickly turned out that this was only the outer part of the spider’s body shell, which for various reasons is regularly shed during the molting process. It is easy to confuse such a molt with a live animal.
At the exhibition, you will also see that spiders are also really creative artists. They can wrap a precisely woven thread around a huge branch or fill an entire terrarium with a dense net. The spider’s web is also the most dangerous murder weapon of these animals. Combined with venom, it allows the destruction of even a physically more powerful victim.
The Spiders Exhibition is not only about tarantulas! You can also meet scorpions here. By the way: don’t be fooled by its sharp pincers and long abdomen. Scorpions are arachnids, not crustaceans. The vast majority of them are more poisonous than spiders. A scorpion bite may have unpleasant consequences, so only the tutors can interact with these animals.
While the venomousness of these animals did not surprise us, their fluorescence did. We were astonished when, after directing UV rays at the completely black scorpion, its shell suddenly turned intensely blue. Something amazing, you have to see it live. But this is not the only scorpion-chameleon. In one of the terrariums we saw its ‘cousin’, which emitted a yellow, fluorescent glow.
The absolute surprise for us at the Spiders Exhibition was the millipede. It’s hard to say that they ‘wowed’ us, but we learned that they are really useful animals. They feed mainly on decaying matter, so they can be called real natural cleaners. And they do not harm people in any way.
Will the Spiders Exhibition make us become breeders of these animals? I don’t think so. However, we will certainly look more kindly at eight-legged guests who, uninvited, enter our apartment from time to time. And climb the walls as if they were in their own home!
Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw – tickets
Tickets for the Spiders Exhibition at the Palace of Culture and Science cost:
- normal ticket – PLN 35.
- reduced ticket – PLN 30.
- family ticket – PLN 99.
- ticket for school groups – PLN 25/person.
- Children up to 4 years old and guardians of school groups enter free of charge.
Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw – opening hours
The Spiders Exhibition at the Palace of Culture and Science is open every day – even on Sundays and holidays – from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Spiders Exhibition Warsaw – visiting time
Plan 1-1.5 hours to visit the Spiders Exhibition at the Palace of Culture and Science. Of course, you can stay there as long as you like. Remember that every full hour there is a ‘biology lesson’ conducted by an experienced tutor. Then, during the special show, you can hold spider in your hand.
Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw – how to get?
The Spiders Exhibition is located in the Palace of Culture and Science at Plac Defilad 1 in Warsaw.
- On foot / bike. Traditionally, we encourage ecological walking and cycling trips – the Palace of Culture and Science is located in the very center of Warsaw.
- Metro. The closest station will be M1 Centrum. If you are traveling on the M2 line, you can walk from Świętokrzyska station.
- Bus. The nearest bus stop is Centrum, as well as Warszawa D.T. Centrum, Metro Świętokrzyska, Emilii Plater, Dworzec Centralny, Warszawa Śródmieście.
- Tram. The nearest tram stop is Centrum, as well as Metro Świętokrzyska and Dworzec Centralny.
- Train. Palace of Culture and Science is located a few minutes’ walk from the Warszawa Centralna or Warszawa Śródmieście stations.
- Car. You can park in the paid parking lot located at Plac Defilad. You will enter it from Emilii Plater street, from the Congress Hall or from Świętokrzyska Street.
Spiders Exhibition Warsaw – interesting facts and tips
- Did you know that almost all spiders are poisonous? Most of them, however, have a mild venom, comparable to that of a bee. Spiders are rather defensive animals. If they don’t feel threatened, they won’t attack first.
- The spider will be perfect as a pet for people who have little time or are often away from home. They require very little care. And they don’t really miss their owner. 😉
- The most venomous spider in the world is Atrax robustus. It is commonly called the Sydney funnel-web spider. It occurs in Australia (mainly in Queensland and New South Wales, especially around Sydney).
- The largest spider in the world is the Goliath birdeater which can reach about 30 centimeters in length. It can be found in nature in South America (Brazil, French Guiana, Venezuela).
- What does a spider bite look like? Quite characteristically. If you see two small dots 1-2 millimeters apart on your skin, it is a sign that you have been bitten. Don’t worry, just disinfect the wound and drink calcium. You will make it out alive!
Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw – reviews
- Patrix – 9/10. The Spiders Exhibition is great! Especially the hourly guided shows (included in the ticket price), during which you can hold a spider in your hand. I must admit that I was a little scared when the spider started crawling on my hand. After a while, however, the fear passed and only excitement remained. I recommend it to everyone! Moreover, next to each spider there is a description of the species given in a light, cool form. It’s also nice that at the exhibition I also had the opportunity to see a scorpion glowing in UV light. A small minus is that the Spiders Exhibition takes place in an average-looking interior that needs refreshing.
- Wiolczix – 10/10. I went to the Spiders Exhibition with a bit of trepidation. I don’t have arachnophobia. I also don’t panic when I see a web-weaver in the room. But spiders were definitely not my favorite animals and I was rather averse to them. After this exhibition I changed my mind. I have become ‘accustomed’ to seeing them and they no longer arouse as much fear in me as before. When I took the spider in my hand, it turned out that it was really nice to the touch. Shocking! Additionally, during our visit, the exhibition tutor, Mr. Marek, told us a lot of interesting facts about spiders. Most of them really surprised us. If you have the opportunity, be sure to visit the exhibition. The attraction is worth its relatively low price.
Spiders Exhibition Warsaw – frequently asked questions
How much does the Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw cost?
A regular ticket to the Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw costs PLN 35. For a reduced ticket you have to pay PLN 30. A family ticket can be purchased for PLN 99. In the case of school trips, the ticket costs PLN 25 per person. Children up to 4 years of age and school group guardians enter for free.
Where to buy tickets for the Spiders Exhibition?
Tickets for the Spiders Exhibition can be purchased on site at the box office or online. There is no need to print a ticket purchased online – you can show it on your mobile device.
Can I come to the Spiders Exhibition with a child?
Yes, you can come to the Spiders Exhibition with your child. There are no age restrictions. The place is completely safe. For the youngest, it will be great fun to see the furry animals. The older ones, if they are brave enough, will be able to take the spider in their hand. You will also find a children’s corner at the exhibition.
Is the Spiders Exhibition safe?
Yes, the Spiders Exhibition is completely safe. The terrariums are properly secured – so it is impossible for any of the inhabitants to get out without the knowledge of the employees. Moreover, there are no deadly venomous species at the Spiders Exhibition, so even if one of them bites you, you will not be in any serious danger.
Can everyone hold a spider at the Spiders Exhibition?
Yes, while visiting the Spiders Exhibition, anyone who wants to and is not afraid can hold a tarantula. This takes place during hourly shows. Just remember to be careful and sensible. Please remember that any fall from a height can end tragically.
Can I buy spiders at the exhibition?
No, the Spiders Exhibition is not a pet shop. You won’t buy animals or accessories here. However, you can purchase souvenirs in the shop next to the box office.
Spiders Exhibition in Warsaw – map
The Spiders Exhibition can be found in the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw.
