Is the BUW rooftop garden free to visit?

Yes! The rooftop botanical gardens of BUW are completely free and open to the general public every day from April/May through late October (the lower ground garden remains open year-round).

Can non-UW students register and study inside BUW?

Yes. While University of Warsaw students get free membership with their student card (ELS), students from any other university in Poland or abroad can register for a nominal fee of 20 PLN per year to access the reading rooms and Wi-Fi.

What is "BUW dla Sów"?

"BUW dla Sów" (BUW for Owls) is a famous tradition during exam seasons (January/February and June) where the library stays open throughout the night until 05:00 AM for intensive revision.

BUW Warsaw University Library 2026: Rooftop Garden & 24h Study

Designed by Marek Budzyński and Zbigniew Badowski and opened in 1999, the Biblioteka Uniwersytecka w Warszawie (BUW) is widely regarded as one of modern Poland’s greatest architectural achievements.

Located at ul. Dobra 56 in Powiśle, steps from the Vistula river, BUW is far more than a research repository for books: it is the spiritual and social anchor of university life in the capital.

01The Rooftop Botanical Gardens

Perched high above the bustling streets of Powiśle, the BUW roof garden spans over 10,000 square meters. Divided into silver, gold, carmine, and blue color zones connected by cascading footbridges, streams, and glass domes, it is Warsaw’s premier outdoor relaxation spot.

Visiting Hours:

Upper Roof Garden: Open daily April 1 through October 31 (08:00 to 20:00, weather permitting). Free admission.
Lower Ground Gardens: Open year-round from dawn to dusk. Features quiet benches and fish ponds.

02How to Register for a Library Card

ACTION STEP

Visit the Registration Desk ( Zapisy )

10 minutes

Ground Floor Entrance Passage

0 PLN for UW / 20 PLN for other universities

Locate the glass registration counter located on the ground-floor shopping passage before the security turnstiles.

Action Tip:Bring your physical electronic student ID (ELS) and passport.

ACTION STEP

Electronic Verification & Card Encoding

5 minutes

Desk Counter

20 PLN if applicable

Staff will encode your university card or issue a durable BUW barcode reader card. Sign the digital user charter.

Action Tip:Your Polish university ELS card is directly encoded with barcode data so you don't need to carry extra plastic.

ACTION STEP

Deposit Backpack in Lockers

2 minutes

Locker Cloakroom

2 PLN coin (refundable deposit)

Bring a 2 PLN coin to lock your coat and heavy bag in the automated lockers. Carry your laptop, notebooks, and water bottles in clear transparent tote bags provided on-site.

Action Tip:Large backpacks and outdoor jackets are strictly prohibited in the main reading halls.

03"BUW dla Sów" — Surviving the Exam Crunch

Twice a year—during January/February winter exams and June summer sessions—BUW launches BUW dla Sów (BUW for Night Owls).

Hours: Main reading rooms and open-stack desks remain open through the night until 05:00 AM.
Atmosphere: Hundreds of students quietly grinding through law, medicine, economics, and philosophy textbooks in warm silence.
Refueling: The ground-floor Costa Coffee and 24-hour vending machines provide a steady supply of caffeine and sandwiches.

Warsaw University Library (BUW): Rooftop Botanical Gardens, 24h Exam Sessions & Study Spaces