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17 Top Tourist Attractions in Warsaw, Poland

By Spencer Leasca · Last updated on May 4, 2024

It has taken a while for Warsaw to get back on its feet after the devastating effects of World War II. However, the transformation is now complete.

Nestled along the banks of the Vistula River, Poland’s capital city is one of the most dynamic in Europe. Its charming old town – a UNESCO World Heritage site – features quaint cobblestone streets that accommodate beautiful medieval architecture and lively market squares.

However, there are so many more things to do in Warsaw than just its historic past. It also has a thriving art scene, diverse culinary offerings (with many foreign influences), and plenty of bustling neighborhoods that champion modernity.

In short, Warsaw is a fascinating melting pot of creativity, innovation and resilience that will blow your mind. The best way to experience Warsaw is to embrace it with open arms.

17. Warsaw Barbican

One of your first ports of call in Poland’s capital should be The Warsaw Barbican.

Built in the 16th century, this impressive defensive structure formed part of the fortifications surrounding Warsaw’s Old Town. It comprises thick walls and a series of watchtowers, that remain one of Europe’s last remaining preserved examples of such military architecture.

The structure also features turrets and a distinctive red-brick facade, which showcases Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements. It can be reached by traversing the iconic bridge that leads to it.

Inside the Barbican is a museum with exhibits that detail its history and significance. It provides a good insight into the city’s resilience and enduring spirit.

16. St Anne’s Church

Poland is one of the world’s most religious countries and it houses several centuries-old cathedrals and churches. One of the best of them is St. Anne’s Church.

Founded in the 15th century, the church incorporates both Baroque and Gothic designs. It also features a striking facade that instantly captivates with intricate sculptures, reliefs and other ornate details.

If you like the outside of the church, you should find its interior just as compelling. The remarkable altarpiece and its intricately carved wooden decorations are just two of the features that dominate its layout. Come as soon as it opens to appreciate them at the quietest time.

Moreover, it’s worth climbing to the top of the church’s tower. From there, you’ll get superb panoramic views of Warsaw’s skyline – which you can take plenty of beautiful photos of.

15. Zlote Tarasy

Złote Tarasy is one of Warsaw’s premier complexes for shopping and entertainment. So, if you fancy some retail therapy or want to watch a performance of note, this is the place to come.

Opened in 2007, this architectural marvel is renowned for its undulating glass roof, which is reminiscent of sea waves. It integrates seamlessly with the surrounding urban landscape and accommodates various shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. It also hosts a multi-screen cinema and a fitness center for those who fancy a workout.

As it is near the Warsaw Central Station, the Złote Tarasy is easily accessible. Its design, which features a mix of contemporary and innovative materials, reflects Warsaw’s dynamic spirit of renewal.

14. Chopin Monument

One of Poland’s most famous sons is the composer Frédéric Chopin. If you are a fan of his classical music or happen to be in the lush surroundings of Łazienki Park, it’s worth checking out the Chopin Monument.

This poignant tribute takes the form of a bronze statue that captures Chopin in a contemplative pose. It was sculpted by Wacław Szymanowski and first unveiled to the public in 1926. Surrounding the sculpture is a circular stone bench where you can sit and enjoy the serenity of his music. If you happen to do this around sunset, it is a magical experience.

Having survived the ravages of World War II, the monument has become an endearing symbol of Warsaw’s cultural identity and resilience. In the summer, regular open-air concerts are held here.

13. Castle Square

Situated right in front of the Royal Castle is Castle Square. Locally known as Plac Zamkowy it serves as a starting point for exploring the historic Old Town. At the same time, it is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists.

Surrounded by colorful townhouses, the square dates back to the 17th century. Although it was heavily damaged during World War II, both the square and the castle have been painstakingly reconstructed.

Overall, the square is a vibrant hub of charming cobblestone streets, buzzy cafes and interesting souvenir shops, which makes it a pleasant place to explore. At the center of it is Sigismund’s Column, a prominent landmark that pays homage to King Sigismund III Vasa.

12. Warsaw Uprising Monument

Another intriguing monument to see during your time in the city is the Warsaw Uprising Monument. It provides a solemn tribute to the resilience and sacrifice that the Polish people made during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.

The bronze memorial was unveiled in 1989 on the 45th anniversary of the uprising. It was created by Wincenty Kućma and honors the brave men and women who fought against Nazi occupation. To see it, you’ll have to make your way to the southern end of Krasinski Square.

The memorial site also includes an underground museum that provides more information about the finer points of the uprising. Whilst there, visitors can witness the stark reality of wartime struggles and pay respects to those who endured unimaginable hardships.

11. Chopin Museum

As well as the Chopin Monument, it is worth checking out The Chopin Museum if you are a fan of classical music.

This brilliantly thought-out and well-maintained museum takes you on a captivating journey through the life and works of this genius composer. It is housed in the Ostrogski Palace and opened its doors in 2010 after an extensive renovation.

The museum features interactive exhibits that provide an immersive experience to visitors. They allow them to explore Chopin’s world through multimedia displays, original manuscripts and even his personal belongings.

Showcasing the composer’s life from childhood to his international acclaim, the museum offers a profound insight into his creative process and the cultural context of his time.

Thanks to innovative audio-visual installations and touch-sensitive screens, you should get a really good understanding of the man and his music.

10. Krakowskie Przedmieście

Connecting the historic Old Town with Wilanów Palace, Krakowskie Przedmieście forms part of the northern section of the famous ‘Royal Route’. It is renowned for its regal history and incredible architecture, including a parade of aristocratic residences, palaces, churches and elegant townhouses that exude a timeless charm.

For centuries, this grand boulevard has been a focal point of Warsaw’s cultural and social life and you get a real sense of this as you traverse the street. Notable landmarks like the Presidential Palace, the University of Warsaw and St. Anne’s Church can all be easily visited. Don’t be surprised if you spend a lot of quality sightseeing time here.

9. Copernicus Science Centre

If you are into science, you’ll want to visit The Copernicus Science Center. This cutting-edge institution is named after the renowned astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and is dedicated to promoting scientific curiosity and education.

The center boasts modern architecture that features a distinctive spherical structure. It also houses more than 450 interactive exhibits that span various scientific disciplines.

Wandering through the center, visitors can engage in hands-on experiments, explore the wonders of physics, biology and technology and participate in live demonstrations. The center is particularly family-friendly and encourages visitors of all ages to discover the joy of learning through play.

The planetarium and robotic theater are two must-visit destinations at the center.

8. POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

One of the most fascinating attractions in Warsaw is The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

Located on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, the institution is the first and only one of its kind in the country. It focuses on honoring the memory of the community created by Jews in Poland. It opened in 2013 and is notable for its unique design, which resembles an open book that symbolizes a dialogue between past and present.

Once inside the museum, you’ll find immersive exhibitions that trace the history of Polish Jews from medieval times to the present day. They highlight the contributions, struggles and cultural richness these people brought.

Overall, the multimedia displays, artifacts and interactive installations provide a comprehensive and emotionally evocative experience for the visitor. The museum also hosts cultural events, lectures, and workshops regularly throughout the year.

7. Palace of Culture and Science

Dominating the skyline in Warsaw is the Palace of Culture and Science, which just happens to be the second tallest building in the country.

Completed in 1955 the structure was designed by Soviet architect Lev Rudnev, who blended various architectural styles, including Socialist Realism. Its design was inspired by the high-rise Art Deco buildings of America and historical Polish architecture.

It was previously known as ‘Joseph Stalin’s Palace of Culture and Science’, however, this name was later dropped during the time of destalinization.

Today, it houses various cultural institutions, theaters, museums and conference halls which you can visit. Tourists can also ascend to its panoramic terrace to enjoy breathtaking views of Warsaw.

6. Warsaw Uprising Museum

If you know your World War II history, you will understand how important the Warsaw Uprising Museum will be to visit. If you don’t, then that is all the more reason to go there.

As its name implies, the museum pays a poignant tribute to the heroic spirit of the Polish resistance during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It is housed in a former tram power station and features exhibits that depict the daily life, struggles, and sacrifices of the insurgents.

Through multimedia displays, personal testimonies, and a replica of the underground city where the resistance operated, you’ll gain a good understanding of their experiences.

Visitors can explore an extensive collection of artifacts, including weapons, documents and photographs. At the same time, a reconstructed B-24 Liberator bomber aircraft is a notable highlight.

5. Wilanow Palace

Nestled in the Wilanów district of Warsaw resides one of the country’s most significant historical buildings – Wilanów Palace.

Commissioned by King John III Sobieski in the late 17th century, the palace served as a royal residence and embodied the splendor of Poland’s golden age. It is beautifully set among stunning gardens and parks replete with fountains, sculptures and manicured lawns that are an attraction in themselves.

What makes Wilanów Palace immediately stand out is its seamless blend of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical architectural styles. You’ll want to snap plenty of photos from different angles to capture its true beauty.

Once inside, you’ll see an impressive collection of art, furnishings and period artifacts that offer a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Polish royalty.

4. Nowy Swiat

Dating back to the 17th century Nowy Świat is one of the main thoroughfares in Warsaw. Its name translates to ‘New World Street’ in English and it connects Castle Square with Charles de Gaulle Roundabout.

Noted for its historic buildings, boutique shops and inviting cafes, Nowy Świat boasts a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It also provides a picturesque route to navigate your way through the heart of the city.

Surviving wars and countless reconstructions, the street possesses an architectural diversity that features styles from different periods. It also has many restaurants that provide excellent opportunities to try local delicacies like Kopytka (dumplings) and Gulasz (stew). In addition, you’ll find plenty of shops that will enable you to do a bit of retail therapy.

3. Royal Castle

Perched atop Castle Square in the heart of the Old Town is Warsaw’s famous Royal Castle. Originally built in the 14th century, it stands as a symbol of Poland’s regal heritage and resilience.

Over the years it has witnessed centuries of Polish history, serving as the residence of monarchs and as a political center. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged during World War II. However, it has been meticulously restored to its former glory, thanks to reconstruction efforts.

Tourists can explore opulent chambers, like the Great Apartment and the Throne Room, which are adorned with period furnishings and artwork. They can also enjoy the castle’s impressive collection of paintings, sculptures and royal memorabilia that relate the story of the city’s cultural legacy.

2. Lazienki Park

Warsaw doesn’t just have splendid architecture, it also accommodates beautiful greenspace too. One of the finest examples is Łazienki Park, which resides in the Downtown district, just off of Ujazdów Avenue.

Also known as ‘Royal Baths Park’, it is the largest park in the city and is celebrated for its scenic beauty and cultural significance. It was originally designed in the 17th century and later transformed into a summer residence for King Stanisław August Poniatowski.

The park encompasses the neoclassical Palace on the Isle, a picturesque amphitheater and charming pavilions scattered amidst lush landscapes. It also hosts outdoor concerts, cultural events and the annual Chopin Concerts – which take place at the foot of the monument which resides within it.

1. Old Town Market Square

For most visitors to Warsaw, the Old Town Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) is somewhere they will spend quite a bit of time.

This remarkable square bristles with charm, historical and cultural significance. Originally it was constructed in the 13th century, but much of the city was destroyed during World War II. However, the area has been so well restored it’s almost impossible to tell it was previously damaged.

The square is surrounded by colorful townhouses and boasts a lively ambiance with outdoor cafes, restaurants and various street performers. It also features the imposing Warsaw Mermaid statue and is home to landmarks like the Adam Mickiewicz Museum and the Historical Museum of Warsaw.

While the square is buzzy all day, it is worth heading down there in the evening, as that is when things really liven up.

Best Time to Visit Warsaw

Straddling the Vistula River, Poland’s capital Warsaw enjoys a continental climate with cold, cloudy winters and relatively warm, sunny summers. May to September is the most popular time to visit when temperatures average from 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F).

While July and August are the busiest, most expensive months, there are lots of fun events like the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days and Chopin Summer Concerts to attend. The whole city has a lovely vibe with its numerous parks and green spaces looking their best.

Either side of summer, Warsaw is still very pleasant to visit though huge crowds still throng about the center. As October sees the prestigious Warsaw Film Festival take place, it is only in the much-colder November that the city finally falls quiet.

December, however, immediately sees a return to business as people flock here for its cozy, traditional Christmas market – one of the biggest and best in Poland. The city then slumbers until spring when the fresh flowers make its river and parks very pretty to walk about again.

Where to Stay in Warsaw

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Warsaw, there are plenty of options available to you.

But if it is your first time in the city, you should base yourself in Śródmieście, or more specifically the Old Town. This area is the heart of Warsaw and you’ll be close to lots of art galleries, theaters, museums, restaurants, shops and some of the city’s main attractions.

The historic Hotel Polonia Palace is a terrific accommodation choice in this area. It is located directly opposite the Palace of Culture and Science and features an excellent restaurant that serves European and Polish cuisine. It also has comfortable rooms and a nice lobby bar to relax and unwind.

Not far from the Hotel Polonia Palace is the Hotel Metropol . This budget option is just a 5-minute walk from the Palace of Culture and Science. It is known for its superb breakfasts and dinners which you can get from the on-site Metro Jazz Bar & Bistro Restaurant. It also has rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

How to get there

Like most capital cities in Europe, Warsaw is a relatively easy destination to get to via air and rail.

Warsaw Chopin Airport is the primary international gateway to fly into. It is situated about 10 km southwest of the city center and receives multiple flights a day from Europe, the USA and Asia.

American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways are some of the many airlines that fly there. Additionally, for budget carriers like Easyjet and Ryanair, Modlin Airport is another point of entry – about 40 kilometers north of Warsaw.

If you would prefer not to fly, the city is well-connected by an extensive train network. Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central Station) serves as the major hub for domestic and international rail travel.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Warsaw

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December 15, 2019 at 4:43 am

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Home » Travel Guides » Poland » 25 Best Things to Do in Warsaw (Poland)

25 Best Things to Do in Warsaw (Poland)

It is not hyperbole to say that Warsaw is a city that has risen from the rubble. In 1945 85% of the city was irretrievably destroyed. But you could now walk the streets of the Old Town without comprehending the carnage that took place during the German invasion of 1939, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 and the general Warsaw Uprising a year later.

The human impact is harder to mend, and Warsaw has museums and monuments that give unflinching accounts of one of the darkest periods in European History. But there are also memories of the splendour of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of the Early Modern Age, when Warsaw was the capital of Europe’s largest empire. To see it, take the Royal Route, which threads through royal properties like Łazienki Park, a little world of palaces and pavilions in the middle of the city.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Warsaw :

1. Old Town

When you tour a historic city centre you’re normally out for genuine, untouched architecture and monuments.

But after Warsaw’s experiences in the 20th century, the magic of this quarter is in the detailed and faithful reconstruction carried out up to 1962. After almost nine tenths of the city was wiped out, the Old Town’s rebirth was an incredible feat that has earned it Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Status.

As you pick your way along alleys and passageways, past guildhalls, churches and burgher houses you’d never imagine that this was all just a pile of debris 70 years ago.

A couple of sights that we haven’t included on the list below are Canon Square, a triangular plaza enclosed by tenements that once houses canons of the Warsaw Chapter, and St John’s Archcathedral, holding the tomb of Stanisław II Augustus, the last King of Poland.

Available tour : Warsaw Old Town 1.5-Hour Segway Tour

2. Royal Route

It happens that nearly all of Warsaw’s historic landmarks are on a single axis beginning at the Castle Square and continuing south for 15 kilometres or so before arriving at Wilanów Palace.

On this line are churches, parks, palaces, academic institutions and plush townhouses.

The three residences that give the route its “royal” title are the Royal Castle at the top, Łazienki Palace in its stunning eponymous park, and Wilanów Palace at the southern terminus.

All three are absolutely essential, resonating with the wealth and might of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

3. Łazienki Park

Warsaw’s largest park is an anchor on the Royal Route and is an excursion of choice for families and couples on the weekend.

The park started out as the royal baths (Łazienki translates to “baths”) and was enriched in the 18th century by a grand plan during the reign of King Stanisław II Augustus.

In these 76 leafy hectares are palaces, pavilions, two orangeries, an amphitheatre, a planetarium, follies, promenades, water features and monuments of national standing.

Hopping from one villa to the next, marvelling at the sumptuous Łazienki Palace, pottering around four museums or just relaxing in the greenery; a whole day could float by here in no time.

Maybe the most prestigious of the monuments is for the composer Frédéric Chopin, designed in 1907 in the Art Nouveau style, but delayed by the First World War and erected in 1926.

4. Old Town Market Place

Up to the creation of Stanisław II Augustus’ New Town at the end of the 18th century, this square was the epicentre of commercial life in Warsaw.

It is the most historic part of the Old Town and is enveloped by tall Renaissance and Baroque merchants’ houses in a spectrum of colours.

All of these buildings are post-war replicas of what came before, as the square was first bombed by the Luftwaffe and then blown up by the Germans at the end of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. Immediately after the war the square was rebuilt as it had been, including the bizarre but charming vertical extensions that cap some of the houses.

The mermaid figure on the fountain in the centre holds special meaning for Warsaw, while in summer you can park up at a restaurant table and watch the city going about its day.

5. POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Seven years in the making, this museum fully opened in 2014 and documents the millennium-long history of the Jews in Poland.

POLIN is at the northern part of the former Warsaw ghetto in Muranów, and was designed by Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamäki.

In eight galleries, the core exhibition uses a mixture of genuine artefacts, reconstructions and interactive displays to explain how Poland became home for Europe’s largest Jewish community.

You can see a prayer book from 1272 with an early sentence written in Yiddish and find out about the golden age of religious tolerance in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Later comes the Holocaust, and in the gloom are stories about the heroic efforts of the Oyneg Shabbos group to archive the truth about the Warsaw ghetto.

Suggested tour : Warsaw Polin Museum Guided Tour

6. Royal Castle

At the southern entrance to the Old Town you’ll be met by the 90-metre facade of the Mannerist and Baroque castle, the seat of the Polish monarchs for hundreds of years.

The castle has come through an eventful 700 years involving two demolitions, one by the Swedes in the mid-17th century and another by the Germans in the Second World War.

Since the last reconstruction in the 1980s the castle has been a museum, where you can view the apartments of the 16th-century King Sigismund II Augustus, and visit the House of Parliament, the fountain-head of Polish democracy and where amendments made to the Polish-Lithuanian constitution ushered in unprecedented religious tolerance.

There’s also a collection of paintings from the 16th to the 18th century by masters like Rembrandt, van Dyck, Joos van Cleve and Gainsborough.

Book online : Tour of the Royal Castle in Warsaw

7. Castle Square

When Poland’s capital moved from Kraków to Warsaw in 1596 the square beside the castle became the cornerstone of the largest Empire in Renaissance Europe.

The man who brought about this switch was Sigismund III Vasa, who is commemorated by a bronze statue atop an 8.5-metre column.

This was first raised in 1644, but was toppled by the Germans in 1944 and its original red marble was replaced with granite.

There are still fragments of the marble column by the castle walls.

Some events that shook Poland have taken place here, like a bloody riot during the period of Martial Law in 1982, a massacre by the Russians during an uprising in 1861 and a speech by Bill Clinton welcoming Poland into NATO in 1997. Whether it’s a rally or concert there’s often something going on at Castle Square in summer.

8. Warsaw Uprising Museum

This museum of the Warsaw Uprising of August to October 1944 is in the converted former tramway power station in the Wola district.

On entering you can use pre-War telephone receivers to listen to the memories of participants in the uprising.

Among the many clever installations is the Kino palladium, a cinema showing the footage collected by the insurgents and screened at the Warsaw Palladium during the uprising.

There are also replicas of the sewers that the fighters used to get around, while ‘before and after’ photographs of the city bring home the ruthlessness of the German backlash.

9. Copernicus Science Centre

Poland’s top science museum opened in 2010 and has more than 400 interactive exhibits across six zones, each tackling a different field, from the Roots of Civilisation to the Lightzone, investigating the nature of light.

The World in Motion for instance has an earthquake simulator to try out as well as a moving model that showing a human skeleton on a bicycle.

At the Humans and the Environment zone you can find out about urban ecosystems, contruction technology.

There are also webcams beaming footage directly from a falcon’s nest at the Palace of Culture and Science, and the gorilla enclosure at the Warsaw Zoo.

The centre also has a state-of-the-art planetarium with a 3D sound system, screening shows about the cosmos, but also nature and human cultures.

10. Palace of Culture and Science

Whatever your opinion on this enormous building, it is practically ever-present in Warsaw.

At 237 metres the Palace of Culture and Science is the tallest building in Poland, and on its 42 floors are four theatres, a multi-screen cinema, two museums, the 3,000-seater Congress Hall, government offices, academic institutions and private companies.

Taking cues from Art Deco skyscrapers and Polish Historicism, this immense Stalinist complex was a ‘gift from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland’ in 1955, and that’s just one of the reasons it evokes mixed feelings.

If an international event is taking place in Warsaw there’s a good chance it will go down at the Congress Hall, while there’s an observation terrace on the 30th floor open 10:00-20:00 for the ultimate panorama of the city.

11. Łazienki Palace

On the artificial island in the lake at Łazienki Park is the sublime Classical palace conceived in the 18th century for King Stanisław II Augustus.

The property is a conversion of a Baroque bathing pavilion for Count Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski from the century before, and has kept some of the architecture from that first building.

The north facade has a portico at the shore of the lake, while the main entrance is in a recess with powerful Corinthian columns, while the roof is hemmed by a balustrade carrying statues of mythological figures.

The ground floor has lavishly decorated salons (The Solomon Room is a stand-out), and the Lower Gallery, has paintings by Jacob Jordaens, Rembrandt and Rubens.

Upstairs is the Upper Gallery, as well as the King’s splendid cabinet and bedchambers.

Included in this tour : Warsaw Half–Day Highlights Tour

12. Wilanów Palace

The palace at the southern end of the Royal Route came through the Second World War without a scratch.

So Wilanów Palace is a rare glimpse of the majesty of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before Poland was annexed by Prussia and Russia in the late-18th century.

This palace was intended as a summer escape for King Jan III Sobieski towards the end of the 17th century, and has all the hallmarks of Baroque palace architecture, including a parterre with two terraces boasting topiaries, broderie and statues symbolising love.

The exterior is laden with medallions, busts, statues and other Baroque ornamentation, while interior decor abounds with stuccowork, striking trompe-l’œil frescoes and chinoiserie.

High points are the sumptuous White Hall, traced by mirrors, the King’s Library, the King’s Bedroom and the North Gallery, flanked by statues and with magnificent ceiling frescoes.

13. Krakowskie Przedmieście

The most prestigious street in Warsaw makes its way southwards at the beginning of the Royal Route from near the Castle Square.

You’ll see palaces, dignified monuments and eminent Polish institutions like the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw University and the Presidential Palace.

Across from the entrance to Bednarska Street is Warsaw’s second oldest standing monument, the Madonna of Passau.

This dates from 1683 and is a votive offering in thanks for King Jan III Sobieski’s role in the defeat of the Turks at the Battle of Vienna, in which he led the largest cavalry charge in the history of warfare.

14. National Museum

Warsaw’s biggest museum is also one of the largest in Poland and has a huge assortment of historical artefacts from many places and eras.

The collection of antiquities is noteworthy, made up of some 11,000 Egyptian, Greek and Roman pieces.

Also set aside an hour or two to see everything in the Faras Gallery.

This is furnished with Nubian early Christian frescoes, friezes and architectural elements brought here from the Egyptian-Sudanese border before the construction of the Aswan High Dam flooded the valley.

In the collection of Polish Medieval art from the 14th and 15th centuries are works produced for churches and cathedrals, including devotional paintings, altarpieces and sculptures.

And there’s also lots of art from the Early Modern Age and 19th century, by well-known names like Lucas Cranach the Elder, Brueghel the Elder, Rembrandt, Courbet and Renoir.

15. St Anne’s Church

One of the oldest landmarks in the city, St Anne’s Church on Krakowskie Przedmieście was founded in 1454. In the 17th century the church had to be rebuilt no fewer than four times, until receiving its final Neoclassical facade in 1788. In the niches between the columns and pilasters are statues of the Four Evangelists below a massive pediment.

The interior has kept hold of its theatrical Baroque design from a little earlier, and has spectacular frescoes on its barrel vault and has a nave edged by Corinthian pilasters with gilded capitals.

There are also regular organ recitals at St Anne’s, well worth catching.

16. Taras Widokowy na Stare Miasto (Viewing Platform in the Old Town)

St Anne’s Church has a stand alone bell tower, which will provide you with another vantage point over the city.

In fact, this tower may even be better than the Palace of Culture and Science, as it’s planted on the edge of the Old Town and has regal Baroque architecture.

If you can brave the 147 steps you’ll be rewarded by a bird’s eye view of the Castle, Castle Square, the Old Town to the north and Krakowskie Przedmieście to the south.

17. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

In Piłsudski Square, the largest in Warsaw, is a monument for unidentified soldiers who have died fighting for Poland.

The tomb dates to 1925, and contains the body of a soldier who fell in the Battle of Lemberg of 1918-1919 between Poland and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic.

The monument housing the tomb is a fragment (three arches) from the arcade that once belonged to the Saxon Palace, demolished after the Warsaw Uprising.

Under the central arch is the tomb and eternal flame, watched by the Representative Honour Guard Battalion of the Polish Armed Forces.

At the stroke of every hour 365 days a year the guard is changed.

The monument and square are the focus of ceremonies for the Polish Armed Forces Day every 15 August.

18. Jewish Ghetto Memorial

By the Museum of the History of the Polish Jews is a monument to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943. On the square below the wall is a circular plaque inscribed with the message: ” Those who fell in the unprecedented heroic struggle for the Dignity and Freedom of the Jewish people, for Free Poland, for the liberation of man – Polish Jews”, in Polish, Yiddish and Hebrew.

This was unveiled in 1946 and is encased in red sandstone to symbolise the bloodshed.

The wall behind came later, in 1948, designed by Natan Rapaport and intended to resemble Jerusalem’s Western Wall and the wall of the Warsaw Ghetto.

On the eastern side of the monument a bronze bas-relief depicts Jewish children, women and elderly being driven by German soldiers.

On the west side the monument shows the uprising of April 1943 with a relief titled “Fight”.

Recommended tour : 3-Hour Tour of Jewish Warsaw

19. Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery

At 33 hectares this Jewish burial ground, dating back to 1806, is one of the largest in the world.

There are over 250,000 marked graves at Okopawa Street Cemetery, as well as several mass graves for those who were killed during the Warsaw Ghetto.

Nature has taken over large swathes of the site, which, along with the Art Nouveau and Historicist monuments, makes the cemetery equal parts beautiful and poignant.

Something interesting about this place is that it was drawn up for Jewish people of all affiliations, so there are allocated areas known as “Quarters” for military burials, Orthodox burials (for men, women and holy scriptures), reform Judaism and children.

After the Second World War a small corner of the cemetery was reopened for Warsaw’s returning Jewish population.

20. Zachęta

At Plac Małachowskiego is a solemn gallery built in 1900 and dedicated to modern and contemporary Polish art.

Since its foundation in 1860 the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts has had the job of promoting fine art in Poland.

In its early years some of the nation’s most celebrated painters like Jan Matejko and Wojciech Gerson staged exhibitions Zachęta.

And in the same vein, it remains a shortcut to Poland’s art scene via temporary exhibitions for up-and-coming talent and established names like Katarzyna Kozyra and Krzysztof Wodiczko.

In the permanent collection are pieces by leading post-war artists like the painter and set-designer Tadeusz Kantor and the Surrealist Jewish sculptor Alina Szapocznikow.

21. Nowy Świat Street

Also on the Royal Route, this one-kilometre artery leads southwards from Krakowskie Przedmieście down to Three Crosses Square.

Nowy Świat Street’s origins lie in the 16th century when it was first used by the upper class to reach their properties in the countryside south of the old town.

As Warsaw grew, the city’s wealthier and aristocratic residents built homes along the street.

And by Napoleonic times these were remodelled from half-timbered buildings into fine Neoclassical mansions and villas.

The thoroughfare has cafes, upmarket shops and international retailers like Sephora by day, and lots of nightspots with international clientele when the sun goes down.

22. Copernicus Monument

The monument for the trailblazing Renaissance astronomer and mathematician stands proud in front of the Polish Academy of Sciences at Stazsic Palace.

The work shows Copernicus with a compass and armillary sphere and was fashioned by Bertel Thorvaldsen, maybe the leading sculptor in Europe of the day.

It was presented to the public in 1830 and had an uneventful first century until the Second World War.

Not long after entering the city in 1939 the German authorities replaced the Latin and Polish inscriptions with a one in the German language, leading to a tit-for-tat campaign between the Polish resistance and the occupiers.

After the uprising in 1944 it was removed to the city of Nysa to be melted down, but by then the German army was in retreat and the statue could be rescued and returned to its rightful place.

23. Holy Cross Church

Another of the head-turning sights on Krakowskie Przedmieście, the Holy Cross Church is a Baroque monument built in the first half of the 18th century to a design by the royal court architect Józef Szymon Bellotti.

The church was badly damaged in the Warsaw Uprising and was later blown up by the German army in 1945. And when it was rebuilt right after the war the design was simplified and didn’t include the frescoes and polychrome statues that came before.

But there’s still a very good reason to pay a visit: In accordance with his will, Frédéric Chopin’s heart was brought to this church by his sister in an urn, and embedded in a pillar in one of the chapels.

24. Warsaw University Library Garden

A few steps back from the Vistula River, Warsaw University’s library is strange to behold from ground level: There’s a long and austere stone facade and a blue scaffold-like porch that could be from the Pompidou Centre.

But up the exterior stairway is one of the largest roof gardens in Europe.

Open from March to November, this one-hectare space is a little dreamland of fountains, streams, pergolas, arbours and lawns, while the library’s windows and skylights add a touch of the surreal.

This is all the work of landscape architect Irena Bajersaka and opened in 2002. The city views are also fantastic, encompassing the Vistula, the recent PGE National Stadium and the Copernicus Centre.

25. Saxon Garden

When Saxon Garden off Piłsudski Square opened its gates to the public in 1727 it became one of the first public parks in the World.

It had been landscaped in the 17th century for the Saxon Palace, which was lost in the Second World War, along with the Rococo Brühl Palace that also backed onto the park.

In its first century Saxon Garden was a Baroque parterre in the style of Versailles, but has been an English landscape park since the 19th century.

Seek out the park’s sandstone allegorical sculptures, fashioned in the mid-18th century.

Twenty remain from an initial 70, and you can try to work out what each one symbolises (Intellect, Justice, Astronomy, Painting and Poetry are all pretty easy to decipher).

25 Best Things to Do in Warsaw (Poland):

• Royal Route
• Łazienki Park
• Old Town Market Place
• POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
• Royal Castle
• Castle Square
• Warsaw Uprising Museum
• Copernicus Science Centre
• Palace of Culture and Science
• Łazienki Palace
• Wilanów Palace
• Krakowskie Przedmieście
• National Museum
• St Anne's Church
• Taras Widokowy na Stare Miasto (Viewing Platform in the Old Town)
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Jewish Ghetto Memorial
• Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery
• Nowy Świat Street
• Copernicus Monument
• Holy Cross Church
• Warsaw University Library Garden
• Saxon Garden

Everything you need to know about Warsaw

Getting to warsaw, warsaw public communication, useful numbers, most popular places, traveling through city, useful websites, sightseeing routes, boroughs of warsaw, if you are looking for…, booking guide, newest events, currency exchange, books and maps, car renting, free mini guides, plan a trip, feel invited to visit us on plac zamkowy 1/13.

Warsaw Tourist Attractions Map PDF

Printable Map of Warsaw Attractions, Walking Tours Map

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Warsaw Tourist Attractions Maps | City Tours Map

Poland’s capital and largest city is known for its colorful history and abundant architectural mansions, churches and palaces. The city also has a number of garden and parks you can visit to explore. Aside from its history, park and museums, the city is also home of the Polish National Opera where you can witness professional musical performances.

Although this is the largest city in Poland, you will not have a hard time exploring it because the city has an official tourist information agency, The Warsaw Convention Bureau, who provides travelers with information needed on where to locate attractions, hotels or upcoming events. Best to have a copy of the Warsaw Metro Map to guide you in going around the city. Whether you are into galleries, tours, restaurants or hotels to relax, the Warsaw Transport Map will surely assist you if you will take the bus, train, tram or taxi for transport.

For those who are interested to visit Warsaw’s famous attractions, get yourself a copy of the WarsawTourist Sightseeing Map. This map will serve as your tour guide in exploring the city’s top destination such as Copernicus Science Center, Palace of Culture and Science, Wilanow Palace, Warsaw Uprising Museum, Lazienki Park, Nowy Swiat, Krakowskie Przedmiescie and the Old Town Market Square. The map shows additional information on how to visit the famous attractions in the city.

You may also explore the city through Walking Tours. This is where the Warsaw Walking Tour Map comes in. You can walk your way through ancient building and famous museums and through unique restaurants and well known fast food chains. The map will certainly allow you to view and enjoy the city at your own pace.

If you are travelling with kids or with your parents, we suggest you take the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour instead. This option will allow you to explore and experience Warsaw at your own leisure. For more details on where to catch the bus, get our freeprintable copy of the Warsaw Hop on Hop off Bus map.

• Interactive Warsaw Attractions Map
• Top Rated Warsaw Attractions

Warsaw Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Map

Warsaw metro map, warsaw transport map, warsaw tourist map, warsaw walking tour map.

Top Warsaw Attractions Skip-the-line Tickets & Tours

Limo Party & Club Package in Warsaw

Full-Day Private Guided Tour From Warsaw to Auschwitz and Krakow

Skip the Line: Museum of Life Under Communism Ticket

VIP Express Entrance with Open Bar to Hottest Party in Warsaw

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and 2 Self-Guided Tours in Warsaw

Cosmos Museum Ticket with Self-Guided City Tour in Warsaw

World of Illusion Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket

Warsaw Chopin Concert Admission Ticket with Private Transfer

Everything you should see and do on a trip to Warsaw

Oct 31, 2019 • 7 min read

Explore Warsaw's amazing architecture © Krystian Pawlowski / 500px

With the Foster + Partner designed 310m Varso Tower set to be completed in 2020, Warsaw is on track to displace London as home to the tallest building in the European Union. Closer to the ground, a youthful energy is also transforming this 700-year-old survivor into an ideal location for a central European city break.

A respect for history

Eighty years ago Nazi Germany aimed to wipe Warsaw from the face of the earth – a goal that was very nearly achieved by the end of WWII. However, Varsovians are nothing if not tenacious, and out of the rubble and ashes it is miraculous what has survived – some of which is now preserved in the city’s top museums.

Start in the Old Town, itself a remarkable reconstruction of how this part of Warsaw looked in the 17th and 18th centuries. Here, the innovative Museum of Warsaw displays thousands of eclectic objects, each illuminating different aspects of the city’s history. The museum has several other branches scattered around the Old Town that are worth searching out as well as the equally impressive Praga Museum of Warsaw over on Warsaw’s east side across the Vistula River.

Next, deep dive into the city’s darkest days at the exceptional Warsaw Rising Museum . Housed in a former tram power station, this museum forensically covers the heroic but doomed uprising against the German occupation in 1944 via an immersive range of interactive displays, including archival films and personal accounts.

Also leaving practically no stone unturned on a millennium of Jewish life in Poland is the award-winning POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews . The multimedia permanent exhibition shows how much Jewish culture enriched Poland, before Europe's largest Jewish community was practically annihilated during WWII. The museum’s stunning contemporary building, designed by Finnish architectural firm Lahdelma & Mahlamäk, is a sight in its own right and stands amid a park at the heart of the former Jewish ghetto.

Amazing architecture

From medieval churches and revamped art nouveau market halls such as Hala Koszyki , to a flying saucer shaped former railway ticket office that’s now a cafe , Warsaw puts on quite the architectural show. Many of the city's most historic buildings, including the Royal Castle , are restorations or total recreations, but they are no less impressive for that.

During the Communist era socialist realist style went off the scale for the Marszałkowska Residential District (MDM) with its chiselled heroic worker reliefs and giant pair of candelabra on Plac Konstytucji, as well as the monolithic Palace of Culture & Science, a 1950s 'gift' from the USSR to Poland. To see some of the vast complex’s grand interior architecture, join the guided tour offered by Creatours whose booth is next to the ticket office for the observation terrace.

In recent years trendy café/bar/theatre and gallery Studio Teatr­ga­le­ria has spearheaded a cultural project to make better use of part of the somewhat forlorn Plac Defilad that surrounds the complex. Between May and August, in front of the Palace's main eastern entrance, events such as film screenings and concerts are mounted. In winter rent ice skates and work your way around the ice rink that is set up in front of the northern entrance.

Other noteworthy contemporary buildings include the Copernicus Science Centre , a fun and hugely popular interactive learning experience; and Warsaw University Library , with monumental copper panels on its facade symbolising the pages of books. In summer the library also offers a rooftop garden from which to relax and take in the views.

The great outdoors

Since 2014 Warsaw has run an architecture award ; the 2018 winner was the Vistulan Boulevards , an imaginatively landscaped promenade that has refocussed attention on the river that splits the city. On the Vistula’s east bank footpaths lead through riverside woods to Rusałka Beach , a favourite spot for Varsovians to relax and work on their tans in the warmer months – and one of several beaches along the river.

The former royal hunting ground of Łazienki Park has been transformed over the centuries to include themed gardens, palaces, an ornamental lake and an amphitheatre. It’s home to the Chopin Monument , a fabulous art nouveau bronze statue beside which free piano recitals by award-winning musicians are held every Sunday between mid-May and September.

Another pleasure for nature lovers is the 45-hectare Wilanów Park surrounding Wilanów Palace , 12km southeast of the city centre. Baroque Italian gardens, a Renaissance-inspired rose garden and an English-style landscape park are all part of Wilanów’s design. Even in winter the park is still worth visiting as it is transformed nightly by coloured illuminations.

Art and design

While out at Wilanów don’t miss the Poster Museum in the palace’s renovated stable block. Polish poster designers have gained international acclaim for their original works: some wonderful examples are displayed in the regularly changing exhibitions here, and you can buy classic images in its shop. Back in the city centre, Galeria Plakatu Polskiego has the best selection of original and reproduction posters for sale.

Several centuries of outstanding Polish art and design are on display at the National Museum . The eye-popping collection here covers everything from Medieval religious icons to dazzling decorative arts. The museum’s Polish Design Gallery displays iconic pieces such as Ćmielów porcelain, 1960s fabric prints and Teresa Kruszewska's 1973 'Tulip' armchair;

Art is not restricted to galleries in Warsaw – it can be found in the form of giant Communist era mosaics that decorated the side of the buildings, as well as the contemporary counterpart of painted murals. The old industrial buildings and tenements of Praga, in particular, have become a favoured canvas for street artists, thanks to events such as Street Art Doping . Preserving another Varsovian art form is the Neon Museum , a vibrant retirement home for iconic communist-era neon signs.

The Museum of Modern Art is also doing its bit to make sure art has a profile outside of formal gallery walls. While the institution awaits its permanent home to be built on the north side of Plac Defilad, it has a temporary exhibition space at the Museum on the Vistula : the exterior of this pavilion is covered by 1600 sq m work by Sławomir Pawszak, Poland's largest painting. Another of the museum’s projects is Bródno Sculpture Park , which brings to Warsaw’s north eastern suburbs contemporary works by the likes of Paweł Althamer, Youssouf Dara and Olafur Eliasson.

Eat, drink and be merry

Having fed your mind and soul with the best of Warsaw it’s now time to feed your stomach. Whatever your budget you won’t be disappointed. Milk bars (bar mleczny) are super cheap, self-service canteens that are a hangover from communist times. These serve hearty Polish food, mainly vegetarian or dairy-based, hence the name. The best of these operations, such as Prasowy , have given their proletarian decor a contemporary makeover.

If you’re in town on a weekend get over to Hala Gwardii . This 1902 art nouveau market hall once hosted boxing matches; it’s back to selling food and drink, though now in the shape of hipster street-food outlets, craft beer bars and third wave coffee kiosks.

If you’d prefer a traditional style Polish restaurant, romantic Dom Polski in chic Saska Kępa is a great example. For something more contemporary, and to experience local chefs working at the top of their game, book ahead for Bez Gwiazdek or Zoni both of which offer menus that provide give historical and regional Polish recipes a modern twist.

Zoni is part of Koneser , a multiple use complex that’s the latest chapter in the hip revamp of Praga. Top brands of Polish vodka were once produced in the handsome red brick buildings here, as you’ll discover at the interactive Polish Vodka Museum . Take the tour here and you learn all you need to know about the spirit – finishing up, of course, with a tasting of three types of vodka: na zdrowie (cheers)!

Produced by Lonely Planet for Warsaw Tourism. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality.

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Warsaw Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Warsaw is a bustling, revitalized city that has cast off the long shadow of communism. While a lot of grim, gray architecture remains, I found Warsaw to be a lively place with plenty to keep you busy. There’s a growing culinary scene, a wild nightlife, and lots of budget-friendly activities in (and around) the city.

Stroll down the boulevards, explore the wealth of Chopin’s music, admire traditional art pieces, and soak up this modern city — all for a fraction of what you’d pay in Western Europe!

While Krakow gets all the attention, I really enjoyed my time in Warsaw.

This travel guide to Warsaw will help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Warsaw

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Warsaw

1. Wander the Old Town

The streets of the Old Town offer a nice contrast to the modern, bustling city that surrounds them. The area suffered heavy damage during World War II so many of the medieval buildings have been reconstructed, but it’s nevertheless a great place to start your trip. The Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage. Start in the colorful Old Town Market Square and go from there. You have tons of choices when it comes to museums and historical sites; the Royal Castle is located here, as is the Museum of Warsaw.

2. Explore the Chopin Museum

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) is one of the most famous composers in history and his works can still be heard in concert halls across the globe. Chopin grew up in Warsaw before the November Uprising of 1830 and this museum provides an overview of his life and work. Admission is 23 PLN and is free on Wednesdays. This museum is temporarily closed for renovations until April 2023.

3. See the Royal Castle

Located at the entrance to the Old Town, the Royal Castle was the former residence of the Polish monarchs. Construction began in 1598 and lasted over 20 years. The castle was partially destroyed (and looted) by the Nazis in 1939 and then was almost completely destroyed in 1944 during World War II under direct orders from Hitler. It has since undergone extensive restoration and is now a museum and home to royal apartments, paintings, and an ornate interior design. Admission is 40 PLN and is free on Wednesdays.

4. Learn about the Warsaw Uprising

Opened in 2004, this museum is home to hundreds of artifacts from the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, when Polish citizens rebelled against German occupation. The uprising lasted 63 days and was the largest resistance during World War II. Some 15,000 members of the Polish resistance were killed, as well as 2,000-17,000 German troops. The museum has tons of clothing, letters, and interactive films. Admission is 25 PLN.

5. Wander around the Lazienki Park

Designed in the 17th century, this park is home to a small palace that sits on an artificial island. There are several pavilions, an amphitheater, and lots of places to sit, relax, and enjoy the day. It takes a long time to stroll around and is beautiful when the sun is shining. Bring a book, pack a picnic, and lounge the day away!

Other Things to See and Do in Warsaw

1. take a free walking tour.

One of the best things you can do when you arrive in a new city is to take a walking tour. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land and learn about the culture, people, and history of the destination. Orange Umbrella offers daily free tours that provide much more insight than any guidebook. Plus, you can connect with an expert local guide who can answer all your questions. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. Visit the Powazki Cemetery

Established in 1790, this cemetery is the final resting place of many important figures in Polish history, including the family of Frederic Chopin (he is buried in Paris, though his heart was brought back to Poland when he died in 1849), some of Chopin’s early teachers, Krzysztof Komeda (a famous jazz composer), and Nobel Prize winner Wladyslaw Reymontamong others. It’s the city’s oldest cemetery and the sculptures and architecture surrounding the tombs are both serene and eerie. It makes for a quiet place for a stroll.

3. Admire St. Anne’s Church

St. Anne’s Church (Kosciol Swietej Anny) is one of Warsaw’s oldest buildings. Construction started in 1454 and the building has survived several wars (the roof was destroyed a few times but the rest has remained intact). The Neo-Classical facade dates to the 1780s and the interior is lavishly designed in the High-Baroque style. There are also some stunning hand-painted frescoes inside as well. Admission is free but dress respectfully as it is a place of worship.

4. Tour the Gestapo Headquarters Museum

Officially known as the Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom, this museum focuses on the conflict between the Polish resistance and the Gestapo. It has a profound exhibit that takes you through the old detention cells which were used to hold and torture prisoners. Prisoners were subjected to beatings, attacked with dogs, and even electrocuted. And if they didn’t cooperate, their family would be brought in and tortured before their very eyes. It’s a sobering place but one that shouldn’t be missed. Admission is free.

5. Visit the Museum of Modern Art

Established in 2005 and located only a short walk from the Central Railway Station, this small museum features contemporary art by Polish and international artists. I’m not much of a modern art fan, but there are some cool exhibitions here as well as some thought-provoking art. Admission is just 15 PLN and there are regular guided tours in English. Check the website for more details, including what temporary exhibits are available.

6. Check out the National Museum

This museum is one of the largest in the country. It boasts a substantial collection of ancient art (including 11,000 pieces of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman works), Medieval art, Polish paintings, sculptures, works from international artists, and a collection of Chinese art with over 5,000 pieces. They also have some paintings from Adolf Hitler’s private collection. Admission to both the permanent and temporary galleries is 20 PLN and guided tours are 300 PLN.

7. Relax in Multimedia Fountain Park

The Multimedia Fountain Park is comprised of two fountains that spray water in choreographed patterns to music. One fountain is a massive 2,200 square meters, and the other is 120 meters in length. Kids can play in a nearby water playground and watch the water shoot into the air to the music, which varies from Chopin to Lady Gaga. Each Friday and Saturday night in the summer, there is a light show to accompany the waterworks (in the winter it’s just a light show since the water is frozen). It’s a popular spot in the summer so expect crowds.

8. Tour the Copernicus Science Center

The Copernicus Science Center, named after the famous Polish astronomer and polymath, is one of the most modern science centers in Europe (it was Copernicus who first suggested the sun, not the Earth, was at the center of the universe). Located on the bank of the Vistula River, it has over 450 interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to take part in all sorts of experiments involving light, sounds, electricity, and more. It’s a great place to visit with kids. There’s a planetarium here as well. Admission is 37 PLN on weekdays and 39 PLN on weekends and holidays.

9. Visit the POLIN

The Museum of the History of Polish Jews is a new museum with both permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as performances and workshops about Jewish history and culture. The museum documents the history of the Jews in Poland from the Middle Ages to the present. Over 90% of the Jewish population in Poland was killed by the Nazis in World War II and the museum was built on the spot where the Warsaw Ghetto was located (be sure to take a walking tour of the area to learn more about the Warsaw Ghetto and the fate of Jews in Poland during the World War II). Admission is 30 PLN and entry is free on Thursday.

10. Visit the Palace of Culture and Science

This is the most iconic building in the city, dominating the city skyline and looming over the city. It’s the tallest building in Poland, home to 42 floors, theaters, a multi-screen cinema, museums, and much more. The building was a “gift” to Poland from the Soviet Union in 1955 and many people want to demolish it for that reason (Poland suffered heavily under Stalin). It offers a great view of the city from the 30th floor (there is an observation deck there which is free to access with the Warsaw Pass; it’s 25 PLN without it). Access to the building is free.

  For more information on other cities in Poland, check out these guides:

• Krakow Travel Guide

Warsaw Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm with 8-10 beds starts around 90 PLN per night. Private rooms cost around 200 PLN. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have kitchens if you want to cook your own food.

Campgrounds can be found outside the city (and there are plenty of campgrounds throughout the country as well). Expect to pay around 40 PLN per night for a basic tent plot without electricity.

Budget hotel prices – A double bed in a budget hotel with free Wi-Fi and a TV costs around 275 PLN per night. Many include a simple free breakfast as well.

Airbnb is available in Warsaw with private rooms starting at 90 PLN per night (though they usually average double that). Entire homes and apartments start at 180 PLN per night but, again, they often cost double (or more). Be sure to book early to secure the best deal.

Food – Polish meals are quite hearty, usually containing potatoes, meat (pork and chicken), and seasonal produce like beets or cabbage. Stews and soups (like borscht, a beet soup) are popular and can be found at most local restaurants. Pierogis are also a common staple and can be found everywhere for cheap. For some traditional Polish food, try beef tongue or pork knuckles. The country also has lots of traditional desserts too, like paczki (a Polish donut) and makowiec (poppy-seed cake).

Most cheap meals of traditional cuisine (served at local restaurants called bar mleczny or “milk bars”) cost around 35 PLN. For a three-course meal with a drink and table service, expect to pay 90 PLN. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs 26 PLN for a combo meal.

A large pizza costs around 25-30 PLN while Chinese food costs around 15-20 PLN. Zapiekanki , a popular Polish street snack that’s like a pizza baguette, costs 5-6 PLN.

Beer costs around 14 PLN while a latte or cappuccino is around 13 PLN. Bottled water is 6 PLN.

If you buy groceries and cook your own meals, expect to pay around 165 PLN per week for basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal vegetables, and some meat. The cheapest grocery store is Biedronka, which you can find almost everywhere. Outdoor markets are also a great and cheap place to get fresh produce and other local products.

Backpacking Warsaw Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 185 PLN per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do some cheap activities like free walking tours and visiting the free museums. If you plan on drinking, add 15-30 PLN to your budget per day.

On a mid-range budget of 375 PLN per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out more at cheap milk bars, enjoy a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting the Uprising Museum.

On a “luxury” budget of 725 PLN or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink more, take more taxis, and do whatever guided tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in PLN.

Warsaw Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Warsaw is an affordable city so there aren’t too many tips out there to help you save money. That said, here are a few ways you can save money while you visit Warsaw:

• Eat at Milk Bars – If you’re eating out, stick to the mleczny (milk bar). These are no-frills and cafeteria-style where you order from a counter, but it’s a great way to save money and take in the scene. Expect plates of hearty pierogis, homemade soups, plenty of meat, and a local beer for around 35 PLN.
• Get the Warsaw Pass – For 119 PLN, the single-day Warsaw Pass provides free public transportation and access to all of the city’s main attractions. It’s a great deal if you plan on seeing a lot. There is also a two-day pass for 159 PLN and a three-day pass for 189 PLN.
• Watch your drinking – Warsaw is known for its partying and pub crawls and long nights out. While booze is cheap here, nights out can add up quickly. Start off by grabbing your favorite drinks from a grocery store first whenever possible. You’ll save a ton compared to the bar.
• Take a free walking tour – Free tours from companies like Orange Umbrella are a great way to explore the city while learning about its history, culture, and architecture. Just be sure to tip!
• Use ridesharing apps – Ridesharing apps like BlaBlaCar are a great way to get around the country for cheap. You simply download the app, find someone looking for passengers, and go! Everyone is rated and verified and it’s usually more convenient (and cheaper) than other forms of transportation. For travel within the city, use Uber. It is cheaper than the local taxis if you’re leaving the city to explore.
• Stay with a local – While accommodation is not expensive in Warsaw, Couchsurfing is a great way to lower your accommodation costs. Not only will you save some money by getting a free place to stay but you’ll also be able to make a local friend and get insider knowledge about the city!
• Bike share – For 10 PLN, you can register with the bike-share company Vetrulio. After you sign up, bike use is free for 20 minutes, making it essentially free to bounce around the city during your visit. After 20 minutes, it’s just 1 PLN for the first hour and 3 PLN for the next hour.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water in Warsaw is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Warsaw

Warsaw has a handful of hostels in town and they’re all comfortable, safe, and sociable. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• Oki Doki Old Town
• Warsaw Centrum Hostel
• Safestay Warsaw
• Chillout Hostel

How to Get Around Warsaw

Public transportation – Buses and trams are the most common way to get around and run from 5am-11pm. They cost 3-5 PLN depending on how far you go. These tickets last 75 minutes. 90-minute tickets are available for around 7 PLN. For a day pass, prices start at 15 PLN per person while a 3-day pass starts at 36 PLN.

From the Warsaw Chopin Airport to the city center the quickest way is by train and the journey takes 20-minutes. Fares start at 3.40 PLN for a 20-minute ticket while a single ticket costs 4.40 PLN. The public bus is also available for 4.40 PLN or you can take an airport shuttle for 67 PLN per person.

The subway in Warsaw is fast and reliable. Prices for the subway are the same as the bus/tram prices above. Validated tickets let you transfer between each mode of transportation (as long as your ticket time hasn’t expired).

Taxi – Taxis are common and safe, with prices starting at 8 PLN and going up 3 PLN per kilometer. Just make sure you use official taxis as there are often illegal taxis that try to take fares (and who overcharge). Official taxis have the company logo and phone number on the car. They also use a meter.

To ensure you get a reputable company, have your hotel/hostel call a taxi before you go just to be safe.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Warsaw and is cheaper than using taxis. Stick to Uber if you need a private ride.

Bicycle – For 10 PLN, you can register for Vetrulio, a bike-rental company in Warsaw. After you sign up, bike use is free for 20 minutes, making it essentially free to bounce around the city during your visit. After 20 minutes (and up to an hour) it’s just 1 PLN and then 3 PLN for the next hour.

There are also scooter share programs that cost 2 PLN to start and then 0.55 PLN per minute after that.

Car rental – You don’t need a car to get around Warsaw, however, if you plan on exploring the region you can find rentals for around 100 PLN per day for a multi-day rental. Drivers must have had their license for at least one year and an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for citizens of certain countries.

When to Go to Warsaw

The best (and most popular) time to visit Warsaw is during the summer, from June to August. Temperatures are hot and rain is infrequent. Expect daily highs around 25°C (77°F). There are crowds, but they aren’t nearly as oppressive as what you find in Western Europe. Just be sure to book ahead so you don’t miss out on the cheapest accommodation.

The shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) are great times to visit as well. You’ll beat the crowds and have much milder temperatures, with temperatures ranging from 14-19°C (57-67°F) in the spring and 3-12°C (39-54°F) in the fall. You’ll get more rain but you’ll get the stunning autumn colors in the fall and lots of blooming flowers in the spring which make for a stunning backdrop to your trip.

Winter in Warsaw is cold, with temperatures dropping below 0°C (32°F) during the day and down to -5°C (23°F) overnight. Snow is common, which can affect conditions if you’re traveling by car. In short, I wouldn’t recommend a winter visit unless you plan on leaving the city to go skiing or take part in other winter activities.

How to Stay Safe in Warsaw

Poland is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world (it ranks higher than Italy, Spain, and Australia in terms of safety).

Of course, you should still take some precautions while you’re here. Keep your valuables secure and out of sight when riding public transportation and while you’re in popular tourist areas.

Taxi scams in Warsaw are rare, but always make sure your driver is using the meter. If they aren’t, ask them to stop and find a taxi that will.

ATM skimming can occur here so always make sure you use verified ATMs. If you can, go into the bank to withdraw your money (as opposed to using outdoor ATMs that are easier to tamper with).

If you rent a car, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone at night intoxicated, etc.).

If you’re worried about getting ripped off, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 112.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Warsaw Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Warsaw Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Europe and continue planning your trip:

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

• Warsaw SKM Map
• Warsaw WKD Map
• Warsaw KM Map
• Central Warsaw Bus Map
• Warsaw Suburban Bus Map
• Warsaw Night Bus Map
• Warsaw Attractions Map
• City Sightseeing Hop on Hop off Bus Map

Neighborhood

• Frederic Chopin Airport & Terminal Map (WAW)
• Modlin Airport & Terminal Map (WMI)
• Warsaw Bike Route
• Veturilo Stations Map

Map of Warsaw

On Mapa Warszawy 360°, you will find the transport & transportation maps of Warsaw in Poland (metro map, train maps, tram map and bus maps), tourist maps of the city of Warsaw (monuments map, tourist bus map), districts and neighborhoods maps, the airport map and maps of bike paths and Veturilo stations.

All Warsaw maps

On Mapa Warszawy 360° you can download in PDF or print useful and practical maps of Warsaw in Poland. To help you move into the city, you may use the transport maps of Warsaw operated by Metro Warszawskie, SKM, WKD, KM, Tramwaje Warszawskie et ZTM. The network includes 2 metro lines, 19 commuter rail lines, 27 tram lines and 261 bus lines. To visit the city of Warsaw, you will find the tourist maps of Warsaw monuments and museums, but also maps of bus tours in Hop on Hop off buses (City Sightseeing) allowing you to discover the city attractions. Then you will also find maps of 18 districts and neighborhoods of the city, maps of the airports and maps of bike paths or Veturilo stations.

Warsaw Travel Guide

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We chose a trip to Poland due to the fact that my family comes from Poland. It was the best choice. Our guide showed us the house where my family once live...

Packed with a bizarre mix of gleaming office buildings and grey, Communist-era apartment blocks, WARSAW (Warszawa) often bewilders backpackers. Yet if any city rewards exploration, it is the Polish capital. North of the lively centre are stunning Baroque palaces and the meticulously reconstructed Old Town; to the south are two of Central Europe’s finest urban parks; and in the east lie reminders of the rich Jewish heritage extinguished by the Nazis.

Chopin Museum

Drinking and nightlife, entertainment, jewish ghetto and cemetery, łazienki park, museum of the history of the polish jews, national museum, old and new town squares, the old town, palace of culture and science, royal castle, the royal way, warsaw uprising museum, wilanów palace.

Warsaw became the capital in 1596 and initially flourished as one of Europe’s most prosperous cities. In 1815, however, the Russians conquered the city and, despite a series of rebellions, it was not until the outbreak of World War I that this control collapsed. Warsaw again became the capital of an independent Poland in 1918, but the German invasion of 1939 meant this was to be short-lived. Infuriated by the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, Hitler ordered the total destruction of the city, leaving 850,000 Varsovians dead and 85 percent of Warsaw in ruins. Rebuilding is an ongoing process.

The main sights are on the western bank of the Wisła (Vistula) River where you’ll find the central business and shopping district, Śródmieście , grouped around Centralna station and the nearby Palace of Culture. The more picturesque Old Town (Stare Miasto) is just to the north.

There are plenty of good private hostels, mainly in Środmieście, most offering free internet, breakfast and free/cheap laundry services. Hotels tend to be pricier than elsewhere in Poland.

Top image © Triff/Shutterstock

Travel ideas for Poland, created by local experts

Explore the Liberation Route in Poland

Poland was the first country that Hitler invaded and with it starting World War II. Discover the Polish sites of World War II with this itinerary, from the Northern city of Gdansk where the first battle took place to the concentration camps of Auschwitz close to Krakow.

Warsaw’s most lavish tribute to its favourite son is the achingly modern Chopin Museum , east of Krakowskie Przedmieście at ul. Okolnik 1 ( w www.chopin.museum ). With interactive handsets to guide visitors through exhibits on the musician’s life, it’s a must for Chopin enthusiasts, but only 100 people are allowed into the museum at a time so tickets must be reserved in advance.

The bar scene in Warsaw has really taken off over the last decade, and the city now genuinely provides a great night out that rivals Prague and needn’t blow your budget. Praga, across the river, is a formerly dangerous neighbourhood that now boasts a lively, bohemian bar scene – an interesting alternative to the more glitzy hangouts you’ll find downtown. Check out the English-language Warsaw Insider (available in most hotels; w www.warsawinsider.pl ) for more information on nightlife and a monthly list of events.

The tipple most associated with Poland, vodka is actually in danger of being eclipsed in popularity by beer among young Poles, so it’s well worth seeking out the varieties you can’t find abroad before they disappear from Polish shops and bars completely. Traditionally served chilled and neat – although increasingly mixed with fruit juice –vodka can be clear or flavoured with anything from bison grass to mountain herbs to juniper berries or honey. There’s even been a revival of kosher vodkas, although whether their rabbinic stamps of approval are kosher themselves or just a marketing gimmick isn’t always obvious.

The city’s festivals enhance the celebratory vibe, especially the Warsaw “Summer Jazz Days” Festival, a series of outdoor concerts held throughout July and August.

Cinema Films are usually shown in their original language with Polish subtitles. Tickets 17–30zł.

Music Live bands are apt to appear in bars without any warning; W Oparach Absurdu and the Irish Pub are your best bets.

West of the New and Old towns is the former ghetto area, in which an estimated 380,000 Jews – one-third of Warsaw’s total population – were crammed from 1939 onwards. By the war’s end, the ghetto had been razed to the ground, with only around three hundred Jews and just one synagogue, the Nożyk Synagogue at ul. Twarda 6, left. You can still get an idea of what Jewish Warsaw looked like on the miraculously untouched ul. Próźna.

Take tram #22 from Centralna Station to ul. Okopowa 49/51 to reach the vast, overgrown Jewish Cemetery (Cmentarz Zydowski; Mon–Thurs 10am–5pm, Fri 9am–1pm, Sun 11am–4pm, closed Sat; 8zł), one of the few still in use in Poland.

About 2km south of the commercial district, on the eastern side of al. Ujazdowskie, is the much-loved Łazienki Park (bus #116, # 180 or #195 from Nowy Świat). Once a hunting ground, the area was bought in the 1760s by King Stanisław August, who turned it into a park and built the Neoclassical Łazienki Palace (Tues–Sun 9am–6pm; 17zł) across the lake. But the park itself is the real attraction, with its oak-lined paths alive with peacocks and red squirrels.

Located in the midst of the former ghetto area at Anielewicza 6, the Museum of the History of the Polish Jews (Wed–Mon 10am–6pm; 12zł; www.jewishmuseum.org.uk ) is worth visiting for the building alone – a futuristic glassy slab filled with organic, curvy surfaces. The display pays tribute to the rich Jewish civilization that flourished on the soil of Poland, until all but snuffed out by the Holocaust. The painted wooden ceiling of the 17th-century Gwozdziec synagogue is one obvious highlight. Opposite the museum is the Ghetto Heroes Monument , commemorating the doomed Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of April 1943, when lightly armed ghetto inhabitants took on the might of the German SS.

At the southern end of Nowy Świat and east along al. Jerozolimskie is the National Museum (Tues–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat & Sun 10am–6pm; 15zł, free Sat; w www.mnw.art.pl ), housing an extensive collection of medieval, Impressionist and modern art, as well as Christian frescoes from eighth- to thirteenth-century Sudan. Particularly striking is the fourteenth-century sculpture of the Pietà, which is more reminiscent of the Modernist distortions in the room nearby than Michaelangelo’s famed depiction of the same scene.

On ul. Świętojańska, north of the castle, stands St John’s Cathedral, the oldest church in Warsaw. A few yards away, the Old Town Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) is one of the most remarkable bits of postwar reconstruction anywhere in Europe. Flattened during the Uprising, its three-storey merchants’ houses have been rebuilt in near-flawless imitation of the Baroque originals. It’s also home to the Warsaw Historical Museum (closed at the time of writing, due to reopen by early 2014; w www.mhw.pl ), where an English-language film shows poignant footage of the vibrant, multicultural 1930s city and the ruins left in 1945. Crossing the ramparts heading north brings you to the New Town Square (Rynek Nowego Miasta) at the heart of the so-called New Town (Nowe Miasto), the town’s commercial hub in the fifteenth century but now a quiet spot to escape the bustling Old Town.

The title Old Town (Stare Miasto) is, in some respects, a misnomer for the historic nucleus of Warsaw. After World War II the beautifully arranged Baroque streets were destroyed, only to be painstakingly reconstructed so accurately that the area has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town comes alive in the summer, as tourists, street performers and festivals take over the cobblestone streets. Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square), on the south side of the Old Town, is the obvious place to start a tour.

West of the National Museum lies the commercial heart of the city, the Centrum crossroads from which ul. Marszałkowska, the main north–south road, cuts across al. Jerozolimskie running east–west. Towering over everything is the Palace of Culture and Science , a post-World War II gift from Stalin whose vast interior now contains theatres, a swimming pool and a nightclub. The platform on the thirtieth floor (daily 9am–8pm, Fri & Sat till 11pm; 20zł; pkin.pl ) offers impressive views of the city.

On the east side of Castle Square is the thirteenth-century Royal Castle , now home to the Castle Museum ( w www.zamek-krolewski.pl ). Though the structure is a replica, many of its furnishings are originals. After passing the lavish Royal Apartments of King Stanisław August, you visit the Lanckoranski Gallery, which contains a fascinating range of aristocratic portraits including two paintings – Girl in a Picture Frame and Scholar at His Desk – by Rembrandt.

Lined with historic buildings, the road that runs south from pl. Zamkowy along the streets of Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat to the palace of Wilanów, on the city’s outskirts, is the old Royal Way . One highlight is the Church of the Nuns of the Visitation , one of the few buildings in central Warsaw to have come through the war unscathed. Much of the rest of Krakowskie Przedmieście is occupied by university buildings, including several fine Baroque palaces and the Holy Cross Church . Sealed inside a column to the left of the nave is an urn containing Chopin’s heart.

For flashy boutiques and department stores, first explore the gleaming Złote Terasy shopping centre (replete with such Western titles as H&M and Zara), opposite the Palace of Culture and Science on ul. Emilii Plater, before passing through to the mainly pedestrianized streets of ul. Chimielna and ul. Nowy Świat.

The Hala Mirowska market on al. Jana Pawła II is the place to go for fresh fruits and vegetables (daily); antique hunters should head for the Kolo Antique Market on ul. Obozowa (trams #13 & #23 from the Old Town; Sun 7am–2pm), where you’ll find everything from war medals to old Christian icons.

About 1.5km west of Centrum is the Warsaw Uprising Museum at ul. Grzybowska 79 (Mon, Wed & Fri 8am–6pm, Thurs 8am–8pm, Sat & Sun 10am–6pm; 14zł, free Mon; w www.1944.pl ; tram #22 from Centralna Station). Set in a century-old brick power station, the museum retells the grim story of how the Varsovians fought and were eventually crushed by the Nazis in 1944 – a struggle that led to the deaths of nearly two hundred thousand Poles and the destruction of most of the city. Special attention is given to the equivocal role played by Soviet troops, who watched passively from the other side of the Wisła as the Nazis defeated the Polish insurgents. Only after the city was a charred ruin did they move across to “liberate” its few remaining inhabitants.

The grandest of Warsaw’s palaces, Wilanów (May–Sept Mon, Wed & Sat 9.30am–6.30pm, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9.30am–4.30pm, Sun 10.30am–6.30pm; Oct–April Mon & Wed–Sat 9.30am–4.30pm, Sun 10.30am–4.30pm; 20zł, free Sun Oct–April; w www.wilanow-palac.pl ), makes an easy excursion from the centre: take bus #180 south from Krakowskie Przedmieście or Nowy Świat to its terminus. Converted in the seventeenth century from a small manor house into the “Polish Versailles”, the palace displays a vast range of decorative styles, a mixture mirrored in the delightful palace gardens (daily 9am–sunset; 5zł, free Thurs).

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Warsaw   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Warsaw

Kraków may be known as Poland's cultural capital, but the country's official capital – Warsaw – is just as appealing to culture hounds. After all, this is the city where iconic figures like Marie Curie and Frédéric Chopin grew up. Following a day spent at a music festival or the Copernicus Science Centre , you can explore the historic Old Town neighborhood. Or, soak up Warsaw's rich (and often dark) past at museums like the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews . No matter how you fill your day, you can end it with locally made vodkas or hearty traditional fare (think: meat and potatoes) at one of the city's restaurants, bar mleczny (government-subsidized eateries) or street vendors.

Find Flight and Hotel Deals

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Best of Warsaw

Best hotels in warsaw.

• # 1 in Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Warsaw
• # 2 in H15 Boutique Hotel
• # 3 in Polonia Palace Hotel

Best Things to Do in Warsaw

• # 1 in Old Town (Stare Miasto)
• # 2 in Lazienki Królewskie Museum (Muzeum Lazienki Królewskie)
• # 3 in POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews (POLIN Muzeum Historii Zydów Polskich)

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Warsaw Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Warsaw is between June and August. Although these months constitute Warsaw's peak season, summer's pleasant temperatures (which hover in the 50s, 60s and 70s) and ample seasonal activities make up for dealing with larger crowds at attractions. If you're sticking to a tight budget, you'll score discounted rates on rooms and flights between December and February (Warsaw's winter) thanks to the region's chilly 20- to 30-degree weather. March to May and September through November (the city's spring and fall seasons) are also cost-effective times to visit, with May and September providing relatively comfortable temps in the high 40s to high 60s.

Weather in Warsaw

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Stay in or near Old Town  This central neighborhood (and its adjacent districts) boast several top attractions and feature everything from affordable hostels to five-star properties.

Restroom customs differ here Public restrooms – such as ones found in metro stations and some cafes – generally cost 1 or 2 Polish zloty (or less than $1) to use. Also, keep in mind the symbols used to designate gender-specific bathrooms: Women's restrooms are marked with circles, while men's facilities have triangles.

The nightlife scene is growing Poland produces about 40 percent of the European Union's vodka, so it's hardly surprising that Poles like to drink. You'll find watering holes and nightclubs throughout Warsaw, especially in trendy neighborhoods like Praga and Powisle.

How to Save Money in Warsaw

Buy a Warsaw Pass If you plan on visiting multiple sights and using public transportation, consider buying an upgraded Warsaw Pass card . These passes, which cost 105 to 219 Polish zloty (or between $29 and $61) per person, cover one to three days of unlimited rides on Warsaw's metro, trams and buses, as well as entrance fees for attractions like the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Copernicus Science Centre .

Skip traditional restaurant meals Warsaw's street food vendors and bar mleczny (or milk bars, government-subsidized cafeterias that were popular during Poland's communist era) are some of the city's best spots to enjoy cheap, authentic Polish dishes like pierogies (potato-filled dumplings) and zapiekanki (a pizza-like dish made with a baguette half instead of dough).

Take advantage of free days at museums  Most of Warsaw's must-see museums – including the Warsaw Uprising Museum and the Lazienki Królewskie Museum – offer waived admissions on Thursdays or Sundays.

Culture & Customs

Warsaw's occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II is one of the darkest periods in the city's history. Many Polish Jews living in the city at the time died while trying to survive in ghettos and death camps or fighting against their oppressors during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943. Their suffering during World War II and their far-reaching cultural impact is commemorated at many of Warsaw's museums and monuments, including the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Warsaw Uprising Museum .

Although Warsaw's historic attractions and ample museums are the main reasons visitors flock to the city, Poland's capital also boasts a lively nightlife scene, especially in up-and-coming neighborhoods like Powisle and Praga. What's more, famous musicians like Frédéric Chopin and Wladyslaw Szpilman once called Warsaw home, so it's hardly surprising that the city hosts an array of music-focused events, including free outdoor piano concerts at the Lazienki Królewskie Museum and various jazz festivals. Famed scientist Marie Curie and art deco artist Tamara de Lempicka also lived in the capital.

English is spoken by many Poles, so you shouldn't have any issues communicating with locals. However, Poland's official language is Polish, and learning a few basic words and phrases in Polish – like " czesc " (hello), " prosze " (please), " dziekuje " (thank you) and " do widzenia " (goodbye) – will likely come in handy.

Unlike other members of the European Union, Poland uses the Polish zloty as its official currency (1 Polish zloty is equal to $0.28). But, euros are occasionally accepted as a valid form of payment for select tours and at a limited number of stores. Since the Polish zloty (or euro) to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. And keep in mind Poland's tipping etiquette: Leaving a tip is not customary, but if exceptional service is provided, feel free to tip 10 to 15 percent of your bill.

What to Eat

Warsaw may not be known as a foodie destination, but its dining scene is arguably the best in Poland. Many of the city's best restaurants – including Stolica , Restauracja Polska Rózana and Soul Kitchen Bistro – feature Polish classics like pierogies (a dumpling-like dish that features a potato stuffing) on their menus. Other must-try dishes include  zurek (a sour rye soup that's loaded with hard-boiled eggs and sausage) and bigos (a dish made of fried and stewed cabbage, sauerkraut, mushrooms and meats like bacon and kielbasi , grilled sausages). Modern versions of traditional Polish items, meanwhile, can be found at eateries like the Amber Room Restauracja and N31 restaurant&bar .

For affordable Polish cuisine, Warsaw's street vendors and bar mleczny (or milk bars, government-subsidized eateries that were commonplace during Poland's communist rule) can't be missed. These casual eateries serve popular items like zapiekanka (a baguette half topped with mushrooms, cheese and ketchup) and fasolka po Bretonsku (a stewed version of baked beans) and are located throughout the city. Popular milk bars include Bar Bambino and Prasowy .

Warsaw also boasts multiple ethnic restaurants that specialize in everything from French to Israeli cuisine. According to recent travelers, some of the city's best ethnic eateries include Maho Restaurant (which serves Turkish fare), InAzia (a Japanese restaurant) and Mr India (where Indian dishes are on the menu).

Additionally, Warsaw produces nearly half of the European Union's vodka. Visitors ages 18 and older can sample vodkas at many of the city's bars and restaurants, but for an in-depth look at the spirit, consider signing up for a tasting with local tour operators like XperiencePoland and Eat Polska . XperiencePoland's tasting costs 29 euros (roughly $34) per person and includes eight vodka samples and two Polish snacks. Meanwhile, Eat Polska's tasting is 290 Polish zloty (or about $80.50) per person and features six or seven vodka samples, plus five or six food pairings.

Poland's crime rate is low overall, but theft and pickpocketing (especially at popular attractions and on public transportation) occasionally occur. As such, travelers should keep an eye on their belongings and surroundings at all times. It is also best to avoid public demonstrations, which are fairly common in Poland and can become violent, and to travel with others at night and in crowded areas like Old Town . For more tips on how to stay safe while visiting Warsaw, check out the U.S. State Department's website .

Getting Around Warsaw

The best ways to get around Warsaw are on foot and via public transportation. Many top attractions sit within walking distance of one another, while others are easy to reach by metro, tram or bus. Warsaw's public transportation network – operated by Zarzad Transportu Miejskiego – is extensive, offering approximately 200 bus routes and 30 tram, four train and two metro lines. The easiest way to get to central Warsaw from the airport is to use the S2 or S3 train, but once you're downtown, plan on using the metro or trams. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available, but are not a cost-effective option for traveling longer distances. You may also opt to rent a car, but Warsaw's streets are not the easiest to navigate and offer limited parking in the city center. To get to Warsaw, travelers fly into Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), which is about 5 miles south of central Warsaw.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Americans can visit Poland for up to 90 days without a visa, but you must have a passport that's valid for at least three months after your departure date (though six months validity is recommended). Additionally, you will be required to show proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket when you arrive. Visit the U.S. State Department's website to learn more about entry and exit requirements.

Everything from pastel-hued, late 18th-century buildings to communist-era apartments to modern skyscrapers can be found in Warsaw's Old Town area.

Explore More of Warsaw

Things To Do

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Warsaw Visit

Warsaw Visit – Your Warsaw Travel Guide

For many, Warsaw still has a Cold War reputation. But it is now a thriving, modern city. WarsawVisit will help you make the most of any trip to Poland’s fascinating capital.

Make the most of your trip to Warsaw with our list of recommended hotels , a rundown of the best places to eat in Warsaw and our overview of essential attractions in Warsaw .

Check Warsaw Hotel Availability

Destination, check-in date, check-out date.

Our itineraries will help you get the most out of a visit to Warsaw, see our One-Day Warsaw Itinerary , Two-Day Warsaw Itinerary and Three-Day Warsaw Itinerary pages to learn more. Our Things To Do In Warsaw guide is also full of recommendations.

Plan your Warsaw visit with Warsaw map of Warsaw’s attractions, restaurants, sightseeing and hotels.

Each type of landmark has a different colour marker on the map:

• 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

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.

Click on the icon in the top left corner for an index of every location, 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 Visit Warsaw map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

• Things To Do In Warsaw

Start Planning Your Warsaw Trip Now!

:: Get to know Warsaw with a professional guided tour – Get Your Guide has a large range of activities, including harbour tours and day trips.

:: Find available Warsaw hotels on Booking.com – you can usually reserve with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out and, if necessary, cancel for free.

:: Find Warsaw flights with 12go - a single search shows times and prices from all available airlines for your trip, saving you time and money.

:: An airport transfer is the hassle-free way to arrive. A driver will meet you in Arrivals and take you direct to your hotel.

:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Warsaw Essentials

• Packing List For Warsaw
• How Much Money Do I Need For Warsaw?
• Where To Get A SIM Card In Warsaw
• Why You Need Travel Insurance For Poland

Warsaw Trip Planning

• First Time In Warsaw
• Warsaw One-Day Itinerary
• Warsaw Two-Day Itinerary
• Warsaw Three-Day Itinerary
• Warsaw Airport Guide
• Getting From Warsaw Airport To Warsaw City Centre
• Getting From Warsaw City Centre To Warsaw Airport

Disclosure: WarsawVisit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and amazon.co.uk.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

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