Is Warsaw worth a visit? Oh yes! Here’s a travel guide to Warsaw with the best sights, restaurants, and experiences.
Warsaw has long lived in the shadow of other popular Polish cities like Krakow, Gdansk, and Sopot. When I visited Warsaw on a business trip about 15 years ago, I actually found it quite gray and boring.
But this time, the city that welcomed us was completely different.
Skyscrapers stretch toward the sun, side by side with worn-down walls still peppered with bullet holes from the war.
On the food markets, in the parks, and along the Vistula River, life pulses through the city.
The museums invite you to explore everything from shocking war history to funky neon signs.
Not to mention the city’s green oases and an impressive selection of delicious food.
Still unsure? Here are 10 great reasons to spend a weekend in Warsaw (or even a week).
The text contains links to our partners. This means we earn a small commission if you book through the links, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our blog. We never recommend anything we haven’t tried ourselves and are happy with. Thank you!
1. Warsaw Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Market Square
In summer, Warsaw’s Old Town is filled with market stalls and dining spots, while in winter it radiates Christmas cheer at the holiday market.
The square is framed by the characteristic colorful, narrow facades, connected by winding cobblestone streets.
The Royal Castle
The Royal Castle is a popular attraction in Warsaw.
Here you can wander through the rooms where royalty once lived, surrounded by exquisite interiors, paintings by famous artists, and all kinds of gold and glitter.
Museum of Warsaw
Right next to the castle is the Museum of Warsaw, which tells the city’s history through a collection of artifacts.
Here you’ll find, among other things, the bronze statue of the mermaid, Warsaw’s city symbol and, according to legend, the city’s protector.
Warsaw’s Old Town dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries but was unfortunately destroyed during World War II. (Perhaps the mermaid was visiting her cousin in Copenhagen?)
Almost all the buildings here were reconstructed after the war.
2. Warsaw Uprising Museum
You can learn more about the city’s war history at the Warsaw Uprising Museum, which covers a small but intense part of Poland’s history during World War II.
For 63 days (August 1–October 1, 1944), the Polish resistance rose against German occupation. By the time they surrendered, over 200,000 Poles had died and many were deported. Germany had bombed 85% of the city to rubble before the Red Army entered and took control.
We recommend a guided tour of this museum. If you prefer to explore on your own, it’s wise to read up on the history first.
3. Palace of Culture and Science
Poles have a somewhat ambivalent relationship with the Palace of Culture and Science. The building was a gift from Stalin and was seen as a symbol of Soviet oppression until the late 1980s.
But the building is quite stylish and has become more accepted as various cultural institutions moved in.
The building is 237 meters tall, and the highlight is the observation deck on the 30th floor, offering a fantastic view of Warsaw.
The Palace also houses the Neon Museum, a fun exhibition dedicated to vintage neon signs — a quirky and lighthearted activity after all the war history.
4. Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
Love modern art? Then the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw (MSN) is a must.
The architecture and interior give the exhibitions an extra dimension with their white walls, clean lines, and enormous doors.
5. Polish Food at Its Best
Who knew Warsaw is a city for foodies? Traditional Polish cuisine features flavorful meat stews, hearty soups, and pierogi filled with everything from cheese and bacon to cherries and cream.
Warsaw also offers elegant restaurants that give traditional Polish dishes a modern twist. Not to mention the booming interest in vegetarian cuisine!
Two restaurant tips in Warsaw
The Eatery
This restaurant has two locations. The Eatery tra d. serves traditional Polish food. We visited The Eatery, which gives the dishes a modern spin. We had some of the best vegetarian food we’ve ever tasted here!
Qchnia Artystyczna
Located at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Qchnia Artystyczna offers fantastic seasonal dishes. They also have a large outdoor seating area with great views.
6. Food Markets and Halls in Warsaw
This brings us to Warsaw’s food markets and halls, serving the world on a plate. These have become casual and trendy meeting spots, with a lively atmosphere and great value. We were impressed by both the quality and selection!
3 food markets and halls in Warsaw:
Breakfast Market (Targ Śniadaniowy):
You can enjoy everything from Italian pastries to Afghan hot dishes and buy products from local farmers. Open until 4–5 PM on Sundays during spring and summer.
Night Market (Nocny Market):
Find street food from around the world at the Night Market, held in a cool old train station. Evening entertainment and party vibes make it a great experience. Open on weekends in spring and summer.
Norblin Factory (Fabryka Norblina):
This food hall is in an old factory building and includes museums, restaurants, bars, shops, and a cinema. Open year-round, it offers both traditional Polish and international dishes.
7. The Vistula River
The Vistula River winds through Warsaw, and summer is the perfect time to enjoy it. You can take a free ferry to one of the beaches or explore the river by traditional wooden boat, catamaran, gondola, cruise boat, or speedboat.
We went on a speedboat cruise with Miami Wars, feeling the wind in our hair and adrenaline in our veins! It was a thrilling way to see Warsaw from a different perspective.
8. Warsaw’s Green Gems
Warsaw’s parks and green spaces bring peace to the soul and great photo opportunities.
Two green gems in Warsaw:
University of Warsaw
The main campus (Krakowskie Przedmieście) feels like walking into a botanical garden.
Large garden with over a hundred different trees, shrubs, and herbs.
The rooftop garden at the University Library is one of Europe’s largest, consisting of an upper and lower section. Connected by a stream, winding paths, and small bridges, the roof offers views of both Warsaw and the stylish library interior.
The upper part is open from April to October, while the lower can be visited year-round. Free!
Royal Łazienki Gardens
At the heart of this beautiful park lies the summer residence of Poland’s last king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, now a museum.
The gardens also feature an orangery, an amphitheater, small palaces, a hunting and equestrian museum, and sculptures and colorful flowers appear everywhere.
On Sundays at 12 PM (May–September), free Chopin concerts are held in the park. These are very popular, so arrive early for a good spot.
9. Follow in Chopin’s Footsteps
Did you know that the great pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin was Polish? You will when you leave Warsaw. He grew up in the capital and left a clear mark on the city.
The airport is named after him, and concerts are held constantly — many free, like the one in Royal Łazienki Gardens.
You can also look for the musical benches around the city, especially in the Old Town and parks. Press a button and hear part of a Chopin piece!
In his final days in Paris, Chopin had a special wish: he wanted his heart sent back to Poland after his death. His sister smuggled it in a jar of brandy. It is now buried under a small monument at the Holy Cross Church.
10. Praga District
The Praga district was not as heavily bombed during the war, so it retains many of the city’s oldest buildings. It’s considered a bit edgy, and we were advised not to wander alone at night. But during the day, it’s open for exploring cool bars and street art decorating the buildings.
This area has huge potential to become one of the city’s new urban hotspots — perhaps Warsaw’s trendiest neighborhood next time we visit?
How to Travel to Warsaw
There are direct flights to Warsaw from many parts of the world.
Getting Around Warsaw
Warsaw has an excellent, affordable, and simple public transport system. The subway, trams, and buses run frequently.
There is also Bolt and Uber, in addition to regular taxis.
Hotel recommendation in Warsaw
Warsaw offers hotels for every budget and preference!
We stayed at Holiday Inn Warsaw City Centre and were really happy with it. The location was perfect, the rooms were stylish, and the breakfast was excellent.
If you book hotel using the link below we earn a small commision, which helps us keeping this blog alive without tons of ads. It will not cost you any extra. Thank you so much for the support! 🙂
How Many Days in Warsaw?
We recommend setting aside at least 3 days in Warsaw — preferably more! This city really impressed us with so many diverse attractions and a cool, relaxed vibe.
We would happily return!
Day Trip from Warsaw
Have an extra day? We recommend a day trip to Łódź!
This was a press trip organized by the Polish Tourism Organization and Go2Warsaw. Visit their sites for more travel tips about Warsaw.
