Ready to explore Poland’s vibrant capital city? There are so many fun things to do in Warsaw, Poland, whether you have one day or an entire week! Let us take you through the colorful streets of Warsaw old town to some of the best restaurants, historic sites, and even an exciting new modern area.
Planning Your First Trip to Warsaw Poland
✈️ Warsaw is the capital of Poland, which means there are flights available from all over the world. Just know there are TWO airports to consider!
The main airport is Warsaw Chopin (WAW) and also closer to the city. Make sure to give yourself extra time if you have a flight into Warsaw Modlin (WMI), as it’s 40 km north of the city.
🚕 We stayed just outside of Warsaw old town, but never paid more than $5 USD (18 Polish zloty) to get there in a taxi. Ubers are super inexpensive way to get around the city. While it is very large, we loved walking our way through all the different Warsaw neighborhoods.
☀️ If you can stand the cold, December is an amazing time to visit Poland for the Christmas markets. Summers can really heat up in Warsaw. For more mild weather, plan a trip for the spring or fall season.
🚙 You won’t need a vehicle for your days in Warsaw. However, renting a car is the best way to explore Poland after you leave the city. Compare rental car prices in Warsaw on DiscoverCars to find the best deals.
♥️ We always make sure we’re covered while traveling in Poland. Check out Safety Wing travel insurance for peace of mind on your next trip.
Where to Stay in Warsaw
Luxury – Mamaison Le Regina Boutique Hotel – 5 star boutique hotel located in the heart of old town. The cozy rooms of Mamaison are in a restored building that was once part of the Mokrowski Palace.
Mid-Range – Movo Old Town – Affordable Ibis brand hotel just a few minutes walk from old town. Nearby to the POLIN Museum and all the best things to do in Warsaw.
Budget – Kapsuła Hostel Warszawa – Cool pod-style hotel in the city center. Great option if you’re traveling on a budget and don’t plan to spend too much time at your accommodation.
Our Visit to Warsaw Poland
We had been to Poland twice before during our travels, making stops in the northern city of Gdansk and the beautiful Tatra Mountains. Yet, this visit was going to be much different!
We started our adventure with some of the best things to do in Wroclaw before making our way south. Then we went back to the mountains to hike in Zakopane, and even spent a few days in the spa town of Szczawnica.
After some much needed rest and relaxation, we headed to Warsaw with a full head of steam. Although we only had a few short days, we felt it was the perfect amount of time to experience the city.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Warsaw Poland that you shouldn’t miss on your first trip!
10 Best Things to do in Warsaw Poland
1. Explore Warsaw Old Town
Warsaw old town is the undisputed heart of the city, full of life, history, and colorful buildings. As you’ll see in this article, many of the best things to do in Warsaw are located in this area.
Every visitor should visit the stunning market square that’s surrounded by lively restaurants and cafes. It’s worth it just to have a coffee or beer to relax and take in the sights, even if you’re not ready to splurge on a full meal.
→ Check out this popular walking tour of Old Town
From there, you can head out to the city walls, which were once essential to Warsaw’s defense. Don’t miss out on the beautiful churches such as St. John’s Archcathedral, the Church of St. Martin, and St. Anne’s (more on this next).
Like most great Polish cities, Warsaw unfortunately had its old town completely destroyed during World War II. However, what’s special about the rebuilding process was that they used old paintings and photos to recreate it as close to possible to how it was before the war.
2. Tour the Royal Castle
After you’ve seen the market square, head over to Warsaw’s famous Royal Castle. The massive pink building was originally constructed in the 14th century, and once the home of Polish royalty.
It was also where they approved the constitution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. If you can believe it, this was the first of its kind in Europe! These days the Royal Castle still holds symbolic importance and is sometimes used for ceremonies.
If you’re there during a special time or holiday as we were, you may even hear the bugle played from the top front window! This reminded us of the hourly musical tradition we witnessed on our visit to Krakow, Poland.
Taking a tour of the museum inside is one of the best things to do in Warsaw. Here you can see the extensive art collection, royal apartments, and Great Assembly Hall.
3. Climb the Bell Tower of St. Anne’s Church
Just across the square from the Royal Castle is the amazing St. Anne’s Church. It dates back to the 15th century, and is one of the few historic buildings that wasn’t completely destroyed in World War II.
Take a few minutes to see the inside before heading up the bell tower for a better view. The 150 steps weren’t too overwhelming, especially after climbing up St. Mary’s Basilica in Gdansk and the 500+ steps of Germany’s Cologne Cathedral.
At the top, you’ll have panoramic views of Warsaw old town, the Royal Castle, and Vistula River.
4. Stroll the Rooftop Gardens at Warsaw University
There are many magical gardens to visit around the city. Yet, the most unique is actually on the top of the University of Warsaw Library!
Head over to the Powisle district if you get a chance on your visit. The gardens opened in 2002 and are such a fun addition to the University grounds.
A tall staircase leads to the roof of the library that’s filled with ponds, small waterfalls, and bridges. The flowers and greenery change throughout the seasons, and you’ll get an epic view of the Warsaw skyscrapers in the distance.
The best time to visit the rooftop gardens are during the summer when everything is in bloom. It’s also no charge to enter for the public, which makes it one of the best free things to do in Warsaw Poland!
5. Experience Foksal Street
Just a few minutes walk away from Warsaw University is the popular Foskal Street. This is one of the most lively areas in the city at night when the bars and restaurants are packed.
Something that we noticed immediately was the 19th century townhouses. Outside of Warsaw old town, Foksal has some of the most striking architecture in the city. It’s easy to see why it has been a hub for artists and cultural movements over the years.
If you continue on, Foksal also turns into a walking street called Chmielna. One of our favorite parts about this area was all the different food options. It has such a great mix of local and international cuisine, with fun cafes and micro-breweries as well.
There was a pizza place with a line out the door, Vietnamese, and traditional Polish eats in between.We ended up having a delicious meal at Little Georgia, which specializes in Georgian food.
→ 26 Must Try Polish Dishes: The Ultimate Poland Food Guide
6. Go to a Museum of Jewish History
Did you know Warsaw was once home to the largest Jewish population in Europe? Sadly, at least 300,000 were murdered during the atrocities of WWII at the hands of the Nazis.
Many were trapped in the Warsaw Ghetto starting in 1940 and eventually sent to concentration camps such as Treblinka in eastern Poland.
In a major act of defiance, the Warsaw Uprising took place in 1944. If you’re interested in learning more, there is entire museum dedicated to this legendary resistance on Grzybowska Street.
The POLIN Museum is also worth visiting for a more detailed look at over 1,000 years of Jewish history in Poland.
→ Pre-book your POLIN Museum tickets here
7. Get Modern in Rondo D
By now, you can see that some of the most fun things to do in Warsaw are history related. Still, there is a more modern side to the city that we weren’t fully expecting!
If you look up from Warsaw old town, you can see the towering skyscrapers of the business district. This includes the Varso Tower, which is the tallest building in the European Union at 310 meters high.
→Book Your High-line tickets in advance (they do sell out!)
This is a great example of how rapidly Warsaw (and Poland in general) has grown in the post-Soviet era. As we found out, it’s also a great area to explore by foot.
We came across amazing food courts, upscale restaurants, and epic rooftop bars. It’s a super fun place to be in the evening when many young professionals head out for a night on the town.
8. Visit the Palace of Culture and Science
Speaking of incredible buildings in Warsaw, no other place exemplifies the mix of old and new like the Palace of Culture and Science. It was originally built during the Soviet reign in the 1950′, and was the tallest building in Poland for many years.
Although its history is controversial, today it plays host to multiple theaters, conference halls, museums, and much more. The platform on the 30th floor is also known as one of the best views in Warsaw!
Even if you don’t go inside, it’s an interesting area to walk around and see the palace next to all the modern skyscrapers.
9. Eat at a Warsaw Food Market
There are many different food markets in Warsaw that offer a wide range of both international and Polish cuisine. We got a chance to visit several of them on our trip and couldn’t get enough!
- Hala Mirowska: Traditional market in downtown Warsaw full of produce, meats, local cheeses, and flowers.
- Hala Koszyki: Large and modern indoor market with tons of international cuisine. Great place for a drink or snack.
- Bazar Rozyckiego: One of the oldest markets in the city with local food stalls.
- Browary Warsaw: A historic brewery hall with restaurants and big food court inside. Loads of good food from around the world here.
- Nocny Market: Seasonal market that’s opened from Thursday through Sunday in the summer months. It’s located on the old railway of Towarowa Street and often features DJ’s and live music.
10. Look For Chopin’s Music Benches
Another fascinating feature of Warsaw Poland is related to music! The famous composer Frederic Chopin was born and raised here, and is still celebrated throughout the city.
One of the best things to do in Warsaw is to look for the 15 special music benches. Many can be found in Lazienki Park (where there is a Chopin monument) or around the old town area.
When you find one of these black stone benches, simply hit the button, and each one will play a different song. The most fun part is that they’re placed in actual spots he gave performances or were important in his upbringing.
Have any questions on this article or want to share more fun things to do in Warsaw Poland? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
