Warsaw is the capital of Poland, a beautiful city rich in history and charm. Also known in the past as the'Paris of the North', it is one of Europe's most fascinating capitals, although it is often overshadowed by its better-known colleagues such as London, Paris and Berlin. This city lends itself very well to a long weekend visit and is definitely a low-cost destination, ideal for a short getaway from everyday life.
Planning a trip? Then, to better prepare your itinerary, let's discover together what to see in Warsaw, the best attractions and things to do!
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1 - POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
We recommend a visit to POLIN, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The museum was created through the efforts of theAssociation of the Jewish Historical Institute, which has gradually gained recognition both in Poland and abroad. Over the years, thanks to the support of both individual donors and institutions from all over the world, it has been possible to continue the project and open this impressive museum.
At POLIN you can discover no less than 1000 years of Polish Jewish history. Through 8 galleries, the visitor can learn about the history of the Jews from the Middle Ages to the present day. In addition to the permanent collections, there are numerous temporary exhibitions each year. It is a must to get to know not only Warsaw, but the history of Poland!
When to visit: the best times to visit are at opening or closing time. Ideally, you should combine this museum and the Jewish Ghetto on the same day to get a general overview of the history of the Jews in Warsaw. To shorten the time, we recommend buying your
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: at Mordechaja Anielewicza 6. Easily accessible on foot from Market Square (1.2 km, 15 min). Nearest bus stop Nalewki-Muzeum 02 (line 111, 180). Tram stop Muranów 05 (line 4, 15, 18, 35) -
Hours: Mon, Sat and Sun 10:00-18:00, Wed, Thu and Fri 10:00-16:00, Tue closed
Ticket price: full price 27.00 PLN (€6.00), concessions 17.00 PLN (€3.80)
2 - Old Town and Market Square
The discovery of the city and, above all, of the Old Town, i.e. the historical centre, can only begin at the Market Square, in Polish Rynek Starego Miasta. For years, this square was the heart of Warsaw, the place where everyday life was concentrated. Fairs, markets, ceremonies and executions were held here. You can get there on foot or by bus and tram, the nearest stop being Stare Miasto 02).
The square is enclosed by many colourful houses, which were entirely rebuilt after the World War II bombings that destroyed much of the city. In the centre is the Statue of the Little Mermaid, considered the sister of the famous Copenhagen statue. According to legend, the Little Mermaid lived in the Warsaw River and kept annoying the fishermen, who captured her. She was later freed and has protected the city ever since. We recommend visiting it on a tour, during which a local guide will provide you with interesting facts and anecdotes not found in printed guides.
Visit in winter: during the winter season, the Market Square becomes the focus of the Christmas festivities. Traditional markets are set up and part of the square becomes an ice skating rink.
3 - Archcathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist
The Arch-Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist, in Polish Bazylika archikatedralna Świętego Jana Chrzciciela, is a historical church in the city. In Gothic style, its construction began in the 14th century and work, including restorations and extensions, continued until the 20th century!
A number of important figures from Polish history are buried in the basilica, such as cardinals, painters, artists and prominent people from political life. Over the years, it has also played an increasingly important role in the field of sacred music, thanks to its large organ. Concerts and music festivals are often organised,
Practical information: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Świętojańska 8, in the Old Town. Easily accessible on foot from the Market Square (270 m, 3 min). Nearest bus and tram stop Stare Miasto 02 -
Hours: visits allowed Mon-Fri 10am-12pm and 4pm-6pm
Ticket price: free
4 - Castle Square and Royal Castle
Castle Square, in Polish Plac Zamkowy, is the point connecting the Old and New Towns. It owes its name to the fact that the Royal Castle is located here and in the centre stands Sigismund's Column, built in honour of the king in 1664, who transferred the capital from Krakow to Warsaw.
As for the Royal Castle, the first, original castle was built by the Dukes of Mazovia, but over the centuries it underwent several renovations, several extensions and, unfortunately, also numerous lootings and a major fire. Finally, during the Second War it was completely destroyed by the Nazis. Reconstruction took place from 1971 and was completed in 1984. Today it is an important museum that can be visited inside, housing various permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
The nightlifearea: this is one of the liveliest squares in Warsaw. It is also a great place to discover the city's nightlife and nightlife.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Plac Zamkowy 4, in the Old Town. Easy walking distance from Market Square (140 m, 2 min). Nearest bus and tram stop Stare Miasto 02 -
Hours: square always accessible / Castle Tue-Fri and Sun 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-8pm
Ticket price: square free of charge / Castle full 30.00 PLN (€6.70), reduced 20.00 PLN (€4.50), Wednesday free
5 - Warsaw Zoo
If you are travelling with children, then you absolutely cannot miss the Warsaw Zoo in the Prague district. This large green island is home to many species of animals and many plants and follows numerous nature and animal habitat conservation projects. Its aim is in fact to preserve species and introduce people to the animal world.
Inside the zoo, in addition to seeing the different animals in perfectly recreated habitats, you can attend various workshops and see how they are fed. Many activities are also organised for children, such as games and discovery activities with the park's animators.
Visiting time: Given its size, we recommend that you bring a map with you at the entrance and devote almost a whole day to it. Check the exact times for the day you are visiting, as closing times often vary.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: Ratuszowa 1/3, Prague district. Nearest metro stop Dworzec Wileński (red line M2). Tram stop Ratuszowa-ZOO 01 (line 6, 20, 28) -
Hours: daily from 9am, closing time between 3.30pm and 6pm depending on month and day. See the
Ticket prices: full price from 20.00 PLN (€4.50), reduced price from 15.00 PLN (€3.50). Fares also vary according to periods and activities, see
6 - Prague Quarter
It's a case of homonymy with the famous city, but this 'Prague' has nothing on its Czech twin. The Warsaw district takes its name from the Polish word prażyć, meaning to burn or roast: an entire forest was burnt to build it. It is located on the opposite bank of the Vistula River and the reference railway station is Warszawa Wschodnia).
If some time ago it was not a recommended place, today it has become the trendy and artistic district and one of the best places to show the real Warsaw to tourists. Here you can get acquainted with Polish nightlife, have a few drinks and stay up late.
Fact: Having escaped the bombings of World War II, it was re-evaluated in 2002, when Roman Polanski chose it as the location for his famous film'The Pianist'.
Area to stay: This is an ideal district to stay in if you are looking for nightlife and entertainment. In addition, getting to the centre of Warsaw is very easy, as there is also a train available, so you will have no problem getting around.
7 - Radziwill Palace
The Radziwill Palace is the official seat of the President of Poland and the largest palace in Warsaw. The construction of the palace dates back to the 17th century and over the centuries it was the residence of important Polish aristocratic families, as well as a place where public meetings, performances and balls were held. Today it is an important institutional seat. Moreover, it was here that a young Chopine, at the age of only eight, first performed in front of an audience.
Since it is the presidential palace, of course it cannot be visited inside. But this is not to be overlooked on a trip to Warsaw! Being in the historical centre, be sure to walk past it at least to take a souvenir photo!
It is located at Krakowskie Przedmieście 48/50. Easily accessible on foot from Castle Square (550 m, 7 min). Nearest bus stop Hotel Bristol 01 (116, 128, 175, 178, 180, 222)).
8 - Royal Road
Another area of the city not to be missed is the famous Royal Route, in Polish Krakowskie Przedmieście. This beautiful and historical street is a good 4 km long and, between old churches and historical palaces, connects the Old Town and the Royal Castle with Łazienki Królewskie Park and Belvedere Palace in the southern part of Warsaw.
To walk along this street is to immerse oneself in the atmosphere and architecture of the city. Walking or travelling along it by bus or tram you can admire old churches and palaces such as the Pałac Kazimierzowski, the Public University of Warsaw, the Staszic, seat of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its statue of Nicolaus Copernicus, or the Church of the Holy Cross, in Polish Kościół św. Krzyża, where Chopin's heart rests.
The road runs through the city from north to south, connecting the Royal Castle to Łazienki Park. At either end are the Stare Miasto 02 tram stop and the Łazienki Królewskie 01 bud station. The whole street is served by various public transport services).
9 - Saxon Gardens
In between your visits to Warsaw, you absolutely must not miss the Saxon Gardens, the oldest gardens in the city and one of the first public parks opened in the world, back in 1727! Located right in the centre of Warsaw, the main entrance is on Pilsudski Square.
This place is also popular with locals, ideal to get away for a moment from the traffic and noise of the city. In the centre is a beautiful fountain and throughout the park there are several statues and monuments, such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in memory of the war victims. Perfect to visit with children too, thanks to the play area dedicated to them!
In Marszałkowska, 00-102. Easy walking distance from the Presidential Palace (1 km, 12 min). Nearest metro stop Ratusz Arsenał (M1 blue line). Królewska 06 tram stop (4, 15, 18, 35)).
10 - Jewish Ghetto
Before World War II, Warsaw was home to a large Jewish community of more than 400,000 Jews. It was the second largest community in the world right after New York City.
However, the Jewish ghetto was destroyed by bombing and today only a few ruined buildings remain of the original buildings. In Mirów Street, for example, part of the original ghetto wall is visible. The only original buildings that can still be seen today are mainly located along Pozna Street. In memory of this sad history, a street named Memorial Street has been dedicated to the Jews of Warsaw, as well as a Monument to the Heroes of the Ghetto.
The Ghetto area lies to the west of the Old Town, between Mirów Street and Pozna Street).
Guided tour: to best discover this place and its sad history, we recommend the touching
11 - Uprising Museum
An unmissable stop to learn more about the history of Warsaw is the Warsaw Uprising Museum, in Polish Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego, which recounts through photos and documents the uprising of the military and the Polish people of Warsaw against Nazi rule on 1 August and 2 October 1944. This event is a fundamental moment in the history of the city and of Poland as a whole, which in those years was increasingly scarred during the Second World War by German rule.
Inside the museum there are many documents and testimonies about the uprising, while outside you can visit the Wall of Remembrance, on which more than 10,000 names are engraved. The interior of the entire museum is crossed vertically by the work called the Heartbeat of the Museum.
Practical info: directions, opening hours and prices
How to get there: 79 Grzybowska Street. Nearest metro station Rondo Daszyńskiego (red line M2). Tram stop Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego 05 (line 1, 9, 14, 22) -
Hours: Wed-Mon 10:00-18:00, Mon closed
Ticket price: full 25.00 PLN (€5.60), concessions 20.00 PLN (€4.50)
12 - Palace of Culture and Science
In addition to the Jewish ghetto, there is another place that tells the difficult history of the city. We are talking about the Palace of Culture and Science, a palace built at the behest of Stalin and described as a"gift of the Soviet Union to the Polish people". However, the palace is not loved by Poles, who call it The Monster.
It isthe tallest palace in Warsaw and Poland and tells the story of the communist period under the Soviet Union after the Second World War. The architecture of the building is indeed typical Soviet, grey and boxy. This skyscraper has 42 floors, currently occupied by offices, museums, a swimming pool and a cinema. However, the real attraction is its panoramic terrace on the 30th floor, from which there is a wonderful view of the whole of Warsaw.
When to visit: tamonto is the best time to admire the view from the terrace. Unfortunately it is also one of the most crowded times, so the purchase of a priority ticket is recommended.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: at Plac Defilad 1. Easily accessible on foot from the Jewish Ghetto (350 m, 4 min). Nearest metro stop Centrum (M1 blue line). Close to Warszawa Powiśle train station -
Hours: terrace daily 10:00-20:00
Ticket price: terrace full price 20.00 PLN (€4.50), concessions 15.00 PLN (€3.50)
13 - Frederick Chopin museum
The history of Warsaw is also linked to that of Chopin, the famous Polish composer who was born here. This is a source of pride for the city, which was the first stage for this child prodigy. The Frederick Chopin museum, with the world's largest collection on the composer, is also dedicated to him.
A visit to this museum is to immerse oneself completely in Chopin's life, through music scores and manuscripts, personal memorabilia and musical instruments. The Pleyel piano, an instrument the composer played in the last years of his life, is also on display here.
Chopin Concerts: Warsaw is proud to be the birthplace of Chopin and in addition to visiting the museum, you can also attend
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: in Pałac Gnińskich, Okólnik 1. Easily accessible on foot from the National Museum in Warsaw (850 min, 13 min). Nearest metro station Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet (red line M2). Nowy Świat 03 bus stop (line 102, 106) -
Openinghours: Tue-Sun 11:00-19:00
Ticket price: full price 23.00 PLN (€5.10), concessions 14.00 PLN (€3.10), Wednesday free of charge
14 - National Museum
Among the museums, the National Museum in Warsaw is a must-see. Founded in 1862 as the Warsaw Museum of Fine Arts, today it is the largest museum in the city and one of the most important in Poland.
It houses more than 800,000 works of art from different periods, such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, engravings and coins. In addition, visiting the museum you can learn about the history of the city and all the obstacles it faced in the past, such as the years of World War II. Indeed, it was during this terrible period that the museum fell victim to the war, as many works, including important paintings, were stolen. Fortunately, they were recovered and returned to the museum in later years.
When to visit: We recommend that you include it at the beginning of your itinerary and go at opening time to avoid queues in the later hours.
Practical info: directions, opening hours and prices
How to get there: in Aleje Jerozolimskie 3. Easy walking distance from the Palace of Culture and Science (1.7 km, 13 min). Close to Warszawa Powiśle Railway Station (300 m, 4 min). Nearest tram stop Muzeum Narodowe 06 (line 7, 9, 22, 24, 25) -
Hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00, Thu 10:00-21:00, Mon closed
Ticket price: full price 15.00 PLN (€3.50), concessions 10.00 PLN (€2.30)
15 - Lazienki Park and Palace
Lazienki Park competes with Wilanow for the prize for the best palace with park in Warsaw. Also accessible via the Royal Route, over the centuries it has also been a summer residence. Today it is a museum, as well as one of the most visited places by tourists who decide to stop in Warsaw.
The palace is surrounded by the beautiful Lazienki Park, a green area waiting to be discovered. In addition to the Lazienki Palace, there are also several museums and historical palaces here, such as the Palace on the Water, the Myslewicki Palace, the White House, theOrangeria and the Belvedere Palace. Next to the latter is the Monument to Fryderyk Chopin, dedicated to the famous Warsaw-born composer, a true pride of the city! In fact, he is one of the best composers of romantic music and, as a tribute to him, concerts by more or less famous pianists are held here every Saturday and Sunday.
While strolling through the lanes of the park, we also recommend that you stop for coffee and cake at the atmospheric Flora Café, a small café completely surrounded by greenery where you can relax after long walks.
Visit in autumn: Lazienki Park is definitely autumn, when the trees turn yellow and red, creating wonderful reflections in the lake and canals. It does not follow strict timetables, it generally opens at 6 a.m. and closes at sunset, so we recommend visiting it in the middle of the day, perhaps after visiting the Palace
Practical info: directions, opening times and prices
How to get there: in Lazienki Park, south of the Old Town. Reachable on foot along the Royal Road. Nearest bus stop Łazienki Królewskie 01 (line 116, 166, 180, 195) -
Openinghours: Park daily from 6 a.m. to sunset / Lazienki Palace / timetables of the various palaces and museums can be found on the
Ticket prices: Park free of charge / Lazienki Palace full price 30.00 PLN (€6.70), concessions 15.00 PLN (€3.30) / tickets for the various palaces and museums can be found on the
16 - Wilanow Residence
The Willanow Residence is definitely one of Warsaw's must-sees! Due to its beauty it is also called the Polish Versailles and is one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Poland, as well as one of the most visited. To discover it at its best, we recommend a with a local guide!
The palace was built in the late 1600s at the behest of Polish King Jann III, and became the home of several Polish kings and nobles over the years. Inside you can admire a gallery full of paintings, while the rooms are filled with frescoes and period furniture. To visit the residence is to step back in time!
After the residence, it is impossible to miss a walk in the beautiful park that surrounds it, full of ponds, fountains, statues and paths for relaxing strolls. You can also hire a small boat and sail on the river behind the residence, which the park overlooks.
Visiting time: between the residence and the gardens, we recommend staying here at least half a day
Practical info: directions, opening times and prices
How to get there: at Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16, at the end of the Royal Road. Nearest bus stop Wilanów 01, where several bus lines run. From the centre we recommend line 519 -
Timetable: every day, varying times depending on the season and weekdays or weekends. Generally winter 9:30-16:00, summer 9:30-18:00. See
Ticket price: full price 25.00 PLN (€5.60), concessions 20.00 PLN (€4.50)
Other attractions to visit
In addition to the attractions mentioned so far, which are essential for getting to know the history of Warsaw at its best, there are others that can be visited according to one's interests!
For example, in addition to the Arch-Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist, you can admire other wonderful churches, such as the Church of St Anne, the second most important (free), the Cathedral of St Michael the Archangel and St Florian (free), the Church of the Holy Trinity (free) and the Church of the Holy Cross (free).
There are also numerous museums to visit, such as the Copernicus Science Centre with interactive science exhibitions (33.00 PLN/€7.40), the Neon Museum of Art (15.00 PLN/€3.50), the Museum of the Polish Armed Forces for lovers of the genre (20.00 PLN/€4.50) and the Museum of Modern Art (5.00 PLN/€1.10).
5 things to do in Warsaw
Warsaw nightlife
Sightseeing bus tours
Gastronomic specialities at Polska Rozana
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Chopin concert: the famous Polish composer was born in Warsaw and studied and trained here. We recommend attending a , an experience not to be missed.
Discovering the nightlife: Warsaw has a vibrant nightlife! Don't miss out on a , for an unforgettable night of partying.
Sightseeing bus tour: the best way to acclimatise yourself to the city is by taking a ride on the, being able to get on and off unlimited at all stops for the duration of your ticket
Enjoying tea at the Odette Tea Room: one of the most photographed places in Warsaw, where you can eat excellent pastries and take Instagrammable photos, thanks to the décor
Taste local specialities: try traditional dishes revisited at the famous Polska Rozana, located near Łazienki Park in a beautiful setting
Plan your stay in Warsaw: flights and hotels
Warsaw, like many cities in Poland and Eastern Europe, is a very cheap destination. From Italy there are several direct flights) and the city is served byChopin Airport (10 km to the south) andModlin Airport (40 km away, Ryanair airport). The best time to visit the city is summer, as in addition to the more pleasant temperatures and sunny days, there are also numerous events and festivals!
Thebest area in which to sleep is definitely the historical centre), as this is where the main attractions are concentrated, there are all the services and it is easy to get around on foot! The nightlife areas are the centre and the Prague district, the latter being young and trendy!
If you are travelling with children, attractions not to be missed are the Warsaw Zoo and the large city parks, such as Lazienki Park.
Most attractions are very reasonably priced or completely free of charge: e.g. the Old Town, the city parks, the Royal Route and the Praga. In addition, several museums have free admission time slots, such as the Royal Castle on Wednesdays.