Warsaw is a city that was almost entirely destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt with extraordinary care. The old town you walk through today is a faithful reconstruction, and its story is part of what makes the city worth visiting.
It is also a modern, fast-changing capital, with glass towers, a lively cafe scene, big parks and a strong museum culture. It is good value, easy to get around and less visited than it deserves to be.
How many days: 3
Three days covers the old town, the main museums and a stroll through the parks. Two is enough for the highlights if you plan well.
Many visitors spend a half day on the history of the city, as the museums are among the best of their kind in Europe. Keep an afternoon free for a park and a long lunch.
What to do in Warsaw
- Walk through the Old Town
- The reconstructed market square and the lanes around it are a World Heritage site. Walk it early in the morning before the crowds.
- Visit the Warsaw Rising Museum
- A big, moving museum about the 1944 uprising against the occupation. Allow several hours, and book ahead in busy periods.
- See the POLIN Museum
- A museum of the history of Polish Jews, set on the site of the former ghetto. Its exhibitions are thoughtful and detailed.
- Stroll through Łazienki Park
- A large royal park with a palace on a lake, peacocks and open lawns. In summer there are free piano concerts on Sundays.
- Climb the Palace of Culture and Science
- A Soviet-era skyscraper with a viewing terrace across the city. It is the best place to see how the skyline has changed.
- Walk the Vistula banks
- The riverside has beaches, bars and bike paths in summer. A good place to unwind in the evening.
- Explore the Praga district
- Across the river, Praga survived the war and still has old courtyards, street art and a creative scene. A good contrast to the rebuilt centre.
- Visit the Copernicus Science Centre
- A big hands-on science museum on the river, good for families and curious adults. A planetarium and a rooftop garden are part of the site.
- See the Chopin trail
- The composer grew up near Warsaw, and benches around the city play his music at the press of a button. A museum covers his life and works.
What to eat and drink
- Pierogi
- Filled dumplings, with cheese and potato, meat or fruit. A classic Polish dish.
- Milk bars
- Cheap, canteen-style restaurants that date from the communist era and serve simple home cooking. A good way to eat well for little.
- Żurek and barszcz
- A sour rye soup and a clear beetroot soup. Both are warming and traditional.
- Kotlet schabowy
- A breaded pork cutlet, served with potatoes and cabbage. The Polish version of a schnitzel.
- Pączki
- Filled doughnuts, eaten especially on the Thursday before Lent. Bakeries sell them all year.
- Vodka and local beer
- Poland is known for its vodka, and flavoured versions are common. Craft beer is easy to find.
Getting around
The city has a good metro, trams and buses on one ticket system. The old town and the centre can be walked.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap by Western European standards.
Fast trains link Warsaw with Krakow, Gdańsk and Berlin.
Good to know
- The currency is the złoty, not the euro. Cards are widely accepted.
- Winters are cold and snowy, and summers are warm. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable.
- Many museums are closed on Mondays and have a free day each week. Check the official sites.
- Prices are lower than in Western Europe, so it is good value for a city break.
- The Old Town looks medieval, but nearly all of it was rebuilt after 1945. Guided walks explain the reconstruction, and it adds to the visit.