A Weekend in Warsaw Travel Guide

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When you hear about Poland, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the beautiful city of Krakow. Or maybe you think of visiting Auschwitz? Either way, I’m willing to bet that Warsaw, Poland’s vibrant capital city, isn’t the first place that pops into your head.

I’ll admit that I’d never really considered Warsaw either. But when I spotted some crazy cheap flights and a cute Airbnb, we decided to give it a go. After spending three nights in Warsaw, we absolutely fell in love with this underrated destination. And I’m here to tell you how to spend three days in Warsaw yourself.

Warsaw is a bustling metropolis with so much to offer, perfectly balancing old and new architecture across the city, with a vibrant cultural scene to match. So, if you decide to head to Poland, here’s how to spend a weekend in Warsaw with a Warsaw travel guide to the best things to see, do and experience in this historical city.

A travel guide to Warsaw, Poland

Getting to and from Warsaw airport

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon around 3:30 pm and hopped straight on the Modlin Bus from Modlin airport. There are several routes you can take, one of which goes from Warsaw Modlin airport to the city centre, stopping at the Palace of Culture and Science.

It pays to book your tickets for the Modlin bus in advance, as it does get busy, and ticket holders are given priority. The journey was simple and we got into the city centre with enough time to freshen up and head out for dinner. Current prices are €9 when booking with Terravision.

You can find out more information from the Modlin Airport website.

10 things to do in Warsaw, Poland

Palace of Culture and Science

As the tallest building in Poland, the Palace of Culture and Science towers over Warsaw’s city centre and offers great views from the 30th-floor viewing terrace. Open from 10am to 8pm daily, head up after dark to see the city lit up below. The admission price is low at only 20zl per person during the day and 22zl per person in the evening.

You can find out more information about current ticket prices and opening hours here. And you can book tickets here.

Warsaw’s Old Town

On our first morning, we headed straight for the Old Town, which is as picturesque and quaint as the name suggests. Just a short walk from the city centre, we arrived for breakfast and set up camp at one of the many cafes. People-watching is a great way to spend time and the Old Town offers plenty of opportunities to do just that.

Surprisingly, the Old Town isn’t actually old at all. The majority of the historical buildings were completely flattened by bombs during World War II and have been reconstructed over the years; a true testimony to the resiliency of the Polish people. According to history books and photographs, the Old Town looks as amazing today as it did before the war.

Warsaw’s Royal Castle

A beautiful building which previously served as the official residence of the Polish monarchs. It was reconstructed after World War II when it was almost completely destroyed by the Nazis. Take the time to explore inside – it is truly jaw-dropping. You should allow at least two hours to take it all in.

The castle is closed on Mondays, but is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free to all permanent exhibitions on Wednesdays.

You can find more information openinng hours and ticket prices here. And you can book your tickets for the Royal Castle here.

Łazienki Park

A nice long stroll down the river takes you to Łazienki Park, a green oasis in the midst of a bustling city. We took some time out of the city to explore some of the beautiful buildings and lakes. The perfect place to enjoy a picnic, you can while away an entire afternoon. Be sure to check out the free Chopin concerts at the Chopin Monument held every Sunday afternoon at 12 noon throughout the summer.

For more information on visiting Łazienki Park, you can check out the official website.

Nowy Swiat

On our second morning, we headed straight for Nowy Swiat, a picturesque street lined with cafes and restaurants. Strolling along this street, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported to Paris. We settled down for breakfast in one of the many cafes and enjoyed the morning sun. Don’t miss Cheesecake Corner for some beautifully made cheesecakes and excellent coffee.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A touching monument dedicated to the Polish soldiers who lost their lives fighting for Poland. The tomb is situated inside the Saxon Gardens in the remains of a Saxon Palace, destroyed in WWII. The tomb is constantly guarded by two uniformed soldiers and the changing of the guard happens every hour, on the hour.

Zlote Tarasy

While I don’t tend to do much shopping myself, I did enjoy visiting Zlote Tarasy. Located close to the Palace of Culture and Science, this modern glass building houses a huge shopping centre and entertainment complex. With plenty of places to eat and all of the best-known brands, you can spend a couple of hours shopping to your heart’s content. Or if like me, just enjoy the unique architecture from the outside.

Wilanów Palace

Wilanów Palace is Warsaw’s very own Versailles! Unfortunately, we didn’t get time to head down to Wilanów and I think we definitely missed a trick. The palace managed to survive both world wars relatively unscathed and is a stunning example of pre-war architecture. To get there, you’ll need to catch a bus from the city centre, which takes about 35 minutes. Alternatively, many taxi companies will take you there from the city centre.

For more information on ticket prices, latest news and opening times, head to the official website.

Museums

If museums are your thing, Warsaw is a great place for you! With many museums covering a great range of topics, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. Check out the Copernicus Science Centre, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews or the National Museum, to name but a few.

Here’s a handy guide to visiting Warsaw’s museums for free.

What to eat in Warsaw

No Warsaw travel guide would be complete without mentioning the food. From sauerkraut and sausages to Bigos stew and Pierogi dumplings, Poland has a fascinating food scene perfect for those who like to try something a little different. Bigos, Poland’s national dish, is a rich and tasty dish consisting of meat and cabbage, often cooked in a bread bowl. While Pierogi dumplings, sweet and savoury, are a traditional Polish favourite.

Pastries and cakes are also very popular in Poland so expect to see lots of cafes with beautifully decorated sweet treats on display.

Getting around Warsaw

Walking around a city is always my favourite way to get around because you get to really experience the city and see as much as possible. But if you’d rather not walk, you’ll find a good public transport system which is (apparently) very easy to use.

Where to stay in Warsaw

While in Warsaw, we stayed in a great Airbnb apartment with an incredible view! Perfect for a quick stay in the city, it had everything we needed and enjoyed the most amazing view of the city skyline! Unfortunately, updating this post, it seems this particular Airbnb is no longer available for rental, but you can find many other budget friendly options on Airbnb.

With just a few days, we only scratched the surface of what this interesting city has to offer. But, hopefully, this Warsaw travel guide should give you a great idea of how to spend three days in Warsaw.

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Have you been to Warsaw? What were your highlights? Did I miss anything from my Warsaw travel guide? Let me know in the comments what you love about Warsaw.