A Weekend in Warsaw – The Ultimate Travel Guide

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Planning a weekend in Warsaw and not sure where to start? You’re in the right place. This guide is for first-time visitors who want to see the best of the city. If you’re wondering what to do in Warsaw and how to fit it all into a short trip, I’ve got you covered.

Warsaw is full of history, great food, and creative neighbourhoods, but with limited time, it’s easy to waste hours on attractions that aren’t worth it. That’s why I tested the top Warsaw attractions and created this guide, so you can focus your time on the best things to do in Warsaw and skip the let-downs.

In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Warsaw for a short break. Think must-see landmarks, local food spots, and experiences that live up to the hype. It’s designed to be simple, realistic, and easy to follow – perfect if this is your first time in the city, whether you’re travelling solo, with friends or as a couple.

Ready to plan a Warsaw weekend that feels relaxed, fun, and includes all the best sights? Let’s get into it.

Getting To and From Warsaw Airport

Warsaw has two airports close to the city – Chopin Airport, which is only a 15-minute drive from Warsaw city centre, and Modlin Airport, which is 45 minutes from the city centre.

I arrived at Modlin Airport and took the Modlin Airport bus to the city centre. I got off the bus in the city centre, at the Palace of Culture and Science (also known as PKIN).

Two buses serve Modlin airport – Contbus and FlixBus. You can book your Flixbus tickets in advance on Omio to guarantee a seat. Bus tickets cost approximately £16-20 for a return trip.

10 Best 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 10 am to 8 pm daily, you can head up after dark to see the city lit up below or head up just before sunset to enjoy both. 

The admission price is low at only 30zl per person. The viewing terrace is open from 10 am and 8 pm. This was one of my favourite things to do in Warsaw, as the terrace offers incredible views, particularly at night.

You can find more information about current ticket prices and opening hours here. And you can book entry tickets here, or skip the line with a guided tour.

Warsaw’s Old Town

On my first morning, I headed straight for Warsaw’s Old Town, which is as picturesque and as quaint as the name suggests. Just a short walk from the city centre, I arrived for breakfast and sat at one of the many cafes. People-watching is a great way to spend your time here, and the Old Town offers plenty of opportunities to do just that.

A fantastic way to see the Old Town and learn more about its tumultuous history is to book a walking tour. I love booking walking tours when I first arrive in a city, as it’s a great way to find your way around and learn some interesting facts about the history of the city too.

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. 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 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.

I enjoyed a couple of hours wandering around the beautiful buildings, and even stumbled on an impromptu piano concert – a woman sat in a ballroom playing the grand piano all by herself!

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

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

Enjoy a Chopin Concert

The legendary composer Frederic Chopin was born just six miles outside Warsaw. To honour him, countless Chopin concerts in Warsaw allow you to enjoy beautiful piano music and an evening of culture.

You can find free Chopin concerts in Łazienki Park on Sundays in the summer, which typically run from May until September from 12-4 pm, or you can book a Chopin concert here.

Łazienki Park

A nice long stroll down the river takes you to Łazienki Park, a green oasis amid a bustling city. I took some time out of the city for a day to explore some of the beautiful buildings and lakes, a must-do in Warsaw.

The perfect place to enjoy a picnic, you can relax for an entire afternoon. As mentioned above, 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, visit the official website.

Nowy Swiat

On my second morning, I 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. I 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. The changing of the guard happens every hour, on the hour.

Zlote Tarasy

While I don’t 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 like me, just enjoy the unique architecture from the outside.

Wilanów Palace

Wilanów Palace is Warsaw’s very own Versailles! 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, the latest news and opening times, visit the official website.

Visit One of Warsaw’s Many 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, the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the National Museum, to name a few.

Or for something a little unusual, try this Polish vodka museum tour with tastings.

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 of meat and cabbage, often cooked in a bread bowl. Pierogi dumplings, sweet and savoury, are a traditional Polish favourite.

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

A friend who grew up in Poland recommended Podwale 25 for a delicious, budget-friendly lunch.

Or you can book a Polish food tour to experience the varied flavours of Polish cuisine.

I also highly recommend this bread-baking workshop that will teach you how to bake sourdough bread and give you the chance to try Polish food.

Getting Around Warsaw

Warsaw is a very walkable city, with many attractions and neighbourhoods close together. Walking around a city is always my favourite way to get around because you get to 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 very easy to use. This includes trams, buses, metro and trains.

How Long Do You Need in Warsaw?

Warsaw is beautiful city with enough to keep you busy for at least 3 days. I spent 3 days in Warsaw over a long weekend and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I think 2 days in Warsaw is not enough to see everything the city has to offer, so I’d recommend at least 3-4 days, making it the perfect European city break destination!

Hopefully, this Warsaw travel guide should give you a great idea of how to spend a weekend in Warsaw.