Warsaw travel guide: the Old Town, the museums and Praga
Warsaw is a big, flat, modern capital that was almost entirely destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt, including its Old Town. Three days cover the Old Town, the museums that tell that history, Łazienki Park and the district of Praga. The one thing to know is that the city is spread out, so plan around trams and the metro.
The short answer
- First trip
- See the Old Town and the Royal Castle in the morning, spend an afternoon at the Rising Museum or POLIN, and eat in a milk bar.
- Where to stay
- Śródmieście or the Old Town for a first trip, Powiśle or Praga for a livelier base. The full guide compares eight areas.
- How many days
- Three days for the main sights. Add a day for Wilanów or a day trip.
- Best time to go
- May to September for parks and terraces. December for Christmas markets.
- Book ahead
- The Rising Museum, POLIN and the Royal Castle on busy days, and Chopin concert seats.
- From the airport
- Chopin Airport (WAW) is in the city. Trains run to the center in about 20 minutes.
Where to stay in Warsaw, in brief
Śródmieście (the center)
first trips and transport links
Around the Palace of Culture and the main station, with the metro, trams and most hotels. It is practical rather than pretty, and the roads are wide and busy.
Old Town (Stare Miasto)
sights on foot
The rebuilt walled center by the Royal Castle. Very walkable and handsome, but crowded in summer and short on everyday shops.
Powiśle
river walks and cafes
The slope toward the Vistula, with cafes, the science center and the river boulevards. Lively in summer and a short walk from Nowy Świat.
Praga
a livelier, cheaper base
The east bank, with old courtyards, bars and street art. Rougher at the edges, so look at the exact street before you book.
Things to do in Warsaw
Old Town Market Square
The center of the rebuilt Old Town, ringed by colored townhouses and cafes. Come early, before the tour groups fill it.
Royal Castle
The former seat of Polish kings, destroyed in 1944 and reconstructed. The state rooms are the draw. Check the official site for opening days.
a day or two ahead in summer
Warsaw Rising Museum
A large, loud, detailed museum on the 1944 uprising against German occupation. Plan two to three hours, and expect crowds.
a few days ahead in summer
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
A modern museum built on the site of the former ghetto, covering a thousand years of Jewish life in Poland. Allow half a day.
a few days ahead in summer
Palace of Culture and Science
The tall Soviet-era gift to the city, with a viewing terrace high up. It is the best way to understand how big Warsaw is.
Łazienki Park
A large royal park with a palace on the water, peacocks and free Chopin piano concerts on summer Sundays. Check the schedule locally.
Praga
The east bank, which escaped the worst of the destruction. Old courtyards, Ząbkowska Street's bars and the Neon Museum are worth a half day.
Vistula boulevards
Riverside paths and beach bars on the west bank, busy on summer evenings. A good place to walk after the museums.
Wilanów Palace
A baroque royal palace and gardens in the south of the city. Reach it by bus; it takes about half a day.
a day or two ahead in summer
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Warsaw can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Warsaw, and which to pick- Warsaw Rising Museum ticketsa few days ahead in summer
It is one of the most visited museums in the city, and entry slots fill on busy days.
- POLIN Museum ticketsa few days ahead in summer
Timed entry on busy days, and the permanent exhibition needs several hours.
- Chopin concert seatsa week or more ahead
Indoor recitals in the center sell out, especially in summer.
What to skip in Warsaw
- Eating on the Old Town Market Square
Prices are high and the food is average. Walk two streets away, or head to a milk bar in the center.
- Taxis hailed on the street
Use a ride-hailing app or a taxi rank so you know the fare before you start. The metro and trams are quicker for most trips.
Best time to visit Warsaw
May to September is best, with long days, open terraces and concerts in the parks. September is warm and quieter than July and August.
December has Christmas markets and a cold, dark city with warm cafes. January and February are cold, so plan for museums.
- From Chopin AirportThe airport is inside the city. Commuter trains (SKM lines S2 and S3) take about 20 minutes to the center, and bus 175 takes longer. A standard city ticket covers both.
- From Modlin AirportModlin is a budget-airline airport about 40 km north of Warsaw. A direct bus or a train with a short shuttle takes roughly 40 to 60 minutes. Check the operator's page for current fares.
- Metro, trams and busesTwo metro lines, a wide tram network and buses cover the city on one ticket system. Trams are the best way to Praga and the museums.
- On footThe Old Town, Nowy Świat and the center can be walked, but distances between districts are longer than they look.
Warsaw in three days
- Day 1
The Old Town and the Royal Castle, then walk down Nowy Świat to the Palace of Culture for the view.
- Day 2
The Rising Museum in the morning, POLIN after lunch, then dinner in a milk bar or a Śródmieście restaurant.
- Day 3
Łazienki Park in the morning, then Praga in the afternoon and an evening along the Vistula.
Day trips from Warsaw
- Żelazowa WolaThe birthplace of Chopin, about an hour west by car or organized tour. There is a small museum and a park.
- ŁódźA former textile city with restored factories and street art, about 1 hour 30 minutes by train.
- Kampinos National ParkForest and sand dunes on the northwest edge of the city. Good for walking and cycling, reached by bus.
Warsaw: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Warsaw?
Three days cover the main sights and a couple of museums. Add a fourth for Wilanów or a day trip.
Is Warsaw worth visiting?
Yes, if you are interested in twentieth-century history and want a modern, affordable capital. The Old Town was rebuilt from scratch, and the museums are very good.
Is Warsaw expensive?
It is cheaper than most Western European capitals. Museums, transport and meals in milk bars cost little.
What is the best time to visit Warsaw?
May to September. December for the Christmas markets.
Is Warsaw easy to get around?
Yes. The metro and trams are frequent, and the airport is a short train ride from the center.
Can you use euros in Warsaw?
Poland uses the złoty. Pay by card where you can, and use a bank cash machine for cash.