Warsaw tours and tickets
Warsaw is a city of museums, and the best of them sell timed tickets. The Warsaw Rising Museum and POLIN fill a few days ahead in summer, and the Royal Castle a day or two. Chopin concerts need a week. The Old Town, Praga and the Vistula banks are free to walk. Day trips to Żelazowa Wola and Łódź are easy by train.
Book these first
- Warsaw Rising Museum tickets
- a 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 tickets
- a few days ahead in summer. Timed entry on busy days, and the permanent exhibition needs several hours.
- Chopin concert seats
- a week or more ahead. Indoor recitals in the center sell out, especially in summer.
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Museums and galleries
Warsaw Rising Museum
A museum of the 1944 uprising against the German occupation, with a large interactive exhibition, a replica bomber and a memorial. It's a long, emotional visit.
Which to pick. Book a timed slot online in summer. Allow three hours, and consider an audio guide.
A few days ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPOLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
A museum on the site of the former ghetto, telling a thousand years of Jewish life in Poland through galleries, reconstructions and personal stories.
Which to pick. Book a timed ticket and allow three hours. A guided tour adds detail, and the audio guide is good.
A few days ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPalace of Culture and Science
A Stalin-era tower in the center with a viewing terrace on the 30th floor, a cinema and a museum. It's a symbol of the city.
Which to pick. Go up on a clear day for the view over the city. Buy at the door, and expect a short queue.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
Churches and palaces
Royal Castle
A reconstruction of the royal residence in the Old Town, with state rooms, a picture gallery and a terrace. Entry is by ticket, and audio guides and guided tours are sold.
Which to pick. Book a slot in summer, and go in the morning. Check the free-entry days and the rules before you go.
A day or two ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorWilanów Palace
A baroque palace on the southern edge of the city, with gardens, a poster museum and a long approach. It survived the war, unlike much of the center.
Which to pick. Go by bus, and allow half a day for the palace and the gardens. They are lovely in spring.
A day or two ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorŁazienki Park and Palace
A park with a palace on the water, a Chopin monument and peacocks. Chopin concerts take place at the monument on Sundays in summer.
Which to pick. Go on a Sunday for a free concert, or walk through on any day. The park is open all year.
Not neededOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Old Town and Jewish quarter walk
A guided walk through the rebuilt Old Town, the former ghetto area and several memorial sites, lasting about three hours with a break.
Which to pick. Choose a small group with a local guide. Go on your first day to orient yourself in the city.
A day or two aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPraga district walk
A guided stroll through the east bank, with its pre-war buildings, murals, courtyards and cafes. It's a rougher but more local side of the city.
Which to pick. Choose it if you have already seen the center and want a local feel. Go in the afternoon, and finish at a courtyard cafe.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Chopin concert
Daily recitals of the composer's piano works in small halls and salons, lasting an hour. Seats are limited and sell out in summer.
Which to pick. Book a week ahead. Choose a recital in a historic room, and arrive early for a good seat.
A week or more aheadTours and tickets on ViatorVistula river cruise
A boat trip along the river in summer, with views of the Old Town and the riverside beaches and bars.
Which to pick. Take an evening cruise when the light is soft. Check the weather and the schedule before you pay.
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Day trips
Żelazowa Wola
The birthplace of Chopin, a manor house with a park and concerts on summer weekends, about an hour west of Warsaw.
Which to pick. Go by bus or tour on a weekend for a concert. Book the concert ahead, since seats are limited.
A few days ahead in summerTours and tickets on ViatorŁódź
A former textile city with restored factories, large murals and a long pedestrian main street, about 90 minutes from Warsaw by train.
Which to pick. Go by train for a day. The old factory complexes and cultural spaces are the draw, so pick a few.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorKampinos National Park
A forest and dune reserve on the western edge of the city, with trails for walking and cycling. It's reached by bus.
Which to pick. Go on a weekend for a long walk through the pines. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Warsaw
- Warsaw PassA tourist card that covers entry to many museums and attractions and public transport for a set number of days. It pays off if you plan several paid museums in a short stay, and less so if you only visit one or two. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Warsaw
Should I book the Warsaw Rising Museum?
Yes, in summer. Timed slots fill a few days ahead. Allow three hours, and choose a morning slot.
Is the Warsaw Pass worth it?
Yes if you plan several museums, such as the Rising Museum, POLIN and the Royal Castle, plus transport. For a quick stay, single tickets are cheaper.
Are Chopin concerts worth attending?
Yes, the recitals are well performed in historic rooms. Choose a small hall, and book a week ahead in summer.
Are there free museum days?
Some museums are free on certain days of the week. Check each site, since rules change, and expect queues on free days.
Is Warsaw's Old Town original?
No. It was rebuilt after the war from drawings and paintings. It is a World Heritage site for that achievement.
What can I leave until I arrive?
The Old Town, Łazienki, the Palace of Culture and walks can be done on the day. Book the Rising Museum, POLIN and Chopin concerts first.