Poland

Cool Places to Visit and The Best Things to Do in Warsaw

Warsaw is the national capital city of Poland and also the nation’s largest city. As with most capital cities, it is among the most visited city in the country as well. The Warsaw attractions you would see today are a result of great work put in since the 16th century when Sigismund III shifted the nation’s capital to this city. Prior to World War II, the city had earned the name ‘Paris of the North’. Though many of the best places to visit in Warsaw were severely damaged and some even destroyed during the second world war and German occupation of Poland. Many restoration projects were carried out throughout the city to re-establish the aesthetic glory of the city. You will be able to notice this in many of the things to see in Warsaw.

Among best things to do in Warsaw are exploring history, art, culture and architecture. With regards to history, Warsaw sightseeing can be broken down in 3 parts: Pre-World War, German Occupation and Post World War II. Each of these periods adds a layer to the story of the city. The dark and gritty period of German occupation, holocaust and world war is preceded and succeeded by periods where the city flourished. Most of Warsaw tourist attractions would fall into either of these 3 categories.

The most famous places to see in Warsaw come from Pre-World War period. This included majority of castles, palaces and other historical places to go in Warsaw. Many of the art galleries were also established in this period. Though, many more art galleries were added to Warsaw top attractions post- world war 2 as well. The same is true for most of the museums in the city. There are also several culturally interesting places in Warsaw. This includes theatres, performance centers, cultural centers, handicraft centers and so on. The contemporary culture of the city flourishes in parks, events, concerts halls, clubs, galleries and so on. These lesser known Warsaw tourist places are also worth exploring to thoroughly explore the identity of the city.

This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn small part of commission and for that you do not need to pay any extra amount.

3 Days Trip Itinerary To Visit Warsaw Tourist Attractions

This section explores some of the finest attractions to explore during Warsaw sightseeing. Though there are numerous interesting places in Warsaw, most people have a time limit on their trip. As 3 days is the most common time frame for Warsaw travel, we would also outline this itinerary keeping a 3 day time frame in mind. But, don’t you worry, we also have an exhaustive list of almost all the best things to do in Warsaw in the next section. You can check it out to explore the city further.

Day 1

1. Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski w Warszawie)

This castle is among the biggest Warsaw attractions and rightfully so. Aside from being the grandest historical structure, it is also home to the most opulent museums in the city. It is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in Warsaw. You would need 2 to 3 hours to explore the museum and the castle.

I suggest you should book a guided tour of Royal Castle with Skip the line option.

Royal Castle

2. St. John’s Archcathedral (Archikatedra św. Jana w Warszawie)

This cathedral is the mother church of the archdiocese in Warsaw. It is also one of the most important historical and cultural Warsaw tourist attractions. This church has been the venue for several royal coronations as well as the last rites of several royal family members. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to explore this church.

St. John's Archcathedral

3. Old Town Market Place (Rynek Starego Miasta)

If you are looking for fun things to do in Warsaw while strolling the streets, this square is the place to begin. It is a popular spot for dining, leisure, shopping and so on. There are also several museums and important historical places to see in Warsaw around this square. You would need about 30 minutes at this square.

I suggest you should try to explore the old town of Warsaw via the below suggested ways.

  1. Walking Tour of Old Town
  2. Segway Tour of Old Town
  3. Old Town Tour on Electric Scooter

Old Town Market Place

4. Sigismund’s Column (Kolumna Zygmunta)

This column and the statue on top of it is dedicated to King Sigismund III, the man who made Warsaw the capital of Poland. You won’t need more than a couple of minutes for this column.

Sigismund's Column

5. St. Anne’s Church (Kościół św. Anny)

This church is among Warsaw’s top attractions for its historical and cultural significance as well as its beautiful architecture. You would need 30 to 45 minutes to explore various aspects of this church.

St. Anne's Church

6. POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews (Muzeum Historii Żydów Polskich)

This museum exhibits artifacts concerning the life, culture, traditions, and history of the Jewish community going back over a thousand years. It is one of the most important places to go in Warsaw for the documentation and exhibits concerning the holocaust as well. You will need about 2 hours to explore this museum.

I suggest you should book your ticket to POLIN Museum in advance.

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

Day 2

1. Wilanów Palace (Pałac w Wilanowie)

This palace is among the most interesting places in Warsaw as it depicts the regal history and art of the city before the first world war. You will need 2 hours to explore this palace and its various exhibits.

I suggest you should book a guided tour of Wilanow Palace with a skip-the-line option.

Wilanów Palace

2. Lazienki Park / Royal Baths Park (Park Łazienkowski)

This is the largest park in the city. It is also a frequent venue for several events and other fun things to do in Warsaw. You will need about an hour for this park.

I suggest you should book a guided tour of Lazienki Park and Palace in advance.

Lazienki Park

3. Palace on the Isle / Baths Palace (Pałac Na Wyspie / Pałac Łazienkowski)

This palace takes you back to the time of Saxon rulers. It’s other name, Palace on the Isle, is owing to its location on an artificial island in the middle of a lake. You will need about 2 hours to explore this palace.

Palace on the Isle

4. The National Museum in Warsaw (Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie)

This national museum depicts the history of the nation. It is among the top Warsaw attractions to visit to see Egyptian, Roman and Greek art as well. There are more than 11,000 exhibits in the museum. You will need at least 2 hours to explore it.

The National Museum in Warsaw

5. Frédéric Chopin Museum (Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina)

This museum is dedicated to the life and work of well-known Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. You will need about 2 hours to explore this museum during Warsaw travel.

I suggest you should book a tour of the Chopin Museum in advance.

Frédéric Chopin Museum

Day 3

1. Museum of Neon (Muzeum Neonów)

This museum exhibits vintage neon signs. It is one of the best places to visit in Warsaw if you want to go a little offbeat during your tour. You would need about an hour for this museum.

Museum of Neon

2. Polish Army Museum (Muzeum Wojska Polskiego)

The army museum has some of the coolest things to see in Warsaw. You have variety of weapons, tanks, army vehicles and so on. You will need 2 hours to explore this museum.

Polish Army Museum

3. Zachęta – National Gallery of Art (Zachęta Narodowa Galeria Sztuki)

This art gallery focuses on modern and contemporary works of art by Polish artists. If you practice art or admire art, this is the place you must include in your list of Warsaw sightseeing. The gallery exhibits several paintings, art installations, cinematic art, sculptures and so on. You will need about 2 hours to explore it.

Zachęta National Gallery of Art

4. Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki; abbreviated PKiN)

This building was commissioned by Joseph Stalin and is the tallest building in Poland. It is one of the most well known Warsaw tourist attractions. The buildings houses museums, bars, science centers, theaters and so much more. You should aside and hour at least for this building.

I suggest you should book a tour of Palace of Culture and Science with viewing terrace.

Palace of Culture and Science

5. Warsaw Uprising Museum (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego)

This museum focuses on the history of 1944 uprising in the city against German occupation. Besides regular historical exhibits, this museum also has several interactive displays as well. It is among the most interesting places to see in Warsaw. You will need about an hour for this museum.

I suggest you should go for private tour of Uprising Museum.

Warsaw Uprising Museum

If you plan to visit Warsaw for more than 3 days or if you want explore more attractions and activities in the city, check out the section below. It is an exhaustive catalogue of all the top things to do in Warsaw. We have also included some less visited and some lesser known Warsaw tourist places in that section.

Things to do in Warsaw

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Warsaw

  1. The Royal Castle
  2. Royal Baths Park / Lazienki Park
  3. Museum of King Jan III Palace at Wilanow
  4. Palace of Culture and Science
  5. Warsaw Rising Museum
  6. Frederic Chopin Museum
  7. National Museum in Warsaw
  8. POLIN Museum of History of Polish Jews
  9. Palace on the Isle
  10. Copernicus Science Center
  11. Chopin Monument
  12. Sigismund’s Column
  13. St. John’s Archcathedral
  14.  Neon Museum
  15. Museum of Warsaw
  16. Presidential Palace Warsaw
  17. Zacheta National Gallery of Art
  18. St. Anne’s Church
  19. Belweder Palace
  20. Polish Army Museum
  21. Museum of Modern Art
  22. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  23. Ujazdow Castle
  24. Warsaw Barbican
  25. Holy Cross Church
  26. Maria Sktodowska Curie Museum
  27. Xawery Dunikowski Museum
  28. Nicolas Copernicus Monument
  29. Museum of Pawiak Prison
  30. National Museum of Ethnography
  31. Monument to the Ghetto Heroes
  32. Polish History Museum
  33. Poster Museum
  34. Krasinski Palace
  35. Maty Powstaniec Statue
  36. Warsaw Mermaid
  37. Jewish Cemetery Warsaw
  38. National Library
  39. Warsaw Citadel
  40. Museum of Technology
  41. Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel
  42. Muzeum Warszawskiej Pragi
  43. Museum Jozef Pitsudski
  44. Geological Museum
  45. Temple of Divine Providence
  46. Museum of Independence
  47. Adam Mickiewicz Museum of Literature
  48. Muzeum Zołnierzy Wyklętych i Więźniów Politycznych prl
  49. Military Cemetery
  50. Museum World of Illusions
  51. Nozyk Synagogue
  52. Copper Roof Palace
  53. Katyn Museum
  54. Miniature Museum
  55. Asia & Pacific Museum
  56. National Archeological Museum
  57. Polish Railway Museum
  58. Museum of Polish Military Technology
  59. The Royal Theatre & Old Orangery
  60. Museum of Caricature
  61. Staszic Palace
  62. Umschlagplatz Monument
  63. Warsaw Uprising Monument
  64. Cosmos Museum
  65. National Philharmonic

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Warsaw

  1. Kampinos National Park
  2. Center for Biological Diversity Conservation
  3. Kabaty Woods

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Warsaw

  1. City Zoological Garden
  2. Multimedia Fountain Park
  3. Casinos Poland
  4. U Jazdowski Cinema
  5. Mokotow Field
  6. Warsaw Fotoplastikon
  7. Wodny park
  8. Powsin Culture Park
  9. Taras Widokowy
  10. Foksal Gallery
  11. Moczydto Water Park
  12. Warsaw Planétarium

Shopping in Warsaw

  1. Three Crosses Square
  2. Krakowskie Przedmieście Street
  3. Nowy Świat Street
  4. Blue City Mall
  5. Zlote Tarasy
  6. Galeria Mokotow
  7. Mokotowska Street
  8. Arkadia Mall
  9. Mysia Street
  10. Szpitalna Street

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Warsaw

  1. Hiking
  2. Camping

Sightseeing in Warsaw

  1. Castle Square
  2. Old Town Market Square
  3. Saxon Garden
  4. Skaryszewski Park
  5. Ujazdowski Park
  6. Pitsudski Square
  7. Praga Koneser Center
  8. Varso Building
  9. Ztota 44 Building
  10. Agrykola Park
  11. Ulica Chmielna Street
  12. Warsaw Spire
  13. Moczydto Park
  14. Szczesliwicki Park
  15. Zabkowska Street

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Warsaw

  1. Mleczny Pod Barbakanem
  2. Krem
  3. MOMU
  4. Vincent
  5. Qchnia Artystyczna
  6. Palmier
  7. Zakład Mięsny
  8. Kieliszki na Próżnej
  9. Krowarzywa Vegan Burger
  10. Ale Wino
  11. Bar Mleczny Prasowy
  12. Bubbles
  13. Nolita
  14. Zapiecek
  15. Cafe Kulturalna
  16. Czerwony Wieprz
  17. Stary Dom
  18. Rozana
  19. Bar Bambino
  20. Boathouse

Where to Stay in Warsaw?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Warsaw. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Warsaw.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. Sofitel Warsaw Victoria Hotel
  2. InterContinental Warszawa
  3. Warsaw Marriott Hotel
  4. Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Warsaw
  5. Hampton by Hilton Warsaw Airport
  6. Hilton Warsaw City
  7. Polonia Palace Hotel
  8. Radisson Collection Hotel Warsaw
  9. Mamaison Hotel Le Regina Warsaw
  10. H15 Boutique Hotel
  11. The Westin Warsaw
  12. Sheraton Grand Warsaw

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Mercure Warsaw Grand
  2. Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel
  3. Courtyard by Marriott Warsaw Airport
  4. Novotel Warszawa Centrum
  5. Hampton by Hilton Warsaw City Centre
  6. Mercure Warszawa Centrum
  7. Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel Warsaw
  8. Holiday Inn Warsaw City Centre, an IHG Hotel
  9. ibis Styles Warszawa City
  10. Mamaison Residence Diana Warsaw
  11. Holiday Inn Express Warsaw – The HUB, an IHG hotel
  12. Leonardo Royal Hotel Warsaw

Budget Hotels

  1. ibis Warszawa Stare Miasto – Old Town
  2. Ibis Budget Warszawa Centrum
  3. Oki Doki OLD TOWN Hostel
  4. Warsaw Hostel Centrum
  5. Hotel Gromada Warszawa Centrum
  6. Hotel Ibis Warszawa Ostrobramska
  7. Tatamka Hostel
  8. Reytan Hotel
  9. Best Western Hotel Portos
  10. Arche Hotel Pulawska Residence
  11. Hotel Premiere Classe Varsovie
  12. Hotel Arkadia

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Warsaw

How to Reach Warsaw?

By Air

There are 2 airports which can be checked out for Warsaw travel, namely Frederik Chopin Airport and Modlin International Airport. You can get direct flights to visit Warsaw from several European, Asian and African cities. The airports are connected to the places to visit in Warsaw by train, bus and cabs.

By Road

You can get trains from several Polish towns and cities for Warsaw travel. The bus network is a little more widespread, as you can get direct or connecting buses to visit Warsaw from almost anywhere in Poland.

If you plan to travel by car, you should look for routes 7-E77, 8-E67, 2IE30 or 2-E30. All these routes will take you for Warsaw sightseeing.

By Water

Being a landlocked city, there are no direct water routes for Warsaw travel.


Image Reference

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *