Warsaw is a city that surprises. At first glance - a powerful capital with the Palace of Culture, crowded subway and high office buildings. But just turn into a side street in Prague, sit on a bench in bathrooms or drink coffee with a view of the Vistula to feel that Warsaw is more than just the Polish administrative center. This is a city of contrasts: the royal past mixes here with modern architecture, and history still lives in the walls and streets.
In this guide we will show you everything that is worth seeing in Warsaw - from the biggest attractions to less known gems. Regardless of whether you are planning a weekend in Warsaw or a longer stay with your family, you will find information here that you will not have to look for further. Ready for a walk around one of the most fascinating capitals of Europe?
Monuments and history - where Warsaw began
Old Town - heart and soul of Warsaw
The Old Town is a real gem of the capital and a mandatory point of each trip. Although almost completely destroyed during World War II, today it impresses thanks to the careful reconstruction. Colorful tenement houses, cobbled streets, romantic cafes and climate alleys - all this creates a unique atmosphere.
📍 Tip: It's worth starting a walk at Barbican and go along the Royal Castle - a perfect route for a morning walk or sunset.
Royal Castle - Polish history under one roof
The former headquarters of Polish monarchs, today open to visitors. The interiors delight with splendor, gilding and works of art - including the famous paintings of Rembrandt.
- 🎫 Tickets: PLN 60 Normal / 45 PLN reduced. School - PLN 1 (from 7 years of age to graduation).
- 🕘 opening hours: every day except Monday, 10: 00-17: 00.
- 🌐 website: www.zamek-krolewski.pl
Column of Zygmunt III Vasa - landmark and meetings
It is under the column of Zygmunt that Warsaw residents arrange. He has been proudly at Zamkowy Square since 1644 and is one of the oldest secular monuments in Europe. Her presence gives the place of royal character, and the view from its foot - especially after dark - takes breath away.
Archcathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist - Gothic majesty
The most important church of Warsaw, a place of coronation and burials, including Last King of Poland - Stanisław August Poniatowski. The temple impresses with a raw Gothic, which contrasts with the richness of the interior.
📍 It is worth knowing: Organ music concerts are regularly held here - check the schedule on the parish website.
Barbican and city walls - guards of the past
Barbican is a semicircular bastion that formerly defended access to the city. Today it is a charming walking place with a view of street artists, painters and players. The city walls create a natural border of the Old Town - it is worth walking along them to feel the spirit of old Warsaw.
📊 Table: The most important monuments of the Old Town - hours and prices (2025)
| Monument | Opening hours | Fare | Free days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Castle | 10: 00-18: 00 (WT -ND) | PLN 45 / PLN 25 | Sunday |
| Basilica of St. John | 08:00–18:00 | free | every day |
| Barbican | Available all the time | free | – |
| Zygmunt's column | public space | free | – |
Modern Warsaw and Instagram places
Palace of Culture and Science - a classic in a modern edition
Although this building arouses mixed feelings, it is difficult to imagine the panorama of Warsaw without its characteristic figure. On the 30th floor there is an observation deck from which you can admire the whole city. The view is particularly impressed by sunset.
- 🎫 Tickets: PLN 28 normal / PLN 23 reduced
- 🕘 hours: daily 10: 00–20: 00
- 🌐 Page: pkin.pl
Warsaw from above - the best viewpoints
In addition to the Palace of Culture, it is worth visiting the roof of the University Library, the observation deck on the skyscraper View Towers and Skyfall Warsaw - a new, glass platform 200 meters above the ground. Great places for photos, especially in good weather.
📸 TIP: You will catch the best light for photos between 16:30 and 18:30 in spring and summer.
Museum of the History of Polish Jews of Polin - a contemporary view on history
Interactive, modern and moving museum showing the history of Polish Jews. The building also impresses with architecture - it is one of the most photogenic places in Warsaw.
- 🎫 Tickets: PLN 45 normal / 35 PLN reduced
- 🕘 hours: Mon -pt. 10: 00-18: 00, sb. 10: 00–20: 00, Tuesday - closed
- 🌐 page: polin.pl
Museum of the Warsaw Uprising - Emotions enchanted in concrete
A multimedia journey through the history of the city and its inhabitants. Unusual exhibitions, recordings of witnesses, interactive maps - this is a place that is remembered for a long time.
💡 Interesting fact: a "half -half" cafe is on site stylized for the times of the Polish People's Republic - perfect for a moment reflection after sightseeing.
Copernicus Science Center - a technology that entertains
An ideal place not only for children! Modern exhibitions, laboratories and planetarium. You can experiment, touch, test - learning through play at the highest level.
- 🎫 Tickets: PLN 65 normal / PLN 51 reduced
- 🕘 hours: Mon -pt. 9: 00-18: 00, weekends 9: 00–19: 00
- 🌐 Page: kopernik.org.pl
📊 Table: The most interesting modern attractions of Warsaw
| Place | Type of attractions | Fare | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palace of Culture and Science - Taras | viewpoint | PLN 28 /23 PLN | 10:00–20:00 |
| Skyfall Warsaw | glazed platform | from PLN 39 | 10:00–21:00 |
| Polin Museum | Multimedia Museum | PLN 45 /35 PLN | 10:00–18:00 |
| Copernicus Science Center | interactive exhibition | PLN 65 /51 PLN | 9:00–18:00 |
Nature and rest - the green lungs of the capital
Królewskie Łazienki - Królewska Nature
This is one of the most beautiful places in Warsaw - a huge park with a classicist palace on water, romantic alleys and ... slow walking peacocks! An ideal place for a picnic, date or a moment of respite after visiting the center.
📍 Location: Agrykola 1, 00-460 Warsaw, easy access by tram from the center.
Saxon Garden - a green break in the center
A small, but very charming park located next to Piłsudski Square. Well -groomed lawns, fountains and the characteristic column of the sun attract walkers and lovers.
💡 TIP: This is a great place for "take -out" coffee from a nearby cafe and a moment of relaxation.
Wiślane boulevards - a walk with a view of the river
One of the most liked places by young Varsovians - perfect for evening walks, riding a scooter or meeting friends. In the evening, life is teeming with: pubs, food trucks, live music.
Garden on the roof of faw - greenery with a view
Hidden treasure of the capital! The botanical garden on the roof of the University of Warsaw is a unique place - on the one hand green and flowers, and a panorama of the city on the other. Free admission!
📍 Entrance: from ul. Good, next to the Copernicus Science Center.
Skaryszewski Park - perfect for a bike or a walk with a dog
Located on the Prague side of the Vistula, the park impresses with diversity: there are lakes, bridges, meadows and even art deco sculptures. Less crowded than bathrooms, but very atmospheric.
📊 Table: The most beautiful parks of Warsaw - location and attractions
| Park | Location | Main attractions | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal bathrooms | Al. Ujazdowskie | Palace, peacock, Chopin concerts | free (except the palace) |
| Saxon garden | Piłsudski Square | fountains, historic sculptures | free |
| Vistula boulevards | along the Vistula | Walks, pubs, street food | free |
| BUW GARDEN | ul. All right | decorative plants, observation terraces | free |
| Skaryszewski Park | ul. International | lake, sculptures, bicycle alleys | free |
Culinary Warsaw - Tastes of the capital for everyone
Street classics: casserole, kebab, dumplings
You don't have to spend a fortune to eat well. Warsaw classics are casseroles from Nowy Świat, dumplings from the oven in Prague and - although it may be surprising - excellent kebabs at metro stations. Perfect for a quick lunch or a snack after a party.
💡 TIP: Check the "smart casserole" on ul. Chmielna 2 - a cult place for night hunger.
Milk bars-PRL flavors for pennies
It's not just budget food - it's a culinary journey in time! In the dairy bar you will get pork chop, tomato soup and compote for less than PLN 20. The best known are "Bambino bar", "press" and "family milk bar".
📍 Location: All in Śródmieście, on foot from the Centrum Metro.
Cheap and good: Street Food and Food Trucks
Warsaw lives with street food. Hall of the Guard, Night Market (in the season), Powiśle Power Plant - there you will find ramen, burgers, Asian, Mexican and many others. A great place for an evening out.
Restaurants with a view - food and panorama
If you want to connect dinner with a view, select, among others "The Roof" (Crowne Plaza Warsaw - The Hub), restaurant "Panorama Sky Bar" at Warsaw Presidential Hotel with Terrace. Higher prices, but climate and photos - priceless.
Vegan and vegetarian Warsaw
The capital is a paradise for herbivores. "Vege city", "Momantcik", "Leonardo Verde" or "Youmiko Vegan Sushi" is just the beginning. A lot of premises also have a separate veg menu. The trend is growing from year to year!
With children in Warsaw - attractions that the youngest will love
Zoo Warszawskie - Wild adventure in the center
The Warsaw zoo has over 12,000 animals and 500 species. Lions, tigers, elephants, exotic birds and a modern aquarium - all in the green environment by the Vistula. The perfect attraction for the whole day.
- 🎫 Tickets: PLN 35 Normal / PLN 25 reduced / children under 3 years old - free of charge
- 🕘 Hours: daily 9: 00-17: 00
- 🌐 website: zoo.waw.pl
Playgrounds in Łazienki and Park Ujazdowski
In the heart of the city there are one of the best -designed playgrounds. In bathrooms: wooden constructions, swings, mini rope park. In Ujazdowski - more modern, with a shocking surface and interactive toys. Close to cafes and public bathrooms.
Candy Manufaktura - hand -made lollipops
Children (and adults) love this place. You can see live the process of creating caramel and ... create your own colorful lollipop. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and ends with a delicious result.
📍 Location: ul. Nowy Świat 51 / Reservations recommended on weekends
Planetarium at the Copernicus Science Center
Under the dome of the planetarium you can see stars, planets and entire galaxies - and even on a cloudy day! Screenings adapted to different age groups. Check "Copernicus Heaven" - an educational program for children 5-12 years.
Trampolin park, escape room and playrooms
In the case of rain - Warsaw has a lot of attractions "under the roof". Trampolin parks: "Hangar 646", "Jump World", interactive escape room for families with children, playrooms, e.g. "Fikołki" - all located close to shopping centers.
📊 Table: TOP 5 attractions for children in Warsaw - comparison
| Attraction | Type | Children's age | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw Zoo | zoo | 2-12 years | PLN 30-40 | ul. Town Hall 1/3 |
| Candy Manufaktura | workshops | 3-10 years | from PLN 25 | Nowy Świat 51 |
| CNK planetarium | astronomical shows | 5-12 years | 20-30 PLN | ul. Kościuszko coast 20 |
| Bathroom playground | outdoor | 1-8 years | free | Bathroom parce |
| HANGAR 646 | trampoline park | 6+ years | from PLN 40/h | ul. Wały Miedzeszyński 646 |
For lovers and romantic - Warsaw together
Świętokrzyski Bridge - sunset on the Vistula
This is one of the most romantic places in Warsaw. Walking around the bridge in the evening, you can admire the illuminated panorama of the city and skyscrapers reflecting in the Vistula. An ideal place for a photo "together".
Lodz cruise on the Vistula - a city from a completely different perspective
In the spring and summer season it is worth going to an intimate boat or gondola on the Vistula. Views? On the one hand, a modern center, on the other, a wild beach - a contrast that impresses.
💡 TIP: You can take provisions with you or order a cruise with wine and snacks - it's a hit for engagement!
Cafe perfect for a date
Warsaw has a lot of charming cafes that create the perfect climate for a date. Small tables, warm light, view of the streets of the Old Town or hidden gardens. Those with a view of the Vistula or roofs of Prague are particularly recommended.
A walk around Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat
Dating classic! A walk along the representative streets of Warsaw - beautifully lit, full of street music and atmospheric premises. Along the way, you can stop for coffee, chocolate or small prosecco.
Romantic hotels and apartments with a view
Do you want to impress? Choose a hotel with a view of the Palace of Culture, the Vistula or roofs of the city. You don't have to spend a fortune right away - some apartments can be rented even for one night with jacuzzi and wine in the package.
Shopping, souvenirs and street art - the colorful side of the capital
Golden Tarasy - shopping in the shadow of the Palace of Culture
The most recognizable shopping mall in Warsaw, right at the Central Station. You will find everything here - from chain stores to restaurants and cinema. A characteristic glass roof is a great background for photos.
💡 TIP: It's best to come in the morning - then you avoid crowds.
Różyckiego bazaar - the atmosphere of the past era
Prague's legend. Although today it looks different than 20 years ago, he retained its specific atmosphere. You can buy clothes, jewelry, ceramics, and sometimes ... old stamps and radios. It's a bit of a flea market, a bit of a bazaar with a soul.
What is worth bringing from Warsaw? Souvenirs with an idea
Instead of a magnet, think about something original: Bolesławiec ceramics from Warsaw stores, handmade Cepelia jewelry, local preserves, books about the city's history or retro posters with maps of the capital. Perfect for a gift!
Murals in Prague - art on the walls
Prague is a real outdoor gallery. Huge murals, colorful graffiti, artistic yards - all this creates an unusual atmosphere. It is worth taking the phone and go to Fotospacer in search of the most spectacular works.
Fashionable boutiques and concept story - an alternative to the gallery
If you are looking for something special, look at the boutiques in Mokotowska, Plac Zbawiciela or near the Koszyki hall. There you will find Polish designers, original clothes, cosmetics, ceramics, vinyls. Shopping with climate!
Communication, access, security - practically about moving around the capital
Metro, trams, buses - how to move around Warsaw?
Warsaw public transport works efficiently and reaches almost everywhere. You have two metro lines, a dense tram network and day and night buses. Metro Warszawa is the fastest way to move between districts, especially during rush hour. Trams are perfect for the center and on the East -West routes. Buses reach less obvious places - e.g. ZOO, Chopin Airport or Skaryszewski Park. It is worth downloading the application likedojada or use Google Maps.
Warsaw city card and tickets - what pays off?
If you are planning an intensive tour of Warsaw, it is worth buying a daily ticket (PLN 15), 3-day (38 PLN) or a tourist card with discounts. The ticket applies to all means of transport in zone 1 (most of the city). It can be purchased in vending machines, kiosks or by mobile applications. There are weekend tickets for families and groups, and children under 7 are free. The Warsaw City Card is an option for longer staying - it can be personalized and recharged for a specified time.
Applications that make the life of a tourist easier
It is best to install some basic tools: like Dojeda (travel planner with public transport), SkyCash or MPay (for the purchase of tickets), mobile Warsaw public bike (for renting city bikes) and Uber/Bolt. These applications make moving around Warsaw easy and intuitive - even if you are here for the first time. In addition, it's worth having an offline map and Google Translate application if you don't speak Polish.
Hulajnogi, city bikes and carsharing - alternatives to communication
Warsaw is a city friendly to micromobility lovers. You can find electric scooters Bolt, Lime or Dott on almost every corner - just scan the code and move. Veturilo city bikes also operates - very convenient to explore parks and boulevards. If you need a car, use Carsharing: Panek, Traficar or 4Mobility. Renting is fast and often cheaper than a traditional taxi, especially on short routes.
Is Warsaw safe? Practical tips
Warsaw belongs to the safer capitals of Europe. A walk around the center, Prague or Boulevards is usually not associated with a threat. However, it is worth avoiding empty streets late in the evening, especially outside the main routes. Pay attention to pickpockets in the crowd - e.g. in the subway or on fairs. It is also good to have an ICE number (in case of emergency) on your phone and save the location of the nearest medical institution or embassy. Every day, however - zero stress!
📊 Table: Comparison of means of transport in Warsaw - what to choose?
| Means of transport | Advantages | Price | Perfect for ... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | Fast, punctually, without traffic jams | Ticket from 4.40 PLN | Access between districts |
| Trams | frequent courses, good in the center | included in the price of the ZTM ticket | City walks + transport |
| Buses | large range, also at night | included in the price of the ZTM ticket | distant attractions (zoo, airport) |
| Electric scooters | flexibility, driving pleasure | approx. 1 PLN Start + 0.60 PLN/min | Short routes, boulevards, parks |
| City bike (Veturilo) | cheap, ecological, healthy | up to 20 min - free | Centrum, Parks, Old Town |
| Carsharing | independence, comfort | from 0.80 PLN/min | trips outside the center, with the family |
Accommodation and districts - where to stay in Warsaw?
Old Town - more expensive, but with a climate
If you dream of a morning view of cobbled streets and coloring of tenement houses, accommodation in the vicinity of the Old Town will be a hit. Boutique hotels, apartments with soul, but also higher prices. An ideal place for couples or people who want to feel history just outside the window. The downside may be the piston in the season and limited car access.
Śródmieście - the center of everything
This is the most convenient location if you are planning an active sightseeing. Close to the subway, trams, attractions and restaurants. You will find both exclusive hotels with a view of the Palace of Culture, as well as cheap hostels or apartment for rent. Well -lit streets and the availability of services make Śródmieście one of the safest choices.
Prague - Alternatively and more and more fashionable
Only a few years ago bypassed, today Prague attracts artists, students and tourists looking for authenticity. Smaller guesthouses, climate hostels, apartments in tenements - all this at a lower price than in the center. Access to Śródmieście takes a few minutes by subway or tram. It is also a good base for discovering street art and bazaars.
Mokotów and Żoliborz - green and calm
For those who prefer silence than the vibrant center, Mokotów and Żoliborz is a great alternative. You will find calm apartment buildings, well -kept parks and local cafes. Although you need to add a few minutes of traveling to the main attractions, the quality of rest rewards everything. Recommended especially for families with children and the elderly.
TOP 5 nights up to PLN 200 - cheap, but with class
Warsaw can be expensive, but if you look well, you'll find many great places at a reasonable price. Hostels "Dream Hostel" and "Oki Doki", private rooms in Prague, Apartments on Airbnb in Śródmieście or accommodation near the meter for less than PLN 200 per night is a real option. It is worth booking in advance - especially on weekends.
What to see in Warsaw in 2025? Culture, events and art
Museum Night - when the city is not sleeping
On one special evening in May Warsaw turns into a huge gallery - hundreds of museums, gallery and cultural institutions open for free until late at night. Queues can be long, but the climate is unique. This is a great opportunity to visit, for example, the Sejm, Presidential Palace, Neon Museum or the Copernicus Science Center after dark. The event repeats every year and always attracts crowds of residents and tourists.
Summer Chopin concerts in Łazienki
Every Sunday from May to September, free live concerts take place at the Fryderyk Chopin monument. The park turns into a concert hall under the cloud, and classic music floats above the heads of listeners. This is one of the most romantic and peaceful events in Warsaw, ideal for both music lovers and ordinary walkers.
Multimedia Fountain Park - light, water, music
From May to September, every weekend in the evening, fountain shows take place in Podzamcze: colorful lights, water dance and laser effects create a spectacular spectacle. Every year a different theme - fairy tale, legend, city history. The show lasts about 30 minutes and is completely free. This is a great attraction for families with children and a great opportunity for an evening walk.
Winter illuminations - Warsaw full of lights
From December to February, the capital shines with millions of lights. The streets of Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmieście turn into a fairytale avenue, and in Wilanów appears the "Royal Garden of Light" - an interactive, light exhibition in the palace gardens. This is a must -have point of every winter stay in Warsaw and a great background for Christmas photos.
Exhibitions that last a whole year - classic and modernity
Warsaw 2025 is also galleries and museums that offer permanent exhibitions at the highest level throughout the year. It is worth visiting the Zachęt gallery, the National Museum, the Polin Museum or the Center for Contemporary Art. Temporary exhibitions take place regularly - both classics and avant -garde. Regardless of the season, you'll always find something interesting to see.
One -day trips from Warsaw - close, interesting and without traffic jams
Castle in Czersk - medieval walls on the Vistula
Only 40 minutes from Warsaw is the charming Czersk with the ruins of the Gothic castle of the Mazovian princes. You can go to the towers, take a walk among the walls and feel the atmosphere of the old days. In the season there are knightly tournaments and historical picnics. This is a great option for a quiet trip from Warsaw for families, couples and fans of the Middle Ages.
Zegrzyńskie Lake - Masurian atmosphere just around the corner
Zegrzyńskie Lake is a favorite place of Warsaw residents for summer relaxation. You will find beaches, kayak and water bike rentals, restaurants with a view of water and bicycle paths around the tank. Access by car takes about 30 minutes, and by public transport - a little longer, but also possible. This is the perfect one -day trip on a hot day.
Żelazowa Wola - Fryderyk Chopin House
Lovers of classical music should visit the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin. In Żelazowa Wola there is a manor house surrounded by a park, and inside - a multimedia exhibition dedicated to the composer's life. In the summer, live concerts take place here. Travel time from Warsaw: approx. 1 hour. A place full of peace, greenery and piano sounds.
Kampinos National Park - wildness and peace
A few kilometers from the borders of Warsaw, one of the largest urban backgrounds in Europe - the Kampinos National Park. Hundreds of kilometers of pedestrian and bicycle routes, wild animals, dunes, swamps and viewing towers. It is an ideal place for a head reset, an active day outside the city and contact with nature without crowds of tourists.
Toruń, Lublin or Łódź - Fast City Break from Warsaw
If you have a free Saturday and you want to "jump out", a train or Flixbus will take you to beautiful Polish cities: Toruń (city of gingerbread and Copernicus), Lublin (historic old town, castle, climate pubs) or Łódź (off Piotrkowska, murals, manufacture). Each of them is 1.5-2.5 hours away - perfect for fast city break.
Warsaw is waiting for you!
Regardless of whether you come to Warsaw for the first time or you already know part of the capital - this city can always surprise. From royal monuments, through modern museums, to climatic cafes and wild nature just around the corner. Warsaw is the perfect place for the weekend, family vacation, date or lonely sightseeing with the camera in hand.
Now you know what to see in Warsaw , where to sleep, eat and how to move around the city. All the most important attractions in one place - without the need to dig dozens.
See you in Warsaw! And if you want even more inspiration - check our other guides around Poland and Europe.
