All citiesWarsaw Things to do and walking itinerary
Poland Warsaw travel guide
32 things to do in Warsaw, where to stay, airport transfers, 2 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Warsaw
- Palace of Culture and Science — high-rise building and house of culture in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Copernicus Science Centre — Huge hands-on science centre on the Vistula with hundreds of experiments, a planetarium and a roof garden. (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Wilanów Palace — Baroque royal palace in the south that largely survived the war, with a rose garden and lakeside park. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Warsaw Old Town — old town of Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Royal Castle in Warsaw — castle residency in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Museum in Warsaw — national museum in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. John's Archcathedral — cathedral (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Grand Theatre — opera company in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sigismund's Column — monument in Warsaw (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Łazienki Park — park in Warsaw (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Łazienki Palace — palace in Warszaw, Poland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Presidential Palace — palace in Warsaw and official residence of the President of the Republic of Poland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Belweder — palace in Warsaw and official residence of the President of the Republic of Poland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Powązki Cemetery — cemetery located in the Wola district, western part of Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saxon Palace — building in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Holy Cross Church — Roman Catholic church in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Warsaw Uprising Museum — Polish museum about the Warsaw Uprising (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Monument to the Ghetto Heroes — sculpture (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Staszic Palace — palace (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Ujazdów Castle — Polish palace (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Great Synagogue, Warsaw — synagogue (Warsaw, Poland; 1878–1943) (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — Cathedral in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Kazimierz Palace — palace (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Saxon Garden — Warsaw public garden (visit ≈ 45 min)
- St. Florian's Cathedral — cathedral (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Krakowskie Przedmieście Street — street in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Warsaw Zoo — zoo in Poland (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Umschlagplatz in Warsaw ghetto — railway in the ghetto of Warsaw for deportation of Jews (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Krasiński Palace — building in Warsaw, Poland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Fryderyk Chopin Museum — museum in Warsaw, Poland, dedicated to the composer Frédéric Chopin (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Polish Army Museum — military museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Warsaw Barbican — barbican (visit ≈ 60 min)
2-day Warsaw walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town (Stare Miasto). The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 6.2 km · 8,380 steps · 1 h 21 min on the way): Warsaw Old Town → St. John's Archcathedral → Royal Castle in Warsaw → Copernicus Science Centre → National Museum in Warsaw
- Day 2 (≈ 5.3 km · 7,170 steps · 1 h 12 min on the way): Palace of Culture and Science → Grand Theatre → Sigismund's Column
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Warsaw
- St. Anne's Church Viewing Terrace — A narrow climb up the church bell tower to a terrace with a bird's-eye view over the Old Town roofs and the Vistula. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saska Kępa — Quiet east-bank district of leafy streets and 1930s modernist villas, with an artsy local feel. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Fotoplastikon — A wooden stereoscope from around 1900 where you sit and watch 3D photos of the old city in a tiny hall. (visit ≈ 20 min)
Where to stay in Warsaw
- Old Town (Stare Miasto): The rebuilt historic centre; lovely in the evenings.
- Śródmieście / City Centre: By the Palace of Culture and Central Station; very easy transport.
- Nowy Świat: Elegant street packed with cafés and restaurants.
- Powiśle: Riverside bars and a young nightlife scene.
- Praga: Bohemian and affordable, with old factories and bars.
- Mokotów: Green, quiet residential area near the metro.
Getting from the airport to Warsaw
- Warsaw Chopin (WAW): SKM/KM train ≈ 25 min
- Warsaw Modlin (WMI): KM train + shuttle bus ≈ 1 h
Getting around
The centre and Old Town are walkable; metro, trams and buses use the same ZTM ticket. Machines accept contactless cards.
Classic places to eat
- Bar Mleczny Prasowy: Classic milk bar; cheap pierogi and beetroot soup.
- Zapiecek: All kinds of pierogi in the Old Town.
- U Fukiera: Centuries-old Polish restaurant on the market square.
- Stary Dom: Traditional Polish cuisine; duck and schabowy.
- A. Blikle: Patisserie famous for pączki doughnuts since 1869.
- E. Wedel Pijalnia Czekolady: Hot chocolate in a historic salon.
- Hala Koszyki: Food hall in a restored market building.
- Kufle i Kapsle: Popular bar for Polish craft beers.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- NUTA — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Polish
- Rozbrat 20 — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
Romantic views
- Łazienki Royal Park (Afternoon): The palace on the water and peacock-filled paths make a romantic walk.
- Old Town Market Square (Evening): The square of colourful facades is lit by lanterns in the evening.
- Vistula Boulevards (Sunset): A riverside promenade for watching the sunset.
- University Library Roof Garden (Afternoon): A free roof garden with views of the Vistula and the city.
Football stadiums in Warsaw
- Polish Army Stadium: Home of Legia Warsaw
- Stadion Polonii Warszawa: Home of Polonia Warsaw
Good to know before visiting Warsaw
- Fine: Drinking in streets, parks and public places is banned.
- Fine: Validate paper tickets on boarding; inspectors fine riders without one.
- Fine: Pedestrians crossing on red are fined.
- Fine: Smoking is banned indoors and at public transport stops.
- Warning: Carry ID or a passport.
- Warning: Be quiet and respectful at the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial; photos are banned in some areas.
- Emergency: 112 (police 997, ambulance 999, fire 998)
- Plugs: C/E, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe in big cities, though many prefer bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Poland, Wikivoyage — Poland, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Warsaw travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Warsaw?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Warsaw?
- Highlights: Palace of Culture and Science, Copernicus Science Centre, Wilanów Palace, Warsaw Old Town and Royal Castle in Warsaw. The map has 32 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Warsaw?
- Old Town (Stare Miasto): The rebuilt historic centre; lovely in the evenings. Other options: Śródmieście / City Centre, Nowy Świat, Powiśle, Praga and Mokotów.
- How do you get from the airport to Warsaw city centre?
- Warsaw Chopin (WAW): SKM/KM train ≈ 25 min · Warsaw Modlin (WMI): KM train + shuttle bus ≈ 1 h
- How do you get around Warsaw?
- The centre and Old Town are walkable; metro, trams and buses use the same ZTM ticket. Machines accept contactless cards.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Warsaw?
- According to the last known data there are 2 starred restaurants: NUTA (1 star), Rozbrat 20 (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Warsaw?
- Emergency: 112 (police 997, ambulance 999, fire 998).
- Do you tip in Warsaw?
- About 10% is customary.
Nearby cities
Kraków · Gdańsk · Vilnius · Minsk · Prague · Dresden · Berlin · Bratislava
Poland travel guide: all cities · All cities