The Definitive Weekend Guide to Warsaw

Travel Itinerary

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Itinerary by: Wardah Shah

2 years ago

Traveller

Duration: 3 days

Itinerary Contents

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
1. Wilanow Palace
2. Warsaw Univeristy Library (BUW)

Itinerary Introduction

Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It is situated on the banks of the Vistula river - a beautiful place to sit and relax. This city covers an area of 517km2 and is the largest city in Poland. Warsaw is called an "alpha city" due to it being the primary point of the cultural, political, and economic basis of the country. Warsaw is a city that has seen everything: from merry days to facing destruction to bravely rising from the ruins. This city has a heart of steel. Warsaw is a city that is often overlooked when planning a trip to Europe. But let me set one thing straight: a visit is definitely worth it. This city perfectly preserves its historical honour and has redesigned itself to meet to modern-day needs. Compared to other big cities in Europe, Warsaw is budget-friendly when it comes to food, transport, sightseeing, and nightlife. Pictures Courtesy: Piotr Zakrzewski from Pixabay and Henryk Niestrój from Pixabay.

Useful information about Warsaw

The history of Warsaw

This city has witnessed significant historical events. If you walk around, you will find several ruins from WWII. There are buildings riddled with bullet holes and parts of the Ghetto wall. The Warsaw Uprising in 1944 is marked as the time when Poles stood up against foreign atrocities and fought bravely to defend their dignity. This was the time when Warsaw was reconstructed and resurrected.

Warsaw - Travel Itinerary

Day 1

Warsaw: Getting to Know Its History

Day 1 focuses on visiting Warsaw's historical sites and the famous Vistula Boulevard.

10:00 - 13:00

The Royal Lazienki Park

Agrykola 1, Warszawa, Poland

The Royal Lazienki Park is one of the must-see attractions in Warsaw. Get a serene start to your day with a calming atmosphere and immerse yourself in the fresh air and the picturesque "Palace on the Water" view. Experience a blend of artificial lakes, greenery, and exotic peacocks. Lazienki Park offers beautifully composed historical buildings with many breathtaking sites and a look back in history. The park remains intact despite the destruction of the city during World War II. HISTORY Lazienki means a bath. The most remarkable attraction is the "Palace on the Island." The history of Lazienki dates back to the 17th Century when this palace was built as a private bath for Stanislaw Herkliusz Lubomirski. It was later bought by the final King of Poland, Stanislaw August Poniatowski, who reserved it for use as his private summer residence. This palace has a massive collection of fine art pieces displayed in the palace's interiors, showcasing the King's love for art. WHAT TO SEE This 78 hectare park has many interesting historical landmarks such as an old and new orangery, an amphitheater, an egyptian temple, Myslewicki Palace, a botanical garden, "Place on the Isle," and many other landmarks. Save at least 2-3 hours to explore. The following landmarks can be found inside the park: Palace on an Isle (Palac Na Wyspie) - This residential palace has the most picturesque views. You can rent boats and paddle around to enjoy the view of the palace. Chopin Monument: A colossal bronze statue of the famous Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. If you are there on a Sunday, don't miss the free open-air piano concerts. Chinese Garden: Located on the park's central axis, this area is a perfect spot to see Chinese lanterns and get an essence of Asian architecture. The entrance to the park is free. But you will have to purchase tickets if you want to visit an orangery or museum. Visit the website for the updated fee for entry to the landmarks. Picture Courtesy - Wardah Shah

Website

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for The Royal Lazienki Park
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free	Plus fee

The Royal Lazienki Park

13:00 - 14:30

Nowy Swiat

Nowy Świat, Warszawa, Poland

One of the main historic thoroughfares of Warsaw is Nowy Swiat (New World). It forms a part of the Royal Route that stretches from the modern part of Warsaw in the south down to Krakowskie Przesmiescie Street at the Copernicus Square to the north and finally ending at the Old Town Castle Square. Get a blend of history and modern architecture with the pastel-toned street buildings aligned together preserving Warsaw's vintage spirits despite being shattered during WWII. Nowy Swiat is an iconic street with style. The lively atmosphere is full of beautiful cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, and shopping stores that leave you with endless options to eat, drink and shop. Try the traditional Blikle Cafe for some coffee and dessert. Or stop at the Manufaktura Cukeirow to buy some handmade and tasteful candies for your kids. And most importantly, make sure to take your camera for some of the most amazing touristic shots across the street. As you're walking down the street, you will come across some significant landmarks: Presidential Palace of Warsaw - With 24/7 guards at the gates, this is where Warsaw's pact was signed in 1955. Nicolaus Copernicus Monument: Famous mathematician of Poland whose statue stands at the Copernicus Square. University of Warsaw: The largest University of Poland was founded in 1816. The main gates of the university are located at 22/26 Krakowskie Przezmiescie Street. Hotel Bristol - This 1906 beautiful baroque-style hotel is located a few steps from the presidential palace. A must stop by to take great shots. Step inside to see some artistic masterpieces, or experience lunch with great views. A.Blikle Cafe (Nowy Swiat 33) - A Vintage Cafe with folklore interiors that offers a variety of dessert options. The choice is yours, take a stroll and find your dining options. Nowy Swiat also has a new metro line extension which makes access to the City Center easy. Picture Courtesy: Victor Malyushev on Unsplash

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Nowy Swiat
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Getting there

By car/taxi: You can take a 7 minute Uber or Bolt drive to get to Nowy Swiat from Lazienki park. By bus: From "Rozbrat 4" stop you can take either bus 109 or 171 and ride 3 stops to "plac Trzech Kryrzy 10". Nowy Swiat is 5 minute by walk from the bus stop (note: keep a google map open when getting to the bus stops to take the best walking route)

Travel time

0 hours 7 minutes

Nowy Swiat

14:30 - 15:15

Royal Castle

plac Zamkowy, 01-195 Warszawa, Poland

The Royal Castle served as the residence of many Polish kings. It was the place where many parliamentary sessions took place. This ornate castle houses many remains like old paintings, furniture, and masterpieces. Each element of the Royal Castle has a fascinating history behind it. Entry to the Royal Castle is free on Wednesdays. Picture Courtesy: Photo by Valik Chernetskyi on Unsplash

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Royal Castle
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	6.53 EUR
Students	4.30 EUR
Kids	0.22 EUR	Under 16

Getting there

Walk all the way from Nowy Swiat to Old Town Castle Square where you can get to the Royal Castle.

Travel time

0 hours 25 minutes

Royal Castle

15:15 - 16:00

Podwale 25 Kompania Piwna

Podwale 25, 00-288 Warszawa, Poland

When exploring the old town, you will want to have lunch and enjoy the historic atmosphere. Podwale 25 Kompania Piwna is the perfect place to stop by. This bavarian-styled restaurant serves authentic Polish cuisine. And, if that wasn't enough, the servers are also dressed in traditional Polish costumes which adds the cherry on the top! Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

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Article By: Wardah Shah

Notes

Due to the increasing reservations especially on weekends, be sure to call and book in advance.

Getting there

It is located right in the Old Town Square.

Podwale 25 Kompania Piwna

16:00 - 18:30

Old Town (Stare Miasto)

Warsaw Old Town, Warsaw, Poland

Stare Miasto (The Old town) has seen many dark moments and was destroyed during World War II. It was reconstructed again in the 1970s Soviet period. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Old Town represents one of the oldest heritages of Warsaw with its richly colorful townhouses, alleyways showcasing fine architectural masterpieces with ornate churches and cobblestone floorings. WHERE TO START THE OLD TOWN TOUR? You can start your walking tour from Nowy Swiat street to the Old town square. This is a 2km walk taking about 30-35 minutes or more if you stop along the way. In the middle of the tour, you will reach the Copernicus square, where the Krakowskie Przedmiescie street begins. Right in the heart of the Old Town is the medieval center, Rynek Starego Miasta, where you can find vendors selling vintage polish items and delights. There, in the middle, stands the famous Polish King Sigmunds's Column: the perfect spot to meet up for a free walking tour or aesthetic photos. From here, you can head to small interconnecting streets and explore fabulous eateries, cafes, bars, and souvenir shops to take a memorable keepsake from your Warsaw trip. When you pass down the narrow streets, you will reach the old town market square where the famous symbol of Warsaw - the statue of a mermaid ("Synrenka" in Polish) stands. Located adjacent to the old town castle square is the deeply historical St Anne's Church. The interiors are baroque in style - with several chapels. Adjacent to the church, you can also reach the observation deck, and then to the viewing terrace by stairs (there's no elevator) and get a bird's eye view of the Old Town Square, Vistula river, and the National Stadium of Warsaw. Visit the website http://taraswidokowy.pl/#tickets for the latest opening hours and entry prices. While you explore the old town, you will notice fortifications and medieval city walls. This 16th-century semicircular red brick fortress "Warszawa Barbacan" was used in the past to guard the north entrance of the city. Sadly, these walls suffered severe damage during World War II but were reconstructed to preserve the medieval theme. When walking onto the bridge, nearby you will find several artists selling their hand paintings. Walk past the bridge and experience Warsaw's restored historical gems. Picture Courtesy - by Zhi Xuan Hew on Unsplash

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Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

When exploring the old town, don't forget to get to the observation deck and get the best views of Old Town.

Old Town (Stare Miasto)

18:30 - 19:30

Multimedia Fountain Park

Skwer 1 Dywizji Pancernej WP, Wybrzeże Gdańskie, 01-999 Warszawa, Poland

Get a visual treat for the your eyes at the Multimedia Fountain Park. The dancing fountain waters synchronise beautifully with the music - projecting colorful illuminations. Multimedia Fountain Park is located near the Old town, walking down the staircase near the "Maria Sklodowska Curie" monument in the green area. Vistula riverbank is also visible from the park. There is a light show taking place here every Friday and Saturday at 21.30. The sightseeing is perfect for families with kids. It is something quite unique to anything else you will see in Warsaw - so don't miss it! Note: The showtime varies throughout the year - so do check in advance. Picture Courtesy: Maksym Harbar on Unsplash

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Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Multimedia Fountain Park
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Getting there

Multimedia Fountain Park is a 7 minutes walk from Old Town Castle Square via Swietojanska Street.

Travel time

0 hours 7 minutes

Multimedia Fountain Park

19:30 - 21:00

Vistula Boulevards

Generała George’a Smitha Pattona, Warszawa, Poland

Take a relaxing evening stroll along the beautiful banks of the Vistula river. This huge promenade has plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars, and a beach to sit and relax. Picture Courtesy: John Nzoka on Unsplash

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Vistula Boulevards
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Getting there

Take a 7-10 minute taxi ride from the multimedia fountain to the Vistula Boulevards. Or, if you like walking, head northeast on bolesc street and follow the map until you get to the pedestrian tunnel which leads directly to the Vistula boulevard.

Travel time

0 hours 10 minutes

Vistula Boulevards

Day 2

Exploring Warsaw's Downtown and The Uprising Museum

On day 2, we will be getting intimate with Warsaw's downtown area.

08:30 - 09:30

Byc Moze

Bagatela 14, 00-588 Warszawa, Poland

This hidden gem is located in Bagatela street at Plac Unii Lubeslki in Srodmiescie District. Being a former local in Warsaw, I highly recommend this Italian Cafe. They have the best french toast in town. So if you happen to be in Warsaw for a weekend trip, start your day by enjoying the delicious breakfast at Byc Moze. Picture Courtesy: Wardah Shah

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Article By: Wardah Shah

Getting there

Byc Moze

10:00 - 13:00

Warsaw Uprising Museum

Grzybowska 79, 00-844 Warszawa, Poland

To better understand the horrors of war, misery, and heartbreak that the Poles experienced during WWII, take a visit to one of the best WWII museums in Europe. Locals always recommend it. The Warsaw Rising Museum has many stories to tell about Poland's tough past and how this country fought bravely against the German and Russian forces. The atmospheric Museum contains informative and fascinating exhibits, educational scripts, and artefacts backed with footage of what innocent people went through during WWII. It goes a long way towards recreating what happened here in 1944. There is a recommended "route" to follow while touring the Museum. But, it tends to get confusing, so you should opt for audio guides to follow the events in chronological order. It is also worth taking a picture of the map located at the entrance to the museum. The museum is open every day except Tuesdays. Admission is free on Sundays, so go there in the early hours to avoid crowding by the locals. Picture Courtesy: tevenet from Pixabay

Website

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Warsaw Uprising Museum
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	5.43 EUR
Students	4.34 EUR

Notes

Buy tickets to the Museum online to save time in case you're traveling to Warsaw on a busy day. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, therefore plan accordingly.

Travel time

0 hours 10 minutes

Warsaw Uprising Museum

13:30 - 14:30

Palace of Culture and Science (PKiN)

plac Defilad 1, 00-901 Warszawa, Poland

Built in the 1950s, one of the symbolic representations of Warsaw, The Palace of Culture and Science, also known as PKiN (Palac Kultury i Nauki), is located in downtown Warsaw. This high-rise tower serves as a multifunctional complex with several office buildings, museums, theatres, eateries and event halls. Surprisingly, it also holds a University, Collegium Civitas, on its 11th and 12th floors. In addition, the building hosted several historical events, including Rolling Stones concerts in 1967 and the Miss World finale in 2006. You can enjoy the best panoramic views from the 30th-floor viewing terrace. The viewing terrace opens from 10 am to 8 am daily. You can either buy tickets at the entrance or purchase them online at: https://www.bilety.pkin.pl/. Check out their website for ongoing events hosted at the tower during your trip. Picture Courtesy: Huda Shah

Website

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Palace of Culture and Science (PKiN)
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	4.37 EUR
Group	3.27 EUR
Students	3.27 EUR
Kids	0.00 EUR	Under 3
Seniors	3.27 EUR

Travel time

0 hours 7 minutes

Palace of Culture and Science (PKiN)

15:00 - 16:30

Zloty Tarasy Shopping Center

Złota 59, 00-120 Warszawa, Poland

Located in the heart of Warsaw, Zloty Tarasy is a famous shopping complex. Its name translates to "Golden Terraces," which showcases its unique and attractive glass roof representing Warsaw's modern architecture. It is located at a 5-10 minute walk away from the Palace of Culture and Science. The mall's interiors are fascinating, with each floor having its glory. This five-level mall offers everything from a cinema, salon, food court, to an underground parking lot. You can shop from your favorite brands or treat yourself to a delicious lunch in the food court or a dine-in restaurant in the mall. Picture Courtesy: Huda Shah

Website

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Zloty Tarasy Shopping Center
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Getting there

Zloty tarasy mall is located 5 minutes by walk from the Palace of Culture and science.

Travel time

0 hours 5 minutes

Zloty Tarasy Shopping Center

19:00 - 21:00

Panorama Sky Bar

al. Jerozolimskie 65/79, 00-698 Warszawa, Poland

After a tiring day of exploring Warsaw's downtown, head to Panorama Sky bar. This rooftop bar is located on the 40th floor of The Marriott from where you can enjoy the breathtaking scenes of Warsaw's skyline. Sample the exclusive range of drinks (special cocktails), desserts, and snacks offered at the bar. The Panorama Sky Bar opens from Sunday to Tuesday from 19:00 until 1:00 (Kitchen open until midnight) *Kitchen is closed on Tuesdays You will need to call for a reservation in advance. Photo Courtesy: Michal Mrozek on Unsplash

Website

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Panorama Sky Bar
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

Call the bar for reservations prior to the visit.

Getting there

5-minute walk from the Zloty Tarasy shopping center.

Travel time

0 hours 5 minutes

Panorama Sky Bar

Day 3

Nature in Warsaw - Wilanow Palace and BUW Rooftop Garden

Day 3 focuses on a walk through the famous Wilanow Palace and BUW Rooftop garden * BUW rooftop garden opening times are subject change depending on the time of year.

09:00 - 11:30

Wilanow Palace

Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16, Warszawa, Poland

Wilanow Palace is a beautiful 17th Century baroque-style palace and is a must-visit attraction in Warsaw. This palace was the residence of King Jan Sobieski III of Poland. It remained unharmed during the WWII era, and retains its architectural beauty. The palace carries a charm of its own, giving an insight into the splendor of royal residences. Beautiful gardens with an assortment of flowers surround the museum. Furniture and paintings make the walk in the palace époque. There are plenty of ponds surrounding the park where you can also go boating. For history lovers, there is a splendid collection of antiques from around the globe. If you happen to be in Warsaw during the winter months, don't miss the decorative lighting that gives the palace a winter wonderland feel. The entrance is free on Thursdays. Make sure to collect a free pass at the ticket office. Visit the website to check the latest entry fees and opening times. Photo Courtesy: Alexey Topolyanskiy on Unsplash

Website

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Wilanow Palace
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	5.21 EUR

Notes

It is better to visit Wilanow Palace in the morning for a better view and detailed tour of the palace. Be sure to regularly check the opening times in case of updates.

Wilanow Palace

12:00 - 13:00

Warsaw Univeristy Library (BUW)

Dobra 56, 00-312 Warszawa, Poland

Warsaw University Library is a hidden gems within Warsaw. Unfortunately, not a lot of tourist forums and websites talk about it. Although a little father out than the other tourist attractions, you can easily access the library via public transport by taking a direct bus from the City Center. What is so special about Warsaw Univeristy Library? Unlike other regular indoor libraries containing volumes of books and academic interiors, BUW is different. Situated on the top of the library is a spectacular rooftop garden! This rooftop features a beautiful floral garden with stunning views of the Vistula river and the city of Warsaw itself. The library is a great place to relax with friends and family to enjoy the colorful collection of flowers, ivy, and shrubs. While the entrance to the library is not accessible for tourists, there is a separate entrance via the stairs or elevator to get to the rooftop garden. It is closed in winter so you will have to plan a visit during summertime. BUW opening times: * 1 - 30 April: 8-18 * May 1 - September 30: 8-20 * October 1 - October 31: 8-18 * November 1 - March 31 (no access to the roof): 8-15 Photo Courtesy: Bianca Fazacas on Unsplash

Website

Article By: Wardah Shah

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Warsaw Univeristy Library (BUW)
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Getting there

15 min taxi ride from Wilanow Palace to Warsaw University Library

Travel time

0 hours 15 minutes

Warsaw Univeristy Library (BUW)

Privacy: public

Submitted by: Wardah Shah, 3 years ago

About the author

Wardah Shah

I'm Wardah Shah, a recent medical graduate (MD) who loves traveling and exploring different cultures. I have traveled to over 20 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia. I aim to keep this journey going as far as possible. 🌎 🌏 🌍