- Take social media worthy pictures in the Neon Museum
- Become inspired in the cute Renaissance town of Kazimierz Dolny
- Experience the grim history that occured at the Majdanek Concentration Camp
- Stroll through Old Town Square to see what makes this an UNESCO World Heritage Sight
- Tour the Royal Castle and learn about the tenacity of Warsaw
- Make a wish at the Old Town Wishing Bell
Best Things to Do in Warsaw
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Things to do in Warsaw - Expert's guide
Poland's capital is full of historical, cultural, and political attraction points, and you will never get enough time to visit all of them together. Therefore, here are those 10 important attractions to see in Warsaw without which any Poland tour is simply incomplete.
Warsaw is a year-round destination with all four seasons. Overall, Warsaw has a continental and humid climate where summers are pleasantly warm, but winters are freezing cold. Summer is the peak time when huge crowds from all over the world come to visit the town. Days are pleasantly warm with 19 degree Celsius average temperature.
On very hot days, the temperature can rise maximum to 30 degrees Celsius when it gets really hot. June, July, and August are packed with tourists not only due to the warm temperature and pleasant climate but also due to various cultural festivals occurring around. High airfare, hotel prices, and frequent rain showers are the negative points of the warm summer. Book your flight and accommodation in advance and don't forget to pack an umbrella.
December to February are the winter months with freezing temperatures, and January being the coldest with up to -3 degree centigrade. If you are not afraid of the freezing temperatures and want to travel on a budget, then winter is the best time for you. Prices are low, and you will easily get cheap accommodation, as well as reasonable airfare. However, make sure to bring appropriate attire like hats, gloves, boots, coats, etc.
Shoulder season is also an appropriate time for budget travel as prices are comparatively lower than summer, and weather is also pleasant with a hint of neighboring winter. Tourist crowds have either not arrived or have already left the town so you can enjoy the place all to yourself.
What is Warsaw known for?
The alpha global city is a famous international tourist destination and is famous for its history, culture, architecture, arts, and natural beauty.
1. Old Town
This oldest and the most significant part of the town was built somewhere in the 13th century, and most of it was destroyed during World War II by Nazis. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was rebuilt by the 1980s and is one perfect spot to grab the typical Polish cuisine in the surrounding bars, cafes, restaurants, etc. Stunning architectures like the Jesuit Church, St. John the Baptist Cathedral, and King Sigismund's Column.
2. Wilanow Palace
Commissioned in 1677 by King Jan III, this historical palace has been restored multiple times since its inception. After the demise of the King, the palace had been handed over to private families, transferring further over time. Every owner has added a little baroque and a little neoclassical touch to the structure. Today it has been changed into a museum filled with paintings, sculptures, artistic designs, and much more. It also serves as a hosting ground for various big events and festivals of the city.
3. Lazienki Park
Spread on about 76 hectares of land in the city center, this is the largest park in the city and one of the most beautiful ones in Europe. Escape from the city stress and take a calm break here in the serenity of this stunning landscape. The charming park with this Baroque design was designed in the 17th century. You will have the chance to witness various amazing palaces, wooded glades, an ornamental lake, orangeries, amphitheater, and much more.
4. Warsaw Uprising Museum
Have a deeper understanding of Poland's independence struggle with more than 1000 exhibits of the museum, telling you everything about the German Nazi's occupation of the country. There is also a freedom park with memorials of more than 10,000 insurgents that died during the uprising. In short, the park is a must-visit for history buffs.
5. Palace of Culture and Science
This tallest building of the country was a gift for Poland's nation from the Soviet people and was built from 1952 to 1955. On the 30th floor of the building, there is a large observation deck from where you can have great views of the city. There are 3000 rooms in the palace, including the Polish Academy of Science, headquarters of various institutions, and various business offices.
6. Fryderyk Chopin Museum
This museum was built in the Baroque Ostrogski Palace during 1954 and was dedicated to Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer. There are four floors with numerous stunning works of Polish composers and musicians. The museum is also known to be the most modern biographical museum of Europe and appeals to everyone with even a little bit of interest in the music.
7. Polin Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews
Among all the historical sites and museums of Warsaw, this museum is to pay homage to those Polish Jews who lost their lives during the Second World War. There is a huge collection in the museum regarding the earliest Jews of the country, Holocaust, and a lot more. This museum provides in-depth information and will keep you engaged for hours.
8. Old Town Square
This lovely square is enclosed by about 40 tall houses with a blend of Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Neoclassical touch. This amazing historical square is one of the loveliest in Warsaw and a feast for history lovers. It was originally built in the 13th century, but what you see today is much of what it looked like during the 17th and 18th centuries.
9. Copernicus Science Centre
The fantastic science museum is both fun and educational at the same time. This incredibly popular museum hosts more than a million visitors every year. With more than 450 exhibitions, this museum was built to commemorate the achievements and effort of the great scientist and mathematician, Copernicus, and is the country's largest Science Center.
10. The Royal Route
This 11 kilometers long route is stretched between Trzech Krzyży Square and Zamkowy Square, this amazing route interconnects five different streets with various important buildings and monuments of the country. Some of the must-see on the route include Czapski Palace, the Warsaw University campus, the Polonia House, the Radziwiłł Palace, and St. Anne's Church. You will visit most of the important points of the town following this route.
Weather in Warsaw
Warsaw generally has cold weather with a continental and humid climate. Winters are freezing cold while summer witnesses moderate temperatures during the day and comparatively cold nights. On extremely hot days, the temperature goes as high as 30-degree centigrade.
Day trips from Warsaw
If you are done exploring the city and still have time, then expand your trip to the surrounding fascinating areas.
1. Żelazowa Wola
The birthplace of Frederic Chopin, this town is filled with various worth visiting sites that make it an ideal day trip destination.
2. Bolimów Landscape Park
Just outside Warsaw, this beautiful forested area is a popular destination, especially for cyclists and hikers, where you also have the chance to witness the native wildlife like deer, foxes, rabbits, etc.
3. Mazovia Region
Here you can truly explore the traditional folk culture of the country with a museum full of folk art, the Baroque architecture of the buildings, Radziwill family palace, and much more.
4. Poznan
The city was the Polish capital and had significant importance in the country's history. Many even regard it as the birthplace of Poland.
5. Torun
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of medieval gothic architecture. The birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus has various attractions in the town related to him
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Trusted Customer
Sep 2024
Highlights of Poland
We explored three cities in a week.. The transfers from one city to the next went very smoothly. The guided tours of the cities provided plentiful information about ...
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Andrea
Jun 2024
Highlights of Poland
A small group of 6 was easy to keep together. Our guide, Pawel, was capable and knowledgeable, good humoured and good looking. The itinerary mostly covered 3 citie...
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Trusted Customer
Jun 2024
Highlights of Poland
Excellent tour giving insight into history I was not aware of. Pawel, our leader, was excellent and took us to an Chopin concert which wasn’t on the itinerary. His k...
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Bozica Plesa
Oct 2023
Highlights of Eastern Europe
Well worth seeing these old, interesting towns, in safety a...
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