10 Best Things to Do in Warsaw

Get ready for an afternoon of classic old world charm as you make your way to the historic quarter of the Old Town. This area was absolutely devastated during World War II, but rose again from the ashes and rubble. Think charming cobblestone passages, picturesque plazas and medieval-style buildings.

Get off on the right exploratory foot at the historic Plac Zamkowy, in front of the Royal Castle and underneath King Sigismund’s Column. Next, admire the art collection and architectural splendour of St. John the Baptist Cathedral. Then take a seat in any one of the eclectic eateries hidden away in back alleys and surprise squares to enjoy the homemade baked offerings of To Lubie or the park-adjacent al fresco dining options of Kafka Café.

Nicknamed as ‘Hipster Square’, Plac Zbawiciela sits slap bang in the middle of Warsaw and makes for the perfect starting point on your Polish adventure. As a centrally located hub of culture, boutiques and culinary finds, wake up with a gentle wander around the quaint cafés, hipster restaurants and cult pubs that reside in this historical area.

Sip on a cup of strong Polish coffee and grab a bite to eat as you watch people stroll on by while also admiring the artwork that graces the walls. In the middle of the square sits a roundabout, which has played host to many political artworks and banners over the years, including a striking LGBT rainbow. And the cornerstone of this iconic square? A laid-back community venue and trendy space called Plan B, which offers live jazz and rock music.

Take a walk through days of old with a visit to the organised, informative and emotive POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. From tales of merchant travellers and the creation of towns and cities to World War II and the rise and fall of communism, this well-crafted space shows the past of the Polish Jews from their 12th-century arrival in Central Europe to the present day.

Sitting right in the heart of Warsaw, this moving museum will take roughly 2 hours to explore, but it’s a must on your Polish travels. You can jump onto a guided tour or explore at your own pace. Pay a visit to the core exhibition, split across 8 different galleries showcasing the culture and heritage of Polish Jews, and you’ll be left with a powerful feeling of gratitude for the current status quo.

Elegant and grand, the Royal Route is a picture-perfect tour that can be enjoyed with family and friends. Running for 7 miles from the ancient Old Town to the palatial walls of Wilanow, you can see the rich history in the city along the way. Highlights include the 15th-century Royal Castle, the King Zygmunt III Waza Column and the Presidential Palace.

Embrace the greener side of this route with a walk around the lush gardens of the Krasiński Palace, and ponder for a moment with a break in the Royal Łazienki Park. For a route that involves slightly fewer footsteps, you can take the 2-mile route instead, going from the Charles de Gaulle roundabout to the Old Town. As you wander through the palace gardens and listen to the stories of the royals who once lived there, you’ll grow to understand the vast and interesting history of Warsaw. No trip to the capital of Poland is complete without a walk along the Royal Route.

Suspended above the scenic Vistula river sits the gleaming steel and wooden structure of Gdański Bridge. With 4 road lanes and a sidewalk on the upper deck and trams running along its lower level, this impressive double-decker bridge makes for a great spot to slow things down.

Hop on the tram, departing from the Wybrzeże Helskie stop, to soak up sweeping views of Warsaw's glorious skyline. You’ll easily spot the Old Town, with its towering skyscrapers standing tall in the background. You might even spot a newlywed couple or 2 using the view as a backdrop for some stunning wedding shots. As you depart for the next stop of your whistle-stop Warsaw tour, don't forget to check out the dazzling neon sign on the bridge’s other side, which reads: "nice to see you."

Located in the Wola district, this remarkable museum is dedicated, as the name suggests, to the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Learn all about this incredible historical event from within the very city where it happened. As a unique experience, it will open your eyes to see Warsaw in a different light.

Known as one of the best museums in the entire city, get a little interactive with unique displays, historic photographs and video footage, and a whole host of miscellaneous exhibits that are sure to leave their mark. You can learn all about life under Nazi rule and even crawl through a mock sewer for a truly memorable experience.

Warsaw Fotoplastikon is a stereoscopic theatre that allows you to view photographs in 3D. The circular machine has 24 viewports fixed around the outside. Take a seat on a stool and look through the eyeholes to see the sequence of 48 photographs depicting Poland in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as period travel photographs from around Europe.

First opened in 1905, Warsaw Fotoplastikon was used as a meeting place for Resistance fighters during World War II. Visit on a Sunday to see photos of old Warsaw while jazz records from the period are played on an old turntable. Other events include concerts, photography workshops, museum lectures, and screenings of old films.

Fancy seeing what a little Warsaw shopping spree looks like? Add some luxury to your break by indulging in the delights of the Blue City Mall. Easily accessible by bus, tram and underground, this well-known shopping centre was Poland’s first mega mall and is fondly known by locals as “a city within the city.” As the last independently-owned outlet in all of Warsaw, it sits just outside of the city centre, housing over 200 retail outlets, 30 of which are dedicated to interior design.

It’s a great place to treat yourself but also to pick up some souvenirs. As you take a break from filling your shopping bags, sit back and admire the architectural design of the mall itself, alongside the impressive fountain that sits underneath a glass dome in the centre of the mall. There’s even a skate park, and the colourful ‘Inca play area’ – a mini funfair said to channel the spirit of Treasure Island.

Just opposite the Old Town sits Praga District’s bustling hub, hugging the glistening Vistula River. Praga is home to one of the most expensive and affluent parts of the city since some of this area was preserved during the war. As most of the buildings are authentic Polish dwellings, this distinctive district is known for housing some of the most iconic Polish architecture today.

Discover restaurants serving up all kinds of European and International dishes, from the modern Mediterranean flavours of Szklarnia to the daily changing menu of Centrum zarządzania światem. And once you’ve filled your belly, head to the area’s vibrant bars. Make sure to check out W oparach absurdu – which translates as “In the haze of absurd” – for an unusual selection of spirits and an even more unusual selection of giant shot glasses. End the night with a shot of traditional Polish liquor – Krupnik – and good company in tow.