10 Things To See in Warsaw
The Polish Capital is full of things to see and do! From communist architecture, to a charming old city, and beautiful parks, you won’t get bored in Warsaw! We’ve compiled a list of 10 Things to See in Warsaw!
1. Old Town & The Royal Route
The restored A Cidade velha is brimming with cafes, restaurants, and a great atmosphere. Full of Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Market Square in the old town is our first pick for things to see in Warsaw!
O Royal Route leads from Castle Square, all the way to Wilanow. By walking this route, you’ll also see the royal palaces, the „New World Street”, and Lazienki Park, which is full of peacocks, squirrels and has a Chopin monument
2. Communist Warsaw
What’s a list of things to see in Warsaw without mentioning communist architecture? Warsaw has been resurrected from the ashes quite a few times. As a result of Soviet occupation, the city is home to a fair amount of communist (Socialist Realism) style architecture. For a great example, check out the Palace of Culture and Science. It’s the tallest building in Poland, and now houses a cinema, theatres, some bars, and an observation deck!
For more examples of socialist realist architecture, check out the MDM quarter (Marszałkowska Housing District) in the city centre.
When hunger strikes, try out a milk bar diner! They were popular in Communist times, and many still exist! They’re loved for their cheap, home-style cooking, and unique atmosphere. We recommend Wegetariański Bar Mleczny Warszawa!
3. Parks & Green Areas
Warsaw has gardens, forests and over 70 parks for you to explore! We recommend Royal Park Lazienki for an urban retreat. In summer, take a blanket and listen to the live, open air Chopin music concerts. Kampinoski National Park is an urban escape with dunes, elks and even bison. You can get there by tram. One of the coolest things to do in Warsaw!
4. Uprising Museum & Chopin Museum
To learn all about the history of Warsaw, including the numerous rebuilds, you must visit the Museu da insurreição de Varsóvia. The interactive exhibitions are quite educational, now matter how much prior knowledge you have!
Warsaw’s most famous person is the music composer, Frederic Chopin. Whether you’re a professional musician or an amateur, you’ll enjoy the Chopin Museum. Play the piano, and listen to the stories about Chopin!
5. Skyline
The city has an amazing skyline, so naturally it makes our list for top things to see in Warsaw! And lucky for you, there’s tons of places to see it from! Here are our top 4 recommendations:
- St. Anne’s Church
- Warsaw University Library rooftop garden
- Museum of Warsaw
- Palace of Culture & Science
6. Bars & clubes
Like to party? Warsaw is ready to party with you! No matter what kind of night you’re after, you can find it here.
Our favourites include:
- The Pavilions: this is a cool courtyard with several cheap bars
- Enklawa: a classic kitschy, glitzy, disco
- Luzztro: an incredible rave spot
- Cafe Kulturalna: a great spot in the Palace of Culture and Science
- Warszawa Powisle: known for its great atmosphere, and outside deck chair seating
7. Praga District
The Praga district offers tons of bars, cafes, street art, galleries, alternative clubs, industrial buildings and old chapels. It ‘s also known for it’s river front sandy beaches with bars and BBQ spots. It’s one of our favourite mentions on things to see in Warsaw! Other notable spots include:
- Rozycki Market
- Metropolitan Orthodox Church
- Old vodka factory Koneser (converted into a cultural and party centre)
8. Shopping
Warsaw is great for shopping. Zlote Tarasy Shopping Centre is next to the main train station, but there are many others around the city! For those who are into more sustainable fashion and like finding treasures in vintage clothing shops, Warsaw has also got you covered!
9. Seasonal Attractions
The city has tons of seasonal attractions for you!
In winter, there’s a makeshift ski slope called Górka Szczęśliwicka, where you can ski, snowboard, or go sledding! The Old Town square also has an outdoor skating rink where you can practice your ice dance moves.
In summer, you can BBQ or play volleyball at the beach in Praga. Renting a bike to see the city is also a great activity! If you have strong arms try the rope parks for climbing.
10. Outside The Capital
Warsaw is well situated for lots of day trips! Here are our top 3 suggestions, all easily accessible by bus or train:
- Kazimierz Dolny – a beautiful renaissance town with a magical atmosphere
- Zelazowa Wola – the birthplace of Frederic Chopin
- Modlin Fortress – a Napoleonic defence fortress, later used by the Poles, French, German, and Russians
10 Things To See in Warsaw
Warsaw will leave you astounded no matter how much time you spend in this cosmopolitan city. Looking for more information about Warsaw? Check out our posts on Warsaw Food Guide, Verão em Varsóvia, and the Warsaw Vegan Food Guide!
Warsaw is also included in our 43 destinos, 43 pontos quentes de Instagram, and 15 deve visitar mercados europeus pulga.
Book Oki Doki City Hostel, the most famous designer accommodation in Warsaw. Complete with a bar, and weekly activities, it’s sure to meet all your needs!
