Poland’s capital Warsaw is an underrated city break but it’s a fantastic place to explore, so whether your budget is super tight or you’ve got money to spend, here are my top things to do.
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The Best Things To Do in Warsaw
Warsaw is a lively city full of character and charm – there are interesting museums, a thriving food and drink scene and some genuinely cool places. The city was painstakingly rebuilt after WWII and so you even get a sense of its history too.
Whether your budget is super tight or you can afford to spend a bit more freely, there’s plenty to get stuck into…
The Best Free Things To Do In Warsaw
Catch a free Chopin concert in Łazienki Park
On Sundays between May and September, lovely Łazienki Park hosts free open-air piano concerts beside the famous Chopin Monument (the composer Frédéric Chopin being probably Warsaw’s most famous son).
Bring something to sit on, find a patch of grass and be serenaded by Chopin’s famous music, outdoors, for free! And with or without a concert, the park is worth a visit – there are peacocks, palaces and plenty of leafy paths for wandering.
See the Palace of Culture and Science
The Palace of Culture and Science is a vast, iconic building that you can’t miss – so head to the square next to it and take it all in. There’s a paid viewing terrace at the top, but you can admire it from the ground for free.
Now Warsaw’s residents have mixed feelings about this building, as it was built on Stalin’s orders in the 1950s, and so represents the politics and propaganda of the city’s communist era. But you can’t avoid it and it’s a striking piece of architecture nonetheless.
Watch a fountain show
Another summer freebie – in the warmer evenings the Multimedia Fountains near the Old Town put on a free light and water show that’s well worth watching. It’s synchronised to music and pretty impressive – a nice way to elevate your evening without having to spend any money. Check the time for the day you want to go as it varies according to daylight hours.
Find the Mermaid of Warsaw
The symbol of Warsaw is actually a mermaid, known as Syrenka. She’s on the city’s coat of arms and you’ll spot her image everywhere – and you’ll find her bronze statue in the Old Town Square. Speaking of which, the square is beautiful and is a complete rebuild of the original after extensive bombing in WWII.
Join a sober rave
Now I know what you’re thinking – not me mate! But actually Warsaw is big on sober social events, and a rave is a surprisingly great night out – you get to dance away to your heart’s content, with zero hangover. And because everyone is sober, you’re all in it together!
This rave is organised by Niedzielni which organises raves in various cities and always rotates the kind of venue – mine was at a racecourse!
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The Best Cheap Things To Do In Warsaw
Scoot along Vistula Boulevard
Grab an e-scooter and cruise along the Vistula Boulevard – this is the main promenade that runs along the river and it’s always buzzing. Polish laws are much friendlier towards e-scooters than UK ones, and it’s a fun way to soak up the vibes of the city and cover ground a bit faster. I used Bolt to rent mine.
- 30-minute scoot for £2.64
Hit up a breakfast market
Warsaw’s breakfast markets are stalls selling good coffee and fresh breakfast, often local produce too – and in summer they’re the perfect stop for your first meal of the day. Generally they run on weekends from spring to the end of summer, check to see if they’re running during your trip here.
Order a cheap mimosa
Warsaw is very affordable – in fact Polish cities generally are incredibly budget friendly if you’re a UK traveller – and tracking down a great-value mimosa is almost a rite of passage. Mine cost £2.64 at Miedzy Nami and it was DELICIOUS.
- Mimosa from £2.64
Visit one of Warsaw's museums
Warsaw’s history is extensive, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t find out a bit more about it at one of its museums. There’s the Warsaw Uprising Museum, which details the tragic 1944 uprising against the Nazi occupation, the POLIN Museum tells the history of Polish Jews and the Museum of Warsaw which tells the story of the city itself. Any one of these will stay with you long after your trip.
- Entry from £6.50
Take in the view from the Old Town bell tower
For fab panoramic views over the Old Town, head to the Observation Terrace on the Bell Tower of St Anne’s Church.
- Tower entry from £2.01
Eat at a milk bar
A milk bar (bar mleczny) is a Polish institution. It’s a kind of basic cafeteria that dates back to the communist era, when meals for the poor were subsidised. Nowadays they are still very reasonably priced and you can get a plate of traditional filling food – like borscht, pierogi and potato pancakes – for a very low price.
The Best Affordable Things To Do In Warsaw
Pop up to Highline Warsaw
The Highline Warsaw is an observation deck on the 53rd floor of Varos Tower, the tallest building in the EU believe it or not!
I was blown away by this place, there are three different levels and views are just incredible. It’s a bit cheaper to go up in the evenings – and there’s even a cocktail bar on the 49th floor if you want to stick around.
- Daytime entry from £9.15
Taste Polish vodka
If you drink, then trying a vodka or three is probably already on your list – it’s important to go full cultural immersion after all. But why not turn this into an educational experience by learning about vodka as well as drinking it?!
A visit to the Polish Vodka Museum will enlighten you. You can either pay for standard entry, or add on a guided tour and vodka tasting.
- Entry from £14.13
Attend a Chopin Salon concert
If you don’t fancy one of the outdoor concerts – or you’re visiting when they aren’t on – then for a more intimate musical experience, try a Chopin Salon concert. These are piano recitals in a beautiful, atmospheric setting and makes for a nice fancy evening out.
- Entry from £19.03
Spend an afternoon in Praga
Praga is Warsaw’s up-and-coming neighbourhood on the east bank of the Vistula, and it’s worth spending some time here. There’s a more local feel than in the polished centre, with excellent independent bars and restaurants, cool street art and more of a community vibe. While you’re there, don’t miss the Neon Museum – for £5.01 entry you can see restored neon signs from the communist era – it’s as cool as it sounds.
- Entry to Neon Museum £5
Explore Wilanów Palace
Just south of the city, Wilanów Palace (also known as King Jan III’s palace) is Poland’s answer to Versailles – a stunning royal residence in formal gardens. It’s very impressive, so give yourself a good few hours here to take it all in properly..
- Entry from £14.23
The Best Luxury Things To Do In Warsaw
Take a dip with a view of the Palace of Culture and Science
The Intercontinental Hotel has a rooftop pool with an unbeatable view straight towards the Palace of Culture and Science – so if you fancy a treat spa-type experience (there’s a sauna, steam room and gym too) head on over for a good soak.
- Day pass from £50
Take a Polish food tour or cooking class
I love a food tour when I visit somewhere, it’s a fun way to get a feel for the local culinary specialities. Or you could try rolling up your sleeves and doing a cooking class instead.
- Food tour from £67 per person
Book a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant
Warsaw has four Michelin-starred restaurants, so do your research, book in advance and treat yourself to a world-class meal at a fraction of what you’d pay in London or another more popular European capital.
- Various
Take a wildlife safari on the Vistula
You can take a boat along the Vistula river and spot the wildlife that calls it home – it’s something a bit different but if you want an activity to contrast with the more urban things on your list, then hop on board. You might spot beavers or white-tailed eagles!
- From £80pp
Explore Warsaw's communist history by car
If you drive – and you like history – try a self-driving tour of Warsaw’s communist-era sites. You get to go beyond the tourist trail and into a side of the city’s history that’s really interesting, and it’s a great way to put into context everything you’ve seen at one of the city’s viewpoints.
- From £85
Plan Your Trip With Our Best Things To Do in Warsaw for Every Budget
Warsaw is honestly such a fab city break destination – whether you’re more focused on the cheap mimosas and free cultural events, or want to treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal or rooftop swim – I guarantee you will love it, and want to come back!
