Why Warsaw Is Worth Visiting on Your Poland Trip

Warsaw, Poland, is where many tourists start their Poland travel. It’s a European travel hub already and a good way to get to more popular Polish cities like Kraków and Gdańsk.

Many travelers don’t linger there, though. It’s not as high a priority as those other places.

I’ve been twice now, though, and ask that you reconsider. Warsaw is worth visiting in more than a “just passing through” way.

The city has a great food scene and important cultural and historical sites, and is where my dad grew up.

I’ll get into all of that and more — OK, maybe you don’t care about my parentage — to convince you that Warsaw should be at the top, not the bottom, of your trip to Poland.

Quick Tips for Your Warsaw Visit

Your Flight: There are pretty regular deals from the United States and throughout Europe to Warsaw. Use Skyscanner to watch flights. Love budget-friendly travel? Subscribe to Going.

Your Accommodations: Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options in Warsaw. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.

Your Ride: We’ve visited Warsaw without a car, but access to one makes day trips outside of the city more efficient. Book a rental car ahead of time if you want one.

Top Spots: Explore the Old Town, visit the Warsaw Rising Museum, and relax in Łazienki Park.

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Is Warsaw worth visiting?

Warsaw is worth visiting for its impressive museums, delicious food scene, and important history.

While it’s often used as a stopover to more popular Polish cities, giving Warsaw a closer look rewards travelers looking for meaningful places to visit across the country.

While it’s known for its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I also have a personal connection to the city. My dad was raised in Ursus, a district of Warsaw, and I still have relatives who call Warsaw home.

I’ve been able to get an insider look at why Warsaw is so special beyond all of its best attractions. Why visit Warsaw? Let’s start with its historical significance.

Warsaw is a resilient city.

Warsaw looks more modern than other city centers around Poland and greater Europe because it had to rebuild extensively after World War II.

The city suffered incredible damage during the war, particularly during the initial German invasion in 1939 and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1944. A second resistance effort known as the Warsaw Uprising began in 1944 and lasted for 63 days.

Despite (or because of) the Red Army closing in on the Nazis by this time, Hitler ordered that the city be razed in response to resistance efforts. His army targeted monuments and historical buildings in particular as the ultimate show of douchebaggery.

Their efforts were unfortunately so efficient that it’s estimated over 80 percent of the buildings in the city lay in ruins when all was said and done.

I haven’t gotten to the resilience piece yet.

Despite a lack of basic infrastructure post-liberation, rebuilding and recovery efforts began immediately. As it was forced to rebuild for a more modern time, the old cobblestone was replaced with more drivable, bikable surfaces.

Populations of Poles that had managed to escape the city for elsewhere in Europe began to return. Within 11 years, the city recovered its prewar population.

A city that lay in the rubble before their escape was slowly starting to look like something completely new.

Its Old Town isn’t so old, but it’s for a reason.

There were 780 buildings in Warsaw on the historic register before World War II. Only 35 survived after Hitler’s orders.

A priority for Warsaw after World War II was rebuilding its Old Town, and it was completed by 1961.

While much of the city retains a more contemporary architectural style, the city’s Old Town was reconstructed to resemble what it was before the bombing campaigns.

On your visit, start at the Old Town Market Place, or Warsaw’s market square. Nearby Castle Square and the reconstructed Royal Castle along the old Royal Way remain a popular meeting spot for locals.

Fun fact: It’s impossible to miss Castle Square thanks to the towering Sigismund’s Column, a monument that narrowly survived the war.

The Krasiński Palace, or Palace of the Commonwealth, and the Warsaw Barbican are two more examples of reconstruction. Most of the fortification was destroyed after the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, but it was rebuilt by the 1950s based on historical etchings.

It’s the capital of Poland.

Warsaw is Poland’s capital and largest city. It’s the eighth most populous city in the European Union. It’s an important economic hub not only for Poland but for all of Europe.

That’s all a pretty big deal to me considering what we all know about Warsaw’s history now.

It’s the gateway to the rest of Poland.

While you may snag the odd deal to Kraków from hubs in the United States and around the rest of the world, it’s more likely Poland flights connect through Warsaw. This is Poland’s transportation hub.

You may as well hang out for a while if you’re flying into Warsaw anyway. The good news is that Poland is well-connected by a network of trains, and Warsaw is an excellent place to start.

It’s home to the Warsaw Rising Museum, Poland’s best museum.

The Warsaw Rising Museum, which may show up as the Warsaw Uprising Museum elsewhere, is a stunning tribute to the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It opened on the 60th anniversary of that event, so you better believe this place will move you.

Learn about Warsaw residents who fought and died for a better future, including the Home Army, or the underground military resistance. Read about the aftermath of the war. It wasn’t all happy-go-lucky for Warsaw after liberation, unfortunately.

I’m a big fan of booking tickets ahead of time, so that’s what we did for this one. Audio guides are available in a variety of languages if you want a break from some of the reading inside.

Once you’re done, don’t miss the Monument to the Warsaw Uprising, a two-part monument that represents the resistance fighters in that moment.

Its museum scene overall is impressive.

You should prioritize the Warsaw Rising Museum, but Warsaw has an excellent museum scene by any standard that could fill up a full day.

If the weather is garbage or you just love a good museum, explore the best of Warsaw museums:

Copernicus Science Centre: This is a fun one if you’re traveling to Warsaw with kids, but it’s popular with big kids into science, too. It’s recommended that you purchase tickets in advance so that you don’t miss out on the hands-on fun.
National Museum in Warsaw: Visit the largest museum in Warsaw for an extensive collection of European art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Check the sites for temporary exhibitions featuring masters like Picasso.
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews: This important museum tells the 1,000-year history of Jews in Poland, including how Poland became the center of Jewish life in Europe for so many years.

Łazienki Park is absolutely lovely.

Warsaw has a love of urban green spaces that offer a respite from some of its more contemporary vibes. Łazienki Park, or Royal Baths Park, is the best and biggest example of that.

The park is a picturesque oasis in the city that features landscaped gardens and gentlemen in whimsical hats that will take you on a boat ride of the lake. It’s also home to the Palace on the Isle, or Baths Palace, which splits the lake into two parts.

That’s not all she wrote on Warsaw’s green spaces, though. Ujazdów Park and the Saxon Garden, the oldest garden in Warsaw, are both a delight when the weather is cooperating.

It’s the birthplace of Marie Curie.

Marie Curie was born in Warsaw as Maria Skłodowska in 1867. She didn’t become Marie until she left Poland for France in 1891.

Fun fact: Marie Curie is the only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice. She’s also the only winner in history recognized in two different fields of natural sciences, physics and chemistry.

Visit the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum in Warsaw to tour the 18th-century tenement house where she was born and to learn more about her life and achievements.

Unfortunately, the original building was destroyed by the Germans after the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.

It’s modern with pops of history.

While much of what you’ll see in the city has been reconstructed, there are a few notable historic sites around Warsaw that survived the war. Wilanów Palace is what most visitors consider the most impressive example.

Construction on the palace started in 1681 for King Jan III Sobieski. Additional wings were added over the years to make it even grander.

What you’ll see today on Warsaw visits is one of the oldest museums in Poland as the Museum of King John III’s Palace at Wilanów.

Another historical building of note includes St. Anne’s Church, a religious site that could have succumbed to a worse fate if not for rapid repairs during the war.

It’s welcoming.

People gather to eat in a square in Warsaw.

Maybe it’s because the city has been through so much, but Warsaw feels so much more welcoming than other big cities around Europe. Before chowing down on that platter of sausage and pierogi, try to talk to some locals.

They love talking about their favorite things to eat, where to get a good drink, and off-the-beaten-path attractions in their home city.

They’ll also go deep with you on Warsaw history if you want them to, but that may require a few shooters of vodka to go down easier.

Note: I do speak Polish, but you’ll find English widely spoken throughout the Polish capital. I definitely can’t say the same about many other cities around Poland.

The food is delicious.

Warsaw has an excellent food scene. Whether you’re here for Polish classics or more modern takes on comfort cuisine, Warsaw has you covered.

Here are a more delicious spots to try:

Butchery & Wine: This highly-rated restaurant specializes in meats and wines, but you probably already know that. Come for starters and drinks if you’re watching that coin. Beef tartare is a Polish classic that reminds me of home.
ELIXIR by Dom Wódki: If you want to have yourself a night, book a table at this eatery that pairs its offerings with tasting portions of vodka. Is it dangerous? Maybe. I’m here to live a little dangerously, though.
Zapiecek Restaurant: This eatery is in the center of Old Town, so it’s a great addition to most Warsaw itineraries. If you’re seeking the best cheap food Warsaw has to offer, stick to their hearty pierogi plates.

It’s a little weird.

A woman in a Warsaw museum with 3D glasses on

Perhaps because this city had to rebuild, Warsaw’s identity is rooted in its people. Unlike historic buildings, people’s interests and tastes change over time, and that’s represented around Warsaw.

That’s what makes it feel a bit more edgy than other Polish cities, and not unlike Berlin if we’re talking about vibes.

Visit the Neon Museum to check out vintage neon signs from the Cold War era. Hang out in Saviour Square, a gathering place for progressives no matter the political cost, for a taste of hipster Warsaw. Walk the streets to find your favorite murals and public art.

Note: I wouldn’t call it gritty by any means, but Warsaw has a more alternative vibe than the rest of Poland. I love that for Warsaw.

Warsaw nightlife is a good time.

Warsaw offers a variety of bars, clubs, and live music venues to suit whatever you’re after following a day of tourism.

If you’re looking for places to visit in Warsaw at night, cross the Vistula River into Praga, a less-traveled part of the city.

The district used to be its own city thanks to that natural river separation, so we have modern engineering to thank for its bohemian renaissance. It’s known for its trendy art scene and pop-up bars today.

Back on the other side of the river, you’ll find quite a bit of revelry along the Vistula River itself in the Powiśle area, especially if you’re here in the warmer months.

Warsaw is a year-round destination.

The best time to visit Warsaw is in early fall, when it’s still warm and the leaves are starting to turn in the city’s best parks. If you’re only able to visit in the dead of winter, you’ll still have a fine time.

Outside of the Christmas market season, Warsaw has lots of indoor activities to get your culture fix, and I’ve already told you about the food.

One of my favorite wintertime activities is eating all of the comfort food, and that includes kopytka, Polish potato dumplings.

Warsaw doesn’t feel touristy.

Warsaw definitely has a more modern vibe than many other European capitals. I won’t belabor why that is because you’ve already heard all about it. That makes it feel less touristy than places like Kraków or Prague.

Those destinations are fantastic, by the way, and there’s a reason why tourists travel to more tourist-heavy places. Warsaw has its fair share of tourist attractions, too. They just never feel so crowded. Pre-planning is definitely not as aggressive in Warsaw.

Warsaw isn’t an expensive destination.

Despite its growing reputation as one of the best cities in Europe, Warsaw remains much more budget-friendly than cities like Rome, Paris, or Barcelona across Western Europe.

That’s generally true year-round, too, although you’ll certainly pay a bit more to visit in the summer and around the winter holidays.

As it’s the largest, most populous city in Poland, you’ll find a wide range of accommodations and dining options across all price points on visits to Warsaw, too.

That makes it a little easier on the wallet as you navigate your priorities on a Warsaw itinerary.

You can see it all and have room in the budget for trinkets to bring back home with you, too.

It’s a great base for day trips.

I’ve talked up Warsaw pretty well over the course of this post, but a big reason it’s grown in popularity is that it’s an excellent travel hub.

Basically, all roads lead to or through Warsaw when you’re in Poland, which makes it a great base for additional travel on longer trips here.

The village of Żelazowa Wola is my favorite option. This is where you can tour Fryderyk Chopin’s birthplace.

As someone who was forced into piano lessons as a kid during what seemed like every episode of The Simpsons, seeing Chopin’s birthplace and museum was a huge deal.

Lublin and Łódź are two more great towns within an easy ride from Warsaw. Even Kraków is doable if you believe in yourself and take the train down, although I really think a few days there is best.

Where to Stay in Warsaw

The best area to stay in Warsaw is the Old Town, or Stare Miasto. If you’re only here for a short amount of time, you’ll be more efficient with that time if you’re close to all of Warsaw’s best attractions.

Unlike some city centers around Europe, you’ll find some great food options in and around Old Town Warsaw that aren’t as touristy as you’d expect. It’s a win-win.

If prices are a bit high in Old Town proper, broaden your search to include Śródmieście, Warsaw’s downtown district. It includes Old Town but expands out into the city’s more modern financial district.

You’ll have easy access to public transportation from here and still be within walking distance of some of the best Warsaw sights.

We stayed at the Mercure Warszawa Centrum on our most recent trip after catching a deal online. It’s not as close to Old Town but offers great public transit options.

Love options? Check out the map below:

Visit Warsaw as a symbol of Polish resilience.

Just think about it. Over 80 percent of this city was destroyed not even that long ago.

That deserves your time, right?

Warsaw is a good place to visit because it’s fun, too. It’s welcoming and delicious with lots to do to fill up a weekend or more.

Traveling elsewhere in Europe? Check out these guides:

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