Best Things To Do in Warsaw

Warsaw is the most important city in Poland, the capital of the country and also one of the best places in Europe to learn about the history of the 20th century. With a historic centre that was rebuilt after the Second World War and a very interesting cultural offer, you can also find some of the most outstanding museums in the region and interesting attractions in the surrounding area.

Some of the best things to do in Warsaw during your trip include exploring the buildings in the Old Town, visiting the museums that tell the history of the city and the country, visiting the nearby concentration camps, discovering the magic of Chopin in a musical concert, walking through the parks and gardens and admiring the city's landscapes from the viewpoints. I'll tell you a little more about these sites below.

The Warsaw Ghetto is a site with a deeply moving history and historical significance. This settlement was established by the Germans during World War II as part of their policy of segregation and persecution of the Jewish population, housing over 400,000 people who were forced to live in precarious conditions, with shortages of food, space and basic services.

Resistance within the ghetto reached a critical point in 1943 with the Warsaw Uprising. The Jewish population, defying German forces, fought for almost a month before being brutally suppressed. This act of resistance symbolises the determination and courage of the Polish people in the face of Nazi oppression. Today, you can walk through the streets of this site and see the state of the buildings that have survived to the present day.

During this tour, which you can do on your own or on one of the best tours of Warsaw, you will learn about local history and reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust. The ghetto is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the city.

Warsaw Royal Castle is a 14th century architectural gem located in the heart of the Polish capital. Originally built as the residence of the local monarchy, the building has witnessed significant events over the years, from royal coronations to other key episodes in the country's history. However, during World War II it was severely damaged by bombing and later rebuilt.

Today, the Royal Castle is one of Warsaw's most popular tourist destinations and is one of the gateways to Polish history and tradition. During a guided tour of the site you can explore the royal halls, admire the combination of Renaissance and Baroque architecture and enjoy panoramic views of Warsaw's Old Town from the terraces of the building.

The site also houses exhibitions illustrating the history of the city and its reconstruction after World War II, providing a unique insight into the tenacity of this destination in the face of adversity.

Treblinka Concentration Camp, located approximately 100 kilometres from Warsaw, is a grim reminder of one of the darkest chapters of contemporary history. The camp was established by the Nazis during World War II as part of the Final Solution and became one of the deadliest extermination sites on record.

If you want to discover this facet of Polish history, then a visit to Treblinka is an experience that will undoubtedly be shocking. Although many of the facilities were destroyed, the present-day monuments and memorials pay homage to the victims and seek to preserve the memory. The site also offers a breathtaking insight into the magnitude of the tragedy that occurred there.

The Treblinka Concentration Camp can be visited on your own or on some of the best excursions from Warsaw which usually include return transfers with hotel pick-up and the assistance of a knowledgeable local guide.

Frederic Chopin, besides being one of the greatest composers of all time, is one of Poland's prodigal sons. And in Warsaw in particular you can attend a concert to immerse yourself in the wonder of his music. Chopin, who was born in the Polish capital in 1810 and left an enduring legacy, is also the focus of some of the best cultural activities in this destination.

Numerous venues in the city offer concerts dedicated exclusively to Chopin's work. The highlight is the Chopin Concert at the Lazienki Palace, right in the middle of the Palace gardens, an absolutely idyllic setting. This open-air event, which takes place during the summer months in Poland, allows classical music lovers to enjoy the composer's masterpieces.

In addition to the Lazienki Palace, concerts can be found at other emblematic sites, such as St. Anne's Church and the Frederic Chopin Museum.

Discovering Polish cuisine in Warsaw is an experience you won't want to miss when visiting this destination. The city offers a wide variety of restaurants and venues that will allow you to immerse yourself in the culinary specialities of the region, with the Old Town being the perfect place to begin this gastronomic journey, offering traditional restaurants serving classic Polish dishes in a picturesque setting.

For those wishing to explore Warsaw's gastronomy in a more structured way, taking part in a gastronomic tour is an excellent option. These tours allow visitors to sample a variety of Polish dishes ranging from pierogi, which are stuffed dumplings, to sour zurek soup and dishes made from kielbasa, a Polish sausage widely used in stews and calorific meals.

Recommended places to experience authentic Polish cuisine include the Zapiecek restaurant and the Milk Bar Prasowy. In the latter you can experience the so-called "milk bars", reminiscent of the communist era where they serve homemade dishes at affordable prices, which is ideal if you are planning to visit Warsaw on a tight budget.

One of the best ways to see Warsaw from a bird's eye view of the city's skyline is to go to the Palace of Culture and Science. This building is a testament to post-war socialist architecture and , at 231 metres high, it is still the tallest structure in Poland.

From the observation deck at the top of the Palace you can enjoy a full view of the Warsaw landscape in all directions. From there you can see the business district with its characteristic skyscrapers, the Vistula River meandering through the city and also the rooftops and houses of the Old Town, which was reconstructed in detail after the end of World War II.

The viewing platform of the Palace of Culture and Science has become a popular landmark for locals and tourists alike. Also, in addition to the views from its observation deck, the building houses concert halls, theatres, cinemas and museums, actively contributing to Warsaw's cultural life.

Lazienki Park, known as Warsaw's Royal Park, is one of the city's green lungs and is a haven amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, making it the ideal place to relax between excursions. This extensive park offers a picturesque setting with lakes, bridges, gardens and internal buildings of classical architecture. Founded in the 17th century, the park was designed as a place of recreation for the Polish royal family, hence its name.

During a visit to Lazienki Park you can explore the Palace on the Water, an architectural gem located in the middle of a lake, as well as the Myslewicki Palace and the Royal Theatre, which offer a glimpse into Poland's rich cultural history. There you will also find the Frederic Chopin Monument, a site where open-air concerts are held in the summer, making it one of Warsaw's best night-time activities.

The extensive tree-lined paths and open spaces of Lazienki Park provide opportunities for strolling, picnicking, touring the site on a bicycle tour or simply relaxing in the midst of nature. The park, then, offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, becoming a haven where you can recharge your batteries before continuing to explore Warsaw's attractions.

The Warsaw Uprising Museum is a moving tribute to one of the most significant chapters in Polish history, the 1944 Uprising. This museum comprehensively reviews the events that took place during the days of brave resistance by Polish citizens against the Nazi occupation.

This place, which is considered to be one of the best museums in Warsaw, presents a collection that includes photographs, documents, personal objects and testimonies that showcase the struggle and sacrifice of the local inhabitants. Among the most striking exhibits is the recreation of the streets and buildings of the city during the uprising, providing visitors with an immersive experience that gives an insight into the conditions under which this event took place.

In addition to the static displays, the Warsaw Uprising Museum offers a captivating multimedia experience. Films, recordings and eyewitness accounts narrate the events in a vivid and moving way. You can also explore the exterior of the museum, where you will find monuments and memorials to the heroes of the uprising.

This museum also looks back on the history of Poland during the Second World War, which marked one of the darkest episodes of the country, with three out of ten Poles dying on the front lines or in German concentration camps. Therefore, this site will offer you a complete experience that summarises much of the history of the city and the country in an interactive exhibition that captivates visitors of all ages.

The Sigismund's Column is a 22-metre high structure in the heart of Warsaw and a monument that encapsulates centuries of Polish history. Standing on Castle Square since 1644, it was built in honour of the king who moved the capital from Kraków to Warsaw in the 17th century. Designed by the Italian sculptor Augusto Locci, the column is a symbol of the Polish monarchy and its connection to the capital.

The original statue of the column was knocked down by German troops during the occupation of Warsaw during World War II, but was restored in 1949 and placed back in its original position. Since then, the column has become an iconic landmark and meeting place in the city that you can visit on your own or by booking a guided tour of Warsaw.

Moreover, by visiting the Sigismund Column you can take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area, as just a few steps away you can find the Royal Castle, the Old Town Market Square and other points of interest that I do not recommend leaving out of your itinerary, even if you plan to visit Warsaw in 3 days or even less.

For a local and different experience in Warsaw, you can buy tickets to visit the Polish Vodka Museum. This exhibition will offer you a fascinating immersion into the history and culture behind this iconic drink. The museum, which opened in 2018, has since become a must-see destination for vodka lovers and also for those looking to better understand the tradition associated with this spirit.

At the Polish Vodka Museum you can explore a variety of interactive exhibits that showcase everything from the production of vodka to the cultural influence it has had over the centuries, not only in Poland, but also in the region. Displays include exhibits on the diversity of ingredients used in the making of the drink, as well as the evolution of its production over time. In addition, the museum highlights the social role of vodka in Polish history.

Vodka tastings are an integral part of the museum experience. There you can try different varieties of vodka and understand the subtleties of its flavours. You can also take cocktail classes where experts will share with you their techniques and secrets for preparing the most emblematic drinks featuring vodka. Are you ready for a visit? Cheers!