The 14 Best Things To Do in Warsaw, Poland
Okay, so you’ve taken in all the must-sees in Warsaw and your eyes have gotten their fill. Why not give the rest of your body a treat too?
Check out the 14 best things to do in Warsaw and give all five of your senses the ultimate Varsovian feast. We guarantee you won’t regret it!
1. Go to the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science
If you want to experience one of the best panoramas in Warsaw, then this is something you definitely don’t want to miss. Since the Palace of Culture and Science is one of the tallest buildings in the capital, the view from the 30th floor really doesn’t disappoint. Simply taking the elevator up 114 meters in under a minute is an experience. A professional (and slightly grumpy looking) elevator lady who pushes the buttons for you is an added bonus you don’t get in other elevators.
Once up top, take in a gorgeous view of the city from each of the four sides of the building. For a really Instagramable experience, get there around sunset and watch Warsaw’s everyday hustle and bustle slowly turn into an active and colorful nightlife.
Pro tip: If you want to awaken some butterflies in your significant other’s stomach, take them up at sunset for a date. Romance +100 guaranteed.
2. Experience post-industrial Warsaw (Koszyki, Browary, Fabryka Norblina)
There were several factories and market halls that thankfully survived World War II and were given a modern face-lift in the 21st century. Each building has its own colorful history that you can experience and visiting them is now one of the best things to do in Warsaw.
Hala Koszyki was built as a market hall at the beginning of the 20th century and has always housed some form of small, retail trade. Now it also beckons people to buy its great food and drinks at the many trendy (and some quite famous) eateries inside. In the spring and summer, enjoy a great meal or some drinks with friends in the courtyard lit by lightbulbs and sheltered with umbrellas.
Browary hails all the way back to 1846 when the brewery was built. Though it survived World War II and communism, it was ultimately abandoned. New life was breathed into it in 2017, and it now entices passersby with trendy restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world. Browary is the most modern of these three spots, with lots of new age buildings and design, with just a bit of the original building left. There is quite a lot of space in the open air, so it’s a great place for those who like to dine outside.
Fabryka Norblina also dates back to the 19th century when it was a factory that made metal plates. Completely destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt and then became a museum of printing and industry. Much like Koszyki, Fabryka Norblina now houses many hip and trendy places to eat or get some drinks. It doesn’t forget about its past though, and you can see old factory equipment, factory carts, and cart rails sprinkled all over.
All three of these places also offer live concerts, exhibits, and other cultural events so be sure to check their website to see what’s on at the moment. They’re all also very popular among local Varsovians so make sure to make a reservation to have a guaranteed table!
3. Go shopping at a typical market place in Warsaw (Hala Mirowska, Hala Gwardii)
You can’t say that you’ve truly visited a city if you don’t try to do what the locals do. And the locals in Warsaw love markets and go to the good ones.
Check out the look-alike, brick Hala Mirowska and Hala Gwardii near the city center. Built at the turn of the 20th century, these beautiful buildings gave the markets of old a place to gather and trade, much like they do now. Check out the numerous shops inside or discover the free-standing market right outside that’s practically overflowing with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats. Keep an eye out for regional specialties that you won’t be able to get in any supermarket. If you’re claustrophobic, stay away on Saturdays when about half the capital pours in for their weekend market shopping.
4. Take a metro and enjoy our beautiful stations
No, the Warsaw metro network isn’t as impressive as the German U-Bahn or London’s Underground, but it does have metro stations that will make you think you stepped out of the train and into an art gallery.
All the stations on both the M1 and M2 lines are spacious and welcoming, clean and well lit. Each station is also different, each having its own “theme”. The best ones are on the northern half on the M1 line from Świętokrzyska to Młociny and all the stations on the newer M2 line. If you only have time to visit one station, check out Plac Wilsona (M1 line) which was voted the most beautiful metro station in the world by “Metrorail” and one of the 12 most remarkable metro stations in Europe by CNN!
The M2 line is definitely like something out of a modern art gallery so if you’re into modern art, comic book styles, and lots of color, this is definitely something for you. For the best viewing experience, try to stay away during rush hours so that large crowds don’t ruin your view 😉
5. See the street art
Anyone who’s lived in Warsaw over the last 20 years will tell you that the city has changed a lot. And it’s not just the new skyscrapers or renovated parks and roads. Warsaw is a lot more colorful now thanks to numerous murals that have sprung up everywhere.
The two best areas to check out these murals are the districts of Muranów and Praga. Just start walking around and admire the larger and smaller examples of street art sprinkled all over from famous artists like Conor Harrington, Escif, or El Tono. Pro tip: make sure to look up, down, and all around (and into the gateways) so you don’t miss a thing!
6. Walk down the street of Kamienne Schodki
You’ve probably already heard that the Old Town is a must-see in Warsaw. What you probably haven’t heard is that there’s a quaint little street tucked away near the market square that most visitors completely miss.
Take a leisurely walk down Kamienne Schodki which is made of exactly what the name suggests—stone steps (100 to be precise). Built back in the 16th century to carry water up from the river, it’s now a spot that gathers photographers, lovers, and artists, captured by its medieval charm.
7. Go for a walk to the Kabacki Forest
Who said that a big, modern city can’t include a real forest? Not a park, a forest.
Nature lovers and city dwellers wanting to get away from the urban hustle and bustle will find strolling through Kabacki Forest one of the most relaxing things to do in Warsaw. Let your hair down while you take one of the many winding paths that crisscross the forest. It’s the perfect spot for family strolls, walks with pets, romantic dates, or some quiet alone time. Bike riders can also take advantage of this area if they’ve had their fill of asphalt.
8. Listen to Chopin’s music
Although Frederick Chopin, one of the best classical composers, was not born in Warsaw, he spent half of his life here. If you’re a music fan, there is absolutely no better thing to do in Warsaw than to listen to his music in the open air! During the summertime, enjoy his classical pieces at Łazienki Park every single Sunday during open-air concerts.
You might say to yourself that classical concerts can be found in any city. Sure, but what about classical music benches? Sit down on and listen to one of the 15 musical benches located in the center of the city that each play a different piece of Chopin’s music.
9. Have a picnic next to the Vistula River
The powerful Vistula River runs through the middle of Warsaw and is the perfect place for a picnic, no matter what you like. Feeling a little more rugged and natural? Try the eastern river bank that boasts a real, wild beach with trees that offer nice shade. Maybe you’re more into modern and sophisticated things? Then the modernized western river bank is the place for you. Take a tour of the 400-meter section of the Vistula Boulevards (Bulwary Wiślane) promenade that has a variety of restaurants and bars to hang out in. Or just grab your picnic basket and blanket and enjoy the view from the river bank steps.
If you want to add a bit of pizzazz to your picnic, grab your blanket and make your way over to the other side of Wybrzeże Gdańskie Street to the Multimedia Fountain Park. An artistic fountain and laser light show are played every hour after sunset in the summer.
10. Eat in a milk bar
Warsaw is full of great, fancy restaurants with cuisines from all over the world, but you’ve never been to Poland or Warsaw if you haven’t tried Polish food. One of the most distinctive places you can do that is the milk bar. Dating back to 1896 and extremely popular during communism, the milk bar served good, but cheap food (mostly containing dairy) to the average citizen. Modern milk bars have expanded their menus to include hearty Polish food, but still at very affordable prices. If you’re in the mood for Polish pierogi, potato pancakes, traditional Polish soups, or anything else Polish, you can’t go wrong with a milk bar!
11. Take a shot in a shot bar
One of the things that both visitors and locals alike love doing in Warsaw is eating and drinking. Sure, there are lots of good bars and pubs in the capital, but what if you’re in the mood for a couple of good drinks and a fun time with friends? That’s where the shot bar comes in.
Some have a modern decor and some take you back to the heyday of communism, but whichever you choose, you’re in for a treat. From inexpensive, simple vodka shots to more colorful and fun cocktails, Warsaw shot bars offer a little something for everyone. Remember that drinking on an empty stomach is a bad idea so make sure to order some Polish food while you’re there!
12. Go to a flea market (Olimpia, Koło)
If you’re open to a little adventure and are a vintage lover, one of the most original things you can do in Warsaw is visit a flea market. They are a true eclectic collection of everything and anything (socks, guns, furniture, you name it, it’s there). From abundant leftovers of the communist-era to used household items to antique gems hidden in a pile of dusty stuff, the capital’s flea markets are perfect for anyone on the hunt for a unique find or souvenir. Since they are located away from the city center, make sure to check how to get there and when the flea market is open (some are open only on specific days and times).
13. Expand your mind
Warsaw’s history is as beautiful as it is tragic, and there’s no better way to really see why Warsaw was once called the “Paris of the east” than going to Fotoplastikon. Take in 3D photos of Warsaw before World War II in a unique viewing gallery decorated in a 1920s style. You can only see the photos through unique “viewers” which makes for a more personal, deep experience. Though popular before World War I, this is the only such establishment left in Warsaw so you’re truly in a one-of-a-kind place!
If you’re into something more modern, and if you want to expand your children’s minds as well as your own, then the Copernicus Science Center is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Warsaw. This modern, interactive center has something for everyone, no matter how good they are at chemistry, physics, astronomy, or psychology. Take part in interactive experiments and get blown away by science while having fun!
14. Satisfy your sweet tooth
If you want to see Polish people argue, ask them where you can find the best pączek (or, alternatively, call a pączek a “doughnut”). You see, it’s not enough to just eat one from anywhere, and definitely not one from a supermarket (oh the audacity!) What better thing to do in Warsaw than to experience the city via your sweet tooth; embark on your own Polish culinary journey to find the best pączek!
The two most famous shops might be quite small, but the lines of people waiting to buy their favorite pączki are quite long. Cukiernia Pawłowicz serves pączki with all kinds of traditional and modern flavors. On the other hand, Pracownia Cukiernicza Zagoździński serves only one type of pączek based on a recipe that dates back to before World War II. If you’re in the area, Blikle pączki also have a long-standing tradition in Warsaw, but are more expensive.