Warsaw Mazovia
3
Day Itinerary •
Poland
Three days in Warsaw covers the essential experience of one of the most extraordinary capital cities in Europe. The remarkable UNESCO Old Town rebuilt from near-total wartime destruction, the extraordinary Warsaw Uprising Museum, the outstanding POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the fine Lazienki Park make three days of profound historical depth and remarkable Polish culture. This route gives a full day in the extraordinary Old Town and Royal Castle, a day at the finest museums in Poland and a final day in the remarkable Praga district and Lazienki Park, covering the essential Warsaw experience.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
Getting Around
Metro, tram and walking
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 400 PLN per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking
DAY 1
WARSAW OLD TOWN AND UPRISING MUSEUM
MORNING
WARSAW OLD TOWN AND ROYAL CASTLE
Warsaw's extraordinary UNESCO Old Town, rebuilt from near-total wartime destruction using Canaletto paintings as the blueprint, is one of the most remarkable acts of cultural resurrection in history. The fine Royal Castle, the outstanding Sigismund Column and the remarkable Market Square are all outstanding. The remarkable story of how Warsaw defied its destroyers and rebuilt everything from rubble in just 30 years is the most inspiring chapter in Polish history. Castle entry approx 30 PLN. Travel: 20 min metro
MIDDAY
NOWY SWIAT AND ROYAL ROUTE
The Royal Route along Krakowskie Przedmiescie and Nowy Swiat is the finest walk in Warsaw, passing the remarkable Presidential Palace, the extraordinary Holy Cross Church with Chopin's heart and the outstanding University of Warsaw. The fine cafes of Nowy Swiat are the best in the city. Climb the extraordinary Palace of Culture observation deck for the finest panoramic view of Warsaw. Viewing deck approx 20 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
WARSAW UPRISING MUSEUM
The Warsaw Uprising Museum is the finest museum in Poland. The extraordinary story of the 63-day Uprising of 1944 when the Polish Home Army fought the Nazi occupation, the remarkable personal testimonies, the outstanding sewers reconstruction and the extraordinary scope of the exhibition make it unmissable. Entry approx 30 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Barbican in Warsaw, the remarkable 16th-century gate tower surviving from before the war, is the finest medieval fortification in the city. Free to view.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Bristol The finest traditional Warsaw breakfast on the Royal Route. | Lunch: Old Town restaurant Traditional Polish pierogi on the finest rebuilt square. | Dinner: Nowy Swiat The finest evening dining street in Warsaw.
DAY 2
JEWISH HERITAGE AND LAZIENKI
MORNING
POLIN MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF POLISH JEWS
The POLIN Museum on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto is one of the finest museums in the world, its extraordinary 1,000-year history of Jewish life in Poland presented through remarkable multimedia and immersive exhibitions. The outstanding permanent collection and the fine temporary exhibitions make it the best museum visit in Warsaw. Entry approx 30 PLN. Travel: 20 min tram
MIDDAY
GHETTO MEMORIAL AREA
The area around POLIN preserves the memory of the Warsaw Ghetto. The extraordinary Monument to the Ghetto Heroes, the remarkable Umschlagplatz memorial and the outstanding Mila 18 bunker where the Ghetto Uprising fighters made their final stand are all profoundly moving. The remarkable juxtaposition of the modern glass museum and the extraordinary monument is outstanding. Free. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
LAZIENKI PARK AND CHOPIN CONCERT
Lazienki, Warsaw's extraordinary royal park, is the finest in Poland. The remarkable Palace on the Water, the outstanding Chopin Monument and the fine Sunday summer concerts beside the monument are all outstanding. Attending a free Chopin concert in the park is the finest experience in Warsaw. Park free, palace approx 25 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Warsaw Neon Museum in the Praga district, with the finest collection of communist-era neon signs in the world, is the most remarkable small museum in Warsaw. Entry approx 15 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Warsaw hotel Good breakfast before the POLIN tram. | Lunch: POLIN Museum cafe Excellent lunch in the finest museum in Poland. | Dinner: Praga district Cross the Vistula to Warsaw's finest emerging neighbourhood.
DAY 3
WILANOW, VISTULA AND FAREWELL
MORNING
WILANOW PALACE
Wilanow Palace, the extraordinary 17th-century royal residence known as the Polish Versailles, is the finest palace in Poland. The remarkable state apartments, the outstanding formal gardens and the extraordinary Poster Museum in the stables with the finest collection of Polish poster art in the world are all outstanding. Entry palace approx 30 PLN. Travel: 30 min bus
MIDDAY
VISTULA BOULEVARDS
The extraordinary Vistula Boulevards opened in 2016 are Warsaw's finest public space, its remarkable bar boats, outstanding street food and the fine view of the rebuilt Old Town from the east bank making it outstanding. The extraordinary combination of the UNESCO Old Town and the modern city behind it visible from the river is the finest panorama in Warsaw. Free. Travel: 30 min bus back
AFTERNOON
COPERNICUS SCIENCE CENTRE AND FAREWELL
The Copernicus Science Centre on the Vistula riverbank is the finest science museum in Poland. The extraordinary interactive exhibitions and the remarkable planetarium are outstanding. A final walk through the extraordinary rebuilt Old Town for the farewell. Entry approx 34 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary view of Warsaw from the Palace of Culture viewing deck at night, when the remarkable rebuilt Old Town glows against the modern skyline, is the finest night view in the city. Entry approx 20 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Nowy Swiat cafe Good breakfast before the Wilanow bus. | Lunch: Wilanow palace cafe Simple lunch in the remarkable French-style palace gardens. | Dinner: Final Warsaw dinner Farewell to the Phoenix city. Beef and Pepper or Concept 13.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
City centre or Old Town, all nights Excellent hotels near Nowy Swiat. Approx 150 to 350 PLN per night. Praga option Cross the Vistula for cheaper, hipper accommodation in the emerging district. Booking ahead Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead in summer. Warsaw is popular.
Top Tips
1. The Warsaw Uprising Museum is the finest museum in Poland. Allow at least 3 hours.
2. The POLIN Museum is world class. Combined with the Ghetto Memorial area it is a full day.
3. Warsaw is excellent value. Meals and museums cost far less than Western European equivalents.
4. Take the tram to Praga for the finest emerging arts and dining scene in Warsaw.
5. The Sunday Chopin concerts in Lazienki Park in summer are free and extraordinary.
6. Book the Warsaw Uprising Museum online. It fills fast, especially weekends.
Total Budget
270 to 560 PLN/day