Many people who visit Warsaw for the first time will immediately head for the old town. And while the reconstructed old town is very impressive to walk around, there are a lot of other things to do in Warsaw outside of this small part of the city. Whether you’re interested in modern museums, you enjoy looking at unique pieces of architecture, or you want to immerse yourself in Polish culture and cuisine, Warsaw has something for everyone to enjoy.
The city was founded in the 14th century, so there’s a lot to unpack while visiting Warsaw. During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, much of its historic centre was completely destroyed by the retreating Nazis. The years following WWII saw a vast restoration project take place, as the city slowly began to rebuild itself. Today, Warsaw is a vibrant capital city in Europe that’s often overlooked in favour of Krakow. But this doesn’t mean that you should cross it from your bucket list just yet, because there are some phenomenal things to do in Warsaw.
Best things to do in Warsaw
Explore the Praga district
If up-and-coming neighbourhoods are your thing, then one of the best things to do in Warsaw for you will be to visit the Praga district of Warsaw. This district is located a short tram ride across the Vistula River from Warsaw’s old town, and it offers a completely different vibe than the rest of the city. Much of this district survived untouched following the horrors of WWII which means you’ll be able to admire the original architecture from earlier centuries.
Praga has an artsy feel to it, so you’ll find a lot of unique street art throughout the district. Attractions such as the Polish Vodka Museum and the Neon Museum are a must-see in Praga too. We stayed in Praga for two nights at Moxy Praga Warsaw and found that it was a more budget friendly part of the city in terms of accommodation, with easy access to the old town.
Take a pierogi cooking class
No trip to Poland is complete without eating some pierogies. But have you ever thought of taking a cooking class in Warsaw? Pierogi & More offer the best and most highly rated cooking classes in the city. They’re located a short tram ride away from the old town, and their Polish dumplings cooking class is a big hit with all types of visitors.
It’s a very easy cooking class that lasts for approximately two hours. During the class you’ll learn about the history of pierogies, how to make the dough, what fillings to put inside, and some tips for making them at home. At the end of the class you’ll be treated to a feast of pierogies as well as some shots of Polish liqueurs.
Before you leave, the instructor will hand you a certificate as proof that you’re now a master pierogi maker. The cooking classes run by Pierogi & More are among the best things to do in Warsaw, so plan ahead and make sure you secure your spot at the table.
Nocny Market
There are quite a lot of things to do in Warsaw at night, but nothing beats visiting the Nocny Market. This night market in Warsaw is Poland’s largest street food market. It’s based out of an old railway station platform and the market is filled with unique culinary stalls as well as a stocked bar and a DJ playing tunes throughout the night. It feels very similar to street food markets in Berlin and it’s open late too so you can fix your food cravings whenever you need to.
Walk around the old town
One of the best things to do in Warsaw is to walk around the old town. Warsaw’s old town was almost completely rebuilt following the conclusion of WWII. However, it’s very difficult to tell which parts are the newest, that’s how well it’s been reconstructed. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Poland, a trip to the Royal Castle or the Barbican Museum are a must. Places such as Old Town Market Place, Castle Square, and the bell tower of St Anne’s Church are just a few examples of other attractions to add to your itinerary.
Visit some museums in Warsaw
Warsaw is home to over 45 museums, and each one is just as unique as the next. Although you probably don’t want to spend all of your time walking around museums, it’s a good idea to add a few museums in Warsaw to your plans. As well as the Royal Castle, museums such as POLIN, the Warsaw Rising Museum, and the Royal Lazienki Museum are worth spending time at if you’re a history enthusiast. Alternatively, there are plenty of modern museums dotted around the city that may be more appealing to you.
Admire the palaces
Warsaw certainly isn’t short of historic buildings and beautiful architecture. After spending some time in old town Warsaw, you should spend some time exploring other parts of the city too. There are several palaces in Warsaw that are popular tourist attractions and they’re easily accessible by public transportation.
The Royal Lazienki Museum and Gardens is a great example of a newer palace complex that’s a very budget friendly attraction in Warsaw. Wilanow Palace will take longer to get to but this museum is the oldest in Poland and the palace itself is picture perfect. You can opt to buy a cheaper ticket for the grounds only if you don’t want to go inside the palace or you don’t have time.
Shop along Nowy Swiat
Nowy Swiat is one of the most well-known streets in Warsaw. It forms part of the Royal Route leading directly to the old town which once stretched all the way to Lazienki Park. Today the street is mostly lined with restaurants, but you’ll find a few unique cafes and shops here too. During the summer months, the street is closed to traffic on weekends so pedestrians can enjoy strolling along Nowy Swiat while taking in the beautiful architecture of the historic tenement houses.
If you’d like to stay in this part of Warsaw, I would recommend booking a room at Teatro Hotel which is a small boutique hotel with a lot of charm.
Palace of Culture and Science
Visiting the Palace of Culture and Science ranks highly among the top things to do in Warsaw. This impressive skyscraper is one of the tallest in the city and it was opened in 1955 as a gift to the Polish people from Joseph Stalin. With its socialist symbolism in the past, today the building has many functions. This is also where the main Warsaw tourist information office is located.
The big highlight of the Palace of Culture and Science is the observation deck on the 30th floor. From here you’ll get panoramic views of Warsaw. You can also get a close up look at some of the socialist realist sculptures popping out of the different niches.
Discover the WWII monuments and memorials
Almost 85% of Warsaw was destroyed during WWII. To commemorate the immense loss of life that occurred here, numerous WWII monuments and memorials have been erected throughout the city. Some of these monuments and memorials are more well-known than others, but the small ones are equally worth visiting.
The Umschlagplatz Monument, for example, is located in the former loading yard of the Warsaw Ghetto. This location is where over 300,000 Jews were transported to concentration camps in the surrounding areas. It’s a very moving monument with a lot of intricate details incorporated into the design. This includes a list of names that each symbolically represent 1000 people that fell victim to the Warsaw Ghetto.
Buy chocolate from E. Wedel
E. Wedel is one of the most popular chocolate brands in Poland, with a history dating back to 1851. Like many privately owned companies in Poland, following the conclusion of WWII and the rise of socialism in Poland, E. Wedel became nationalized. It wasn’t until 1989 that it became reprivatized.
There are various E. Wedel shops throughout Warsaw, but you’ll find the original chocolate lounge located in a tenement building along Szpitalna Street. Inside you’ll find all sorts of chocolates for sale as well as a cafe where you can relax with a drink and a sweet treat. For chocolate-lovers, visiting E. Wedel’s original chocolate lounge is one of the best things to do in Warsaw.
Places to eat in Warsaw
Pink Vegan
There are a lot of incredible places to eat in Warsaw. If you’re on the hunt for vegan restaurants in Warsaw though, you won’t find one better than Pink Vegan. Their menu is largely based around pan-Asian cuisine, and all of their dishes are bursting with natural flavours. It can be difficult to choose just a few things to eat, so I would recommend sharing everything.
The vegan sushi here is amazing so you won’t want to miss out on that, and they have a good variety of unique flavours available. Make sure you don’t leave without trying one of their desserts and ordering a freshly prepared drink to pair with your meal. If you visit in the summer, the iced matcha lattes are very refreshing.
La Sirena: The Mexican Food Cartel
Finding authentic Mexican food can be a difficult task. Luckily, the team at La Sirena: The Mexican Food Cartel knows what to do in the kitchen. This was one of our favourite places to eat in Warsaw, and it’s definitely worth stopping at for lunch. Their vibrant decor matches the menu perfectly, so it’s worth sitting inside for the experience. You’ll find all of the traditional Mexican dishes you’d expect, as well as a few unique ones, on their menu.
All of their food is made fresh to order, so the flavours are incredible. I’d recommend ordering their nachos and a side of guacamole to start things off, followed by one of their quesadillas or burritos. They often have new seasonal cocktails available, so make sure you indulge in a margarita or two.
Butero
Butero is a unique gay-friendly bistro in the heart of Warsaw. Their menu is small but there are some great options on it that are based around comfort food using local and seasonal ingredients. The dishes are the perfect size for sharing, so we ordered a few of their most popular ones and thoroughly enjoyed them all. A lot of their menu is meat-free too, which is a bonus for vegetarians or vegans. If you visit in the warmer months, you can sit outside and enjoy the nice weather while you sip on an expertly crafted cocktail and dig into some great food.
OTO! Sushi
Warsaw is a haven for food lovers, but if you want to try some of the best sushi in Warsaw you need to head to Nowy Swiat. OTO! Sushi has a massive menu with original sushi recipes as well as many popular classics. You’ll also find a good selection of vegan sushi available, and they’re just as tasty. We found the sushi rolls to be slightly larger than we’re used to, so make sure you don’t order too much to start off with. You won’t want to miss this sushi bar in Warsaw, but if you don’t have time to sit at the restaurant you can order some to take away with you instead.
Setki Powodow
If you’re planning a trip to the Polish Vodka Museum, Setki Powodow is the perfect place to stop for lunch. This restaurant is connected to the museum and offers visitors a menu based around modern Polish cuisine. In the evening the restaurant turns into a vibrant bar with live music as well, so whatever time of the day you visit you’re sure to have a good time.
The Foodie Tour ticket at the Polish Vodka Museum includes a voucher that can be used at Setki Powodow after the tour.
Where to stay in Warsaw
H15 Boutique Hotel
There aren’t many hotels in Warsaw that offer guests luxurious and modern accommodation in the midst of an historic building. H15 Boutique Hotel is based out of a 19th century tenement house in the centre of the city. It consists of just 47 rooms and apartments that have all been artistically designed to create a unique experience for guests.
The building itself has an interesting history behind it. Apart from being located along one of the oldest streets in the centre of Warsaw, H15 Boutique Hotel has served as a Soviet embassy, a private residence, and a headquarters for the Nazi party. The hotel is a great example of when past meets present.
We stayed in their classic room which is designed using furniture exclusively made for the hotel. The room is very reminiscent of a 1950s contemporary design, with vibrant colours and patterns adorning the furniture. Although this is the smallest of the rooms available, it’s incredibly spacious with a long corridor connecting the large marble bathroom and the walk-in wardrobe.
Inside the wardrobe you’ll find a small fridge that’s fully stocked with drinks that you can purchase at an additional cost. We loved the addition of the macarons that were waiting for us when we arrived in our room too. Since no two rooms are the same, you’re sure to have an unforgettable stay, even if you’ve visited this 5-star hotel in Warsaw in the past.
In order to make the most out of your time in Warsaw, I’d recommend having breakfast at the hotel. Their breakfast is served buffet-style, but you’ll also be given a menu where hot food such as scrambled eggs can be ordered from. The buffet has a unique mixture of food available, including microgreens that you can freshly cut yourself.
Breakfast is served in what’s known as the Patio which has a glass ceiling and is lined with beautiful olive trees. Guests can also take advantage of the fitness studio and the hotel’s restaurant, Signature, which is a nice place to dine in the evening. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Warsaw, you can’t beat the 5-star H15 Boutique hotel.
>> Choose your room or suite at H15 Boutique Hotel <<
Is Warsaw worth visiting?
Warsaw is a beautiful city, and its old town and food scene are among the best in Europe. If you’re still asking yourself if Warsaw is worth visiting, hopefully this article has helped to convince you to book your trip to the Polish capital. There are a lot of amazing things to do in Warsaw, especially for people interested in history. It’s one city that you can return to time and time again and still find new things to do in Warsaw on your return.
If you have any questions about things to do in Warsaw, where to stay in Warsaw, or places to eat in Warsaw, please feel free to get in touch with me using the contact form or via email. You can also reach out on Instagram where I’m always posting travel tips and unique destinations to add to your bucket list.
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